Hong Kong: Patriotism enshrined in voting system

The main goal of enhancing Hong Kongs electoral system serves to ensure that the city is governed by patriots, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today.

She made the statement at a media session following her visit to a 2021 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections polling station this morning.

Mrs Lam said: The whole objective of improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is to ensure patriots administering Hong Kong. This is a very legitimate objective of any public election in any government.

I doubt very much that another government or another country will allow the public elections of their local legislature to consist of people whose mission is to undermine the national interest or the national security.

Whether it is in the form of the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee or the nomination system in the coming three elections, the whole purpose is to ensure that the election candidates could fulfil the legitimate requirement of patriots administering Hong Kong which has been enshrined in local legislation, she added.

But we still welcome people from all walks of life, people have different opinions about the Governments policies to go into the political system.

As long as we all share the common objective that we will continue to succeed under one country, two systems, then we will not do anything to undermine national security.

This story has been published on: 2021-09-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Hong Kong: Govt to update COVID-19 jab records

The Food & Health Bureau is in the process of updating Hong Kongs COVID-19 vaccination records to meet international travel rules, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced today.

The UK government declared that from 4am on October 4, the rules for international travel to England will change from the red, amber or green three-tier traffic light system to a single red list.

Except for those who have UK residence rights, people who have been to places on the red list in the past 10 days will be denied entry to England.

Hong Kong is currently on the green list.

Under the revised system, to be exempted from quarantine, people arriving in England from Hong Kong are required to have completed a vaccination course of a specified COVID-19 vaccine by the relevant health authorities in an approved place at least 14 days prior to arrival and get tested on the second day of arrival.

Additionally, the vaccinated persons date of birth must be shown on the vaccination record.

Those who have not completed vaccination will need to undergo self-quarantine for 10 days and get tested on the second and eighth days of arrival.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said it has been made aware of the changes in travel rules to England and explained that the bureau is working out the arrangements to add the date of birth to the vaccination records in order to comply with the UK governments latest requirements.

Details will be announced once the arrangement is in place, it added.

This story has been published on: 2021-09-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Hong Kong: Elections held successfully: CE

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said the 2021 Election Committee (EC) Subsector Ordinary Elections voter turnout rate reflected subsector members support for the new electoral system.

She made the statement following the polling which ended at 6pm with a voter turnout rate of nearly 90%.

Mrs Lam said: As the first elections held after the approval by the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress of the amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, these elections are particularly meaningful.

They mark the implementation of the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong in the political system of the Hong Kong SAR, the safeguarding of sovereignty, security and development interests of the nation, and the steadfast and successful implementation of one country, two systems.

The EC is endowed with important functions under the improved electoral system, including the nomination and election of the Chief Executive, nomination of candidates for the Legislative Council election and election of 40 LegCo members, she explained.

Made up of 1,500 members from 40 subsectors, the EC is broadly representative and fulfils the principle of balanced participation, the Chief Executive added, noting that through the candidates election manifestos and interactions with the public, they have shown their commitment to society.

Mrs Lam expressed gratitude to the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee, the Electoral Affairs Commission, the Registration & Electoral Office and all working staff for acting strictly in accordance with the law in executing every part of the improved electoral system, enabling the EC elections to be conducted in an open, fair and honest manner.

She also pointed out that a number of enhancement measures were successfully carried out in the EC elections for the first time, including the electronic poll register system and special queue arrangements, building a good foundation for future elections.

The Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau will take stock of the experience in implementing various arrangements at the polling stations for future reference.

The bureau will continue to work closely with relevant parties to devise comprehensive and detailed plans for the upcoming LegCo General Election and the Chief Executive Election to ensure the elections could be conducted properly and smoothly, Mrs Lam added.

This story has been published on: 2021-09-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
RTHK: Pro-Kremlin party leading vote after crackdown

President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party was ahead with nearly 40 percent of the vote, early results showed on Sunday, after a three-day election that followed an unprecedented crackdown on the opposition.

With just more than ten percent of the vote counted, United Russia had taken 39.2 percent, according to results released by the election commission.

The Communists were second with 24.7 percent, followed by the nationalist LDPR party with 9.5 percent.

The vote came in the wake of a clampdown this year that saw Putin's best-known domestic foe Alexei Navalny jailed and his organisations banned as "extremist".

In the lead-up to the vote, all of Navalny's top allies were arrested or fled the country, with anyone associated with his groups kept from running.

Authorities also took drastic measures to deter Navalny's "Smart Voting" campaign, which guided voters on which candidates to support to have the best hope of denying Kremlin-aligned politicians a seat.

The campaign's website was shut down and on Friday Apple and Google removed the "Smart Voting" app from their stores, causing an uproar among the opposition who accused them of giving in to Kremlin "blackmail".

By late Friday, the popular Telegram messenger had also removed Navalny's "Smart Voting" bot, and by Sunday Google Docs and YouTube videos containing the lists of the recommended candidates had also been blocked.

Navalny's team promptly made new Google Docs and YouTube videos with the lists of candidates, and in a final pitch to voters from behind bars, the Kremlin critic wrote on Instagram: "Today is a day when your voice truly matters."

Turnout was at 45 percent according to the latest figures released by the election commission.

Russian social media meanwhile was inundated with reports of ballot stuffing and military servicemen patrolling polling stations.

Critics also pointed to online voting, new limits on independent election observers and the polls being spread over three days  a move officials said was to reduce coronavirus risks  as presenting opportunities for fraud.

As of Sunday evening, independent election monitor Golos  which authorities branded a "foreign agent" ahead of the polls  had tracked over 4,500 reports of voting violations.

Russia's interior ministry, however, told news agencies on Sunday evening that it had not registered any "significant violations". (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2021-09-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Update: 19-09-2021 | 15:39:02

The export value of Vietnamese tuna exports to the Israeli market by mid-August jumped by 34 percent to nearly 25 million USD compared to the same period last year, or accounted for 5.6 percent of the total tuna export value, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Fishermen bring tuna to storage in Tien Chau port, Tuy An district of Phu Yen province

Israel continues to be Vietnams third-largest single tuna export market, behind the US and Italy.

According to VASEP, tuna export turnover was estimated at over 410 million USD in seven months of this year, up 21 percent annually. Vietnams major importers include the US, Europe, Israel, Canada and Japan. The US was the largest importer with a value of over 170 million USD.

Despite experiencing a decline in 2019, since the end of 2020, tuna exports to the market have consistently bounced back, with the average export price in the market hovering at 5,464 USD per tonne.

Most notably, Vietnamese frozen tuna fillets coded HS03048700 remain the key export product in the market, accounting for 47 percent of the total export value.

According to statistics released by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the first half of the year saw Vietnam surpass Thailand to become the largest tuna supplier to Israel, accounting for roughly 31 percent of their overall import value.

Furthermore, Israel simultaneously reduced tuna imports from other countries, while also increasing imports from the Vietnamese market.

At present, there are eight local enterprises, including Tuna Vietnam, Bidifisco, and Havuco which are actively involved in exporting tuna to the Israeli market./.

VNA
Vietnamese President arrives in Havana, beginning official friendly visit to Cuba

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Havana on September 18 morning (local time), beginning a three-day official friendly visit to Cuba at the invitation of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz Canel.



Politburo member, Vice President of Cuba Salvador Valdes Mesa (left) welcomes President Nguyen Xuan Phuc at Havana Jose Marti International Airport.(Photo: VNA)







The Vietnamese President was welcomed at Havana Jose Marti International Airport by Politburo member, Vice President of Cuba Salvador Valdes Mesa and officials of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Thanh Tung, the embassys staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community working, living and studying in the country.



Vietnam and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1960. Cuba always took the lead in supporting Vietnams resistance war to regain national independence and reunification.



President Phucs visit to Cuba reflected Vietnams policy of promoting relations with priority partners and traditional friends. It is an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its solidarity and strong support for Cuba in a challenging period, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang had said.



It is the first visit to Cuba by a senior leader of the Vietnamese Party and State after the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.



President Phuc is also the first foreign head of state to visit Cuba after the Caribbean country successfully organised the 8th National Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba.



Over the past years, the Vietnamese Party, State and people have actively supported Cuba in food issue. In return, top leaders of Cuba directly instructed the early supply of COVID-19 vaccine and technology transfer to Vietnam when the Southeast Asian country proposed.



During the visit, Vietnamese and Cuban leaders will discuss to further close coordination and concretise important collaboration areas between the two nations, and to deepen their solidarity in the new period.



President Nguyen Xuan Phuc is scheduled to hold talks with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz Canel; and meet with Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, and President of the National Assembly of the Peoples Power and President of the Council of State Esteban Lazo Hernandez.
South African Chinese Language Day" celebration held online

16:30, September 18, 2021 By Wang Lei ( People's Daily Online

Logo for South African Chinese Language Day"

Johannesburg, Sept. 17 (People's Daily Online) -- "I hope you (South African students) could experience Chinese civilization for yourself and become the envoys for China-South Africa friendship and builders of China-South Africa and China-Africa communities with a shared future, said Chen Xiaodong, Chinese ambassador to South Africa, as he addressed the "South African Chinese Language Day" celebration online on Sept. 17, 2021.

Angie Motshekga, Minister of the Department of Basic Education of South Africa, also sent her congratulations for this years celebration. I hope that many South African learners would learn the Chinese language and become envoys of South Africa-China friendship and also provide opportunities to fulfill their dreams.

Professor Cheng Yongbo, President of the Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, addressed the celebration with his sincere hope that through common effort, South African Chinese Language Day can become a well-known brand for the promotion of Chinese language and culture as well as the enhancement of China-South Africa friendship.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration for the event, entitled "South African Chinese Language Education Achievements Exhibition", is being held online by the Chinese Embassy and organized by the Confucius Classroom at the Chinese Culture and International Education Exchange Centre, South Africa.

The celebration consists of seven parts, including the Chinese education services of teaching promotion, cultural activities, innovation projects, media publicity, local recognition, exchange promotion and service localization.

Teaching targets and classes include official training courses for officials from various bureaus at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, bachelor's and master's degree courses or elective courses for South African students, elective classes or private education, extra-mural classes for students in primary and high schools in South Africa, compulsory courses in Chinese and vocational skills for South African TVET colleges, and local training courses for teachers in South Africa.

The teachers of Chinese not only comprise public Chinese school teachers and volunteers, but also local teachers, overseas volunteers, and overseas Chinese teachers in South Africa. The mode for teaching includes a combination of online and offline teaching, and teaching content includes both daily Chinese language content and essential elements of Chinese culture (such as calligraphy, martial arts, etc.), as well as customized Chinese training in different industries, such as tour guides, hospitality and catering, traditional Chinese medicine, banking, transportation, mechanical and electrical engineering, etc.

Chinese language teaching in South Africa not only focuses on the cultivation of campus students, but also helps officials from national departments learn Chinese through regular training at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, along with officials from the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Trade and Industry who learn about China through pre-trip training and South African tour guides who learn Chinese through the tour guide training sessions of the Department of Tourism.

Chinese language education institutions in South Africa also pay attention to combining teaching and research, as well as establishing institutions in political, economic, cultural and professional fields in China and South Africa so as to promote academic exchanges between Chinese and South African universities.

To conclude the celebration, Li Xudong, Education Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, showed his gratitude to the Chinese language educators. He said that they have won respect, friendship, and bright prospects for continued development in South Africa with their own hard work and selfless dedication.

As the number of Chinese learners in South Africa is increasing, with more than 10,000 students registered in various programs, Ambassador Chen said, the embassy is ready to further facilitate South African friends in learning Chinese and Chinese teachers here to continue performing their work.

In August 2019, China and South Africa agreed to set Sept. 17 for each calendar year as the "South African Chinese Language Day". The establishment of "South African Chinese Language Day" is a milestone for the promotion of Chinese language and culture in South Africa. Chinese language teaching is now a part of the national education system of South Africa.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
Xi delivers video speech to CELAC 6th Summit, calls for building community of shared future between China, LatAm

Xinhua) 09:03, September 19, 2021

At the invitation of Mexico, the rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a video speech to the 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the CELAC. The summit was held in Mexico City on Sept. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) was held Saturday in Mexico City. At the invitation of Mexico, the rotating presidency of CELAC, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a video speech to the summit.

Xi pointed out that 10 years ago, CELAC was born under the efforts of Latin American and Caribbean countries to pursue independence and seek strength in unity, which was a milestone in the process of regional integration. In the past 10 years, CELAC has played an important role in maintaining peace and stability and promoting common development in the region.

Xi said that China attaches great importance to developing relations with CELAC, and supports CELAC in coordinating regional countries to carry out cooperation and cope with challenges.

"In July 2014, the leaders of regional countries and I jointly announced the establishment of the Forum of China and CELAC, which has developed a new way for the comprehensive cooperation between China and Latin America," said Xi.

He added that over the past seven years, the forum has flourished and become a major platform for bringing together friendly forces from all walks of life in China and Latin America, and has made important contributions to deepening China-Latin America relations.

Xi stressed that having stood the test of changing international landscape, China-Latin America relations have entered a new era featuring equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and tangible benefits for the people.

"China-Latin America friendship is time-honored and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people," said Xi.

He noted that since last year, facing the unexpected COVID-19 outbreak, China and Latin America have lent each other a helping hand and carried out all-around cooperation against the pandemic.

"China will continue to provide support to Latin American and Caribbean countries to the best of its capability, and help the regional countries overcome the pandemic at an early date and resume economic and social development," Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to overcome difficulties together and jointly create opportunities to build a community of shared future between China and Latin America.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Chinese premier stresses cultivating market entities, improving people's livelihood

Xinhua) 09:13, September 19, 2021

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Group Co., Ltd., in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 16, 2021. Li made an inspection tour in Guangxi from Thursday to Saturday. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

NANNING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged efforts to advance reform and opening-up, keep the economy operating within a proper range, cultivate market entities, improve people's livelihood and promote high-quality development.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Thursday to Saturday.

When visiting Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Group Co., Ltd., Li said that China will continue to adopt multiple measures to stabilize prices.

He visited sugarcane fields in Luchuan County and said the government will increase support in cultivating improved sugarcane varieties and enhancing the risk-resistance capacity of the sugar industry.

At the China-Singapore Nanning International Logistics Park, Li said China will open wider to the outside world, continue to attract foreign investment, integrate more deeply with the global economy, and form a more stable industrial chain and supply chain.

He said Guangxi should deepen cooperation with members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, especially southeastern Asian countries, and build a high-level opening-up demonstration platform.

Li visited the private company AAC Technologies and encouraged it to continue innovating and upgrading its products. He added that China will continue to improve the business environment, treat all market entities equally, and safeguard fair competition.

He also visited Xianhuyuan, a public rental housing community where nearly 10,000 families of college graduates, migrant workers and low-income people live.

He said that building small-sized public rental apartments will help more people with housing difficulties and improve their living conditions.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Australia-U.S.-UK deal meets backlash from Europe amid nuclear proliferation worries

Xinhua) 09:37, September 19, 2021

PARIS, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Australia's decision to break off a multi-billion U.S. dollar submarine contract with France inked in 2016 and turn to the United States and Britain for nuclear-powered alternatives has sparked an outcry from the European continent.

The United States, Britain and Australia announced Wednesday a new security partnership, dubbed "AUKUS" (Australia-UK-U.S.), under which the first initiative is the delivery of a nuclear-powered submarine fleet to Australia by the other two.

France has decided to recall its ambassadors to the United States and Australia for consultations on Friday.

"We had established a relationship of trust with Australia. This trust has been betrayed," French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Thursday, calling the trilateral deal a "stab in the back."

The trilateral move may lead to new rifts among the transatlantic allies while the international community has voiced concerns over nuclear proliferation.

BETRAYED ALLY

"At the request of the President of the Republic, I decided to immediately recall to Paris for consultations our two ambassadors in the United States and Australia. This exceptional decision is justified by the exceptional seriousness of the announcements made on Sept. 15 by Australia and the United States," Le Drian said in a statement on Friday.

French media said it was the first time in France's history that such a decision was taken vis-a-vis the two countries.

The sudden end to the once biggest defense contract in Australia's history has reminded the French of the whims of the last U.S. administration. "The American behavior worries me; this unilateral and brutal decision is very similar to what (former U.S. President) Mr. (Donald) Trump was doing," Le Drian said.

Public sparring between Trump and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, was not unusual on topics ranging from military spending, trade to climate change and regional issues.

"The American decision, which leads to the exclusion of a European ally and partner like France from a crucial partnership with Australia ... signals a lack of consistency which France can only notice and regret," Le Drian and French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly said in a joint statement issued on Wednesday.

"America is back!" U.S. President Joe Biden repeated the slogan several times to amend cracks across the Atlantic, from his first stop in Britain for the Group of Seven summit to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and U.S.-European Union summits in Brussels in June.

TRADE TALKS IN DOUBTS

Earlier on Friday, France's Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune said France cannot trust Australia in its ongoing trade talks with the European Union (EU) after the AUKUS partnership was unveiled.

"We're having trade negotiations with Australia," Beaune told France 24 news channel. "I don't see how we can trust our Australian partners."

The EU and Australia started negotiations for a free trade agreement in 2018 and have been conducting their trade and economic relations under the 2008 EU-Australian Partnership Framework.

The two sides have completed 11 rounds of talks and the next round is set for autumn this year.

Australia was the EU's 19th largest trading partner in 2020, and the EU was Australia's third-largest after China and Japan, followed by the United States, according to EU data.

NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION CONCERNED

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a global nuclear watchdog, has voiced concern amid international worries about the proliferation of nuclear materials and technologies in response to the trilateral deal.

"The IAEA will engage with them (Australia, the United States and Britain) on this matter in line with its statutory mandate, and in accordance with their respective safeguards agreements with the Agency," it said in a statement on Thursday.

The United States and Britain, both nuclear-weapon states, are state parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which prevents the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technologies.

China on Thursday voiced opposition to the trilateral move, describing it as a "sheer act of nuclear proliferation."

The United States and Britain "will apparently give rise to the proliferation of nuclear materials and technologies by openly providing assistance to Australia, as a non-nuclear weapon state, in the latter's acquisition and building of the nuclear-powered submarine," said Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna.

"Such an act of nuclear proliferation will give rise to serious negative implications on the ongoing international efforts to address the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula as well as the Iranian nuclear issue," he said.

New Zealand confirmed that Australian nuclear submarines will be banned from its waters and will continue its nuclear-free stance.

"New Zealand's position in relation to the prohibition of nuclear-powered vessels in our waters remains unchanged," the country's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told local news outlet NewsHub on Thursday.

"As the world is moving towards making these weapons illegal, this is the wrong direction at the wrong time," The Guardian quoted Gem Romuld, Australia director of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning group the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, as saying.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
U.S. details vaccine efficacy, plans use of booster shot against wildness of COVID-19

Xinhua) 09:41, September 19, 2021

A pedestrian wearing a face mask passes in front of Pfizer's World Headquarters in New York, United States, on Aug. 23, 2021. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

A CDC study suggests that Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine provided 88 percent protection against hospitalization, and Moderna's was 93 percent effective. Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine came in third with 71 percent protection.

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The United States has kept on pushing through federal requirements of broad vaccination by highlighting the efficacy of its three authorized COVID-19 vaccines, while planning to narrow the use of a booster shot only to old people and those who work at high risk.

On Friday, expert advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted unanimously to recommend that the agency authorize a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine six months after vaccination for people 65 years and older and for anyone at risk for severe illness.

The vote is not binding, and Peter Marks, the FDA official overseeing coronavirus vaccines, indicated that the final decision could be slightly different, encompassing people who are at higher risk of infection because of their professions, such as health-care workers and front-line employees, including teachers.

A decision about boosters from the FDA is expected by next week, and an advisory committee of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is slated to meet on Wednesday and Thursday to recommend how a third shot should be used.

Photo taken on Aug. 23, 2021 shows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in Silver Spring, Maryland, the United States. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

According to The New York Times (NYT), the 7-day average of confirmed cases of the pandemic stood at 148,816 nationwide on Friday, with its 14-day change striking a 9-percent fall. COVID-19-related deaths were 1,992 on Friday, with the 14-day change realizing a 28-percent rise.

VACCINE EFFICACY

A head-to-head study of all three authorized coronavirus vaccines in the United States found that the Moderna vaccine was slightly more effective than Pfizer's in real-life use in keeping people out of the hospital, and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine came in third, but still provided 71 percent protection. Pfizer's vaccine provided 88 percent protection against hospitalization, and Moderna's was 93 percent effective.

The CDC led a nationwide study of vaccination involving more than 3,600 adults hospitalized for COVID-19 between March and August, and announced the findings in its weekly report on death and disease.

Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccines both use genetic material called messenger RNA to deliver immunity, but they use differing doses and slightly different formulations. The Janssen vaccine uses an inactivated common cold virus called adenovirus, a viral vector, to carry genetic instructions into the body.

On Wednesday, Moderna shared a new analysis from its phase three study that showed the incidence of breakthrough COVID-19 cases, which occurred in fully vaccinated people, was less frequent in a group of trial participants who were recently inoculated, suggesting the COVID-19 vaccine's protection wanes over time.

Placards display signage for Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations at a mobile COVID-19 vaccination center in the Brooklyn borough of New York, the United States, Aug. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Michael Nagle)

There were 88 identified breakthrough cases out of 11,431 people vaccinated between December and March, the company said in a press release, compared with 162 breakthrough cases out of 14,746 trial participants vaccinated in July through October 2020.

The breakthrough cases were not all the Delta variant's fault, and the COVID-19 cases in vaccinated people might be a result of both vaccine protection waning over time and the highly transmissible variant, Moderna President Stephen Hoge told CNBC, adding that "it's the reason to get ahead of the problem and boost."

MANDATE INFLUENCE

Employees in five industries will especially feel the effects of the U.S. federal government's new vaccine mandate: management, utilities, information, finance and insurance, and administration and waste management services, reported CNN on Friday.

More than 80 percent of the workforce for those five industries are employed by businesses with a staff of at least 100 employees, which means they'll be required to get a vaccine or a weekly COVID-19 test. That's according to 2018 data on U.S. businesses the most recent data released by the Census Bureau in May.

The rules that U.S. President Joe Biden announced last week would apply to more than 80 million working Americans, about two-thirds of the workforce. There are 43 million employees who work at companies that employ fewer than 100 people, and who are not covered by that federal vaccine mandate.

A staff member works at the San Francisco Public Library in San Francisco, the United States, May 3, 2021. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

The vaccine mandate will also apply to state and local government workers in 26 U.S. states, some of which have banned vaccination requirements for public employees, thus "setting up another clash between GOP-led states and the Democratic administration," reported USA Today on Saturday.

Biden made no mention of vaccine requirements for state and local workers when announcing new rules, but Labor Department spokeswoman Denisha Braxton confirmed to media that Biden's new rules will "apply to public-sector state and local government workers, including educators and school staff" in 26 states and two territories.

Speaking at a middle school in Washington, D.C., the day after announcing his multipronged approach, Biden called on governors to require vaccinations for all teachers and staff, adding that "this isn't a game. And I don't know of any scientist out there in this field that doesn't think it makes considerable sense to do the six things I've suggested."

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Lion dance parade held in Toronto to celebrate upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival

Xinhua) 09:46, September 19, 2021

People perform a lion dance at the Chinatown in Toronto, Canada, on Sept. 18, 2021. A traditional lion dance parade was held here on Saturday to celebrate the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Xinjiang residents debunk lies fabricated by Western politicians, anti-China forces

Xinhua) 10:11, September 19, 2021

Workers are busy working in a workshop of a garment company in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 residents in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region shared their personal experiences at a news conference via video link on Friday to expose the lies and fallacies of some Western politicians and anti-China forces.

They, coming from different walks of life in Xinjiang, shared their personal experiences involving cultural protection, religious beliefs, school education, counter-terrorism and maintenance of stability, and refuted false statements related to the region, at the news conference held in Beijing in response to a recent "hearing" held by the so-called "Uygur Tribunal."

Xu Guixiang, a spokesperson with the regional government, said the so-called "Uygur Tribunal" is full of lies, and the so-called "witnesses" there also lied under the guise of human rights or academic research, sharing fabricated experiences.

Only the people living and working in Xinjiang are the most trustworthy and convincing voices, he said.

Hong Longzhu, director of a textile company in Kashgar, expressed his anger against the false claim of "massive forced labor" in Xinjiang.

Hong said most of his employees are Uygurs, who used to do farming or part-time jobs to make a living. "Working at the company and with stable jobs and income, many of them have now bought livestock and built new houses."

However, some overseas companies simply ended their cooperation with Hong's company out of fear that they would be implicated due to sanctions on Xinjiang's enterprises imposed by a few Western countries. "Some European and American partners suggested we withdraw from Xinjiang and stop hiring Uygur workers," he said.

A visibly aggrieved Hong posed some questions -- "Don't Uygur people have the right to work in factories? Isn't the United States always claiming to be a champion of human rights? Does the so-called 'human rights' in the United States mean to make people have no jobs, no food and no work?"

Elijan Anayat, a spokesperson with the Xinjiang regional government, said that on the pretext of human rights, a few Western politicians and anti-China forces are trying to undermine the overall stability of Xinjiang, hindering its development and progress, and pushing the region back to the past when violence and terrorist activities were frequent occurrences.

"Such attempts are futile and doomed to fail," said Elijan Anayat.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Biden administration to deport migrant crowds in Texas border city: media

Xinhua) 10:14, September 19, 2021

Photo taken on March 30, 2021 shows migrants attempting to cross the Rio Bravo river on the border between Mexico and the United States, from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Photo by David Peinado/Xinhua)

Under the plan by the Department of Homeland Security, the Biden administration will "accelerate the pace and increase the capacity" of removal flights to Haiti and other destinations in the next 72 hours, media reported.

WASHINGTON/HOUSTON, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden's administration said on Saturday it would start to swiftly deport thousands of Haitian migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally and gathering under a bridge in Del Rio, a border city in south central U.S. state Texas.

The Biden administration has three flights planned for Sunday, and more could be scheduled for the coming days, according to a New York Times report, citing an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Under the plan by the Department of Homeland Security, the Biden administration will "accelerate the pace and increase the capacity" of removal flights to Haiti and other destinations in the next 72 hours, said the report.

The White House temporarily halted deportation flights to Haiti after an earthquake in August, which was followed by a powerful tropical storm after weeks of civil unrest, said the report.

More than 14,000 Haitians are reportedly camping out under the Del Rio International Bridge, surging from hundreds just about 10 days ago. They are waiting to turn themselves in to the U.S. Border Patrol and seek asylum.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday directed the state's Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to shut down six points of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border amid the massive surge of migration,saying the border crisis is "so dire" that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents "are overwhelmed by the chaos."

U.S.-Mexico border arrests have reportedly stayed at the highest level in more than two decades, with more than 208,000 registered in August alone.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
China to strengthen agricultural sci-tech innovation

Xinhua) 10:51, September 19, 2021

BEIJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) has released a plan for promoting key subjects during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), aiming to enhance the country's agricultural sci-tech innovation.

The subjects involve food security, nutrition and health, cultivated-land conservation, disease prevention and control, green development, intelligent agricultural machinery, basic research, frontier and interdisciplinary research, data resources and regional development.

By 2020, the rate of agricultural technological development's contribution to economic growth rate in China has reached over 60 percent, and the coverage rate of improved varieties of crops has reached over 96 percent, said CAAS president Tang Huajun.

The proportion of improved varieties and localized livestock and poultry and aquatic products are on the rise year by year, Tang said.

Science and technology has become one of the most important drivers of the country's agricultural economic growth, Tang added.

In the future, the CAAS will focus on developing basic scientific research issues, including biological nitrogen fixation, apomictic reproduction, pathogenesis and transmission mechanisms of animal diseases, as well as cutting-edge technologies such as gene editing, synthetic biology, pest monitoring and early warning.

It will also focus on developing high-yield and high-quality grain crops to ensure national food security, Tang said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Livestream marketing, upgraded logistics drive sales of bananas in S China's Nanning

11:27, September 19, 2021 By Li Zong ( People's Daily

Livestream marketing and logistics reform, as results of Chinas ever-expanding e-commerce platforms and express delivery network, have significantly boosted the banana business in Nanning, capital of south Chinas Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

As one of the main banana producers in China, Nanning used to encounter poor sales of bananas due to cyclical supply-demand imbalance and extreme weather events.

Fortunately, livestream marketing is employed by more and more banana farmers, which has effectively increased the popularity and sales of bananas on the Internet.

As you can see, Im standing right in front of a banana plantation. The Lady Finger banana produced in our Jinling township has a distinctive taste. Its sweet, with a hint of sour flavor, said Lin Zongjian, a banana grower in Xiaolin village, Jinling township, Xixiangtang district of Nanning city, on a livestream platform. While he was advertizing the fruit, a dozen of banana farmers were busy packaging in a nearby small bungalow. Just a day ago, Lin received over 6,000 orders of bananas during a livestream show, which meant these bananas had to be packed and shipped within a day.

The featured products, direct shipping from the place of origin, and immersive marketing all make Lin's livestreams shows quite attractive for the viewers.

Bananas produced in Nanning city, capital of south Chinas Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. (Photo from the website of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region)

I receive more than 5,000 orders almost every day during the harvest season of bananas, sometimes more than 10,000 orders, Lin told Peoples Daily.

It takes perseverance to succeed in promoting products via livestreaming. I had few viewers at first, but my follower base gradually expanded as I kept hosting the shows and posting more videos. Now I have more than 100,000 followers, said Lin, who became the first livestreamer in Jinling township in 2019. The man spends six hours a day livestreaming, which is a task he sets for himself.

Today, driven by rocketing market demand, Lin has set up four warehouses near orchards to collect bananas from growers and hired nearly 30 workers, who often need to work extra hours to package and ship products to buyers across the country.

"Some banana growers host livestream shows just like I do, and there are also many other banana farmers who cooperate with e-commerce companies and invite professional hosts to help them sell their bananas," said Lin.

As long as theres demand, we dont need to worry about the sales. There are several banana purchasing sites in our village. They pay us on the spot. My family has planted 92 mu (about 6.13 hectares) of Lady Finger bananas, and our annual output per mu is 2,000 kg. Thats a lot of money a year, said a local female banana grower.

Lin believes the gradually lowering express delivery cost is a major reason for rural e-commerce entrepreneurs, including himself, to have achieved success.

In recent years, express delivery service providers have intensified efforts to expand their service networks in rural areas. As express delivery outlets have been set up in various remote areas and the charges for express delivery services have been gradually reduced, agricultural products have gained better distribution channels.

An increasing number of Chinese express delivery companies have started providing services in Jinling township, including China Post, Yuantong Express, and Best Express, according to Lin. He said China Post and Yuantong Express have established service stations in the township.

Nowadays, vehicles of express delivery companies are often seen running on the streets of Jinling township, taking local bananas on trips to every corner of the country.

I tried to sell bananas via e-commerce platforms before, but it was rather difficult, as the orders were not coming in everyday. Besides, the delivery charge was almost as much as the price of the products, and it was too much for me, Lin recalled.

Photo shows a standardized banana plantation that covers an area of more than 666.67 hectares in Nanning city, capital of south Chinas Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. (Photo from the website of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region)

Its totally different now. Since I learned to promote products on livestreaming platforms and other social media platforms, I have attracted more and more customers and eventually increased the number of orders. My business has grown very fast, Lin said.

As long as their business reaches a certain size, e-commerce platforms and merchants will be eligible to cooperate with warehousing enterprises and express delivery service providers, which enables them to collect products in bulk at plantations, according to Lin.

Under such mode, products can be directly shipped to consumers from plantations with the least possible transfer, thus significantly shortening the distribution channel and enabling products to be delivered to buyers across the country within three days, Lin added.

Since the beginning of this year, more than eight million parcels of Lady Finger bananas have been shipped from Nanning via courier companies, and the figure is expected to hit 10 million by the end of this year, according to statistics from the Postal Administration of Guangxi.

"As more and more people are joining the livestreaming and video sector, I believe the cake of the Nanning banana business will grow bigger and bigger," Lin told People's Daily.

The man has so far opened multiple corporate accounts on livestreaming platforms to train new livestream hosts, and is also trying to advertise other agricultural products through livestream marketing.

Photo taken in Jinling township, Xixiangtang district, Nanning city, capital of south Chinas Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, shows banana farmers packaging Lady Finger bananas. (Photo/Nanning Evening News.)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
China to hold culture, tourism expo in Wuhan

Xinhua) 11:59, September 19, 2021

The State Council Information Office holds a press conference on the first China (Wuhan) Culture and Tourism Expo in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 18, 2021. The first China (Wuhan) Culture and Tourism Expo will take place in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, in November, according to a press briefing held in Beijing on Saturday. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

BEIJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The first China (Wuhan) Culture and Tourism Expo will take place in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, in November, according to a press briefing held in Beijing on Saturday.

The expo will be hosted jointly by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Hubei provincial government. It will take place from Nov. 5 to 7, said Guo Yiqiang, deputy secretary-general of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

As a major step to drive the high-quality development of China's central region, the Wuhan expo is expected to boost the post-epidemic recovery of the tourism and cultural industry, Guo said.

The expo will feature four main events, including a city promotion event, a forum, a trade and investment conference, and a series of other activities.

China's culture and tourism industry has been recovering and picking up momentum since early this year, said Wang Xiaofeng, an official with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Statistics show that the total revenue of 63,000 large cultural enterprises across the country reached 5.44 trillion yuan (843 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2021, 22 percent higher than the same period in 2019, Wang said.

In the first six months this year, around 1.87 billion domestic trips were made, and the total revenue of the domestic tourism market exceeded 1.6 trillion yuan. Both numbers have gone back to about 60 percent of the level of the same period in 2019, he added.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
SCO to play bigger role in regional, international affairs: Chinese FM

Xinhua) 13:41, September 19, 2021

BEIJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday voiced expectations that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will advance cooperation across various fields with a broader scope, wider range and deeper level, while playing a bigger and more constructive role in regional and international affairs.

"The growth of the SCO family demonstrates the strong appeal of the SCO cooperation concepts," Wang said in an interview on the outcomes and significance of Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance of the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO via video link on Friday.

The meeting has launched procedures to admit Iran as a member state of the SCO, as well as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar as new dialogue partners.

It is believed that the SCO will continue to uphold the Shanghai Spirit, develop friendly ties and promote cooperation with other countries and international organizations, while advancing the building of a closer community with a shared future and ushering in a new development chapter for the SCO, he said.

Noting that Xi's speech at the summit summarized experiences of the SCO's development over the past two decades and introduced China's proposals for the organization's future, Wang said it shows that China, as a founding member, attaches importance to and leads the development of the SCO.

Leaders attending the summit spoke highly of China's proposals and agreed to deepen cooperation across various fields, forge ahead on a new journey of SCO cooperation and seek new development, he said, adding that the outcomes of the summit will promote the SCO's future development as well as regional and global peace and stability.

Wang called for upholding the Shanghai Spirit to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, pursuing common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, promoting pragmatic cooperation as well as openness and integration, boosting interactions and mutual learning, and upholding equity and justice.

The summit approved a joint recommended action plan from 2021 to 2023 on eliminating the adverse economic and social effects of COVID-19, showing member states' confidence and resolve to jointly tackle the pandemic and promote common development, he said.

The summit also approved multiple documents on the fight against the three forces (of terrorism, separatism and extremism), counter-narcotics, and guaranteeing international information security.

In terms of pragmatic cooperation, the summit approved cooperation documents on the green economy and food security, and decided to establish the mechanism for the member states' industry and energy ministers' meeting, according to Wang.

The summit released a statement on enhancing technology and innovation cooperation, which was proposed by China, approved cooperation documents on environmental protection, culture, tourism and youth, and welcomed China's hosting of the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

"This shows the common aspiration of the SCO member states to make the outcomes of the organization's development bring more benefit to the people," Wang said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Int'l community should support Afghans in their own choice of development path: Chinese envoy

Xinhua) 15:21, September 19, 2021

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday called on the international community to support Afghans in their own choice of a development path, fight terrorism in the country and provide humanitarian assistance.

The international community should, on the basis of respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, follow the "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned" principle, and support Afghans in their own choice of a development path, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN).

In an explanation following the UN Security Council's vote to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Dai called on the international community to promote an inclusive political architecture in Afghanistan that carries out moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, maintains friendly and good-neighborly relations with neighboring countries, and respects the rights of ethnic minorities, women, and children.

"There are real risks of international terrorist forces gathering in Afghanistan. The international community must continue to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, fight all terrorist forces, including the Islamic State, al-Qaida, and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement," he said.

The Taliban have repeatedly pledged not to allow Afghan soil to be used to undermine the security interests of other countries, Dai said, adding that China hopes they will honor this commitment, cut off ties with all terrorist groups and wipe out terrorism in the country.

The Chinese envoy pointed out that currently, almost half of the Afghan population lives under the poverty line, some 14 million people face a food crisis, and the country is plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic.

China supports the United Nations in playing a bigger role in mobilizing and coordinating humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, he said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Crew of world's 1st all-civilian orbital mission returns to Earth

Xinhua) 15:49, September 19, 2021

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Four crew members of the world's first all-civilian orbital mission returned to Earth on Saturday evening with a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Kennedy Space Center, Florida, said a press release by the mission Inspiration4.

The astronauts aboard the Dragon spacecraft developed by American private space company Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) spent three days orbiting Earth.

The mission also set a few other records such as carrying the first black female spacecraft pilot, the youngest American in space, and the first person to fly to space with a prosthetic, the farthest flight for a human spaceflight since the Hubble missions and others, according to the release.

"Your mission has shown the world that space is for all of us, and that everyday people can make extraordinary impacts in the world around them," said Kris Young, space operations director at SpaceX mission control.

So far, the mission has raised nearly 154 million U.S. dollars for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, short of the target of 200 million U.S. dollars.

Inspiration4 was launched into space on Wednesday night from Kennedy Space Center, making headway in commercial space tourism.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
China-donated vaccines arrive in Kenya amid intensified pandemic fight in Africa

Xinhua) 15:51, September 19, 2021

NAIROBI, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Senior Kenyan government officials on Saturday received a batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine doses from China as the East African nation ramps up inoculations for high-risk populations against the virus, saying they would reinvigorate the pandemic fight in the country.

"The vaccines we are receiving today are testament to the cordial relations that exist between our two countries and extend beyond health care to include trade and other sectors of development," said Susan Mochache, principal secretary of the Ministry of Health, who was among the officials welcoming the arrival of the vaccine doses donated by China at the main airport in the capital Nairobi.

Kenya's medicine regulatory agency has already approved China's Sinopharm vaccine alongside vaccines developed by Moderna, Johnson&Johnson, Pfizer and AstraZeneca, as the country is accelerating its inoculation process.

Mochache said the arrival of the Sinopharm vaccine marks a significant milestone in Kenya's quest to contain the pandemic and hasten a return to normalcy.

The two-dose Sinopharm vaccine, which can be administered within a 28-day gap and can be stored in temperatures ranging from 2-8 degrees Celsius, is ideal for Kenya's cold chain capacity, Mochache said.

Zhang Yijun, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said the vaccine donation reaffirms the vitality of bilateral cooperation between Nairobi and Beijing.

The vaccines that have arrived and are arriving "are a testament of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between our two countries and the profound traditional friendship between our two peoples," said Zhang.

China has donated ventilators, face masks and personal protective equipment to Kenya, and shared with the country knowledge about pandemic control and prevention.

Kenyan health experts earlier expressed confidence in China's Sinopharm vaccine, saying that its widespread access will help suppress the coronavirus, relieve pressure on the public health system and boost economic recovery.

Willis Akhwale, chair of the COVID-19 vaccine task force in the Ministry of Health, said that the approval of Sinopharm by his country's medicine regulatory agency was a vote of confidence in its efficacy.

The Chinese vaccines have also been deployed in Rwanda, which received 200,000 Sinopharm doses on Aug. 19, and Zimbabwe, which received a batch of Sinovac vaccine doses purchased from China on July 8.

South Africa's Health Products Regulatory Authority approved the use of the Sinovac vaccine on July 3, with state officials, labor unions, as well as political and civil society leaders expressing confidence in its potency.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Jorg G. Bucherers Lincoln Cosmopolitan Town Sedan: An Auto Biography

The Bucherer Groups chairman, and sole owner, Jorg G. Bucherer, owns a vintage 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Town Sedan with a remarkable history. The automobile had, in fact, originally belonged to his father, Carl Eduard Bucherer, who was the son of Carl Friedrich Bucherer, the founder and namesake of the prestige Swiss watch manufacturer.

The family car made quite an impression on young Jorg, who was 13 years old at the time. It was sold in 1952 and changed hands several times over the years, but Jorg G. Bucherer bought it back in 2013 and had it restored to its original glory. Now, 72 years later, it makes a profound impression on everyone who sees it navigating Switzerlands highways and byways.

A Familys Cherished Automobile Is Welcomed Home

Carl F. Bucherer CEO Sascha Moeri enjoys the story and says: This is such an incredible narrative. All of us who have been privileged to work closely with Jorg G. Bucherer over the years know how much this car means to him. Our designers and watchmakers took inspiration from the automobile and created a great timepiece that pays homage to the Chairman of the Bucherer Group, to his passion for the family car that returned to his life after so many years, and, of course, to our beloved hometown of Lucerne, the place where the car and the Bucherer family have shared such an extraordinary history.

Heritage BiCompax Annual Lucerne  Carl F. Bucherer

The Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual Lucerne: Celebrating a Family, a Hometown, and Classic Cars

Such an evocative story is worthy of a special watch, and Carl F. Bucherer is proud to honor its founding family  and their vintage Lincoln Cosmopolitan  with the Heritage BiCompax Annual Lucerne. This remarkable watch, produced in an edition limited to 188 pieces, is a stunning celebration of the Bucherer family and its connection to classic cars. It is also an homage to the brands hometown of Lucerne.

The Heritage BiCompax Annual Lucerne  a Brands Loving Tribute to Its Hometown

The Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual Lucerne has a 41 mm stainless steel case presented on a multi-link Milanese stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp and a quick release system. In addition, it is delivered with a calfskin leather strap with a folding clasp, which also has a quick release system, so the look can be changed quickly and easily according to the wearers choice of outfit and plans for the day.

The silver-colored dial on display through the double-domed sapphire crystal features light blue subdials with chronograph minutes and small seconds counters, which are complemented by a light blue ring with a tachymeter scale surrounding the dial. The light blue recalls the color of Jorg G. Bucherers lovingly restored automobile. The watchs dial also boasts a month aperture between 4 and 5 oclock and a bold big date window just below 12 oclock.

Heritage Bicompax Annual Lucerne  Carl F. Bucherer

An Innovative Chronograph Movement with an Annual Calendar

Although the Heritage BiCompax Annual Lucerne recalls some of the finest timepieces from an earlier era, the mechanical movement at the heart of the watch is a contemporary masterpiece. The CFB Caliber 1972 automatic chronograph has a power reserve of 42 hours, and its annual calendar complication accounts for different month lengths  30 and 31 days  so the date only has to be corrected once a year, on March 1.

A Carl F. Bucherer Watch Inspired by a Family Car

The Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual Lucerne is a watch inspired by a vintage automobile that has played an important role in the lives of two generations of the Bucherer family. It is a fitting tribute from a great brand to its founding family and their cherished automobile. With its classic design appeal, its chronograph and annual calendar complications, this watch has a dial that will catch every eye in the room and is a stunning nod to the city of Lucerne.
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

-- "I am confident that the growing SCO family will stride ahead together with all the progressive forces of the world, and be the builders of world peace, contributors to global development and defenders of the international order," President Xi Jinping said.

-- Xi called on SCO members to step up coordination, make full use of platforms such as the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group and facilitate a smooth transition in Afghanistan, encourage Afghanistan to put in place a broad-based and inclusive political framework, and resolutely fight all forms of terrorism.

-- To facilitate post-COVID economic recovery in SCO countries, Xi said China will continue to share its market opportunities, strive to reach 2.3 trillion U.S. dollars in its cumulative trade with other SCO countries in the next five years, and improve its trade structure and balance.

BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged solidarity, upholding common security, openness and integration for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members to forge a closer SCO community with a shared future.

Xi made the comments via video link as he addressed the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO, hosted by this year's rotating presidency Tajikistan.

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

All SCO members have pledged to further enhance policy communication, security cooperation, smoothing trade, financing and people-to-people exchanges, according to a declaration issued after the conclusion of the meeting.

The organization, which covers three-fifths of the Eurasian continent, nearly half of the world's population, and over 20 percent of the global gross domestic product, is embracing its 20th anniversary this year.

"I am confident that the growing SCO family will stride ahead together with all the progressive forces of the world, and be the builders of world peace, contributors to global development and defenders of the international order," said Xi.

ENHANCING SOLIDARITY TO COUNTER CHALLENGES

"We need to follow the journey of enhancing solidarity and cooperation," Xi said, adding SCO members should make the most of the meeting mechanisms and platforms at all levels, step up policy dialogue, communication and coordination.

Calling fighting COVID-19 the most pressing task, Xi urged deepening international cooperation against the virus and promote fair and equitable distribution of vaccines, adding China has provided close to 1.2 billion doses of finished and bulk vaccines to over 100 countries and international organizations.

The first batch of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines arrived at Tashkent International Airport in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on March 27, 2021. (Photo by Zafar Khalilov/Xinhua)

Noting Afghanistan has undergone drastic changes and the country still faces many daunting challenges, Xi called on SCO members to step up coordination, make full use of platforms such as the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group and facilitate a smooth transition in Afghanistan, encourage Afghanistan to put in place a broad-based and inclusive political framework, and resolutely fight all forms of terrorism.

Joint efforts were also highlighted at the ensuing joint summit of the leaders of the SCO and the Collective Security Treaty Organization member states on the Afghanistan issue, where Xi urged interactions with Afghanistan from a rational and pragmatic angle, and said that certain countries should shoulder due responsibility for Afghanistan's development.

As the SCO members are all near neighbors of Afghanistan, and Afghanistan is an observer state of the SCO, the organization enjoys unique convenience and advantages in addressing the issues compared with other similar international arrangements, said Deng Hao, secretary-general of the China Center for Shanghai Cooperation Organization Studies.

"Aimed at addressing regional challenges that concern the interests of all, China's proposals have added new dimensions to related cooperation mechanisms, demonstrating a sense of responsibility as a major country to promote peace, stability and people's livelihoods," added Deng.

ADVANCING INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT

Stressing the SCO members need to follow the journey of promoting openness and integration, Xi said they should continue to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and create growth drivers of cooperation such as digital economy, green energy and modern agriculture.

Photo taken on June 12, 2019 shows the Qingdao multimodal transportation center in the China-SCO local economic and trade cooperation demonstration zone in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

In 2020, the combined economic size of the SCO countries reached 18.4 trillion U.S. dollars, an 11-fold increase since its founding, while intra-SCO trade jumped eight times to 6.2 trillion dollars over the same period, a vivid proof of intensified SCO cooperation with concrete outcomes.

To facilitate post-COVID economic recovery in SCO countries, Xi said China will continue to share its market opportunities, strive to reach 2.3 trillion U.S. dollars in its cumulative trade with other SCO countries in the next five years, and improve its trade structure and balance.

"As SCO members are diverse in their national realities and development priorities, China's call for open cooperation and integration has echoed the common aspiration for economic recovery and sustainable growth, showing a strong determination to tide over difficulties together with the SCO family," said Sun Zhuangzhi, director of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

BOOSTING INTERACTIONS

Noting interactions between civilizations provide the most solid foundation for the SCO's development, Xi emphasized the need to encourage exchanges, dialogue, harmony and co-existence between civilizations.

He proposed more projects including those of science and technology, education, culture, among others, adding China will provide 1,000 training opportunities in poverty alleviation for other SCO countries in the next three years, and host an SCO youth technology and innovation forum next year. He also extended welcome to SCO countries' participation in the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Visitors take a tour near the Olympic sailing center, used as the conference hall during the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, July 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

At the meeting, the attending leaders of relevant countries and international organizations voiced support for multilateralism, as well as opposition to hegemonism, unilateralism and interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of democracy and human rights, and support for the independent choice of development paths for SCO countries.

"Amid resurging unilateralism and protectionism, the joint emphasis by SCO members on the importance of mutual learning and exchanges sheds light on the urgency for the region and the international community to adhere to mutual consultation and work for a community with a shared future," said Professor Yana Leksyutina of St. Petersburg State University in Russia.

In addition, the meeting has launched procedures to admit Iran as a member state of the SCO, as well as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar as new dialogue partners.

Hailing the SCO as an institution of global governance, Prof. B.R. Deepak at Jawaharlal Nehru University in India, said the new developments at the organization will help further extend the reach of multilateralism to more countries, unleash greater cooperation potential, and beef up the international voice of developing countries in the region.
King Mohammed VI has expressed his condolences and sincere feelings of compassion following the death of Abdelaziz Bouteflika in messages he sent to the Algerian Head of State and to the family members of the former President who passed away Friday evening.

In his message to the Algerian President, King Mohammed VI said he learned the news of the death of Bouteflika with deep sorrow and deep emotion, and expressed in these painful circumstances to the Algerian President, the family of the deceased and the brotherly Algerian people his heartfelt condolences and sincere feelings of compassion.

The Sovereign also recalled in his message the particular ties that bound the former Algerian President to Morocco, during his childhood and schooling in the city of Oujda (where he was born in 1937) as well as during the fight for the independence of Algeria.

History retains that the late Bouteflika marked an important stage in the modern history of Algeria, the royal message added, reiterating the Sovereigns deep feelings of compassion.

King Mohammed VI also sent a message of condolences and compassion to the family of the former Algerian President, where he expressed to the family members, all their relatives and friends, his heartfelt condolences and his sincere feelings of compassion following this painful loss.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:

Home Regional News East
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE).
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Remarks on the Passing of Former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika

2021/09/19

Q: It is reported that the Algerian presidential palace said in a statement on September 17 that the former President of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika passed away. What is China's comment on that?

A: China expresses deep condolences over the passing of former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and extends sincere sympathy to his family. Mr. Bouteflika is an outstanding statesman and leader of national liberation movements in Algeria, the Arab world and Africa. He is also an old friend of the Chinese people. Fifty years ago, as the then Foreign Minister of Algeria, he made important contributions to China's restoration of its lawful seat in the United Nations. During his term as Algerian President, he actively promoted the development of China-Algeria relations, deepened bilateral friendly cooperation and enhanced the friendship between the two peoples. China is ready to work with Algeria to push for new progress in China-Algeria comprehensive strategic partnership.
SpaceCast Weekly is a NASA Television broadcast from the Johnson Space Center in Houston featuring stories about NASA's work in human spaceflight.

They include the International Space Station and its crews and scientific research activities, and the development of Orion and the Space Launch System, the next generation American spacecraft being built to take humans farther into space than they've ever gone before.

Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
Chinas first giant international health station providing quarantine and medical services to all inbound travellers is expected to be put into use in Guangzhou, South Chinas Guangdong Province in late September, which could reduce the infection risk during quarantine and replace quarantine hotels, media reports said.

Construction of the first phase of the station has been completed and the first batch of 184 medical staff started working in the station last Friday.

The 250,000-square-metre station with 5,074 rooms is Chinas first international health station to replace quarantine hotels, jiemian.com reported according to Global Times.

The first batch of medical staff will work with the help of artificial intelligence equipment to reduce unnecessary contact.

Smart equipment can help travellers to have a temperature check, epidemiological investigation and check in and out, while a screen in the quarantine room can automatically upload health information and conduct temperature checks, with robots providing food and other daily necessities.
After a year of remote and virtual events, Tawdheef, the leading Emiratisation event, is returning to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) for its 15th edition in October, in a physical format. It will fully connect the youth-industry-academia circle and drive Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 goals for a knowledge-based economy powered by a dedicated, prepared workforce.

Held under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industries, and running from October 27 to 29, Tawdheef will, for the first time, be co-located with Najah Abu Dhabi, the one-stop higher education source.

The co-location of Tawdheef and Najah events is a strategic shift to connect the UAE youth directly with industry leaders and higher education institutions who will help prepare them to become future changemakers and significant contributors to the UAEs future economy.

Just this week, the UAE announced that it was investing AED24 billion ($6.53 billion) to create 75,000 new private sector jobs for UAE nationals. The programme will be managed by the newly formed Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, with the aim of building on public-private sector partnerships.

Private sector companies will be able to build the Emirati contribution to their workforce over time. The initiative will start with a target of 2% of Emiratis in skilled roles, rising in scale to 10% Emirati contribution over the coming five years.

Tawdheef is the leading event for companies to talk directly with the countrys top young talent and future captains of industry. The decision to align Tawdheef and Najah was born out of a desire to join the education-recruitment ecosystem, to create even stronger synergies and support some key priorities of the UAE Vision, with a specific focus on boosting the number of UAE nationals in the workforce and supporting their career development, said Tamer Nahas, Portfolio Director of Najah and Tawdheef.

Our new integrated event will help industry players close the skills gap in the UAE by engaging the countrys young people early, start preparing them for the jobs of the future and contribute to realising the UAE Governments goals. Conversely, young people, and their families, will get in-depth insight into future jobs and the requirements of some of the countrys leading organisations, before they engage with universities to understand the next step on their journey to preparedness.

Tawdheef will focus on preparing the UAE youth for employment through facilitating direct interaction with industry leaders from some of the UAEs biggest public and private organisations, including Abu Dhabi Police, Etisalat, National Marine Dredging Company, and many more.

Meanwhile, in extension of Tawdheef and to support the grand vision in empowering the UAE youth and strengthening their role in various sectors, Informa Connect in collaboration with Ministry of Education UAE is organising the Youth Preparedness & Knowledge Economy Summit from September 20 to 21 in ADGM Authorities Building, Al Maryah Island. The keynote will be delivered by Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education with focus on Educating & Empowering the Youth of the Future.

The Youth Preparedness & Knowledge Economy Summit will see invited C-suite figures discuss best practices in Emiratisation as well as collaborations between academia and leading industry organisations and key government entities.-- TradeArabia News Service
The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has turned to Artificial Intelligence and Robotics with initial focus on education and health technologies.

The university has established five core laboratories to support interdisciplinary research combining physical, biological, social, and digital sciences.

This blurring of scientific boundaries is a phenomenon known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution because its outcomes are an explosion of new possibilities across many fields of human endeavour and the creation of innovative technologies and practices.

The UAEs strategic vision for the next 50 years incorporates the Fourth Industrial Revolution as a system of innovation to help achieve sustainability in economic, social, and environmental progress.

The UAEUs Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory (AIRL) aligns its work to the UAEs strategic vision.

Dr Fady Al-Najjar, Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, and Director of the AIRL described the ways in which artificial intelligence research has been applied to psychological health. He said that the laboratory has developed a monitoring system for senior citizens that is able to predict the future progression of their psychological health.

The system uses a robot, called AbuSif that was developed with technical support from Microsoft Middle East and Africa and uses algorithms powered by Azure Cognitive Services.

AbuSif interacts with patients and notices changes in their facial expressions, the quality of their speech, and the speed of their responses to various stimuli. It generates clinical reports about potential risk of cognitive impairment and is useful in early diagnosis of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimers Disease.

Researchers in the AIRL expect that Artificial Intelligence and Deep Machine Learning will play an important role in diagnosing diseases with speed and accuracy, because of the potential to exceed human capabilities.

Robots such as AbuSif can be used with the elderly and others who need assistance with daily activities. They can be used to monitor and prompt actions such as taking medicine, preparing food, and doing physical exercise.

They will be able to provide feedback and reports for use by medical professionals when deciding if intervention might be needed.

Dr Fady also explained how Artificial Intelligence and Deep Machine Learning can be used to assist teachers monitor student learning, both in physical classroom settings and when students are studying at a distance using virtual technology.

He said that it is possible to monitor whether students are paying attention or are busy on-task, and to assess for a students personal interests and cognitive abilities.

The monitoring systems produce detailed reports to inform the teacher and assist with curriculum design.

Dr Fady underlined the significance of the work of the AIRL. The technologies that we produce help teachers to personalise curricula for individual students and to use teaching methodologies that are effective for learning. They will drive innovation in teaching and curriculum design to address educational problems and benefit both teachers and students. Artificial Intelligence will enable curricula to become dynamic in their design, adapting to meet the educational needs of each student. Educational advance is key to social and economic development in the UAE. At UAEU we strive to provide such service and value to the nation. -- TradeArabia News Service
Jaguar Land Rover is partnering with COP26 ahead of the vital climate change summit in Glasgow from November 1 to 12, providing a fleet of electrified vehicles to world leaders and delegates attending the summit.

The vehicles include the multi award-winning all-electric performance SUV Jaguar I-PACE, as leaders and their teams travel to and from the venue.

As part of its new global strategy Reimagine, Jaguar Land Rover aims to achieve zero tailpipe emissions by 2036, and net zero carbon emissions across its supply chain, products and operations by 2039.

The company has committed to a 1.5 degree aligned science-based target to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement and supporting the UNFCCC Race to Zero.

Jaguar Land Rover has a successful history in similar events including the recent G7 summit in the UK. The vehicles have all been sourced from existing fleets in the UK, helping ensure the carbon footprint remains low.

Welcoming them to the COP26 family, COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma said: Jaguar Land Rover is an iconic British brand with a proven track record.

They are showing climate leadership in their field with award winning electric vehicles, and I am delighted these will be used by world leaders in Glasgow.

I look forward to working with Jaguar Land Rover and all our Partners ahead of the summit as we ensure a successful and inclusive COP26.

Thierry Bollore, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer, said: We are delighted to partner with COP26 and provide a fleet of all-electric vehicles, including Jaguar I-PACE performance SUVs, to deliver zero-emission transport at the summit.

Sustainability is at the core of our business strategy, Reimagine, which enables us to focus on becoming net carbon zero by 2039, as the creator of the worlds most desirable modern luxury vehicles.-- TradeArabia News Service
Renault Trucks, a leading provider of commercial vehicles for heavy construction and the long-haul segment, has secured a contract from Oryx Mix, one of the UAEs major concrete suppliers, for supply of 10 heavy-duty K 440 mixers.

Announcing the fleet deal, Renault Trucks said it will help the Emirati group to handle the concrete industry requirements across the Northern Emirates.

These 10 units are additional to the companys existing fleet of 240 Renault Truck units. The K 440 P8x4 Rigid Chassis models, equipped with 12 CBM transit concrete mixers and supplied by Renault Trucks partner United Diesel, will help to optimise local operations as a result of their functionality and fuel efficiency.

Oryx Mix will use the trucks to transport readymix concrete across the emirates of Dubai, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.

The new models will help Oryx Mix ease operations and increase efficiency, and at the same time deliver the highest levels of safety for its drivers.

The global trucking giant said the K 440 model has been mainly designed to meet the needs of Oryx Mixs operations, by optimising business activities and productivity and maximising profitability.

The combination of an Optidriver AT 2612F gearbox, with an automatic clutch, a 445-litre tank and a 440hp engine reduces operations costs through the minimisation of fuel consumption, it stated.

On the new fleet supply, Oryx Mix Deputy CEO Mohamed Abdullah Al Faihan said: "These new Renault Trucks will add immense value to our operations, as proven during the testing phase. The trucks, which feature a comfortable cabin for the driver and holistic safety features, will be used for concrete mixing and further operations by Oryx Mix."

"In particular, the after-sales offers and the support of the aftersales personnel paved the way for us to choose Renault Trucks," he noted.

The driver-centric features of the truck are complemented by the high quality and robust nature of its construction, as well as the range of advanced safety features available.

Features such as EBS (Electronic Braking System), Hill Start Aid (HSA), Anti-Spin Regulation (ASR), Wheel Antilock Braking System (ABS) and Emergency Braking Assist, ensure that the drivers are safe and comfortable behind the wheel during operations.

Commercial Director of Renault Trucks Middle East Guillaume Zimmermann said: "This partnership with Oryx Mix represents another major milestone in the growth of the brand in the region."

"Once again, we are proud to see a major national operator recognising the reliability, efficiency and safety of the Renault Trucks, and our consistently high-quality service, by trusting us. I want to thank again the Oryx Mix team for their confidence and look forward to a long term relationship," stated Zimmermann.

'Peace of mind is not only achieved by the wide set of safety features offered but also the high level of aftersales services. A three-year comprehensive service contract is offered, reassuring customers of the continuity of outstanding quality that comes as a standard from Renault Trucks," he noted.

United Diesel general Manager Mike Mokhles Makary said: "Our success in securing this latest deal with a well-renowned, well-established local company, which is one of the market leaders in the concrete mixer industry, serves as testament to the groups continued commitment to ensuring the highest quality of aftersales services for our clients."

"In particular, our tailored after-sales support for Oryx Mix consists of a range of services that include 24/7 support, driver training, servicing and repair at the customers site, as well as an advanced telematics system," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) has announced a new deal with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems to help take advantage of its revolutionary air-conditioning and heating systems, which will lead to a qualitative leap in the UAE group's environmentally friendly district cooling operations.

Under the new deal, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems will supply Empower with advanced water-cooled centrifugal chillers with a total cooling capacity of 100,000 refrigeration tons (RT).

It also allows Empower to double the number of centrifugal chillers to a total cooling capacity of 200,000 RT over the next two years, which is equivalent to 11% of the total cooling capacity.

"Our deal with the Japanese heavy industries giant Mitsubishi will bear future fruits for modernising our systems with innovative technologies that contribute to low-noise production processes, more energy-efficient, and higher performance in protecting the environment," stated its CEO Ahmad Bin Shafar after signing the agreement with Kaoru Kusumoto President of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems.

"These achievements are in line with our long-term strategy that aims to reduce energy and water consumption by 30% by 2030, as well as the UAE's strategy and sustainability plans to reduce carbon footprint," he added.

According to him, Empower will start using the new units in its plants under construction located in Zabeel, Business Bay, Madinat Jumeirah and Dubailand City in Dubai, to serve residential, commercial, health, educational and mixed-use projects.

The deal reflects Empower's permanent readiness to meet the increasing current and future demand, which is driven by developers and real estate owners' growing awareness of the economic, health and environmental benefits of district cooling, he added.
A competition has been launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism  Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) giving residents the opportunity to win flights and accommodation for their friends and family to come and visit them.

The competition is part of the Time is Now campaign, initiated by DCT Abu Dhabi to showcase the capitals landmarks and tourist attractions and encourage people to visit and enjoy the weather at this time of the year. The activation also aligns with Abu Dhabis decision to welcome fully vaccinated tourists without quarantine.

The contest will run until October 1 and challenges the emirates residents to share their experiences in the UAE capital on their social pages, tagging two of their family and friends abroad in order to win the free trip to visit Abu Dhabi.

The prize, for four winners, includes airline tickets and a five-day stay in one of the emirates hotels. One winner will be announced live on Stories on @VisitAbuDhabis social media accounts every four days starting September 20 until October 2.-TradeArabia News Service
Qatar Airways has tapped Recaro Aircraft Seating, a global supplier of premium aircraft seats, to equip its new A321neo fleet with twenty shipsets of the CL3810 economy class seat, starting at the end of 2022.

The customised seat features a wider backrest for increased comfort and privacy, as well as a six-way headrest with adjustable neck support, according to a statement from the company.

Recaro Aircraft Seating CEO and shareholder Dr. Mark Hiller said: Partnering with Qatar Airways is energising because they expect nothing less than excellence in all aspects of their business.

We anticipated the CL3810, unveiled in 2020, being a game-changer for the economy class seat segment, which has been confirmed now that Qatar Airways, a five-star airline, has selected it.

The newest addition to the economy class portfolio, the CL3810 is a combination of ergonomic technology, premium comfort cushions with layered foam, and lightweight smart engineering. The seats shape was designed to support the passengers points of tension, which reflects the design of the Recaro Automotive sport seat.

Compared to its predecessor, the CL3810 offers an additional inch of living space, an advanced articulated seat pan, and a wider backrest to enhance row-to-row privacy.

The seat weight was reduced by more than 15 per cent when compared to the CL3710, which can save airlines thousands in fuel costs and optimise cabin performance.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said: We are pleased to be one of the first airline to select the CL3810  Recaros latest, sustainable and advanced seating product. Established nearly two decades ago, our partnership with Recaro Aircraft Seating reflects our confidence in the suppliers designs and technology.-TradeArabia News Service
Dubai-based flydubai is celebrating 10 years since its first commercial flight to Ukraine in 2011 and it continues to be an important part of its network.

The airline currently operates daily flights to Kyiv Boryspil International Airport and up to three flights a week to Odesa, its second location in Ukraine where it has been operating since 2013.

On the occasion, CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said: Its a wonderful moment when we get to celebrate milestones across our network and its a great reflection on how we have grown as an airline.

"We look forward to welcoming more passengers from Ukraine on our flights as they connect to Dubai and beyond.

More than 1.5 million passengers have flown between Ukraine and the UAE since 2011. The majority of passengers travelling from Ukraine visit Dubai and other destinations including Colombo, Male and Zanzibar.

Commercial Operations and E-commerce Senior Vice President Jeyhun Efendi said: Ukraine has played an important role in our history. Our first commercial flight with our Business Class service operated to Kyiv, and it was the first destination we flew to from since the lifting of flight restrictions last year.-TradeArabia News Service
Indias new Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia plans to restore the countrys position as the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world with over 341 million passengers in the year before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a series of steps, such as getting new legislation passed in Parliament, public outreach and dialogue with state chief ministers, Scindia pointed out that India was "poised to become the third-largest overall market in three years untill the Covid-19 headwinds hit markets across the world."

Central to Scindias efforts to reclaim Indias potential as a leading aviation market in the world, is technology.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation General V K Singh told members of the Lower House of Indias Parliament, the Lok Sabha, in writing that "contactless, seamless and paperless handling of passengers from the entry gate of terminals to the boarding point" will become a reality at many airports in a phased manner, Emirates news agency WAM reported.

Six airports in India are using facial recognition technology in a project which is at the trial stage. "Upon successful completion, the same will be implemented across other airports in a phased manner," the Minister of State wrote.

Scindia has written to almost all state chief ministers requesting their personal intervention in expediting matters for strengthening aviation infrastructure in states.

For example, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been asked for land for the development of aprons, construction of new terminal buildings, cargo complexes and car parking.

Vijayan, in turn, has sought Scindias help in relieving the financial burden on unskilled and semi-skilled workers from Kerala who are returning to Gulf following a return of post-Covid stability there by slashing the airfares and making them more affordable.
The West Bay Lounge on Abu Dhabi's beachfront is re-opening its doors in time to welcome the cooler months.

Overlooking the Corniche shorelines and enclosed with glass walls, West Bay extends on to the beach with an option of hammocks, swings and sunbeds just steps away from the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Chef Niko has created a new menu which includes an international selection of popular dishes, from sushi and sashimi to pastas and steaks, as well as a selection of salads and soups, the hotel said in a press release.

The dessert selection offers specialties with a must-try Melting Chocolate Bomb, while the bar at West Bay boasts a wide selection of beverages.

West Bay Lounge first opened its doors at the end of 2020.-TradeArabia News Service
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Raising concerns about the health condition of Chinese journalist and former lawyer Zhang Zhan, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged the Chinese authorities to exonerate and release Zhang immediately.

Back in December 2020, Zhang was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of a vaguely defined charge often levelled by the authorities against those critical of the Chinese authorities.

"Today, a total of 43 non-governmental organisations dedicated to defending the freedom of the press, including the IFJ, today issued a joint letter addressed to China's leader Xi Jinping calling for Zhang's release, after she was reported to have suffered significant weight loss, stomach ulcers and reflux esophagitis," the IFJ said in a statement on Friday.

The joint letter said: "On the grounds of basic human dignity, we appeal to you, Chairman, to grant Zhang Zhan the opportunity to meet her parents again by exercising the power granted to you by Article 80 of the Chinese Constitution and ensuring that she is released before it is too late."

Furthermore, the IFJ also expressed grave concern over the treatment of the Chinese journalist and called on the government to immediately release her.

Zhang covered the coronavirus outbreak from Wuhan in February 2020 exposing the methods employed by the Chinese authorities to contain its spread as well as the state of affairs in local hospitals.

She was arrested in May 2020, accused of spreading false information through online platforms. The indictment document also said Zhang had speculated on the coronavirus outbreak while giving interviews to foreign news organisations.

Currently, Zhang is on a hunger strike to protest the arbitrary charges against her. Her health has since declined due to malnutrition.

(ANI)

Also Read: AUKUS agreement discussed during G7 Summit in Cornwall, behind Macron's back: Reports
When Cappleman noticed a table on the sidewalk, he told the man it didnt belong there and he was taking it. But as he carried it away, turning north on Racine, he said he saw at least eight people sprawled out on the sidewalk. He said he would not have confronted a group that large, but one of the men immediately saw him with the table, and it was too late.
Chicago police were called to the 6500 block of South Harvard Avenue in Englewood just before 11 a.m. for a report of a domestic disturbance, according to a statement from police. There they came across the man and an officer drew his weapon and fatally shot a 28-year-old male who was later pronounced deceased, it said.
He said the one study where ivermectin was looked at for treating COVID-19 was in a laboratory setting in extremely high doses and not tested on animals or humans. Achramowicz said there is a hierarchy of what is legitimate research and what is the beginning of a study. He described the study on ivermectin use for COVID-19 at its very beginning and low quality. He said the study is nowhere near close enough to begin clinical applications in humans.
In a simple yet elegant bookstore, Chinese novelist Liu Zhenyun hosted a livestream, leading readers in touring world literature, a sideline session of the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF).

The 28th BIBF kicked off on Sept. 14 at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing's Shunyi District. Hosting more than 2,200 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions and displaying some 300,000 books, it is the first major international book fair being held online and offline amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

PASSION FOR READING

People are increasingly embracing reading in China. Per capita reading volume for paper books was 4.70 and 3.29 for digital books in 2020, with both figures higher than those in 2019, according to a national survey released in April by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication.

A separate report conducted by consulting firm iResearch in cooperation with Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com said a significant proportion of people devoted more time to reading in 2020, as restrictions from COVID-19 caused people to spend more time at home. According to the report, more than 46 percent read more paper books, 59.6 percent read more digital books and 58.8 percent listened to more audiobooks.

Last September when Sinan Mansions reopened after more than 200 days of interruption due to the coronavirus, hundreds of bookworms lined up at the door of the century-old redeveloped residential complex in Huangpu District, Shanghai, an area known to host literary greats.

Interest in the country's revolutionary history has also shot up, driven in part by the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China in July. Revolutionary-themed bookstores across the country have seen strong foot traffic since the beginning of this year.

Selected works of Mao Zedong are increasingly popular among readers born after 1985, showed big data from JD.com. "Red Star Over China," authored by American journalist Edgar Snow in the 1930s about Chinese Communists, made it to the top-10 best-selling paper books list in 2020, according to the iResearch report.

BOOKS IN HAND

Despite being veteran screen users, Gen Zers are showing more interest in physical books, said Shu Juan. Shu works at the domestic lifestyle hotel chain Atour, which is the first in Shanghai to introduce bookstores into their hotels.

Compared to reading on mobile phones, Gen Zers are keen on meeting like-minded people at bookstores, said Shu, adding that reading also helps them fend off loneliness and anxiety.

In a recent city-wise survey, more than 65 percent of residents in Shanghai believe that reading can help alleviate anxiety.

According to Cai Xinyun, who is in charge of marketing at an outlet of the bookstore PageOne in Beijing, paper books still make up 65 percent of the turnover at the bookstore.

Cai linked the booming sales with the growing ethos of reading in the country.

Statistics show that all provincial regions in China have developed their own signature reading programs, and more than 80 percent of counties and districts have local reading activities.

THE READING LIFESTYLE

China's brick-and-mortar bookstores are increasingly emphasizing the "reading experience."

"Bookstores now have an edge on spontaneity and interactivity," said Li Suwan, who runs a bookstore beside the second ring road in downtown Beijing.

The bookstore hosts cultural activities every week, including performances, film screenings and reading salons.

"Shopping for books is not the most important thing here -- the most important thing is reading. The exchange of ideas is equally important," said Li.

Under the onslaught of a booming e-commerce sector, physical bookstores in China have diversified into the arts, tourism and catering industries. Many of them have become landmark cultural complexes of their cities.

The relocated Bell Tower Bookstore in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, retains its facade style from decades ago, helping readers and visitors experience the city's history as an ancient Chinese capital.

Despite the impact of COVID-19, China added another 4,061 physical bookstores in 2020, according to an industry report released at a bookstore conference in March.
You are here: Business

The foreign trade of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality totaled 507.68 billion yuan (about 78.53 billion U.S. dollars) from January to August, up 29.4 percent year on year, customs data showed.

Chongqing's exports surged 28.9 percent to 320.08 billion yuan during the period, while its imports increased to 187.6 billion yuan, up 30.1 percent year on year. In August alone, the city's foreign trade value came in at 65.16 billion yuan, up 16 percent year on year.

ASEAN, the European Union and the United States remained Chongqing's major trading partners, with their import and export values respectively reaching 80.43 billion yuan, 80.24 billion yuan and 75.2 billion yuan.

During the same period, the city's trade with countries along the Belt and Road reached 137.45 billion yuan, up 29.2 percent year on year.

In the first eight months, Chongqing's major export commodities included notebook computers, integrated circuits and tablet computers.

Chongqing's private and state-owned businesses continued strong performances, with the import and export values of private businesses soaring to 222.04 billion yuan and the import and export values of state-owned businesses climbing to 46.21 billion yuan, respectively increasing 64.5 percent and 48.4 percent year on year.
China will work with other member states of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to bring the trade pact into effect as scheduled, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Saturday.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

A series of meetings for economic and trade ministers on East Asia cooperation were held from Monday to Wednesday via video link, making preparations in the sectors of economy and trade for the leaders' meeting on East Asia cooperation scheduled for this year, according to the MOC.

China will continue to work with the relevant parties to deepen high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and boost confidence on COVID-19 control and economic development. Efforts will also be made to foster regional economic integration in East Asia and promote the early implementation of the RCEP, the MOC said.

Anti-pandemic cooperation will be enhanced, said the MOC, adding that efforts will also be made to expand China-ASEAN cooperation on green development, the digital economy and digital trade, and facilitating the construction of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area.
At the invitation of Mexico, the rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a video speech to the 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the CELAC. The summit was held in Mexico City on Sept. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

The 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) was held Saturday in Mexico City. At the invitation of Mexico, the rotating presidency of CELAC, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a video speech to the summit.

Xi pointed out that 10 years ago, CELAC was born under the efforts of Latin American and Caribbean countries to pursue independence and seek strength in unity, which was a milestone in the process of regional integration. In the past 10 years, CELAC has played an important role in maintaining peace and stability and promoting common development in the region.

Xi said that China attaches great importance to developing relations with CELAC, and supports CELAC in coordinating regional countries to carry out cooperation and cope with challenges.

"In July 2014, the leaders of regional countries and I jointly announced the establishment of the Forum of China and CELAC, which has developed a new way for the comprehensive cooperation between China and Latin America," said Xi.

He added that over the past seven years, the forum has flourished and become a major platform for bringing together friendly forces from all walks of life in China and Latin America, and has made important contributions to deepening China-Latin America relations.

Xi stressed that having stood the test of changing international landscape, China-Latin America relations have entered a new era featuring equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and tangible benefits for the people.

"China-Latin America friendship is time-honored and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people," said Xi.

He noted that since last year, facing the unexpected COVID-19 outbreak, China and Latin America have lent each other a helping hand and carried out all-around cooperation against the pandemic.

"China will continue to provide support to Latin American and Caribbean countries to the best of its capability, and help the regional countries overcome the pandemic at an early date and resume economic and social development," Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to overcome difficulties together and jointly create opportunities to build a community of shared future between China and Latin America.
The 2021 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections in Hong Kong, the first polls under the city's new electoral system, started at 9 am on Sunday.

A total of 412 candidates from 13 subsectors, including financial services, insurance, education, legal, and technology and innovation, are competing for 364 seats.

Sunday's balloting is the first since the nation's top legislature adopted a decision in March on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The Election Committee, expanded from 1,200 members to 1,500, is tasked with nominating candidates for chief executive and the 90-member Legislative Council, and electing the chief executive and 40 lawmakers.

In addition to the 364 seats that candidates will compete for, the remaining seats for 27 subsectors are filled automatically, with some being ex-officio members.

For the contested 364 seats, about 5,000 registered voters of the contested subsectors will cast their ballots in five polling stations across the city from 9 am to 6 pm. The Registration and Electoral Office earlier had mailed poll cards and polling locations to registered voters.

Under today's polling arrangement, an electronic register system will be introduced to the city's elections for the first time. The system enables those working at polling stations to check voters' identity and allows voters to double-check their own information on electronic screens.

In addition, one special line was set up at each polling station for voters aged 70 or above, those who are pregnant and those who have difficulty standing for a long time.

After the polls end at 6 pm, all ballot boxes will be delivered to the central counting station at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. The public are allowed to enter the counting venue and see the counting process on a first-come, first-served basis.
You are here: China

A freight train departed Wuwei City, northwest China's Gansu Province, for London on Saturday, launching the new route of China-Europe freight train service.

The train is loaded with 12 million masks, over 35,000 medical gloves, auto parts and textiles, worth over 16.72 million yuan (about 2.59 million U.S. dollars) in total, according to the China Railway Lanzhou Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The train will exit China via the Khorgos port in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and arrive in London in 20 days, about 10 days shorter than by sea.

Wuwei has seen the departure of five China-Europe freight trains this year, with the total value of goods reaching 106 million yuan.
The 2021 Election Committee's subsector ordinary elections in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will be held on Sunday, which will be the first elections after improvements to Hong Kong's electoral system earlier this year and an important step of implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong."

The reformation and greater empowerment of the Election Committee are at the center of Hong Kong's electoral system improvements. The following are eight keywords of this new institutional framework.

THE FIRST ELECTION

The upcoming elections will be the first under Hong Kong's new electoral system. Out of the 1,500 seats of the Election Committee, 325 people have been determined to be validly registered as ex-officio members, 156 people validly nominated to be members of the Election Committee and 603 candidates uncontested, as well as 412 candidates to contest for 364 seats on Sunday.

Except for 52 temporary vacancies, all the 1,448 members of the Election Committee will be generated after Sunday's elections. In the next few months, the Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election and the Chief Executive Election will be held in December 2021 and March 2022, respectively.

"PATRIOTS ADMINISTERING HONG KONG"

The new electoral system is an institutional guarantee for the implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong." The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee vets and confirms the qualifications of candidates for the Election Committee members, the Chief Executive, and the LegCo members.

The Election Committee plays an important role. It prevents anti-China, destabilizing elements from entering the administration structure of the HKSAR and elects staunch patriots with high administrative capability.

Those elected should fully and accurately implement the principle of "one country, two systems," be capable of addressing various problems in Hong Kong's development, work for Hong Kong residents genuinely, be good at bringing various sectors together, and fulfill their duties without any reservation.

BROAD REPRESENTATION

The Election Committee, which has been expanded to 1,500 members from 1,200, is composed of members from the following five sectors: industrial, commercial and financial sectors; the professions; grassroots, labor, religious and other sectors; LegCo members and representatives of district organizations; Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), Hong Kong members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and representatives of Hong Kong members of related national organizations.

The composition makes the Election Committee more suitable to Hong Kong's realities and more broadly representative.

BALANCED PARTICIPATION

The structural optimization of the Election Committee leads to more balanced participation of people from all walks of life. New subsectors such as representatives of small- and medium-sized enterprises, grassroots associations, associations of Chinese fellow townsmen, associations of Hong Kong residents in the mainland, and Hong Kong members of related national organizations have been added, which expands the Election Committee's social coverage and is conducive to fair political participation in Hong Kong.

Representatives of economic and social sectors and areas concerning people's livelihood have also been added so that the Election Committee's representation will be more balanced and the political participation of Hong Kong residents will be broadened.

THE FIFTH SECTOR

The Election Committee is also expanded from four sectors to five, with the new one comprised of Hong Kong deputies to the NPC, Hong Kong members of the National Committee of the CPPCC, and representatives of Hong Kong members of related national organizations.

With these new progressive members, the Election Committee is more representative of the interests of people from all walks of life in Hong Kong. The arrangement is also conducive to the improvement of people's national identity and Hong Kong's integration into national development.

GREATER EMPOWERMENT

Apart from its original function of nominating and electing the Chief Executive designate, the Election Committee will have two more key functions: electing part of LegCo members and participating in the nominations of all LegCo candidates.

According to Annex II to the HKSAR Basic Law, the LegCo membership is expanded from 70 to 90. Among the members, 40 are returned by the Election Committee, 30 by functional constituencies and 20 by geographical constituencies through direct elections.

As the Election Committee elects both the Chief Executive designate and part of LegCo members, the Chief Executive and the LegCo will have a common voter base, which offers a stable supportive force for the administration of the Chief Executive in the LegCo.

SOUND ADMINISTRATION

The reformation and greater empowerment of the Election Committee enable elections in Hong Kong to resume professional and rational and eliminates the influence of "pan-politicization."

Under the new electoral system, people who are patriotic and care about Hong Kong actively participate in the elections for the overall interests of society. A new political climate, which is diverse and professional, emphasizes capability and has fewer disputes, takes shape.

Elections, no longer excessive and scattered, are organically integrated, which helps truly realize Hong Kong's executive-led system and facilitate effective administration. As a result, more efforts will be concentrated on the economy and people's livelihood, and Hong Kong's deep-seated problems will be solved.

GOOD DEMOCRACY

The new electoral system breaks through the limitations of certain sectors, districts or groups and enables the Election Committee to be fully representative of various sectors in the administrative structure of the HKSAR.

The overall interests of Hong Kong society can be represented, and the democratic rights of Hong Kong residents can be better protected. Hong Kong's democracy can be pushed forward step by step according to the actual situations.

Hong Kong will have more effective administration and enjoy continued prosperity and stability. The implementation of "one country, two systems" will also achieve enduring success.
A passenger ship overturned in a river in southwest China's Guizhou Province Saturday, with 35 people having been pulled out of the river, local authorities said.

The accident happened at 4:50 p.m. in Zangke River in Zangke township in the city of Liupanshui, according to the city authorities.

As of 9 p.m., 35 people had been taken out of the river, with 31 in non-life-threatening condition and four having been sent to hospital for treatment.

The ship was designed to carry up to 40 people, but authorities are still checking the exact passenger number.

A rescue operation and an investigation into the cause of the accident are both under way.
A batch of historical materials was donated to a Chinese memorial hall on Saturday as new evidence of war crimes related to the 1937 Nanjing Massacre perpetrated by the invading Japanese troops.



Eighteen items including several war logs were collected by Daito Satoshi, the abbot of Enkoji Temple in Japan, according to the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders which received the donation.

On Dec. 13, 1937, the Japanese troops captured Nanjing. In the following six weeks, they slaughtered more than 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of WWII, known as the Nanjing Massacre.

The new evidence also includes an official warfare report documenting the brutalities unleashed by the Japanese troops in Nanjing such as killing prisoners of war and arson, and several war logs recording the activities of a Japanese army from October 1937 to April 1938.

"Some people in Japan refuse to acknowledge the Nanjing Massacre, and these precious wartime documents are ironclad proof," said Daito.

In 2005, Daito started collecting evidence of wartime brutalities committed by Japanese troops in China during WWII. He has collected and donated more than 3,000 historical materials to the memorial hall.

These new materials are very precious, and the memorial hall will carry out further studies on them and put them on public display in the future, said Zhang Jianjun, the curator of the memorial hall.
 Flash

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday voiced expectations that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will advance cooperation across various fields with a broader scope, wider range and deeper level, while playing a bigger and more constructive role in regional and international affairs.

"The growth of the SCO family demonstrates the strong appeal of the SCO cooperation concepts," Wang said in an interview on the outcomes and significance of Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance of the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO via video link on Friday.

The meeting has launched procedures to admit Iran as a member state of the SCO, as well as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar as new dialogue partners.

It is believed that the SCO will continue to uphold the Shanghai Spirit, develop friendly ties and promote cooperation with other countries and international organizations, while advancing the building of a closer community with a shared future and ushering in a new development chapter for the SCO, he said.

Noting that Xi's speech at the summit summarized experiences of the SCO's development over the past two decades and introduced China's proposals for the organization's future, Wang said it shows that China, as a founding member, attaches importance to and leads the development of the SCO.

Leaders attending the summit spoke highly of China's proposals and agreed to deepen cooperation across various fields, forge ahead on a new journey of SCO cooperation and seek new development, he said, adding that the outcomes of the summit will promote the SCO's future development as well as regional and global peace and stability.

Wang called for upholding the Shanghai Spirit to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, pursuing common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, promoting pragmatic cooperation as well as openness and integration, boosting interactions and mutual learning, and upholding equity and justice.

The summit approved a joint recommended action plan from 2021 to 2023 on eliminating the adverse economic and social effects of COVID-19, showing member states' confidence and resolve to jointly tackle the pandemic and promote common development, he said.

The summit also approved multiple documents on the fight against the three forces (of terrorism, separatism and extremism), counter-narcotics, and guaranteeing international information security.

In terms of pragmatic cooperation, the summit approved cooperation documents on the green economy and food security, and decided to establish the mechanism for the member states' industry and energy ministers' meeting, according to Wang.

The summit released a statement on enhancing technology and innovation cooperation, which was proposed by China, approved cooperation documents on environmental protection, culture, tourism and youth, and welcomed China's hosting of the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

"This shows the common aspiration of the SCO member states to make the outcomes of the organization's development bring more benefit to the people," Wang said.
 Flash

A sharply shrunk right-wing rally on Saturday was held peacefully before the long fencing of U.S. Capitol amid high police alert and tight media presence, crying out over the treatment of Jan. 6 Capitol rioters.

Just a crowd of not many people gathered at noon time in a small park with the Capitol in clear view, far less than the number that authorities had estimated. Prior to the event, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reportedly expected about 700 protesters would show up.

During the "Justice for J6" rally lasting about 90 minutes, dozens of law enforcement officers, wearing riot gear, stood straight between protesters and the security fencing surrounding the Capitol. Many more police officers and vehicles were seen on closed roads near the Capitol in preparation for any violence.

Police Chief Robert Contee told NBC News that stepped-up police presence might have kept the number of rally attendees lower.

"It's very small, you know, they didn't advertise this on social media the way they did on Jan. 6. A lot of people are saying they don't come to this," Frank Higgins, a local tech analyst, told Xinhua outside the rally.

Barbara Kerns, a Virginia housewife in her fifties, told Xinhua that she came to the rally because she believed those Jan. 6 Capitol rioters "were not violent people" and didn't get their due process. She also said she believed the 2020 U.S. presidential election had been stolen, just as former President Donald Trump claimed.

"It's not an insurrection. It was a protest going out of hand. That's about it. I'm here in support of those people's rights," another protester wearing Batman costumes, told Xinhua. He only gave the name of Batman.

The 2020 presidential election was "absolutely stolen" by the Democratic Party, he claimed, adding that election fraud is the top issue he is concerned about most for this country.

"I am glad that very few protesters showed up, but I want to make sure I'm here to stand physically to show my opposition to the Jan. 6 insurrection," Pam, a counter-protester holding a banner that reads "Lies aren't equal to free speech", told Xinhua.

The middle-aged woman, who only gave her first name, called Jan. 6 Capitol rioters "traitors" and said she was very angry about what had happened that day.

"It's going to be a very long time to overcome" the current bitter political division in the country, Higgins said.

There is probably a way forward for the United States to become better but "50% of the country will not follow that way," said Higgins.

NBC News reported that Capitol Police arrested a man with a knife for a weapons violation less than one hour before the rally began.

More than 600 people have been arrested since the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, over 50 of whom have pleaded guilty to federal crimes, according to media reports.

A mob of Trump supporters breached the Capitol on Jan. 6 in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election results for President Joe Biden. The riot, later deemed an insurrection, left five dead, including a Capitol Police officer.
 Flash

Powerful consumption driven by massive middle class, a sustainable and inclusive business climate, innovative dynamics, economic resilience, booming imports and exports trade ... These are reasons given by European business leaders for their confidence in the Chinese market and expanding investment in the promising country.



GIGANTIC CONSUMPTION



During the COVID-19 pandemic, luxury brand Rapport London shifted its focus to digital economy, seeing a strong double-digit percentage growth in its online business across the world, especially in the booming online market of China.

"The Chinese market is set to become the largest luxury market by 2025, and we want to be a part of this growth," said Oliver Rapport, the CEO of Rapport London, in an interview with Xinhua.

"The importance of the Chinese market is paramount," said Rapport, adding that the luxury goods market in the Chinese mainland saw a significant boost in consumer spending in 2020 and is expected to grow continuously into the year of 2025.

Noting that his company has set up online stores on Chinese e-commerce platforms, including WeChat and Alibaba, both well-known to Chinese consumers, Rapport said. "It's a great opportunity for us, and we have received very welcoming responses on our social platforms such as Little Red Book, Weibo and again, WeChat."

Talking about the company's next move in China in the post-pandemic era, Rapport said that in addition to digital sales, he plans to open offline stores in collaboration with Chinese partners.

Swiss chocolate brand Laderach is also eyeing a sweet spot in this growing market, with ambitious expansion plans into China.

Laderach CEO Johannes Laderach said it was time to expand beyond the chocolate-loving nation of Switzerland, and head East. This comes after the nation's chocolate industry took a hard hit during the pandemic and Swiss per capita consumption of chocolate decreased to its lowest level in 40 years.

"A year ago we started with an online presence at Tmall, and in our own online store with a small team in China. The sales exceeded our wildest expectations. We are now opening our retail presence earlier than planned," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

He stressed that Shanghai would mark a first entry point into the vast Chinese market. "We really believe in the city of Shanghai as the business capital of China. Other cities will also follow, and of course with our e-commerce presence we are available in the whole of China," he said.

China is expected to see the size of its private consumption more than double in the next decade, making the world's second largest economy a global consumption powerhouse, matching the size of the current U.S. market, according to a research report released earlier this year by Morgan Stanley.

"China is probably going to be the number one GDP country in the world in 2030. At the same time, the number of middle-class people within China is growing significantly," said John McLean, newly-appointed chair of the Institute of Directors for the City of London.

"The Chinese market is very important to British companies, especially by 2030," McLean told Xinhua.

SUSTAINABLE, INNOVATIVE INVESTMENT CLIMATE



Facing plummeting sales and factory shutdowns due to supply chain disruptions and staff shortages in the pandemic era, European manufacturers are looking to China for a safer, more promising future.

German auto industry supplier ZF Friedrichshafen feels "at home" in China, the company's CEO said recently, vowing to further deepen localization in the world's largest passenger car and truck market.

"Our teams in China have played their role as it is a country like Germany, where we have the capabilities to deploy and develop a full system," Wolf-Henning Scheider, also ZF's chairman, told Xinhua at the International Motor Show Germany (IAA Mobility) held in Munich, Germany earlier this September, noting that ZF has set up its first "global homerooms" in China, where new products can be developed for the global market.

In the fields of alternative energies and e-mobility, China is "at the forefront," said the chief executive.

German luxury carmaker BMW is determined to continue its close cooperation with China's automobile industry to promote the sustained, long-term and rapid development of its business, said Oliver Zipse, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, in a recent interview.

The BMW Group considers China one of its most important markets for innovation, Zipse told Xinhua during the IAA Mobility.

BMW's largest supplier of battery cells is currently the Chinese company CATL. In the field of digitalization, BMW has established its own digital companies, and it cooperates with several Chinese companies, including Tencent and Alibaba, to continuously strengthen its digital footprint, Zipse said.

The Chinese market is a major driving force for innovation and development, and BMW will continue to cooperate with local players in the Chinese automotive industry to provide quality products and premium experiences for Chinese customers, he said.

"There is a wide range of fields that Chinese and European businesses could tap the potential of cooperation. For instance, tackling climate change and transforming into greener development are missions that Chinese and European businesses share," said Xu Haifeng, Chairman of China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union.

BOOMING FOREIGN TRADE



China overtook the United States last year as the EU's biggest trading partner in 2020, according to the EU statistics agency Eurostat.

Meanwhile, China surpassed Germany as Britain's biggest single import market in the first quarter of 2021, the British Office for National Statistics has said.

China's global market share has risen substantially in the past two years, British think tank Oxford Economics said in a report in August.

"In any case, China's strong export performance since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic underscores that the global supply chains developed in recent decades -- and in which China plays a key role -- are much 'stickier' than many suspected," said Louis Kuijs, head of Asia Economics at Oxford Economics and also author of the report.

With almost half a century of experience in doing business with China, Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club, has witnessed first-hand the extraordinary growth of China's market following the period of reform and opening-up.

"We only have to look at the statistics for the last year and a half to see how the world's economy collapsed with the impact of COVID-19 and then how fast China was to recover. When other countries were still beginning to go into collapse, China was starting to recover," Perry said.

"Chinese demand is good. The domestic economy is buying a lot of goods from the world markets. So for everybody around the world, China is the place to go to, the place to try to do business in," Perry added.
 Flash

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has voiced his concerns that the newly-established security partnership among Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States (AUKUS) would raise tensions and spark a regional arms race.



In a phone call with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, Ismail Sabri warned that the partnership, which would arm Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, would provoke other powers to also act aggressively in the region, especially in the South China Sea, according to a statement by the Malaysian Prime Minister's office on Saturday.

"As a country in ASEAN, Malaysia holds the principle of maintaining ASEAN as a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality," he said, urging all parties to avoid any provocation as well as arms competition in the region, and emphasized the importance of respecting and maintaining the status quo.

The United States and Britain said recently that they will share highly sensitive nuclear submarine technology with Australia, a key part of the three countries' newly-established security partnership AUKUS, which is a violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

With over 190 signatories worldwide, the NPT has shown the international community's commitment to preventing the dispersal of nuclear weapons and promoting cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy.




 Flash

Four crew members of the world's first all-civilian orbital mission returned to Earth on Saturday evening with a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Kennedy Space Center, Florida, said a press release by the mission Inspiration4.

The astronauts aboard the Dragon spacecraft developed by American private space company Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) spent three days orbiting Earth.

The mission also set a few other records such as carrying the first black female spacecraft pilot, the youngest American in space, and the first person to fly to space with a prosthetic, the farthest flight for a human spaceflight since the Hubble missions and others, according to the release.

"Your mission has shown the world that space is for all of us, and that everyday people can make extraordinary impacts in the world around them," said Kris Young, space operations director at SpaceX mission control.

So far, the mission has raised nearly 154 million U.S. dollars for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, short of the target of 200 million U.S. dollars.

Inspiration4 was launched into space on Wednesday night from Kennedy Space Center, making headway in commercial space tourism.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. Where have you laid him? he asked.

Come and see, Lord, they replied.

Jesus wept.

(John chapter 11, verses 32-35)

The day this article is published might have been the day Id give birth to my third child. In the midst of our strange circumstance, this story has prevailed as a narrative that has shaped my family over this year. I hope to take your attention, just for a moment, from the issues we face as a collective society that have eclipsed the individual, and rather focus on the one. This story is mine, but it does not stand alone, and I share it in the hope that the reader might know deeper the heart of our God.

The promise

In January this year my family stood around a pregnancy test in anticipation. My eight-year-old daughters eyes widened as she tried to contain her excitement;

Mummy, what does it mean?

Were having another baby!

Months earlier in prayer I had felt a peace and assurance in my soul that my family was not yet done growing. My Husband and two children at eight and five years had never been more excited, and we began quickly preparing a place in our hearts and lives for a little one.

I had the tendency to enter pregnancy with trepidation, having had two miscarriages before this pregnancy; but I had a sense of certainty in this one. I knew God had a promise and purpose for this, and I was thankful my persistent morning sickness would not let me forget it. For the first time, I felt completely confident.

The mountain

It was in my eighth week that circumstances began to change. My bloodwork began to show levels that didnt correspond to my dates, and my symptoms began to change. Over the next week, my husband and I remained confident that the challenges to the pregnancy would subside; holding on to those words

... This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for Gods glory, so that Gods Son may be glorified through it.

(John chapter 11, verse 4)

Through sickness, hurt, and financial struggle my God had proven himself faithful in my life; in our marriage; things would surely get better. But they didnt. It was an evening in week nine when I finally said to my husband, I need to go to the hospital.

The sonographer rolled the wand over my body as we watched the screen, waiting. From corner to corner he searched the depths for some sign of life. There was nothing. Where we had seen our baby weeks before, now there was no trace, only darkness.

Lord, if you had been here...

In tears and silence, we drove home. I wanted to say, Lord, if you had just been there, my baby would still be with me but I could not speak to Him; I could only weep.

The pain I felt I directed toward Jesus. Not for him to carry, but for him to endure. I was angry at Him, hurt by him. My heart was split in two as I walked that same hill Abraham walked carrying his promised child; one side wondered whether there was any point at all, and other still holding on to the hope that God is good. And in the moments I questioned His goodness, he patiently took my pain on himself.

I remembered John 11:35, Jesus wept. In the moment I could not understand. If he knew the outcome, the resurrection of Lazarus, why should he mourn?

Shiloh

More than a week later I returned to the hospital for a check-up. A different sonographer pulled out the wand to inspect the empty space where that little promise had been, as I held my breath not knowing how Id react to seeing the painful image again. She took measurements; zooming in to inspect smudges of light that stood stark against the dark void. Finally I asked is that the baby?

Yes. Its smaller than wed expect, but it is there.

Ive witnessed countless miracles in my life, but nothing that could have prepared me for that answer. When first the baby left, I couldnt help but think the Lord had left me too; but now in the glimmer of the miraculous, I wondered whether this was the plan from the start.

The safety of my pregnancy was still uncertain, but there was no earthly action to take to ensure the outcome. All we could do was dedicate this child back to his Heavenly Father, just as Hannah returned her miracle child to Shiloh, treasure what moments we had, and hope with what hope we had left for another miracle.

Why?

When I was almost twelve weeks pregnant, the baby we called Shiloh left us again, this time to only awaken to the face of his beautiful Saviour.

My only question was Why?, and I remembered again, Jesus wept.

As believers, were often asked, If God is good, why do bad things happen?, and we can try to answer theologically, but the heart behind the question will not be satisfied. Our hearts know that we have seen only glimpses of the hope to come, that even the miracle of Lazarus was temporal and incomplete. My hope was not for the brief time I would share with Shiloh, though I treasure the miracle of holding him in my body for one more week, my hope is for Eternity.

I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.

(John chapter 11, verses 24-25)

Until that day comes, the mind may ask, If God is good, why do bad things happen? but the heart is asking, Does he care?

The answer is simple; Jesus wept.
-A Collaboration to create the first-of-its-kind smart, healthy and sustainable campus in the region -A Johnson Controls OpenBlue digitalA solution suite to drive sustainability, operational and space health goals from a single pane of glass -A A More than 1,000 students learn from the latest in Artificial Intelligence solutions DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson ControlsA (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, today announced it is partnering with Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body of Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park, and the Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai (RIT Dubai) to deliver the region's first-of-its-kind smart, healthy, and sustainable new campus. "Across the world, Johnson Controls helps businesses, governments and global institutions meet ambitious sustainability goals. Digitization is a key enabler for companies and organizations to meet net zero carbon and renewable energy goals. Employing the right technology and talent are two of the most critical factors for success," said Katie McGinty, vice president and chief sustainability, government and regulatory affairs officer at Johnson Controls. "We are pleased to contr! ibute to the next generation of innovation leaders by giving students the opportunity to learn from the fully open architecture of the Johnson Controls OpenBlue digital platform. Together, we can work to address the decarbonization of buildings, which represent about 40% of global emissions. It is a win-win. Cutting that energy waste and emissions cuts energy costs as well." Johnson Controls is committed to supporting DSOA's sustainability and carbon emissions reduction efforts through its OpenBlue digital platform. The company will deploy its OpenBlue Enterprise ManagerA (OBEM) solution for RIT Dubai's iconic campus, using sophisticated artificial intelligence. OBEM will empower campus administrators to analyze field data to help address challenges around energy efficiency and optimization. The platform will facilitate RIT Dubai with real-time monitoring, benchmarking and analysis of energy consumption and demand, deliver real and meaningful sustainability solutions on campus, and reduce operational costs and lower environmental impact. Johnson Controls OpenBlue digital platform and services for optimizing buildings can drive 50% and more in improvement in energy efficiency and corresponding carbon emissions. These goals are in line with the university's ambition to attract students and faculty committed to building a net zero economy that serves everyone while being able to teach and learn in the most comfortable, quality environment that operates more intelligently and efficiently. RIT Dubai has around 1,000 students and 100 staff members. "Johnson Controls has been a pioneer in innovation and a leader in technology for more than 135 years," said Rolando Furlong, vice president and general manager, Building Solutions MEA, at Johnson Controls. "We are proud to partner with Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority and Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai to drive a new level of sustainability in implementing our OpenBlue Healthy Building solutions to optimize performance by digitally transforming RIT Dubai'sA campus, turning data into insights, and insights into actions that ultimately contribute to the region`s sustainability goals. Our OpenBlue Healthy Buildings solutions will help create a state-of-the-art campus to improve learning environments and prepare students to be tomorrow's innovation leaders." "As a testbed for smart city solutions, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority has always been an early adopter of technology and we always encourage and promote innovative solutions for our region," added Engineer Muammar Khaled Al Katheeri, executive vice president of Engineering and Smart City at DSOA. "We hold our partnership with Johnson Controls in high regard and share the same values around sustainability and innovation. The RIT Dubai campus is state of the art with latest technologies incorporated and we look forward to Johnson Controls delivering the smart facility management for this campus utilizing cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies." For his part, Dr. Yousef M. Al-Assaf, president, Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai, commented: "Johnson Controls has been working with DSOA at various fronts and has been an integral player in the design and construction of various systems in RIT Dubai`s new campus. We are excited about this partnership between DSOA, RIT Dubai, and Johnson Controls to develop an open ecosystem which will enhance and create opportunities for the community in areas of innovation, creativity, and sustainability. Students will have the opportunity to tap into the interactive OpenBlue dashboards from Johnson Controls and thus benefit and learn from the latest in AI-driven analytics on energy efficiency. This partnership will serve as an example of how a university should operate in the future to become a dynamic contender in creating new knowledge, sustainable solutions and connectivity in the ! region."< /p> Johnson Controls has proven experience in the campuses vertical with solutions and services that power the wellness of students, teachers and staff, optimize the energy performance of the campus and meet environmental and sustainability goals. This collaboration is aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. One of the key deliverables under the Plan is to promote a knowledge and innovation international centre that attracts talents and minds to contribute to the global growth and leadership of Dubai. Dubai Silicon Oasis is one of five main urban centers, a science and technology and knowledge hub that drives innovation, digital economy development, and talent generation. About Johnson Controls: At Johnson Controls, we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. With a history of more than 135 years of innovation, Johnson Controls delivers the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through its comprehensive digital offering OpenBlue. With a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largestA portfolio of building technology, software as well asA serviceA solutionsA withA some of the most trusted names in the industry. For more information, visitA www.johnsoncontrols.comA or follow us @johnsoncontrolsA on Twitter. About DSOA Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), a 100% owned entity by the Government of Dubai, is a free zone that is strategically placed on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed road. DSOA's urban master-planned community spans 7.2 square kilometers of state of the art office towers, R&D and industrial zones, educational institutions, luxury apartments, villas, hotels, healthcare and a full range of lifestyle facilities which translate into a dynamic commercial and social environment. Businesses can flourish under the unrivalled package of incentives, including 100% ownership, and high end IT infrastructure that allows companies to begin operating immediately. DSOA is a technology park that provides both a living and working integrated community. For more information, please visit: www.dsoa.ae About RIT Dubai Established in 2008, RIT DubaiA is a not-for-profit global campus of the esteemed Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, one of the world's leading technological-focused universities with a storied 185 year history.A RIT Dubai offers highly valued Bachelor's and Master's degrees in business and leadership, engineering, and computing. The curriculum provides students with relevant work experience through an innovative cooperative education program that helps students stand out in today's highly completive job market.A RIT Dubai offers American degrees, and all of RIT's programs are UAE Ministry accredited. Students of RIT Dubai also have the unique opportunity to choose to study abroad at the main campus in New York or at one of its other global campuses. Sweeney Dcosta

Regional Program & Communications Manager, MEA

Sweeney.dcosta@jci.com

Ph : 0097143099999 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1627869/Johnson_Controls_Healthy_Buildings.jpgA

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1318989/Johnson_Controls_Logo.jpg A A
Somesh Kumar released the collection and handed over the first copy to Das wife Padmaja to whom the collection of poems has been dedicated. (DC Image)

HYDERABAD: For many participants at the launch of Dancing with Dreams, a collection of poems penned by Adityanath Das, chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh, here on Sunday, it was a pleasant surprise to find in the top bureaucrat a deep thinker and a passionate lover of literature.

We have known you for decades but realised only now the secret behind your compassion and positive approach, said Somesh Kumar, his counterpart from Telangana, who released the collection and handed over the first copy to Das wife Padmaja to whom the collection of poems has been dedicated.

Referring to the poets roots in the Mithila region of Bihar, incidentally from where the two top bureaucrats hail, Somesh Kumar said the area had a great influence of the 14th century poet Vidyapati, whose works are still recited there.

As Biharis, our sole goal was to crack the Civil Services exam, Somesh Kumar quipped and appreciated Das for keeping the fire and passion alive in him even after 34 years of service.

Describing Das as an ever-smiling bureaucrat, Somesh Kumar said he had steered the State through turbulent times and it is commendable that he would be retiring without a blemish.

Das said most of the poems were written during his college days when communication was more in a human form rather than the present days technological formats. The poems reflect hope as well as confusion about the future, he said, adding that they reflected positivity too.

Human life shall always remain a question and the quest for answers will bring in passion and energy and my poetic journey too began with it, Das said.

Acharya N. Gopi, Sahitya Akademi awardee and former vice-chancellor of Telugu University, said that he was so impressed with Das work that he translated some of the poems in Telugu. He said people of Telangana State would remember Das for his contribution to the irrigation sector in the region in the undivided state.

Publisher Ramprasad, senior bureaucrats Neerab Kumar Prasad, Arvind Kumar, S.S. Rawat and Naveen Mittal were present.
But now with the number of cases decreasing, the District Administration received a request to allow sevas and remove the ban on temple entry during weekends. (PTI photo)

Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada district administration has made an RT-PCR negative certificate mandatory to those who want to offer Seva at Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple and Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala.

As these two temples attract a large number of devotees from within the district and outside, last month the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Dr. K V Rajendra had banned all types of sevas and closed the temple for devotees during the weekend.

But now with the number of cases decreasing, the District Administration received a request to allow sevas and remove the ban on temple entry during weekends.

Considering this request the Deputy Commissioner has removed the restrictions. The DC has allowed devotees to offer sevas and visit the temple during weekends but with some conditions.

According to the new order issued on Saturday, those devotees who wish to offer seva in the two temples should have an RT-PCR negative certificate that is not older than 72 hours. The certificate is mandatory even if the devotees have had both the doses of the vaccine.

The DC has asked the temples to restrict the number of sevas where a large number of devotees gather.

The order also makes the RT-PCR test mandatory for the temple committee, Archaks, employees, and staff once in 15 days.
BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Union minister Bhagawanth Khuba wave to the crowds during the former's Praja Sangrama Yatra in Kamareddy district on Saturday.  DC Image

HYDERABAD: Telangana state BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Saturday challenged Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao to accompany him to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to know about facts and figures regarding funds released by the Centre to the state government for taking up various welfare schemes.

Rao has been misleading people with blatant lies that the Centre was not giving funds when the fact of the matter was that the Modi government was liberally funding welfare schemes and development works like rice distribution through ration shops, construction of houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, toilets, roads and water supply, he alleged.

Sanjay said that Rao only attaches his photos to the central schemes claiming that they were his governments programmes.

Let the Chief Minister take an appointment with Modi and I will go to Delhi with him to meet the Prime Minister. If Rao proves that the Centre has been ignoring Telangana, then I will resign from the Lok Sabha, he said.

Sanjay was addressing a public meeting at Yellareddy in Kamareddy district on the 21st day of his Praja Sangram Yatra. He was given a rousing welcome from party activists in Yellareddy and Lingampet mandals. Some youth joined the party in the presence of Sanjay, Kamareddy district president Aruna Tara, former MLA Ravinder Reddy and padayatra in-charge Manohar Reddy.

The BJP leader ridiculed reports that Union home minister Amit Shah had spread religious hatred during his Nirmal visit.

Meanwhile, minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers Bhagwanth Khuba, who participated in the padayatra, criticised the TRS government and recalled that Rao had in 2014 declared that the state would be developed as Bangaru Telangana. He has not fulfilled even one promise, he alleged.

The minister said that it was unfortunate that five farmers from Yellareddy Assembly constituency had committed suicide after Rao advised them to go for alternative crop as his government was unable to purchase paddy from them. He said that the government should own moral responsibility for those deaths and compensate the bereaved families.

Khuba said that even though there were no elections, Sanjay has launched Praja Sangrama Yatra because he wanted to understand the problems faced by the people and farmers and expose the misdeeds of the KCR government.
Captain Amarinder Singh speaks to media after submitting his resignation to Governor Purohit Banwarilal at Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh. (Photo: PTI)

Chandigarh: Hours before resigning as the Punjab chief minister, Amarinder Singh wrote to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, expressing anguish over recent developments and concern that they may cause instability in the state.

Singh had on Saturday written to Gandhi, apprising her of his decision.

He said the political events of the last about five months were "clearly not based on full understanding of the national imperatives of Punjab and its key concerns."

"Notwithstanding my personal anguish, I hope this will not cause any damage to the hard-earned peace and development in the state, and that the efforts I have been focusing on during the last few years would continue unabated, ensuring justice to one and all," Singh wrote in his letter to Gandhi, indicating his apprehension of instability in Punjab as a result of the political developments in the state unit of the Congress.

At the same time, he expressed satisfaction at having done his best for the people as the chief minister of Punjab, which, as a border state, "has many geo-political and other internal security concerns, which I tried to handle effectively without any compromise."

Congress veteran Singh resigned as chief minister of Punjab months ahead of the Assembly polls after a bruising power struggle with state party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.

After submitting his resignation to the Governor on Saturday, Singh had said he felt "humiliated" over the way the party handled the protracted crisis.
Yediyurappa, who has planned a State-wide tour aimed at strengthening the party for the 2023 Assembly polls and to bring it back to power, said he has already travelled to Mysuru and the surrounding areas and would travel to other places after the ongoing legislature session. (PTI)

Davangere: The Karnataka BJP State executive meeting on September 19 here would discuss and take crucial decisions on further strengthening the party from the grassroots-level, strategy for upcoming elections and plan of action on several current issues, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Saturday.

"Tomorrow, we have our State executive meeting in which we will be discussing a host of issues, including strengthening the party in the days to come and plan a strategy for facing the upcoming elections (taluk, zilla panchayat, legislative council and Assembly bypolls)," Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the Davangere executive meet is crucial as there is a plan to further strengthen the party from booth to State-level and take important decisions in this regard.

"Several current issues will also be discussed at the meeting to draw up a plan of action," he said.

The State executive meeting would be Bommai's first one after taking over as the Chief Minister.

Several other senior party leaders, including national general secretary and State in-charge Arun Singh, State party president Nalin Kumar Kateel and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa would also be attending the meet on Sunday and the core committee meeting later tonight.

Yediyurappa, who has planned a State-wide tour aimed at strengthening the party for the 2023 Assembly polls and to bring it back to power, said he has already travelled to Mysuru and the surrounding areas and would travel to other places after the ongoing legislature session.

The legislature session that began on September 13 ends on September 24.
Rahul Gandhi attended the social media department meeting and urged party workers to continue their fight against the ruling dispensation with humility, truth and love. (PTI)

New Delhi: The Congress social media department Saturday passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi party president at the earliest, saying his leadership will bring new energy into the party cadre.

The resolution was passed unanimously at the social media department's national executive meeting "Drishti 2021".

This comes after similar resolutions were passed at the national executive meetings of the Indian Youth Congress, the NSUI and the Congress SC/ST department.

Rahul Gandhi attended the social media department meeting and urged party workers to continue their fight against the ruling dispensation with humility, truth and love.

Social media department head Rohan Gupta said Gandhi inspired party workers and spoke to them candidly about their lives and answered each of their questions with empathy and patience.

He also commended the social media workers for their hard work and dedication to the party and commitment to fight and defeat the ruling dispensation, he said.

"We believe that only the rights-based approach, the policies of justice or NYAY of Shri Rahul Gandhi can save the country today. He is the only leader in the country who has shown the courage and conviction to hold the fort of truth and welfare of the citizens.

"We believe leadership of Shri Rahul Gandhi will bring a new energy into the party cadre across India. We therefore, unanimously pass the resolution that Shri Rahul Gandhi should take over as President of the Indian National Congress at the earliest," said the resolution passed Saturday at the conclusion of the two-day meeting.

In another resolution adopted at the meeting, the party said social media is being used as a weapon to spread hate and create division among various sections of the society by the "fascist forces" ruling the country.

"We resolve to fight for the Idea of India as conceived by the Gandhian and Nehruvian philosophy to save the country from the policies of division by the ruling dispensation.

"We resolve to use social media as a tool to unite people from across all sections of the society. The ruling regiment has been on a rampage spreading fake news and misinformation using social media to run their agenda," the resolution said.

It further stated that the party will expose "fake news being propagated by them" and ensure that truth and reality take the centre stage.

"The RSS-BJP government is hiding their incompetence and mis-governance using PR and headline management and using event management to distract people from their failures. We resolve to bring forth their reality without any fear and with absolute conviction," it said.

Gupta said everyone is disturbed over the goings on in the country as every single person is suffering -- from the student community, to farmers to women and the oppressed sections of the society.

"Not a single Indian is at peace. To please a few friends, the economy of the country has been destroyed. The social fabric of this country, which was our pride and strength, is being damaged time and again," the resolution also said.

Those who are raising their voices against those in power are being harassed and being made victims of vendetta politics, it alleged.

"Hate crime is on the rise and the criminals are enjoying state impunity. Women are not safe in this new India'. Crime against women is at an all-time high," the resolution also said.
In World War II, Nazi leaders were obsessed with a race that they based their ideals on, so their top officials decided to find out the source of the Aryan race one and for all.

The search of the Aryans was based on unverified mythologies that mentioned a superior human race far back in prehistory. Before the second world war hostilities, learning the secrets of this superior race was necessary for the third Reich.

Hitler and the search for the superior human race

According to Vaibhav Purandare, a historian and writer of Hitler and India, the Nazis were deadly serious and organized a group of secret fact finders just like in modern-day who went to India on an eccentric search to look for the origin of the Aryan creed, which is an interesting part that was never common knowledge at that time, reported the Daily Star.

Purandare told the BBC when Hitler was the Fuhrer, he thought without research or evidence that the Nordic, also known as Aryans, had migrated to India about 1,500 years in the past. They later were co-mixing with the locals when they got to the country.

As mentioned in his speeches several times, India was despised by the Fuhrer, but India held nothing for him. A turning point for the question of the so-called superior race was in 1938. Heinrich Himmler had decided to investigate the fascist-legend finally.

Nazi leaders tasked a five-person group to look into the source of the Aryan race before doing the same thing over the fictional Atlantis, but no details exist about this odd search.

Read Also: Uranium Cubes That Are Suspected Component of Hitler's 1945 Nuclear Bomb Now Under Study

Nazi views Aryan as purest elusive race

According to what the Nazis knew about their superior race, the pure Aryans who arrived in India earlier but later migrated to another place. Next, it is Tibet, where they moved to a time ago, but other than that, it is a dead-end.

Other authors than Purandare dabble into this conspiracy theory more, leading to more misconceptions. At one point, they thought the Germans were crazy enough to believe the elusive Yeti was the Aryan missing link. No one knows about the German Aryan seekers or their exact orders, but they were in Sri Lanka first, went to India, and followed Tibet. The Indian author remarks the British were not keen on allowing the Germans passage into India, in circa 1938, the Times of India published a headline that the Gestapo arrived, cited the Independent.

They could go to Tibet at the end of 1938 when locals did not want them there. One thing to note is that the group tasked to look for the super-race was flying the swastika flag, originally an Asian symbol, but the Nazis made it hated.

In Tibet, it did not have the western connotation. It's called 'yungdrung', which for Hindus and Buddhists, means a symbol of drawing good luck and fortune, with the emblem on homes, in temples, street corners, even tempos or trucks too.

The Germans were treated well by the Tibetans, who had no idea what the Nazis cared for. In August 1939, the war broke out, ending the expedition, but the examinations of the Tibetan were done. About 200 artifacts were returned, but the bombing destroyed them in 1945. The Nazi leaders in World War two were occupied, and the source of the Aryan race was unheard of later.

Related Article: Hitler's Weird Stone Henge: Does It Hide Secret Tunnels to Experiment Aircraft Before Modern Prototypes?

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The archeologists' discovery of the 2,300-year-old Chankillo Observatory is the oldest astronomy complex in the ancient past dedicated to the sun. Knowing the time of the year was crucial for the ancients, which led to the construction of monuments like this.

The ancients were obsessed with the stars, which led to precursors in modern times, as the development of stargazing into an observable science. After it was abandoned in the past, it took scientists to decipher what most would interpret as weird buildings in the Peruvian desert.

Ancients devised the Chankillo Observatory

Chankillo is considered one of the oldest complexes devised by the ancient Peruvians, approximated at 2,300 years old, compared to other similar structures in the Americas, reported by the Express UK.

Components of the archaic observatory are 13 towers made of stone arranged on a hilltop, one of the earliest examples of a man-made calendar complex. The monument is now called a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Archaeologists estimated the Peruvian culture engineered the magnificent feat well before the coming of the Incas when they were worshipping the sun, famous for ritual human sacrifice. The ancient stargazing complex was completed in the eras between 250 and 200 B.C. What surprised modern scholars is that the 2,300-year-old Chankillo Observatory was very precise and used as a temple for worship and other official purposes.

Read Also: Stele Dating Back 2,600 Years Tells of a Pharaoh Who Was Murdered by His Subjects

The Chankillo Observatory is a giant timepiece

The central part of the complex is the sequential 'Thirteen Towers,' which shows an artificial horizon used by the ancients who practiced the monolithic calendar. Knowing the progress of the sun's place in the sky gave the signal for the coming solstices and equinoxes and to find out dates precisely in one to two days. According to one program, the complex's knowledge allowed the Peruvians to know when to plant crops and hold worship on the most important days of the year.

Documentary host Brian Cox of 'Wonders of the Universe' visited this wonder of the ancient world, showing how an Ancient Solar Calendar while going through a vast time-keeping structure. Inside the ancient solar temple are white walls with painted figures, cited the Big World Tale.

The nature of the frescoes was not known until the research of late, for a long time and probably seen as a worship place more than an ancient solar calendar. In 2007, a study in Science Org suggested that the solar towers' progression are marked sequences for significant summer and winter solstice. Chankillo was a 3-D sun calendar on a bigger scale.

Archaeologists Ivan Ghezzi and Clive Ruggles made the study. They said the towers were not coincidental but intentional to mark the sun's progress in one year, with precise dates that pre-date modern astronomy.

A humongous clock that keeps the pace of the sun's movement over the months of the year and days was by design of ancient Peruvian concerned with the timing of relevant activities precisely. In September, the observatory would catch the first sunrise between the fifth and sixth towers, while on December 21, it would rise at the last towers on daybreak. The 2,300-year-old Chankillo Observatory is a masterpiece of architecture, a masterpiece of technology and astronomy.

Related Article: Archaeologists Discover Rare Egyptian Artifacts: Over 300 Rock-Cut Tombs of Akhmim Leaders

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
According to Biden administration guidelines released this week, federal workers may be dismissed for refusing to get vaccinated against the COVID-19. Still, while their disciplinary cases make their way through the system, they will report to work alongside vaccinated colleagues.

New Guidance on Vaccine Mandate

In a recently published article in The Washington Post, the new guidance to execute a vaccination requirement for the government, revealed by Biden last week, is a reversal of the approach advocated by the White House coronavirus task group in August for those workers without vaccinations who refused to undergo regular COVID-19 testing under an earlier plan.

Then agencies were informed they may put workers on administrative leave, a paid suspension often used for short-term absences but can also be used when management recommends dismissing an employee. According to Jeff Friday, general counsel for the National Federation of Federal Employees, which has approximately 100,000 members working for the Defense Department, the United States Forest Service, and other agencies, the federal government seems to have taken a tougher stance.

The regulations for enforcing the requirement were among many new elements of what will be a complicated, possibly contentious process that will likely go well into the winter, if not longer, due to the federal government's vast size and presence in every state. Multiple groups of individuals will be following various regulations in the same workplace as a result of the details, according to a published article in Gov Exec.

Read Also: Joe Biden Ponders Over Vaccine Mandate for Federal Workers; Review to Be Completed This Week

Policy Before Entering a Federal Building

Contractors, government employees, and visitors who have been vaccinated must wear masks inside federal facilities in regions where virus transmission is high or significant, but not in areas where transmission is minimal or has a low positivity rate.

Visitors must verify their status before entering a government facility, except for those seeking assistance. Visitors who have not been vaccinated or refuse to disclose their status must additionally provide evidence of a negative test conducted three days or less before entering the facility, according to a report published in CNBC.

Furthermore, to fulfill a November 22 deadline to be completely vaccinated, most of the 2.1 million government workers must get their last vaccination dosage no later than November 8. Depending on the vaccination they get, the time between the first and second injections will vary.

Other Employees and Newly Hired Personnel

According to the new regulations, teleworking workers must also receive vaccinations, and they may send evidence of immunization electronically. Those who are not completely vaccinated or refuse to inform their employers about their status must wear masks in the workplace, keep a safe distance from coworkers, and adhere to work travel limitations.

The guidance states that new employees who start work after November 22 must be fully vaccinated, save in "limited situations" when the government must make a reasonable adjustment to exclude them. Exceptions may be granted for "urgent, mission-critical" recruits, but they must be vaccinated within 60 days of their start date.

The task group said it is working on further guidelines on how agencies should handle requests for religious and medical exemptions to the vaccination, a part of the requirement that has sparked fears that the offices would adopt widely disparate standards.

Related Article: Did Joe Biden Order The Withholding of Unvaccinated Veterans' Health Benefits?

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Rep. August Pfluger said on Saturday while visiting the migrant surge's staging area in Del Rio, Texas, claiming that the number of mostly Haitian migrants camped there in filthy circumstances had surpassed 15,000 and that the situation may become much worse.

Texas Rep. Pfluger Said 'The Worst is Yet To Come'

In a recently published article in FOX News, Texas Rep. Pfluger said that he spoke to the Border Patrol Officials, and they are worried about what is behind there and their coordination with Mexico. He even said that the 'worst is yet to come or more migrants might come.

Pfluger is one of several legislators who claim that the crisis was precipitated partly by the Biden administration's decision to stop deportation flights and that Haitians and others waiting in Central America mistook this as permission to enter the United States.

He said, "So when those flights were stopped by the U.S. government they got the word and it was like 'go time,'" Additionally, the Texas Republican also said that there had been allegations of criminal behavior, as well as prostitution and narcotics. He is concerned about possible security issues, according to a report published in Ground News.

Read Also: Biden Promises Migrants Entry at the Border

Border Officials Worry About the Increase of Migrants

On Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security announced that more agents and staff would be arriving soon, as well as an increase in deportation flights in the coming days while emphasizing that the country's borders are not open and that most migrants would be deported under Title 42 public health protections.

Meanwhile, the US Customs and Border Protection has shut down the port of entry at Del Rio, redirecting lawful commerce and travel 57 miles to Eagle Pass, as well as border checkpoints to screen for illegal immigrants and illicit goods, according to a published report in CNBC,

As their numbers grow as they wait to be processed by Border Patrol, the migrants have built up a de facto camp beneath the bridge to escape the 100-degree heat. To assist, officials rushed toilets, water, medical supplies, and other humanitarian items.

Critics Pointed Out Biden's Reversal of Trump's Immigration Policy that Led to the Increase of Migrants in the Borders

Critics have pointed to the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians already in the United States, as well as a broader effort by the Biden administration to rollback Trump-era border protections like border wall construction and the Migrant Protection Protocols, in addition to the reported halting of deportation flights, which DHS has now resumed.

Since assuming office, the government has faced a spike in migration, which peaked at more than 200,000 interactions each month in July and August. The government has blamed "root factors" like violence, poverty, and corruption, as well as Biden's administration's decision to terminate legitimate asylum routes.

Despite this, he complimented the hardworking Border Patrol officers but seemed irritated as he explained how the situation might have been avoided if the government had taken action.

Related Article: Hundreds of Migrants Might End Nearly Two Months of Hunger Strike in Belgium

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The organizer of the "Justice for J6" protest in solidarity with the Capitol rioters on January 6 praised the few hundred people who came out on Saturday.

The Organizer of "Justice for J6" Thanked Those Who Appeared

In a recently published article in Newsweek, Matt Braynard, the organizer of Saturday's protest in Washington, D.C., addressed the approximately 500 people who attended and calling those who were suspicious of the gathering "a bunch of clowns."

Braynard posted on his social media account, "Thank you to the @CapitolPolice, @DCPoliceDept, Park Police, and other security services that kept our attendees safe today. And thank you to the 500 courageous patriots who came out today despite a bunch of clowns and dilettantes who tried to convince you it was a trap."

Several major far-right Facebook groups and extremist sites, including TheDonald and 4chan, urged protestors not to attend the demonstration, claiming that it was a covert government plan to conduct arrests and monitor protesters. On Thursday, even former President Donald Trump labeled the gathering a "set-up," according to a published article in Daily Advent.

Read Also: Hundreds Gather in Idaho State Capitol in "Burn the Mask" Rally to Protest Pandemic Restrictions

Trump Released a Statement

Former President Donald Trump said before the rally that Saturday's event is a set-up. Trump said, "If people don't show up they'll say, 'Oh, it's a lack of spirit.' And if people do show up they'll be harassed," according to a published report in Fry-Electronics.

Trump did not attend the event but stated in a statement on Thursday that his heart and thoughts are with the individuals who have been unjustly punished in connection with the January 6 protest against the Rigged Presidential Election.

Furthermore, Both Capitol police and lawmakers were unsurprised by the poor turnout on Saturday. According to Democrat Ted Lieu of California, the rally's poor attendance indicates that Trump's influence on the GOP may finally be waning.

The Peaceful Rally on Saturday Afternoon

The protest was held with tight security on Saturday afternoon, with law enforcement preparing for the event by erecting a temporary fence and increasing police presence. Police reported four arrests by the end of the day, including one guy with a knife and another who seemed to have a pistol. Two more people were apprehended on felony warrants out of Texas.

In a published article in OlxPraca, before the protest, Braynard, a former Trump campaign worker, told Newsweek that the gathering would be "100%" nonviolent to express solidarity for Trump supporters who were detained and charged during the January 6 uprising. In the six months after the deadly Capitol assault, nearly 600 individuals have been arrested.

Braynard told a news outlet that they support legal prosecution and quick prosecutions for everyone who participated in the violence on January 6, and they strongly condemn their conduct. They are fully working with various police agencies to ensure that everyone is safe. Anyone planning on committing violence is not welcome at their protest.

Related Article: Capitol Police Warns Potential Violence on September 18 Rally Supporting January 6 Suspects; Security Fencing Reinstalled

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The United Nations voiced its displeasure with the Taliban's decision to exclude women and minorities from Afghanistan's new temporary administration and urged for the formation of an inclusive government.

The United Nations Calls Taliban To Include Women in the Interim Government

In a recently published article in Newsweek, Taliban authorities were warned in a United Nations Security Council resolution passed unanimously Friday that they must form a new government that includes "full, equal, and meaningful participation of women" and respects human rights.

The decision, which was approved by the United Nations' most powerful body, also extends the existing mandate of the UN political mission in Afghanistan for another six months and sends a strong message to the Taliban that its 15 members would be carefully monitoring what they do in the future.

The Security Council resolution, prepared by Norway and Estonia, effectively postpones a decision on a new mandate for UNAMA, the United Nations operation in Afghanistan, until March of next year. At the same time, it emphasizes "the essential significance of UNAMA's and other UN agencies' ongoing presence in fostering peace and security in Afghanistan," according to a published report in Head Topics.

Read Also: Taliban Allows Afghan Women To Study Under Some Conditions

Taliban is Breaking Its Promise

The Taliban have pledged a more inclusive administration and milder governance than during their previous reign in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, but mistrust remains strong. Many Afghans, particularly women, are concerned that their rights, which have been protected for the last 20 years, may be curtailed once again.

Despite their pledges, the Taliban have violently suppressed numerous demonstrations by women and their supporters seeking equal rights from the new authorities since taking power in Afghanistan, according to a published report in VOA News.

Meanwhile, the Taliban issued an order on Friday for all boys in grades six through twelve, as well as male teachers, to return to school and begin courses throughout Afghanistan on Saturday, but made no mention of females or female teachers.

Taliban Appears To Have Shut Down the Women's Affairs Ministry

In a published article in the BBC News, the Taliban have decommissioned the ministry of women's affairs and replaced it with a department that used to enforce stringent religious beliefs. The sign at the ministry was taken down on Friday, and a sign for the ministry of virtue and vice was installed in its stead.

Women workers were seen outside the offices in videos posted on social media, pleading with the Taliban to allow them to return to work. The ministry imposed stringent Islamic regulations and severe restrictions on women during the Taliban's reign in the 1990s. Afghan women have battled for and won many fundamental rights over the past 20 years. Still, there are now concerns that progress could be halted by the Taliban's new all-male temporary administration.

Human rights organizations have repeatedly chastised the virtue and vice ministry for suppressing opposition, aggressively imposing restrictions on people, particularly women and girls, and instilling fear and mistrust in communities. On the other hand, Taliban adherents claim that the institution is vital and that its primary goal is to serve Islam. As a result, a Ministry of Vice and Virtue is required, according to Mohammad Yousuf, a Taliban member.

Related Article: Afghan Women Stage Protest in Kabul, Taliban Targets Them With Tear Gas

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Musicians perform during the New York Philharmonic's first concert after its reopening at the Alice Tully Hall in New York, Sept. 17. AFP-Yonhap



Following 556 days of pandemic-inflicted cancellations and unconventional concerts, the New York Philharmonic opened its new season Friday, a "homecoming" for musicians limited to live streams, one-off and outdoor shows for more than a year.



After enduring months of crisis, the Phil, one of America's oldest musical institutions, re-opened its subscription season with a program featuring Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4, Anna Clyne's "Within Her Arms," Aaron Copland's "Quiet City" and George Walker's "Antifonys."



The pandemic forced the famed symphony orchestra to cancel its 2020-21 season, resulting in more than $21 million in lost ticket revenues.



Hundreds of people queued outside Alice Tully Hall in Manhattan's Upper Westside in evening wear, showing mandatory proof of vaccination in order to gain entry for the night of orchestral music.



Catherine Colson arrived with friends ahead of what she anticipated would be "a memorable night of phenomenal music."



"It was a really long year. I feel rejuvenated," she told AFP. "It's like a rebirth in a way."



Adam Baltin said he wanted to attend opening night to "celebrate the city and the arts."



"It's been so long."



Feels like a homecoming



On top of the challenges presented by Covid, the Phil is homeless: the orchestra's longtime base, David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, is in the middle of a major $550-million renovation.



Most of the 2021-22 season will be played at two other venues at the Lincoln Center arts complex on Manhattan's Upper West Side.



Despite everything, Chris Martin, the orchestra's principal trumpet player, said the start of a fresh season "feels like coming home."



"I'm very excited. I feel like almost like a rebirth as a musician," he told AFP at a dress rehearsal ahead of the evening.



"We play 130, 140 concerts a year, and you never take it for granted, but sometimes you think, 'Oh, I'm a little tired today, I've got to play this again', but not anymore  I feel really such gratitude."



During the Phil's canceled season, members began playing small pop-up concerts at surprise locations throughout the city, getting creative for New Yorkers starved for live music.



"To play outdoors is wonderful," Martin said, adding it allows artists "to connect with the city in a different way."



"But to come back in this space... to have an audience again, that's the part that really feels like a homecoming."





A woman holds up her ID and proof of vaccination as she waits in line for the New York Philharmonic's first concert after its reopening at the Alice Tully Hall in New York, Sept. 17. AFP-Yonhap
gettyimagesbank



By Cho Hong-kyoon





Cho Hong-kyoon, economist at Bank of Korea
This Sept. 18 satellite photo from Planet Labs shows a uranium enrichment plant at North Korea's main Yongbyon nuclear complex. AP-Yonhap





Recent satellite images show North Korea is expanding a uranium enrichment plant at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex, a sign that it's intent on boosting the production of nuclear weapons material, according to experts.







The assessment comes after the North recently raised tensions with its first missile tests in six months amid long-dormant nuclear disarmament negotiations with the United States.







''The expansion of the enrichment plant probably indicates that North Korea plans to increase its production of weapons-grade uranium at the Yongbyon site by as much as 25 percent,'' Jeffrey Lewis and two other experts at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey said in a report.







The report said the photos taken by satellite imagery company Maxar showed construction in an area adjoining the uranium enrichment plant at Yongbyon.







It said a satellite image taken Sept. 1 showed the North had cleared trees and prepared the ground for construction, and that a construction excavator was also visible. The report said a second image taken Sept. 14 showed a wall erected to enclose the area, work on foundations, and panels removed from the side of the enrichment building to provide access to the newly enclosed area.







The new area is approximately 1,000 square meters, enough space to house 1,000 additional centrifuges, which would increase the plant's capacity to produce highly enriched uranium, the report said.







Nuclear weapons can be built using either highly enriched uranium or plutonium, and North Korea has facilities to produce both at Yongbyon. Last month, earlier satellite photos of Yongbyon showed signs that North Korea was resuming the operation of other facilities to produce weapons-grade plutonium.







Pyongyang calls the Yongbyon complex ''the heart'' of its nuclear program. During a summit with then-President Donald Trump in early 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered to dismantle the entire complex if he was given major sanctions relief. But the Americans rejected Kim's proposal because they viewed it as a limited denuclearization step.







Some U.S. and South Korean experts speculate North Korea is covertly running at least one additional uranium-enrichment plant. In 2018, a top South Korean official told the National Assembly that the North was estimated to have already manufactured up to 60 nuclear weapons.







Estimates on how many nuclear weapons North Korea can add every year vary, range from six to as many as 18.







In the past week, North Korea launched both ballistic and cruise missiles toward the sea in tests seen as an effort to diversity its missile forces and strengthen its attack capability against South Korea and Japan, where a total of 80,000 American troops are based. Experts say both types of missiles could be armed with nuclear warheads.







Kim has threatened to bolster his nuclear arsenal and acquire more sophisticated weapons unless Washington "drops its hostility against his country," an apparent reference to U.S.-led sanctions and its regular military exercises with Seoul. But Kim still maintains his self-imposed moratorium on testing long-range missiles directly targeting the U.S. mainland, suggesting he wants to keep chances for future diplomacy with Washington alive. (AP)


Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, left, and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi pose for a photo after holding bilateral talks in London, in this May 5 file photo. Korea Times file





No decision has been made yet on whether Korea's foreign minister will hold talks with his Japanese counterpart on the sidelines of a U.N. meeting in New York, a government official said Sunday.







The South Korean foreign ministry official made the remarks after Japan's Yomiuri newspaper reported South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi may hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 76th U.N. General Assembly later this month.







The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed Seoul and Japan have pushed for a bilateral meeting between Chung and Motegi, but said, "No decision has been made."







In May, Chung and Motegi held bilateral talks in Britain.







South Korea and Japan have been caught in a protracted row over Japan's wartime forced labor and sexual slavery of Koreans, as well as politically motivated export curbs. (Yonhap)


President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook wave before leaving from Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 19, for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. Yonhap





President Moon Jae-in left for New York, Sunday, to attend the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly later the same day.







He plans to deliver a keynote speech on Korean peace and Seoul's role in resolving global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate crisis, according to Cheong Wa Dae.







His five-day visit to the U.S., which will also take him to Hawaii for an alliance event, comes as Koreans celebrate Chuseok, one of their biggest and most important traditional holidays  the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving Day.







Moon is scheduled to address the 76th session of the U.N. General Assembly at the headquarters of the international organization Tuesday (local time).







He is expected to request support for his peace drive and reaffirm Seoul's commitment to make more contributions to the international community.






A memorial altar established near the National Assembly, Sept. 16, to commemorate small business owners who took their own lives after failing to stay afloat under COVID-19 distancing regulations. Yonhap



At least 22 South Korean small business owners have died by suicide after failing to stay afloat under COVID-19 distancing regulations, according to a commerce group that established a memorial altar near the National Assembly this week.



An umbrella group of business organizations, the National Self-Employed Emergency Response Committee, erected the sidewalk memorial Thursday to call attention to the damage that COVID-19 restrictions have had on small businesses.



The organizers distributed black ribbons as visitors lit incense, bowed and placed flowers on an altar draped in white chrysanthemums.



Jeong In-Seong, executive director of the Korea Billiard Club Association, said his industry has been hit hard by rules that have required venues to close by 9 p.m. and limit private gatherings to two people in the evenings.



"So many owners have lost everything because of the COVID-19 regulations," Jeong said Friday as he welcomed visitors to the memorial. "We are here to remember them and to tell the government that it needs to do more to help."



The distancing rules have been slightly relaxed in recent weeks, but Jeong said the losses have been insurmountable to many pool halls, pubs, small restaurants and karaoke singing rooms.



South Korea's economy as a whole has weathered the pandemic well, with the central bank projecting gross domestic product growth of 4 percent in 2021 on the back of strong exports. But the country's 7 million self-employed people have suffered the brunt of COVID-19's impact.



Over 450,000 businesses have closed since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the emergency Response committee, and a growing number of deaths of business owners have been reported in local media.





A small business owner cries at a memorial altar established near the National Assembly in Seoul, Sept. 16, while commemorating compatriots who have died by suicide. Yonhap
Sontag Hotel in Seoul, circa 1910. Robert Neff Collection



By Robert Neff



In March 1912, Sontag Hotel was the place to be in Seoul. Some described it as a place of political intrigue  backrooms haunted with shady characters plotting anarchy and unrest. Others, like Roy Chapman Andrews, saw it as a place to begin a great adventure. It was filled with gold miners from the Western-owned concessions in the northern part of the peninsula. In fact, according to Andrews, "Seoul resembled nothing so much as an American mining town amid oriental surroundings."



Andrews was seeking adventure and had selected to stay at Sontag Hotel while he organized an expedition party to explore the Baekdu Mountain  the tallest mountain on the Korean peninsula and one often associated with mysticism and adventure.



Andrews observed that "one did very much as one pleased [in Korea,] for the Japanese had taken over the country so recently that there were very few restrictions." Despite this claim, he still sought and obtained permission from the Japanese authorities. The Japanese government even provided him with a Japanese translator.



Unfortunately, he did not put down his first impressions of his translator, but one can imagine Andrews viewed him with some skepticism when he appeared at the hotel wearing a frock coat and a silk hat.





Andrews and his party in a Korean village in 1912. Robert Neff Collection



Andrews and his party (the translator and a Korean cook) soon found themselves on the northeastern coast of Korea near the Manchurian border. It was here that he had his next adventure.



The Korean villages in the region were being terrorized by the "Great Invisible," a name they bestowed upon a huge and deadly tiger. The Korean tigers were ferocious, almost mystical creatures, that laired in the mountains and forests, and occasionally hunted men, even to the gates of Seoul. The "Great Invisible" was no exception. "Already it had killed a half a dozen children and hardly a day passed that some tearful peasant did not report a new loss to the gendarmes." The people pleaded with Andrews to kill the tiger.



One of the Korean legendary tiger-hunters (famed for their bravery and shooting skills) was assigned to assist the foreigner. This tiger-hunter was an elderly man, but an excellent hunter with nerves of steel, who had in the past, killed two tigers by crawling into their lairs and shooting them with an old muzzle-loading rifle.





The "Great Invisible," circa the 1910s. Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection



For nearly two weeks, the hunters played cat and mouse with the tiger. The tiger would strike in a village and the hunters would try to guess where it would strike next and wait for it. Finally they cornered the tiger in one of its lairs, and after waiting nearly a day for it to come out, the old tiger-hunter goaded Andrews into crawling into the lair. Fortunately for the tiger (or perhaps Andrews), it heard the hunters' approach and escaped out a rear exit.



The American was secretly relieved (although a little disappointed), but pretended to be angry that fate had deprived him of his tiger. They continued to hunt for the tiger for an additional week, but the "Great Invisible" eluded them, and worn out, they abandoned their hunt. They did, however, succeed in ridding the villagers of another threat: a huge wild boar that Andrews shot twice before it finally died only five feet away from Andrews' feet.



Westerners often heard tales of tiger attacks, usually from third or fourth parties, and some actually managed to kill a tiger themselves. Andrews summed up tiger hunting as, "one has to out-guess the beast or have luck very much on one's side." He may not have been lucky enough to get a tiger, but he did have the misfortune of viewing the remains of an unfortunate girl who had fallen victim to the "Great Invisible." It was a horrible sight and one that probably stuck with him for many years.





Stopping for a meal while hunting in 1912. Robert Neff Collection



After the failed tiger hunt, he tried to hire Korean porters to accompany him to the wilderness region of Baekdu Mountain, but no one would accompany him out of fear. It was only through the efforts of the Japanese gendarmes  who forced four men and their ponies to accompany him  that Andrews was able to set out. Andrews, a remarkable and well-educated man, seems to have been fairly ignorant of Korea. He believed that he was the first to explore the region around Korea's highest mountain, but, in fact, several Westerners had already explored the region in the late 19th century, and had written about it.



The trip was anything but uneventful. There were no trails, and the ground was badly overgrown in some places, while in others it was swampy, making walking torturous and dangerous. For several days it drizzled, and the deeper they went into the forest, the fewer animals there were, and the quieter, more desolate the region became. The Korean porters soon became completely disheartened and threatened to abandon Andrews in the middle of the night, taking the ponies and supplies with them. Andrews and the translator were forced to take turns at watch at night to ensure that the porters did not abandon them, and Andrews warned the porters that if they tried anything, he would shoot them without mercy.





One of the deer killed by Andrews in 1912. Robert Neff Collection



Finally they made it to the base of the mountain, but because of the deep snow drifts, they did not ascend the mountain. After spending several days in the vicinity of the mountain, Andrews and his party made their way towards the Yalu River. Here they discovered that the region was abundant with wildlife, and they spent several days hunting and relaxing. It was also here that he encountered a band of Manchurian bandits. These bandits, armed with flintlock rifles, preyed upon the Chinese and Korean merchants in the region, generally taxing them, but on occasion robbing and killing them. Andrews was able to make his way through the area by befriending these bandits (he fed them dinner), and they provided him with information to avoid the other bands of bandits.



When Andrews and his party finally arrived at a Korean settlement, they were treated as heroes. His porters bragged about his compass and how it had brought them through the dangers of the wilderness, and past the Manchurian bandits. It was here that he parted with his porters, after they built him a timber raft. By this raft, he sailed to the mouth of the Yalu River and made his way from there to Seoul, where he arrived at Sontag Hotel wearing ragged Korean clothing.



He wasn't surprised to discover that he had been reported dead. It would not be the first time that he was thought to have died while on one of his adventures, and later led him to say: "I have 'died' so frequently since, that I am quite accustomed to it; it seems to be the best little thing I do."





Junks floating on the Yalu River in 1912. Robert Neff Collection
Real estate heir Robert Durst appears in Los Angeles Superior Court Airport Branch for a hearing in Los Angeles, in this 2017 Jan. file photo. AP-Yonhap





A Los Angeles jury convicted Robert Durst, Friday, of murdering his best friend 20 years ago, a case that took on new life after the New York real estate heir participated in a documentary that connected him to the slaying that was linked to his wife's 1982 disappearance.







Durst, 78, was not in court for the verdict from the jury that deliberated about seven hours over three days. He was in isolation at a jail because he was exposed to someone with coronavirus.







Durst, who faces a mandatory term of life in prison without parole when sentenced Oct. 18, was convicted of the first-degree murder of Susan Berman. She was shot at point-blank range in the back of the head in her Los Angeles home in December 2000 as she was prepared to tell police how she helped cover up his wife's killing.







Berman, the daughter of a Las Vegas mobster, was Durst's longtime confidante who told friends she provided a phony alibi for him after his wife vanished.







Prosecutors painted a portrait of a rich narcissist who didn't think the laws applied to him and ruthlessly disposed of people who stood in his way. They interlaced evidence of Berman's killing with Kathie Durst's suspected death and the 2001 killing of a tenant in a Texas flophouse where Robert Durst holed up while on the run from New York authorities.







''Bob Durst has been around a lot of years, and he's been able to commit a lot of horrific crimes. We just feel really gratified that he's been held accountable,'' Deputy District Attorney John Lewin said.







Deputy District Attorney John Lewin, right, is congratulated after Robert Durst was convicted in Inglewood, Calif., of murdering Susan Berman 20 years ago, Sept. 17. AP-Yonhap





Lewin met with jurors after the verdict and said they thought prosecutors had proven Durst had killed his wife and had murdered both Berman and his Texas neighbor in an effort to escape justice.







He said jurors did not find Durst credible as a witness.







''He's a narcissistic psychopath. He killed his wife and then he had to keep killing to cover it up," Lewin said.







Lewin said he hoped Durst understands what it's like to be held accountable  even if it took 40 years. ''Considering what he's done, he got a lot more of a life than he was entitled to," the prosecutor said.







Durst was arrested in 2015 while hiding out in a New Orleans hotel on the eve of the airing of the final episode of ''The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,'' in which he was confronted with incriminating evidence and made what prosecutors said was a confession.







Durst could be heard muttering to himself on a live microphone in a bathroom: ''There it is. You're caught.''







His decision to testify in his own defense  hoping for a repeat of his acquittal in the Texas killing  backfired as he was forced to admit lying under oath, made damning admissions and had his credibility destroyed when questioned by the prosecutor.







Defense lawyer David Chesnoff said Friday they believed there was ''substantial reasonable doubt'' and were disappointed in the verdict. He said Durst would pursue all avenues of appeal.







The conviction marks a victory for the authorities who have sought to put Durst behind bars for murder in three states. Durst was never charged in the disappearance of his wife, who has never been found, and he was acquitted of murder in Galveston, Texas, where he admitted dismembering the victim's body and tossing it out to sea.







The story of Durst, the estranged scion of a New York real estate developer, has been fodder for New York tabloids since his wife vanished. He provided plot twists so numerous that Hollywood couldn't resist making a feature film about his life that eventually led to the documentary and discovery of new evidence in Berman's slaying.







Durst ran from the law multiple times, disguised as a mute woman in Texas and staying under an alias at a New Orleans hotel with a shoulders-to-head latex mask for a presumed getaway. He jumped bail in Texas and was arrested after shoplifting a chicken sandwich in Pennsylvania, despite having $37,000 in cash  along with two handguns  in his rental car.







He later quipped that he was ''the worst fugitive the world has ever met.''







Durst escaped close scrutiny from investigators when his wife disappeared. But his troubles resurfaced in late 2000 when New York authorities reopened the case.







His lawyer told him to be prepared to be charged in the case, and he fled a life of luxury to Galveston, Texas, where he rented a cheap apartment as ''Dorothy Ciner,'' a woman he pretended couldn't speak. He eventually dropped the disguise after mishaps that included walking into a men's restroom and igniting his wig at a bar while lighting a cigarette.







Just before Christmas, he testified that he traveled to LA to visit Berman for a ''staycation'' with plans to see some of the tourist sites.







Durst, who had long denied ever being in LA at the time of Berman's death, testified at trial that he found her dead on a bedroom floor when he arrived.







Deputy District Attorney John Lewin presents opening arguments with a photo displayed of Susan Berman during Robert Durst's murder trial at the Airport Branch Courthouse in Los Angeles in this 2020 March file photo. EPA via AP-Yonhap





Berman, a writer who had been friends with Durst since they were students at the University of California, Los Angeles, had serious financial problems at the time. Durst had given her $50,000, and prosecutors suggested she was trying to leverage more money from him by telling him she was going to speak with police.







Nine months after her death, Durst killed his Galveston neighbor Morris Black, in what he said was either an accident or self-defense. Durst said he found Black, who he had become friends with, in his apartment holding Durst's .22-caliber pistol.







Durst was acquitted after testifying the 71-year-old was killed in a struggle for the gun. Durst then chopped up Black's body and tossed it out to sea. He was convicted of destroying evidence for discarding the body parts.







After the trial and the ghastly evidence of the dismemberment, Durst found he was a pariah, he said. Despite an estimated $100 million fortune, he was turned away by multiple condominium associations and said the Los Angeles County Museum of Art wouldn't take his money unless he donated anonymously.







Durst thought a 2010 feature film based on his life, ''All Good Things,'' starring Ryan Gosling as him and Kirsten Dunst as Kathie, had been largely accurate and painted a sympathetic portrait, despite implicating him in three killings. He only objected that he was depicted killing his dog  something he would never do.







He reached out to the filmmaker and agreed to sit for lengthy interviews for a documentary. He encouraged his friends to do the same and gave the filmmakers access to boxes of his records.







Durst came to deeply regret his decision after ''The Jinx'' aired on HBO in 2015, calling it a ''very, very, very big mistake.''







The documentary filmmakers discovered a crucial piece of evidence that connected him to an anonymous note sent to police directing them to Berman's lifeless body.







Durst, who was so confident he couldn't be connected to the note, told filmmakers ''only the killer could have written'' the note.







Filmmakers confronted him with a letter he sent Berman a year earlier. The handwriting was identical and Beverly Hills was misspelled as ''Beverley'' on both. He couldn't tell the two apart.







The gotcha moment provided the climax of the movie as Durst stepped off camera and muttered to himself on a live microphone in the bathroom: ''Killed them all, of course.''







During 14 days of testimony that was so punishing Judge Mark Windham called it ''devastating,'' Durst denied killing his wife and Berman, though he said he would lie if he did.







He tried to explain away the note and what prosecutors said was a confession during an unguarded moment.







For the first time, Durst admitted on the witness stand that he sent the note and had been in Los Angeles at the time of Berman's death.







Durst said he sent the note because he wanted Berman to be found but didn't want anyone to know he had been there because it would look suspicious.







He acknowledged that even he had difficulty imagining he could have written the note without killing Berman.







''It's very difficult to believe, to accept, that I wrote the letter and did not kill Susan Berman,'' Durst testified.







A prosecutor said it was one of the truest things Durst said amid a ton of lies. (AP)


The United Nations headquarters in New York is seen in this 2020 September file photo when the 75th annual U.N. General Assembly high-level debate was held mostly virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reuters-Yonhap





World leaders are returning to the United Nations in New York this week with a focus on boosting efforts to fight both climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, which last year forced them to send video statements to a virtual version of the annual gathering.







As the coronavirus still rages amid an inequitable vaccine rollout, about a third of the 193 U.N. states are planning to again attend by video, but presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers of the remainder are due to travel to the United States.







The U.S. tried to dissuade leaders from coming to New York in a bid to stop the U.N. General Assembly from becoming a "super-spreader event," although President Joe Biden will address the assembly in person, his first U.N. visit since taking office. A so-called U.N. honor system means that anyone entering the assembly hall effectively declares they are vaccinated, but they do not have to show proof.







This system will be broken when the first country speaks  Brazil. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is a vaccine skeptic, who last week declared that he does not need the shot because he is already immune after being infected with COVID-19.






France's Ambassador to Australia Jean-Pierre Thebault gestures as he arrives at Sydney Airport, Sept. 18. AP-Yonhap



France accused Australia and the United States, Saturday, of lying over a ruptured Australian contract to buy French submarines, saying a grave crisis was under way between the allies.



French President Emmanuel Macron recalled the ambassadors to Canberra and Washington, Friday, in an unprecedented move to signal his fury over Australia's decision to break a deal for the French submarines in favor of American nuclear-powered vessels.



The row has, for now, ended hopes of a post-Donald Trump renaissance in relations between Paris and Washington under President Joe Biden and also focused French attention on boosting the European Union's security strategy as it ponders NATO's future.



Speaking to France 2 television, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian gave no indication Paris was prepared to let the crisis die down, using distinctly undiplomatic language towards Australia, the United States and Britain, which is also part of the three-way security pact.



"There has been lying, duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt," Le Drian said. "This will not do."



He described the withdrawal of the ambassadors for the first time in the history of relations with the countries as a "very symbolic" act that aimed "to show how unhappy we are and that there is a serious crisis between us."



On Sunday, Australian Finance Minister Simon Birmingham again insisted his country had informed the French government "at the earliest available opportunity, before it became public".



He told national broadcaster ABC that it was "always going to be a difficult decision" to cancel the French deal.



"We don't underestimate the importance now of... ensuring that we re-establish those strong ties with the French government and counterparts long into the future," he added. "Because their ongoing engagement in this region is important."





French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian speaks in Weimar, Germany, in this Sept. 10 file photo. AP-Yonhap
Police patrol as people gather around the fully wrapped Arc de Triomphe monument, part of an art installation titled 'L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped' by the late Bulgarian-born US artist Christo, in Paris, France, Sept. 18. EPA-Yonhap





The city of Paris is unveiling a monumental artwork built around an actual monument: the Arc de Triomphe completely wrapped in silver and blue fabric.







The installation by the late artist couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who conceived of the project in 1961, opened Saturday. Visits will take place for almost three weeks. At weekends, the Arc de Triomphe's traffic-heavy roundabout will be entirely pedestrianized.







Visitors to the famous Napoleonic arch, which dominates the Champs-Elysees Avenue, will not only be able to see the gleaming fabric, but to touch it too  as the artists had intended.







Those climbing the 50 meters (164 feet) to the top will step on it when they reach the roof terrace.







At a press conference for the project titled ''Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped,'' France's Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot called it ''a formidable gift offered to Parisians, the French and beyond, to all art lovers.''







Bachelot added that it was ''a posthumous testimony of artistic genius.''







Bulgarian-born Christo Vladimirov Javacheff met Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon in Paris in 1958 and they later became lovers. The idea for the artwork was born in the early '60s, when they lived in Paris. Jeanne-Claude died in 2009, and Christo in May last year. The monument was to be wrapped last fall, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed it.







Christo ''wanted to complete this project. He made us promise him that we will do it,'' the couple's nephew, Vladimir Yavachev, told The Associated Press.







The 14 million-euro ($16.4 million) project is being financed through the sale of Christo's preparatory studies, drawings, scale models, and other pieces of work, Yavachev said.







Passersby looked up in awe Thursday. ''It makes me think of a big gray elephant placed in Paris on the Champs-Elysee'' said 47-year-old Thomas Thevenoud, who works nearby.







''You really rediscover the beauty of the form," said 39-year-old Parisian Agnieszka Wojel. ''I couldn't stop taking pictures because it's extraordinary... We are very lucky.''







The artists were known for elaborate, temporary creations that involved blanketing familiar public places with fabric, including Berlin's Reichstag and Paris' Pont Neuf bridge, and creating giant site-specific installations, such as a series of 7,503 gates in New York City's Central Park and the 24.5-mile ''Running Fence'' in California.







Yavachev said he plans to complete another one of their unfinished projects: a 150-meter-tall (492 feet) pyramid-like "mastaba" in Abu Dhabi.







''We have the blueprints, we just have to do it,'' he said. (AP)


: May15 (May15), : USANews

 : Great clue! Suspicious U.S. seafood received at Huanan Seafood Market before the outbreak

: BBS  (Sat Sep 18 22:04:48 2021, )



In mid-November 2019, a batch of seafood from Maine, USA was shipped to

Wuhan South China Seafood Market through the cold chain. In just a few weeks

, employees of many merchants in the South China Seafood Market experienced

symptoms of pneumonia of unknown origin one after another, and they were

infected with the new coronary pneumonia.

Entry

At 4:4 am on November 11, 2019, China Eastern Airlines Flight MU298 landed

at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

A batch of American cold-chain cargo carried on board the aircraft was

unloaded from the cabin of the North Airport Cargo Terminal and transported

to the international cargo arrival area to wait for entry. Among them are 55

boxes of 823.4 kilograms of chilled American Boston lobsters.

The goods arrived quickly because of air freight. Only 3 days have passed

since the time when Wang, an employee of company X, placed an order on the

fresh food cross-border trading platform. But they have to act quickly and

send the goods to Shanghai, Hubei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Henan and other places

as soon as possible. 26 customers have ordered this batch of lobsters with

a total value of 1,6483.5 US dollars.

Before shipment, they will open the box and inspect the goods as usual, and

then package them with the original packaging, ice packs and water and

temperature control sponges, and send them to subscribers everywhere.

Zheng is also one of the subscribers of this batch of lobsters. He is the

owner of merchant A of Wuhan South China Seafood Market. On November 11 and

12, 2019, he placed an order for a total of 140.08 kilograms of lobster on

the X company network platform. In recent years, Zheng has a group of

regular hotel customers, and he also provides aquatic products to other

merchants in the South China Seafood Market.

I am afraid it was this batch of American lobsters that opened the Pandora's

box of the epidemic in the South China Seafood Market.

Spread

Everything looks normal.

At 10 am on November 11, 2019, at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the

driver Yan loaded 55 boxes of American lobsters on the truck and

transported them to the Shanghai branch of Company X; at 17:00 on the 11th

and 12th, the Shanghai branch of Company X had two branches Secondly, 35.39

kg and 104.69 kg of lobster were sent to Wuhan South China Seafood Market;

at 4:40 am on the 12th and 7 am on the 13th, Zheng waited for his goods by

the northwest road of the market.

According to the sales records of merchant A, more than 80 kg of the 140.08

kg of American lobster were sold to 3 fixed hotel merchants, and 36 kg were

resold to other merchants in the South China Seafood Market, of which 0.85

kg was sold to merchant Bs owner Wen Mou, and the rest retail.

Among the first batch of people infected with new coronary pneumonia in

Wuhan, 3 were employees of merchant B. They all became ill in December. An

environmental positive sample was also collected on the ground of the

merchant.

Not only that, the employees of merchants C and D of the South China Seafood

Market, Ming, Cai, Xu, Hu, etc., after borrowing the packaging materials of

American cold chain products purchased by merchant A, also appeared in the

earliest infected persons in Wuhan. List.

can be seen more clearly from the booth map around the A store. There are

many infected persons and positive environmental samples in nearby

businesses. Among the 13 merchants and employees in the surrounding area, 7

merchants were found to have positive seroantibodies, and one of the

merchants also detected positive environmental samples.

There are more infected persons in the surrounding businesses of merchant A

Further investigation found that Zheng also had 41 trading partners and 39

WeChat friends in the seafood market. He has cross-linking transactions with

merchants E and F. These two merchants are located in the earliest

concentrated outbreak area, and many people have positive seroantibodies.

The six merchants H, J, and K who communicate with each other daily have all

found more A positive environmental point and a sero-positive person.

A merchant store owner Zheng's multiple trading partners and WeChat friends

have been infected

Whether the early outbreak of the South China seafood market was imported

through the cold chain of this batch of American seafood has become the

biggest doubt. The traceability results of the epidemic in Xinfadi in

Beijing in June 2020, Dalian in Liaoning in July, and Qingdao in Shandong in

October all point to imported cold chain products. Therefore, it is

entirely possible for the virus to attach to the cold chain packaging of

this batch of seafood products in the United States and enter the South

China seafood market.

This possibility is also supported by the "China-WHO Joint Research Report

on the Traceability of New Coronavirus" released by the WHO in March this

year. The report states: "Research shows that the new coronavirus can

survive for a long time under the conditions of frozen food, packaging and

cold chain products. The index cases in the recent epidemic in China are

related to the cold chain; in some other cold chain products provided to

China The virus was found on the countrys packaging and products,

indicating that it can be spread over long distances through cold chain

products."

Disease source

According to sales, logistics and customs declaration records, from October

to November 2019 before the outbreak of the South China Seafood Market,

Merchant A was the only merchant operating American cold chain products in

the entire market. And it was in mid-November that Merchant A purchased this

batch of American lobsters, and has not purchased American cold chain

products since then.

After December 2019, some hospitals in Wuhan have successively discovered

multiple confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia with a history of

exposure to the South China Seafood Market. At this time, it was about a

month after this batch of American seafood entered the South China Seafood

Market. Latent to a cycle of onset.

The batch of American lobsters ordered by Company Xs network platform was

packaged by the American Seashell Company. Founded in 2011, the company is a

wholesaler specializing in sourcing fresh North Atlantic lobster from the

United States and Canada. The lobsters that entered China were caught by the

company from October 20 to November 5, 2019 from the Atlantic Ocean's FAO21

waters, and then transported to the Haibei company's factory for temporary

storage. After a Chinese customer places an order, it will be shipped to

China through the cold chain.

In York County, where Hibys factory is located, cases of e-cigarette

pneumonia have already been detected. According to information released by

the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as early as July 2019

, York County Hospital received a lot of e-cigarette pneumonia. "Case.

The map shows that the hospital is less than 2.6 kilometers away from Haibei

Company by car.

Someone might ask that these 55 boxes of lobster were delivered to 26

customers in 5 provinces in batches. Except for the South China Seafood

Market, the personnel and purchasers of cold chain products in the process

of loading and unloading, transportation, processing, etc. during the

circulation of cold chain products in China No cases of infection were found

. Why did the infection occur only in the South China Seafood Market?

This is not surprising. On the packaging of cold chain products, the virus

can survive, but it cannot replicate. It only survives in one or several

parts of a certain package. After this batch of seafood entered China, the

part of the products with the virus happened to be delivered to the South

China Seafood Market. The staff of the stall without protective measures

came into contact with the virus attached to the inner packaging and became

infected when they opened the packaging for sale. Caused the spread of the

virus and the outbreak of the epidemic. This sporadic nature of cold chain

transmission also appeared many times in later epidemics in Xinfadi in

Beijing, Dalian in Liaoning, and Qingdao in Shandong.

--

 :WWW  mitbbs.com [FROM: 127.]


National

EAM Jaishankar, his Saudi counterpart discuss developments in Afghanistan

EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar welcomes Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. (PTI)

New Delhi, Sep 19 (PTI) | Publish Date: 9/19/2021 1:31:00 PM IST

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Saudi counterpart Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud on Sunday deliberated on the developments in Afghanistan and explored ways to further expand bilateral ties in areas of defence and security, trade, investment and energy.

In wide-ranging talks with the visiting Saudi leader, Jaishankar called for further relaxing restrictions on travel from India to the Gulf nation while appreciating the country for the support provided to the Indian community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Al Saud arrived here on Saturday evening on a three-day visit. It is the first ministerial visit from Saudi Arabia to India since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Both ministers exchanged views on the developments in Afghanistan and other regional issues, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Delighted to welcome FM of Saudi Arabia HH Prince @Faisalbinfarhan for his first ever visit to India, Jaishankar tweeted.

The MEA said both ministers discussed all issues related to their bilateral relationship and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two ministers reviewed the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Council Agreement signed between the two sides during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia in October 2019, the MEA said.

It said the two sides expressed satisfaction at the meetings held under the agreement and the progress achieved.

Both sides discussed further steps to strengthen their partnership in trade, investment, energy, defence, security, culture, consular issues, healthcare and human resources, the MEA said.

The MEA said the two sides also discussed bilateral cooperation in multilateral forums such as the United Nations, G-20 and Gulf Cooperation Council.

The external affairs minister congratulated Saudi Arabia on its successful presidency of G-20 last year despite the Covid-19 pandemic, it said.

The Saudi foreign minister is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Modi on Monday.

The visit by the Saudi foreign minister came at a time India has been engaged with all leading powers on the developments in Afghanistan following its takeover by the Taliban.

It is learnt that the situation in Afghanistan was a major area of focus of the talks between Jaishankar and Al Saud.

Being a major regional player, Saudi Arabias position on the developments in Kabul assumes significance as several countries in the Gulf region, including Qatar and Iran, were playing a role in the Afghan peace process before the Talibans capture of power.

In the Gulf region, India has been in touch with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran over the unfolding developments in Afghanistan. In reflection of Indias views on the matter, Prime Minister Modi on Friday said the global community should decide collectively and thoughtfully on according recognition to the new set-up in Afghanistan in view of questions over its acceptability as the change of power was not inclusive.

He made the remarks during a virtual address at a meeting on Afghanistan of the heads of state of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation.

The defence and security ties between India and Saudi Arabia are witnessing gradual expansion.

Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane visited Saudi Arabia in December last in the first-ever visit by a head of the 1.3 million-strong Army to the strategically important Gulf nation.

Gen Naravane held extensive talks with senior military officials of that country with an aim to enhance bilateral defence cooperation.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 09:25:20|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Workers are busy working in a workshop of a garment company in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 residents in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region shared their personal experiences at a news conference via video link on Friday to expose the lies and fallacies of some Western politicians and anti-China forces.

They, coming from different walks of life in Xinjiang, shared their personal experiences involving cultural protection, religious beliefs, school education, counter-terrorism and maintenance of stability, and refuted false statements related to the region, at the news conference held in Beijing in response to a recent "hearing" held by the so-called "Uygur Tribunal."

Xu Guixiang, a spokesperson with the regional government, said the so-called "Uygur Tribunal" is full of lies, and the so-called "witnesses" there also lied under the guise of human rights or academic research, sharing fabricated experiences.

Only the people living and working in Xinjiang are the most trustworthy and convincing voices, he said.

Hong Longzhu, director of a textile company in Kashgar, expressed his anger against the false claim of "massive forced labor" in Xinjiang.

Hong said most of his employees are Uygurs, who used to do farming or part-time jobs to make a living. "Working at the company and with stable jobs and income, many of them have now bought livestock and built new houses."

However, some overseas companies simply ended their cooperation with Hong's company out of fear that they would be implicated due to sanctions on Xinjiang's enterprises imposed by a few Western countries. "Some European and American partners suggested we withdraw from Xinjiang and stop hiring Uygur workers," he said.

A visibly aggrieved Hong posed some questions -- "Don't Uygur people have the right to work in factories? Isn't the United States always claiming to be a champion of human rights? Does the so-called 'human rights' in the United States mean to make people have no jobs, no food and no work?"

Elijan Anayat, a spokesperson with the Xinjiang regional government, said that on the pretext of human rights, a few Western politicians and anti-China forces are trying to undermine the overall stability of Xinjiang, hindering its development and progress, and pushing the region back to the past when violence and terrorist activities were frequent occurrences.

"Such attempts are futile and doomed to fail," said Elijan Anayat. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 13:08:58|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Zhang Yijun (2nd R), minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, and Susan Mochache (C), principal secretary of the Ministry of Health, attend the handover ceremony of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines at an airport in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 18, 2021. Senior Kenyan government officials on Saturday received a batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine doses from China as the East African nation ramps up inoculations for high-risk populations against the virus, saying they would reinvigorate the pandemic fight in the country. (Xinhua/Li Yan)

NAIROBI, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Senior Kenyan government officials on Saturday received a batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine doses from China as the East African nation ramps up inoculations for high-risk populations against the virus, saying they would reinvigorate the pandemic fight in the country.

"The vaccines we are receiving today are testament to the cordial relations that exist between our two countries and extend beyond health care to include trade and other sectors of development," said Susan Mochache, principal secretary of the Ministry of Health, who was among the officials welcoming the arrival of the vaccine doses donated by China at the main airport in the capital Nairobi.

Kenya's medicine regulatory agency has already approved China's Sinopharm vaccine alongside vaccines developed by Moderna, Johnson&Johnson, Pfizer and AstraZeneca, as the country is accelerating its inoculation process.

Mochache said the arrival of the Sinopharm vaccine marks a significant milestone in Kenya's quest to contain the pandemic and hasten a return to normalcy.

The two-dose Sinopharm vaccine, which can be administered within a 28-day gap and can be stored in temperatures ranging from 2-8 degrees Celsius, is ideal for Kenya's cold chain capacity, Mochache said.

Zhang Yijun, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said the vaccine donation reaffirms the vitality of bilateral cooperation between Nairobi and Beijing.

The vaccines that have arrived and are arriving "are a testament of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between our two countries and the profound traditional friendship between our two peoples," said Zhang.

China has donated ventilators, face masks and personal protective equipment to Kenya, and shared with the country knowledge about pandemic control and prevention.

Kenyan health experts earlier expressed confidence in China's Sinopharm vaccine, saying that its widespread access will help suppress the coronavirus, relieve pressure on the public health system and boost economic recovery.

Willis Akhwale, chair of the COVID-19 vaccine task force in the Ministry of Health, said that the approval of Sinopharm by his country's medicine regulatory agency was a vote of confidence in its efficacy.

The Chinese vaccines have also been deployed in Rwanda, which received 200,000 Sinopharm doses on Aug. 19, and Zimbabwe, which received a batch of Sinovac vaccine doses purchased from China on July 8.

South Africa's Health Products Regulatory Authority approved the use of the Sinovac vaccine on July 3, with state officials, labor unions, as well as political and civil society leaders expressing confidence in its potency. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 19:39:45|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Police stand guard near the Capitol building during a right-wing rally in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Sept. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

More than 600 people have been arrested since the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, over 50 of whom have pleaded guilty to federal crimes, according to media reports.



WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- A sharply shrunk right-wing rally on Saturday was held peacefully before the long fencing of U.S. Capitol amid high police alert and tight media presence, crying out over the treatment of Jan. 6 Capitol rioters.

Just a crowd of not many people gathered at noon time in a small park with the Capitol in clear view, far less than the number that authorities had estimated. Prior to the event, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reportedly expected about 700 protesters would show up.

During the "Justice for J6" rally lasting about 90 minutes, dozens of law enforcement officers, wearing riot gear, stood straight between protesters and the security fencing surrounding the Capitol. Many more police officers and vehicles were seen on closed roads near the Capitol in preparation for any violence.

People gather near the Capitol building during a right-wing rally in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Sept. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Police Chief Robert Contee told NBC News that stepped-up police presence might have kept the number of rally attendees lower.

"It's very small, you know, they didn't advertise this on social media the way they did on Jan. 6. A lot of people are saying they don't come to this," Frank Higgins, a local tech analyst, told Xinhua outside the rally.

Barbara Kerns, a Virginia housewife in her fifties, told Xinhua that she came to the rally because she believed those Jan. 6 Capitol rioters "were not violent people" and didn't get their due process. She also said she believed the 2020 U.S. presidential election had been stolen, just as former President Donald Trump claimed.

People gather near the Capitol building during a right-wing rally in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Sept. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

"It's not an insurrection. It was a protest going out of hand. That's about it. I'm here in support of those people's rights," another protester wearing Batman costumes, told Xinhua. He only gave the name of Batman.

The 2020 presidential election was "absolutely stolen" by the Democratic Party, he claimed, adding that election fraud is the top issue he is concerned about most for this country.

"I am glad that very few protesters showed up, but I want to make sure I'm here to stand physically to show my opposition to the Jan. 6 insurrection," Pam, a counter-protester holding a banner that reads "Lies aren't equal to free speech", told Xinhua.

People gather near the Capitol building during a right-wing rally in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Sept. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

The middle-aged woman, who only gave her first name, called Jan. 6 Capitol rioters "traitors" and said she was very angry about what had happened that day.

"It's going to be a very long time to overcome" the current bitter political division in the country, Higgins said.

There is probably a way forward for the United States to become better but "50% of the country will not follow that way," said Higgins.

People gather near the Capitol building during a right-wing rally in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Sept. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

NBC News reported that Capitol Police arrested a man with a knife for a weapons violation less than one hour before the rally began.

More than 600 people have been arrested since the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, over 50 of whom have pleaded guilty to federal crimes, according to media reports.

A mob of Trump supporters breached the Capitol on Jan. 6 in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election results for President Joe Biden. The riot, later deemed an insurrection, left five dead, including a Capitol Police officer. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 22:20:58|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

-- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has hold the 2021 Election Committee's subsector ordinary elections, representing a steady step in its democratic advance;

-- Observers believe the Election Committee will have more balanced participation of people from all walks of life and will better represent the voice of Hong Kong residents and respond to their needs;

-- With the new electoral system in place, voters are confident that the Election Committee will elect true, capable patriots to address the problems in Hong Kong, ranging from housing shortage to a wide wealth gap.

HONG KONG, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong has held its first major election since improvements to the special administrative region's electoral system earlier this year, representing a steady step in its democratic advance.

Citizens queue to enter a polling station at the Sha Tin Town Hall in south China's Hong Kong, Sept. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

The voting of the 2021 Election Committee's subsector ordinary elections ran from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time on Sunday at the six polling stations across Hong Kong.

Long queues were seen outside polling centers. Cheung Wai-nam, 29, arrived at a polling station in Wan Chai half an hour before polls opened. "As the electoral system has been improved, we can see a hopeful future," he said.

"I voted before, but I am especially happy today because we can really elect people who love the country and Hong Kong and want to do practical things for us," said Fung Kuen-kwok, a corporate voter from the labor subsector.

Winning candidates will join the new Election Committee to elect 40 Legislative Council (LegCo) members in December, and the Chief Executive designate of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in March next year.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam receives an interview after inspecting a polling station at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

Sunday's election was the first in Hong Kong after improvements to its electoral system and the implementation of the "patriots administering Hong Kong" principle, Carrie Lam, chief executive of the HKSAR, said on Sunday, noting that the election will bring new development to Hong Kong and lay a sound foundation for future elections.

On March 11, a decision on improving Hong Kong's electoral system was adopted with an overwhelming majority vote at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress. A new electoral system took shape in Hong Kong after the state and local amendments. With reformation and greater empowerment, the Election Committee is expanded to 1,500 members from 1,200, bringing in new blood from various sectors.



Among representatives are now farmers, fishermen, and those who grew up in subdivided flats, a ubiquitous poor type of rental housing in Hong Kong. University presidents, academicians and young people are also included.

People queue to cast their ballots at a polling station at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

Observers believe the Election Committee will thus have more balanced participation of people from all walks of life and will better represent the voice of Hong Kong residents and respond to their needs.

It is now more broadly representative of various sectors in Hong Kong, LegCo member Liao Cheung-kong said.

Since Hong Kong returning to the motherland in 1997, the local residents have enjoyed voting rights that were unheard of under the British colonial rule.

"Huge strides have been made" in democratization, said British barrister Grenville Cross, 70, who started to work in Hong Kong in 1978 and used to serve as its first director of public prosecutions.

"In 1984, when the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed, there was no democracy at all in Hong Kong," Cross said. "That all changed radically after 1997 and the process of gradual democratization under the (HKSAR) Basic Law was embarked upon."

Photo taken on Sept. 19, 2021 shows a polling station in Tsuen Wan of Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai)

However, the process was repeatedly sabotaged by those who claim to advocate democracy.

Because of the obstruction by the opposition camp in 2015, the fifth-term chief executive failed to be elected through universal suffrage in 2017. On July 1, 2019, large groups of rioters stormed the LegCo building and wreaked havoc inside. During the District Council elections in November 2019, some candidates suffered verbal abuse and physical attacks by radicals on the street and even faced threats to their personal safety.

Tse Hiu-hung, 31, a candidate of the Election Committee elections who won uncontested, clearly remembers the chaotic past and strongly believes that the electoral changes are necessary.

With the new electoral system in place, Tse, who used to serve as a community worker, is confident that the Election Committee will elect true, capable patriots to address problems in Hong Kong and get the city out of its predicaments.

People wearing face masks are seen on the street in Hong Kong, south China, Feb. 2, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Hong Kong has been plagued by entrenched problems ranging from housing shortage to a wide wealth gap, and young people long for more opportunities. Political distractions over the past years have left such issues unsolved for a too long time.

Wong Wai-man, a 62-year-old electrician, lives in a tiny apartment with six family members, and they are eager to move to a bigger home. "I hope those elected will deal with our housing problem. There are hundreds of ordinary people on the new committee and I believe they can help with our deep-seated problems," he said.

To improve the well-being of Hong Kong's some 7 million people, the mainland will be a big help.

Aerial photo taken on Sept. 8, 2021 shows the construction site for a transaction center in Qianhai, Shenzhen City, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

The central authorities have rolled out an array of favorable policies to bolster Hong Kong's development this year, including a new plan for comprehensively deepening the reform and opening-up of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong modern service industry cooperation zone in Qianhai.

"The biggest opportunity for Hong Kong's development lies in the mainland," said Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR.

Despite social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong has bounced back this year, with peace and stability restored and its economy rapidly recovering.

There have been fundamentally positive developments in Hong Kong thanks to the central authorities' support, Carrie Lam has said. "With national security protected and the electoral system improved, we have better conditions for the enduring success of 'one country, two systems,'" she added.

(Video reporters: Zhang Yichi, Hui Long Hin, Fang Dong, Lin Ning; Video editor: Wu Yao)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 22:36:43|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France and President of Security Council for the month of July, chairs the Security Council ministerial-level meeting in New York, the United States, July 15, 2021. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

- The withdrawal of the ambassadors, for the first time in France's history vis-a-vis the two countries, was a "very symbolic" act reflecting "a grave crisis between us," said French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian.



- "There has been lying, duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt."

PARIS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- France on Saturday rebuked Australia and the United States for "a major breach of trust and contempt" in the submarine row, following the decision to recall its ambassadors from the two countries.

Speaking on the France 2 television on Saturday evening, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian said the withdrawal of the ambassadors, for the first time in France's history vis-a-vis the two countries, was a "very symbolic" act reflecting "a grave crisis between us."

"There has been lying, duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt," he said, adding the consequences could impact strategic relations within NATO.

"NATO initiated a discussion of its concept," said Le Drian. "The next NATO summit in Madrid will work on a new strategic concept. Obviously what has just happened will be of relevance to this definition."

France would make a priority developing an EU security strategy when it takes on the bloc's presidency at the start of 2022, he added.

Under the new security partnership unveiled on Wednesday between Australia, Britain and the United States, known as AUKUS, Australia will build nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology.

On Thursday, Australia announced it would scrap the deal with France signed in 2016 to purchase 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines. In response, Le Drian called the trilateral move a "stab in the back."

On Friday, France recalled its ambassadors to the United States and Australia, and said the "exceptional decision is justified by the exceptional seriousness" of the AUKUS announcements. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 20:58:13|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

HARARE, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean government is inviting agribusinesses and private players who depend on raw materials from the agriculture sector to enter into production and marketing contracts with farmers to boost food security and create employment.

The aim is to encourage local sourcing of raw materials and support growth of the agricultural sector, while also enabling contractors to ring-fence their production requirements, the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) said in a statement on Sunday.

The AMA called on contractors to secure at least 40 percent of their annual raw material requirements through contracting growers, noting that contractors are required in the production of maize, soya bean, sorghum, sunflower, sesame and cotton crops.

It said it has since registered farmers into production clusters whom contractors can utilize for the forthcoming cropping season.

The Zimbabwean government last year launched the agriculture and food systems transformation strategy.

Agriculture is the nerve center of Zimbabwe's economy, contributing between 15 to 18 percent of GDP.

Agriculture performed well during the last season due to good rains, and its continued recovery is expected to anchor Zimbabwe's economic growth going forward.

In the 2020-21 season, Zimbabwe produced about 2.8 million tons of the staple maize crop, a record output in recent years, against national consumption of 1.8 million tons annually. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 22:34:58|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

People shop for school supplies at a fair in Cairo, Egypt, on Sept. 18, 2021. A few weeks ahead of the upcoming new school year, the Egyptian government has launched the annual fair to sell school supplies at low prices in an attempt to relieve parents' burden. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)



CAIRO, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- A few weeks ahead of the upcoming new school year, the Egyptian government has launched an annual fair to sell school supplies at low prices in an attempt to relieve parents' burden.

Dubbed "Welcome to Schools," the exhibition, which is supervised by the Egyptian Ministry of Supply, kicked off on Sept. 16 and will run until Sept. 30.

"The exhibition is a very good chance for parents to shop since all items are sold at very low prices," Tamer Ahmed, a 40-year-old accountant told Xinhua that he cannot find these prices at bookshops and stationery stores in Cairo.

The father of three added that he will recommend his friends and relatives to buy school supplies for their children at the fair.

"The government's effort to alleviate parents' burden through holding such exhibitions is really important for low-income families ... I hope the government will continue to hold events of this kind nationwide," Ahmed said.

For Eman Abdullah, a teacher in Cairo, the fair is a great place to buy all stationery she wanted for her three daughters.

"I did not have to go to several places to buy school supplies for my children as the exhibition includes everything we need," Abdullah told Xinhua as she packed the stuff she bought.

She said that the quality of most of the products at the fair are good.

Held at the Cairo International Conference Center, the exhibition brings together some 210 companies that sell school bags, uniforms, shoes, stationery and food stuff, with discounts up to 35 percent.

During the opening ceremony, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali al-Moselhy said the fair contains all school supplies at reduced prices in order to relieve Egyptian families' burden.

He said that Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi had gave directives to hold such exhibitions in all governorates.

Meanwhile, the minister stressed that the COVID-19 precautionary measures will be strictly applied at the fair.

The exhibition is a perfect opportunity for sellers and buyers, since the government charges no fees from sellers for showcasing their products, said Mohammed Omar, owner of a stationery company.

Omar, who has been participating in the fair for the fifth year running, said more than 70 percent of the goods displayed at the fair are made in Egypt.

"Parents do not believe the prices of our products until they pay for them ... the fair is a big gift from the government for low and middle-income families," Omar said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 18:09:26|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BERLIN, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- A car accident kills at least four people in Germany, German news magazine Focus reported on Sunday.

The accident also caused a few of injuries on the highway A5, the news outlet quoted local police as saying. Enditem
POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested Jefat Chaganda, the chief suspect in the 14 kilogramme gold case that happened in Plumtree in 2018.

The case also resulted in the arrest of nine other suspects that included a magistrate, prosecutor, lawyer, police officers and Johane Masowe congregants. Chaganda (54), skipped bail last year and his lawyers, Nyikadzino, Simango and Associates, told Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Thompson Mabhikwa, in court, that he was dead although they could not produce a death certificate.

A warrant of arrest was immediately issued and more than a year later, Chaganda was arrested last Wednesday in Emakhandeni after he allegedly sneaked into the country from his hideout in South Africa.

He appeared before Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Evangilista Kabasa on Thursday and was immediately commuted to prison pending finalisation of the gold case.

It has also emerged that Chaganda had other warrant of arrests after two pending cases, one of which he was convicted by a Bulawayo magistrate and sentenced to four years in prison but he appealed to the High Court and was granted bail. While on bail, he also defaulted on his bail conditions.

In one of the cases that exposed how gold is being smuggled out of the country and how senior officials are allegedly also involved in the rackets, Chaganda was arrested on 7 July 2018 in possession of 14kgs of the yellow metal in a Botswana bound train.

According to State papers, Chiganda was in the company of Sidingumuzi Ncube, a police officer at Plumtree who, however, ran away from the train after discovering that they had been cornered by Zimbabwe Revenue (Zimra) officials.

However, what later followed after the arrest of Chiganda was a shocker as he allegedly working with a lawyer, a magistrate, a prosecutor, police officers, and business people to release the gold which they later sold to Fidelity Refiners and Printers for nearly US$400 000.

Investigations led to the arrest of nine more people, and evidence gathered by the State showed that some had already splashed the money on luxury cars, household property and even on girlfriends. Those who were arrested regarding the same case were Plumtree regional magistrate Timeon Tavengwa Makunde, area public prosecutor Stanley Chinyanganya, prominent Harare lawyer Admire Rubaya, three police officers based at Plumtree-Ncube, Tyson Ruvando and Ginger Vhiyano.

Two other police officers from the Minerals and Border Control, Ladislous Tamboonei and Ladislous Tinacho were also arrested together with Chaganda and Godfrey Makuvedze who are members of the Johane Masowe eChishanu sect.

State papers indicate that the 10 suspects hatched a plan or played a part to steal the gold that had been lawfully possessed by Zimra and in a safe custody of the police. The State alleges that when Chaganda was arrested with the 14kgs of gold, he later hatched a plan where he secured services of a Bulawayo miner Lovemore Sibanda whose documents were used in court to falsely claim the ownership of the seized gold.

Tinacho, a police officer then contacted lawyer Rubaya to represent Chaganda. Another police officer Tambone allegedly gave false evidence in court under cross-examination by Chiganda and the prosecutor Chinyanganya and the magistrate Makunde allegedly adopted an armchair approach to the proceedings.

The State seeks to prove that the prosecutor deliberately concealed existence of the notice of seizure issued by Zimra while the magistrate, without any evidence to support ownership of gold, processed an order to release the gold to Sibanda.

When the gold was released, the State has a paper trail and evidence from witnesses that showed how Chaganda then took the gold and sold it to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe using Sibandas papers before those who played a part in the criminal act got a cut from the loot.

For example according to the State, during investigations police managed to recover from Chaganda, a white Mercedes Benz E320 bought for US$10 000, a black Mercedes Benz E250 bought for US$33 000, a silver Mercedes Benz bought for US$25 000 and a silver Jeep Cherokee bought for US$18 000. Police also recovered US$39 750 and $520 bond notes that were kept at a security company and meant to purchase a flat.

The papers also showed the prosecutor allegedly pocked US$40 000 while the magistrate got US$60 000.

Police officers also got varying amounts of money in both US dollars and Zim dollars. The nine are out on bail after the Supreme Court lifted a High Court ruling which had revoked bail for them when Chaganda failed to appear in court and his lawyer claimed that he had died. Sunday Mail
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is offering land to medical practitioners in private practice drawn from across the countrys 10 provinces.

Close to 372 medical practitioners under the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners Zimbabwe Association (MDPPZA) are set to benefit.

MDPPZA is an inclusive national body of medical practitioners in private practice.

The associations president Johannes Marisa yesterday confirmed that the president had responded to their request for land.

We wrote a letter to His Excellency President Emmerson as an association [MDPPZA] requesting if the government could give us land and consider our members for import duty exemptions, Marisa said.

I am happy to announce that it took the president at least five days to respond to our request and he has offered us the land.

Members will have to choose the province where they desire to have the land.

It should be noted that this land is for agricultural purposes since we indicated that as medical practitioners.

MDPPZA secretary-general Cletos Masiya urged members to utilise the land that they would have applied for.

We encourage our members to bite what they can chew, Masiya said. We dont want situations where members take large tracts of land and fail to utilise it.

We want to thank the president for this gesture and we promise that we as MDPPZA will contribute meaningfully to the economy.

The Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Resettlement ministry permanent secretary John Bhasera in letters addressed to the Provincial Affairs ministers urged provincial land officers to offer land to MDPPZA members.

The following private health practitioners under the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners Zimbabwe Association expressed their keen interest in towards agriculture transformation and desire to participate towards the Agriculture Recovery Plan, wrote Bhasera in one of the letters seen by StandardPeople.

Find attached a letter from the Office of the President for consideration when allocating the land.

Marisa said the private medical sector was willing to augments goverments efforts in addressing the healthcare system.

We are ready to chip in and assist just like what we are doing in the Covid-19 response programme, Marisa said.

Government embraced private players in the vaccination roll-out and look at the results, they are amazing.

I think we are the best in southern Africa and we are seventh in Africa in terms of Covid-19 vaccination roll-out.

Masiya said the coming in of private players had eased pressure on public health institutions.

I think we have seen an increase in the number of people that are being vaccinated on a daily basis, he said.

We no longer have those long queues at vaccination points, thanks to the involvement of private medical players.

However, private medical players in some provinces are yet to start vaccination and Marisa blamed that on logistical challenges. Standard
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
System error

error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.

context: ... 21: </%method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25

/usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951

/var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17

/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f5007323330)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f500752e9f8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f5007323330)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f500752e9f8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f50073234b0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f500752e9f8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f500752e9f8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f5006399f98)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f5006785db8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f5006785db8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
ARISS contact scheduled with students at the Childrens National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact with astronauts. ARISS is the group that puts together special amateur radio contacts between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses on the International Space Station (ISS).

This will be a Multipoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio between the ISS and students from Childrens National Hospital. Children will take turns asking their questions of ISS Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, amateur radio call sign KE5DNI, during the ARISS radio contact. Appropriate local Covid-19 protocols are adhered to as applicable for each ARISS contact. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHZ and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the ARISS radio telebridge station.

The ARISS team in Casale Monferrato, Italy will use call sign IK1SLD to serve as the ARISS relay amateur radio ground station.

The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for September 21, 2021 at 2:05 pm EDT (Washington, DC) (18:05 UTC, 1:05 pm CDT, 12:05 pm MDT, 11:05 am PDT).

Childrens National Hospital is a nationally ranked, pediatric acute care children's hospital located in Washington D.C. Childrens Hospital is not a school, however the hospital works with school districts to coordinate home and hospital teachers to provide an educational program for their patients. In this regard, the hospitals purpose is to provide stimulating educational opportunities for students who must miss school due to illness or injury. Their educational goals include implementation of a STEAM curriculum for patients that encourages designing, inventing, and creating through real-world applications. Their educational state-of-the-art facility (Seacrest Studios) was established by the Ryan Seacrest Foundation in 2015, and provides kids (serving all children at any age level) an interactive space to explore radio, television, and social media, share their on-air talents and participate in programs that are broadcast directly to patient rooms. Seacrest Studios at Childrens National Hospital has been working closely with NASA and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum while continuing to provide space and STEAM related programming to their patients and patients families. The hospital had also partnered with members of the local ham radio club in Alexandria, Virginia.

As time allows, students will ask these questions:

1. What are some of the tools that you use to help you safely breathe in space?

2. What do the Northern Lights look like in space?

3. What does your body feel like in space? How do you feel normal again?

4. Can you please describe the most beautiful thing you've ever seen in space?

5. Is the food we buy on earth the same food you eat in space?

6. How do you feel emotionally and physically during the initial takeoff? What is the atmosphere like inside of the rocket?

7. Has there been any discovery that there is other life in this universe?

8. How much of Earth can you identify from space?

9. What happens if you get injured/hurt in space? Are there doctors on board?

10. How long does it take to get to the Moon and Mars from Earth?

11. How heavy is the spacesuit?

12. What inspired you to become an astronaut?

13. What species of animals have been to space?

14. Can you have your own pets in space?

15. Where do astronauts sleep while in the spaceship?

16. How do you clean your spacesuit while in space? Do you have laundry on board?

17. What specific devices do you use to stay active and workout while in space?

18. What was the coolest part about training to become an astronaut?

19. How does it feel to come back to earth and how does your body react?

20. What galaxy would you like to go to most and why?

21. How old were you when you first went to space?

22. Where does your trash go?

ARISS  Celebrating 20 Years of Amateur Radio Continuous Operations on the ISS

About ARISS:

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASAs Space communications and Navigation program.

The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org .

Media Contact:

Dave Jordan, AA4KN

ARISS PR

Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Search on Amateur Radio on the ISS and @ARISS_status.

Check out ARISS on Youtube.com.
Satellite light pollution

Go outside and enjoy the night sky because it might be about to change.

Thats according to Dr. Samantha Lawler with the Physics Department at the University of Regina (Saskatchewan, Canada).

She explains that thousands of communications satellites are being launched over the next few years and one company alone, Starlink, is planning to launch 42,000 satellites in the next twenty years.

SpaceXs Starlink is adding 60 new satellites every few weeks. Dr. Lawler explains that all of these satellites reflect the sun, which then muddies the view for astronomy research. Her predictions for the light pollution is that the worst of it will be at 50 degrees latitude North and South, which aligns with Regina, Calgary, Vancouver and Winnipeg, among others.

Lawler says right now there are not rules about how bright a satellite can be or what orbits they can use. She is urging for international regulations and for satellite companies to take it upon themselves to make their satellites less reflective.

Lawlers calculations are that in the future, one in ten points in the sky will be a satellite, not a natural object, but she believes there is still time to fight this. She also wonders what kind of affect this light pollution could have on migrating animals, although she stresses she is not a biologist and doesnt know the answer to that.

Lawler also notes there is the challenge of having all of those satellites in orbit and at what point it will be considered too crowded

Source: https://www.cjwwradio.com/2021/09/18/satellite-light-pollution/
Algiers, 19 September 2021 (SPS) -The Polisario Front Representative in Europe, Oubi Bouchraya Bachir said that the new Special Envoy of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, whose mission includes advancing the implementation of solutions to the Sahrawi conflict, "remains tied up by the roadmap that will be drawn by the UN Security Council.



"As Antonio Guterres' Special Envoy for Western Sahara, his prerogatives give him the means to advance the implementation of solutions to the conflict and to lead negotiations between the two parties, as well as to pool international support," said Bouchraya in an interview with the Russias news agency Sputnik on Friday.



Staffan de Mistura "remains nevertheless bound by the roadmap that will be drawn by the Security Council and the "appointment, although important, of a special envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara is not a major strategic goal in itself.



"Staffan de Mistura is a diplomat of international stature, whose competence and moral and intellectual probity are irreproachable," said Bouchraya Bachir, stressing that "the Polisario Front has approved his appointment since April.



"Morocco managed to delay the appointment of a special envoy in order to maintain the status quo that has lasted for over 30 years and, ultimately, to push the international community to accept its autonomy plan by fait accompli. The Security Council was also slow to act, including its permanent members, who turned their backs on their responsibilities towards Western Sahara stressed the Sahrawi diplomat.



According to him, "the Security Council, including its permanent members, whose role is to enforce international law, must impose on Morocco compliance with the resolution on the organization of the referendum on self-determination of the Sahrawi people so that the noise of arms ceases forever in the region.



The "UN, the African Union (AU) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) do not recognize the sovereignty of Morocco over the territory of Western Sahara, recalled Bouchraya.



062/700
The Perspective

Atlanta, Georgia

September 17, 2021





President-Elect Biden and VP-Elect Harris

It takes bold US leadership to effect a change in the Israeli-Palestinian discourse, and Biden may well be the right president at the right time that will ultimately serve the Israelis as much if not more than the Palestinians.

The summit between President Biden and Prime Minister Bennett came at a time of tremendous political complications and uncertainty that occupied both leaders. Despite the turmoil, they appear to have agreed upon a few important issues in essence: halting the building of new housing units and eviction of Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank, maintaining the status quo, and collaborating on addressing the Iranian nuclear program. Neither sought to delve into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which Bennett wants only to manage and Biden does not want to be sunk into regardless of the mid and long-term dangerous implications of doing next to nothing.



Instead, both leaders wanted to focus on establishing a personal rapport and demonstrate the enduring strength of the American-Israeli friendship, while agreeing to fully consult in dealing with the Iranian nuclear threat. In all, both were happy with the outcome of the meeting by achieving in principle what they set out to realize.



It would have certainly been premature for Bennett and Biden to discuss a new Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiation. The fact however that they have not laid down a path that could at least lead to such eventuality is extremely troublesome. This will dangerously erode further the conditions on the ground, harden the position of the extremists on both sides, and make the prospect of a two-state solution ever more intractable and costly.



The fact that the Israeli coalition government agreed from the onset not to tackle the conflict with the Palestinians was a bizarre agreement totally inconsistent with the inescapable need to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. President Bidens strategic omission not to publicly declare his traditional support for two states during his press conference with Bennett was deeply disturbing to senior Palestinian officials with whom I spoke. This was coupled with Bennetts statement to the New York Times only two days before his meeting with Biden that he opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state. His statement only reinforced the Palestinians belief that Israel will not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state, and they are looking for the Biden administration to change the course of the conflict.

Given that Biden strongly supports the two-state solution, he can take several unilateral measures to convey to both Israelis and Palestinians where his administration stands. Such measures will certainly be welcomed by the Palestinians and irk the Israelisand to those who argue that this is not the right time to do so, then when is the right time? After 73 years, this will be a good time as any.



It takes however bold US leadership to effect a change, and Biden may well be the right president at the right time that will ultimately serve the Israelis as much if not more than the Palestinians. There are specific steps that Biden can take that will help lay the groundwork for a future substantive peace negotiation that could lead to a resolution to the conflict.



Reestablish the PLO mission in DC

President Biden should allow the Palestinian Authority to reestablish its mission in DC. This would immediately open a channel of communication that is central to the development of a dialogue between the US and the PA. This will also send a clear signal to the Palestinians that the new administration is truly keen on turning the page and starting a new dialogue without prejudices.

|

Reopen the American Consulate in Jerusalem

Reopening the American Consulate in Jerusalem, particularly reestablishing it in East Jerusalem, will serve as a point of contact for Palestinians, and will also send a message to the Palestinian Authority that the future of Jerusalem has not yet been settled, which is consistent with Trumps Peace to Prosperity plan that left the final borders of Jerusalem to be determined by agreement from both sides. Opening the consulate will allow Palestinians to be in more regular contact with the United States and open a forum for exchanging views, but will also restore Palestinian confidence in the US under Biden and allow him to play a more constructive role.



Resume financial aid

It was essential that the Biden administration restored financial aid to the Palestinians, which had been suspended by Trump. Given that aid has been abused in the past, however, it should have clear guidelines on its use, with monitoring from a US observer to ensure that the money is spent on the programs and projects for which it is intended. The continuing financial aid will not only help the Palestinian Authority address its acute financial shortages but allow it to invest in some development projects that can provide jobs especially to the youth, of whom more than 30 percent are unemployed.



Prohibit territorial annexation and settlement expansion

Biden should make it clear to Bennett that Israel must not annex any Palestinian territories and must temporarily freeze the expansion of settlements. In addition, he should insist that Israel not legalize unauthorized settlements and refrain from evicting any Palestinians, especially from East Jerusalem. Taken together, the Israelis adherence to these requirements will help foster a calm atmosphere which is critical to a process of reconciliation that includes government-to-government and people-to-people interactions to foster trust and confidence that a better future for the Palestinians lays ahead.



New parliamentary and presidential elections

Given that no election has been held by the Palestinians in over 15 years, Biden should demand that the Palestinian Authority establish an iron-clad date for general elections. The election should be monitored by UN representatives to ensure that it is free and fair, and all those seeking high office must commit themselves to accept the outcome of the elections. The Palestinians are in desperate need of new leadership untainted by corruption and not wedded to prior hard positions that left no room for compromises.



Reciprocity by the Palestinians

In return for these measures that considerably benefit the Palestinians, Biden should require the Palestinians to take numerous steps to demonstrate their commitment to a peaceful solution. This includes ending any and all forms of incitement against Israel, fully collaborating with Israel on all security matters, and providing no protection to any violent Palestinian extremist.



Understandably, Biden is preoccupied with the raging pandemic, Irans looming nuclear threat, and daily confrontations with Republicans over climate change, voting rights, and sweeping social programs, to name a few issues. Nevertheless, he can take the above modest measures to dramatically change the course of the conflict for the sake of bringing a gradual end to the longest conflict in modern times.

As the most seasoned president, Biden understands the pitfalls of a long and protracted conflict. The war in Afghanistan provided him a glaring and painful example of how much can go wrong, yet he was still right and courageous to finally end it. Biden is right not to push for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, but he can demonstrate the same courage and leadership to change the course of the conflict that will eventually lead to peaceful coexistence.


The Perspective

Atlanta, Georgia

September 19, 2021





A good proportion of young people today were taught from primary school that agriculture is the mainstay of the Liberia economy. Agricultural Science as a subject is part of our educational curriculum and therefore taught at all levels of education. Despite the constant emphasis on agriculture as a core aspect of the Liberia economy by government officials, the sector has long since ceased to be the main revenue source since our country was formed. Israel is the poster child for a nation that has turned the odds in its favor agriculturally. More than half its land is desert and the climate is unsuitable for agriculture, yet, it is a world leader in agricultural technologies and a major exporter of fresh produce. Only 20% of Israeli land is arable yet it produces 95% of its nutritional requirements.

Liberia on the other hand, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2016 statistics, has a total land area of 9,632,000 hectares with an agricultural area of 1893.52 hectares. In simple terms, about 70% or more of the land in Liberia is arable, out of which less than half is currently under cultivation. Not only do we have vast amounts of arable land, but we also have favorable weather for the year-round cultivation of crops. Endowed with vast and varied natural resources, large biodiversity, lush vegetation, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia has enormous potential in food and cash crop production.

Despite the foregoing, Liberia does not produce enough food for internal consumption. According to FAO, the 2020 national rice production was estimated at 270 000 tonnes, similar to the five-year average and slightly below the previous year. The 2020 FAO statistics placed Liberia among the highest importer of rice in the world, wheat, and sugar. Rice for human consumption accounts for over 80 percent of imports, while wheat and maize account for about 13 percent and 6 percent. Sadly, these are all products that can be grown locally and if managed properly, can be exported soon.

It is more saddening to know that Liberia once shone in its agricultural sector during the 60s and 70s is now in such a deplorable state. This was the period when agriculture was not as mechanized and technologically advanced as it is now. All these factors notwithstanding, Liberia competed satisfactorily in world exports. Liberia was also the largest exporter of rubber between the early 1960s and 70s. Devastatingly, there was a decline from around 1974 till date; these days, Liberia does not feature among the top 5 rubber exporters in the world. Ivory Coast, a neighboring country best known as the worlds top cocoa producer, is presently Africas leading grower of natural rubber and the fourth largest in the world. Ivory Coasts natural rubber output is expected to reach 1.1 million tonnes in 2021, up almost 16% from about 950,000 tonnes the previous year. Provisional port data showed that Ivory Coast exported 1.2 million tonnes of rubber in 2020.

For a country blessed with so many food production endowments, the 2020 Global Hunger Index (GHI) scored Liberia at 31.4. This index assesses all available data on hunger, undernourishment, and the pattern of food consumption within countries, and the higher the score, the more serious the nations hunger challenges. According to the ranking, the score of 31.4 for Liberia, therefore, indicates a serious hunger problem in the country. Ironically, nations like Iran, Kuwait, and Jordan which are substantially desert nations scored less than 10 on the GHI, indicating the near absence of hunger and malnutrition.

What exactly is the problem with past and current governments that the issue of food security  the adequate production and availability of food within the country is treated with such levity? Could it be that the daily provision of millions of US dollars maintenance of our government officials and their families has deluded our leaders from the hunger that abounds just outside the walls of their abode? Are our leaders so disconnected from the citizens that they do not appreciate the hunger and malnutrition problems that many households face daily? Let us look at the 2020/2021 national budget approved by the legislature and signed into law by the President for some answers or lack of them.

In the 2020/2021 budget, the total provision for the Agricultural sector by the government of Liberia is put at U$ 6.4 million (1% of the budget) and was earmarked for recurrent expenses (compensation of employees, goods, and services as well as non-financial assets). In 2003, one of the most prominent decisions arrived at during the African Union (AU) Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security in Africa was the commitment to the allocation of at least 10 percent of national budgetary resources to agriculture and rural development policy implementation within five years. Eighteen (18) years after that declaration, Liberias budgetary provision for agriculture is less than 2%. Scrutinizing the budget further, it is worrying to see how the largest proportions of the funds are earmarked for recurrent spending. For instance, the Central Agricultural Research Institute has a total allocation of US$1,354.028 with US$1,110,044 for employees compensation. There are compensations for goods and services (US$243,984), consultancy fees (US$40,000) as well as agricultural supplies & input (US$58,849). Liberia is not in the top ten in terms of global rubber exports. Despite this, we believe that if the funds were tipped more in favor of capital expenditure on research and development, extension, and technical support services, we may just move up to be among the top ten or five sometime soon. Many more of these lopsided expenditures abound within the agricultural sector. The National Institute of Freshwater Fish has a total allocation of US$595,040. The compensation of employees is $518,568. Good and service is put at $76,472. One wonders what deliverables accrue to the nation and citizens from all the huge recurrent spending!

For the agricultural sector to be restored as the mainstay of our economy, the spending priorities of the governments must genuinely reflect a national commitment to the sector. Allocating less than US$7 million of the budget to the agricultural sector, while relying on donor projects from USAID, EU, IDA, AFDB, etc. to assist the sector is insufficient to enable us to attain the food sufficiency we direly need, much less position us to be a major exporter of cash crops. The AU target of 10% of the budget applies particularly more to the central governments where most of the actual cultivation and production of crops take place. Even with Donor projects toward the agricultural sector in Liberia, we are still at 9% which is below the AU threshold. Agriculture must be made a priority bearing in mind that some of our resources are non-renewable, finite resources that will be exhausted sometime in the future, or replaced by greener or cheaper alternatives.

The budgetary allocation figures also need to be tilted sharply in favor of capital expenditures. Agriculture is a practical and ground-based profession. The enormous personnel costs incurred on redundant government employees add little or nothing to the development of our agricultural sector. Those monies budgeted for the research institutes need to be invested in the real or pilot production sites (farms) and the acquisition of the seedlings, fertilizers, chemicals, and equipment required to make them boost crop output. Better coordination with infrastructural Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to aggressive investment in storage capacities, low-interest loans, and greater extension and support services should command the attention of agricultural policymakers at governmental levels.

Studies indicate that every US dollar spent on agricultural research produces nine dollars worth of added food in developing countries. Agricultural research which successfully drove the first Green Revolution in Asia can also do the same in Liberia. This does not refer to wasteful expenditure on personnel cost, engaging in excessive domestic and international travel, purchase of un-needed SUVs, and other pea-brained budget heads that constitute the bulk of typical MDAs recurrent expenditures. A worthwhile investment in biotechnological hardware, software and attracting the best and brightest minds to agricultural research will pay off in the medium to long term. Liberia must attain food sufficiency so that the paradox of hunger amid plenty will no longer apply to us.

About the Author: Karweaye is a Liberian residing in the United States of America and can be contacted at s.karweaye1668@student.tsu.edu


The Perspective

Atlanta, Georgia

September 19, 2021





MTVNEWS (Sept. 9) - A new market building constructed along the Liberian-Ivorian (Pedebo) Border, about 22 KM east of Maryland's provincial capital, Harper to promote cross border trade has been abandoned.



The market was Constructed under the African Development Bank (AfDB) funded "Mano River Union Road Transport Programme" along with a hand pump, office space and toilet facilities at cost of US$158,669.17.



This may suggest that the necessary assessment was not done prior to the construction of the market.



The project was implemented by the Ministry of Public Works on behalf of the Government of Liberia to promote cross border trade between Liberia and the neighboring Ivory Coast.



When Maryland County superintendent for the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) Abraham C. Wilson was quizzed about the dormancy of the market, he named the lack of willingness from his Ivorian counterpart to rotate market days on both sides of the border and the inability of those living in the surrounding communities to grow the necessary products to attract buyers.



"Our people who live around the border for [whom] the market was built do not actually have produce to take to the market for people leaving from Pleebo, Harper and other areas to buy."

"Imagine, if you were selling a T-shirt 200 and take it to the border for the same price, you will expect yourself to buy cassava, plantains, peppers and other stuff when you sell that will cover your transportation expenses up, but they are not there."



Maryland County superintendent George Prowd, according to him, has on three different occasions led delegations to the Ivory Coast to discuss with authority of the Tabou Region on how they could rotate market days weekly on both sides of the border and the improvement of other cross order activities, but their efforts yielded no fruit.



"They are not willing because of the money they generate from their side every week, and our people too only produce cane juice."



The project was since completed by the SAGK INTERNATIONAL INC. and dedicated on May 30, and officially opened to traders of both countries on July 24, 2019.



Though the LMA Superintendent has appreciated the Government of Liberia for such initiative, he believes that trading together with his Ivoirian counterparts at the market will promote the level of friendliness existed among citizens of both countries over the years.



"We are still working along with the office of the county superintendent and other stakeholders to come up with strategies on how the market should be operated," he told Maryland TV.




Gargash Group, a leading business conglomerate, has announced the acquisition of Deem Finance, a leading consumer finance business in the UAE.



The acquisition will deepen and expand Gargash Groups financial services offerings within the market and will further accelerate the Groups ability to meet its strategic growth plans.



Gargash Group has a strong presence in the non-banking financial services sector for 23 years through Daman Investments. Daman Investments is one of the leading regional players in the non-banking financial services sector and offers services including asset management, securities brokerage as well as wealth management.



Daman Investments also has a legacy of providing best-in-class investment management and advisory services to both local and regional clients. Through its core advisory services, Daman helps companies raise capital to strengthen and grow their businesses; provides advice on mergers, acquisitions and disposals; and underwrites equity & debt capital market transactions.



Deem Finance is a leading financial services institution in the UAE, offering credit cards, personal loans and wholesale deposit products to UAE corporate clients. Licensed by the UAE Central Bank, Deem Finance has attracted a broad customer base in the UAE market through its range of innovative cash up and loyalty driven cards.



Shehab M Gargash, Managing Director & Group CEO of Gargash Group, said: We are excited to be part of Deems growth journey. This is a transformational transaction that will allow us to reimagine financial services in a way that the success of our brands is aligned with the financial success of our customers.



Ahmed Khizer Khan, the CEO of Daman Investments, said, Deem Finance has built a strong product portfolio and has the technological foundation required to launch innovative financial products and services catering to the evolving needs of both individual & corporate customers.



Terms of the acquisition of Deem Finance were not disclosed in the announcement made by Gargash Group.  TradeArabia News Service
Colliers, a global leader in real estate services industry, said it has won a total of 8 first place awards at the Euromoney Real Estate Awards 2021 and also reclaimed the title of 'Best Advisors and Consultants Overall' in the Middle East region at the annual event.

The 17th annual survey of the global real estate markets was conducted between March 8 and May 21, 2021 and the results were announced last week.

In addition to the advisors & consultants award, Colliers was voted the first in Agency Letting/ Sales, Property Valuaton and Research.

Senior executives fill in the survey at country level and results are based on peer nominations and

vote participation scores.

Colliers won big at the awards clinching the award for: Middle East  Advisor & Consultant Overall;

Middle East  Agency  Letting/Sales; Middle East  Property valuation; Midde East  Research;

Saudi Arabia - Advisor & Consultant Overall; Saudi Arabia  Agency  Letting/Sales; Saudi Arabia  Property Valuation and Saudi Arabia - Research.

On the major win, Colliers CEO for Mena Region Ian Albert said: "We are honoured once again to receive these industry accolades and recognition from our clintele and peers. Reclaiming our overall first place in the region is something that we as a company are extremely proud of."

"Our teams will continue to focus on the main goal, which has and will always be providing our clients with the best service and expertise," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Bahraini authorities said plans are afoot to revamp the oldest area in Muharraq which dates back around 200 years, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

For further details visit https://www.gdnonline.com
In the global halal marketplace, Thailand is emerging as a major supplier of a wide range of products and services deemed permissible for consumption under Islamic law.

Despite having a Muslim minority domestically, Thailands government and private sector have leveraged the countrys manufacturing, quality assurance and marketing experience as well as its rich culinary traditions in taking advantage of a growing global appetite for halal products, according to the Department of Thai Trade Centre, MENA.

Currently, Thailand is the worlds 12th leading global exporter of halal products, and 5th largest producer of halal foods. According to its Board of Investment, the country also ranks first for halal export among ASEAN countries. Halal food currently accounts for 20% of Thailands global food exports with more than 60% of halal exports going to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

And with a market that is expected to grow 20% annually according to the latest Global Islamic Report, Thailand is hoping to take a bigger slice of the pie. For 2021, the country is targeting a 3% increase in its exports - valued at $3.8 billion - to OIC countries, its second biggest export market next to China.

Among Thailands notable food exports include rice, sweet corn, tapioca products, sugar, canned tuna, processed fruit and vegetable products as well as seasonings. It has also been aggressively expanding its halal portfolio with products and services in other sectors, such as cosmetics, poultry and plant-based meat, among others.

Thai halal initiatives

The Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT) which has been established under the Islamic Act is the countrys certification authority. Its main responsibility is to ensure that Thai Halal products are produced according to the requirements of Islamic law.

In a strategic move, CICOT has sought accreditation with certification authorities in Muslim countries, such as the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology in the UAE, to ensure Thai exporters and their products meet their destination markets standard and regulations.

One of Thailands top state universities also hosts a dedicated facility that conducts halal inspection and certification processes. A world first, the Halal Science Centre Chulalongkorn University helps maintain halal standards, using the latest technologies, for all its outbound products, benefitting some 5,000 companies producing over 150,000 Made in Thailand Halal products and services.

Since detecting haram ingredients has become more sophisticated with advances in methodologies and technological innovations, the centre is a significant investment and a bold initiative on Thailands part, as it seeks to become more competitive in producing truly authentic halal products.

Challenges and opportunities

Just like the rest of the world, the global halal industry has also been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. But the increasing adoption of digital platforms has somehow mitigated the impact, a window of opportunity that Thailand has been quick to leverage.

Since the early part of this year, Thailands Ministry of Commerce, by the Department of Business Development, has been aggressively pushing small and medium sized manufactures to utilise online platforms to market their products, to enable them to continue to tap existing markets but have limited importations because of restrictions, or to prospect new ones that they have not previously explored.

The Federation of Thai Industries is also optimistic about the continued robustness of Thailands halal exports, given that more than 20,000 Thai restaurants are operating around the world, a captive market that halal exporters can also look into as halal products are also gaining in popularity even among non-Muslims.

But as Thailand is already a popular holiday destination for Muslim travellers, halal manufacturers can also look into expanding their portfolio domestically by supplying halal food and other products to local restaurants, hotels and resorts.

Innovation will be a critical factor for Thailands continued success and will need to encompass the whole halal industry ecosystem, from manufacturing to product development as well as logistics and marketing.

With a robust support system in place and an established reputation for certified-halal quality products, Thailand will no doubt see its halal industry rise to greater prominence and competitiveness.--TradeArabia News Service
The sixth edition of the prestigious Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS 2022) will be held on November 9-11, 2022, at the Al-Sakhir Air Base, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad, said a senior government official.



Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Kings Personal Representative and Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of BIAS, was quoted in a Bahrain News Agency (BNA) report that the successes of the BIAS in the previous five editions reflect the forward-looking wise visions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the first supporter of the event and its initiator.



Shaikh Abdulla stressed that over the past editions, BIAS had succeeded in attracting major world civil and military aviation companies, promoting Bahrain as the home of the aerospace industry shows, citing the wide media coverage of the event and the keenness of major companies to participate in it.



He indicated that the event will provide renewed opportunities in the field of the aviation industry, as it will turn into an attractive destination for investment in this vital sector, which represents 8% of the global output, provides jobs for more than 200 million workers and contributes an amount of $3.5 trillion to the global output.



He added that Bahrain looks forward to benefiting from this industry in creating a value-added work environment through the presence of these companies in this airshow.



Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad expressed thanks and appreciation to the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for its support for the event, and the cooperation of all ministries and state departments to ensure its success.



Shaikh Abdulla expressed hope that BIAS 2022 will achieve outstanding results, through promoting the kingdom as an international investment destination, revitalising the national economy and contributing to creating new job opportunities for the new generation.



Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad requested the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Deputy Chairman of the BIAS Supreme Organising Committee, Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, to sign the agreement of the organisation of BIAS 2022 and 2024 with the UK-based Farnborough International.



The minister said that he is looking forward for more fruitful cooperation with Farnborough International through organising the three-day airshow in 2022, noting that BIAS 2022 is expected to witness massive participation.



On the sidelines of his participation in the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI 2021), the minister held many meetings with the official delegations of brotherly and friendly countries, as well as heads of companies, and discussed with them the latest developments of the defence and aviation industry, in addition to the ongoing preparations to hold the BIAS 2022.



Many world companies agreed to participate in BIAS 2022, including BAE Systems (Britain), Lockheed Martin (USA), Leonardo Company (Italy), Bell Helicopter (USA), Thales (France) and Coleman (USA).



The minister also held meetings with the Saudi General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the British Department for International Trade (DIT-UK) and several other companies participating in DSEI 2021.




Moscow, Sep 19 (UNI/SPUTNIK) Lebanon's health sector is at the risk of collapse, with fuel shortages crippling hospitals and medical professional leaving the country at an alarming rate, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Sunday.

"Since the Beirut port blast last year, the country and its people have slipped even further into despair. The current economic crisis has increased poverty across the country, and all sectors including health, are at risk of collapse," Tedros said in a joint statement with WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al Mandhari.

The statement was issued after WHO officials completed a two-day trip to Lebanon.

Fuel shortages have pushed hospitals to operate at 50% capacity, putting people's access to vital surgeries at risk, the statement said. And with lack of foreign currency limiting imports, many medicines are hard to find.

The economic crisis and other hardships are forcing people to leave.

"A brain drain is occurring at alarming speed. Almost 40% of skilled medical doctors and almost 30% of registered nurses have already left the country either permanently or temporarily," the statement said.

The coronavirus pandemic has added to the difficulties already facing Lebanon's health sector and communities.

WHO will remain committed to its "immediate, lifesaving work in Lebanon," Tedros and Al Mandhari concluded.

For the last few years, Lebanon has been battling an economic crisis that has repeatedly sent its national currency into a free fall. The crisis was further impacted by a powerful blast that rocked the Lebanese capital in August, 2020. The explosion, which was caused by improperly stored cargo at a ship at the port, killed over 200 people and left thousands homeless. Entire districts adjacent to the port area were destroyed leaving the country to feel the after-effects of the blast up to this day.

UNI/SPUTNIK PRT
NEW ORLEANS - The owner of seven Louisiana nursing homes who sent more than 800 fragile residents to ride out Hurricane Ida in an unsanitary warehouse will fight back against the Louisiana Department of Healths (LDH) recent decision to revoke all of his nursing home licenses, terminate his Medicaid provider agreements and shut down his nursing homes.

The nursing home owner, Bob Dean, is facing a growing number of lawsuits and at least two government investigations. The Louisiana Attorney Generals Office has opened a criminal probe into what happened at the warehouse, while LDH officials have said theyre pursuing federal regulatory action against Dean.

But Dean's lawyer said he does not expect him to face criminal charges.

Nothing rises to the level of criminal activity, said Baton Rouge attorney John McLindon, who represents Dean in the criminal investigation as well as in his licensing battle with LDH. I understand the attorney general has to do an investigation, but I dont think anything will rise to the level of criminal conduct.

McLindon said that Dean is also absolutely appealing the revocation of his seven nursing home licenses and the termination of his Medicaid provider agreements. He noted that Dean's nursing homes only take residents who are paying through programs like Medicaid and Medicare, rather than those who can pay out-of-pocket for nursing home services.

He serves a very valuable service to this community because the wealthy, rich nursing homes are not going to house these people," McLindon said.

But running nursing homes for those on Medicaid and Medicare can still be lucrative. Owners routinely enjoy Medicaid rate increases every year and a strong nursing home lobby in the Louisiana Legislature has led the state to steer residents to nursing homes despite polls showing many older people would prefer to receive home-and-community-based services. One New Orleans commercial real estate broker estimated that the licenses alone could be worth $1 million apiece.

Dean has until Oct. 6 to file an appeal, and McLindon said they plan to file by the end of September. McLindon said that he expects everyone to eventually learn that Dean "did a very good job on this evacuation," echoing Dean's own words in an interview with WVUE-TV.

McLindon is a well-known criminal defense lawyer in south Louisiana.

He represented Iberia Sheriff Louis Ackal when the U.S. Justice Department leveled allegations of civil rights abuses against him, including routine beatings of prisoners. While 10 of Ackals deputies pleaded guilty in the case, many of them cutting deals to testify against Ackal, a federal jury cleared Ackal of all charges in 2016.

McLindon also represented Nate Cain, the son of the storied former Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola warden Burl Cain. In that case, Nate Cain pleaded guilty mid-trial in 2019 to corruption charges from his work as warden of Avoyelles Correctional Center. And McLindon represented LSU fraternity member Matthew Naquin, who was convicted by a Baton Rouge jury on a charge of negligent homicide in a 2019 case after Naquins fraternity brother died from a night of forced drinking and hazing.

While McLindon is primarily known for his work on criminal cases, he said he will also help represent Dean in his regulatory fight with LDH. The department revoked Deans nursing home licenses on Sept. 7, alleging that Dean failed to ask for help  and even kicked LDH inspectors off the site of the warehouse  while conditions went downhill after the storm.

The seven nursing homes that evacuated to the warehouse were: Maison DeVille Nursing Home in Terrebonne Parish; South Lafourche Nursing and Rehab in Lafourche Parish; Maison Orleans Healthcare Center and River Palms Nursing and Rehab in Orleans Parish; and Park Place Healthcare Nursing Home, West Jefferson Health Care Center and Maison DeVille Nursing Home of Harvey in Jefferson Parish.

Inspectors wrote that the warehouse partially flooded, while they witnessed nursing home residents crying out for help from mattresses where they lay in filth, while staff ignored their pleas. Toilets overflowed, sending noxious fumes through the facility where more than 800 medically vulnerable people were staying. Trash piled up, and food was in short supply.

At least seven residents who were evacuated to the warehouse died, while at least 50 others were hospitalized. But the effects are ongoing: attorney Don Massey, who has filed a lawsuit against Dean over the ordeal said one of his clients died this week after being evacuated to the warehouse. Other attorneys who have sued Dean say their clients are still in the hospital, fighting off the aftereffects of the warehouse.

LDH officials cited eight separate failures from nursing home administrators who oversaw the Ida evacuation. They include cruelty or indifference to the welfare of residents, failure to comply with rules for nursing homes, failure to protect residents from harmful acts of employees, failure to notify the proper authorities of suspected cases of neglect, knowingly making false statements while under investigation, failure to comply with reporting requirements, failure to allow the department to investigate and failure to allow access to records.

Dean has defended himself in interviews, while seeking to portray himself as the victim of overzealous government officials who intervened in his nursing home evacuation

I usually lose two or three people a day, that pass on, he said in an interview last week with The Advocate | The Times-Picayune. So, four of the five thats passed were hospice patients, which, you know  those are people that are on their way out.

LDH officials approved Deans evacuation plans in advance, which said that he would house 700 people at an alternate care facility in Tangipahoa Parish. When they first inspected the warehouse before Hurricane Ida hit, health officials found that it met the "minimum standards" as a short-term shelter.

LDH has argued that though Dean's evacuation plans met the basics, he failed to execute them properly. They also say Dean had an obligation to communicate the problems to LDH once conditions worsened inside the warehouse after the storm.

Others have blamed LDH in addition to Dean.

The fact that Bob Deans hurricane evacuation plan even included dumping 843 senior citizens into a warehouse  how that plan got even approved by the state of Louisiana is ridiculous to me, said attorney Ron Haley, who filed a lawsuit this week in East Baton Rouge district court. His suit named Dean, his companies and LDH as defendants.

Haley filed the lawsuit on behalf of Darlene Franklin, a hospice care resident of Park Place in Gretna. Franklin has COPD and congestive heart failure and drifted in and out of consciousness while being evacuated to the warehouse because of a lack of oxygen, according to the lawsuit. She was forced to helplessly sit in her wheelchair for two days without being moved or changed, she was not fed for two days and she was forced to urinate on herself, the lawsuit says.

Yes, we understand that the state did the right thing by revoking the licenses after but it was a little bit too late, Haley said. Its a little bit too late for the seven individuals that died, its a little bit too late for the other 836 people that were left there in inhumane conditions. We need to do better. Shame on you, Bob Dean, shame on you state of Louisiana, for leaving those vulnerable behind.

Dean is already facing at least five lawsuits from nursing home residents who were evacuated to the warehouse and their families. McLindon said that attorneys for Dean's insurers will represent him in those suits.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-15 22:31:32|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Wednesday the Southeast Asian nation will begin a COVID-19 vaccination drive for children from 6 to 12 years old on Friday.

The prime minister said in an audio message released publicly that the country has almost achieved its vaccination goal for adolescents aged from 12 to 18.

Hun Sen, who will attend the launching event at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, said the kingdom has more than 1.8 million children aged from 6 to 12.

"If we do not provide them vaccines, we cannot reopen the primary schools," Hun Sen said.

With its total population of 16 million, Cambodia launched a COVID-19 vaccination drive for 10 million adults in February and for nearly 2 million adolescents aged from 12 to 18 in August.

To date, 9.77 million adults and 1.71 million adolescents had received their first vaccine dose, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Most of the COVID-19 vaccines used in the country's immunization campaigns are from China's Sinovac and Sinopharm.

Cambodia confirmed 653 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, pushing the national total caseload to 101,443, the MoH said, adding that nine new fatalities were recorded, bringing the overall death toll to 2,067.

Additional 463 patients recovered, taking the total number of recoveries to 95,367, the MoH said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 15:00:32|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ULAN BATOR, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia reported 2,777 new COVID-19 infections over the past 24 hours, taking the national tally to 275,146, the country's health ministry said on Sunday.

Three of the latest confirmed cases were imported from abroad, and the remaining ones were local infections, the ministry said in a statement.

The country's COVID-19 related death toll rose to 1,108 after 12 patients died in the past day.

Due to a shortage of hospital beds, over 52,000 of the remaining 74,000 active COVID-19 cases in the country are being treated at home, according to the ministry.

More than 65 percent of the country's population has received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far, according to the ministry. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 15:11:45|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

NEW DELHI, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least nine people were killed in two separate road accidents in the western Indian state of Rajasthan in less than 24 hours, police said on Sunday.

Five people were killed in Sikar district and four others in Hanumangarh district.

According to police, a car carrying five people hit the divider and fell from a culvert in the Ringas area of Sikar district, about 64 km north of Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, late Saturday evening.

"Though the rescuers (police and locals) took out bodies from the mangled vehicle and removed them to the nearest hospital, however, the doctors declared them brought dead," a police official said.

In another accident that took place at Rawatsar in Hanumangarh district, about 360 km north of Jaipur, a car collided head-on with a freight truck causing four deaths.

"Today a car collided with a goods truck at a petrol station in Rawatsar here," a police official said. "In the collision, the car was totally damaged and four people inside it were killed."

Police have ordered investigation into the cause of the two accidents.

Deadly road accidents are often seen in India, largely blamed on overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving.

Indian Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently said the government has set the target to reduce road accident deaths by 50 percent by 2024. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 20:25:46|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

SUVA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services reported 79 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths on Sunday.

Permanent secretary for Health James Fong said 35 cases were from the Western Division and 44 cases from the Central Division of Viti Levu.

A total of 82 new recoveries have been reported since last update, which means that there are now 12,981 active cases.

Fong said a total of 49,889 cases have been reported during the outbreak that started in April 2021.

He said Fiji had recorded a total of 49,959 cases since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 36,011 recoveries.

Fong said 566 deaths due to COVID-19 had been reported in Fiji, with 564 of these deaths registered during the outbreak that started in April this year.

He said there are currently 115 COVID-19 patients admitted in hospitals, six patients are considered to be in severe condition, and three in critical.

To date, 587,948 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 387,320 have received their second doses. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-19 21:41:23|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KATHMANDU, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- With the latest consignment of COVID-19 vaccines landing in Kathmandu on Friday, Nepal has now received all 6 million doses the government purchased from China in August, local media reported.

According to the Kathmandu Post, a consignment of 4.4 million doses of vaccines arrived in the capital city Friday afternoon. Sagar Dahal, chief of the National Immunisation Programme under the Ministry of Health and Population, confirmed the arrival of the Chinese vaccines.

Figures from the ministry show that the country has received 17.85 million shots of vaccines so far from several countries.

"In line with the availability, we have inoculated the largest number of people with Chinese made Vero Cell vaccine," Dahal told Xinhua on Sunday.

"There is hardly any complaint about the side effects of the Chinese vaccine," he said. "There is also widespread acceptability of this vaccine among the Nepali population." Enditem




The health sector's head indicated that the signing of these contracts would help make a decisive push forward on the vaccination process in 2022 to ensure an adequate amount of doses to protect the entire population.





Remarks were made on Saturday in the vaccination center located at Mayta Capac ecological park in Lima's district of San Martin de Porres, where he witnessed the vaccination of pregnant women at more than 12 weeks of gestation.





"We have to hurry up, we need to bridge gaps, so as to better face the pandemic and a very probable third wave in the country," the minister emphasized.

The government official noted that the country will receive 13,003,590 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in September.



He went on to say that the Government has dedicated economic resources to ensure the continuity of vaccination and coordination teams, since international experience suggests the presence of a third wave of the pandemic.





"The impact of the third wave will depend on the number of people vaccinated in the country. The higher the vaccination coverage, the less likely people are to die," the Cabinet member stated.

"We are on the path. Therefore, we insist that people aged 50 and above must receive the two doses since they are more likely to have complications at intensive care units," he explained.





(END) NDP/LIT/RMB
?? El presidente de ????, @PedroCastilloTe, aseguro que Hay que luchar por la proteccion de los derechos humanos, las libertades de todas las personas, la igualdad de genero, el respeto a los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes [...] Unidos lograremos todo; desunidos, nada. pic.twitter.com/CvhlEaqvaI
Steve concluded, You can see how the academic and unique use of the authors personal experience made this a fitting choice to use in my classes. It is a clearly detailed and concise narrative of Native American history that will engage students in grades 7-12. I plan on using the stories included in the book throughout my classes this year and in the future to enhance my curriculum. These are the same reasons it will make an excellent Community Read.

The Southern Cayuga Anne Frank Tree board selected the book as the October Community Read and approved purchase of 40 copies of the book to be distributed at the Aurora and Hazard libraries. When I picked up my copy at the Aurora library, I was caught by the gaze of the Native American man on the books cover. When I read the Authors Note that began the book, I stopped at this passage:

Finally, this book is born out of the belief that another world is possible when enough people understand how the miseducation of history contributes to the maintenance of systems of social injustice. We believe that people are hungry for a more accurate history and eager to abandon the misperceptions that result in racism toward American Indians. The dehumanization of one is the dehumanization of all.
One of the four defendants charged with murder in connection with a November 2019 shooting death in Auburn has reached a plea deal with the pr
When New York voters approved a constitutional amendment to create fairer system for drawing legislative district lines almost seven years ago, the political dynamic at the state Capitol were different.

Legislative power was divided, with Republicans controlling the state Senate and Democrats holding the Assembly. And after decades of both sides using their hold on the respective chambers to draw up district lines every 10 years that helped them maintain those majorities, voters had the wisdom to back a new process that valued independence.

But now that the time has arrived for the independent redistricting commission to do its work, Democrats have firm control of both Legislature chambers. The conventional wisdom now is that the Democratic majorities will reject any consensus district lines the commission recommends and draw up their own in a way to maximize control (and also help the party gain seats in Congress).

Unfortunately, it appears that the redistricting commission that was structured to be independent, or least bipartisan, is instead just becoming part of the political game. When it came time to release draft maps for congressional and state legislative districts last week, the panel put out dueling sets of proposals: one from Republican members and one from Democratic members.
India is considering slashing import duties on electric cars to as low as 40%, two senior government officials told Reuters, days after Tesla Inc's appeals for a cut polarised the country's auto industry.

For imported electric vehicles (EVs) with a value of less than $40,000 - including the car's cost, insurance and freight - the government is discussing slashing the tax rate to 40% from 60% presently, the officials told Reuters.

For EVs valued at more than $40,000, it is looking at cutting the rate to 60% from 100%, they said.

"We haven't firmed up the reduction in duties yet, but there are discussions that are ongoing," one of the officials said.

India is the world's fifth-largest car market with annual sales of about 3 million vehicles but the majority of cars sold are priced below $20,000. EVs make up a fraction of the total and luxury EV sales are negligible, according to industry estimates.

Tesla, in its pitch to the government - first reported by Reuters in July, argued that lowering import duties on EVs to 40% would make them more affordable and boost sales. This triggered a rare public debate among automakers over whether such a move would contradict India's push to increase domestic manufacturing.

(Also read: Blow to Tesla? Centre rules out reduction in import duties on electric cars)

Even so, the government is in favour of a cut if it can see companies such as Tesla providing some benefit to the domestic economy - manufacture locally, for example, or give a firm timeline on when it would be able to, one of the officials said.

"Reducing import duties is not a problem as not many EVs are imported in the country. But we need some economic gain out of that. We also have to balance the concerns of the domestic players," the official said.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Twitter last month that a local factory in India was "quite likely" if the company was successful with vehicle imports but taxes on them are high.

The second official said that since the duty cut is being considered only for EVs and not other categories of imported cars, it should not be a concern for domestic automakers - that mainly manufacture affordable gasoline-powered cars.

India's finance and commerce ministries, as well as its federal think tank Niti Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are discussing the proposal and all stakeholders will be consulted, the person added.

Both sources did not want to be identified as the discussions are still private.

India's commerce and finance ministries as well as Niti Aayog did not immediately provide comment.

Automakers including Daimler's Mercedes-Benz and Audi have for years lobbied for lower import duties on luxury cars but faced strong resistance mainly from domestic companies. As a result, India's luxury car market has remained small with average sales of around 35,000 vehicles a year.

Tesla's cars would fall into the high-end EV category, which are mainly imported into India and account for a much smaller percentage of sales. Mercedes, Jaguar Land Rover and Audi sell imported luxury EVs in the country.

This time Tesla's demands have found support from Mercedes as well as South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor, which has around an 18% share of India's car market.

Opposing the proposed cut are Tata Motors, which produces affordable electric cars in the country, and Softbank Group-backed Ola, which is making electric scooters in India.

A third source familiar with the government's thinking said there was awareness that a brand such as Tesla can make electric cars more penetrable in India, which is lagging other major auto markets in EV sales.

The government is thinking about the best way to approach this and they want to see some benefit even if that only means Tesla pledges to source parts domestically, the person said.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.




(Xinhua) -- The United States and Britain said recently that they will share highly sensitive nuclear submarine technology with Australia, a key part of the three countries' newly-established security partnership AUKUS.

The irresponsible and dangerous move fuelled by mentality of confrontation and exclusion will gravely undermine global non-proliferation efforts and jeopardize the region's peace and stability.

Exporting nuclear technology to a nuclear-free country is a blatant violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons(NPT). With over 190 signatories worldwide, the NPT has shown the international community's commitment to preventing the dispersal of nuclear weapons and promoting cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

As signatories and nuclear-weapon states, the United States and Britain's flagrant nuclear technology assistance to Australia for military uses will undoubtedly give rise to proliferation of nuclear materials and technologies.

For years, the United States has been turning a blind eye as some of its allies pursue nuclear technologies and weapons. Yet it points an accusatory finger at the civilian nuclear projects of other countries.

Washington is once again playing double standards on nuclear exports and utilization,and using the issue as a tool for dangerous geopolitical game.

Meanwhile, countries in the Asia Pacific and the world at large have every reason to question the non-proliferation commitments of Australia, a country that has joined both the NPT and the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.

Australia announced last year an aggressive defense strategy, sharply increasing its military spending by 40 percent to around 200 billion U.S. dollars over the next decade to acquire longer-range strike capabilities.

Canberra's excessive pursuit of military power has brought about uncertainties and risks to the region. Hugh White, professor of strategic studies at the Australian National University, warned that Australia's move will "further amplify the already loud signals" that there might be "a new Cold War in Asia."

Over the past few decades, Western countries have formed a number of exclusive clubs to dictate the global agenda in order to satisfy their self-serving purposes instead of the common interests of the wider world.

AUKUS, in the name of "ensuring peace and stability" in the region, is in fact no different from other small cliques such as the Five Eyes alliance and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as the Quad.

These closed-door groups, representing the interests of a handful of countries and applying international rule of law in a selective way, have departed from genuine multilateralism and are a grave threat to regional and global stability.

Regional mechanisms should work to enhance mutual trust and promote cooperation among countries, thus strengthening peace and development. If the United States, Britain and Australia truly want to bolster peace and stability in the region, they should immediately abandon their outdated Cold War mentality and small-clique politics, and learn to respect the rights and will of regional countries.
The Chinese people are celebrating Mooncake Festival like never before, straight after last year's Covid lockdown. This time round, life is back to normal, with Covid well under control except for a few cases in Fujian Province, which is very unfortunate, as it was started by a lone traveller from overseas!

The Chinese are in true holiday mood, travelling around the country like Covid does not exist! Compare this to the many other countries struggling with Covid, and one must credit the Chinese Government for its relentless effort to control the spread, with its zero case approach, which works a lot better than those countries relying on vaccination to relax restrictions and open up their borders to travellers from heavily infected countries, hence inviting in more cases that spread Covid in the local community!

China's Covid situation must be the envy of many countries which have lost control, and instead choose to 'live with it', opening up their borders and removing restrictions, risking the health of their citizens! Israel is one such case; it removed restrictions after vaccination hit a high but had to clamp down again when Covid surged. Another example closer to China, is Singapore which relaxed restrictions when vaccinations hit a high, then Covid surged again to well over 1000 per day and still counting!

Well done China, keep up the good work, keep Covid at bay!
The sentences are the latest in the Chinese Communist Partys, or CCPs, relentless pursuit of absolute control, which simultaneously smothers any hint of dissent, including freedoms of speech and assembly. []

Nine Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were sentenced Sept. 15 to 10 months in prison for their participation in the annual vigil for the commemoration of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

Twelve defendants total pled guilty earlier this month to their involvement in the vigil that commemorates the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre, when Chinese troops fired at student protesters participating in pro-democracy protests.

The sentences are the latest in the Chinese Communist Partys, or CCPs, relentless pursuit of absolute control, which simultaneously smothers any hint of dissent, including freedoms of speech and assembly.

Nine activists were charged with taking part in unauthorized assembly, while seven of them face additional charges of inciting others to participate in the event. Both actions violate Hong Kongs National Security Law, or NSL.

Last years vigil was banned, with police citing its violation of COVID policy. Still, thousands of people fled to the gated Victoria Park, against police warning, lighting candles, singing songs, and remembering those who were killed by Chinese troops.

After last years vigil, 20 activists were arrested. Several of the arrested activists faced charges under the NSL, including the leader of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Democratic Movements in China, Lee Cheuk-yan. Another notable person charged after the vigil is longtime Acton friend and Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, as well as Figo Chan, the former leader of the now-disbanded Civil Rights Human Front. Both Lai and Cheuk-yan have pled guilty to the unauthorized assembly charges and are set to stand trial in November.

Other prominent pro-democracy activists like Joshua Wong previously pled guilty over their participation in last years vigil and were handed sentences between four and 10 months.

Just last week, in another attempt to censor any memory of the massacre, several members of the Alliance that organized and participated in the vigil were arrested, after they refused to provide information for a police investigation.

The NSL bans what the CCP deems as subversion, secession, or terrorism. Since its passage in June 2020, over 100 activists have been arrested.
Truesee's Daily Wonder

Saturday, September 18, 2021

Archives

Truesee presents the weird, wild, wacky and world news of the day.

October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008

Subscribe
Futurism has the most reliable reporting on the strange case of Valeria Udalova, co-founder and CEO of KrioRus, a Russian cryogenics company that specializes in freezing the cadavers and brains of the wealthy and deceased.

Udalova  allegedly attempted to abscond with several frozen bodies after a disagreement between her and founder Danila Medvedev, Rubase reports. According to British tabloid The Times, Udalova is Medvedev's ex-wife. It's an unfortunate situation, considering the contraband in question. The company reportedly holds 81 frozen remains of human "cryopatients" and 47 animals. And roughly 500 people have signed contracts with them to be frozen when they die  in hopes, of course, that future medical science will be able to resuscitate them.

From the sound of it, Udalova was trying to break off into our own separate cryogenics company, and was trying to take a couple of corpses with her. Maybe? It's unclear. I still have a lot of questions. Fortunately, Udalova uploaded a 15-minute video to YouTube in hopes of explaining the situation. Unfortunately, I don't speak Russian, and the Google Translation of the auto-generated captions is  difficult to parse.

Woman Accused of Stealing Cryogenically Preserved Human Bodies [Victor Tangermann / Futurism]

The founders of "KrioRus" did not share the business: trucks with frozen "cryopatients" were intercepted by the police [Rusbase via Google Translate]
Dehradun District Magistrate received a warm welcome from the villagers. (Photo/ANI)

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], September 19 (ANI): Under the Uttrakhand government's 'Government at Public's Door' program, Dehradun District Magistrate R Rajesh Kumar on Sunday visited Bana Chilhad, a remote village of Tehsil Tyuni on Saturday and interacted with locals.

The district magistrate heard issues/grievances of locals and resolved many of them on the spot. A total of 120 complaints were received from the villagers, officials said.

Villagers welcomed Kumar by garlanding him and playing the drums.

Some 10 kilometre ahead of the venue, the DM on seeing villagers proceeding on foot to venue stopped his vehicle and heard their problems.

One complaint letter stated debris entering a school due to the closure of the Sillicate-Kunen road. He directed officials of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to submit a report after opening the road within two days.

On the complaint of non-working of water sources under Jal Jeevan Mission, the District Magistrate directed the officers of Jal Sansthan to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) within a week and directed the Deputy District Magistrate to monitor and also warned of action against concerned officials in case of non-submission of the report within a week.

On the demand of the residents of Tehsil Tyuni to appoint Tehsildar Dar in place of Tehsildar in charge, the District Magistrate assured that a letter will be sent to the government.

On the residents' demand of the villagers to start roadways bus service on the Silda-Childa-Banadhar motor road in the area, the District Magistrate directed the Deputy District Magistrate, Tyuni to start the bus service in coordination with the Transport Department.

During this, most of the complaints received were related to road, water, irrigation, damage to books and doctors posted at the health centre. The District Magistrate instructed the doctors working at the health centre to be regularly present at the centre and warned of action if complaints are received in the future.

Story continues

Matabar Bijalwan gave a letter of approval to the District Magistrate for giving land for the approved Anganwadi centre in village Chilhad, the District Magistrate requested the people of village Chilhad to thank Matabar.

In order to make an uninterrupted power system in the area, the residents informed the District Magistrate about the SDO, on which the District Magistrate honoured the SDO Electricity Department Chakrata Ashok Kumar by garlanding him.

The District Magistrate directed the officers of Jal Nigam and Jal Sansthan to provide the facility of tap water under the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme and to enrich the old sources as well as to find new sources.

During this, officials of Jal Sansthan and Drinking Water Corporation trained local women and men to measure the purity of water. (ANI)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 19)  President Rodrigo Duterte will again press for universal access to COVID-19 vaccines and human rights when he speaks before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Sept. 22.

Duterte is one of the participating world leaders in the High-Level General Debate of the 76th UNGA session.

"President Duterte will advance Philippine positions on global issues of key concern, such as universal access to COVID-19 vaccines, climate change, human rights, including the situation of migrant workers and refugees, and international and regional security developments," Malacanang said in a statement.

In his UNGA debut last year, Duterte emphasized that a COVID-19 vaccine must be considered a "global public good" without compromising its safety and effectiveness.

The President also assured that the Philippine government remains committed in protecting the human rights of its citizens.

Duterte also affirmed in the UNGA session last year the Philippines' win against China in a 2016 ruling over the South China Sea.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 19)  Diocese of Kalibo Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc on Sunday appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to halt the national government's plans to permit the establishment of casinos on Boracay Island.

Ako po ay umaapela sa Pangulo ng ating Republika na huwag niyang hayaan na maging pasugalan ang Isla ng Boracay, he said in a statement.

[Translation: I am appealing to the President of the Republic not to allow casino operations on Boracay Island.]

Duterte recently lifted the ban on casino operations in the popular tourist destination to generate taxes for the countrys COVID-19 response.

Tala-oc also appealed to the Aklan provincial government and other priests to oppose the establishment of casinos in Boracay.

The Kalibo bishop said that island is a Gods gift and gambling in the area will have a negative impact on people.

But why do we need to put up a gambling casino? Gambling is a game of chance which foments a culture contrary to the demands of sound reason, said Tala-oc.

He added that the people of Aklan have the responsibility to take care [of] and protect Boracay.

This gradual takeover of the human psyche by gambling is a big personal liability that can become no less than a socio-affective disorder. It will slowly weaken and eventually destroy the moral fiber of the people, said Tala-oc.

Aklan-based correspondent Carla Doromal and multi-platform news writer Vince Ferreras contributed to this report
(CNN)  Vaccine advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously Friday to recommend emergency use authorization of a booster dose of Pfizer's vaccine six months after full vaccination in people 65 and older and those at high risk of severe COVID-19.

Members of the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee had rejected a broader application to approve the use of booster doses of Pfizer's vaccines in everyone 16 and older six months after they are fully vaccinated.

Members of the committee expressed doubts about the safety of a booster dose in younger adults and teens, and complained about the lack of data about the safety and long term efficacy of a booster dose.

Biden administration officials have previously announced a plan to begin administering booster doses to the general population during the week of September 20, pending signoff from the FDA and US Centers for Disease Control.

Some of the advisers -- a group of vaccine experts, immunologists, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists and public health experts -- have said the process was rushed because of that target date.

On Friday, several said they wanted to see more data, or they believed boosters were likely necessary, but for a more limited segment of the population.

"I don't think a booster dose is going to significantly contribute to controlling the pandemic," said Dr. Cody Meissner, a professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine, said during the meeting.

"It is very important that the main message that we still transmit is that we have got to get everyone two doses. Everyone has got the get the primary series. This booster dose is not likely to make a big difference in the behavior of this pandemic."

During the meeting, Dr. William Gruber, senior vice president of vaccine clinical research and development at Pfizer, said several studies indicate that people's immunity can and does wane and that giving booster doses restores that immunity -- sometimes to levels higher than seen at initial vaccination. He said people who got the boosters did not have any more side effects than seen after the first two doses.

And Gruber said while the two-dose Pfizer vaccine continues to protect well against severe infection, hospitalizations and deaths, there are hints that could change.

The company relied heavily on data from Israel, where vaccinated people started to get breakthrough infections. Israeli researchers earlier told the meeting that adding booster shots in Israel helped keep many people out of the hospital.

"The Israeli experience could portend the US Covid-19 future," Gruber said. "Israel and the United States real world evidence suggests that vaccine efficacy against Covid-19 infection wanes approximately six to eight months following the second dose," he added.

"In addition, recent US CDC data hint at reduced Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness over time against severe disease and hospitalization in the US," he said. "This reduced vaccine effectiveness tracks with longer spans of time between two doses of vaccine and SARS coronavirus exposure."

But FDA staff and advisers pushed back on the data available so far.

Dr. Phil Krause, deputy director of the FDA's Office of Vaccines Research and Review, noted that Pfizer was using data that had not been reviewed by experts.

"One of the issues in this is that much of the data that's been presented and being discussed today is not peer-reviewed and has not been reviewed by FDA," Krause told the meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.

Krause, along with another FDA vaccine official, Marion Gruber, signed a Lancet paper published earlier this week that argued it's too soon to start giving people boosters.

Dr. Michael Kurilla, an infectious disease specialist at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, noted that the studies relied heavily on measurements of antibodies, without looking at other important aspects of immune response.

"It's a little disappointing that there's been very little reporting of the cellular immune responses and an entire focus on the neutralizing antisera," Kurilla said. "Which clearly for that population at high risk is absolutely essential, but for the broad population in terms of their protection, which seems to be holding up well over time -- (that) should be because of adequate cellular immune responses but we have no indication of that.

"So it's unclear that everyone needs to be boosted, other than a subset of the population that clearly would be at high risk for serious disease."

Pfizer received full approval for its vaccine from the FDA, so the request to add a booster dose is a supplement to that approval. Pfizer -- and other researchers -- say their studies show people develop strong immunity after two doses of vaccine, but that levels of antibodies start to drop after a few months.

The FDA noted in its briefing documents that Pfizer's vaccine -- as well as vaccines made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson -- still provide strong protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death, even if antibodies do wane over time.

After the FDA advisory committee makes its recommendation, the FDA makes the decision about whether to approve the booster dose.

The CDC has scheduled a meeting of its vaccine advisers for September 22 and 23 -- and CDC must give its stamp of approval for any booster doses to be officially given. In a letter sent Thursday and obtained by CNN, the CDC urged local and state health officials to wait to administer boosters until both agencies had signed off.

Third doses are already approved for certain immunocompromised people, but not for the general public.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "FDA vaccine advisers vote to recommend booster doses of Covid-19 vaccine in people 65 and older and those at high risk."
(CNN) -- Four people returned to Earth from a three-day extraterrestrial excursion aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on Saturday evening, marking the end of the first-ever flight to Earth's orbit flown entirely by tourists or otherwise non-astronauts.

"Thanks so much SpaceX, it was a heck of a ride for us," billionaire and mission commander Jared Isaacman could be heard saying over the company's livestream.

The tourists were shown watching movies and occasionally heard responding to SpaceX's mission control inside their fully autonomous spacecraft before it began the nail-biting process of re-entering the Earth's atmosphere. After traveling at more than 17,000 miles per hour, the spacecraft used Earth's own thick blanket of air to slow itself down, with the outside of the craft reaching temperatures up to 3,500 Fahrenheit in the process.

The Crew Dragon capsule, which is designed not to allow temperatures to go past 85 in the cabin, used its heat shield to protect the crew against the intense heat and buildup of plasma as it plunged back toward the ocean. During a Netflix documentary about the Inspiration4 mission, Musk described a capsule going through reentry as "like a blazing meteor coming in."

"And so it's hard not to get vaporized," he added.

The spacecraft then deployed two sets of parachutes in quick succession, slowing its descent further, before the capsule splashed down off the coast of Florida. Recovery ships were waiting nearby to haul the capsule out of the water.

Despite the risks, a former NASA chief and career safety officials have said the Crew Dragon is likely the safest crewed vehicle ever flown. And the vehicle had already completed two successful trips to space with professional astronauts on board before this group of space tourists took their multi-day joyride.

The passengers included the 38-year-old Isaacman, who personally financed and arranged the trip with SpaceX and its CEO, Elon Musk; Hayley Arceneaux, 29, a childhood cancer survivor and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital physician assistant; Sian Procotor, 51, a geologist and community college teacher with a PhD; and Chris Sembroski, a 42-year-old Lockheed Martin employee and lifelong space fan who claimed his seat through an online raffle. Isaacman has billed the mission as a St. Jude fundraiser, and it has so far has netted $154 million of its $200 million goal.

Though they're not the first tourists to travel to orbit, their mission, called Inspiration4, was notable because it did not involve a stay at the International Space Station under the tutelage of professional astronauts, as previous missions involving space tourists have. Rather, the four spaceflight novices have spent the past three days free-flying aboard their 13-foot-wide capsule on their own at about a 350 mile altitude  100 miles higher than where the ISS is, and higher than any human has flown in decades.

During their stay in space, the civilians on board said they'd conduct a bit of scientific research focused on how their bodies respond to being in space, take time to chat with their families, gaze out a large dome-shaped window called the "cupola," and listen to music. During a livestream shared with the public on Friday, Proctor also showed off some artwork she did during her stay with metallic markers and Sembroski strummed a ukelele that will be auctioned off as part of the St. Jude fundraiser.

The Inspiration4 Twitter account also shared footage of Arceneaux speaking to her St. Jude patients, and Isaacman rang the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange via satellite feed on Friday afternoon.

Other than that, few updates were shared with the public while the crew was in orbit. The first live audio or visuals from inside the crew capsule were shared Friday afternoon, nearly two days after they launched.

During previous SpaceX Crew Dragon missions  all of which have been flown for NASA and carried professional astronauts to the International Space Station - the public has had more insight. The space agency and its dozens of communications personnel have worked alongside SpaceX to share practically every moment of the journey from launch until the astronauts dock with the International Space Station.

But this mission left the public largely in the dark when it came to questions about the crew's schedule and how they were feeling while in orbit. Even though development of the Crew Dragon spacecraft was largely funded by taxpayers and SpaceX rents NASA facilities to support all its missions, Inspiration4 is considered a private, commercial mission. That means SpaceX's customers only have to be as transparent as they want to be.

There could be several reasons why the space tourists were publicity shy during their trip. It is possible, for example, that the crew wasn't feeling all that great after first reaching orbit. According to a NASA research paper, "many astronauts report motion sickness symptoms just after arrival in space and again just after return to Earth" and getting a restful night's sleep in orbit was "also a serious challenge for many crew members aboard shuttle missions." It's also possible the four novice space explorers wanted their privacy or simply to enjoy the experience without having to stop to talk about it.

But favorable reviews of their experience could be crucial. SpaceX hopes that this mission will be the first of many like it, building up a new line of business for the company in which it uses Crew Dragon to fly commercial missions with tourists or private researchers rather than just professional astronauts.

SpaceX already has contracts for five other private missions, as well as at least four additional NASA-contracted missions.

This story was first published on CNN.com "SpaceX capsule returns four civilians from orbit, capping off first tourism mission".
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 19)  Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed strong opposition to a possible presidential run of the son of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.

"Alam natin kung ano ang ginawa ni Marcos sa Pilipinas. Hindi 'yun speculation. Despite na grabe 'yung fake news, naka-record 'yun sa history kung ano ang ginawa ni Marcos sa bansa natin," she said during her weekly radio show on Sunday.

[Translation: We know what (the late former president Ferdinand) Marcos did to the Philippines. That's not speculation. Despite the ridiculous fake news (about his regime), what Marcos did to our country is recorded in history.]

Robredo urged Filipinos to unite and not let the Philippines suffer the same fate as in the Marcos regime.

The Vice President continues talks with other potential 2022 bets in a bid to unite groups against the Duterte administration. Late last week, she bared plans to meet with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao.

But if she will only compete against former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., whom she defeated in the vice presidential race last 2016, Robredo said she was ready to declare her candidacy for next year's presidential election.

READ: Robredo ready to run for President if chosen by unity ticket

"Kapag ako ang unity candidate, handang handa ako," she said.

[Translation: If I am chosen the unity candidate, I will be very much ready.]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 19)  One person was killed following an explosion in Datu Piang, Maguindanao on Saturday afternoon.

The Philippine Armys 6th Infantry Division confirmed on Sunday that one victim was critically injured and has died last night. Seven other people were harmed in the incident believed caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).

"Simula ng nagkaroon ng mga training ng mga IED-making dyan, ito na yung signature dito sa Central Mindanao, yung ganyang klaseng IED. So, tinitingnan natin ngayon signature ng mga locals dito sa paggawa ng IED, pero so far wala pang umamin ng...responsibility sa nangyari, 6th ID spokesperson Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar told defense reporters.

[Translation: Since trainings on IED-making started there, it has become the signature in Central Mindanao, that kind of IED. So, we are looking at the signature of the locals here in making IEDs, but so far no one has claimed responsibility for what happened.]

According to the 6th ID, several motives are being considered, among them that the blast was a diversionary tactic by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Dawlah Islamiya, and that it could be election-related, noting that Datu Piang was an election hot spot.

Another reason mentioned by the 6th ID was that it could be a personal grudge against the LGBTQ community, as most of the victims were supposedly members of the community and had previously received death threats.

"We received reports from the ground na itong mga kabataan na naglalaro diyan na naging biktima, itong grupo nila naka-receive pala daw allegedly...ng death threats weeks ago, kasi mga LGBT 'to, community. So, naka-receive sila ng threats weeks ago na kapag hindi daw sila...parang ganun kapag hindi sila magbago, bawal daw sa religion natin yung ginagawa niyo," added Baldomar.

[Translation: We received reports from the ground that the youth who were victims, their group allegedly received death threats weeks ago because they were members of the LGBT community. They received threats weeks ago saying that if they didn't change, they would be in trouble as it was against their religion.]

On Sunday, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar ordered the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) to investigate the blast.

He ordered the regional police office to coordinate with local military forces to conduct a manhunt for the perpetrators and to intensify security in Maguindanao as well as other areas where this kind of hostility could happen."
(CNN) -- Advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration on Friday voted unanimously to recommend emergency use authorization of Pfizer's booster shot six months after full vaccination in Americans 65 and older as well as those at high risk of severe Covid-19.

That vote came after the group had first voted and rejected a broader application: to approve the third shot in all Americans 16 and older six months after they were fully vaccinated.

Dr. Steven Pergam, medical director for infection prevention at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, expressed concern that the recommendation the advisers approved did not cover health care workers, who are at high risk of exposure to the virus, even if they are not necessarily at high risk of severe disease.

But the FDA can make its own decision and has asked the advisers to weigh in on possible changes in wording for the emergency use authorization, said Dr. Peter Marks, who heads the FDA's vaccine arm. Committee members voted unanimously to informally advise the agency to include healthcare workers or others at high risk in the authorization.

The most important message for now remains to get more Americans fully vaccinated, some experts say.

"I don't think a booster dose is going to significantly contribute to controlling the pandemic," said Dr. Cody Meissner, a professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine.

"It is very important that the main message that we still transmit is that we have got to get everyone two doses. Everyone has got to get the primary series."

More than 2 million Americans have received a booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to data published Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pfizer got strong pushback on its request Friday after saying it has data showing that immunity wanes six months or so after people are fully vaccinated with two doses, and adding that a third dose at six to eight months restores that immunity.

Dr. Phil Krause, deputy director of the FDA's Office of Vaccines Research and Review noted Pfizer was using data that had not been reviewed by experts.

Three reports published Wednesday supporting the argument that people may need a booster dose of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine over time were part of the data discussed by the FDA's vaccine advisers.

The meeting, streamed online, began Friday morning.

Four days earlier, a group of international vaccine experts, including some from the FDA and the World Health Organization, wrote in the Lancet that current evidence does not appear to support a need for booster shots in the general public right now.

The proportion of the population that is fully vaccinated -- now at around 54.4% of the entire population -- is still far below where experts have said it needs to be to slow or stop the spread, and cases have been on the rise.

Disparity in the Covid-19 pandemic

The pandemic has impacted different populations differently, and people of color are bearing a heavy burden, according to new research.

Black people, those over 40 and people with pre-existing conditions were the most likely sufferers of long Covid symptoms, which impacted a third of the Covid-19 patients, according to a study by the Long Beach department of Health and Human Services in California.

The most common extended symptom was fatigue, followed by loss of taste and loss of smell, the team reported in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's weekly Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

"The odds of experiencing symptoms 2 months after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result were significantly higher among females, persons with at least one preexisting condition, and those aged 40--54 years," they wrote.

Black people had higher rates of difficulty breathing, joint pain, and muscle pain than other racial and ethnic groups. These results show a need to monitor demographic disparities in extended Covid-19 symptoms, the researchers said.

And an analysis published Thursday by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the race-based disparities among children mirrored those among adults.

Compared to White children, kids of color have had more cases, deaths, and have had more mental health and academic problems related to the pandemic. While the most vulnerable, they're also less likely to be vaccinated, according to the analysis.

While Covid-19 hospitalization and death are rare among children compared to adults, those kids who were hospitalized were more likely to be Black and Hispanic. Black and Hispanic kids were also more likely to have a Covid-19-related condition called MIS-C -- multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children -- and Black children were more likely to be admitted to intensive care for it.

Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native children were more likely to die from Covid-19 than White children.

"Because children make up a significant share of the population and are more racially diverse than the rest of the population, equitable vaccination among this group is key for achieving an overall high rate of vaccine coverage among the population and may help to reduce disparities in vaccination rates more broadly," the report said.

Masks help block airborne transmission, study shows

Meanwhile, new research published this week indicates the Alpha variant of coronavirus spread more easily as people breathed or spoke but showed that even the simplest masks can greatly reduce transmission.

"Our latest study provides further evidence of the importance of airborne transmission," said Dr. Don Milton, professor of environmental health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, who worked on the study.

The intensive study, conducted at the University of Maryland, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and elsewhere, showed people expel virus in their breath and saliva -- findings that support the now widely accepted idea that the virus is spread in droplets of all sizes that fall to surfaces or float in the air. They measured RNA, the genetic material most commonly used to detect virus.

Loose-fitting masks stopped about 50% of virus-laden particles from getting out, the team found.

Milton said they're now testing to see what happens with the Delta or B.1.617.2 variant, which is far more transmissible than Alpha and which now accounts for virtually all infections in the US currently.

But the implications of the findings about Alpha are clear.

"SARS-CoV-2 is evolving toward more efficient aerosol generation and loose-fitting masks provide significant but only modest source control. Therefore, until vaccination rates are very high, continued layered controls and tight-fitting masks and respirators will be necessary," the team wrote.

"We know that the Delta variant circulating now is even more contagious than the Alpha variant. Our research indicates that the variants just keep getting better at travelling through the air, so we must provide better ventilation and wear tight-fitting masks, in addition to vaccination, to help stop spread of the virus," Milton said in a statement.

This story was first published on CNN.com "FDA advisers first rejected Pfizer's booster application -- but then voted to recommend a third shot for certain Americans".
(CNN) -- Whether it's stolen urinals, smashed floor tiles or missing soap dispensers, the destruction is apparent in school bathrooms across the United States.

It's the latest trend to go viral on Tiktok, called "devious licks": Middle school, high school and college students vandalize school property, most commonly bathrooms, and post their results on the social media app.

TikTok has been quick to shut down the trend, with the company removing many of the videos from its platform.

Search the term "devious licks" on the app now, and a message from TikTok appears: "No results found. This phrase may be associated with behavior or content that violates our guidelines. Promoting a safe and positive experience is TikTok's top priority. For more information, we invite you to review our Community Guidelines."

"We expect our community to stay safe and create responsibly, and we do not allow content that promotes or enables criminal activities. We are removing this content and redirecting hashtags and search results to our Community Guidelines to discourage such behavior," a TikTok spokesperson told CNN.

People have shared the videos on other platforms as well.

A quick search on Twitter revealed a copious catalog of "devious lick" videos, which featured people stealing a bathroom sink and other school property.

Some bathrooms are partially shut down

In response, some schools are locking bathrooms for large portions of the day.

While the intent is to prevent further vandalism, it could have negative consequences, said school counselor Phyllis Fagell, author of "Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond--and How Parents Can Help."

"I have a lot of empathy for administrators who are dealing with this behavior," Fagell said, but she warned that punishing everyone for the actions of a few students can sow mistrust.

Allowing students to use the bathrooms when they please is a basic sign of respect, she added. "If adults want kids to show respect, they have to show respect in return."

Some children also have social anxiety and closing the bathrooms for parts of the day could exacerbate it, said John Duffy, a clinical psychologist and family therapist in Chicago.

"Some of my socially anxious clients choose to suffer significant discomfort than disrupt a teacher in class to use the bathroom for fear of the social attention," he said. If the bathroom is locked, many kids will become anxious that the facility is unavailable to them, he added.

CNN reached out to Shakopee West Middle School in Shakopee, Minnesota, one of the schools who partially shut down their bathrooms, and is still awaiting a response.

Why students are vandalizing schools

Tweens and teens are vulnerable to peer pressure and are trying to establish where they fit in socially, Fagell said.

Middle school students, in particular, are desperate for acceptance and may make impulsive decisions to fit in, Fagell said. They're more prone to impulsive behavior because their prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that is responsible for logical thinking, isn't fully developed yet, she explained.

Over the past year, Duffy said several boys have been referred to him by schools for vandalizing property. One of the students who had destroyed a bathroom admitted that he didn't want to do it but succumbed to peer pressure.

The student "felt it was wrong, but he was dared to do it by a group of classmates at a party, a group he desperately wanted to be a part of," Duffy said.

What parents can do

It's important for parents to be aware of social media trends like "devious licks," so Duffy recommended parents speak with their children about their social media habits.

If parents are non-judgmental, their kids will likely teach them about the latest trends, which gives parents the opportunity to prevent their children from making mistakes with serious consequences, he said.

Because children's problem-solving abilities aren't fully developed, parents should also be a role-model and walk their child through the process, Fagell said.

Parents could explain what some of the negative consequences would be if they vandalized the school and provide counter examples for why they should do the right thing, she said.

Parents should not underestimate the power of disappointment. "It's critical that parents actually verbalize that they would be very disappointed if they ever got a call saying, 'Your child has done something to vandalize the school,'" Fagell said.

This story was first published on CNN.com "The 'devious licks' TikTok challenge has students stealing toilets and vandalizing bathrooms".
A pedestrian has died after she was struck by a car early Saturday in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, the Denver Police Department said.

The crash happened at the intersection of East 10th Avenue and North Broadway, near the Milk Bar and Vinyl night clubs. Police announced the crash just after 2 a.m., which is last call for clubs in Denver.

After crashing into the pedestrian, the driver fled the scene, police said.

Nearly 12 hours after the crash, police announced the pedestrian, identified only as a woman, had died from her injuries. The pedestrians identity will be announced by the Office of the Medical Examiner after her family is notified.

Police have not released any information about what led up to the crash.

No arrests have been made and no suspect information is available as of Saturday evening. Investigators are working to gather more information about what happened, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can be anonymous and are eligible for a $2,000 reward.
Sweet potatoes at the warehouse of a cooperative in Binh Tan district, Vinh Long province, September 17, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Chau Thanh

Farmers in the Mekong Delta, Vietnams agricultural production hub, are hurting as produce prices plunge by almost 80 percent in the wake of pandemic provoked distribution challenges.

Son Van Luan, 67, director of a cooperative in Vinh Long Provinces Binh Tan District said farmers were suffering huge losses because sweet potato prices have dropped steeply.

Before the Lunar New Year in February, Japanese purple sweet potatoes were bought and exported to China for VND1 million ($43.71) per 60 kg. However the price has dropped by about 85 percent to VND150,000-160,000 per 60 kg now.

At the current, it is impossible to cover the investment, said Luan, adding that potato growers have never had such a difficult time. Many have decided not to plant a new crop, considering the pandemic situation, he said.

Binh Tan was the provinces main area for Japanese purple sweet potato cultivation at 12,000-13,000 ha. However, the area has dropped to around 7,000 ha. "There are about 600 hectares with an output of nearly 2,000 tons that are ready for harvesting. The low selling prices have made life very difficult for farmers," said Nguyen Van Tap, Chairman of the Binh Tan District People's Committee.

Meanwhile, in the provinces Binh Minh Town, farmers growing the Nam Roi pomelo on about 2,000 hectares with an output of about 23,000 tons per year are in similar trouble.

Before the fourth Covid-19 outbreak starting in April, this pomelo variety sold for VND10,000-14,000 per kg, but this has fallen to just VND2000-9000 now, depending on the size and weight of the fruit."This price is the lowest in the past 10 years. It is impossible to cover the cost of fertilizers, pesticides, and labor," said 54-year-old farmer Nguyen Thi Suong.

A boat brings baskets of Nam Roi pomelo from southern Vinh Long Province. Photo by VnExpress/Chau Thanh

In Soc Trang Province and Can Tho City, the prices of many specialty fruits have fallen to very low levels. Traders are buying rambutan for VND5,000-6,000 per kg, while different types of longan are bought for VND6,000-30,000  two to three times lower than prices before the fourth Covid-19 outbreak.

Explaining the reason for the falling prices Luan said sweet potatoes were mainly exported to China. Since the country has stopped importing produce over the last several months, the price has dropped very quickly.

Meanwhile, HCMC is a big consumer market for the Nam Roi pomelo. Losing this market due to the pandemic has heavily affected its price.

"I used to sell 8-10 tons of pomelo every day to HCMC wholesalers. In the last three months, the pandemic has made selling to that market almost impossible," said Nguyen Thanh Quy, a fruit wholesaler in Binh Minh Town.

He said the market was shrinking while output remained the same, so wholesalers had to reduce their purchase prices.

According to the Institute for Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, agricultural production value in the Mekong Delta accounts for about 40 percent of the national total. The region's rice production accounts for 50 percent of the national total, aquatic production for 65 percent and fruit production for 70 percent.
Steel exports increased by 43.4 percent year-on-year in the first eight months to 8.54 million tons, and were worth $7.1 billion, a 127 percent rise.

In August, for a second month in a row, the billion-dollar mark was breached, with the value of shipments increasing 2.5-fold to nearly $1.5 billion.

The main export markets were Southeast Asia, which bought 2.7 million tons and China (1.8 million tons).

Exports to the E.U. and U.S. skyrocketed 7.5-fold and four-fold from 12 months earlier as demand there continued to soar.

Exports to Europe also benefited from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, with many companies taking advantage of lower tariffs.

According to the Vietnam Steel Association, the countrys production capacity is around 24 million tons a year. Output this year is expected to reach 21.2 million tons, enough to meet domestic and export needs.
Pham Nguyen Quan, who lost two close friends in August to Covid-19, goes into the corridor to take a walk to relax, August 14, 2021. Photo courtesy of Quan

Amid social distancing due to Covid-19, Tran Thu Hong feels she has lost control of her life and everything around her is moving at a glacial pace.

This should have been a good year for her. She had been planning to enroll for a master's degree but the Covid-19 outbreak derailed her plans. She has delayed her academic plans indefinitely because she fears studying online will not cut it.

Living in a small house with her family in Hanoi's Cau Giay District, Hong now has no specific plans for her future though she claims to be a person who likes to plan ahead.

All day long negative thoughts keep cropping up in her mind. She fears her anxiety disorder, for which she had taken treatment for one year, is returning.

She is caught up in angst.

She fears she will not be able to catch up with her peers. She is despondent she has not been able to achieve what she should have at 25 such as being financially independent and moving out on her own.

Her anxiety is so great that when sees a knife she imagines it falling and impaling her leg.

"The uncertainty makes my anxiety worse, creating a vicious cycle that I don't know how to cope with".

To reassure herself, Hong tells herself she escaped depression once and will do so again.

Psychological problems like those suffered by Hong are rife amid the pandemic.

Psychologist Dr Nguyen Do Hong Nhung says Covid-19 is a collective trauma that can affect everyone.

The angst, and not knowing how to get out of the situation or when everything will get back to normal, like Hong experiences is very common, she says.

As a member of an online network of physicians who counsel people, she speaks with 15-30 people per day.

She says each age group has different things troubling them: students worry about studying online and not knowing when they can return to school and meet friends; seniors worry about pre-existing medical problems and vulnerability to Covid; others worry about losing their jobs and livelihoods, making ends meet if they have to be isolated, and when they can return to work.

The crisis of loneliness and disconnection is what Vu Thu Giang, 26, an office worker in Hanois Tay Ho District, faces.

"Now the simplest thing like sitting next to colleagues is enough to bring me joy," she says after months of staying at home.

Introverted, quiet and a loner, she had never thought there would be a day when she felt so empty. She speaks on the phone with friends to dispel her loneliness, calling those in Vietnam during the day and in the U.S. at night.

The need to communicate with others has turned her schedule upside down. Instead of sleeping at her usual 10 p.m. she stays up until 2-3 a.m. to chat.

She feels pressured being cooped up at home with her parents. Her father often opens the door of her room unexpectedly. Seeing her wake up at 9 a.m. he sometimes scolds her for being "lazy."

Unable to explain, she avoids interacting with him by hiding in her room and not often eating with him. But the more she does so, the lonelier she feels.

Young people, who are usually stereotyped as resilient, seem to be suffering the most psychologically due to the pandemic.

As long ago as in June 2020 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the Covid pandemic had increased anxiety and depression and increased psychotropic substance abuse, with 18-24-year-olds being the most severely affected.

A survey in France last year of over 30,000 people found young people ranking lowest in mental health.

A study by the International Labor Organization in 2020 in 112 countries found that two-thirds of people aged 18 to 29 were at risk of anxiety and depression.

Nhung says 60 percent of the people to whom she has provided counseling during the epidemic are aged between 18 and 30.

"Most of them are young people who feel disoriented, emotionally lost, do not feel they are alive or feel trapped because they have to comply with social distancing regulations."

She lists three reasons why young people are vulnerable to the impacts of the epidemic: it came suddenly and so they did not have time to adapt; they feel stripped of opportunities to do things during their youth, form social relationships and create their identity; and the Y and Z generations are working or studying, which makes conflicts likely if they have to stay at home for too long or are subject to daily control by their family.

Her advice is: "Get enough sleep, eat the right and nutritious food and exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Accept your thoughts and feelings and focus on what you can do at the moment to control fears about the future".

She further recommends that when problems become serious, people should not hesitate to seek help from doctors and psychiatrists.

Pham Nguyen Quan, 28, of Ho Chi Minh City, lost two friends to Covid last month.

"They were below 30 years old and full of life," the designer from District 12 said.

Not being able to attend his best friends' funerals torments him.

"Covid-19 may pass, but the consequences left by it are forever," he says.

A week ago he told himself he had to be strong not only to get along with his own life but also to support the family of his two friends who left young children behind.

Quan also realizes that Covid-19 is bringing basic values home people. Instead of scrambling to earn money, he has told himself, he has to take care of his family and friends more so that "if something happens, I won't regret it."

"I don't need luxury cars or beautiful things, just a healthy life."
People in Hanoi's Thanh Xuan District are evacuated away from coronavirus hotspots, September 1, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

Vietnam reported 10,025 new local Covid-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the infected tally in the new wave to 682,618 cases.

The three localities with the highest number of new cases were Ho Chi Minh City with 5,496 cases, Binh Duong with 2,332 cases and Dong Nai with 953 cases.

233 deaths were added to the national database on Sunday, with 182 cases in Ho Chi Minh City, 31 in Binh Duong, nine in Long An, three in An Giang, two each in Binh Thuan and Tien Giang, and one each in Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Quang Binh and Tay Ninh.

The total number of coronavirus deaths so far is 17,090 cases, or around 2.5 percent of all infected cases.

Also on Sunday, 9,137 Covid-19 patients were announced recovered, bringing the total number of recovered cases so far to 457,505.

Vietnam has vaccinated over 34 million people with at least one Covid-19 shot. Around 6.5 million people have been fully vaccinated.
A student of the Dao Duy Anh High School in HCMC studies online using a laptop, September 6, 2021. Photo courtesy of the Dao Duy Anh High School

The VnExpress Hope Foundation has launched a program to provide 3,300 computers to students in difficult circumstances to help them with remote learning amid pandemic restrictions.

As of mid-September, around 1.5 million students were having trouble accessing online lessons, according to the Ministry of Education and Training.

As the pandemic rages, students nationwide have gone through numerous periods of remote learning over the past two years. Not all of them have been lucky to enjoy easy access to online classes. There have been families where siblings have had to choose who gets to study at home, while others have to run to a neighbor's house to borrow a mobile phone.

"There's not even enough money for daily meals, forget buying phones and computers for online learning," said Phan Thi Mai, the mother of a first-grade child in Dong Nai Province.

Dang Hai, a father in Ho Chi Minh City, shares the conundrum.

"I have three children in first, fourth and seventh grade, but theres only one phone. I've already requested the schools to let them attend classes at different hours but failed. I don't know what to do," he said.

The lack of phones and computers for online classes is a common situation for many families. Their plight gains urgency because the coronavirus is unlikely to go away anytime soon and online classes are expected to last a long time.

The program by the VnExpress Hope Foundation, called "Computers for Students," aims to provide tablets, laptops and computers for over 3,000 students in difficult circumstances.

It will also help families install Internet lines and help make online classes more convenient for both students and teachers.

We encourage everyone to make generous donations to:

The Hope Foundation Office 9th Floor, FPT Buidling, 10 Pham Van Bach Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi Hotline: 0972 776 776 Bank transfer Syntax: Name of the donor - Computers for Students Example: John Doe - Computers for Students Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Agribank

SWIFT code: VBAAVNVX

Bank account: 1500201104186

Hanoi Branch

Account holder: Hope Foundation

BIDV

SWIFT code: BIDVVNVX

Bank account: 42710008680868

Quang Minh Branch

Account holder: Hope Foundation

Sacombank

SWIFT code: SGTTVNVX

Bank account: 020058823385

Dong Do Branch  Transaction office: Quan Hoa

Account holder: Hope Foundation

Techcombank

SWIFT code: VTCBVNVX

Bank account: 19132103682686

Hoang Quoc Viet Branch - Transaction office: Tran Thai Tong

Account holder: Hope Foundation

TPBank

SWIFT code: TPBVVNVX

Bank account: 73007300602

Hoan Kiem Branch

Account holder: Hope Foundation

Vietcombank

SWIFT code: BFTVVNVX

Bank account: 0011007300602

Branch: Transaction office

Account holder: Hope Foundation

USD account

SWIFT code: BIC TPBVVNVX

Bank account: 73007300503

Bank name: Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Hanoi, Vietnam

Bank address: TPBank Building, 57 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Account holder: Hope Foundation
SpaceXs Crew Dragon capsule splashed down off the coast of Florida on Saturday at 7:06pm EDT, following a three-day mission that was the first ever spaceflight to Earth orbit featuring a crew made up entirely of private citizens.

Named Inspiration4, the mission saw the Crew Dragon orbit at an altitude of 575km - the furthest any human crew has flown from Earth since NASAs Apollo programme ended in the early 1970s.

The automated capsule flew the mission without the need for input from the crew, although they had the power to intervene in an emergency.

Inspiration4 out to raise funds for Memphis children's hospital

Inspiration4 seeks to raise $200m for St Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, to help "give hope to all kids with cancer and other life-threatening diseases". During the flight, the four-person crew conducted scientific research "designed to advance human health on Earth and during future long-duration spaceflights", SpaceX said.

Who were the members of the all-civilian Inspiration4 crew?

Jared Isaacman

The billionaire CEO of Shift4 Payments, a payment technology company he founded at 16, Isaacman is the creator of the Inspiration4 mission, together with SpaceX chief Elon Musk.

The 38-year-old is a licensed pilot who has flown at more than 100 airshows, and is the co-founder of the aviation company Draken International, which trains military pilots. He has pledged to donate $100m to the St Jude Childrens Research Hospital.

Isaacman was Inspiration4s mission commander.

Full screen This September 16, 2021, image courtesy of Inspiration4 shows the Inspiration4 crew member Jared Isaacman communicating while looking out of an observation window while in orbit. HANDOUT (AFP)

Hayley Arceneaux

The youngest American ever to fly into space, Arceneaux, 29, is a physician assistant at St Jude - the same hospital where, as a 10-year-old, she was successfully treated for osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Having had part of a leg removed as part of her treatment, she is the first person with a prosthetic body part to go to space.

Arceneaux was Inspiration4s medical officer.

Christopher Sembroski

A data engineer for aerospace company Lockheed Martin, Sembroski is a US Air Force veteran who served in Iraq. The 42-year-old was selected as part of the crew after winning a lottery of some 72,000 people who had donated to St Jude.

Sembroski fulfilled the role of mission specialist on Inspiration4.

Dr Sian Proctor

Dr Proctor, 51, is a geoscience professor at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, and is a licensed pilot. She earned her place on the crew after winning an online competition run by Shift4 Payments. She is only the fourth African-American woman to fly space.

Proctor served as the Inspiration4 pilot.

Crew completed against-the-clock training for Inspiration4

After being announced in March, the crew underwent intensive training for the Inspiration4 mission, involving time in the simulator, hours spent studying briefing books and physical preparation such as climbing up the 14,000-feet Mount Rainier.

Their training had to be compressed into a much shorter period than astronauts usually get; indeed, it is estimated that NASA normally takes at least two years to train crews for a mission.

For more on Inspiration4, take a look at our full report on Crew Dragons return to Earth.
At the invitation of Mexico, the rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a video speech to the 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the CELAC. The summit was held in Mexico City on Sept. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) was held Saturday in Mexico City. At the invitation of Mexico, the rotating presidency of CELAC, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a video speech to the summit.

Xi pointed out that 10 years ago, CELAC was born under the efforts of Latin American and Caribbean countries to pursue independence and seek strength in unity, which was a milestone in the process of regional integration. In the past 10 years, CELAC has played an important role in maintaining peace and stability and promoting common development in the region.

Xi said that China attaches great importance to developing relations with CELAC, and supports CELAC in coordinating regional countries to carry out cooperation and cope with challenges.

"In July 2014, the leaders of regional countries and I jointly announced the establishment of the Forum of China and CELAC, which has developed a new way for the comprehensive cooperation between China and Latin America," said Xi.

He added that over the past seven years, the forum has flourished and become a major platform for bringing together friendly forces from all walks of life in China and Latin America, and has made important contributions to deepening China-Latin America relations.

Xi stressed that having stood the test of changing international landscape, China-Latin America relations have entered a new era featuring equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and tangible benefits for the people.

"China-Latin America friendship is time-honored and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people," said Xi.

He noted that since last year, facing the unexpected COVID-19 outbreak, China and Latin America have lent each other a helping hand and carried out all-around cooperation against the pandemic.

"China will continue to provide support to Latin American and Caribbean countries to the best of its capability, and help the regional countries overcome the pandemic at an early date and resume economic and social development," Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to overcome difficulties together and jointly create opportunities to build a community of shared future between China and Latin America.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
A man shows his sign during a trash parade in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States, on Sept. 18, 2021. Hundreds of residents in New Orleans joined the trash parade on Saturday to protest the city's sanitation. (Photo by Lan Wei/Xinhua)

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's, GMW.cn makes no representations as to accuracy, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information.
A staff member displays a historical material at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 18, 2021. A batch of historical materials was donated to a Chinese memorial hall on Saturday as new evidence of war crimes related to the 1937 Nanjing Massacre perpetrated by the invading Japanese troops. Eighteen items including several war logs were collected by Daito Satoshi, the abbot of Enkoji Temple in Japan, according to the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders which received the donation. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

NANJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- A batch of historical materials was donated to a Chinese memorial hall on Saturday as new evidence of war crimes related to the 1937 Nanjing Massacre perpetrated by the invading Japanese troops.

Eighteen items including several war logs were collected by Daito Satoshi, the abbot of Enkoji Temple in Japan, according to the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders which received the donation.

On Dec. 13, 1937, the Japanese troops captured Nanjing. In the following six weeks, they slaughtered more than 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of WWII, known as the Nanjing Massacre.

The new evidence also includes an official warfare report documenting the brutalities unleashed by the Japanese troops in Nanjing such as killing prisoners of war and arson, and several war logs recording the activities of a Japanese army from October 1937 to April 1938.

"Some people in Japan refuse to acknowledge the Nanjing Massacre, and these precious wartime documents are ironclad proof," said Daito.

In 2005, Daito started collecting evidence of wartime brutalities committed by Japanese troops in China during WWII. He has collected and donated more than 3,000 historical materials to the memorial hall.

These new materials are very precious, and the memorial hall will carry out further studies on them and put them on public display in the future, said Zhang Jianjun, the curator of the memorial hall. Enditem
Al-Abad said that Egyptian workers were in high demand in Libya, especially due to the planned development projects between the two countries

Libyan Minister of Manpower Ali Al-Abad said that Libya is in need of one million Egyptian workers.

The Egyptian workers are highly trained and demanded in Libya especially with its plans of development projects; they are also socially accepted, Al-Abad said in an interview published in Al-Ahram Daily newspaper on Saturday following the meetings of the Egyptian-Libyan joint higher committee on Thursday.

The joint committee headed by Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouly and his Libyan counterpart interim PM Abdel-Hamid Dbeibah signed on Thursday 14 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and six executive agreements in several fields including mega projects in Libya.

According to Minister Al-Abad, the agreement is valued at 19 billion Libyan dinars (around $4.2 billion) and they come in the framework of the Libyan governments Return of Life development plan in the North African country which aims to develop infrastructures, roads and housing projects.

The Libyan minister revealed that the manpower ministries in both countries are working on launching a web portal  named Wafad  to organize and regulate all issues and matters involving Egyptian workers in Libya.

The minister added that within the next few days a team from both countries will be in Libya to finish the needed procedures to launch this portal, then direct flights will be launched between Egyptian and Libyan cities.

Concerning the new upcoming web portal, Al-Abad stated that it will help safeguard workers' rights; it will document the exact number of workers in the country, their places of work and their specialization and whether they work for companies or individuals.

The application will end the old crisis that used to happen in the past when fake companies were used to bring workers to Libya, said the minister, adding that at the same time any worker who is not registered in the application will be considered an illegal migrant and the Libyan government would not be responsible for them.

On the other hand, registered workers will have privileges provided by the Libyan government like health and social insurance as well as a retirement pension that can be transferred to Egypt. The workers also can bring their families according to Al-Abad.

For decades, Libya had been a destination for Egyptian expats until 2015 when an IS-affiliated militia launched the bloodiest terrorist attack of its kind against Egyptian expats in Libya by abducting and beheading 20 Egyptian Christian workers.

In retaliation, Egypt conducted air strikes against the IS-affiliated group in the city of Derna.

At the same time Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered the evacuation of Egyptian expats in Libya to ensure their safety.

Prior to the evacuation, the number of Egyptian workers in Libya was estimated by the Egyptian manpower ministry at between 800,000 to one million working across all fields.

Despite the official warnings and the civil war in Libya, many Egyptians continued to illegally migrate to Libya, both as an intermediary stage en route to Europe, and lured by fake promises of work.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The Egyptian man was found dead outside a farm adjacent to railways tracks, four kilometres off the Italian city of Lodi

Egypt's Emigration and Expatriate Affairs Minister Nabila Makram asserted she is closely following up the death of an Egyptian man in Italy, according to a statement by the ministry on Saturday.

Islam Eid Ahmed, 30, from Menoufiya Governorate, died in Italy, the ministry further mentioned. The Italian authorities found the Egyptian man dead outside a farm adjacent to railways tracks, four kilometres off the Italian city of Lodi, it added.

The ministry said Makram has communicated with Ahmed's next of kin, who are living in Milan city and offered condolences over the death incident.

She affirmed she is following up investigations into Ahmed's death in cooperation with the Egyptian consulate general in Milan to pinpoint causes of the death, which are have not been identified so far.

On Saturday, the body of the dead Egyptian man was expected to arrive upon a request by his next of kin. He will be buried in Egypt.

The probe will continue even following the return of Ahmed's body to Egypt to clarify the reasons behind his demise, the Egyptian official noted.

Ahmed was suffering from a leg disability, which makes it difficult for him to move.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Cairo has recently intensified efforts through consultations with Arab and western countries to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process in order to resolve the decades-old conflict

Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has stressed to his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid the need to revive the Middle East peace process through direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel, which last collapsed in 2014.

Speaking over phone to Lapid on Sunday, the top Egyptian diplomat has called for creating a political prospect guaranteed by a stable climate to consolidate the stability pillars and therefore spare the region escalation and tension, Egyptian Foreign Minister Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said in a statement.

Cairo has recently intensified efforts through consultations with Arab and western countries to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process in order to resolve the decades-old conflict based on the two-state solution, with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Egypt will keep pushing ahead with its "earnest" efforts in this direction, Shoukry said.

Both ministers also tackled efforts exerted for the reconstruction as well as the provision of aid and development support to all the occupied Palestinian territories in coordination with the Palestinian authority, Hafez added.

The talks between Shoukry and Lapid come almost a week after Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi received Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh for talks on the Middle East peace process and means to cement the Egyptian-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas, which was reached following the recent Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip.

The 11 days of the Israeli aggression on the strip in May left more than 250 Palestinians dead, including 66 children, and more than 1,900 injured, in addition to the destruction of hundreds of commercial and residential buildings in the enclave.

Egypt, which has pledged $500 million for the Gaza Strip in the aftermath of the Israeli attacks, started sending building equipment, engineers, and workers to the enclave in June as part of its initiative to help reconstruct the enclave, and has almost concluded the first stage of the process that included the removal of debris.

During his meeting with Bennett, El-Sisi stressed the importance of international support for the Egyptian reconstruction efforts in the Palestinian territories as well as the necessity of maintaining the truce between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Egypt is recording an increase in the Nile s output for the second month in a row, with the water level rising above the riverbanks in some areas of Greater Cairo last week

Rainfall over the Nile Rivers headwaters is expected to continue until the end of September, Egyptian Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mohamed Abdel-Ati said on Sunday following a meeting of the Permanent Committee for Regulating the Niles Revenue.

Egypt is recording an increase in the Niles output for the second month in a row, with the water level rising above the riverbanks in some areas of Greater Cairo last week.

The Niles annual flooding  which takes place in August, September, and October  is caused by heavy rains in the Ethiopian highlands.

Some 85 percent of the river waters in Egypt flow from the Ethiopian highlands through the Blue Nile  one of the Niles two main tributaries along with the While Nile.

During Sundays meeting, the Egyptian irrigation minister assured that the water needs of the current agricultural season have been met nationwide and ordered the reduction of the water level in all waterways.

He also reviewed the measures taken to address heavy and torrential rainfall, ordering all of the ministrys departments to be on high alert and to continuously ensure the protection of all facilities from any rainfall or flooding, according to a statement.

Additionally, the minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure the readiness of all canals and drains to handle any emergency by maintaining a safe water level to confront any congestion, as well as monitor the readiness of all electrical stations and their feeding lines.

Over the past year, Egypt has built over 1,500 facilities to protect the country from heavy rainfall as well as store water for Bedouin communities that suffer from water scarcity, the ministry said in previous statements.

The North African country has also established a flood-forecasting centre to monitor rainfall and floods as well as study climate changes and their impact on Egypt.

Fluctuations in the Niles patterns

Neighbouring Sudan, on the other hand, is witnessing a stable water output, as per the latest update announced by the Sudanese irrigation ministry on Saturday, except for the Dinder River.

The measurement station at the Dinder River  which is a tributary of the Blue Nile that flows through Ethiopia and Sudan for 480 kilometres  recorded a whopping 14.2 metres on Saturday, 70 cm higher than the normal water level, according to the Sudanese ministry.

Last year, the Blue Niles level in Sudan rose in late August and September to 17.57 metres (57 feet), breaking all records since measurements began more than a century ago, leaving more than 100 people dead and damaging tens of thousands of houses.

In Egypt, the level of the Nile River also rose dramatically to the point of temporarily submerging parts of the Delta at the time.

Egypt, which is considered one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, receives around 60 bcm annually, mainly from the Nile. However, its needs stand at around 114 bcm, placing the 102-million-plus country well below the international threshold for water scarcity at 560 cubic metres per person annually.

The large gap in water resources in Egypt is overcome by importing 54 percent of its consumption and reusing 42 percent of its renewable sources, Abdel-Ati said in an earlier statement.

The revenue of the Nile is one of the outstanding points in the long-running Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam dispute between downstream countries Egypt and Sudan, from one side, and Ethiopia, on the other.

Cairo and Khartoum have been involved in decade-long talks with Addis Ababa over the massive mega project in an attempt to reach a legally binding agreement on the filing and operation of the dam.

Egypt fears an impact on its water supply and Sudan is concerned about regulating flows to its own dams. Ethiopia, however, has pinned its hopes for development and power generation on the dam and so has been intransigent in its negotiations with the two downstream countries.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Minister Shoukry will explain Egypt's stance towards a number of current issues and regional developments

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry headed on Sunday to New York to participate in the ongoing 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

Shoukry will explain Egypt's stance towards a number of current issues and regional developments and means of consolidating the pillars of international and regional peace and security, a statement by the foreign ministry said.

Egypt's top diplomat is also set to discuss mechanisms for boosting multilateral action towards issues on the agenda of the UNGA session, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said.

Shoukry will meet on the sidelines of the event with a number of senior officials from the UN and other regional and international organizations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).

He is scheduled to also hold bilateral meetings with several participating foreign ministers on boosting bilateral cooperation and enhancing coordination towards common challenges.

Shoukry's tour will present Egyptian achievements in the political, economic and social domains and ways of building on them in order to enhance common interests with friendly countries and international partners to achieve the objectives of Egyptian foreign policy.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The 5-kilometre campaign, which has covered eight beaches, is targeted by the ministry of environment to be enlisted in the Guinness world records for being the largest of its kind

Egypt has conducted its longest-ever beach cleanup campaign, stretching over 5 kilometres of Alexandrias coast on the Mediterranean Sea, a statement by the Ministry of Environment said on Sunday.

The ministry hopes for the campaign, which has covered eight beaches, to be listed in the Guinness world records for being the largest of its kind, a ministry statement said.

The World Beach Cleanup day  which comes on the 18th of September yearly  is a UN recognized global initiative that is celebrated worldwide.

The campaign was conducted in partnership with Banlastik, an environmental conservation organization, and other partners, the ministry said.

The campaign raised citizens' awareness of the problems of marine litter and its impact on the environment and marine organisms.

Yasmine Fouad, the minister of environment, expressed her pride in the campaign for all the public awareness it has raised and the spreading and expansion of a more conservationist culture. She also called for the protection of the sea in favour of a more sustainable environment.

The efforts of the ministry come in context of a growing wide-spread attention towards environmental issues.

The ministry has been developing other plans for combating climate change and all around pollution as part of the National Programme for Solid Waste Management of the Ministry of Environment, a governmental scheme aiming to reduce pollution.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Cairo is expected to host on Tuesday Peace opportunities in the region conference under the sponsorship of the Arab League and organised by SHAF Center for Crisis Analysis Future Studies

Cairo is expected to host on Tuesday Peace opportunities in the region conference under the sponsorship of the Arab League and organised by SHAF Center for Crisis Analysis & Future Studies.



In statements, head of the center Mohamed El-Orabi said that the conference coincides with International Day of Peace, observed annually on 21 September, noting that a number of countries are witnessing conflicts, clashes, wars and crises that affect states and communities.

He added that all sides must resort to peace policy and negotiating table in order to solve crises through the peaceful means.



A number of Egyptian, Arab and African politicians, officials and public figures are expected to attend the conference.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The new shipment is donated by France

Egypts Health Minister Hala Zayed announced on Sunday that the country received more doses of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine donated by France via COVAX initiative.

A shipment of 546,400 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrived at Cairo International Airport in two batches; one on Friday and the other on Saturday, the health ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that the new shipment will be distributed to 781 vaccination centres nationwide.

The six vaccines that have been administered in Egypt since the beginning of the vaccination campaign earlier this year are Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, in addition to the locally-made VACSERA Sinovac vaccine.

Doses of the Pfizer vaccine are scheduled to arrive in Egypt in the upcoming days.

Since the vaccination campaign started earlier this year, more than 13 million citizens have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Egypt.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The exercise, which started earlier in September, saw special forces from both countries participating jointly for the first time.

The Egyptian-Cypriot Ptolemy 2021 military exercise in Cyprus has concluded, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced on Sunday.

The exercise, which started earlier in September, saw special forces from both countries participating jointly for the first time.

According to the Egyptian Armed Forces' statement, the first phase of the training included a set of theoretical and practical lectures with the aim of unifying combat concepts and refining the skills of the participating forces.

The exercise also included an exchange of expertise in first aid.

The training also included a number of small arms drills with live ammunition from different positions, as well as training for storming and clearing a terrorist outpost in a residential area.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The president reviewed a system to support artists through the National Authority of Social Insurance, directing the government to revise the database of artists in order to include them in insurance and social care programmes

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called for more extensive social support for Egyptian artists in a meeting in Cairo on Sunday with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and the ministers of social solidarity and finance, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

The meeting discussed steps to improve the pensions provided to members of different art unions, said Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady.

El-Sisi reviewed a system to support artists through the National Authority of Social Insurance, directing the government to revise the database of artists in order to include them in insurance and social care programmes.

Additionally, the president was briefed on the governments efforts to reform legislation to guarantee better social support for Egyptian artists, Rady added.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The AU official said on his Twitter account Sunday, talks took up bilateral partnership in line with consultations held with ambassadors of the members states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development

African Union (AU) Commissioner Ambassador Bankole Adeoye discussed during a meeting with US Ambassador to the AU Jessica Lapenn mutual responsiveness to crisis situations in Africa.

The AU official said on his Twitter account Sunday, talks took up bilateral partnership in line with consultations held with ambassadors of the members states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on the occasion of the start of UN higher commissioner Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure as High Representative for the Horn of Africa region.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The government was responding to statements attributed to the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry in which he said the Iranian shipment to Lebanon was bought by Lebanese traders

The government of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has dismissed as groundless reports that it requested fuel shipments from Iran.

In statements to MENA Sunday, sources close to the government affirmed that the Lebanon did not ask for Iranian fuel.

The government was responding to statements attributed to the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry in which he said the Iranian shipment to Lebanon was bought by Lebanese traders, which were interpreted as an approval by the Lebanese government of the purchase operations.

Mikati had told CNN that the Iranian fuel shipments imported by the Hezbollah movement constitute a breach of Lebanon's sovereignty.

"The violation of Lebanon's sovereignty makes me sad," Mikati told CNN in an interview, his office said in a posting on Twitter

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The World Health Organization has warned of immense challenges facing the health sector in Lebanon.



WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari, in a joint statement after a two-day visit to Beirut Sunday, said the current economic crisis has increased poverty across the country, and all sectors including health, are at risk of collapse.



"Basic and life-saving medicines are in short supply, with restrictions in foreign currency severely limiting importation of medicines and medical goods," read the statement.



"A brain drain is occurring at alarming speed. Almost 40% of skilled medical doctors and almost 30% of registered nurses have already left the country either permanently or temporarily. Mental health needs are greater than ever before, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to create additional challenges for both the health sector and communities alike."



The WHO stressed that it remains "committed to continuing our immediate, lifesaving work in Lebanon, while also planning for longer-term strategies for health."



"And we count on the support of all sectors and all stakeholders to build on the support they have provided so far, so that together, we can take Lebanon from its current crisis to a future where all people can enjoy health as a basic right."

Search Keywords:

Short link:


"If the Lebanese government wants to buy fuel from us to resolve the problems faced by its population, we will supply it," foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said

Iran said Sunday it is willing to sell fuel to Lebanon's government to help ease shortages, days after a first delivery of Iranian fuel arranged by Hezbollah entered the country.

"If the Lebanese government wants to buy fuel from us to resolve the problems faced by its population, we will supply it," foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

He told a news conference that the Islamic republic had already sold fuel to a "Lebanese businessman", without naming Hezbollah.

Tehran-backed Hezbollah promised in August to bring fuel from Iran to alleviate the shortages sowing chaos in Lebanon, in defiance of US sanctions.

On Thursday, dozens of tanker trucks carrying Iranian fuel arranged by Hezbollah arrived in Lebanon and were due to fill the tanks of fuel distribution firm owned by Hezbollah, which has been under US sanctions.

Lebanon's new Prime Minister Najib Mikati had told CNN the shipment "was not approved by the Lebanese government".

He was "saddened" by "the violation of Lebanese sovereignty".

Hezbollah is a major political force in Lebanon and the only group to have kept its arsenal of weapons following the end of the country's 1975-1990 civil war.

Lebanon is facing one of its worst-ever economic crises, with more than three out of four Lebanese considered to be under the poverty line.

Last year, it defaulted on its foreign debt and can no longer afford to import key goods, including petrol and diesel.

Mains electricity are only available a handful of hours a day, while the Lebanese are struggling to find petrol, bread and medicine.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


He "will have separate and bilateral meetings" with the foreign ministers of China, France, Britain, Russia and Germany, Khatibzadeh said

Iran's new foreign minister leaves Monday on his first official trip to the United States where he will meet counterparts from countries party to the 2015 nuclear deal but not the US.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly that begins Tuesday, foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a news conference Sunday.

He "will have separate and bilateral meetings" with the foreign ministers of China, France, Britain, Russia and Germany, Khatibzadeh said.

A meeting with US officials is "not on the agenda", he added.

The nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers -- Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the US -- gave Iran sanctions relief in return for tight controls on its nuclear programme, monitored by the UN.

Tehran has gradually rolled back its nuclear commitments since 2019, a year after then US president Donald Trump withdrew from the multilateral deal and began reimposing sanctions.

Talks in Vienna that began in April have stalled since June.

In August, ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi became Iran's new president taking over from moderate Hassan Rouhani, the principal architect on the Iranian side of the 2015 deal.

Khatibzadeh said that no decision has been taken yet on whether to hold a meeting bringing together all the countries still party to the nuclear deal.

It would depend on whether or not doing so was "useful for the negotiations", he added.

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog last week hailed a deal struck with Iran over access to surveillance equipment at Iranian nuclear facilities, saying it allowed space for diplomatic talks.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Guterres "deeply regrets" the executions, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, adding that one of the people was reportedly a minor at time of detention

The UN on Sunday condemned Yemeni rebels' execution of nine people for their alleged involvement in the killing of a top Houthi leader.

The Iran-backed Houthis are battling the Yemeni government -- which is supported by a Saudi-led military coalition -- for control of the impoverished country.

The rebels said they executed the nine individuals on Saturday for their involvement in the killing of Saleh al-Sammad, who was head of the Houthis' supreme political council, in a 2018 air strike claimed by Saudi Arabia.

They were among 16 people convicted by a Huthi court.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "deeply regrets" the executions, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, adding that one of the people was reportedly a minor at time of detention.

Guterres "strongly condemns these actions which are a result of judicial proceedings that do not appear to have fulfilled the requirements of fair trial and due process under international law," the statement added.

Dujarric said Guterres was also concerned about a reported coalition air strike this week in the southern province of Shabwa "that allegedly killed at least six civilians from the same family".

A local pro-government official who spoke on condition of anonymity told AFP that at least five civilians, including three women, were "accidentally" killed in an air strike on Saturday while they were travelling in their car.

The Saudi-led military coalition could not be immediately reached for comment.

Yemen's conflict began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year.

Since then, tens of thousands have been killed and millions pushed to the brink of famine in what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The meeting between Jordanian Gen. Yousef Huneiti and Syrian Gen. Ali Habib was ``to increase coordination in the field of border security to serve the interests of the two brotherly countries.''

Syria's defense minister met Sunday with Jordan's army chief in Amman after Syrian troops captured several rebel-held areas near Jordan's border, state media reported.

The Hala Akhbar news site, which is linked to Jordan's military, reported that the meeting between Jordanian Gen. Yousef Huneiti and Syrian Gen. Ali Habib was ``to increase coordination in the field of border security to serve the interests of the two brotherly countries.''

The recent push by Syrian troops in the country's south is the biggest since government forces captured wide areas along the border in 2018, including the Nassib border crossing.

The crossing with Jordan was reopened in 2018, months after it fell under Syrian government control. Syrian rebels had seized the site in 2015, severing a lifeline for the government in Damascus and disrupting a major trade route linking Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and the oil-rich Gulf countries.

Habib's visit came nearly two weeks after Syrian forces entered the rebel-held district of the volatile southern city of Daraa as part of a truce negotiated by Russia to end weeks of fighting. In the days that followed, Syrian troops captured rebel-held parts of several villages near Daraa.

The latest push by Syrian troops brings all parts of southern Syria under full government control.

Petra, Jordan's state news agency, said Huneiti and Habib discussed border security, the situation in southern Syria, fighting terrorism and confronting narcotics smuggling.

Syrian state TV said the visit came at the invitation of Jordan's army commander, adding that Habib was accompanied by top army officers. It said the talks focused on ``fighting terrorism and border control.''

Jordan is a close Western ally and has long been seen as an island of stability in the turbulent Mideast. The kingdom hosts more than 650,000 Syrian refugees.

Earlier this month, ministers from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt said after meeting in Amman that Egyptian natural gas should reach Lebanon through Jordan and Syria as soon as next month, after maintenance of pipelines and the review of a deal interrupted 10 years ago.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


"The direct impact between two helicopters" caused the death of a general and a technician, General Miloud al-Zouay said.

Two people died in Libya on Sunday after helicopters belonging to the Libyan National Army (LNA) collided in the country's east, a spokesman for LNA special forces said.

"The direct impact between two helicopters" caused the death of a general and a technician, General Miloud al-Zouay said.

"The crew of the second aircraft were unharmed," he told AFP.

The incident occurred around 130 kilometres (80 miles) southeast of Libya's second city Benghazi "while the two aircraft were carrying out a military mission", Zouay added, without elaborating on the nature of the mission.

Images carried by local media and circulating on social networks showed the body of a helicopter in an uninhabited area. AFP was unable to immediately verify the images.

Media close to LNA reported earlier this week that forces loyal to the eastern strongman had carried out an operation against a Chadian armed opposition group along Libya's southern border.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The move comes as the US tech giant faces mounting criticism from the Russian opposition and abroad for backing down to demands from Russian authorities

Google has blocked lists of Russian candidates recommended by jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny as best placed to defeat Kremlin-aligned politicians in parliamentary and local polls closing Sunday.

The move comes as the US tech giant faces mounting criticism from the Russian opposition and abroad for backing down to demands from Russian authorities, who are trying to bring the Russian segment of the internet under their control.

The lists are part of Navalny's "Smart Voting" strategy, which calls for his supporters to vote out candidates aligned with President Vladimir Putin's ruling United Russia party in a three-day vote finishing at 8:00 pm Sunday.

Navalny's allies -- most of whom have fled the country or been arrested after his organisations were banned as "extremist" in June -- said Sunday that Google had blocked two Google Docs and two YouTube videos after requests from Russia's media regulator Roskomnadzor.

The Google Docs and YouTube videos were not accessible to AFP journalists in Russia on Sunday.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.

The moves came after Google and Apple at the start of the elections on Friday removed a "Smart Voting" app from their stores.

Sources familiar with Google and Apple's decision told AFP the moves were taken under pressure from Russian authorities, including threats to arrest the tech giants' local staff.

Russia had accused Google and Apple of election interference ahead of the vote, demanding they remove the app from their stores.

Also Friday, the encrypted Telegram messenger -- widely popular in Russia -- followed suit, blocking a "Smart Voting" bot.

Navalny's team on Sunday swiftly made new Google Docs and YouTube videos with their lists of candidates.

"How quickly will Roskomnadzor write another request and YouTube will fulfil it? Let's see," Navalny's banned Anti-Corruption Foundation tweeted.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The massive manhunt lasted almost a fortnight, with four of the six recaptured last week

All six Palestinian fugitives who escaped a high-security Israeli jail through a tunnel dug under a sink are back in custody, after the Israeli army said Sunday it had recaptured the last two.

The inmates, who were being held for attacks against Israel, became heroes among many Palestinians when reports emerged they had burrowed out using tools as basic as a spoon.

The full weight of Israel's security arsenal was deployed to catch them, including aerial drones, checkpoints on roads and an army mission to Jenin where many of the men grew up.

The massive manhunt lasted almost a fortnight, with four of the six recaptured last week.

In a tweet on Sunday, the Israel Defence Forces said the last two had surrendered "after being surrounded by security forces that acted precisely based on accurate intelligence".

The men, 35-year-old Ayham Kamamji and 26-year-old Munadel Infeiat, are both members of Islamic Jihad, an armed Palestinian Islamist movement.

They were arrested in a joint operation with counterterrorism forces in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank, the army said in a statement to the press, and were "currently being interrogated".

Two other men who had helped the fugitives were also detained, it added.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett congratulated the security forces on Twitter, saying the operation was "impressive, sophisticated and speedy".

'Impressive'

All six fugitives were members of Palestinian militant groups who were convicted by Israeli courts of plotting or carrying out attacks against Israelis.

Originally from Kafr Dan, near Jenin, Kamamji was arrested in 2006 and jailed for life for the kidnap and murder of a young Israeli settler, Eliahu Asheri.

Islamic Jihad said Kamamji suffered abdominal and intestinal illness in jail and was subject to "medical negligence" by prison authorities.

Infeiat, arrested last year, had been jailed multiple times previously for his role in the armed group, and was awaiting sentencing at the time of the escape.

The other four men recaptured last week included Mahmud Abdullah Ardah, the alleged mastermind of the escape, and Zakaria Zubeidi, who headed the armed wing of the Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Zubeidi was found hiding in a lorry park just outside Nazareth in northern Israel along with one of the other men, Mohammad Ardah, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2002 for his role in Islamic Jihad's armed wing.

'Spoon of freedom'

Questions remain over how the embarrassing incident could have happened, and a formal inquiry has been announced.

A lawyer for Yaqub Qadri, the sixth escapee, told Palestinian television that the inmates had not planned to escape when they did on September 6.

She said they rushed ahead with it on that day because they feared guards had become suspicious and noticed changes in their cell.

The break-out had been planned for months, Ardah's lawyer told AFP.

"Mahmud told me he started digging (the tunnel) in December," he said.

Ardah told him he used spoons, plates and even the handle of a kettle to dig the tunnel from his jail cell.

Spoons have since become a symbol of Palestinian resistance, with protesters both inside and outside the Palestinian territories carrying them at demonstrations.

It has also inspired artwork -- for example in Kuwait, where artist Maitham Abdal has sculpted a giant hand firmly clasping a spoon -- the "spoon of freedom", as he calls it.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


A clinic opened by the Japanese physician in the eastern province of Nangarhar resumed operations on Aug. 21 after being closed on Aug. 15, when the Taliban captured Kabul

Humanitarian organizations in Japan have said they are determined to continue support for Afghanistan despite deteriorating security and logistics issues amid uncertainty in the country following the Taliban's return to power last month, the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported.

Some expressed concern over the future of Afghanistan following the suicide bombings near the Kabul airport in late August and said they have been trying to collect information on the chaotic situation in the country, from which the United States withdrew its troops to end a 20-year war triggered by the 2001 terrorist attacks on American soil.

"The situation is changing every day and we are trying our best to gather information," said Akiko Suzuki, 39, a spokeswoman for the Shanti Volunteer Association, which offers educational support to Afghanistan with the help of local staff.

"We've heard there is lack of food in Afghanistan, so we are examining when we can start aid," Suzuki said. At present, the Tokyo-based nongovernmental organization, which builds schools and libraries for children in Asia, does not have any Japanese staff in the conflict-ravaged country.

Peshawar-kai, a nongovernmental aid group based in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, has continued to provide medical assistance in Afghanistan even after losing the head of its local office, Tetsu Nakamura, who was gunned down in the country in 2019.

A clinic opened by the Japanese physician in the eastern province of Nangarhar resumed operations on Aug. 21 after being closed on Aug. 15, when the Taliban captured Kabul.

Peshawar-kai Chairman Masaru Murakami said on the group's website the number of COVID-19 patients has been on the rise with the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus in Afghanistan and stocks of medicine at the clinic could run out in late September.

"(The clinic) is now in full operation. We will continue our activities to meet the needs of local people who cannot leave Afghanistan," Murakami said.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The two ministers also reviewed the historic and strong relations between Riyadh and New Delhi, in addition to strengthening bilateral coordination on regional and international issues of common concern

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan on Sunday discussed at a meeting with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar means of fostering bilateral cooperation in the political and economic fields.

The two ministers also reviewed the historic and strong relations between Riyadh and New Delhi, in addition to strengthening bilateral coordination on regional and international issues of common concern, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

Bin Farhan briefed Jaishankar on the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative to face environmental challenges in the region and their contribution to achieving global objectives to combat climate change.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The group claimed three separate bomb attacks targeting three Taliban vehicles in Jalalabad on Saturday, and another bomb attack Sunday on a Taliban vehicle .

Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) on Sunday claimed weekend attacks against the Taliban in the Afghan city of Jalalabad, in two statements carried by IS's propaganda arm Amaq.

The group claimed "three separate bomb attacks" targeting three "Taliban vehicles" in Jalalabad on Saturday, and another "bomb attack" Sunday on "a Taliban vehicle".

A pickup truck carrying Taliban fighters was the target of a bomb in the Afghan city of Jalalabad Sunday, local media reported.

Witnesses told local media that several wounded Taliban fighters were taken to hospital after the explosion, which one journalist said happened near an interchange for transport to and from the capital, Kabul.

A day earlier, at least two people were killed in a series of blasts in the area, the first deadly blasts since the last US forces withdrew from Afghanistan on August 30.

IS-K also claimed responsibility for a bloody attack that killed more than 100 people at Kabul airport at the end of August.

The eastern city of Jalalabad is the capital of Nangarhar province, the heartland of the Islamic State group's Afghanistan branch.

Although both IS and the Taliban are hardline Sunni Islamist militants, they differ on the issues of religion and strategy, which has led to bloody fighting between the two.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


WBG said that the decision comes as data irregularities on the reports 2018 and 2020 editions were reported internally in June 2020

The World Bank Group (WBG) has announced that it will pause the release of the next Doing Business report for 2021.

WBG said that the decision comes as data irregularities on the reports 2018 and 2020 editions were reported internally in June 2020.

Accordingly, WBG announced that it had initiated series of reviews and audits of the report and its methodology.

In addition, because the internal reports raised ethical matters, including the conduct of former Board officials as well as current and/or former Bank staff, management reported the allegations to the Banks appropriate internal accountability mechanisms, according to the WBG.

It also asserted its commitment to advancing the role of the private sector in development and providing support to governments to design the regulatory environment that supports these areas.

Going forward, WBG will be working on a new approach to assessing the business and investment climate.

Trust in the research of the WBG is vital. World Bank Group research informs the actions of policymakers, helps countries make better-informed decisions, and allows stakeholders to measure economic and social improvements more accurately. Such research has also been a valuable tool for the private sector, civil society, academia, journalists, and others, broadening understanding of global issues, WBG explained.

According to the internal report of the investigation on these irregularities, which came out on Wednesday and was prepared by law firm WilmerHale at the request of the bank's ethics committee, the 2018 edition of the doing business report contained misinformation on China and its ranking in the reports doing business index.

The internal report claimed that president of China had interfered to improve the ranking of China, which placed 78th  the same spot as in the 2017 edition of the report.

It also pointed to a role played directly by Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva  while she was the World Bank Chief Executive  through a meeting she held on 18 October with Chinas country manager and the report leadership for this purpose.

Such action was taken by changing the methodology of the report, regarding Chinas case specifically, according to the internal report.

In addition, the 2020 edition of the report contained an intervention to improve Saudi Arabia ranking so that it would be placed above Jordan in the index, rather than below.

Also, the same report featured irregularities in the placement of Azerbaijan.

Georgieva rejected the internal report's findings, saying "I disagree fundamentally with the findings and interpretations of the Investigation of Data Irregularities as it relates to my role in the World Banks Doing Business report of 2018. I have already had an initial briefing with the IMFs Executive Board on this matter.

WBGs Doing Business report is a project, which launched in 2002, provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 190 economies and selected cities at the subnational and regional level.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Co-director of the American Cost of War Project Stephanie Savell explains the true cost of the US war on terror in an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly

If you want to visualise the financial cost of the war on terror since 11 September 2001, imagine $2 trillion when a dollar is put on top of a dollar reaching far into outer space.

The first $1 trillion would be 67 miles high, further than the distance to outer space from the planets surface and a lot further than US billionaire Elon Musk travelled in his space rocket a few months ago.

Such shocking images are what Stephanie Savell, co-director of the Cost of War Project and an anthropologist at Brown University in the US, and her colleagues are trying to get through to Americans and the international community about the cost of the war on terror.

US President Joe Biden in a speech to announce the end of the war in Afghanistan cited the figures reached by the Cost of War Project, and not the figures of the US department of defence, when explaining his decision to withdraw US troops from the country.

More than $2 trillion has been spent on the war in Afghanistan, and Brown University researchers have estimated that this means more than $300 million was spent daily for 20 years, he said.

In an exclusive interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, Savell said that the two figures of $2 trillion and $300 million were taken by Biden from their Projects assessments of the cost of the war and not from official Pentagon figures that put the cost of the war in Afghanistan at $1 trillion, or about 50 per cent lower than the Cost of War researchers.

Savell said that the mention of the $2 trillion figure in an official speech by the US president was a great victory for the projects work, explaining that the goal from the beginning was to change the public debate in the US and not to accept the official figures as there is a bigger story that needs to be told.

This relates not only to the heavy financial cost of the war, but also to its grave human cost. As a direct result of the post-9/11 wars, about one million people have been killed and another 38 million people displaced.

The countries that have suffered the most have been Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen, but this suffering is impossible to convert into definite numbers in terms of its human and material costs. Estimates will certainly be less than the real numbers.

Counting the number of people who have died as a result of rockets, bombs, bullets, car bombs and sectarian violence, says Savell, does not include all the after-effects of the war. In Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan, people have lost their communities, their jobs and their means of earning a living, beginning waves of mass displacement.

Because wars often involve the bombing of infrastructure such as sewage systems, water treatment facilities, hospitals, roads and bridges, such systems in Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan have been largely destroyed. Hundreds of thousands of people have died, not due to missile strikes or car bombs, but rather because of polluted water and a lack of food or healthcare.

The UN has estimated that for every direct death post-9/11, at least three people have died indirectly as a result of the war. In other words, the most realistic number of victims of the war on terror is about 2,787,000 people.

President Biden has cited your work in the Cost of War Project to support his argument for ending the US military presence in Afghanistan. How do you feel about that, taking into account the fact that Biden in the past supported the wars in Iraq, Syria and Libya?

President Biden quoted us because the Pentagon estimates that the war in Afghanistan has cost close to $1 trillion. We say that we have to take a broader view if we are going to talk about even just the economic costs of the war. We have to think about the fact that there are other expenses in a war, like medical care for US veterans when they come back home. Theres interest on borrowing because the wars have been paid for through borrowing and debt. You have to think about the fact that there are homeland security costs for preventing and countering terrorism on United States soil. Also, you have to think about the fact that the war on terror has increased the Pentagons annual budget to $700 billion a year.

Biden said theres a research group at Brown University that says that the cost of the Afghanistan war is $2 trillion (we say the cost is $2.3 trillion actually). We are very glad that Biden quoted our figure because it is a signal that these wars have cost more than just what the defence department said.

Yes, Biden has a very mixed track record with his support of the wars to begin with, but he is absolutely making the right decision to end the US engagement in Afghanistan. Obviously, the transition period is coming with some heavy cost itself, but it is a first step, and theres so much more that needs to be done to truly end US military violence in Afghanistan and different parts of the world. So, we see this as a first step, and theres still so much more work to be done to hold the government accountable.

How did the idea come about to take this comprehensive approach when looking at the real cost of war?

The Cost of War Project was initiated by Catherine Lutz and Neta Crawford, both of whom remain co-directors of the project. I am the third co-director since 2016. The project was founded 10 years ago to bridge the gap in media coverage, especially US media coverage, of wars. There is very limited and very poor discussion in the US media about the true cost of the wars, and we wanted to provide a broader view. The goal of the project is to prompt the American public as well as decision-makers to ask big and difficult questions about whether these high costs of war are worth paying and what other options are available.

In the report there are devastating figures regarding human casualties, the number of displaced people, and the scale of the US counterterrorism operations. How did you and your team conclude these figures?

Thats right  we estimate the human cost at more than 900,000 people, most of them civilians, and the displaced people at around 38 million, while US counterterrorism activities are taking place in over some 85 countries. At the beginning of the project, I said to myself, well, here are maybe seven or eight countries. But the map expanded and expanded. I think its like an octopus, like tentacles stretching all over the world. The activities range from active warfare against extremists and militants to training and assistance.

I was the lead researcher behind that particular report on 85 countries. And what we did was my research team put together a combination of US government sources and investigative journalism. The US government is not always completely transparent about counterterrorism activities. And so oftentimes the only way that information comes to light is when something terrible happens, like a US service member is killed, and then a reporter will go to investigate. For example, in Kenya in 2020 there was a firefight between members of Al-Shabaab at a US military base at the Manda Bay Airfield, and there was a US service member who was killed alongside the two US contractors who were killed. The US media found out and reported on it. That is the kind of way that we put together various pieces of information.

In the vast majority of the 85 countries, in 79 of them, the US is doing training and assistance in counterterrorism, so helping other countries security forces to fight terrorism in their countries. But oftentimes this is not the innocuous help that it may sound like at first, because often the US is providing funding and equipment and military training for countries who are using counterterrorism as an excuse or justification for cracking down on political opponents or other kinds of insurgents, and so its become a way that intensifies different kinds of conflicts around the world rather than helping [to end them].

It hurts rather than helps. Our military approach to the problem of counterterrorism is incredibly counterproductive because US violence and other countries government violence against groups of their own people inevitably leads to backlash and retaliation and anger and resentment, and thats been one of the biggest recruiting devices for a lot of militant groups around the world.

You said it is impossible to know the exact number of civilian casualties of the war on terror and the actual number of casualties could be much higher than your estimate of 929,000. In Scotland, the authorities have opened an investigation into the increasing numbers of young refugees from Somalia and Afghanistan who have committed suicide because of the difficulty of adapting to life in exile. Is this confirmation that it is difficult to count the number of civilian casualties?

Thats horrible. What a horrible story. There are so many human costs, so many tragic stories like that. It is the reverberating effects of the war; it will be felt for decades to come. People who live in war zones are really the ones who will bear the brunt of the US-led wars. That is where wars cause the most devastation, and unfortunately Americans are not always aware of that.

The US administration has implied that it will not now deploy soldiers on the ground and will use surgical strikes with drones in its fight against terrorism. Does that give you some relief?

No, no relief at all. It is horrible. The doubling down on the drone strategy is awful because it is a way of minimising the effect on US service members, but its effect on civilians around the world is horrible. Drone strikes kill civilians, and as I said they are counterproductive because that kind of violence leads people to join militant groups.

So, thats what Im talking about when I say we need to continue to hold the US government accountable because its not just drone strikes that is problematic; its also all kinds of shadowy operations like Special Forces operations, training, arms sales and different mechanisms by which the US is going to continue the post 9 September wars where counterterrorism efforts are going to just take different shapes rather than end. In Afghanistan, the CIA is training and equipping militia groups to continue fighting Islamic State in Afghanistan. There are all of these defence contracting companies that are still on the ground. So, there are lots of shadowy ways in which this war is continuing.

In your work you talk about the lasting effect of the wars on inter-ethnic and sectarian relations and infrastructure like water, the sewage system, and hospitals in places like Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. How has 20 years of war affected local communities in the Middle East?

It is difficult to know. I think there are people pushing for things like truth commissions and reparations, but theres unfortunately been a lot of waste, fraud and abuse in those. I personally think that the US has a great responsibility to begin to address and repair some of the damage. But I am not the one in charge. I wish our politicians would take that responsibility on, but Im not optimistic.

One of Americas big myths is focusing on the American soldiers who died during the wars, as if thats all the human cost, but what war really means is that civilians in conflict zones die or endure endless suffering and live with trauma for the rest of their lives. Women miscarry, children suffer from birth defects due to environmental pollution, women suffer the trauma of losing their husbands and their male children after becoming drug addicts or suffering from psychological problems.

These are the myriad reverberating effects of war. During the post-9/11 wars, 387,000 civilians died. These are astronomical numbers. I think they really prompt us to ask the question that the Cost of War Project is trying to ask: is the war on terror worth it?

You talked about the huge increase in the Pentagons budget due to the war on terror. Meanwhile, there is a lack of funding for infrastructure, health services and education. Do you think this has contributed to the rise of far-right ideas in American politics? In other words, do you think there is a relationship between the state of American democracy and military intervention?

Absolutely, and I think thats such a good insight. Most Americans dont realise, but the state of being at war for the past 20 years has eroded the quality of American democracy, and it has prevented the US, as you are saying, from investing in domestic priorities that would improve the lives of people. Over 50 per cent of the US federal discretionary budget every year is spent on military related expenses, and it is growing. So, its squeezing out federal spending on everything else.

Also, there are things like increased surveillance and increased police militarisation because a lot of the war equipment and war veterans who have come home to police departments are by-products of the war on terror. I think the racialised logics of the post 9/11 wars in the form of discrimination against black and brown and Muslim people are also clear. So, the state of war is bad for Americans and for American democracy, and most people just arent aware of that.

One of the aims of your work is to raise awareness among the American public about the cost of wars and the price of interventions. Do you notice any change in the American attitude to military interventions?

What is encouraging to me is that amongst younger people in the US polling shows that they do not approve of aggressive US military interventions abroad or what people call the forever wars. The majority of the American public is not in favour of war. So, our best hope, I think, is in educating people, and that is what we try to do and push people to think critically about US militarism.

I hope that this younger generation can turn the tide on some of these things. Im not very optimistic because I think that there are a lot of business interests in keeping the system the way it is. The defence contracting companies have a really big role to play in lobbying the US government, and there are a lot of, unfortunately, incentives for Congresspeople to maintain the status quo.

But there is a very big peace movement in the United States, and theres a very big segment of the population that is against this kind of foreign policy. I really hope that we will be able to gain more influence in the years ahead.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 16 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


When six Palestinian detainees escaped from the Gilboa, one of the newer and most fortified prisons in Israel, it trigged a political and security crisis

The leader of Fatahs Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade Zakaria Al-Zubeidi  one of those who were rearrested after the jailbreak  was taken to an Israeli hospitals intensive care unit after being tortured, his brother revealed through social media. According to The Jerusalem Post, mosques in Jenin told Palestinians that Zubeidi was in a critical condition.

Palestinian protesters moved towards the Jalameh checkpoints to express their anger, followed by clashes with Israeli forces. The aftermath of the jail break continues, especially since it greatly embarrassed Israel and impacted the security situation with Palestinians.

Palestinian detainees Mahmoud Al-Arda, Mohamed Al-Arda, Yacoub Al-Qadri, Ayham Kamamji, Monadel Anfiaat  all members of Islamic Jihad  and Al-Zubeidi, escaped from Gilboa prison on 6 September, and most of them were captured a few days later. Israel said the detainees escaped by digging a tunnel from the bathroom in their cell using a spoon they hid inside the jail cell.

Israel is continuing extensive investigations to find the flaws that led to the authorities failure to discover the tunnel digging and notice the prisoners fleeing. A judicial official close to the investigations told the Hebrew website Walla!: The prison guard sitting in the monitoring room should have been watching the security cameras, but instead was watching television and did not notice the six detainees escaping as seen on the security cameras. The source added that when the six detainees came out of the tunnel, the guard dogs in the courtyard began to bark. Israeli prisons have a new system that turns on when dogs bark, the source revealed. It came on and an alarm went off in the monitoring room, but, again, the guard did not notice it because he was watching television.

Walla! reported that security cameras recorded the escape and the six detainees fleeing the tunnel. Al-Zubeidi was one of the first to emerge. Cameras also showed one detainee who had trouble coming out of the narrow tunnel, and the other detainees had to pull him out.

The six men fled the prison and reached a mosque in Al-Naoora district in occupied north Palestine, changed clothes and separated into three groups.

When, four hours later, the authorities realised they were missing and deployed Israeli security forces, army and police, the escapees decided against heading to their hometown of Jenin in the West Bank. Instead, they decided to hide in the town of Al-Nasra close to Hebron in occupied north Palestine.

Israel captured four detainees while Kamamji and Anfiaat remain at large, and Israel is on high alert in their pursuit with predictions that at least one of them has reached Jenin. This worries Israel because it expects a bloodbath if it attempts to invade the Jenin Refugee Camp to arrest them, since the camp is teeming with armed men from many Palestinian factions. Although it recaptured most of the men who escaped, the incident has embarrassed Tel Aviv, giving rise to extensive domestic criticism of Israeli officials.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett broke his silence and asserted these flaws happened due to deficiencies in the state and its agencies. He blamed his predecessor Benjamin Netanyahu for such failures and promised to undertake radical reforms. Over the past six decades, there have been many escapes by Palestinians from Israeli prisons using a variety of means, including digging tunnels.

In July 1958, 66 detainees attempted to flee Shatta prison which led to the death of 11 Palestinian detainees and two Israeli soldiers; the rest were re-arrested. In 1969, Mahmoud Abdullah Hammad, alias Mahmoud Al-Sayfi, from the town of Silwad in the West Bank, managed to escape from a prison in Ramallah after hitting a prison guard in the courtyard. Al-Sayfi was on the run for nine years in the Silwad hills and surrounding area. In August 1970, he crossed the Jordan River and from there went to Kuwait.

The Great Escape was in May 1987, when six detainees escaped from Al-Saraya prison in the centre of Gaza City. They sawed through the prison bars in their cell on the second floor of the prison. It took them seven continuous days and no one noticed what they were doing. They began sawing the back of the metal bars late during night prayers and sometimes during the call for dawn prayers.

Another attempt to escape was in 1988 when 24 detainees from several Palestinian factions tried to flee Shatta prison. Detainees who had short sentences or were hesitant left the cell, and the rest chose the most experienced of them to begin digging a tunnel inside the cell. Another escape was attempted at Shatta prison in 2014, but authorities discovered the tunnel by the time it reached four metres.

Although Israel succeeded in recapturing most of the recent escapees from Gilboa prison, Palestinians see the incident as a great victory because it gave Israel a security shock and shone a light on Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons who suffer harsh conditions, which have worsened after the escape. Israel punished all detainees by shuffling and moving them around, and several detainees were beaten at many Israeli prisons. The incident also overshadowed Egypt-sponsored negotiations for a prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel. The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas military wing, asserted that no prisoner exchange will take place until the release of the detainees who escaped Gilboa. A spokesman for Al-Qassam said: The heroes of the freedom tunnel will come out with their heads raised high.

The leadership of Al-Qassam decided no exchange deal will be made without the release of these heroes. He further promised that the Palestinian detainees will soon be freed above ground. Hamas and Islamic Jihad openly threatened they would begin military escalation against Israel if detainees were abused in Israeli prisons or if the Israeli army invades Jenin Refugee Camp in the West Bank, where Israel suspects the fugitives have sought refuge.

With these threats returned a policy of dripping rockets whereby for three days rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip against near by Israeli settlements. Israel responded by bombing Palestinian faction locations, which could lead to full-fledged military confrontations between the two sides. This is even more likely in light of detainee problems and Palestinians accusing Israel of reneging on its commitments in the truce that was reached after Israels war on Gaza in May.

Whatever the repercussions of the Gilboa escape, it is certain this incident triggered a new round of confrontations between Palestinians and Israel in general, and Palestinian detainees and Israeli prison authorities in particular. The latter are trying to take advantage of the recent escape to withdraw privileges or rights that detainees gained following long hunger strikes and protesting Israeli abuses against them.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 16 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


In a post-America Middle East, relationships dynamics is changing but Arabs may need to reset their regional order

The Baghdad Summit meeting last month that brought together several regional rivals has injected fresh hopes into calming tensions and building a larger community with a shared future for the Middle East nations and ushered in a new era for cooperation among member states.

Another development militating in favour of rapprochement is the US defeat in Afghanistan, which has reinforced wider speculation that US President Joe Bidens recalibration of US policy in the Middle East might result in a US retreat from the region leaving its allies and foes alike to adapt to a new reality.

There is not much public debate about how to accommodate the possible US absence and the power vacuum that it will leave in the region, but there are increasing concerns being voiced in private that a new wave of changes could spur profound shifts in regional political dynamics.

And as a new status quo is emerging in the Middle East, the Arab region, which constitutes its geopolitical centre, faces multiple challenges, particularly with the rise of non-Arab countries such as Iran, Israel and Turkey as regional powers and influencers.

Middle East security has always been in question since most of the regions countries came into being after World War I and have failed since then to shape a regional political order that deals with specific political, security and economic challenges.

The Sykes-Picot Agreement between France and Britain that created the modern Middle East states out of the carcass of the former Ottoman Empire has been largely responsible for the regions failure to establish an Arab order capable of meeting constant geopolitical changes.

The secret agreement drew new borders for the Ottoman Empires provinces in the Levant and divided them into British and French spheres of influence, driving the entire region into a force-field of competing orders shaped by both local and foreign powers.

Faced with power politics that were internal and external, the newly born states tried to search for a response, but attempts to forge an inclusive multilateral order dedicated to advancing regional stability have all but foundered on the regions countless sources of conflict, rivalry, intervention and complexity.

While colonial residues and competition among the Western powers shaped the early stages of attempts to maintain security in a shaky region, the Cold War following World War II made an immediate impact on bids to organise a sold regional security system.

Beset by chronic geopolitical and institutional limitations and crises, the Arab world has for decades exerted remarkably little influence on regional affairs, seeing its sway diminish as world powers have resisted taking up the mantle of security leadership.

The Arab region has suffered more rivalries and conflicts than any other part of the world since the first Arab-Israeli War in 1948 triggered by the creation of the state of Israel at the expense of Palestinian Arabs.

The Arab-Israeli conflict created a complex situation and has remained a catalyst for wars. It has had significant consequences on regional politics and on the security of the region that are still visible today.

Realising their joint history, the dictates of geography, human and cultural bonds, and shared borders, the Arab states established the Arab League in 1945 to create a kind of Arab unity of purpose and respond to the new threat from Israel.

Another bid to create a regional order, but from a quite different viewpoint, was the Middle East Treaty Organisation, or the Baghdad Pact, in 1955 that was set up in order to defend the region against the so-called Soviet expansionism.

Numerous other bids, either bilaterally or collectively, were made over the next few decades to make alliances or set up regional groupings, such as Egyptian-Syrian unity in 1958, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab Cooperation Council (ACC) and the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU).

While the Arab League and the GCC have remained largely dysfunctional, other attempts to address the challenge of a regional order have also failed because the rules linking them have broken down into weakness and disarray, leaving the Arab world and the Middle East in general in a state of geopolitical non-entity.

Today, the region once again finds itself in a force-field of competing orders. While the Arab powerhouses remain internally conflicted about their place in the region, the US, Europe, Russia, China, Turkey, Iran and Israel are key external actors jockeying for influence.

As the Middle East remains a conflict zone for the US, Europe, China and Russia, the immediate challenge for the Arab world today is how to deal with attempts by Israel, Iran and Turkey to reclaim their role as preeminent actors on the regional stage.

Israel, meanwhile, remains a persistent challenge to regional security as it doesnt even feign interests in a two-state solution and doing everything it can to keep Palestinian territories under its control.

Underscoring the need to end the turmoil in hotspots like Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya, or ease the regional tensions that come at an enormous cost for regional security, crucial moves have been made to end the strained diplomatic relations between key Arab countries and Iran and Turkey in order to improve conditions on the ground.

Saudi Arabia has engaged Iran in talks aimed at reducing tensions across the region, as the two sides back opposing sides in various conflicts, for example. The two countries are to hold their fourth round of talks soon in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, which they started in April, underlining progress in their efforts to break the deadlock.

Egypt and Turkey have also been pursuing reconciliation after years in which TurkishEgyptian relations have been at historic lows over what Cairo believes is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans personal affinity with the Muslim Brotherhood and his assertive foreign policy in several regional conflicts.

Senior diplomats from Egypt and Turkey have held talks over the last few weeks to hammer out a deal over bilateral relations. They discussed Libya, Syria, Iraq and the Palestinian Territories before looking at ways of restoring ties between Egypt and Turkey.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli told the US news service Bloomberg on Thursday that diplomatic ties with Turkey, downgraded for almost a decade, could be restored this year if outstanding issues are overcome.

In another sign of intensified efforts to ease regional tensions, the leaders of Turkey and the UAE held talks to mend long-broken ties over policies towards Islamist groups and conflicts from Libya to Syria.

Erdogan and UAE de facto ruler Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a rare telephone call early this month after a surprise visit to Ankara by UAE National Security Adviser Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan that seemed to cap years of hostile rhetoric between the two countries.

At first glance, all this may appear to mean that the region is heading towards a bigger rapprochement that will end the instability and pave the way for managing or even resolving long-time conflicts.

But the path towards a multilateral regional security system in the Middle East that could be cooperative may also not be smooth. The potential is still high for friction, misunderstanding and conflict among the increasingly different ways of doing things across key regional players.

One source of tension lies in the fact that Iran and Turkey remain entangled in regional hotspots and continue to play power politics and are therefore less likely to be linked in an era of no dominant power centres and the search for common interests.

Another form of tension is the increasing role played by non-state actors such as militias and autonomous entities challenging not only nation-states but also the existing regional political order.

Everything will remain hinged on the dangerous tide of the world powers competition in the Middle East, which could leave the fragile region in further chaos if it remains unresolved or unchecked.

Its not a cheery prospect for the Middle East and the Arab world should be better prepared to grapple with a new regional order that will emerge, set in motion by the series of geopolitical earthquakes that have hit the region.

In order to adjust to this new reality, the Arab countries should stop acting according to their own vested interests and move towards establishing a regional system capable of protecting themselves and giving their societies the necessary means to thrive.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 16 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The international community is watching with great concern and apprehension the formation of a new government.



Governments rise and fall every day and have done so for centuries.



The fate of a new Taliban government in Afghanistan, like a ghost rising from the ashes, remains vague and undefined.



After 20 years of occupation by US forces  call it protection, collaboration, assistance  they were forced to flee suddenly, overwhelmed by the power of the Taliban. Now a big question remains. Do the Afghani people want a Taliban government? Are we to watch more gruesome images in Kabul as we have previously seen in Kandahar, or will Afghanistan find peace at last under a new government? It remains to be seen, and the eyes of the world are watching carefully.



Why do we need a government at all? Can we not as citizens run our business without this fearful, often corrupt organisation we call government? The answer is a resounding no.



We the people, since our earliest days invented government  because we needed it. Governments evolved as protection was needed, if people stayed together in groups, and agreed that some of the group will have more power to help maintain order.



What often escapes us is that we the people make the rules that our governments help us maintain. Humans can be selfish, greedy, deceptive, so we make rules to abide by, even if that means giving up a few of our rights for the general good.



What would life be in a world without rules? Societies would rapidly deteriorate. Abiding by the rules is an instinct of self- preservation. We make rules for everything, imitating our very bodies that follow biological rules that keep us healthy and alive. So it is with a tribe, a group, a culture, a society, a country.



It seems almost a human instinct and scientists are working to confirm it.



We make rules for every aspect of our lives, sports, courtship, games, appearance, dress, eating, queuing, writing, walking, even for saying please and thank you.



By age three a child can be taught the rules of a game. Experiments show that when a hand-puppet violates the rules, the children object and attempt to teach it.



Scientists believe that although animals have patterns of behavior, wired in their genes for generations, such as courtship dances, rules however are unique to man. That would explain our special ability to latch on to rules. They seem hardwired in our DNA and despite protesters and rebels we enforce them without question. They are crucial to the success of our species.



Is that how governments started? To enforce those rules and punish those who do not respect them?



Whatever the reasons, governments evolved as people discovered they needed protection and a body to enforce those rules.



What is government, anyway? It is described as a system, or group of people, governing a certain community. Even small bands of hunters pre-dating agrarian societies, governing existed in groups of 50-100.



Tribalism was a face-to-face discussions, settling conflicts and agreeing on rules.



Like many facets of life the first forms of big government emerged when civilisation first began. They were not much different from earlier ones, but with the growth of populations, so grew the power of governments.



History records that government practices have survived for thousands of years. The first recorded governments date as far back as Sumer (Mesopotamia, c 4500 BC) followed by Egypt and Harrapan (Indus Valley, now several countries, c 3300 BC). China, Greece, ancient Rome, and Japan round up the first seven governments in history.



Ancient Egypt gets special credit for having the most well-known, thoroughly documented government out of all ancient civilisations.



The growth of government almost always ends abuse of power causing the destruction of freedom, justice, and equality. It is baffling that the very body elected by the people to care for the people, ends up by oppressing, deceiving and robbing the people  especially of their rights. Needless to say this is not good government.



There are three types of governments: democracy, monarchy and dictatorship. Under their umbrella are 10 forms of governments: democracy, communism, socialism, oligarchy, aristocracy, monarchy, theocracy, and colonialism.



Democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others, said Winston Churchill, and he should know. His country has fought or colonised all the others.



Still democracy remains elusive, for there is no perfect example to follow. Monarchies are democracies, so claim communisms, socialisms among others.



However you wish to define a form of government, once it becomes destructive or abusive to the rights of the people, it is the right of the people who elected it to remove it. It is not just a right it is their duty to throw off such a government and to provide new grounds for their future security.



Fortunately, Egypt has been one of the few, if not the only country to have overthrown a government in power because of its corruption.



The people fought for their liberties and rejected a band of despots called the Muslim Brotherhood, though they had no relation with the religion they claimed to embrace.



Governments should be totally divorced from individual religious practice.



Religion has been a shield for despots throughout history. Yet, the very essence of religion is the love for Gods creatures.



When government fears the people there is liberty, when the people fear the government there is tyranny.



Thomas Jefferson (1743-1846)

*A version of this article appears in print in the 16 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Twenty years after the 11 September attacks, the fault lines that predated them are still with us

I am writing this article on the very day, 20 years ago, when the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington came under terrorist attack by Al-Qaeda terrorists using three civilian airliners.

A fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was also flying towards Washington, but brave passengers overpowered the terrorists flying the plane, which then crash landed in Pennsylvania. There was speculation that the target of the fourth plane was either the White House or Capitol Hill. On that fateful day, 3,000 innocent Americans and people from 90 other nationalities perished.

The mastermind of these attacks was a Saudi radical by the name of Osama Bin Laden. The United States had not come under attack on its own soil since the British set fire to the White House in 1812.

The world changed after the 11 September attacks. Under the administration of former president Georges W Bush, the US entered two wars, the first on 7 October 2001 when US forces launched the longest war in American history against the Taliban in Afghanistan. The war then lasted 20 years, and the last soldier left the Afghan capital Kabul on 31 August this year.

Two years later, in March 2003, the US, falsely believing that the regime of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction and had direct links to Al-Qaeda, attacked Iraq and overthrew the Iraqi president and his regime. The two wars cost the US treasury some $7 trillion. More than 4,000 US soldiers died, in addition to hundreds of thousands of civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A few weeks after the invasion of Iraq, Bush visited a US aircraft carrier and addressed the navy personnel. In the background hung a banner with two words written on it  mission accomplished.

The world is commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 11 September attacks with many questions unanswered as to what went wrong in the exercise of military force by a great power against not only a terrorist group but also against a certain vision and a set of ideas that has persisted across the Arab and Muslim world. The recent return of the Taliban to rule in Kabul and the groups now complete control of Afghanistan have come to haunt not only Americans and allies of the US but also the Arab and Muslim countries.

While Osama Bin Laden died in a US raid in May 2011, his ideas still resonate in Arab and Muslim countries. It is true that his terrorist organisation has been weakened and has not been able to mount further attacks against the US, but it still has followers, and there are other terror organisations operating in various parts of Africa and the Arab world.

The overthrow of Saddam Hussein destabilised Iraq and the Levant, including Lebanon, by indirectly enhancing the influence of Iran inside Iraq and throughout the Middle East, the Gulf and the Arab Peninsula. One of the most serious consequences of the US invasion of Iraq has been the creation of strategic regional imbalance that favours Iran.

Another indirect result of the American wars has been the marginalisation of governments and states seen as allies and strategic partners of the US. This trend was compounded by the advocacy of democracy by the Bush administration in 2005. One of the questions that many Americans posed in the wake of the 11 September attacks was why do they hate us? They referred to Arab and Muslim people.

Another assumption of the Bush administration that proved counterproductive and highly destabilising for pro-US regimes in the Middle East, like Egypt, for instance, was that the lack of democracy in the Arab world had been the main driver radicalising Arab youth. The assumption completely ignored the various ideological, economic and social reasons that explain why some Arabs believe in the teachings and propaganda of the various groups of what is known as Political Islam.

These trends have been reinforced by economic and social circumstances rather than any lack of democracy. Ironically, the US assumption and the perception prevalent within the ranks of the advocates of Political Islam themselves emboldened them. This led to the failure of the popular uprisings of 2011 in Egypt and elsewhere across the Arab world to prepare the ground for a smooth democratic transformation.

You cannot sell the democratic idea to groups that reject diversity in all its forms and democracy itself as alien to their interpretation of Islamic teaching. Even so, there has been one common denominator between the West and these groups, and that has been the ballot box. However, for the latter the ballot box is the first and last step in their vision of democracy. Their pernicious vision rejects the very notion of the peaceful transfer of power. How on earth can you convince people who falsely claim to rule in the name of God that they have lost an election?

The 11 September attacks were not only an attack on the US, but they were also an attack against a model of government and a way of life in the Arab world. Previously, the widespread belief within Al-Qaeda had been to attack the near enemy, meaning Arab governments like the Egyptian and Saudi governments. The 11 September attacks were the first to target the far enemy, meaning the United States and the West.

The resistance to the US military presence in Iraq led to the splintering of Al-Qaeda and the emergence of more radical groups like the Islamic State (IS) group or Daesh, that outperformed the original in cruelty and brutality. For two years, IS succeeded in what Bin Laden and his organisation had never managed to achieve, namely to rule vast tracts of land in parts of Syria and Iraq and to set up a caliphate in them from 2013 until 2017.

It took an international coalition under US military command to defeat and degrade IS. However, it did not eliminate it altogether, and it is still operating in parts of Iraq and Syria on a much smaller but still lethal scale.

The 11 September attacks were the bloody and unforgivable embodiment of the clash of civilisations theory put forward by US political scientist Samuel Huntington in 1993 with the publication of an article under the same title in the US journal Foreign Affairs. One year later, Huntington published his book The Clash of Civilisations and the Remaking of World Order.

Twenty years later, the clash is still present, and the original fault lines that predated the 11 September attacks still have not gone away. May all those innocent people who perished on that fateful day 20 years ago rest in peace.

*The writer is former assistant foreign minister.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 16 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Tourists wearing hanfu, traditional Chinese garments, during the Xixi persimmon harvest festival, which began on September 17, 2021 [Photo: VCG]

A total of about 7,000 persimmon trees at Xixi National Wetland Park in east China's Zhejiang Province have yielded a bumper harvest. Tourists can have a fruit picking experience during the one-month harvest festival. [Photo: VCG]

A total of about 7,000 persimmon trees at Xixi National Wetland Park in east China's Zhejiang Province have yielded a bumper harvest. Tourists can have a fruit picking experience during the one-month harvest festival. [Photo: VCG]
Dozens, even hundreds, of asylum-seeking migrants often wait hours to surrender to U.S. Border Patrol agents, but the thousands of Haitians gathered at a bridge in the small Texas border town of Del Rio may be unprecedented and point to a glaring problem with the federal police agency's staffing.

This May 4, 2021, photo provided by The U.S. Border Patrol shows U.S. Border Patrol Processing Coordinators help process and log personal items from migrants entering the Central Processing Center in El Paso, Texas. [Photo: AP]

Instead of conducting patrols and uncovering smuggling activity, its agents spend about 40% of their time caring for people already in custody and administrative tasks that are unrelated to border security.

The agency hopes to free up agents to go back into the field by hiring civilians for jobs like making sure microwaved burritos are served properly, checking holding cells and the time-consuming work of collecting information for immigration court papers.

The Border Patrol graduated its first class of "processing coordinators" in January, with the goal of eventually hiring 1,200. The position requires less training than for law enforcement officers and pays less. It is also seen as a recruiting tool for an agency that has struggled to find qualified applicants, particularly women.

While it's early to know if the new employees will pan out as hoped, the hiring plan's initial reviews are generally favorable. Their skills will be in high demand as U.S. authorities respond to the Haitians who suddenly arrived in Del Rio and other large groups of new arrivals.

"This is a very, very good program. It is a very necessary program," said Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, a labor union representing many of the nearly 20,000 agents. "It's a program that will allow us to get more agents in the field."

U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragan, a Los Angeles Democrat, told the members of the second graduating class in June that they were pioneers. She saw the need for their skills in April while visiting a holding facility in Texas' Rio Grande Valley, the busiest corridor for illegal crossings from Mexico to the U.S.

Unaccompanied children were held at the facility for days, unable to call their parents, Barragan said. Agents were working around the clock to process the children quickly, but they needed help, she told the graduating class.

The need is especially acute during periodic spikes at the U.S.-Mexico border, including ones seen in 2014, 2019 and again this year. The coordinator positions are for 13 months, renewable up to four years.

Most single adults are expelled without an opportunity to seek asylum under a pandemic-related authority designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Unaccompanied children and most families can seek humanitarian protection, giving them little incentive to elude capture because they will be released in the U.S. with notices to appear in court.

As a result, there are migrants who cross the border and wait - and wait - for agents to arrive, and who may require more care once they do. In August, families accounted for 41% of Border Patrol encounters, and unaccompanied children made up 9%.

Agents also complain they have less time to pursue migrants trying to avoid getting picked up.

A civilian coordinator assigned to a San Diego-area border station, Aide Franco Avalos, got a taste for the work in 2019, when she worked for the Transportation Security Administration at Palm Springs International Airport in California.

Franco Avalos volunteered for a temporary Border Patrol assignment in El Paso, Texas, and felt fulfilled caring for migrants. When she saw an opening in California that wouldn't require a family move, the Los Angeles native decided on a career change.
Haitian migrants seeking to escape poverty, hunger and a feeling of hopelessness in their home country said they will not be deterred by U.S. plans to speedily send them back, as thousands of people remained encamped on the Texas border Saturday after crossing from Mexico.

Haitian migrants set up make-shift camp along the Rio Grande after crossing into the United States from Mexico, Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, in Del Rio, Texas. [Photo: AP]

Scores of people waded back and forth across the Rio Grande on Saturday afternoon, re-entering Mexico to purchase water, food and diapers in Ciudad Acuna before returning to the Texas encampment under and near a bridge in the border city of Del Rio.

Junior Jean, a 32-year-old man from Haiti, watched as people cautiously carried cases of water or bags of food through the knee-high river water. Jean said he lived on the streets in Chile the past four years, resigned to searching for food in garbage cans.

"We are all looking for a better life," he said.

The Department of Homeland Security said Saturday that it moved about 2,000 of the migrants from the camp to other locations Friday for processing and possible removal from the U.S. Its statement also said it would have 400 agents and officers in the area by Monday morning and would send more if necessary.

The announcement marked a swift response to the sudden arrival of Haitians and other migrants in Del Rio, a Texas city of about 35,000 people roughly 145 miles (230 kilometers) west of San Antonio. It sits on a relatively remote stretch of border that lacks capacity to hold and process such large numbers of people.

A U.S. official told The Associated Press on Friday that the U.S would likely fly the migrants out of the country on five to eight flights a day, starting Sunday, while another official expected no more than two a day and said everyone would be tested for COVID-19. The first official said operational capacity and Haitis willingness to accept flights would determine how many flights there would be. Both officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Told of the U.S. plans Saturday, several migrants said they still intended to remain in the encampment and seek asylum. Some spoke of the most recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, saying they were afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

"In Haiti, there is no security," said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived with his wife and two daughters. "The country is in a political crisis."

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating 2010 earthquake. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

Jorge Luis Mora Castillo, a 48-year-old from Cuba, said he arrived Saturday in Acuna and also planned to cross into the U.S. Castillo said his family paid smugglers $12,000 to take him, his wife and their son out of Paraguay, a South American nation where they had lived for four years.

Told of the U.S. message discouraging migrants, Castillo said he wouldn't change his mind.

"Because to go back to Cuba is to die," he said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection closed off vehicle and pedestrian traffic in both directions Friday at the only border crossing between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna "to respond to urgent safety and security needs" and it remained closed Saturday. Travelers were being directed indefinitely to a crossing in Eagle Pass, roughly 55 miles (90 kilometers) away.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 19, 2021 - 15:18 | All, Japan

Two of the four contenders in the race to become Japan's next prime minister called Sunday for introducing small modular reactors and nuclear fusion reactors as part of efforts to achieve the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and former communications minister Sanae Takaichi also said Japan should in the meantime restart its currently idled nuclear reactors in order to maintain a stable and feasible power supply source.

Small modular reactors are said to be cheaper to produce and safer to run than conventional reactors, while nuclear fusion reactors do not emit high-level radioactive waste.

"I will eventually seek technologies such as SMRs or nuclear fusion," Kishida said in an NHK program joined by the three other candidates in the Sept. 29 presidential election of the governing Liberal Democratic Party.

Takaichi said she would seek to introduce domestically built SMRs underground and nuclear fusion reactors as a safer and more efficient source of energy.

Most of Japan's nuclear reactors have been offline since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

The LDP vote will effectively decide the successor of outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga as the LDP currently controls the House of Representatives, the powerful lower chamber of parliament.

Vaccination minister Taro Kono pushed for a significant increase in the use of renewable energy, saying the government needs to invest in port building for offshore wind power generation and development of storage cells.

Seiko Noda, the party's executive acting secretary general, said the government needs to present its view on the best energy mix to the public and vowed to utilize geothermal power generation, which uses heat from deep within the earth to create steam and generate power.

Japan is set to revise its basic energy plan and increase the percentage of renewables in electricity generation to 36 to 38 percent in fiscal 2030, more than double the fiscal 2019 level, while retaining the current target for nuclear power at 20 to 22 percent.

The plan, however, could change depending on the new prime minister's energy policy.

In a separate TV program also involving the four candidates, Kono expressed a cautious stance about acquiring strike capabilities against foreign bases while Kishida and Takaichi expressed eagerness to do so.

Talking about deterrence against an increasingly assertive China, Kono told Fuji TV, "When we think about how we should convey the message of Japan's capability to China, we should not just cry out brave slogans."

He added that strike capabilities could be a destabilizing factor and suggested that deterrence could be achieved by making China and North Korea more aware of the strength of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

In contrast, Kishida said Japan should think about preparing such capabilities, while Takaichi called for introducing precision-guided missiles to "disable enemy bases as quickly as possible."

Noda said Japan must step up its information gathering capabilities in coordination with the United States, South Korea and other countries.

Related coverage:

FOCUS: Faction politics wane in Japan party leader race as nat'l vote looms

Taro Kono tops Kyodo poll of LDP members as most fit to be Japan PM

LDP's Kono, Kishida call for summit talks with China
KYODO NEWS - Sep 19, 2021 - 20:42 | World, All

Hong Kong on Sunday held its first election under the new Beijing-imposed electoral system aimed at ensuring that only "patriots" govern the city.

Nearly 5,000 voters representing different professions and industries cast their ballots to fill around 300 seats on the revamped Election Committee, which has been expanded to 1,500 members of whom most have already been chosen.

The powerful committee is tasked with electing 40 members of the enlarged 90-seat Legislative Council in December as well as picking the city's chief executive in March.

The electoral system underwent a sweeping overhaul following the 2019 anti-government protests.

Between 5,000 to 6,000 police officers were reportedly deployed throughout the city to ensure a smooth election, with Police Commissioner Raymond Siu warning that "resolute action" would be taken against those who try to interfere with the election.

Despite ramped-up security efforts, however, the streets have remained peaceful.

"(The police) are wasting their time," a self-employed man told Kyodo News. "Hong Kong citizens are becoming more indifferent to politics." He did not even know that the election was taking place, he added.

Hong Kong's legislature in May approved a sweeping electoral overhaul to oust "unpatriotic" lawmakers in efforts to rein in dissent and bar anti-China elements from governing the city.

In 2016, Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp secured 325 seats in the Election Committee, capturing over a quarter of the 1,200 seats and winning all the seats in six professional sectors.

This year, however, there are only two opposition members left in the race, leading critics to accuse the government of censoring opposition voices.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Sunday dismissed the accusations, saying that people from "all walks of life" were welcome to go into the political system so long as they did not do anything to undermine national security.

"The whole objective of improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is to ensure "patriots administering Hong Kong," she said. "This is a very legitimate objective of any public election in any government."

Lam also addressed the small number of registered voters, which has seen a dramatic decrease from around 250,000 to about 8,000, saying that the voters were now more representative.

In an official blog entry, Hong Kong's Chief Secretary John Lee on Saturday described the election as bearing "special significance" as an important step in implementing the principle of "patriots ruling Hong Kong."

"We will eliminate the previous chaos and political turmoil and return the Legislative Council to rationality," the territory's No. 2 leader added. "Hong Kong will be fitted with new wings and fly once more."
KYODO NEWS - Sep 19, 2021 - 09:42 | Japan, World, All

Humanitarian organizations in Japan have said they are determined to continue support for Afghanistan despite deteriorating security and logistics issues amid uncertainty in the country following the Taliban's return to power last month.

Some expressed concern over the future of Afghanistan following the suicide bombings near the Kabul airport in late August and said they have been trying to collect information on the chaotic situation in the country, from which the United States withdrew its troops to end a 20-year war triggered by the 2001 terrorist attacks on American soil.

"The situation is changing every day and we are trying our best to gather information," said Akiko Suzuki, 39, a spokeswoman for the Shanti Volunteer Association, which offers educational support to Afghanistan with the help of local staff.

"We've heard there is lack of food in Afghanistan, so we are examining when we can start aid," Suzuki said. At present, the Tokyo-based nongovernmental organization, which builds schools and libraries for children in Asia, does not have any Japanese staff in the conflict-ravaged country.

Peshawar-kai, a nongovernmental aid group based in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, has continued to provide medical assistance in Afghanistan even after losing the head of its local office, Tetsu Nakamura, who was gunned down in the country in 2019.

A clinic opened by the Japanese physician in the eastern province of Nangarhar resumed operations on Aug. 21 after being closed on Aug. 15, when the Taliban captured Kabul.

Peshawar-kai Chairman Masaru Murakami said on the group's website the number of COVID-19 patients has been on the rise with the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus in Afghanistan and stocks of medicine at the clinic could run out in late September.

"(The clinic) is now in full operation. We will continue our activities to meet the needs of local people who cannot leave Afghanistan," Murakami said.

Nakamura, who was killed at the age of 73, had devoted his life to drilling wells and other humanitarian work in Afghanistan. A mural dedicated to him in central Kabul was erased recently under the new rule by the Islamic militant group, as it was located in a traffic circle named after a known anti-Taliban resistance figure.

Reshad Khaled, 71, a physician from Afghanistan who heads the nonprofit organization Karez Health and Educational Services based in central Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture, said, "I am worried about what will happen from now on."

"The Taliban lacks human resources and a system to govern people," Khaled said as he sought the international community's involvement in the new Afghan government. His group has been providing medical and educational support in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan.

Khaled, who had started a clinic in 1993 in Shizuoka Prefecture after coming to Japan as a student, also expressed anger at the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan last month.

"Afghans have relied on the U.S. military for 20 years but they left the country for their convenience without thinking about the locals," he said.

Related coverage:

Taliban pledge on women's rights needs to be watched: U.N. official

FOCUS: Afghanistan tastes Islamic law under Taliban rule

10 Afghan evacuees arrive in Japan, more expected to come
New Delhi:

The State Bank of India (SBI) on Thursday said that lenders are considering a resolution plan for the debt-laden Jet Airways to ensure long-term viability of the company. SBI had on Wednesday said that discussions with stakeholders were progressing well on a comprehensive resolution plan that also contemplates equity infusion and consequent changes in its board of directors. There are rising concerns over financial health of Jet Airways, whose shares have also taken a beating at stock exchanges.

We would like to state that lenders are considering a restructuring plan under the RBI framework for the resolution of stressed assets that would ensure long-term viability of the company," SBI said in a statement. It said the restructuring plan for the cash-strapped airline would need approval from boards of lenders.

"Any such plan would be subject to the approval of boards of the lenders and subject to adherence and clearance, if required, from the RBI and/or Sebi (takeover code, ICDR regulations.) and Ministry of Civil Aviation and in compliance with all regulatory prescriptions," the statement said.

Read More | Jet Airways in talks with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways on rescue deal: Sources

Shares of the airline are trading 4.24 per cent lower at Rs 259.50 apiece on BSE.

The Naresh Goyal-founded airlines is in a severe cash crunch and also owed money to vendors and lessors. It has also not been able to pay salaries to its pilots, senior executives resulting in the cancellation of flights. To reign in the crunch, Jet has cancelled flights on non-profitable routes and has also decided to do away with complimentary meals for economy class passengers travelling on domestic routes under two more fare categories. Following three consecutive quarterly losses, the full-service carrier has simplified its sub-fleet, reduced sales, distribution and maintenance cost.

Though India is one of the worlds fastest-growing airlines markets, Jet Airways has constantly faced the brunt of the falling rupee, rising jet fuel prices, intense price wars by low-cost carriers.

(With PTI inputs)

For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ahmedabad Shopping Festival, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country. During the event, PM Modi said that his government has helped create "crores of employment opportunities" across sectors in the past four-and-a-half years.

"Be it tourism, manufacturing or the services sector, crores of employment opportunities have been created in the last four-and-a-half years," PM Modi said. Recently, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, an independent think tank recently estimated that over 11 million jobs in the country were lost in 2018, with the rural sector being the worst hit.

"We generally see organisation of such events along with big business summits in foreign countries only. Organisation of Ahmedabad Shopping Festival along with Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is a commendable effort. PM Modi said.

"Businessmen, from street-vendors to shopping malls, handicrafts to electronics and hotel-restaurant businesses have come here to promote their business," he added.

"I would like to urge Gujarat government, Ahmedabad and friends like Shailesh Patwari (former Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry president) to see if this can be made an annual event and organised during the same time very year," Modi said.

The event, being held on the lines of many international shopping festivals, is witnessing participation from over 15,000 sellers who are offering huge discounts to customers over the next 12 days. PM Modi urged the Gujarat government and organisers to make the festival an annual event.

He said events such as this will help small businesses find big markets. Modi purchased a khadi jacket from the shopping festival.

The prime minister said his government is helping the micro, small and medium enterprises in every possible way and listed initiatives taken by it to provide fillip to this sector.

The move to increase interest subvention to 5 per cent and including merchant exporters in the scheme's ambit is likely to benefit exporters by Rs 600 crore, he said.

PM Modi said the government has created the GEM (government e-marketplace) portal for smaller enterprises. The platform has witnessed trade of Rs 16,500 crore till now, the prime minister said.

The country is now moving towards a system where banks will extend credit based only on GST returns, he said, adding efforts are on to streamline the indirect taxation reform.

PM Modi said his government has been creating conducive environment for businesses.

"In the last four years, more than 100 rules were eased, old laws were scrapped, and transparency has been made a part of our work culture," he said. This helped India climb up on the ease-of-doing-business ranking, PM Modi said.

The roll-out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been a "big step" towards the direction of "honest trade system", he said.

PM Modi said a slew of decisions made by the GST Council and efforts to make GST simpler are steps in that direction. "We are constantly trying to simplify GST system. We are correcting it using inputs from businesses, customers, and experience," he said.

PM Modi also inaugurated a statue of ISRO founder Vikram Sarabhai and said instilling scientific temper in more people would be the real tribute to the legendary space scientist.

(With agency inputs)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
highlights The satellite hitched a ride on the small-size Epsilon-4 rocket.

The satellite was launched from the Uchinoura Space Center by JAXA.

The rocket carried a total of seven ultra-small satellites.

Tokyo:

A rocket carrying a satellite on a mission to deliver the world's first artificial meteor shower blasted into space on Friday, Japanese scientists said. A start-up based in Tokyo developed the micro-satellite for the celestial show over Hiroshima early next year as the initial experiment for what it calls a "shooting stars on demand" service. The satellite is to release tiny balls that glow brightly as they hurtle through the atmosphere, simulating a meteor shower.

It hitched a ride on the small-size Epsilon-4 rocket that was launched from the Uchinoura Space Center by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The rocket carried a total of seven ultra-small satellites that will demonstrate various "innovative" technologies, JAXA spokesman Nobuyoshi Fujimoto said.

By early afternoon, JAXA confirmed all seven satellites had successfully been launched into orbit. "I was too moved for words," Lena Okajima, president of the company behind the artificial meteor showers, told the Jiji Press agency. "I feel like now the hard work is ahead."

The company ALE Co. Ltd plans to deliver its first out-of-this-world show over Hiroshima in the spring of 2020. The satellite launched Friday carries 400 tiny balls whose chemical formula is a closely-guarded secret.

That should be enough for 20-30 events, as one shower will involve up to 20 stars, according to the company.

ALE's satellite, released 500 kilometres above the Earth, will gradually descend to 400 kilometres over the coming year as it orbits the Earth.

Worldwide meteor shower shows:

The company plans to launch a second satellite on a private-sector rocket in mid-2019.

ALE says it is targeting "the whole world" with its products and plans to build a stockpile of shooting stars in space that can be delivered across the world.

When its two satellites are in orbit, they can be used separately or in tandem, and will be programmed to eject the balls at the right location, speed and direction to put on a show for viewers on the ground.

Tinkering with the ingredients in the balls should mean that it is possible to change the colours they glow, offering the possibility of a multi-coloured flotilla of shooting stars.

Each star is expected to shine for several seconds before being completely burned up -- well before they fall low enough to pose any danger to anything on Earth.

They would glow brightly enough to be seen even over the light-polluted metropolis of Tokyo, ALE said. If all goes well, and the skies are clear, the 2020 event could be visible to millions of people, it says. Okajima has said her company chose Hiroshima for its first display because of its good weather, landscape and cultural assets.

The western Japan city rose from the ashes after the 1945 US atomic bombing and faces the Seto Inland sea where the floating gate of Itsukushima Shrine is.

ALE is working in collaboration with scientists and engineers at Japanese universities as well as local government officials and corporate sponsors. It has not disclosed the price for an artificial meteor shower as yet.

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
London:

Facebook said on Thursday it removed hundreds of Russia-linked pages, groups and accounts that it says were part of two big disinformation operations targeting users outside the U.S. The social media company said its latest effort to fight misinformation came after it found two networks that engaged in coordinated inauthentic behavior on Facebook and its Instagram service.

Facebooks head of cybersecurity policy, Nathaniel Gleicher, said in a blog post that one network operated in countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltics, Central Asia and the Caucasus. The other focused on Ukraine.

We didnt find any links between these operations, but they used similar tactics by creating networks of accounts to mislead others about who they were and what they were doing, Gleicher said.

US tech companies have stepped up their work against disinformation campaigns, aiming to stymie online troublemakers efforts to divide voters and discredit democracy. Facebooks purge is part of countermeasures to prevent abuses like those used by Russian groups two years ago to sway public opinion ahead of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Also Read | Flipkarts Republic Day Sale: Best smartphone deals, offers and more

Though much of the attention has been on Russian-linked campaigns in the US, Facebook has identified and blocked such tactics around the world. The Menlo Park, California, company has been disclosing such purges regularly in recent months, as its systems get better at detecting and removing malicious accounts. But those behind the campaigns are sharpening their attacks, too.

According to Facebook, the people running the accounts represented themselves as independent news sources and posted on topics like anti-NATO sentiment and protest movements.

Gleicher said one network of 364 pages and accounts was linked to employees of Sputnik, a Russian state-run English-language news site. About 790,000 accounts followed one or more of the networks pages.

The operation spent about USD 135,000 over six years for Facebook advertisements, which it paid for in euros, rubles and dollars. The most recent ad ran in January.

Sputnik criticized Facebooks takedown. The decision is clearly political. This is tantamount to censorship, Sputnik said in a statement to The Associated Press, adding that Facebook blocked the accounts of seven of its bureaus in former Soviet republics. Sputnik editorial offices deal with news and they do it well. If this blocking is Facebooks only reaction to the quality of the medias work, then we have no questions, everything is clear here. But there is still hope that common sense will prevail.

Also Read | These are best five notch display smartphones under Rs 15,000

Acting on a tip from U.S. law enforcement, Facebook shut another 148 pages, groups and accounts, including 41 on Instagram, that were part of a second network that spent USD 25,000 on ads in 2018, paid for in rubles. Gleicher said Facebook identified some technical overlap with Russia-based activity we saw prior to the U.S. midterm elections, including behavior that shared characteristics with previous Internet Research Agency activity. The Internet Research Agency is a Russian troll farm indicted by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller for its actions aimed at influencing the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
highlights Illegal taps of Pemex pipelines cost Mexico an estimated $3 billion in 2017.

The govt's strategy to fight problem has led to severe gasoline shortages.

Fuel theft problem is locally known as 'huachicoleo' or moonshining.

Mexico City:

A leaking fuel pipeline triggered a massive blaze in central Mexico Saturday, killing at least 20 people and injuring another 54, officials said. Omar Fayad, governor of Hidalgo state, said locals at the site of the leak were scrambling to steal some of the leaking oil when at least 20 of them were burned to death. "I've been told that 20 have been burned to death and another 54 burn victims being treated" in hospitals, Fayad told local FaroTV, with the blaze still raging. Scores of locals were collecting fuel in buckets and cans from spouting leaks, and making off with the stolen gasoline, local media showed.

"What we know is that it was an illegal fuel theft site, and that authorities were aware of it" when it burned, Fayed added.

Hours later, and after sundown, the first images of the tragedy were shown on television, with desperate people fleeing the scene, screaming for help.

Federal and state firefighters and ambulances run by state oil giant Pemex were headed to the area to help burn victims, the governor added.

The tragedy comes just as anti-corruption crusader President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador presses implementation of his national fuel theft prevention plan.

Illegal taps of Pemex pipelines cost Mexico an estimated $3 billion in 2017.

But the government's strategy to fight the problem has led to severe gasoline and diesel shortages across much of the country, including Mexico City, forcing people to queue for hours -- sometimes days -- to fuel up their vehicles.

Lopez Obrador, who took office on December 1, has vowed to keep up the fight and asked Mexicans to be patient.

Meanwhile, authorities have opened 1,700 individual investigations for fuel theft, which became a massive black-market industry in Mexico under previous governments, involving powerful drug cartels and corrupt Pemex insiders.

Lopez Obrador's government has shut off key pipelines until they can be fully secured and deployed the army to guard Pemex production facilities.

Tanker trucks are being used to deliver fuel in the meantime, but experts say there are not nearly enough of them.

In addition, Mexico City residents woke up to a second week of fuel shortages Monday, though lines at service stations appeared shorter than the previous week.

Lopez Obrador called on private companies to step up gasoline imports, suggesting they bore some of the blame for the shortages.

The roots of the fuel theft problem run deep in Mexico, where the practice -- known locally as "huachicoleo," or moonshining -- is big business for some communities.

Lopez Obrador so far retains broad support: 89 percent of Mexicans back his crackdown on fuel theft, and his approval rating has even ticked up slightly, to 76 percent, according to a poll published Monday by newspaper El Financiero.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Indore:

In a sensational disclosure, the Madhya Pradesh Police on Saturday said that self-styled godman Bhaiyyu Maharaj had committed suicide because he was being blackmailed by a woman disciple with a rape complaint. The police have arrested three people  his personal secretary Palak Puranik (25), Vinayak Dudhade (42) and Sharad Deshmukh (34), for abetment to suicide. All the three accused have been remanded to 15 days police custody by a local court.

Deputy Inspector General of Police H C Mishra on Saturday said Puranik was blackmailing the godman and pressuring him to marry her. "She and her aides were giving high doses of medicines to Bhaiyyu Maharaj, which was affecting his mental health," Mishra told reporters.

The model-turned-godman, whose real name is Uday Singh Deshmukh, had shot himself dead on June 12 last year at his residence.

According to the cop, the accused were giving these medicines to Bhaiyyu so that they could have control over him. "We have records of a very objectionable social media chat between Maharaj and the woman, as well as other digital evidences," he said.

Puranik had threatened Bhaiyyu Maharaj that if they didn't marry on June 16 last year, she would lodge a police complaint and defame him, the cop said.

For all the Latest Crime News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Bogota:

A At least nine people were killed and over 50 injured in a car bombing at a police academy in Colombia's capital, say reports. According to eye witnesses, the explosion was so huge that it destroyed windows in adjacent buildings.A

The scene outside the General Santander police academy is chaotic, with ambulances and helicopters rushing to the normally tightly controlled facility.A

AFP news agency: At least four dead in presumed car bomb attack on Colombia police school, Bogota mayor says. https://t.co/tj42UbijzA a ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2019

According to reports, the explosion happened just after a ceremony at which officers were being promoted.

Leftist rebels from the National Liberation Army have been stepping up attacks on police targets in Colombia amid a standoff with conservative President Ivan Duque over how to re-start stalled peace talks.

More details are awaited.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
highlights As many as 14,123 Model S cars were recalled from China.

This move is a part of the global recall of parts manufactures by Japanese supplier, Takata.

NHTSA: There have been at least 23 deaths, 300 injuries due to improperly inflated airbags.

New Delhi:

US electric carmaker Tesla will recall as many as 14,123 cars in China over faulty airbags that contained parts made by now-defunct Japanese manufacturer Takata, the Chinese market regulator announced on Friday as reported by news agency AFP. This move is a part of the global recall of parts manufactures by the Japanese manufacturer, which went out of business in 2017 after its airbags were blamed for a number of deaths. The recall, because of faulty airbags, has virtually affected all automakers across the world who used to take their supply of airbags from Takata, the Japanese automotive parts supplier. Teslas official website said that the front passenger airbags in certain 2014-2016 Model S vehicles were affected and it will be replacing them.

As per the US National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) reports, there have been at least 23 deaths and 300 injuries due to improperly inflated airbags, the media reported.

On January 7, Tesla CEO Elon Musk laid the foundation of a $7-billion plant at Shanghai in China, becoming the first company to benefit from a new Chinese policy of allowing foreign vehicle manufacturers to set up wholly-owned subsidiaries in the Asian nation. Till now, foreign automakers in China were required to forge joint ventures with domestic firms for establishing manufacturing plants, which means sharing profits and technology with local partners.

The plant, which is Teslas first outside the US, is located at Lingang, a high-end manufacturing park in the southeast harbour of Shanghai. It has an annual production capacity of 500,000 electric cars.

Tesla signed an agreement with the Shanghai municipal government in July 2018 to build the factory. In October, the company got the approval to use an 864,885 sq mt tract of land in Lingang for its Shanghai plant. Musk and Shanghai government officials attended the ground-breaking ceremony.

The Tesla factory, which will be built with an investment of over 50 billion yuan (USD seven billion), is the largest foreign-invested manufacturing project in Shanghais history, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Aiming at reinforcing its presence in the worlds largest market for electric cars, Tesla brought its Model S, Model X and Model 3 to the China International Import Expo held in November 2018 at Shanghai.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi:

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) executive head Bhaiyyaji Joshi has today expressed confidence that the Ram temple will be constructed in Ayodhya by the time of next 'Kumbh' in 2025, the Sangh said in a statement on Friday.

In a bid to "contextualise" the comments, the RSS in a statement issued by spokesperson Arun Kumar said Joshi had made these remarks on Thursday at the ongoing Kumbh in Praygraj in Uttar Pradesh.

"When Kumbh is again held after six years in 2025, the construction of Ram temple, which is a symbol of India's national honour, will be completed and the nation will move towards prosperity," the spokesperson quoted Joshi as saying.

Joshi, who is number two in the hierarchy of the Sangh, made these remarks at the time when its allied organisation VHP is demanding the government to enact a law which paves the way for construction of temple in Ayodhya.

The Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute is scheduled for hearing on January 29 in the Supreme Court. In Varanasi, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said that not just the BJP but the majority people of this country wants Ram temple to be built in Ayodhya at the earliest.

Sinha said the government will build the temple as per the guidelines laid down in the Constitution.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Hello and welcome to the News Nation Live Blog. With 2019 Lok Sabha elections looming over the nation, News Nation conducted an Opinion Poll in national capital Delhi and Haryana to know what is the mood of the people of the two small but crucial states. Our reporters travelled across all the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies (7 in Delhi and 10 in Haryana) and asked people several questions to find out who will have the better chances of winning in the Lok Sabha elections. So, will the resurgent Congress make a comeback in Delhi and Haryana or the BJP again repeat its 2014 performance? Stay with us to find out what the opinion polls of Haryana and Delhi say.

Below are highlights of Opinion Poll:

19:03 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In When it comes to the choice of Prime Minister, Congress president Rahul Gandhi has increased his brand value in Haryana. Although Modi remained the first choice for the PM post with 39 per cent people in his favour, Rahul Gandhi was close second and 34 per cent wanted to see him as the prime minister of India.



18:46 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Most people in Haryana are not satisfied with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre. When asked, 44 per cent people said no to Modi govenrment at Centre while 42 per cent people said that they were happy with NDA government's work.



19:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The INLD likely to get 1 seat with 15% of votes in 2019, the JJP may get 12% of votes. Dushyant Chautala's Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) is likely to win a single seat in 2019.





19:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Lets move to Haryana now. And the opinion poll results of Haryana are again in favour of the BJP. The saffron party is likely to win 5 of the 10 seats in Haryana, while the Congress is predicted to get 3 sets. One seat may go to the INLD.



18:32 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In When asked if they were satisfied with the work of Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre, 49 per cent people said no while 31 per cent people expressed their satisfaction with the Modi government's work.



19:18 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In When asked who is the most suitable leader for the post of Prime Minister in 2019, 49 per cent people think Narendra Modi is the most suitable for the top job while only 19 per cent Delhiites favour Rahul Gandhi. 23 per cent people wanted someone else as the Prime Minister of India.



18:16 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Which party or coalition can address the issues of Delhi?



18:26 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In What will be the biggest issue in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections?



19:26 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In News Nation Opinion Poll in Delhi: The BJP is predicted to win 39 per cent vote share in the national capital in the coming 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress may get win 15 per cent vote share while the Aam Aadmi Party is predicted to secure 31 per cent votes.



19:26 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In In 2014, the BJP had swept the Lok Sabha elections in national capital Delhi by winning all the seven seats. The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party failed to open their account. As per the News Nation Opinion Poll for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is likely to repeat its 2014 performance and win 6 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) may this time open its account by winning one seat. However, the Congress may once again fail to open its account.

18:00 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In 2014 Indian general election in Haryana: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had won 7 of the 10 seats in Haryana in 2014. Congress could only win 1 seats. Rest two seats were bagged by the INLD.

17:44 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Hello and welcome to News Nation live updates: After conducting showing you the mood of people of Jammu and Kashmir, Himahcal Pradesh and Punjab, we are back with the our series of Opinion Polls for the coming Lok Sabha elections. Today we will tell you what is in the mind of Haryana and national capital Delhi. Who they will vote for and on what issues. The opinion poll will start at 6 pm. So don't go any where any stay with us.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
highlights AU agreed to send a delegation to Kinshasa to find a way out of the crisis.

EC last Thursday declared opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi winner.

He had got 38.57% of the tally against chief rival Martin Fayulus 34.8%.

Addis Ababa:

The African Union called on Thursday for the final announcement of last months disputed presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be suspended due to serious doubts. Meeting in Ethiopia, the AU agreed to urgently send a high-level delegation to Kinshasa in a bid to find a way out of the political crisis. The Heads of State and Government attending the meeting concluded that there were serious doubts on the conformity of the provisional results, as proclaimed by the National Independent Electoral Commission, with the votes cast, the AU said in a statement. As a result, it has called for the suspension of the proclamation of the final results of the elections.

The provisional results of the long-awaited election announced last week are being challenged in court, in a country that has never known a peaceful transfer of power since gaining independence from Belgium in 1960.

The electoral commission last Thursday declared opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi the winner of the December 30 vote with 38.57 per cent of the tally against chief rival Martin Fayulus 34.8 per cent.

Fayulu who launched the court action said it was an electoral coup forged in backroom dealings between Tshisekedi and outgoing President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001.

Even if the situation on the ground has been fortunately calm so far, it obviously remains a cause for concern, AU chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat told African leaders including from South Africa, Zambia and the Republic of Congo gathered to discuss the vote dispute at AU headquarters in Ethiopia.

Earlier this week, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a bloc that includes Angola and South Africa, called for a recount of the vote and a unity government in DR Congo.

But in a communique issued on Thursday, SADC made no mention of those demands, instead of calling on Congolese politicians to address any electoral grievances in line with the Democratic Republic of Congos Constitution and relevant electoral laws.

It also asked the international community to respect the DR Congos sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The vote dispute has raised fears that the countrys political crisis, which erupted two years ago when Kabila refused to step down at the end of his constitutional term in office, could worsen.

The vast and chronically unstable country became a battlefield for two regional wars in 1996-97 and 1998-2003, and the last two presidential elections, in 2006 and 2011, were marked by bloody clashes. The countrys top court is due to rule on the court action later this month.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
highlights The two bills will be introduced during the ongoing Winter Session.

The education criteria was introduced by the previous BJP government in 2015.

Under the criteria, a candidate need to pass Class X for contesting local polls.

New Delhi:

In a bid to do away with the criteria of minimum educational qualification for contesting local body polls, the Rajasthan cabinet on Thursday approved two amendments bills. Both the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2019, and the Rajasthan Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2019 will be introduced in state assembly during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.

The education criteria was introduced by the previous Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government in 2015. Under this norm, a candidate had to pass Class X for contesting municipal, Zila parishad or Panchayat Samiti elections. However, a candidate contesting for the post of a sarpanch is required to have passed Class VIII or Class V in tribal-reserved areas.

The cabinet also decided to ask the state public service commission to extend the date of the RAS main examination. It also aims to conduct the exam in an organised manner in order to ensure aspirants are not affected. The development came after the aspirants for Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) staged a massive protest demanding the government to extend the exam. The decisions came during a meeting at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlots residence on Thursday.

Briefing the media on the latest developments, state cabinet minister Parsadi Lal said a series of key issues, including farm-loan waiver and removing educational norms in local body and panchayat elections were discussed in the meeting.

The cabinet also discussed issues related to water, electricity and schemes for the unemployed youths, the party leaders said. However, the issue of 10-per cent reservation for "economically weaker" section in the general category is yet to be discussed.

(With inputs from agencies)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Bollywood film stars are reaching the Maldives a lot these days. Actress Ananya Panday had also recently arrived in the Maldives from where she shared her glamorous photos. Though the actress is back now, she was trolled as soon as she came to Mumbai. Ananya Panday has returned to India after a vacation. This is causing a video of her going viral.

In fact, the actress is wearing a white crop top on her way back, which she is wearing with very short shorts. Ananya is wearing a shirt around her waist. The actress' airport look is being trolled by people. Users taunted her with her pocket bigger than shorts. Some users even said that she won't have the good kind of clothes to wear.

The same Ananya Panday had recently arrived in the Maldives to chill. This led to the actress sharing a lot of pictures. But the picture that went viral was her bikini photo. Ananya shared her selfie in a black bikini. Ananya looked gorgeous and hot in this photo. Ananya's look was also loved by her fans. Sharing the photo Ananya had written in the caption Hot Mess. Tell you that Ananya started her career with 'Student of the Year 2,' after which she appeared in films like 'Pati Patni Aur Woh' and 'Khaali Peeli.'

Nora Fatehi wore torn dress, users said- Ab Kya Maar Hi Dalogi...

Ryan Reynolds admits Hollywood copies Bollywood, Kangana Ranaut also hits out

Ranveer gave such an answer to Deepika's question, fans said- Person who is afraid of his wife...
Home  Politics  Gilles Bourbao is the new French ambassador to Nepal

Kathmandu, September 19

France has appointed senior foreign affairs advisor Gilles Bourbao as the new ambassador to Nepal.

Bourbao has arrived in Kathmandu on Friday to assume his office.

The protocol officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the newly appointed Ambassador at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Bourbao, who was appointed to the post by President Emmanuel Macron on August 25, replaced his predecessor Francois-Xavier Leger, who left for France on Thursday after completing his three years term.

Talking to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) in brief before his departure, he claimed that his hectic three years term as the ambassador to Nepal was fruitful in strengthening mutual relations between the countries.

Thanking all Nepali people for their warm regards and cooperation during his stay in Nepal, he offered his wish to visit Nepal again as a tourist.
In 2019, Ram Kumari Shrestha, who operates a business in Bajbajar, got around Rs 1 million after her family sold their ancestral land. Wanting to make the most of it, she decided to use the money to buy land in the outskirts of the city. She was planning to take a loan to manage the funds for the land.

But, with prices soaring, she felt it was not right to buy land in the valley and decided to keep the money. Arjun Khanal, the secretary at Triple M Manapathi Multipurpose Cooperative Ltd found out about Shrestha having the cash and approached her.

Shrestha says Khanal told her that she would be given whatever amount she needed to purchase the land but asked her to deposit the Rs 1 million at Triple M Manapathi Multipurpose Cooperative Ltd. He promised her that the cooperative would be offering her a 13 per cent interest on her capital and also assured her that he would give her a loan to buy the land at a considerably cheaper rate. Tempted by the offer, Shrestha agreed and deposited Rs 1 million there.

Over 18 months have passed since that day, but Shrestha has neither got her money back nor had the cooperative given her a loan. Her days are spent going to the Cooperatives Department of the Kathmandu metropolitan city and police, trying to get back what she is owed.

This is one example of how cooperatives have been cheating their members openly without getting booked by authorities.

Cheaters

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

Triple M Manapathi Multipurpose Cooperative Ltd has moved from the place it was when she deposited the money. The house owner who had rented the cooperative a place says he had to evict the company as it did not pay rent on time. The cooperative has relocated to Dillibazar.

Onlinekhabar tried to meet the cooperatives officials, but no one wanted to speak. Our efforts to contact Khanal was also unsuccessful.

Shrestha on the other hand has already filed a complaint at the Cooperatives Department of the Kathmandu metropolitan city. The departments deputy director Bimala Koirala says there have been other complaints against the cooperative by people like Shrestha who claim they have been conned.

Weve been trying to contact them, but theyve been avoiding us. Even when we have got hold of them, theyve not been proactive in solving the mess they have created, says Koirala.

Irritated, the department on August 6 wrote to Metropolitan Police Range, Teku asking the police to arrest officials of the cooperative. Shrestha took the letter herself to the police who then asked her to take it to the Police Circle in Anamnagar. When she reached the circle, she was shocked.

There were many others who had filed a complaint against the cooperative. I wasnt the only one, says Shrestha.

Shrestha has been trying to contact the cooperative herself, but so far, the talks have not been positive. The officials do tell her that they will pay her back and ask for time, but in action, they just seem like they are stalling, says Shrestha.

There are 20 complaints against Triple M Manapathi Multipurpose Cooperative Ltd at the KMCs Cooperatives Department alone. In the past fiscal year, the cooperative has taken over Rs 9.1 million rupees. If one adds interest to the amount, it goes in excess of Rs 15 million.

Saraswati Katuwal is facing a similar problem. She had deposited between Rs 100 to Rs 500 every day at Osmosis Saving and Credit Cooperative Limited. For two years, she did that but when she wanted to withdraw the money, she could not. She wanted the money to support her family which had been badly affected by Covid-19, but citing various reasons, the cooperative did not let her withdraw money. Like Triple M, Osmosis also relocated and has been avoiding taking calls from its members.

Over a thousand people in the Kathmandu metropolitan city alone have been cheated by cooperatives. According to the complaints filed at the Cooperatives Department, various cooperatives in Kathmandu owe their members in excess of Rs 400 million. According to the department, 1,069 people have filed complaints against 27 cooperatives for being frauds. While a few have got their money back, many are still awaiting justice.

The department has asked the police to take action against the cooperatives.

On top of the list is Anandanagar Saving and Credit Cooperative Limited that has cheated 54 people of Rs 140 million. Similarly, Om Batu Saving and Credit Cooperative is accused of failing to return Rs 68.20 million to its depositors. Business Savings and Credit Cooperative also owes its members Rs 25.90 million.

Catch us if you can

Koirala from the department says the department receives many complaints, but it has not been able to do much. Some go to the department to explain why they have not been able to pay the depositors. Some ask for time and pay people back and some say they will pay back but go into hiding.

She says all the department can do is ask them to return the money and if they do not, file a complaint at the police.

The Cooperatives Department of the Kathmandu metropolitan city says it sent 1,500 complaints to the police. This fiscal year, there have already been two complaints in the first month alone. The police say that they have arrested one person while they are on the lookout for 11 others who are on the run. Last fiscal year, they arrested 11 people and in 2019-20 arrested 10 people. But, they add that over 50 people who were associated with the fraud are on the run.

DSP Narendra Chand says the trend to cooperatives conning people has increased in the past few years. But, he says the police can only take action after they are asked to do so by either the local government or the respective department. We have to abide by the Cooperative Act, says Chand.

Loopholes protecting the frauds

Experts believe the main reason for the rising cases of fraud is the lack of monitoring. There are over 35,000 cooperatives in the country. Despite the news of cooperatives involved in fraud, the number of them being registered is increasing every day.

The monitoring work has been tasked to the local governments who themselves have been giving permission to operate cooperatives. Before the country went into federalism, there were 42 offices spread across the country that monitored cooperatives. But after federalism, the role has been given to the local and provincial bodies.

Currently, the Department of Cooperatives under the federal government only monitors around 125 cooperatives while the rest are monitored by provincial and local units. The departments registrar Lila Prasad Sharma says that even though monitoring should have been smoother as it was given to the local level, things have not been better.

The situation is a bit dire, says Sharma.

National Cooperative Federation President Min Raj Kandel also agrees that monitoring is weak. He says it is weak as there are too many cooperatives in the market and due to a few, all are being treated as frauds.

Syndicate for the smart

Most people who operate cooperatives have a lot of influence. Due to that, most never get punished. Sudhir Basnet, from Oriental Co-operative, had run away taking billions of rupees. One person had committed suicide after Basnet ran away with money in excess of Rs 8 billion. After getting complaints of fraud up to Rs 8 billion, police arrested Basnet on December 28, 2016.

Lawmakers have also been using their influence to con people. Parliamentarian Ichchha Raj Tamangs Civil Cooperative had given a lot of trouble to its depositors. He has used the money deposited and invested on housing. Despite causing problems to thousands of people, he was not made answerable.

Experts say people who are clever are conning members of the cooperatives, looting millions of rupees in the process. They give naive members fake promises and get money away which they never intend to return. They do not even give a briefing to shareholders of the cooperatives about their roles and responsibilities.

A few people take all the decisions and dont keep other members on the loop. That is whats causing major problems, says Balaram Niraula, the registrar at Cooperative Registrar Office of Province 1.

Niraula says most of the fraud cases take place in Kathmandu and the number of such cases in other places is quite low. He says most of the fraud cases reported in cities away from Kathmandu do not seem intentional.

How to stop fraud?

The Department of Cooperatives is closely monitoring 125 cooperatives that fall under the central government. Sharma says that they believe if the department monitors these well, it will set a benchmark for others.

The Cooperative Federations Kandel says problems are arising because it has only been a few years since the task of monitoring was handed to the local governments and hence calls for patience.

Not all are bad. I know there are frauds in the market, but you cant dub all cooperatives as frauds, he says, adding a few are defaming the sector.
Kathmandu, September 19

The Supreme Court has issued an interim order in the name of the government to immediately stop the illegal cross-border sale of Nepals captive elephants into India.

A single bench of Justice Kumar Regmi issued the order last week in response to a writ petition filed by advocate Sanjay Adhikari among others.

Adhikari, a public interest litigator, had moved the court after tourism entrepreneurs of Sauraha outside the Chitwan National Park of Nepal began selling their captive elephants which they would otherwise use to give a ride to the tourists around community forests outside the national park citing the lack of visitors during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The sale was clearly against the Act to Regulate and Control International Trade in Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora, and its regulations.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers among other government authorities have been made defendants in the case.
(Adds detail, context)

PARIS, Sept 19 (Reuters) - France has cancelled a meeting between Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly and her British counterpart planned for this week after Australia scrapped a submarine order with Paris in favour of a deal with Washington and London, two sources familiar with the matter said.

Parly personally took the decision to drop the bilateral meeting with British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, the sources said.

The French defence ministry could not be immediately reached. The British defence ministry declined comment.

The sources confirmed an earlier report in the Guardian newspaper that the meeting had been cancelled.

The scrapping of the multi-billion-dollar submarine contract, struck in 2016, has triggered a diplomatic crisis, with Paris recalling its ambassadors from Washington and Canberra.

France claims not to have been consulted by its allies, while Australia says it had made clear to Paris for months its concerns over the contract.

French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden will speak by telephone in the coming days to discuss the crisis, the French government's spokesman said on Sunday.

(Reporting by John Irish and Tim Hepher; Additional reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Writing by Gus Trompiz; Editing by Edmund Blair and Diane Craft)
Ive spent a lot of time pondering a critical issue with cameras. In many ways, it still feels like were caught in a traditional problem that hasnt disappeared. It starts with modern cameras. Lots of things about them are rooted in tradition. And thats wonderful. Photography needs to be loyal to where it began. But embracing digital still hasnt truly happened. One of the most perplexing things about modern cameras has to do with lenses. My hope is that it doesnt take long for a lot of rapid change to occur.

To get into this, I need to explain a few things. Lets start with modern camera lenses. Lots of lenses are marketed in a way that ignores the romance and highlights the technology. Theres a lot of discussion about the clinical efforts. Its common to see MTF charts, pixel peeping, corner checking, bokeh shaping, etc. I mean, when did onion bokeh suddenly become a thing? Who was pixel peeping that hard on an image and suddenly said that the bokeh was that awful? Indeed, modern lens marketing is all about discussing how good the lenses are. More importantly, it implies how much less post-production you have to do because you have such a clean photo.

And thats fine, I guess. But the paradox here is that cameras are marketed differently.

Talk about cameras, and theres a lot of different things discussed. Dynamic range is discussed because it tells you how much you can recover in post-production. The color range is the same thing. High ISO noise is discussed similarly to show you how clean the images areand its the most sensical thing. Then theres frames per second, autofocus tracking, etc. Essentially, cameras are marketed to how much more work you can do in post-production vs. the other cameras out there.

Why? Why are lenses marketed to show how little post-production you need to do, but cameras are designed to show how much? Why cant the two work together?

Some of you are probably going to give some obvious answers. But why not just work with the post-production companies to put it in the camera to begin with? Phase One cameras have this, and so does Zeiss. But it needs to be widespread. Further, with what AI can do, much more can be possible.

Story continues

My proposal: allow me to do the following:

Boot the camera up

Sync it to an app

Tell the app what sort of genres I shoot often

Feed it 10 of my favorite images

Let the app digest the images and come up with an average idea of the images I want to produce

Fine tune

Export that data to the camera

Let the camera spit out that data as RAWs that I can edit if I wish

Let the camera also spit out that data as JPEGs

Cameras can do many things already like multiple exposures, stroboscopic flash, second-curtain flash, etc. What this could do is give birth to a totally different type of creator. And more importantly, it can create even more of a market using its own apps and platforms. Everyone can genuinely have their own unique look. You wont constantly be feeding the same images over and over to satisfy an algorithm. Humans wont be so robotic when it comes to creating. And truthfully, it will mean photographers can actually create more in-camera.

I hope this happens one day and that the industry stops working against itself with modern cameras.
Hu Chunhua declares the opening of the 18th WCIF





CHENGDU, China, Sept. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The opening ceremony of 18th Western China International Fair was held on September 16, 2021. At the ceremony, Hu Chunhua, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, declared the opening of the 18th Western China International Fair (WCIF).

Hu Chunhua declares the opening of the 18th WCIF

This year's fair takes place from September 16th to 20th in Chengdu. It is estimated that more than 50,000 guests and traders from 66 countries and regions will join the event physically and virtually. The Western China International Expo City is the main venue with an exhibition area of 200,000 square meters. The fair features Singapore as the Guest Country of Honor, Tibet Autonomous Region as the rotating presidency and Leshan city as the theme city.

To respond to the Western China Development, WCIF was launched in 2000, upholding the principles of co-hosting, sharing and mutual benefits. Since its inception, 17 editions of the WCIF have been held successfully, which has made the fair an important platform for western China to promote investment and cooperation and to carry out diplomatic services.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-western-china-international-fair-wcif-holds-in-chengdu-on-september-16-20-2021-301379984.html

SOURCE The Western China International Fair
A blast targeted a Taliban vehicle in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad on September 19, local media reported, a day after at least three people were killed in a series of explosions in the area.



Initial reports says at least five people, including a child, were killed in the latest attack. Witnesses said that unspecified number of wounded Taliban fighters were taken to hospital after the explosion.



An overhead powerline was also damaged by the blast, causing an electricity outage in the area, local news websites said.



According to the eyewitnesses, the blast targeted a vehicle of the border police, which is now run by the Taliban.



No further details were immediately available and there was no immediate comment from the Taliban.



On September 18, three explosions killed at least three people and wounded 19 others in Jalalabad, the provincial capital of Nangarhar, in what was described as the first deadly attack in Afghansitan since the Taliban gained control of the country more than a month ago.



Witnesses and a member of the Taliban-led government were quoted as saying that at least one of the blasts hit a pickup truck carrying Taliban fighters.



No one claimed responsibility for the blasts.



Nangarhar is the heartland of the Islamic State extremist group's local branch, Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), which is an enemy of Afghanistans new rulers.



The Taliban and IS-K extremists fought each other even before the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan last month.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Police in Pakistan have opened a case against an influential cleric after he hoisted the Taliban flag over the building of an important religious seminary in the nations capital of Islamabad.

Maulana Abdul Aziz, a Taliban supporter who wants Pakistan to enforce Islamic Shari'a law in the country, raised the white-and-black flag of the militant group over the Jamia Hafsa religious seminary for female students last month after the Taliban took control of neighboring Afghanistan.

Azizs action underscores the strong support for the militant group within Pakistan, where media, religious parties, and even some government officials openly celebrated the Taliban takeover of Kabul in August.

The 58-year-old Aziz, who reportedly had links with the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda, served a two-year prison term after leading a rebellion at the Jamia Hafsa and Red Mosque in 2007 in which dozens of people, including his younger brother, were killed.

A police official at Abpara Police Station told Radio Mashaal on September 19 that they opened a case against Aziz a day earlier on charges of sedition and terrorism after he refused to remove the flags from atop Jamia Hafsa.

Aziz and his supporters blocked the police from entering the building to remove the flags, said the officer, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case.

The Office of the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad tweeted on September 18 that the flags had been removed from the building, that the area had been "cleared," and the case had been registered against the cleric.

Dozens of police officers were deployed near the Red Mosque and Jamia Hafsa on September 19 to maintain peace in the area. None of Azizs followers have been detained, the official added.



Aziz sent an audio statement to media on September 18 saying that he removed the flags after authorities promised to reopen another mosque linked to the Jamia Hafsa and appoint a prayer leader and cleric.

That mosque has remained closed since the governments 2007 offensive against the militants led by Aziz.

Authorities in Islamabad have sealed the case against Aziz for the time being, meaning that they will not take any legal action against him, a top administrative official told Radio Mashaal on September 19. The official did not give a reason for the decision to seal the case.

The influential cleric still has a very big following and, despite his attempted rebellion, the government did not remove him as head of Jamia Hafsa and the Red Mosque. However, the authorities did ban him from delivering sermons or from running the seminaries.

Aziz and his followers first hoisted the Afghan Taliban flag on the building of the seminary after the militant group took control of the country in mid-August but then removed it due to government pressure.

He hoisted the flag on September 17 again, prompting the police action a day later.

We have worked for the establishment of an Islamic system of governance in Pakistan before and we will continue our efforts, Aziz said in the statement.



Aziz was arrested in 2007 as he attempted to flee following his failed rebellion and later jailed. When he was released by the Supreme Court of Pakistan two years later, he was greeted by tens of thousands of his supporters.
Unknown assailants have shot dead a police constable guarding polio vaccine workers in northwest Pakistan where a five-day immunization campaign is under way this week, police said on September 19.



The attack happened in Dhal Behzadi village in the district of Kohat, about 75 kilometers south of Peshawar, the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, senior officer Khalid Suhail said.



Members of the vaccination team were unhurt in the attack. Police said they launched a probe into the incident.



There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault, but militants linked with Al-Qaeda often target polio vaccinators and their security escorts. They claim that the vaccination campaigns are a Western plot to sterilize children.



Aimal Khan, provincial spokesman for the anti-polio program, said that security for the vaccination teams has been enhanced after the attack.



Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two remaining countries in the world where polio is endemic.



The anti-polio drive in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa aims to vaccinate 6.24 million children up to the age of five across the province. Khan said nearly 30,340 teams of trained workers were going home to administer the vaccines.



It's part of a nationwide program to eradicate polio in the country by the end of 2021. No new polio cases have been reported in Pakistan so far this year.

Based on reporting by AP and geo.tv
A Colorado Springs based credit union and Colorado bank thats been swept up in a merger must pay millions of dollars in refunds to customers who were overcharged on certain loans, according to a release from Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser on Monday.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
An airman assigned to the Air Force Academy died in a car crash Sunday morning along Interstate 25 near the base.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
A censure, if the board agrees on one, would be an insultingly inadequate response. Tay Anderson must leave office now. His behavior was not only disgraceful and reprehensible; it was also corrupt: He abused his position for his personal gratification.
The state's Office of Early Childhood, within the Department of Human Services, has been awarded $275 million from the American Rescue Plan to help families with young children, childcare providers and other early childhood professionals.
1. Yes. There should be absolute certainty that the election was free and fair.

2. Yes. The audit could and should lead to stronger laws governing elections in the state.

3. No. Former President Trump wants the audit to further cast doubt on the 2020 vote.

4. No. Its a waste of money, an attempt by Abbott to gain favor among Trump backers.

5. Unsure. It seems unnecessary but it may provide some worthwhile findings.

Vote

View Results


A recent story in the Wall Street Journal newspaper looked at students who went to celebrated universities such as Columbia and New York University in New York City, for advanced degrees in subjects like art, film and even social work.

Many of the students said they learned a lot. However, when they graduated, they were deep in debt and did not think they would find work that would let them pay back their loans. After graduation, many students reported owing over $100,000. Meanwhile, they were earning just $50,000 a year.

One student who received a Master of Fine Arts (known as an MFA) from Columbia, Matt Black, told the newspaper he was financially hobbled for life and owed lenders close to $300,000.

Students said they spoke with Columbia about the high cost of advanced arts degrees but never received a reasonable answer, the newspaper reported. Education experts say these schools are very wealthy, with large endowments, which could be used to pay students tuition. The universities, however, prefer to ask the students to pay the full cost.

One famous school, Yale, is changing the system. Its theater program will be free to students after a $150 million donation from music and movie producer David Geffen.

The data for the Wall Street Journal story came from the United States Department of Education, and it was restricted to the two years after a student graduated. When representatives from the universities in the story were asked about their graduates financial problems, many said two years is a short period of time. They said their graduates slowly increase their earnings over time.

In subjects like math, medicine, science and computer programming, advanced degrees are often required for first-year jobs. However, in more creative careers like writing, making movies or painting, people can be very successful without getting an advanced degree.

Kevin Carey is a higher education expert for New America, a public policy research center. He called masters degrees a scam in a conversation with the website Slate.com.

Charging people a ton of money to go into any artistic career is often super problematic, he said.

Carey also said schools say we need the money, when asked about the high cost of their masters degrees. But everyone needs money, he said, adding it is a poor defense.

Even in careers like law or business, advanced degrees are no guarantee of financial success. The same Wall Street Journal writers looked at law school graduates from the University of Miami, in Florida. They saw recent graduates often borrowed $150,000 to go to law school. Two years after graduation, they were earning just $59,000.

Sergio Castillo is an actor in New York City. He said he owes so much money on his student loans that he no longer pays them.

He went to the University of California at Los Angeles and then earned an MFA from The Actors Studio in New York City. He does not expect to earn a lot of money from acting. Was his MFA worth the cost?

I do think it was worth it. I dont put a price tag on my education or my experience. I think its sort of unfortunate that so many people take for granted education. So many people, people like my mother, for example, never got to go to college.

Castillo said students who are thinking about an advanced degree in art should be sure they are doing it because they value the education, not because they want money or to be famous.

There are a lot of other things you can do, dont go into it for that reason.

Lynne Adrine is a former television producer who runs the broadcast journalism graduate program in Washington, D.C. for Syracuse University.

She said students must ask an important question when they are thinking about graduate school.

Is it worth the investment of all that money for that masters degree, and what is it going to turn into later?

In some fields, people may have better experiences working as an assistant than spending money on graduate school.

Adrine warned that the cost of higher education in the U.S. is a serious issue.

I just think that there's a there's a reckoning coming in terms of college tuition in general and the bang for the buck that one gets, she said.

Kasia Plazinska is a filmmaker in New York City. She came to the U.S. from Poland to study about 10 years ago.

She attended graduate school both at Baylor University in Texas and at the University of Iowa. She said she received a lot of financial support from those universities. When asked about the high cost of graduate school in the U.S., she described it with one word: insanity.

It is so insane. I mean, I know friends who are stuck with the debt. And literally they cant, they are not taking risks in life. Just even changing the job because they are so afraid.

Plazinska said arts graduate programs can help students meet and make friends with fellow artists with whom they can work throughout their careers. Its even better if the school is in a place like New York or Los Angeles.

Those interviewed did not have a solution for the problem of costly advanced degrees in creative subjects.

For school to be of value, Plazinska said, students need to remember why they started making art in the beginning.

Its for just for the pure pleasure of creating and fulfilling myself this way.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor.

Do you think people should go to graduate school if they want to work in the arts? Tell us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. Quiz - Are Artistic Advanced Degrees Worth the Cost? Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

____________________________________________________

Words in This Story

degree n. an official document and title that is given to someone who has successfully completed a series of classes at a college or university

social work n. the work done by someone who works for a government or private organization that helps people who have financial or family problems

hobbled adj. the state of not being able to easily move forward or progress

endowment n. a large amount of money that has been given to a school, hospital, etc., and that is used to pay for its creation and continuing support

scam n. a dishonest way to make money by deceiving people

take for granted v. to believe or assume that (something) is true or probably true without knowing that it is true

fulfill v. to make (someone or yourself) happy by achieving or doing something that was wished for

journalism n. the activity or job of collecting, writing, and editing news stories for newspapers, magazines, television, or radio

reckoning n. the act of judging something  usually singular

bang for the buck n. used to describe how much value is received when money is spent

stuck adj. in a place or situation that is difficult or impossible to get out of
Virginia Oliver has been trapping lobster in the northeastern American state of Maine for more than 90 years. And even at 101 years old, she says she has no plans to stop.

Oliver recently told The Associated Press she started catching lobsters at age eight. At that time, the electronic traffic signal was a recent invention and few women were harvesting lobsters.

Oliver still goes out to set traps off Rockland, Maine, with her 78-year-old son Max. She uses a boat that once belonged to her late husband. The boat, called Virginia, was named after her.

Oliver is now the oldest lobster fisher in the state and possibly in the world. I've done it all my life, so I might as well keep doing it," she told the AP.

Oliver said she worries about the health of Maine's lobster population. She said the lobsters have been facing heavy fishing pressure in recent years.

The lobster industry has changed over Oliver's many years on the water. For example, the sea creatures have grown from a working class food to a tasty delicacy.

When she first started trapping, lobsters sold for 28 cents a pound. Now, they bring in 15 times that. Wire traps have replaced her beloved wooden ones, which these days are mainly used as decorations in seafood restaurants.

Other parts of the business have remained much the same over the years. She still loads up pogeys  a term used in the industry for menhaden fish  to put inside the traps to lure lobsters in. And, she still gets up before the sun rises to get an early start on the boat.

In some ways, she was destined for this life. Her father was a lobster dealer who started around the 1900s. She joined her father on trips and that is when Olivers love of the business began.

Wayne Gray, a family friend who lives nearby, said Oliver had a minor health problem a few years ago when a crab bit her finger. The incident required her to have seven stitches. But even then, she did not think about retiring her lobster traps.

Gray said, The doctor admonished her, said Why are you out there lobstering? Oliver answered, Because I want to.

After all these years, Oliver still gets excited about a lobster dinner of her own and said she usually prepares one for herself about once a week.

When asked whether she sometimes considers ending her work, Oliver said she just does not see any good reasons to do so.

I like doing it, I like being along the water, she said. And so Im going to keep on doing it just as long as I can.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

_________________________________________

Words in This Story

delicacy  n. a special food, usually something rare or costly

decoration  n. things put on or around something to make it look more attractive

lure  v. to persuade someone to do something

destined  adj. certain to achieve or experience something

stitch  n. one of the small pieces of thread used to sew together a cut

admonish  v. to gently tell someone that they have done something wrong
Tanzania's first female president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, recently named Stergomena Tax as defense minister. It is the latest in several appointments of women to top government positions.

The appointment came as part of the second Cabinet reorganization Hassan has made since the death of former president John Magufuli earlier this year.

Hassan said Taxs appointment would help push back against the idea that women cannot serve in such a position.

I have decided to break the longtime myth that in the Defense Ministry there should be a man with muscles. The ministers job in that office is not to carry guns or artillery," Hassan said.

Gender equality activists have welcomed the appointment. But they say more needs to be done to deal with the country's gender equality gap.

Anna Henga is head of the Legal and Human Rights Center.

She said there must be changes to laws that put women in low-decision positions. She added that the government should also give money through the Health Ministry to educate people that women can also be leaders.

Experts say an increase in the political representation of women at the national level does not mean women will have more power in daily life.

Social scientist Nasor Kitunda said gender should not matter. I think this tries to show that there is a direction in gender equality though Im not a believer in gender. The primary criteria should be someones performance and their ability to implement those responsibilities," Kitunda said.

Aika Peter is a Tanzanian human rights activist. She said appointing more women leaders is a good thing. But she added there must be a plan that lets more than just one person show their leadership skills in such a position.

We really need to see new faces in these positions  when you see the same people being recycled every day it gives the impression there are people who are so good at this job, there are no others who can be good at it, Peter said.

With Tax's appointment, there are now eight women who hold top positions in Hassans government.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Charles Kombe reported on this story for VOA News. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

________________________________________________

Words in This Story

gender  n. the state of being male or female; sex

myth  n. an idea or story that is believed by many people but that is not true

gap  n. a space between two people or things

criteria  n. something that is used as a reason for making a judgment or decision

implement  v. to begin to do or use something, such as a plan; to make something active or effective
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The first time Chen Shaohua went missing and was picked up by police, the 68-year-old's family put it down to confusion.

When he disappeared a second time, they realised he was deeply unwellbut it was already too late.

"We missed the early signs," daughter Chen Yuanyuan explained, adding: "For several years our mother complained he was lying... but we couldn't judge because we haven't lived with them for years."

Doctors diagnosed Chen with Alzheimer's Disease, the most common form of dementia, where people suffer impaired cognitive function including memory loss, eventually needing full-time care.

Approximately 10 million people have been diagnosed with the degenerativeand incurablebrain disorder in China, which accounts for approximately a quarter of the world's cases.

As the country's population is rapidly aging, this figure is expected to soar to 40 million by 2050, according to a study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

The report warned this surge in cases would cost the economy $1 trillion each year in medical expenses and lost productivity as caregivers drop out of the workforce.

The World Health Organisation says that while dementia is not "an inevitable consequence of biological aging", the strongest risk factor for getting it is age.

And while this is a growing problem worldwideexperts say China is poorly prepared for the challenge.

The United States has 6.2 million Alzheimer's patients and 73,000 beds in specialist treatment centres, while China has double the cases but fewer than 200 beds.

"No healthcare problem looms larger in China than Alzheimer's Disease," said Wei Shouchao, a neurologist from Guangdong medical university.

"It is the fastest-growing major illness on the mainland, and we are not at all equipped to deal with it."

'We never suspected'

When Chen started misplacing his keys or wallet, his family thought it was just forgetfulness.

The first time he went missing, it took 40 hours to find him. Police picked him up after someone reported an attempted break-in.

"(It) looked like the place where we used to live. Dad was confused. He forgot we are now in Beijing... luckily no one assaulted him," his daughter told AFP.

Uncertain of what to do next, they bought him a watch that could help them track him via an app, but when he went missing again after taking it off, they realised he needed medical help.

"We never suspected Alzheimer's because we didn't have a family history and he is so young," said Chen Yuanyuan.

As millions migrate to cities, old parents in rural China are "left behind and left vulnerable", said He Yao, from the National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics Diseases.

Lack of awareness among families means patients go without access to proper medical care for years, he said.

"This is a missed opportunity because early interventions can slow the progression of the disease," he said.

Last year, Beijing announced the Healthy China 2030 action plan that aims to roll out community-level screening programs for the early detection of Alzheimer's or dementia and raise public awareness of the disease.

However, critics say the proposals do not include details about training doctors, building dedicated care facilities or increasing the capacity of public hospitals to treat dementia patients.

"Rural doctors aren't trained for early diagnosis," said Wei.

"Even Beijing has only one care home with staff trained to handle Alzheimer's patients."

Missing parents

Chen is a former army musician who plays several classical Chinese instruments including the bamboo flute.

He is physically fit and has a clear memory of things that happened decades ago. On the surface, the only indicator that something is amiss is when he talks of past events as if they are happening now.

"Chairman Mao attended one of our performances," he told AFP, referring to a concert in the central city of Wuhan in the 1960s.

Dementia patients often need round-the-clock care, and the physical and mental toll on caregivers can be significant, particularly if there is little professional help.

Chen's son Chen Yunpeng has a busy job at a logistics company but as there are no community facilities he must instead bring his father to the warehouse where he juggles full-time work with keeping his father safe.

And when he disappeared, the family had to rely on a volunteer group that helps find elderly people reported missing.

Over a dozen peopleincluding retired civil servants, teachers and housewivesrushed to the site where Chen was last seen and helped police pore over hours of CCTV footage from public cameras to find clues about where he went.

The team says it has helped find about 300 missing Alzheimer's patients since 2016.

"We get calls almost every day about missing parents from families across the country," said Su Xiao, head of Beijing Zhiyuan Emergency Rescue Services Center.

"The real danger is of the elderly being trapped in abandoned construction sites or falling into open pits or being out during bad weather."

Explore further One in 20 cases of dementia occurs in people under 65

 2021 AFP
In this Sept. 1, 2021, file photo, a police officer checks a passenger's phone at Porta Garibaldi train station, in Milan, Italy. In both the U.S. and the EU, officials are struggling with the same question: how to boost vaccination rates to the max and end a pandemic that has repeatedly thwarted efforts to control it. Italy is the first major European economy to require the COVID pass to access places of work across all sectors. Credit: AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File

The Belgian town of Aarschot has a vaccination rate of 94% of all adults, but Mayor Gwendolyn Rutten worries her town is too close for comfort to the capital of Brussels, where the rate stands at 63%. But there's not much she can do about it.

Her hope is that the government mandates vaccination. "Otherwise, you drag all others back into danger," Rutten said in a recent interview.

But few European Union countries have issued outright mandates, instead requiring people to show proof of immunization, a negative test or recent recovery from COVID-19 to participate in ever more activitieseven sometimes to go to work.

More sweeping requirements are the order of the day in the U.S., which has faced significant vaccine resistance. President Biden announced mandates last week that cover large portions of the population, sometimes without any option to test instead.

Despite apparently divergent strategies, officials in both the U.S. and the EU are struggling with the same question: how to boost vaccination rates to the max and end a pandemic that has repeatedly thwarted efforts to control it.

And the apparent split may in fact be narrowing. While not calling their restrictions mandates, some European countries are making life so difficult for those without the vaccine that it may amount to the same thing.

In a perhaps surprising move in a country known for touting individual freedoms, Biden has imposed sweeping vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans, including many private-sector employees and health care workers. Employees at firms with more than 100 workers will need to get immunized or test weekly, while vaccination will be required for employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal governmentwith no option to test out. There are some exemptions.

In this Sept. 4, 2021, file photo, a man receives the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in a bus that serves as a mobile COVID-19 vaccination unit in Bucharest, Romania. In both the U.S. and the EU, officials are struggling with the same question: how to boost vaccination rates to the max and end a pandemic that has repeatedly thwarted efforts to control it. In the European Union, officials in many places are requiring people to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from COVID-19 to participate in everyday activitieseven sometimes to go to work. Credit: AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, File

The seemingly more aggressive U.S. policy may reflect greater pressures there. The EU, which initially lagged way behind the United States in terms of vaccinations, surpassed it at the end of July. As of Thursday, the 27-nation bloc had 60% of its population vaccinated compared to 53% for the United States, according to Our World In Data. In the both places, immunization rates vary widely from country to country or state to state.

American authorities from Biden on down have labeled the current phase a "pandemic of the unvaccinated," with data showing that nearly all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are now are in people who weren't vaccinated. EU officials have used the same description for continuing outbreaks in their countries.

But it's harder for the EU writ large to impose vaccine mandates since health policies are the responsibility of the 27 national governments, and top EU officials walk on egg shells addressing the issue. Asked specifically by The Associated Press whether mandatory vaccination could be part of the solution, three EU commissioners swerved around the question, though none argued against it.

"This is not within our remit. This is not part of our legal framework," EU Vice President Margaritis Schinas said, before adding: "But if there is a message that we would like to repeat to member states and through member states to the European citizens, it is 'vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.'"

Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized that supply wouldn't be an issue, and the bloc would "be ready for everything which is needed." That underscores that such debates can only play out in wealthy nations, while many lower-income countries remain unable to even offer all their citizens a first shot.

But while officials in Brussels can't impose a mandate on the EU's 450 million citizens, many national governments are ramping up restrictions for those who are not vaccinated. Some countries are, in fact, requiring vaccines for some groups: Slovenia is imposing them for government employees, with no option to test out.

More common in the EU, however, is essentially requiring regular testing for those who aren't vaccinated.

In this Sept. 4, 2021, file photo, a protester holds a placard reading "No to the health pass" during a demonstration against the COVID-19 health pass in front of the Eiffel Tower, in Paris. Italy and France have seen thousands take the streets in protests of the COVID passes, some of which resulted in clashes with police in Paris. Credit: AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File

Want to see "The Last Judgment" by Flemish Primitive Rogier van der Weyden at a Burgundy museum? You must show a so-called COVID passwhich provides proof of a negative test, a vaccination or recent recovery from COVID-19to be allowed to admire that Northern Renaissance gem. The restrictions apply across France for everything from entering restaurants to visiting the Eiffel Tower.

Struggling to boost its paltry vaccination rates in the early summer, France was the first major EU nation to start using such passes. Macron then announced obligatory vaccinations for all health workers in July.

It proved effective. In the eight weeks since the announcement, the French public health service said that the overall vaccination rate went from 40% fully vaccinated to 69%.

As a result, it has found other takers in the bloc. And on Thursday, Italy, which already required the pass for many activities, upped the ante. Premier Mario Draghi's government said workers in both the public and private sectors will soon be forced to show one to go to work. Slovenia and Greece have adopted similar measures, but Italy is the first major European economy to require the COVID pass to access places of work across all sectors.

The health pass "is not a nudge to get vaccinated, it is a not-so-gentle push, Italian legal expert Vitalba Azzollini said.

On both sides of the Atlantic, people have sometimes felt the push more like a shove.

In the United States, there has been lots of angry rhetoric and scattered demonstrations.

In this Sept. 10, 2021, President Joe Biden, with first lady Jill Biden, speaks during a visit at Brookland Middle School in northeast Washington. Biden has encouraged every school district to promote vaccines, including with on-site clinics, to protect students as they return to school amid a resurgence of the coronavirus. Credit: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File

"Everyone should have a right to say 'no' to something, and not lose everything," said Candace Ganjavi, a nurse at Memorial Herman Healthcare in Houston, Texas, who is helping others with advice on how to obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate her employer has imposed.

Meanwhile, Republican governors across the U.S. have loudly condemned Biden's mandate and vowed to take legal action. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster vowed to fight the president "to the gates of hell."

Biden has defended the mandates by saying "my job as president is to protect all Americans."

Italy and France have seen thousands take to the streets in protests of the COVID passes, some of which resulted in clashes with police in Paris. In Slovenia, hundreds of anti-vaccination protesters hurled flares at the parliament building on Wednesday to protest new measures that require a COVID pass for entering almost any shop as well as restaurants and private workplaces.

The government doubled down, announcing Friday it would expand the requirement to government employees.

Vaccination rates have soared since the first measures were announced.

"I would be more pleased if people understood why they have to get vaccinated," said Bojana Beovic, the chief of the Health Ministry's advisory group on COVID-19. "But the main thing is that the share of the vaccinated population is increasing."

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Australia's second-largest city will exit its coronavirus lockdown in late October if vaccine targets are met under an official roadmap released Sunday.

About five million people in Melbourne have been under stay-at-home orders since August 5, the sixth lockdown they have endured so far during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials in Victoria state, which includes Melbourne, announced those orders would be lifted when 70 percent of over-16s are fully vaccinated. They projected that target would be reached around October 26.

"Lockdown will end. The (limited) reasons to leave your home and the curfew will no longer be in place," Victoria premier Dan Andrews said, adding that a raft of restrictions would still be enforced.

Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to reopen but only with a maximum of 50 fully vaccinated people seated outdoors, while a ban on visitors to homes will remain in place.

But once the vaccination rate lifts to 80 percentprojected by roughly November 5fully vaccinated Melbourne residents will enjoy a greater range of freedoms, including no masks outdoors, up to 10 visitors to homes, and the option to work from offices.

Andrews said the health system was likely to come under "intense pressure" as a result of the changes, but the staggered reopening would help Melbourne to "normalise" its virus response.

"We cannot perennially or permanently suppress this virus. Lockdowns have been about buying time to get to 70 and 80 percent vaccination," he said.

"We are fast approaching those milestones and at that point we have got to open the place up, because remaining closed forever has its own cost in every sense of that word."

The announcement came a day after several police officers were wounded and more than 200 protesters were arrested at a violent anti-lockdown demonstration in Melbourne.

Officers used pepper spray on the crowd, who defied stay-at-home orders to march through an inner-city suburb in opposition to pandemic restrictions.

Melbourne spent almost four months in lockdown last year, and has been recording hundreds of new cases each day despite enforcing strict lockdown rules.

After pursuing a "zero COVID" strategy for much of the pandemic, Australia has struggled to contain the more infectious Delta variant and state leaders are increasingly moving to ease restrictions once higher vaccination coverage is reached.

Explore further Australia's Melbourne extends sixth virus lockdown

 2021 AFP
Dozens of doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine are ready to be administered at the University of Guam Calvo Field House in Mangilao on Sept. 13. Some who work in the restaurant industry have opted not to get vaccinated.
Research shows that a small amount of cloud cover can have a dramatic impact on the amount of power a solar panel produces. Solar Advice director Neil Berrow says there are ways to compensate for South Africas cloudy days.

According to research published in Sustainability, solar panels that are 25% shaded produce 33.7% less power, while those shaded 75% produce 96.2% less power.

MyBroadband approached Neil Berrow of Solar Advice, who proposed solutions to mitigate the impact of weather instability on solar power generation.

Berrows solution is to enlarge the panel and battery system to produce extra energy stores that will cater to cloudy days with low production.

Alternatively, investing in larger energy storage equipment could help to reserve the power during the erratic seasons and utilise it during the more predictable season, Berrow said.

Solar panels use photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert sunlight to electricity. When a panel of PV cells absorbs light, electrons that generate electric current are released.

The electric current produced can be used as a direct power source or stored in batteries as a backup power solution.

PV panels can produce power from direct and indirect sunlight, with power production determined by the amount of sunlight hitting the panel.

While PV cells continue to produce power on cloudy days, production is reduced due to clouds restricting the amount of sunlight reaching the panels.

Bloomberg reported that the UK was adopting an artificial intelligence approach to predict weather patterns that hamper energy production.

In addition, a research team in India found that aerosols, dust, and clouds reduce energy production from photovoltaic cells.

Additionally, extreme weather such as hail and strong winds  both of which South Africa experiences during summer storms  can damage solar installations resulting in the need for repair or replacement.
In August alone, 38 organisations suffered security breaches that they self-reported to the Information Regulator.

As the Regulator, we are concerned about the high number of security breaches in South Africa, said chairperson Pansy Tlakula.

Tlakula revealed the figure in the wake of the ransomware attack on the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD), which has brought South Africas legal system to its knees.

The attack occurred on 6 September. According to reports, it disrupted everything from bail services to deceased estates.

It also disrupted the ability to file court papers, causing cases to be postponed.

This security breach did not only interrupt the DOJ&CDs IT systems but also impacted on the work of the Information Regulator which relies on the DOJ&CDs IT systems for its own operations, Tlakula stated.

As a result of this security breach, the Regulators website was temporarily unavailable, and the e-mail system went offline and remains unavailable.

Last week, the Regulator said in a statement that they have written to DOJ&CD to remind them of their obligations in terms of Section 22 of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

POPIA requires responsible parties to notify the Regulator and the data subject where reasonable grounds exist, and the personal information of a data subject has been accessed or acquired unlawfully.

Responsible parties are reminded of their obligation under POPIA to secure the integrity and confidentiality of personal information of data subjects by taking appropriate, reasonable technical and organisational measures to prevent unlawful access to or processing of personal information, Tlakula said.

It is our role to ensure that personal information is processed safely and securely. Failure to do so has legal consequences, she said.

The Regulator advised that ransomware is often spread through phishing emails containing malicious attachments or through drive-by downloading.

Drive-by downloading is when a user unknowingly visits an infected website, and then malware is downloaded and installed without the users knowledge.

In the case of a ransomware attack, this leads to all the information systems being encrypted and rendered unavailable to employees and members of the public.

As a result, all electronic services provided by the Regulator have been affected, including emails, applications, complaints and the website, Tlakula said.

So far, no indication of data compromise has been detected on the systems.

In a recent statement, the justice department said that it had recovered some functionality of its system for child maintenance payments, MojaPay.

It said that it made payments on 15 September 2021, and the money is expected to reflect in beneficiary accounts in the next few days.

The Masters Offices around the country continue to, as [an] interim measure, use [a] manual process to provide bereaved families, in exceptional cases, where there is a need to access funds from the deceaseds banking account for burial costs, it said.

However, no manual letters of executorship or authority will be issued during this crisis period.
Hundreds of military vehicles were destroyed in a fire at the South African National Defence Forces Wallmansthal military base north of Pretoria this past week.

Volunteer firefighters from the Sinoville Firefighting Association were called to douse the fire at the outdoor storage area of the base on Thursday evening.

According to firefighters, 500 vehicles were engulfed in the blaze.

The association chairman, JP Botha, told Netwerk24 his team was at the scene just after 19:00, 15 minutes after the fire was reported.

Botha explained that putting the fire out was challenging as the area had no fire lanes, the grass was very tall in certain areas, and the vehicles were parked tightly together.

On top of that, a strong wind was blowing on the night.

The fire was so hot that one of the firefighters suits had started melting.

Around four hours after the volunteer firefighters started battling the blaze, the Wonderboom Fire Brigade arrived and helped to extinguish the fire by approximately 3:00 on Friday morning.

According to Netwerk24, the military contributed only a single water tanker and Land Cruiser with a water bag to the battle against the blaze.

Botha estimated that about 500 vehicles were destroyed and an area of between 5 and 10 hectares scorched.

The SANDF has claimed that only around 200 vehicles were destroyed.

In a statement, the SANDF said an assessment of the damage to property and vehicles was underway.

Fortunately, the destruction of the vehicles will have no operational impact on SANDF, explained Director at African Defence Review, Darren Olivier.

Oliver said that the outdoor storage area mostly contained out of service vehicles that have been stripped for parts or are awaiting sale or scrapping.

However, he pointed out that fire prevention measures were clearly inadequate.

The latest incident comes four years after a previous blaze at the same facility claimed 83 vehicles.

This is the second time theres been a fire in the open parking at Wallmansthal. Evidently, the lessons learned from the last one were not properly applied, and the relevant people were not held accountable, Olivier stated.

Oliver also posted aerial shots of the outdoor storage area from 2018 to better illustrate the number of vehicles kept in the area and their condition.

Oliver added that SANDFs operational vehicles were stored in ten humidity-controlled preservation hangars at the base that can take between 100 and 130 vehicles each.

In total, over 900 serviceable vehicles are stored in those hangars, including Samils, Casspirs, Ratels, Rooikats, Mambas, and G6s, he stated.

Botha told Netwerk24 the senior SANDF base officer who thanked the firefighters said that the entire base would likely have been destroyed without their assistance.

Had the hangars with operational vehicles been destroyed, the damage would likely have been in the millions, if not billions, of rand.

Now read: Security drones are fighting crime in South African neighbourhoods
Telegram, the social media platform used by protesters from Iran to Belarus, blocked a smart voting channel with recommendations for candidates in Russias parliamentary elections aimed at defeating ruling party nominees.

The platform restricted bots featuring campaign materials because of rules about days of silence before the election, Telegrams Russian-born founder Pavel Durov wrote on his Telegram channel at the end of the first day of voting.

At the same time, Durov criticized Alphabet Inc.s Google and Apple Inc. for removing a protest-voting app tied to imprisoned opposition leader Alexey Navalny from their Russian online stores under pressure from authorities. He wrote that the move sets a dangerous precedent that will affect freedom of speech in Russia and around the world.

Russia is in the second day of voting for the lower house of parliament, known as the State Duma, in which President Vladimir Putins unpopular United Russia party is counting on a commanding victory. The three-day election finishes Sunday evening.

Independent monitoring group Golos, deemed a foreign agent by the Russian government, recorded 2,130 possible violations at polling stations across the country Friday, Novaya Gazeta reported. Central Election Commission head Ella Pamfilova called on Golos activists to explain their complaints to the oversight agency, while accusing them of carrying out a campaign to discredit the election, state-run RIA Novosti reported.

While many competitors have been squeezed off the ballot, Navalnys so-called smart voting initiative, which largely suggests picking Communist candidates, could still present a challenge to the Kremlins preferred contenders in some races as opposition activists seeking to galvanize discontent over stagnant living standards.

Putin, 68, has stepped up efforts to gain control over the internet, which has remained a bastion of free speech, after two decades in power. Russian courts have declared Navalnys organizations extremist and banned online references to smart voting, while many of his allies have been forced into exile or jailed.
The government expects it could lift South Africas Covid-19 lockdown entirely by February or March 2022.

This suggestion formed part of discussions at a Cabinet meeting on the relaxation of lockdown measures last week, leading up to President Cyril Ramaphosas announcement that the country would be moved to an adjusted level 2 lockdown.

Two sources close to the matter have confirmed to Sunday newspaper Rapport that the meetings participants also floated the possibility of lifting the lockdown by February or March next year.

To allow for the implementation of Covid-19 lockdown measures to curb the spread of the virus, the government has had to repeatedly extend the national state of disaster under the Disaster Management Act (DMA) since March 2020.

In a written response to a question in Parliament this past week, Ramaphosa said the government could lift the state of disaster once organs of state had developed sustainable regulatory measures for controlling Covid-19 without the need for DMA regulations.

Measures must be infused into policies and regulations to normalise Covid-19 preventative measures in the society, Ramaphosa wrote.

The current measures contained in the regulations for dealing with the disaster in the context of the risk-adjusted strategy remain necessary to limit the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.

Alternatively, if the need to invoke current extraordinary measures provided for under the state of disaster ceased, all the regulations and directions issued under the national state of disaster would also cease to exist.

The president said ongoing assessments by the National Coronavirus Command Council and Cabinet would determine whether the conditions had been satisfied to lift or extend the state of disaster.

The health departments Nicholas Crisp told Rapport that the department would still require the DMA regulations to handle an anticipated fourth wave of infections, predicted to hit the country around December 2020.

Crisp also said at least 70% of the countrys adults would have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 before the regulations were no longer necessary.

As of Saturday, 18 September 2021, over 11.56 million people in South Africa had received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, equal to about 29% of the adult population.

70% is around 30 million people, which means a further 18.44 million people would have to be vaccinated before the government could consider lifting the lockdown.

Recent weekday vaccinations have consistently remained above 200,000, while weekend vaccinations are now around 60,000.

If this trend were to continue in the coming months, South Africa could hit the target of 70% in 17 to 18 weeks, around the last week of 2021 or the first week of 2022.

The graph below shows the number of daily vaccinations in each province since the vaccine rollout started.

Now read: Digital vaccine passport for South Africa delayed
Madrid is also frustrated that California's GOP didn't take cues from Massachusetts, Maryland, and Vermont, all of which are blue states led by Republican governors.

"One thing [those governors] have in common is that they have spoken out against Trump and the ethnonationalism that has consumed the Republican Party," said Madrid, who accused Faulconer of cowardice because he was "anti-Trump for three years as mayor of San Diego before climbing into his lap to run in the recall."

Madrid said he believes that Newsom mishandled the pandemic in some ways and that deep-seated problems such as income inequality and unaffordable housing have either not improved or gotten worse in the last three years, leaving a huge opening for honest conversations about the fixes.

"But that's no longer a debate we're having. The debate we're having now is whether we should tear the whole thing down or protect and persevere it, as flawed as it is," Madrid said. "Is this American experiment worth having anymore? The Republican Party is saying no, if it's not our way, the elections are rigged and let's tear it down. Let's destroy institutions because this is not our America."

On cue, the day before the election, Trump resurrected his blame game schtick.
Thank you for your fine coverage of events commemorating 9/11 up and down the Valley. The images and accounts were very moving, as were the events themselves in real-time.

However, you overlooked one important commemorative event that deserves celebration in these pages. Napas Interfaith Leaders Council conducted a beautiful interfaith service last Saturday evening at Napas 9/11 memorial, which included representatives from local United Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Adventist Christian congregations; the imam of our local mosque; the president of Napa's synagogue; the minister of the Center for Spiritual Living; a leader of the local Bahai community; the Clerk of the Napa Friends (Quaker) Meeting; and myself, a professional chaplain and priest of Soto Zen Buddhism.

One of the silver linings in this terrible, ongoing COVID pandemic has been the growth of interfaith relationships and collaborations up and down the Valley. Through regular meetings and across the religious spectrum, we have gathered to share information, discuss how best to support our respective communities, and encourage one another spiritually over the past 18 months. We differ in various ways, including our theologies, but we are united in a shared commitment to the Golden Rule: to love one another and the strangers among us as much as we love ourselves and our own.
At the same time, we heard a mans voice yelling at the woman to send us away. Tell them were closed, he bellowed.

She ignored him and jangled a huge ring of keys as we followed her to the available third-floor room. None of her keys appeared able to lock the open door but she assured us one existed and she brought it to us during our meal at the diner.

The fried chicken was tasty, and we forgot our usual avoidance of forbidden fried foods as we wolfed down the entree with French fries and onion rings. After our meal, we took our bags from the truck and trudged to our tiny room.

The soundless hall appeared empty of other guests. Our view was the roof of another part of the hotel and the bathroom had a toilet and sink but the shower was down the hall. We opted for a morning shower accompanied by sunlight. Most indelible was the bed. Any two people who slept on the old double-sized bed had better like their partner. The mattress sunk deeply in the center and gravity rolled the two humans together.

When we left the diner after breakfast, we were surprised to see dozens of people gathered along Main Street. Our parked truck in its corner position was not allowed to move because the street was cordoned off for a parade.

Did I forget some holiday? asked Carl.
Zelensky sacks Ukraine ambassador to Armenia

PM: Armenia, Armenian people are grateful to Japan

Armenia PM: We have made decision regarding local elections

Sarkissian to Putin: Armenia highly values your contribution to maintenance of peace, stability in region

Having legal system is important for business development in fair environment, says UK ambassador to Armenia

Armenia President, Italy PM meeting in Rome (PHOTOS)

Baku not ruling out another meeting between Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs

Armenia President meets with Rome mayor

1,309 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Biden approval rating hits new low in latest poll

Armenia ombudsman in Italy parliament, presents evidence of Azerbaijan torture of Armenian captives

World oil prices dropping

Serial killer in US lured by social media is sentenced to 160 years in prison

Newspaper: Armenia authorities face new problems in setting up parliament committee of inquiry into 44-day war

Newspaper: Opposition Armenia bloc plans to hold forums, rally

Armenia PM admits that in 2018 he could have disclosed Karabakh negotiation process content

Armenia health minister: Out of 2,446 hospital beds for coronavirus patients, 2,300 are occupied

China-Taiwan military escalation reaches peak in past four decades

Armenia President: We welcome pro-Artsakh documents adopted by nearly 50 regional and city councils of Italy

Armen Sarkissian meets with President of Italian Senate

Nikol Pashinyan: Armenia to build new nuclear power plant, negotiations have been launched

Italy's Quirinal Palace hosts exhibition featuring works of Aivazovsky, Saryan and other Armenian painters

Armen Sarkissian meets with President of Italy's Chamber of Deputies Roberto Fico

Catholicos of All Armenians meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican

Armenia ex-Ambassador to The Netherlands Vigen Chitechyan dies

Armenia PM again says he is guilty for all the failures of the Armenian side during last year's war

FM: Discussion on occupied territories of former NKAO will create new threats to Armenia

Karabakh emergency situations service: Rescue squad finds remains of another Armenian soldier in Jrakan

Mattarella: Armenia and Italy can boast about their friendly relations

Nikol Pashinyan: Armenia agreed to stop the hostilities on October 7, 2020

Iran, EEU begin talks to reach agreement over permanent treaty on free trade zone

An abundant TechnoFall with Inecobank - NFC payments and more

Armenia FM says his Indian counterpart will visit Yerevan in the next few days

Deputy PM: A comprehensive study of documents agreed by Armenian and Azerbaijani is necessary

Digest: Azerbaijan using Armenia's airspace, Baku says it's ready to mend relations with Yerevan

Health minister: All coronavirus vaccines in Armenia meet quality standards

Armenia health minister: Those who recovered from COVID-19 also need to get vaccinated

Armenia Deputy PM announces name of another POW returned from Azerbaijan

Armenia and Italy Presidents hold personal talks at Quirinal Palace

Armenian FM: MFA welcomes Iran's stance on inviolability of Armenia's borders

EU ready to share experience with Azerbaijan and Armenia in borders demarcation and delimitation

Dollar dropping in Armenia

Lavrov: Russia, Iran discussed 3 + 3 format concept with Turkey, Caucasus countries participation

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian: Iran won't accept geopolitical changes in the Caucasus

Armenia Ambassador meets with Iranian Deputy FM

Armenia Parliament Speaker visits Armenian church of Russia and New Nakhijevan Diocese

Armenia to host event with companies having made investments worth over $2,000,000,000

Aliyev announces start of process of opening communications with Armenia

Civil Aviation Committee confirms Baku-Nakhchivan flight through Armenia airspace Wednesday

Armenia government programs under EU assistance package are discussed

Azerbaijan lodges complaint with ECHR for review of case of assassination attempt against Lapshin

Armenian MP also on list of Erdogan's petition to strip several Turkey lawmakers of parliamentary immunity

Armenia Deputy PM Suren Papikyan has new advisor

Armenia State Revenue Committee chief has new deputy

Italy President to Armen Sarkissian: OSCE Minsk Group is the format for sustainable and peaceful solution

Armenia ombudsman emphasizes to Vatican Secretary of State urgency of returning Armenian captives in Azerbaijan

Aliyev: Azerbaijan is ready to launch negotiations with Armenia for normalization of relations

Armenia Parliament Speaker meets with Russian State Duma chairman

Ruling faction MP: Armenia airspace has never been closed to Azerbaijan civilian air transportation

New France ambassador visits Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan

Opposition MP: Not only is there no security system in Armenia but there is no one who wants to maintain that system

Not first time that reports are made on opening of Armenia airspace to Azerbaijan

Armenia flag raised on Italy presidential palace

Armenia Competition Protection Commission chief heads for Greece, memorandum of cooperation to be signed

It is snowing with large flakes in Armenias Vanadzor

Civil Aviation Committee silent on issue of allowing Baku-Nakhchivan flights through Armenia airspace

Armenia State Revenue Committee hosting meeting of council of CIS tax authorities heads

Fall forward: Gurgen Khachatryan, Co-Founder of Galaxy Group of Companies, addresses message to Armenia youth

Gas price in Europe exceeds $ 1,600 per thousand cubic meters

Those displaced from Artsakhs Hadrut again protesting outside Armenia government building

World oil prices stabilizing

1,155 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Baku starts using Armenia airspace for flights to Nakhchivan

Armenia National Assembly passes important law initiative

Russia peacekeepers monitoring ceasefire in Karabakh

Snow falls at Armenias Dilijan road bends

Greece-Turkey arms race: France frigates vs. Germany submarines?

Armenia legislature continues regular sessions

Newspaper: Armenia employees to pay considerably for tests if not vaccinated against coronavirus

Newspaper: Court denies Armenia parliament speakers petition for opposition MP

Hundreds of kilograms of cocaine found in Scotland historic castle ruins

Iran FM to discuss developments in Caucasus with his Russian counterpart

Armenia FM receives Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in South Caucasus

Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of 2 more Armenian servicemen found in Jrakan

330,000 children were sex abuse victims in French Catholic Church

Armenia ex-defense minister: We need to ask Pashinyan what he agreed with Aliyev with regard to mine maps

Belgium returns to Egypt artifacts that were illegally exported from country

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff vows to continue military operations to counter Iran

Opposition MP: Turks are pressuring Armenia more and more since there is no response from Yerevan

Greece proposes pan-European hedging mechanism against sharp fluctuations in gas prices

ARF-D member: I am certain that there will be rallies in Armenia in November

Czech Republic signs deal to buy new air defense system from Israel

Macron and Blinken discuss tensions between Paris and Washington

Kharrazi warns Azerbaijan to not be under any illusion about relying on foreign forces for security

Armenia President arrives in Rome on state visit

Truck providing for rear of Armenia's army damaged after gunshots fired by Azerbaijan in Yeraskh section of border

EU: Facebook outage shows need for more players

Digest: Putin-Pashinyan's meeting rumored, quake hits Armenia

Armenia PM congratulates teachers on their professional day

UK officials hold talks with Taliban in Afghanistan
There is no way to deviate in this section, art all. If they deviate, they will fall into the gorge. The deputy mayor of Goris, Armenia, Karen Kocharyan told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am, commenting on the National Security Service (NSS) information that two people had deviated, while traveling on the Goris-Vorotan motorway, and ended up in the territory under the control of Azerbaijan.

"I do not know what the phrase 'deviation' is, but they did not reach from this one checkpoint in Karahunj [village] to the other checkpoint. They passed the first checkpoint, [but] they did not reach the other checkpoint. And there is no road there that is deviating, [that] they deviate. It is an asphalt road leading to Kapan city.

The NSS said that they are from Kasakh [village] and they are two persons. But according to my information, they were four young men. They were in a Mercedes-model car; the car has disappeared, too" Kocharyan said.

He noted that it was very likely that these young people were captured by Azerbaijan. "I do not know what they are doing to find them; ask that to the NSS already. They do not permit us to get involved; it seems we are hindering," the deputy mayor of Goris added.




The two residents of Kasakh village of Armenia, who ended up in the territory under the control of Azerbaijan on the Goris-Vorotan motorway, are 20- to 21-year-old boys, the head of Kasakh village, Ara Mkrtchyan, told NEWS.am.

"According to my information, the boys had gone to visit their friends in [military] service. The last contact with [their] family members was at the very moment they disappeared. One of the boys was talking on the phone and the person talking on the phone said, 'They [i.e., the Azerbaijanis] stopped us. Let's see what they say, and the connection was cut off. We have no news from them after that, too," said the village mayor.

According to Mkrtchyan, these two young men are the grandsons of their uncles from their fathers side.

The mayor of Kasakh said that there were two people in the car from their village, but people say that there were other people in the car, too, but he did not have clear information in this regard.

Earlier, the National Security Service of Armenia reported that that two people had deviated, while traveling on the Goris-Vorotan motorway, and ended up in the territory under the control of Azerbaijan.




An Azerbaijani soldier on Saturday hit an Armenian young man with the antenna of a handheld transceiver at the Vorotan village section of the Goris-Kapan motorway of Armenia. The deputy mayor of Goris city, Karen Kocharyan, told about this to Armenian News-NEWS.am, talking about the incidents that take place on the aforesaid road section that has passed under the control of Azerbaijan.

"The Azerbaijani soldier cursed at the young man from Shurnukh [village of Armenias Syunik Province] who was traveling on that road, hit his car with his foot, and the young man said, 'What are you doing?' He [i.e., the Azerbaijani soldier] said, 'Shut up!' and hit the young man with the antenna of a handheld transceiver, said 'Shut up!' said the deputy mayor of Goris.

He added that the Azerbaijanis had recently hit an Armenian truck while it was passing along the roadside in the Vorotan section of the Goris-Kapan motorway.

"They did it on purpose, they caused a lot of damage, we can say, they completely destroyed the cabin. The vehicle belongs to Apaven cargo transportation company. They also insult and threaten our drivers," Karen Kocharyan said.

Earlier on Sunday, the National Security Service of Armenia reported that that two people had deviated, while traveling on the Goris-Vorotan motorway, and ended up in the territory under the control of Azerbaijan.
A driver and his passenger were killed when a speeding driver smashed into their car on a busy Charlotte road, hurling them into a utility pole, police said Saturday.

Rodney Grier, the 32-year-old driver who was hit, and Emanuel Jackson, his 37-year-old passenger, were pronounced dead at the scene by Medic, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department news release.

Leroy Hopkins, the 26-year-old Audi SUV driver accused of hitting them, was charged with two counts involuntary manslaughter, speeding and reckless driving, Mecklenburg County Jail records show.

Hopkins was hospitalized with minor injuries and later released, police said. He lives in Rock Hill, jail records show.

Just before 9 p.m. Friday, Grier was turning left off Wilkinson Boulevard onto Donald Ross Road when Hopkins hit them, police said. Everyone had a seat belt on, according to CMPD.

A recent investigation by The Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer found that extreme speeding has become rampant in North Carolina. Among the reasons: Enforcement has been spotty, and the states overwhelmed courts let most speeders off easy. As a result, many in North Carolina are able to drive at dangerous speeds, avoid punishment and remain behind the wheel.

Police said they were still investigating the circumstances of Fridays wreck and urged anyone with information to call them at 704-432-2169, extension 4, or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
(Removes erroneous quotation marks in paragraph 3)

By Saeed Azhar and Davide Barbuscia

DUBAI (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi's $110 billion state holding company ADQ has hired scores of investment bankers from Western banks in the past year as it accelerates dealmaking in the United Arab Emirates and overseas, three sources familiar with the matter said.

ADQ, the emirate's third-largest sovereign wealth fund, has hired bankers from mostly foreign banks and investment management firms in recent months, the sources said, boosting its cadre which already had over 20 former executives from Mubadala, another large state investment firm.

"ADQ is very active. They were 20 last year they are now 120," according to a senior investment banker who spoke on condition of anonymity due to commercial sensitivities.

Recent new hires include former Perella Weinberg Partners's banker Ayman Anwar, former HSBC banker Abhay Kumar, who also worked at ADNOC Distribution overseeing M&A, and ex-HSBC investment banker Hassan Abdelhamid, the sources said. The bankers' LinkedIn profiles also showed they had moved to ADQ.

ADQ also brought in ex-Standard Chartered private equity executive Alok Elias in June and former Bank of America Merrill Lynch banker Silvia Barbarino in April.

ADQ did not respond to a Reuters query for comment.

The hiring spree comes as the fund's appetite for deals at home and abroad has been growing and it pursues its objective of monetising some of the state assets through listings.

It recently teamed up with UAE's Aldar Properties in a bid to acquire up to 90% of Egyptian property developer SODIC, which would value SODIC at $453 million.

ADQ was formed in 2018 with a portfolio of key strategic assets such as Abu Dhabi Ports. Over time it has consolidated state assets in industrial and agriculture sectors.

Lately, ADQ has poured money into future listing candidates such as India's e-commerce firm Flipkart and acquired Swiss pharmaceutical company Acino, deals that Mubadala - a larger Abu Dhabi wealth fund - is known for executing. It also bought a stake in commodities trading firm Louis Dreyfus.

Story continues

Mubadala in 2017 renamed itself to become a focused global investment company, removing the development role from its name, a year before ADQ was formed. ADQ's chief executive Mohamed al-Suwaidi also joined from Mubadala.

"ADQ is indeed looking more like Mubadala every day," said Diego Lopez, managing director of industry data specialist Global SWF.

"Not only is ADQ hiring heavily from its sister organisation (at least 23 staff, including its CEO), but its investment strategy is also very much aligned."

(Reporting by Saeed Azhar and Davide Barbuscia; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Medical staff in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit treat a patient on September 9, 2021 in Grants Pass, Oregon. Nathan Howard/Getty Images

Doctors who are receiving pushback from unvaccinated COVID-19 patients are burning out.

A hotline for physicians is seeing a surge in calls as many consider quitting the profession.

One emergency room doctor from Indiana told Insider he's feeling increasingly "demoralized."

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Anti-vaxxers who "gaslight" medics are destroying the patient and doctor relationship in America and pushing healthcare professionals to the brink of burnout, a mental health expert told Insider.

The Physician Support Line, founded by Philadelphia-area psychiatrist Mona Masood, has spoken with more than 3,000 doctors since March 2020 and says calls from all over the country have continued to increase over the last few weeks.

Masood told Insider that over the course of the pandemic, the atmosphere among healthcare workers has definitely shifted and many physicians are now experiencing "compassion fatigue" or losing empathy for the people they are taking care of.

"We went from being heroes to being villains," she said. "People started doubting what we were suggesting and what we were doing. We were being gaslighted and were told that we had other motives. But all these accusations were just so surreal and so unfounded."

Masood insists that it's not about "us versus them" but says that COVID-19 has led to a visible breakdown of the patient and doctor relationship, which has been tremendously difficult for physicians who often feel guilty for not being able to help.

"It's happening out of self-preservation. If people are going to throw enough rocks, you're going to put up your hands, you're going to defend and protect yourself," Masood said.

anti-vaxx placard

An emergency room doctor from southern Indiana told Insider that many of his colleagues are being pushed to the brink of mental exhaustion as hospitals continue to battle the highly contagious Delta variant.

Story continues

Stephen Sample, who works at Jasper Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center, said: "All of us are getting tired, especially when you get hit day after day with this stuff, and it's just really demoralizing."

"It sucks. I don't know how to say it any other way," he added. "I spend a lot of time creating very thought-out and long responses to people who are coming at me with bad intentions, trying to make me look stupid or trying to call me out."

Some patients take it to the extreme. Sample told Insider of a colleague in Florida who recently dealt with an anti-vaxxer who had to be hospitalized after getting the coronavirus.

The man refused all of the treatments, signed a "do not resuscitate" order, and died convinced that COVID-19 was a hoax, Sample said.

More than one in five healthcare workers have considered leaving the workforce

Experts worry that mental fatigue could lead to a mass exodus among healthcare workers as the pandemic drags on.

More than one in five healthcare workers (21%) have at least moderately considered leaving the workforce and 30% have considered reducing hours because of COVID-19 stress, according to an April study in JAMA Network Open.

"It's very hard for people even to say they want to leave after putting so much blood, tears, and sacrifice into this profession - years of their life and finances," Masood said.

"But it is telling of a greater crisis. COVID is not the cause, COVID was just the last straw," she added.

Sample is also aware of many colleagues - especially those nearing the end of their career - who are considering leaving the profession.

"There are, there are social media groups out there with physicians who are looking for side gigs, looking for ways to leverage their knowledge to go do something else," he said.

"I promise you if I was if I was 56, and not 46, I'd be gone," Sample added.

If you're experiencing mental health problems as a healthcare professional, please call The Physician Hotline at 1 (888) 409-0141

Read the original article on Insider
Australian police arrested 267 protesters during anti-lockdown rallies Saturday, with 235 of the arrests made in Melbourne and 32 in Sydney.

The Melbourne protesters gathered to march against Australia's lockdowns, implemented to combat the delta variant.

During the rally, the 700 protesters charged at Australian police, knocking down and trampling several of them. Victoria Police said six officers required hospitalization, according to Reuters.

AUSTRALIA'S FRENCH-MADE SUBMARINES WOULD HAVE BEEN VALUABLE IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

"It was extremely disappointing to see another example of a small minority of the community showing a complete disregard for the health and safety of not only police, but each and every other Victorian," Victoria Police said in a statement.

Evelyn Rae, a writer for Caldron Pool, posted footage of the clash between the police and protesters on social media, writing that Saturday was "a very dark day in Australian history."



Australia returned to lockdowns in late July due to the delta variant. Restrictions include the closure of everything but the most essential services, such as church gatherings. Masks are also required to be worn everywhere at all times.

A council in New South Wales shot and killed multiple impounded dogs in August, citing concerns over COVID-19.

Residents in New South Wales were also reportedly limited to six beers a day that they could have delivered  a report that Australian police claim was false.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

COVID-19 is still present in Australia, where there are nearly 20,000 active cases. The virus has been responsible for the deaths of 1,162 residents, with 1,468 currently hospitalized.

Vaccination statistics show that 71.7% of residents have received their first vaccination dose, with 46.7% fully vaccinated, according to the Australian Department of Health.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Coronavirus, Australia, Police, Delta Variant

Original Author: Asher Notheis

Original Location: Australian police arrest 267 lockdown protesters
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Sunday that France had to have known of Australia's "deep and grave concerns" over the submarines the French were building, AP reports.

Why it matters: Morrison's comments come after Australia scrapped a submarine deal with France, worth roughly $66 billion, setting off what is now a diplomatic crisis.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

President Biden's announced last week the U.S. would help Australia acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines as part of a new security pact that also includes the U.K.

The French were furious and blindsided, with Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian saying, "allies don't do this to each other," and calling the deal a "stab in the back."

France then recalled its ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia, signaling the extent of its frustration.

What they're saying: "The capability that the Attack class submarines were going to provide was not what Australia needed to protect our sovereign interests," Morrison said, per AP.

"[France] would have had every reason to know that we have deep and grave concerns that the capability being delivered by the Attack class submarine was not going to meet our strategic interests and we have made very clear that we would be making a decision based on our strategic national interest," he added.

Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.
Gabby Petito. North Port Police Department

Authorities found a body near Grand Teton National Park on Sunday.

The FBI said the remains found are consistent with the description of Gabby Petito.

Petito is believed to have gone missing near Grand Teton.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Authorities say a body found near Grand Teton National Park could be the remains of Gabby Petito.

During a news conference on Sunday night, the FBI agent Charles Jones said "human remains were discovered consistent with the description" of Petito near the Spread Creek Dispersed camping area but that they are waiting on forensic confirmation.

The cause of death has yet to be determined, he added.

"Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified of this discovery," Jones said.

Jones extended his "heartfelt condolences" to the Petito family.

The FBI, alongside local law enforcement, has been searching for the 22-year-old woman, who was reported missing on September 11. Her mother, Nichole Schmidt, said she last saw Petito via FaceTime on August 24.

Schmidt said she got a text on August 30 that said Petito lost service in Yosemite, but she does not believe it was her daughter who sent it. The family said they haven't heard from her since.

Petito was on a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, when she disappeared. Laundrie returned to his family home in North Port, Florida, on September 1, and police said he refused to speak with investigators. Authorities named him a person of interest in Petito's disappearance.

Police on Friday said Laundrie's family reported that he's been missing since Tuesday. As of Sunday, authorities in Florida had been searching for him in the Carlton Reserve, a nature reserve near North Port.

Story continues

Brian Laundrie's lawyer, Steven Bertolino, told Insider: "The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking. The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family."

On Sunday night, Richard Stafford, the lawyer for Petito's family, asked reporters not to contact them at this time.

"Due to today's developments, we are asking the press and news media to have some decorum and sensitivity for Gabby's family and allow them to grieve," Stafford said in a statement to Insider. "I will be in contact with you when Gabby's family is ready to make a public statement."

Stafford thanked officials and investigators involved in the search to find Petito.

"Your tireless work and determination helped bring Gabby home to her parents," he said. "The family and I will be forever grateful."

Read the original article on Insider
Multiple shots rang out early Saturday on the gaming floor of the Golden Nugget Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, resulting in the death of one man and the arrest of another, according to reports.

Biloxi police arrested Jereme Lamond Jones, 30, of Mobile, Alabama, and charged him with first-degree murder in the death of a 41-year-old man from Gulfport, Mississippi, whose identity was not disclosed.

4 CONNECTICUT COPS IN LAS VEGAS CRASH; 1 DEAD, 1 FACING DUI CHARGE: REPORTS

The suspect and the victim had been arguing outside the casino, then the suspect followed the victim inside and killed him with multiple shots fired at close range, Alabamas AL.com reported.

Authorities said no other people were wounded. It was unclear whether casino patrons and employees were close to where the shooting occurred.

Police said in a statement that they didnt immediately know if the suspect and victim knew each other.

Responding officers arrested Jones in the area of the Biloxi Bay Bridge, police said in a Facebook post. Emergency responders tried to provide aid to the victim before he died, the post said.
The remains of a body found in rural Wyoming are consistent with the description of Long Island woman Gabby Petito, who disappeared on a young lovers New York-to-Oregon road trip with her fiance, authorities said Sunday.

A full forensic examination has not been concluded to confirm that is her 100%, but her family has been notified, a somber Charles Jones, senior FBI agent in Wyoming, said at a news conference that pointed to an increasingly grim prospect. Cause of death has not been confirmed at this time.

Sundays chilling announcement came amid a frenzied hunt for both the 22-year-old Petito and her Florida fiance, Brian Laundrie, 23.

The last time Petitos family said they heard from her was in late August, when she was visiting Grand Teton National Park during her trip with Laundrie that began on Long Island and aimed to end in Oregon.

Petitos family said they last spoke with their beloved daughter on Aug. 23.

Laundrie arrived  alone  at his parents home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1.

On Sept. 11, the desperate Petito family reported her missing.

The search intensified Saturday, when the FBI from Denver said they were focusing on ground surveys of Grand Teton National Park in the search for the young woman. They were helped by both National Park Services officials as well as local law enforcement.

Authorities searched an unrefined camping site on the parks eastern boundary, near Spread Creek, where another Florida couple passing through the area in the early evening of Aug. 27. filmed what appears to be the white van Petito and Laundrie were driving.

The van had Florida plates.

Meanwhile, in North Port, Florida, where Laundries family lives, police are calling Laundrie a person of interest in the wrenching disappearance, and previously insisted: He is not wanted for a crime.

Yet in an ominous tweet Sunday, the same authorities appeared to have accepted an awful prospect.

Saddened and heartbroken to learn that Gabby has been found deceased. Our focus from the start, along with the FBI, and national partners, has been to bring her home. We will continue to work with the FBI in the search for more answers.

Story continues

The anguish of the Petito family has since taken on a bitter turn toward Laundrie.

Richard Stafford, an attorney for the Petito family, said in a brief statement to CNN, All of Gabbys family want the world to know that Brian is not missing, he is hiding.

Earlier Sunday, dozens of Florida law enforcement officials began a second day of combing through a 24,000 square-acre wildlife park on the Gulf Coast in search of Laundrie, whose family said they last saw him Tuesday.

The search effort included the use of drones and bloodhounds who used articles of Laundries clothing taken from his home to get his scent, authorities said on Saturday. Police initially focused their search in a nearby, 200-acre park before expanding to the rest of the reserve.

Petitos relatives had unsuccessfully pleaded with the Laundrie family to tell them when and where their son last saw their adored Gabby.

The pair had packed into a 2012 Fort Transit Connect van in Long Island July 2, the childhood sweethearts aiming to drive to Oregon by the end of October, their social media accounts said.

On Sunday night, Gabby Petitos dad shared a photo of his precious daughter in front of painted angel wings. Joseph Petito captioned the Instagram image, she touched the world, along with a broken heart emoji.

As every parent can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for the family and friends, Jones said at the Sunday news conference. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We ask that you all respect their privacy as they mourn the loss of their daughter.

_____
Environmental activists decried environmental racism and called on the state government to take more meaningful action against climate change Saturday afternoon before a crowd of about a hundred at Hartfords Bushnell Park.

Speaking from the parks band shell, in front of signs that read Fossil fuels make us sick and End environmental racism, Angel Serrano, an organizer for the CT Citizen Action group, called on Connecticut to be a leader when it comes to solving the climate crisis and increase investments in solar and wind technologies.

Climate change disproportionately affects low-income people, Black and brown and Indigenous people, he told the crowd. The health problems for polluted air alone should be enough for the governor to do something, but our residents are still suffering from asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Near the park, a few hundred people crowded the steps of the Capitol, protesting mask mandates and COVID-19 vaccine requirements. For Leticia Colon de Mejias, the founder and CEO of Energy Efficiencies Solutions, an energy conservation company, the contrast between the two events was stark.

Im upset, she said from the band shell. Im mad that theres a lot of people up the hill mad about masks and vaccines when at the end of the day, thats a passing thing and climate change is going to kill us all. What is going on? Why are there not more people here fighting this fight? Why do we not have this place filled with humans who are concerned about their children and the future of the planet we live on?

Alex Rodriguez, a climate advocate for Save the Sound, noted that two reports released in recent weeks have made clear the immediate, dire threat that climate change poses to the state and to the world. Earlier this month, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection reported that Connecticut is not on track to meet its own goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And last month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, warned that intensifying global warming is essentially locked in over the next 30 years, driven by global fossil-fuel emissions.

Story continues

This state has an unhealthy relationship with the fossil fuel industry, he said. Its unhealthy for us, but its great for them. Were here to put a stop to that.

The anti-environmental racism event included a two-hour lineup of speeches, poetry and music, including a performance by Nekita Waller, the state troubadour, who sang Waiting On the World to Change.

A number of attendees denounced the Killingly Energy Center, a controversial natural gas plant proposed in northeastern Connecticut.

Rhonda Watson Wishart, a member of the Windham-Willimantic chapter of the NAACP, emphasized that we all deserve the right to breathe clean air.

Killingly, a place that is known for its clean air and its beauty and your ability to go and just breathe is being threatened for greed by a plant that we dont need, something that is not necessary, she said.

Talia Lanckton, 21 and Maren Westgard, 20, members of Wesleyan Universitys chapter of the Sunrise Movement, had helped organize a group of more than a dozen Wesleyan students who attended the event.

Its always been a fight, Westgard said of climate activism in Connecticut. We just have to keep pushing. Thats why its so empowering to come to an event like this, to see were not alone; were all working on this together.

In mellifluous remarks, Deacon Art Miller of St. Marys Catholic Church in Simsbury, called on attendees to unite behind the sacred goal of protecting the Earth.

I do believe this one thing, he said. If God were to reach his mighty hand or her mighty voice to teach to every single one of us one last commandment, I believe that commandment would be: Thou shalt not be a bystander.

Eliza Fawcett can be reached at elfawcett@courant.com.
A US Black Hawk military helicopter flies over the city of Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, August 15, 2021. AP Photo/Rahmat Gul

The CIA issued a warning ahead of the US airstrike in Kabul, saying civilians were at risk of being targets, CNN reported.

Initially, US officials said the airstrike had targeted a suicide car bomber linked to ISIS-K.

Officials later reversed course when an investigation found that the airstrike had actually killed civilians.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

The CIA sent urgent warnings that civilians were present just seconds before the US launched an airstrike in Afghanistan in retaliation for the Kabul airport bombing, CNN reported.

The warning, however, came too late.

Initially, US officials said the airstrike had targeted a suicide car bomber linked to ISIS-K and thwarted a potential attack on the Kabul airport.

"We are confident we successfully hit the target. Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material," US Central Command spokesman US Navy Capt. Bill Urban said in a statement at the time.

"We are assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though we have no indications at this time. We remain vigilant for potential future threats," Urban continued.

The airstrike was meant to be a retaliatory attack on ISIS-K in response to the airport bombing, President Joe Biden indicated.

ISIS-K is the group believed to be responsible for a devastating Kabul airport attack a week prior to the US airstrike. At the airport, the ISIS-K attack left 13 US service members and an estimated 169 Afghans dead in the middle of tense evacuation efforts following the Taliban's takeover of the country.

Earlier this week, the US military revealed that an internal investigation found the US airstrike in retaliation for the Kabul airport bombing had actually killed innocent civilians.

"This strike was taken in the earnest belief that it would prevent an imminent threat to our forces and the evacuees at the airport, but it was a mistake and I offer my sincere apology," Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, told reporters at the Pentagon.

Story continues

"I am now convinced that as many as 10 civilians, including up to 7 children, were tragically killed in that strike," he said.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, who had previously characterized the drone strike as a "righteous strike," reversed course later. Following the results of the investigation, Milley said in a statement that the strike was a "horrible tragedy of war."

"It's heart wrenching and we are committed to being fully transparent about this incident," Milley added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The all-civilian Inspiration4 crew is back on Earth after their three-day mission in orbit.

The big picture: The launch and landing of this fully amateur, private space crew marks a changing of the guard from spaceflight being a largely government-led venture to being under the purview of private companies.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

What's happening: Inspiration4 launched on Wednesday and came back in for a splashdown within their SpaceX Dragon capsule in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast on Saturday.

"On behalf of SpaceX, welcome back to planet Earth," SpaceX's Kris Young, Space Operations Director said at splashdown.

"Thanks so much, SpaceX," commander of the mission Jared Isaacman said upon landing. "It was a heck of a ride for us."

Catch up quick: The mission was thought up by billionaire entrepreneur Isaacman.

Chris Sembroski was chosen as part of a raffle that anyone could enter, while Hayley Arceneaux  a physician assistant at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital who was treated by the hospital as a child  was chosen by her employer to fly.

Sian Proctor was selected as part of a reality TV-style competition for entrepreneurs and became the first Black woman to serve as the pilot of a spacecraft.

During their time in space, the four crew members spoke to their families, some of the kids at St. Jude, Bono and Tom Cruise as well as performed science experiments and gazed out of the cupola, a huge bubble window flown for the first time on this mission.

The bottom line: Inspiration4's successful launch and landing mark a huge win for SpaceX as the company works to bring about a future where millions of people are living off-Earth.

Story continues

 Go deeper: Listen to the new season of Axios' How it Happened: The Next Astronauts going inside Inspiration4 here.

More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free
Reuters

Under cobblestone streets in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, diggers have uncovered new hiding spots in underground sewers where some Jews managed to flee from Nazi occupying forces during World War Two. More than 100,000 Jews, or around one third of the city's population at the time, were killed by the Nazis, according to the local historian Hanna Tychka. A few managed to survive, including father and daughter Ignacy and Krystyna Chiger, who escaped from the Jewish ghetto by digging a tunnel to the city's sewage system, and later wrote books recounting their experiences.
President Joe Biden

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, each state has taken its own approach on masking, vaccine distribution and education.

As the new school year gets underway, New York is requiring all students, teachers and staff in public and private schools to wear masks, but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is doubling down. Last week, he filed an emergency appeal to ban school mask mandates as several districts ignore his order.

And sure enough, different approaches have netted different results. A peer-reviewed study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine of the early pandemic months (beginning in July 2020) has shown greater COVID-19 death rates in states with Republican governors. Over seven days ending Thursday, Florida has had nearly 10 times the deaths per 100,000 people as New York.

As one thinks back to the pre-pandemic debates about other political topics, such as abortion, we see a striking inversion. Pro-life and pro-choice have new meanings. In Republican states, wearing a mask or getting vaccinated is now framed as a personal choice, regardless of its impact on the lives of other people.

In his remarks to the nation last week on this "pandemic of the unvaccinated, President Joe Biden placed the blame squarely on elected officials actively working to undermine the fight against COVID-19. Officials such as DeSantis.

It is true that our constitutional design allows that states can be the laboratories of democracy, but the slogan is incomplete. It comes from a 1932 case, where the Supreme Court struck down a state regulation that it thought arbitrarily required vendors of ice to obtain licenses, unlike vendors in other industries. Justice Louis Brandeis dissented, arguing: "It is one of the happy incidents of the federal system that a single courageous State may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country."

Story continues

That last part is key. While the Constitution allows states to govern their internal affairs, it also provides mechanisms to protect everyone else from their poor decisions.

Biden is doing just that, leveraging the power of the federal government to protect citizens from the impacts of the ill-informed policies that are enabling the virus to continue mutating and spreading throughout the population. Enacting a new emergency rule requiring employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforces are fully vaccinated or tested weekly is a big step in the right direction. But it isnt nearly big enough.

Biden needs to go further

For instance, the Commerce Clause provides that Congress may regulate business that crosses state borders. While each state can take its own approach to an issue like handguns (with states like Texas proud to not even require a permit), in all states it is a federal crime to bring a gun past the security gates at an airport.

If nothing else, COVID-19 is proving that we are an interconnected country. With more than 1 million travelers already this year, airlines are taking infected people and efficiently recirculating them around the country, so they inadvertently infect more and more people, including in states that are earnestly trying to fight the pandemic.

The influence of travel on the spread of disease is not unique to COVID-19. Following the 9/11 attacks, scientists analyzed the consequences of the pause in airline travel, and found the patterns of seasonal flu mortality changed substantially. Likewise, in 2015, a known case of measles at Disneyland was spread to several other states. The dynamics for COVID-19 are surely similar.

Accordingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a mandate for all airline travelers to wear masks. It is time to think similarly about vaccinations, where the federal governments authority is just as clear. With the Pfizer vaccine now fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines likely to follow, any remaining questions about safety and efficacy have been settled.

Biden can protect holiday travelers

Well ahead of the holiday travel season, the Biden administration should announce that United States airline travelers will be required to present proof of vaccination.

Such an airline vaccination mandate will have a few predictable effects. First, it will cause people who would otherwise fly unvaccinated to get vaccinated, so they can see their friends and family members, enjoy their vacations or do their work.

Second, it may cause others who insist on being unvaccinated to stay at home, and thereby reduce the risk to everyone else.

Third, it may reassure vaccinated folks who are hesitant to travel that it is indeed safe, which supports the airline and tourism industries.

Arguably, airline travel is just one of many ways in which poor policy choices in places like Florida can be contained. Buses, trains, hotels, theme parks and resorts are additional options.

The Biden administration, other state governors and corporate leaders can also steer meetings and other travel away from states where the risk is highest. But in the short term, airports are a tangible first step, given the security apparatus already in place.

Americans in red states and blue states share many things in common, but they should not have to share a deadly virus due simply to the poor policy choices of elected officials.

Christopher Robertson is N. Neal Pike Scholar and Professor at Boston University School of Law. He is the author of "Exposed: Why Our Health Insurance is Incomplete and What Can Be Done About It."

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID: Biden should force air passengers to show proof of vaccination
Sep. 19The hangover that Toledo coach Jason Candle assured wouldn't be an issue arrived at the Glass Bowl Saturday afternoon and lingered well into the evening.

One week after having then-No. 8 Notre Dame on the brink in South Bend, the Rockets returned home and laid an ostrich egg, losing 22-6 to 14 1/2 -point underdog Colorado State.

"We fell into the trap," Candle said. "We tried to guard against that all week long. I knew this was going to be a very physical football game. If anyone paid attention to that game in '19, they knew it was a physical slugfest. I knew exactly what was coming today."

The problem was what didn't come  Toledo's offense.

The unit that's been a hallmark of UT football for decades was listless, lackadaisical, and lax. The Rockets could only muster 291 total yards, a ghastly 21 rushing yards on 28 carries, and 11 first downs against a previously winless Colorado State team that allowed 42 points, 466 total yards, and 242 rushing yards to FCS South Dakota State.

UT's six points  two Thomas Cluckey field goals  were its fewest at the Glass Bowl since 1991.

It was bad enough that one of UT's best plays was a fumble recovery on a strip-sack of quarterback Carter Bradley that netted seven yards.

"Unrecognizable Toledo offense," Candle said.

Bradley was 22-of-36 passing for 254 yards. Without a run game  Bryant Koback was limited to 31 yards on 13 carries  Toledo was unable to find balance or a rhythm, which gave Colorado State the ability to apply pressure nearly every time Bradley dropped back, forcing the Rockets into uncomfortable yardage situations for 60 minutes.

Colorado State had 10 tackles for loss and six sacks.

"Give Colorado State credit, they handled the line of scrimmage," Candle said. "They did a good job of coming off the ball and putting their hands right in our chest. At times, we didn't do anything about it. At times, our technique was poor and we made some mistakes. It was a very uninspiring offensive performance."

Story continues

The defensive front that made headlines at Notre Dame once again asserted itself, holding the Colorado State offense to five field goals. (The Rams' lone touchdown came on a 70-yard punt return by Thomas Pannunzio.) Colorado State had 319 total yards, and 109 came in the fourth quarter with a tired Toledo defense deteriorating.

The Rockets never led and were tied at 3 at halftime. Colorado State's punt return came in the third quarter, with three field goals in the fourth quarter.

"I thought we prepared well all week, both offense and defense," said UT defensive lineman Judge Culpepper, who had a team-high-tying eight tackles. "We worked really hard and, obviously, this isn't the outcome we thought we worked for. But I don't think there was any dropoff. If anything, I think we worked even harder after such a close loss. Now, it's going to be up another notch."

The best player on the field was 6-foot-4, 260-pound Colorado State tight end Todd McBride, a potential first-round draft pick who caught nine passes for 109 yards, stiff-arming, leaping, and out-running defenders.

Quarterback Todd Centeio completed 11 of 27 pass attempts for 110 yards  all but one going to McBride.

"He's a stud. He's as good a player that's ever played in the Glass Bowl, in my opinion," Candle said. "He's the total package. He blocks. He's a threat in the run game. He's really physical. He's got good hands. He's active on the perimeter. I can't say enough about that guy. He's one of those guys that prior to the game you want to shake their hand and say you're a fan of watching them play. He was a force."

All it took was seven days and one disastrous performance for Toledo's expectations to take a dive. The Mid-American Conference championship hopes are still alive, but a trip to Ball State, despite the Cardinals' own issues, is filled with hazards.

Candle shuffled down a hallway at the Larimer Athletic Complex Saturday night, head down, hands on hips. The ensuing film study could have been rated R.

"We have a 12 percent rule here, where under 12 percent of your plays need to be self-inflicted things  dropped balls, sacks, etc.," Candle said. "Without watching the tape, I wouldn't know the answer to that question, but I bet it's really damn high. Not a very good day for the Rockets."

First Published September 18, 2021, 9:38pm
By A. Ananthalakshmi and Rozanna Latiff

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has not ruled out seeking re-election to parliament within the next two years, he told Reuters in an interview, despite a corruption conviction that would block him from running.

Najib's graft-tainted party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), clinched the premiership https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysias-king-expected-name-new-pm-after-rulers-meet-2021-08-20 last month after it was ousted from power three years ago over a multi-billion dollar scandal. Opponents had expressed fears that party leaders facing criminal charges could secure leniency once back in control.

Najib, who served as premier for nine years until 2018, was found guilty of corruption https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-politics-najib-idUSKCN24T042 last year and sentenced to 12 years in jail over one of many cases over the misappropriation of money from now-defunct state fund 1MDB. He has denied wrongdoing and has appealed the verdict, while calling for a probe of his prosecution which he says was politically motivated.

He is still a member of parliament but the constitution bars him from contesting elections unless he gets a pardon or a reprieve from the country's monarch.

Speaking to Reuters on Saturday, Najib challenged his disqualification, saying: "It is subject to interpretation."

"It depends on interpretation in terms of the law, the constitution and whatever happens in court proceedings," Najib said.

Asked if he would contest the next elections due by 2023, he said: "Any politician who would want to play a role would want a seat in parliament."

He declined to specify, however, how he could get around the constitutional barriers.

PUBLIC TRUST

UMNO, which held power for more than 60 years until outrage over the 1MDB scandal and the opulence displayed by Najib's family helped to dislodge it, is eager to regain public trust under Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's nascent government, which must also address factional infighting.

Story continues

Najib has pursued a public relations campaign to shed his image as an elite and to portray himself as a man of the people. He remains a popular figure on social media, where his critique of past governments has earned him praise.

Najib said in the interview that he has discussed with Ismail Sabri a possible role for him in government. Media reports have said he could be made an economic adviser.

The former premier would not say if he would accept a position, saying his priority was on clearing his name.

He also said UMNO's return to power guarantees "temporary political stability" and that he would not call for early elections, like he had with Ismail Sabri's predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin. Muhyiddin's government collapsed when Najib and some UMNO lawmakers withdrew their support.

Malaysia has seen political instability since the 2018 polls, with two coalitions collapsing because of infighting.

CONSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS

A future Najib candidacy would face a constitutional provision that any person sentenced to imprisonment for more than one year or fined more than 2,000 ringgit ($480) is disqualified from contesting a parliamentary election.

Constitutional lawyer New Sin Yew said Najib can run only if he succeeds in his appeal, receives a royal pardon, or if the king uses his discretion to remove the disqualification despite the conviction remaining in place.

Malaysian and U.S. authorities say more than $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB, some of which went into Najib's bank accounts. The U.S. Department of Justice has described the scandal as "kleptocracy at its worst https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-scandal-doj-idUSKBN1DZ0MX".

Najib, who faces more than 40 charges of abuse of power, money laundering and other offences mostly linked to 1MDB, said he can prove his innocence even as many entities and individuals around the world have admitted guilt or paid hefty penalties and settlements over the scandal.

Malaysian prosecutors have said Najib, who co-founded 1MDB in 2009, played a central role.

Since his election defeat, the United States has returned to Malaysia more than $1 billion in funds it recouped from assets bought with stolen 1MDB money.

Najib said the charges against him were politically motivated and he is pushing for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into former Attorney General Tommy Thomas of the post-UMNO government, who first brought the cases against him in 2018.

"I've been insisting on it. The RCI is to establish that it will be a fair and just trial for everyone, not just for me," he said.

Thomas did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

Najib said he had discussed the proposal with Ismail Sabri, who has so far not agreed to it, and he had also discussed it with Muhyiddin, who rejected it.

Spokespersons for Ismail Sabri and Muhyiddin did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

($1 = 4.1700 ringgit)

(Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi and Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
Did you recognize the importance of Stasiak's cameo in "F9"? Universal Pictures, composite by Kirsten Acuna/Insider

"F9" features the brief return of FBI agent Michael Stasiak featuring a very broken nose.

On the film's commentary, director Justin Lin says that was a purposeful nod to Brian (Paul Walker).

"It was a really fun nod to his relationship and the connection to Brian O'Conner," said Lin.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

One of the best Easter eggs you may have overlooked in "Fast 9" was the return of FBI agent Michael Stasiak (Shea Whigham).

Though you may not recognize the name, you know who we're talking about if you've seen the "F9." He's the character with the very obviously broken nose early in the film who chats with Dom (Vin Diesel) and his crew as he takes an antacid.

Agent Stasiak returned for a cameo in "F9." Universal Pictures

You may have been so focused on the broken nose that it may have stolen your attention from the scene.

That was the point.

Real "Fast" fans probably smiled recognizing the nod was a subtle hint to Paul Walker's character, Brian O'Conner.

"We had a lot of fun with Stasiak's nose," director Justin Lin said on the commentary for "F9: The Director's Cut."

"We tracked it from 'Fast 4' when he gets slammed by Brian O'Conner and again in 'Fast 6,'" Lin said.

Shea Whigham has appeared in three of the franchise's films. Universal Pictures

Stasiak first showed up as an FBI agent in 2009's "Fast and Furious," which Lin also directed.

He returned in 2013's "Fast and Furious 6," also directed by Lin, to help Brian get into a prison and gather intel about Arturo Braga. Brian broke Stasiak's nose again so he could get placed in a cell near Braga.

"It was a really fun nod to his relationship and the connection to Brian O'Conner," Lin said. "That's something that we were very conscious of, the spirit of Brian. The character is still, obviously, alive and thriving in this universe."

Brian worked with Stasiak in "Fast 4." Universal Pictures

"It was multiple meetings about his broken nose and how much we were going to do it," Lin added, saying that he always likes to honor past events in the franchise for fans. He never wants to short-change anything.

Story continues

Walker died at the age of 40 in 2013 after he was involved in a single-car accident. His last appearance in the franchise was 2015's "Furious 7," which was dedicated to the actor.

"F9" has several subtle nods to O'Conner, most of which are without ever saying the character's name.

Little Brian, Dom's son who is named after O'Conner, wears Converse shoes at the film's end, a nod which costume designer Sanja Hays confirmed to Insider during a press day for the film's home release. Brian wore Converse in the earlier films in the franchise.

Dom named his son after Brian O'Conner. Universal Pictures

Near the film's end, Dom gives his little brother Jakob (John Cena) the keys to a 10-second car in a nod to a moment between Brian and Dom at the end of the first film in the franchise.

In June, Lin told Insider he's "constantly" considering how to honor Walker and his character in the "Fast" saga by checking in with Vin Diesel to make sure they're "doing it in the most respectful way."

"As we're moving into closing the saga, obviously there's a lot of different options," Lin said of how the next two sequels can respectfully address O'Conner.

"It's a constant discourse, I would say," he continued. "I hope that, whatever we choose, it continues to be done with the kind of thoughtfulness and respect that I hope to bring."

Read the original article on Insider
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP)  Tens of thousands of devotees packed the old palace courtyard in the heart of Nepal's capital on Sunday to celebrate the feast of Indra Jatra, marking the return of the festival season in the Himalayan nation after it was scaled down because of the pandemic.

The weeklong Indra Jatra precedes months of other festivals in the predominantly Hindu nation.

Kumari, a young girl who is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal as the living goddess, left her temple palace for the first time in two years and was driven around the center of Kathmandu in a wooden chariot pulled by devotees.

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and the nation's highest officials also lined up to get her blessing, together with the tens of thousands of others along the short route from her temple palace and around the heart of the city.

The festival season in Nepal falls around September and October. The festivals in 2020 were scaled down after the government imposed restrictions to curb a surge in coronavirus cases.

Security was stepped up and organizers announced plans to control the number of those attending.

The Indra Jatra festival marks the end of monsoon rains and the beginning of autumn. It also celebrates the end of the rice farming season.

Armed police guarded the alleys and roads leading to the main courtyard while volunteers sprayed sanitizers and distributed masks to the devotees.

Officials, priests, religious leaders and organizers held several meetings before deciding to go ahead with the public festival.

If we continue to halt the festival every year because of COVID-19, there is a big chance that our tradition and rituals could just fade away. We want to save our tradition and heritage but at the same time keep everyone safe from the virus," said Gautam Shakya, the priest and main caretaker of Kumari.

Gautam said they have been making public appeals to keep away from the main venues of the festivals as far as possible, fearing the spread of the coronavirus.

Story continues

We are asking people to understand that to save the tradition, rituals and heritage, they should keep away from the venue this year and if you are safe, then you can watch these festivals in the many years to come," he said.

Kiran Shakya of the government's Trust Corporation, which is in charge of the festivals, said special security arrangements were made to control the crowds and follow health protocols.

We want to set an example of how a popular festival can be held safely," he said.

Bishnu Lal shrestha, who was among the throngs of jubilant devotees waiting along the narrow streets to receive Kumari's blessing, said he was thrilled that the festivals are back after two years.

We are praying that the gathering of devotees will not be a reason for another spread of the coronavirus but the gods will protect us," Shrestha said.

Nepal has imposed several lockdowns and other restrictions since the pandemic hit. According to the Health Ministry, there have been 784,000 confirmed cases with more than 11,000 deaths. Only 19% of the population have been fully vaccinated.
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP)  Former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was laid to rest on Sunday in the martyrs section of the capitals main cemetery, quietly honored despite his fall from grace, forced from office after two decades.

A flowered tank with a military escort carried his coffin to the El Alia Cemeterys special section reserved for those who fought for Algerias independence from France, folks who are today considered martyrs. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who on Saturday declared three days of mourning, was among the officials at the ceremony.

The cemetery in Algiers was closed to the public and no images of the ceremony were carried on Algerian television, suggesting a clear wish by authorities not to go overboard as Tebboune moves the country into the post-Bouteflika era.

Bouteflika, who had been ailing since a stroke in 2013, died Friday at 84. His public appearances had been rare in the final years of his presidency. His long rule, riddled with corruption, ended in 2019 after months of street protests triggered by his plan to seek yet another term. The army chief at the time then demanded that he withdraw.

Video circulating on social media showed images of Bouteflikas brother Said, who is charged with corruption but was briefly released from jail to pay his final respects to his older brother at a presidential residence where the former leader was being cared for.

Hundreds of citizens stood outside the cemetery, unable to enter until officials had departed. Among those kept away were members of a Sufi association, a Muslim sect that Bouteflika reportedly was drawn to, which held its own small ceremony at the gate.

French President Emmanuel Macron praised Bouteflika as a major figure of Algerias contemporary history. A statement Sunday from the presidents office noted Bouteflikas role in Algerias struggle for independence from France, won in 1962 after a seven-year war, and his role as foreign minister for 15 years.

Also sending his condolences was King Mohammed VI of neighboring Morocco, with whom Algeria has had an increasingly tense relationship under Tebboune.
By Hamid Ould Ahmed

ALGIERS (Reuters) -Former Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, ousted in 2019 after mass protests, was given a state funeral on Sunday attended by senior officials but received little of the attention given to such occasions in the past.

Bouteflika died on Friday, aged 84. An armoured vehicle decked with flowers pulled his coffin, covered with the national flag, on a gun carriage from his home in Zeralda, west of the capital, to the el-Alia cemetery in Algiers where five of his predecessors are buried.

Bouteflika was first elected in 1999, and is widely credited with a national reconciliation policy that restored peace after a war with armed Islamists in the 1990s killed an estimated 200,000 people.

But many Algerians blame him for the economic stagnation of his latter years in power, when he was rarely seen in public after suffering a stroke, and widespread corruption led to the looting of tens of billions of dollars from a state that depends heavily on its large gas and oil reserves.

He stepped down in April 2019 after mass demonstrations to reject his plan to seek a fifth term, and demand political and economic reforms.

As well as Bouteflika's family, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who laid a wreath of flowers on the tomb, and many ministers of the current government and military officers, including army chief of staff Lieutenant-General Said Chenegriha, were among the mourners.

Attendees also included foreign diplomats in Algiers.

'MAJOR FIGURE'

The French presidency on Sunday described Bouteflika as "a major figure in the contemporary history of Algeria", adding that he embodied the foreign policy of Algeria.

"The President of the Republic sends his condolences to the Algerian people and remains committed to developing close relations of esteem and friendship between the French people and Algerian people," the French presidency said in a statement.

But state media gave little attention to the funeral, and state television did not broadcast live pictures of the burial ceremony, as it has the funerals of past presidents. It later showed recorded footage.

Story continues

Until 2014, Bouteflika was able to use the export earnings from high energy prices to pay off foreign debt and keep spending on subsidies at high levels to avoid social unrest.

"The years of Bouteflika's rule were a good period. He accomplished major projects, rid the country of foreign debt and brought back peace," said schoolteacher Mohamed Hachi.

But his stroke, and a decline in energy prices, ushered in a more difficult time.

"Bouteflika's period witnessed a terrible spread of corruption that the public couldn't see until after he was forced out of power," said state bank employee Djamel Harchi.

Several former senior officials, including prime ministers, ministers and army generals, have been jailed for corruption since Bouteflika resigned in April 2019 under pressure from a protest movement known as Hirak.

Thousands of members of the leaderless movement continued to take to the streets every week until authorities banned rallies because of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.

Bouteflika was a fighter in the 1954-1962 war that ended French colonial rule.

He became Algeria's first foreign minister and one of the forces behind the Non-Aligned Movement, which gave a global voice to many of the countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

(Reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed,additional reporting by Gus Trompiz in Paris; Editing by Kevin Liffey and David Clarke)
BAMAKO (Reuters) -France's Armed Forces Minister arrived in Mali on Sunday to pressure the military junta to end talks to bring Russian mercenaries into the country and push it to keep a promise to return the country to constitutional order in February.

Diplomatic and security sources have told Reuters that Mali's year-old military junta is close to recruiting the Russian Wagner Group, and France has launched a diplomatic drive to thwart it, saying such an arrangement is "incompatible" with a continued French presence.

West Africa's main political bloc, ECOWAS, as well as other allies combating militants in the Sahel region, have also expressed concerns over the potential deal.

But Mali's junta which seized power in August 2020, has dug in, noting that France has begun scaling down its decade-old operation against insurgents linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State across the region to include more European countries.

On Sunday, Mali's foreign ministry called objections from neighbour Niger to the prospect of a deal with Wagner "unacceptable, unfriendly and condescending".

The visit by Florence Parly to Mali is the highest-level trip by French officials since the talks with Wagner emerged.

An official from the French Armed Forces Ministry told reporters ahead of the visit that Parly would stress "the heavy consequences if this decision were to be taken by the Malian authorities."

She would also underscore the importance of keeping to the calendar for the transition to democracy leading to elections in February 2022, the official said.

French officials describe the relationship with the junta as "complicated", although it still relies on Paris for counter-terrorism operations.

Paris said on Thursday it had killed the leader of Islamic State in Western Sahara in northern Mali.

Parly earlier on Sunday was in Niger to lay out plans to reshape its operations in the region.

The French army started redeploying troops from its bases in Kidal, Tessalit and Timbuktu in northern Mali at the start of the month, French army sources have said.

Story continues

France wants to complete the redeployment by January. It is reducing its contingent to 2,500-3,000 from about 5,000, moving more assets to Niger, and encouraging other European special forces to work alongside local forces.

The European force in the Sahel so far comprises about 600 troops from nine countries.

(Reporting by John Irish in Paris; Editing by Bate Felix, Kevin Liffey and Daniel Wallis)
On this "Face the Nation" broadcast moderated by Margaret Brennan:

Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of HealthSenator Bernie Sanders, independent from VermontScott Kirby, CEO of United AirlinesDr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner

Click here to browse full transcripts of "Face the Nation."

MARGARET BRENNAN: I'm Margaret Brennan in Washington. And this week on FACE THE NATION, the Biden administration's booster shot plans hit a roadblock, and Congress gets set for a fall budget showdown.

There is relief this morning in the nation's capital as the strong show of security at Saturday's rally in support of those arrested following the January 6th insurrection kept the crowds away. Nothing like the scene nine months ago. Now the focus turns to lawmakers, as both Houses of Congress return to Washington for the first time since the end of July. First up, consideration of a massive 3.5-trillion-dollar spending plan that threatens to shatter the fragile fault lines within the Democratic Party. We'll talk with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

Plus, an FDA advisory panel overwhelming votes against widespread booster shots for adults, saying that the data is inconclusive. We'll ask the Director of the National Institutes of Health Dr. Francis Collins what happened.

Plus, we'll have a special conversation with former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb. His new book, Uncontrolled Spread takes a hard look at America's covid failures and offers some solutions.

SCOTT GOTTLIEB, M.D. (Former FDA Commissioner/@ScottGottliebMD/Author, Uncontrolled Spread): We cannot allow something like this to hit us this bad again, so we have to prepare differently.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We'll also talk with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby about how the travel industry is navigating the persistent pandemic threat.

Plus, a look at the fallout from the U.S. military's tragic mistake last month in Afghanistan.

Story continues

It's all just ahead on FACE THE NATION.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Good morning, and welcome to FACE THE NATION. On the COVID front the news is still bleak. Nearly 10,000 Americans died last week of the virus. We now total more than 673,000 dead. Children, who are still not eligible for vaccines, account for almost 29% of all cases. And according to the AAP, there were nearly a quarter million new pediatric covid infections last week. We begin with Senior National Correspondent Mark Strassmann in Orlando.

(Begin VT)

MARK STRASSMANN (CBS News Senior National Correspondent): Instead of widespread booster, the Biden White House got a shot of rejection. An FDA advisory panel on Friday recommended Pfizer boosters only for vaccinated seniors and high-risk patients. A decision-making it challenging process even more so.

VIVEK MURTHY, M.D. (U.S. Surgeon General): If you want to roll out booster shots to the population, you can't flip a switch and make that happen overnight.

MARK STRASSMANN: Not in COVID America, where the virus now kills around nineteen hundred people a day, the highest average in six months. By any measure, COVID sorrow stalks Florida with a vengeance. More than fifty thousand Floridians already dead. An average of three hundred fifty more every day tops in America.

DR. VINCENT HSU: We've got to manage our behaviors. We got to get vaccinated.

MARK STRASSMANN: Doctor Vincent Hsu, an infectious disease physician, works at AdventHealth, Orlando. Systemwide AdventHealth has fifty hospitals with seventeen hundred COVID patients. More than half of them in Central Florida.

DR. VINCENT HSU: There is still a lot of issues with-- with taking care of these patients, supplies, space, as well as staffing.

MARK STRASSMANN: Continuous surges remain a threat?

DR. VINCENT HSU: We always have to be prepared for another surge.

MARK STRASSMANN: Critics blast the state's leadership for failing to protect the youngest Floridians.

SCOTT GOTTLIEB, M.D. (Former FDA Commissioner): The decision to keep-- trying to keep kids in school was the right decision. The decision to let the virus spread the way it has and not even employ mitigation in the schools, as they're doing now, I disagree with that decision.

MARK STRASSMANN: Pandemic politics surged blood pressures across the country.

CROWD (in unison): No more masks.

MARK STRASSMANN: In Ohio, state lawmakers threaten to block any mask mandate the governor tried to issue. And like his reaction--

GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE (R-Ohio): Every single county is red-hot. Some counties are almost boiling over.

MARK STRASSMANN: At the United Nations, the global worry: a potential superspreader event starting on Tuesday. New York City has a vaccine mandate for conventions, but the U.N. has no power to enforce it.

ANTONIO GUTERRES (U.N. Secretary General): We, as Secretariat, cannot tell a head of state if he is not vaccinated that he cannot enter the United Nations.

(End VT)

MARK STRASSMANN: This hospital, Orlando's largest, is short hundreds of nurses despite retention bonuses and shift bonuses. And it's a crisis across America's hospitals. Early retirements, resignations, and a rash of sick days, staff burned out by this ongoing COVID siege. Margaret.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mark, thank you.

We'd like to now welcome the director of the National Institutes of Health, Doctor Francis Collins, to the broadcast. Thank you for taking time this morning.

FRANCIS COLLINS, M.D. (Director, National Institutes of Health/@NIHDirector): I'm glad to be with you, Margaret.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Doctor, you predicted earlier this month that it may well be boosters are going to be recommended for almost everybody. That didn't happen on Friday. Do you still accept-- expect broad approval?

FRANCIS COLLINS: You know, we have to see how this plays out over the coming weeks because the data changes every day. I do think it was very significant that the FDA Advisory Committee voted unanimously in favor of offering boosters to people sixty-five and over and to others who have high-risk exposures like health care professionals. So we're starting down that path. They weren't convinced yet that the data required this for younger individuals who aren't at high risk. But I think some of the data we're seeing coming in, especially from Israel, tells me that it's likely that they will get to that point. But this was a start, and I know people were confused about different messages. But in a certain way, Margaret, this is the way it ought to be. Science sort of playing out in a very transparent way, looking at the data coming from multiple places, our country, other countries--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah.

FRANCIS COLLINS: --and trying to make the best decision for right now. That's what they did.

MARGARET BRENNAN: But as a medical professional, your view is a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine will be necessary for everyone?

FRANCIS COLLINS: You know, yeah, I am a physician, a scientist, I'm not a politician, I'm trying to figure out what's the best answer here. The place that might still be somewhat questionable would be the very youngest individuals is the benefit risk needed there. But certainly, I think there will be a decision in-- in the coming weeks to extend boosters beyond the list that they approved on Friday.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So this advisory panel, as you said, gave a green light for sixty-five and up and those high risk. Who does that actually mean? Doctor-- Doctor Peter Marks, the FDA official who oversees vaccines, put teachers in that high-risk category. Do you agree with that?

FRANCIS COLLINS: I think they could be seen in that space. They are, after all, in circumstances, especially if they're in classrooms with kids under twelve who can't be vaccinated, where they are at higher risk of exposure than most of the rest of us. So maybe in that regard, they kind of fit into the same category as health care providers. The way in which the FDA panel made the vote, it was a little ambiguous. FDA is going to think about that.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, exactly because you wonder, is it just as risky being in a classroom as a hospital ward? And what does that mean for people like me who live with unvaccinated children? Does that put me in a high-risk category?

FRANCIS COLLINS: Margaret, that is a great question. And I think that is one the CDC will probably have their committee discuss in some seriousness on Wednesday and Thursday because, yes, you are in a circumstance with younger kids who can't be immunized where it is more likely that you could be exposed than somebody who's living alone.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We'll watch for that. If someone got the Moderna or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and they fit into the sixty-five and older category, do they walk into their CVS this week and say, give me a third dose of Pfizer? Can you mix and match? And I know NIH is looking at this, so tell me what you're seeing so far.

FRANCIS COLLINS: So we are right in the middle of those trials to see, can you mix and match any one of the three that have emergency use authorization, can you start with one and boost with the others? We're going to know more about that just in the course of the next two or three weeks. Right now we don't have the answer. Moderna and J&J, by the way, have also submitted their booster data, so it's likely that FDA will be able to have a comment on that pretty soon. It's not quite in sync here. So people who got Moderna that would be including me need to sort of hang on here and see what the recommendation is for those of us who were interested in a booster and people shouldn't be rushing out right now and getting a booster before it's actually gone through this process, a fair number of people seem to be doing that. Hang on, people. Let's be clear, the vaccines right now in the U.S. are doing a great job of protecting people against severe disease hospitalization. What we're worried about is that it's beginning to erode and we're seeing more breakthrough cases and we don't want to get behind this virus. We want to stay ahead of it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: But the White House did want boosters broadly available this week. Do you still believe they will be widely available this week?

FRANCIS COLLINS: Well, part of the reason for this to get talked about a month ago was to be sure we were prepared. You know, I kind of think about this like when you're preparing for a hurricane. We have a system that starts noticing a tropical disturbance somewhere out there in the Atlantic long before there's a risk that it's going to hit New Orleans.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.

FRANCIS COLLINS: This is good. That's kind of what we're trying to do with COVID-19. So part of this announcement that this might very well, if FDA and CDC agree it'd be a good thing, was to get all the pharmacies, all of the other preparations together. So there wouldn't be a mad dash at the end--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.

FRANCIS COLLINS: --to try to actually implement this.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right, which we saw with the Trump administration.

FRANCIS COLLINS: I think we are in a pretty good place by the end of this week.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay, well--

FRANCIS COLLINS: Yes.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So we know that next month is a target for a vaccine to five- and eleven-year-olds. What about preschoolers and the very young? When do you expect vaccines for them?

FRANCIS COLLINS: So the trials on kids under five are still going on. The data won't be submitted to FDA for a bit longer, so I think realistically we're not going to see approval in that space until very much later this year. I wouldn't want to put a precise date on it, though. There are so many uncertainties there about FDA's review and what the data looks like. But, as you said, kids five to eleven, the data is supposed to come in at the end of this month and FDA will be working 24/7 to go through it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-Hm.

FRANCIS COLLINS: So we all hope that can happen in weeks and not months.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay, so still potentially within this year for the very young. Quickly, as a doctor, there's going to be a massive gathering in New York City for the U.N. General Assembly this week. Are you concerned it'll be a superspreader event?

FRANCIS COLLINS: Well, I sure hope not. We've had enough of those, haven't we? I hope people are taking this with the appropriate seriousness as far as vaccines and mask wearing and not doing silly things, gathering indoors with masks off amongst people who are unvaccinated or even people who are vaccinated since we know they could also be breakthroughs and can be passing it along. So, yeah, New York, let's pay attention here. We're in the midst of a Delta surge. It is not a safe place to throw caution to the winds.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Doctor, thank you for your time this morning.

FACE THE NATION will be back in one minute with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Stay with us.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: We're back now with the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who joins us from Burlington. Good morning to you, Senator.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS (I-Vermont/@SenSanders): Good morning.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Lots to get to with you today. But I do want to ask your reaction to news that the U.S. military killed seven children, three civilian adults in this drone strike. You have in the past been very critical of reliance on drone strikes. Are you comfortable with the Biden administration's "over-the-horizon" policy?

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Well, I certainly hope they understand what happened and make sure that never happens again. And this is not only a human tragedy, it reflects on us before the entire world. It's unacceptable.

MARGARET BRENNAN: On immigration, I also want to get your reaction to what the Biden administration just said they're doing this weekend, which is to step up deportations, particularly of some of these Haitian migrants who have gathered in southern Texas, thousands of them. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has called it inhumane. Do you agree with her and looking at what you're working on right now on Capitol Hill, do you expect immigration will be tucked into this three-and-a-half-trillion-dollar spending plan?

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: I hope it will in the sense that right now we have many, many millions of undocumented people in this country, people who are working hard. In fact, people who have maintained this economy, people doing the essential work, something like eleven million people. And I would hope very much, and I think the American people agree, that now is the time. And if we can do it through reconciliation, I'm there. I want to do it to move toward a path towards citizenship and comprehensive immigration reform through the reconciliation bill. That's my hope.

MARGARET BRENNAN: But that-- whether or not that can be done is still going to be decided. I know you say you want it done. But isn't this exactly the same kind of social policy that moderates are bulking-- balking at here because you're--

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Well, actually--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --tucking it into a mechanism that even you--

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Margaret, actually, the truth--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --have said in the past should just be used for budget and spending?

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Well, the truth is that when you because we have no Republican support in trying to pass a significant piece of legislation representing working families, we have to do it through the so-called reconciliation process, which means that you have to obey the Byrd Rules. I won't go into-- bore you with all the details. So, it's something that we are arguing right now. But I do hope as we move toward what I believe is the most consequential piece of legislation for the working class of this country, as we demand that the wealthiest people and large corporations start paying their fair share of taxes as we lower the cost of prescription drugs as we expand Medicare--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-Hm.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: --to include dental care for seniors and hearing aids and eyeglasses as we lower the childhood poverty as we have already done, maintain that by fifty percent as a result of the American Rescue Plan. I hope that immigration reform is part of that general package.

MARGARET BRENNAN: But don't all these very worthy causes you're laying out deserve their own debate and consideration. You in the past have said--

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Well--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --that this is not how this should happen.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Margaret right now we have-- right now, we have no Republican support. Zero. There's not one Republican who is prepared to stand up to the drug companies and lower the cost of prescription drugs.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And you may not have full Democratic support either.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Not one Republican who wants to build affordable housing. We can't do it without the reconciliation package. So right now, what we are doing and let's be clear, and I want the American people to understand it. We're taking on the pharmaceutical industry. We're spending millions and millions of dollars trying to make sure they could charge us ten times more than the people of other countries for drugs. We're taking on the health care industry--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: --does not want to expand Medicare. We're taking on the fossil fuel industry who thinks it's okay to continue emitting carbon while destroying the planet.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator, but you have to--

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: This is really a--

MARGARET BRENNAN: You have to-- you also--

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: --monumental struggle.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I understand it's monumental and it's a struggle within your own party--

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: You understand that?

MARGARET BRENNAN: --to be frank because Senator Manchin just met this week with President Biden. He continues to say the number you're asking for, it's too big. It's too much. Will you meet with the President this week and do you plan to give anything here to get closer to the numbers--

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Well, Margaret, I'll tell you this--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --that the moderates in your own party say need to be met?

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Well, let me tell you this. We have started off, as you know, with, I would guess, eighty percent of the Democratic caucus supporting a six-trillion-dollar bill. Remember, this is over ten years. Per year it's less than we spend on the military. Now maybe you can tell me, or somebody else can tell me, how much we should spend to save the planet. Because what the scientists are telling us is that if we don't get a handle on climate change within the next few years, there will be irreparable damage. And you know what I got four kids and seven grandchildren. And I think we have a moral responsibility to leave them a planet that is healthy and is habitable--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you sure that President--

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: So we are working-- right now we got fifty, we got fifty votes. We're going to have to work it out, as we did with the American Rescue Plan. But I have already made, and my colleagues have made a major compromise, going from six trillion down to three and a half trillion.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So am I hearing you correctly when you say you are not willing to move on that three-and-a-half-trillion-dollar number, even if the President asks you to do it? I mean, are you risking losing out for that?

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Right now-- look, right now what we are doing is we are engaging with the House and the Senate. It is a complicated proposal. All I am telling you is the three and a half trillion is much too low. A compromise has already been made; an agreement has been made. And the American people, by the way, poll after poll after poll are telling us--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: --now is the time to stand up to powerful special interests. Now is the time to start representing working families. On all of these issues--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: --they are enormously powerful and maybe, just maybe we can work for workers for a change and not just campaign wealthy campaign contributors.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You keep saying-- you keep saying the number of fifty votes, but it is well reported that Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema are not with you--

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: You know--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --on this within the Democratic Party. Are you certain--

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Well, we went through this with the American Rescue Plan.

MARGARET BRENNAN: --that President Biden will get them all in line?

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: We dealt with this with the American Rescue Plan, which, as you know, is the most significant piece of legislation to take us out of the economic decline. And it cut childhood poverty by fifty percent. It provided unemployment benefits. It did what had to be done to get us out of the emergency. We came together.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: And I expect because of the pressure of the American people we're going to come together again and do what has to be done.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Will you meet with President Biden this week, just like Senator Manchin did last?

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: I talked to, I talked to-- I'm happy to meet with the President any time, but at the end of the day, I think what--

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, no.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: --the overwhelming majority of the American people want us to do is finally stand up for them, not just the drug companies and the health care industry and the fossil fuel industry.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: This is what we are trying to do. It's an enormous fight. We're going to win it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: It's an enormous fight and we will track it. Thank you very much, Senator Sanders.

We'll be right back in a moment with more FACE THE NATION.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: There were some big developments on the national security beat last week, including the Pentagon's admission of a tragic deadly mistake by U.S. military commanders last month as Americans were pulling out of Afghanistan. For more we turn to CBS senior national security correspondent David Martin. David, it's good to have you here. You heard Senator Sanders say how badly this reflects on the country in the eyes of the rest of the world. But policy-wise, doesn't this show also a flaw with the President's over-the-horizon strategy reliant on strikes like this?

DAVID MARTIN (CBS News Senior National Security Correspondent/@CBSDavidMartin): Well, this is the heart of the matter. What happens in Afghanistan matters here in the U.S. only if al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups there are able to make a comeback. The U.S. says it's going to prevent that with surveillance conducted from outside the country, drones flying from outside the country, what they call over the horizon. And that they will be able to detect a-- a plot in the works and then be able to disrupt it with a-- with a drone strike. But you have to say this mistake made in Kabul is not an encouraging precedent. They had six drones over Kabul that day--six. So now everybody is gone. They have to operate these drones from outside the country. Are they really going to be able to sustain that many drones over--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Six drones, and, yet, an aide worker is who they killed, who had no ties to ISIS.

DAVID MARTIN: It-- it was just a horrendous mistake and nobody claims it was anything but-- but that it happened in the context of a terrorist attack just a few days before. Communications, intercepts, telling them there was going to be another terrorist attack, and that it was going to evolve a white Toyota Corolla. And this aid worker just happened to be driving a white Toyota Corolla. And as he drive around Kabul just going about his business, at the same time, the drone operators are hearing this intercepts, talking about a white Corolla. And so each one of his entirely innocent stops becomes suspicious to them, especially when they see him loading containers into his trunk. They thought they were explosives when they ordered the strike and after-- after the investigation was done, of course, those containers held water which he was bringing home to his family because his home was without running water. I mean, it was-- it was just the final debacle of the Afghan war.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, and, you know, just this week, the-- the deputy CIA director told our Olivia Gazis that they're already tracking al-Qaeda members moving back to Afghanistan. So it raises the stakes on getting things right when it comes to--

DAVID MARTIN: Yeah.

MARGARET BRENNAN: --protecting the homeland. In this new book Peril that just came out there is extensive reporting about the decisions on both Presidents regarding Afghanistan. The chairman of the chief-- Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief military advisor to the President said don't do it, don't do it this way. And the Secretary of Defense General Austin said the same thing to President Biden and he dismissed it.

DAVID MARTIN: He didn't dismiss it. He listened. They all give him credit for listening. But he just wasn't buying it. He just did not believe that it was worth the candle to remain in Afghanistan. Remember, Lloyd Austin had seen this movie before because he was the commander in Iraq during the Obama administration, when the Obama administration pulled all its combat troops out of Iraq, which gave rise to ISIS. And then he was the commander of the U.S. Central Command when ISIS came storming out of Syria--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-Hm.

DAVID MARTIN: --and we had to basically fight the-- the war of Iraq all over.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.

DAVID MARTIN: So not only had he seen this movie before, he played a role in it. And-- and he had a great sense of foreboding.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And that is why that reporting is so important. David, thank you for your analysis and your time today. We'll be right back.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: We'll be right back with a lot more FACE THE NATION. Stay with us.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome back to FACE THE NATION.

We go now to United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, who joins us from State College, Pennsylvania. Good morning to you.

SCOTT KIRBY (United Airlines CEO): Good morning.

MARGARET BRENNAN: United has said ninety percent of your employees are vaccinated following your mandate. What about contractors and for someone buying a ticket on your airline? How confident can they be they won't run into someone unvaccinated?

SCOTT KIRBY: Well, there are a lot of people that work in the airports that don't yet have a vaccine requirement, though the administration's role is going to ultimately take care of that. But one of the things that's important when you're traveling on an airplane, particularly once you're on the airplane, it's really the safest place you can be because of the airflow on an airplane, safest place you can be indoors. And so, wear your mask in the airport. That's a rule. And-- and before long, we'll have everyone in the airports vaccinated. Thanks to the administration's order.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, the Delta variant is causing problems in terms of people's willingness to buy tickets to get on planes. Your company announced that you're going to lose money the next two quarters. Why aren't people flying?

SCOTT KIRBY: Well, the Delta variant has obviously caused a downturn in-- in travel, it's particularly business travel. A lot of offices were expecting to be open again in September, and the Delta variant has pushed those opening dates back a few months. My guess is it will now be January. It appears that we've peaked in cases. Let's hope that that's the case. Let's hope that as we continue to get more people vaccinated, we really can get back to normal across the country. But the demand recovery really probably has been pushed back to January.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We'll watch and see. Would you advise the administration that they roll out another wave of mandates, this time for passengers? You know if TSA screens you to make sure you're not hurting your other passengers, potentially should they also check your card to see if you're vaccinated?

SCOTT KIRBY: Well, I think the administration is doing a really admirable job of trying to find all the levers to push to get the whole country vaccinated, and they have really got better data and science.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And they're discussing that. Should they do it?

SCOTT KIRBY: They-- you hear it sometimes. But I think the administration's perspective has been that getting people vaccinated at work, it's a one shot and you can really get a whole bunch of the country. You can get a high percentage of the country as opposed to making it a burden on people that are vaccinated every time you get on a plane, a train, any kind of public transportation to prove that you're vaccinated. So, for now, I think their approach of focusing on the employment and focusing on work is probably the right way to go. But they've got great data and science, and if they tell us that they want us to check everyone, we're prepared to do that as well.

MARGARET BRENNAN: When it comes to data and science, Doctor Scott Gottlieb, the former FDA commissioner, has argued that the Biden administration's travel restrictions that they've kept in place on Europe, on India and China, other countries, they don't really work. Have they given you a timeline on when those restrictions will be lifted?

SCOTT KIRBY: They haven't given us a timeline specifically, but they do talk to us a lot, and, you know, I think they're just trying to take a cautious approach and really put safety first as they go through the crisis. And given the case rates, you know, in Europe and the U.S. are similar in the high vaccination rates higher in Europe, actually. I'm hopeful that we'll get those borders, particularly to Europe, open soon, but they're following the data and the science. But we hope that-- that as-- as cases come down that that's something that will happen soon.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you think that's a political decision?

SCOTT KIRBY: I really think that they're just focused on trying to do the right thing here, and this is a lot of--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Yep.

SCOTT KIRBY: --uncertainty around what it means, and I think they're just focused on the right thing.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to ask you about some of what's being debated here on Capitol Hill. There are two huge bills, one of them, this 1.2-trillion-dollar infrastructure plan, it's got funding in airports included into the package. How necessary is it and how would you want that money to be programmed? What do you need it for?

SCOTT KIRBY: Yeah. So I-- I am very supportive of the entire infrastructure package, as is most of the business community. It's a great opportunity to invest in America coming out of-- out of this crisis. In airports, you know, you can fly around and see the airports. It's been a long time since we've had real investment in the airports. Our air traffic control system, you know, still flies in a lot of ways the same way we flew fifty, sixty years ago. And there's real opportunities to make it more efficient and it'd be good for the economy, good for customers, really kind of good for society as a whole.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you're for the 1.2. When it comes to the three-and-a-half-trillion-dollar spending bill, there's also some climate change related provisions tucked into it. We talked about that--

SCOTT KIRBY: Mm-Hm.

MARGARET BRENNAN: --with Senator Sanders. But for you--

SCOTT KIRBY: Yeah.

MARGARET BRENNAN: --in-- in private business, is-- is it just so expensive to make some of these changes on your own that you need American taxpayers to provide tax credits and to provide incentives for private businesses to go green?

SCOTT KIRBY: Well, particularly for the climate change initiatives, we do need government support, really to fund the investment. If you look at solar and wind, twenty years ago, they couldn't compete with coal or natural gas, and today it's cheaper. That's because the government provided credits to give certainty to invest in the industry, and that's what we need for things like sustainable aviation fuel. This really is an opportunity in America to drive investment, drive the next generation of great jobs that can be green, but also great jobs, great technology that we can export around the world.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, for you, the benefit outweighs the risks here of spending that much money.

SCOTT KIRBY: Well, the climate change elements are a part of the three-and-a-half trillion so the climate change elements in particular, and I don't know--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay.

SCOTT KIRBY: --a hundred percent of what they are, but the ones I do know about I'm very supportive of and-- and--

MARGARET BRENNAN: All right.

SCOTT KIRBY: --hope that they pass either in this bill or somewhere else.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We'll watch. Thank you, Mister Kirby, for your time this morning.

We'll be right back.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: Former FDA Commissioner Doctor Scott Gottlieb has been a valuable resource for this broadcast and our viewers throughout the COVID crisis, helping us cut through the confusion to tell you what you need to know. His new book, Uncontrolled Spread, takes a critical look at the mistakes America's leaders made in responding to this pandemic and how we need to better prepare for the next one. We sat down with him last week.

(Begin VT)

SCOTT GOTTLIEB, M.D. (Former FDA Commissioner/Author, Uncontrolled Spread/@ScottGottliebMD): I think that the public health establishment as a whole has taken a hit in the setting of this pandemic. And this isn't just a sort of Republican, Democrat, conservative, liberal thing. I think that there's a lot of people around the country who feel that the advice they got from public health officials wasn't precise, changed, wasn't-- wasn't formulated in a way where it was sort of immutable, wasn't carefully explained, wasn't propagated in a way that it could be assimilated into people's lives. You know how do I wear a mask? What mask should I wear? When should I wear a mask? When not? And things changed. And so people were confused by it and lost confidence in it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You say the CDC, which is supposed to be the gold standard public health agency, "doesn't have an operational ca-- capability to manage a crisis of this scale." So if the CDC doesn't, who does?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Nobody does. I mean there was a perception early in the-- this crisis that the CDC has this, that they would have the capacity to develop a diagnostic test and deploy it and gather the data that we would need, sort of scope out what the contours of the response would be, and they would be able to deploy the diagnostic test and deploy the vaccine and stand up this infrastructure. They're not a logistical organization. CDC has a very retrospective mindset. It's a high-science organization that does deep analytical analysis of data that's oftentimes out of sync to when the decisions need to get made. They're not the Joint Special Operations Command. They don't surface real time information to-- to inform current policy making.

MARGARET BRENNAN: They're not a quick reaction force.

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Right. They'd-- they'd rather take the data, analyze it for four months and publish it in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. And the idea that they were going to be able to mass manufacture a diagnostic test and forward deploy it, they clearly-- they contaminated their own test. So they-- they-- they botched the manufacturer of their test. But--

MARGARET BRENNAN: We needed to turn to private industry earlier in the pandemic.

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: We needed an all, but all-of-the-above approach. Certainly, by the end of January we had enough awareness that this could be a global pandemic, that someone could have hit the red button and said we need it-- an all-of-the-above-- above approach here. But CDC had the ball. CDC was following their standard blueprint. Their blueprint is-- could keep up with a slow-moving outbreak. But in a fast-moving epidemic like this, it was unmatched. Now, CDC should have raised their hand and said we really don't have this. I think--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Why didn't they?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: I think it's very difficult for an agency to have this self-awareness that they don't have the capacity to respond in a way they're being asked. We needed to get FEMA and the DOD engaged with the CDC in trying to organize a national level response, and that-- that was a failure of political leadership I mean, and it was a failure of vision. But, you know, there were a lot of people who were good political leaders who wrongly assumed the CDC had this mission.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You say, "The point isn't that federal health officials were wrong, the point is they were working with faulty tools, faulty data sets."

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Yeah, so--

MARGARET BRENNAN: They didn't know what they didn't know.

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: They didn't understand that this wasn't spreading like flu. If you're just looking for flu symptoms, you might not see coronavirus spreading. So they were very confident early on that there was no community spread. We should have been doing things differently in anticipation that this probably was spreading, we just weren't picking it up, which, in fact, was the case.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You also say this should have been viewed as a national security threat, and that's how we need to think of pandemics.

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: But I think the intelligence community has different tools that should be focused on this mission. We have to look at public health preparedness through the lens of national security. We make certain preparations for things that are unlikely to happen. But if they happen, they're so catastrophic that we have to prepare. We cannot allow something like this to hit us this bad again. So we have to prepare differently domestically. But, internationally, we rely on other nations to tell us when they have an outbreak. That has repeatedly failed. It failed in this case. China didn't surface the early information. They still haven't shared the source strain. So the question becomes can we still rely on the international health regulations and the W.H.O. and the World Health Assembly? Are we going to all hold hands again and promise that we really mean it this time and we're going to share information? Or do we need to get our clandestine services more engaged in this mission? And I think we're going to need to get our clandestine services more engaged in this mission. There was data very clearly available in China, in Wuhan, that if we were looking for it, we could have detected this much sooner. We could have answered some key questions. We could have seen the asymptomatic spread. We could have seen the human-to-human transmission. You could have had some key questions answered early that could have allowed us to mount a more robust response. And a two- or four-week head-start on something like this can make a very big difference.

MARGARET BRENNAN: What did you learn in the course of your research about the origins of COVID?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: I learned that we're not going to answer this question absent one or two things happening. Either we find the intermediate host, the animal that was the-- that spread COVID, or there's a whistleblower inside China. Or someone close to this, who knows that this came out of a lab, comes forward, defects, goes overseas, or we intercept some communication that we shouldn't have had access to. Absent something like that, we're not going to be able to answer this question. This is going to be a battle of competing narratives. I think over time the side of the ledger that-- that says that this might have come out of a lab has grown more robust and the side of the ledger that says this came out of a natural species has not really moved.

MARGARET BRENNAN: When you say, come-- came out of a lab, you are saying through a lab accident, not a construct?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: The administration has said this in the intelligence report they put out. They've sort of firmly debunked the idea that this was something that could have deliberately come out of a lab or was deliberately engineered.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Why do we need to know who Patient Zero is?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: If we determine that this came out of a lab or we even assess that there's a high probability that this came out of a lab, I think it changes how we try to govern research internationally. The most speculative, most dangerous research often goes to the countries willing to conduct it. And the countries willing to conduct it are oftentimes the countries that have the poorest controls. The other thing we're going to need to look at is do we continue to do things like publish the sequences of novel viruses? Once you publish that sequence as part of normal scientific discourse and-- and part of the scientific process, you basically provide a recipe to anyone who's a rogue actor on how to manufacture that virus.

(End VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: We're going to take a quick break, and we'll be back with a lot more of our conversation with Doctor Gottlieb. So, don't go away.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: We're back with more of our conversation with former FDA Commissioner and Pfizer board member Doctor Scott Gottlieb.

(Begin VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: What is the lesson for the Biden administration as they roll out boosters? Do they need to change the playbook from what the Trump administration did?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Yeah. I think the logistical lesson on the rollout of the boosters is that they need to have in place the infrastructure to actually distribute those vaccines in hard-to-reach communities and hard-to-reach settings. I think what the Biden administration has done here is by backing into an approximate date, they're now able to start that planning process in advance. If FDA does authorize it and the advisory committee of the CDC ultimately judges it to be appropriate for a certain population, they're going to be ready to start making it available in the nursing homes right away. So there's not going to be a delay. So I think they're in a better position. I don't know that the vaccine boosters are going to be controversial from the standpoint of, sort of, right versus left politics. I think where the fault lines are going to be is on some of the mandates that the administration is putting in place.

MARGARET BRENNAN: How does it sit with you when you hear members of your party, Republican Party, describe all this along civil liberties lines? Not making the medical argument, but simply around civil liberties.

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Look, I think it's a misjudgment. There is this argument that this is an individual choice. Your choice to get vaccinated is an individual choice, and it's not an individual choice. This is a decision that affects your community. This is a collective choice. If you go-- and just like with childhood vaccinations. If you go into a school setting and you're not vaccinated for measles and you introduce measles into that setting, you're affecting your community. So I don't think governors should tell schools and businesses you can't mandate a vaccine. If a because makes a decision that the only way that I can protect my employees or my costumers is by having a fully vaccinated workforce, they should have the ability to make that decision.

MARGARET BRENNAN: But it's not just shots. We're talking about masks.

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: And the mask debate is inexplicable to me. Like, I can't decouple it, I can't explain it, I can't defend it. People generally have an apprehension about taking a medical product, especially when they're healthy, especially for a preventative purpose. I understand just, sort of, people's general questions and concerns about a novel medical product. But a mask is such a simple intervention. It's not going to cause you any harm. It's just an act of, you know, community responsibility, an act of respect. And I think, you know, the federal government is well within its right to mandate vaccinations for federal workers, for health care workers. I think even mandating vaccination within the Medicare program could be something that's defensible. But when you impose the mandate down to the level of small businesses, now you're setting up the political fault lines. You're taking something that was, sort of, subjectively political and it's going to be objectively political. So are you going to get enough benefit from a public health standpoint or the price you pay in terms of hardening those lines. I think that was worth a very vigorous debate. I hope the White House had it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Which governors handled this the worst?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Certainly, looking at South Dakota, where this was just allowed to travel largely unfettered with public health interventions where you saw one of the highest death rates per capita, you have to look back and say that was a bad experience. Once we learned how to treat this, once we're able to reduce the case fatality rate by half, by the summer time, and we got there, we got there pretty quickly, states that were still excessively engulfed by this and had a lot of death and disease, those were, in part, policy decisions. Those were, in part, the result of policy choices that those states made.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I think about the first few days where this strange virus that was just surfacing started to make headlines here at home. You were starting to see things that weren't yet really being raised as red flags. How were you, on the outside, seeing things that they weren't seeing on the inside?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: There was a presumption that the CDC has this, the department has this, the secretary of Health and Human Services is in control, so they let that health care apparatus run with the ball. It really wasn't until probably more like the end of February, the March timeframe, that you saw the White House really starting to get engaged and pull this away from the secretary of Health and Human Services and the Health Care Institutions and start to at least try to more accurately manage it. And that was the genesis of the coronavirus task force.

MARGARET BRENNAN: It's been reported that you were actually considered to come and run that task force. Is that true?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: You know I don't know for sure. The President asked me to come in. I met with him. I met with the vice president, and they asked me to take a position as sort of as an advisor or help him oversee the task force after the vice president had been put in charge. That felt like it was moving along and more real. Ultimately, it didn't come together.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Why?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: I don't know for sure. There were probably people in the White House who wanted to see me in that position, and probably people in the White House who didn't.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you regret though not being on the inside? You had been with the Trump administration till 2019.

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Yeah, so I regret not being at the FDA. I don't know that there was much that I could have done dramatically differently inside the White House and, eventually, I would have worn out my welcome because there would have been people inside the White House who wouldn't have liked what I was preaching. If I had been at FDA with my staff, working with the-- the career staff in the device center I am pretty confident that we would have made a very hard pivot to try to instigate the private industry to start getting engaged in developing diagnostic tests early in January.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And so you wish somebody at the FDA was doing that?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: I think that would have had to happen at the commissioner level. It couldn't happen below that level. If I would've called any big manufacturer, though, they would have done it. I have no doubt about that. Having been there and having made those calls and having known that CEOs responded positively in moments of public health crisis. That's the one thing I wish I was there to do and, you know, I wrote articles about doing that at the time, I was writing articles in January this is what we should do. But, you know, writing op-eds and putting things on Twitter isn't like being there and actually being able to pick up the phone and effectuate the action. I wish I was there. I think that that's-- the-- the FDA and the optives, the operational divisions of HHS, is where the action happens. That's where you can really affect the outcome. Affecting the outcome from the White House, much harder.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You write in March, when you went in to speak with the President that he was serious, he knew the grave risks.

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: There was a point in time when they were very concerned about this, willing to take dramatic actions. But later on their attitudes really changed to the point where when the President was contagious with COVID, he ceremoniously took his mask off. And so what message does that send to the country? But my view is that they were sold on the idea that you weren't going to be able to really affect the spread and that anything you did was just going to have so many repercussions in terms of impact on children who might not be in school, impact on the economy, that the costs were worse than the disease. And the schools is a perfect example of the lack of effective policy making. So the single reason why most schools remained shut was because the CDC was telling them they had to keep kids six feet apart. If-- if CDC had said you can only-- you have to keep kids three feet apart, then a lot of schools would have been able to open. And, in fact, when the Biden administration wanted to open schools in the spring, this past spring, they got the CDC to change that guidance from six feet to three feet.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And you write, the six feet was arbitrary?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: The six feet was arbitrary in and of itself. Nobody knows where it came from. The initial recommendation that the CDC brought to the White House, and I talk about this, was 10 feet. And a political appointee in the White House said, we can't recommend 10 feet. Nobody can measure 10 feet. It's inoperable. Society will shut down. So the compromise was around six feet. Now imagine if that detail had leaked out. Everyone would have said, this is the White House politically interfering with the CDC's judgment. The CDC said 10 feet, it should be 10 feet, but 10 feet was no more right than six feet and, ultimately, became three feet. But when it became three feet, the--the basis for the CDC's decision to ultimately revise it from six to three feet was a study that they conducted the prior fall. So they changed it in the spring. They had done a study in the fall where they showed that if you have two masked individuals, two people wearing masks, the risk of transmission is reduced 70 percent with masks if you're three feet apart. So they said on the basis of that, we can now make a judgment that three feet is an appropriate distance. Which begs the question, if they had that study result in the fall, why didn't they change the advice in the fall? Why did they wait until the spring? This is how the whole thing feels arbitrary and not science based. So we talk about a very careful, science-based process and then these anecdotes get exposed, and that's where Americans start to lose confidence in how the decisions got made.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You do put blame on President Trump for a few things, but do you think, fundamentally, looking at everything you've analyzed, that the outcome of this pandemic would have been different if President Trump wasn't in office?

SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Well, look, it would have been different if we had different political decisions and the White House was exercising different leadership. There's no question about that. There's no question that the White House made mistakes, and the lack of consistency was a big mistake, and also the lack of using the White House as an effective bully pulpit to really galvanize a collective action that can make a difference on the margins. Allowing this to sort of get divided along political fault lines in the setting of an election when things were already-- the temperature was already very high, I think really hurt us. But stepping back from that, I think that there were fundamental weaknesses with our response that regardless of who is in power, we had an ill-prepared bureaucracy. We didn't have the right infrastructure. We didn't have the right agencies. The agencies weren't properly empowered. So even if you had competent leadership, very effective leadership up and down the chain, you still would have had some of the same problems.

(End VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: The full conversation with Doctor Gottlieb about his book Uncontrolled Spread is in two parts on our website at facethenation.com. We'll be right back.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: That's it for us today. Thank you for watching. Until next week, for FACE THE NATION, I'm Margaret Brennan.

Congressional Black Caucus celebrates anniversary while continuing to fight for equality

FDA panel recommends some Americans get COVID booster shot

Extended interview: Dr. Scott Gottlieb on "Face the Nation" with Margaret Brennan, Part 1.
WASHINGTON  After watching homicides in Lorain, Ohio, more than double, Mayor Jack Bradley adjusted quickly when he learned his city could use federal COVID-19 rescue funds to hire more police officers.

An old manufacturing town of 64,000 on Lake Erie, about 30 miles west of Cleveland, Lorain has grappled with 11 homicides so far in 2021, up from five at this time in 2020 and seven total in 2019. Rattling the city further, two auxiliary police officers were injured this month by bullets fired into their vehicle.

Bradley thought using American Rescue Plan funds to beef up law enforcement wasn't an option. Then in a June 23 speech unveiling a crime reduction strategy, President Joe Biden encouraged mayors to use their share of $350 billion in aid on public safety that could include hiring more police officers.

"We noticed that the shooting and murder rates was going up in our community  not just 100%, but several hundred percent," said Bradley, a Democrat, who last week won council approval to spend $6 million in COVID-19 rescue funds to hire 10 new police officers and purchase additional vehicles and equipment. "We decided that was an immediate priority that we needed to address."

More: 'It has to end': Biden targets illegal gun sales, rogue dealers in strategy to combat rising crime

The Biden administration has turned to the direct aid from the American Rescue Plan, approved by Congress in March, as one of its top strategies not only to combat rising crime in cities but to push back at attacks frome Republicans seeking to tie Biden to the calls of progressive activists to "defund the police."

As gun violence has soared amid the pandemic, Republicans have blamed Democratic leadership in cities, previewing a likely line-of-attack during the 2022 midterm elections. In turn, Biden and Democrats have touted the American Rescue Plan's funding for cities and states, noting that no Republican members of Congress voted for the $1.9 trillion package.

Story continues

"I'm a Democrat, but I believe police protection is important  and making sure we have other programs available for our young people," Bradley said.

Yet not all mayors are expanding their police forces, exposing a debate on how best to use the money to combat crime. Several cities are embracing violence intervention programs, also supported by the Biden administration, that take on different forms: Some seek to disrupt crime before it occurs, while hospital-based interventions help individuals recovering from gun wounds with housing, employment and other assistance.

Some mayors say using one-time money to fund police officers that require yearly resources is impractical.

More: Panicked cities pressed Biden on rescue funds during the pandemic. Months later, some are slow to spend.

Further revealing the money's limits, cities like Philadelphia  where homicides are up 16% over 2020  are using their entire allocation to patch budget shortfalls. In Seattle, which started spending its first tranche of COVID-19 rescue funds before Biden's June speech, no dollars are tied specifically to law enforcement as they take on other priorities like affordable housing and small business support. Portland, Oregon, where homicides have skyrocketed, has proposed $1 million for gun violence wraparound services but no money for police.

"I don't believe we can hire police with that money," Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said. "I know we're allowed to. But it's not sustainable. I mean, you hire police for 15, 20 years, not just a year or two or three."

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, accompanied by Police Commissioner Richard Ross speak during a news conference in Philadelphia, Thursday, July 18, 2019.

Philadelphia, which saw tax revenue crater as more residents worked from home during the pandemic, is using all its rescue funds  $1.4 billion  to fill a $1.5 billion shortfall over the next five years. It will allow the city to pump $155 million into anti-violence initiatives. Yet only 21% of that sum ($33 million), the city comptroller found, will be spent in the short-term, with most of the funds supporting programs that "will likely take years to produce measurable reductions in gun violence."

Still, Kenney said, "Without the money, wed be cutting everything. We may be laying off police."

A call for 'creative models,' one mayor says

The direct aid from the American Rescue Plan, which began flowing to states in May, includes a second tranche of the same amount next year. The 50 states and Washington, D.C., will split $195 billion; counties, cities and towns will get $130 billion; another $24.5 billion will go to territories and tribal governments. Money must be obligated by 2024.

Biden touted the money as a way to replenish governments with revenue they lost as a result of the pandemic, allowing them to maintain core services and make other investments that would have otherwise stalled. In June, Biden started discussing the rescue funds as a key plank of his administration's response to rising gun violence and the Treasury Department approved new guidelines.

More: As the gun control debate stalls, Medicaid becomes an unlikely tool to fight violence

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 23: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks on gun crime prevention measures as Attorney General Merrick Garland looks on at the White House on June 23, 2021 in Washington, DC. Biden pledged to aggressively go after illegal gun dealers and to boost federal spending in aid to local law enforcement. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775670281 ORIG FILE ID: 1325125418

U.S. gun-related deaths in 2021 are up 10% as of Sept. 15 compared to the same time last year and 35% over 2019, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit research firm.

"This is not a time to turn our backs on law enforcement or our communities," Biden said in June.

The president did not provide just one prescription, however, leading to an assortment of plans on the local level.

Mayors of Washington, D.C., and Dallas have pushed large expansions of police forces. Cities such as Kansas City, Baltimore and Tucson, Arizona, have opted to use rescue funds on crime intervention programs or partnerships with nonprofits that work to keep youth away from crime.

"The story of 2020 was primarily COVID-19, and then the secondary story was violent crime in America," said Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas, whose city had a record 182 homicides in 2020 followed by 159 killings so far in 2021.

Lucas has proposed using the bulk of the city's first installment of $93 million in COVID-19 rescue funds  $72 million  on replacing lost revenue. Facing a $70 million budget shortfall, Kansas City in March cut the police department by 4%.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, center, stands with protesters Wednesday, June 3, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo., during a unity march to protest against police brutality following the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25.

He's asked the council to approve an additional $2.1 million to begin the process to hire and train 104 new police officers  though the new class would be dependent on future city funding. He hopes a portion of the second wave of rescue funds next year would go toward violence prevention programs including conflict resolution in schools and mentoring.

Lucas said he views the American Rescue Plan as more about "long-term programmatic changes" and less about "Clinton-era 'we're just going to pay for more cops.' "

"I think the federal government is directing us to see how we can come up with creative models that really address root causes of violent crime," Lucas said.

More: Severed ties between Missouri police department, community push leaders to incite change

The Treasury Department could not say how many cities are using rescue funds on public safety as officials continue to review "recovery plans" submitted by local and state governments in August outlining their spending.

Stefanie Feldman, deputy assistant to the president and senior advisor to the Domestic Policy Council, said allowing rescue funds to go toward public safety was designed to give cities a "tool kit" to address gun violence. She said the response has been "exactly what we hoped for."

"The tools that would work in one city might not work for another," Feldman said, adding the White House isn't concerned some aren't spending any rescue funds on public safety. "We certainly weren't expecting every city to specifically decide to use the funding for public safety. We just wanted to make sure it was available."

More cops sought in some cities

The victory of Eric Adams, a former police officer, in New York's Democratic mayoral primary in June, presented Democrats one way to navigate the complicated politics of crime amid calls from activists for police reform. Adams made public safety a centerpiece of his campaign, opposing defunding the police and calling for more officers in crime-riddled neighborhoods.

In Dallas, where homicides last year reached their highest level since 1998, Mayor Eric Johnson has pursued a major expansion of the police department in hopes of getting staffing closer to the level in 2016, when 500 officers were cut following a pension crisis.

"I was the Eric Adams before Eric Adams," Johnson, an outspoken advocate of funding police, said. "I've very much had to hold the line against folks who want to see our police budget cut by 50%."

Dallas will receive $355 million in rescue funds over two years. City manager T.C. Broadnax has proposed adding 250 new officers with city dollars and using $38 million rescue funds to pay for other police expenses such as unpaid overtime and squad cars.

"It's a much needed shot-in-the arm," said Johnson, who is seeking council approval of the budget Wednesday.

More: The US is seeing a summer surge in gun violence. New York just declared an emergency.

Council pushback has been a problem for Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, who proposed $194 million of $2.5 billion in COVID-19 rescue funds on gun violence prevention through 2024. Her plan includes 100 new positions to the Metropolitan Police Department's cadet program, which hires young people ages 17 to 24 to serve as part-time uniformed, civilian employees.

Separate from the rescue funds, the D.C. Council voted last month to scale back Bowser's plan to reroute $11 million in the city's budget to add 170 police officers, approving $5 million instead. Following police budget slashes last year, Bowser warned that the department already has 200 fewer officers than last September  its lowest level in two decades  and would lose 120 more officers without action.

"If were not careful, were going to break the department," Bowser said, according to the Washington Post.

Bowser has faced increasing pressure after a series of high-profile shootings in the nation's capitol in July  including one outside Nationals Park and another along an upscale commercial strip. But some council members argued the shootings only gained media attention because they occured in gentrified parts of the city, and slammed Bowser's budget request as "politics." The council diverted the remaining $6 million to intervention programs.

More: White House, state AGs seek ways to hold manufacturers, dealers responsible for gun crimes

'Reimagine public safety'

Several cities are using the rescue funds for similar initiatives.

In Baltimore, which has had 239 homicides this year, ahead of its 2020 pace, Mayor Brandon Scott said he plans to devote a portion of $641 million in rescue funds over two years to violence prevention programs and interventions.

Baltimore was one of 15 cities that partnered with the federal government to use a portion of their ARP funding on community-based violence interventions. Scott plans to use the funds to complement the work of nonprofits in this area. Baltimore's Safe Street program, for example, employs outreach professionals to de-escalate disputes to try to prevent violence.

"My administration is already taking steps to reimagine public safety in Baltimore," Scott said.

"It's not simply for him about policing," the mayor said of Biden. "But it's also important, as the president said, that we do these other community-based preventive measures so that we're tackling this from all angles."

More: As George Floyd Act's chances dim, Biden stays mum on police reform

Another partner in the federal program is Minneapolis, which became the center of a national debate on policing after the May 2020 killing of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed after a police officer pinned his neck to the ground for more than nine minutes.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey received council approval in July to spend $102 million in federal rescue funds out of $271 million awarded to the city. That includes nearly $11 million for violence intervention such as violence interrupters, trauma response, expanded group violence intervention programming and other community initiatives.

Frey said he subscribes to a "both-end approach"  intervention mechanisms and "adequate personnel for law enforcement." He said the funds would also help add eight civilians to desk jobs in police department to free up officers for other responsibilities.

"So the effect is additional officers to the street," he said. "It also allows to provide additional ongoing funding for the recruiting classes that will be coming in."

In July, a Minnesota court sided with residents who sued Minneapolis over the police department's staffing, ordering the city to have 730 sworn officers a year from now, 60 more than is projected, to comply with a city code.

FILE - Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey addresses the media on Wednesday Feb. 17, 2021 in Minneapolis. Frey announced a sweeping set of public safety proposals that he said would make all neighborhoods in the city safe, while holding police officers accountable. The proposals were announced Monday, May 17, 2021 after a particularly violent weekend during which a 9-year-old girl was shot in the head in a north Minneapolis neighborhood. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP, Pool) ORG XMIT: MNMIT210

Tucson, Arizona, Mayor Regina Romero said she hopes to invest $7 million to $10 million in the "root causes" of gun violence including community intervention programs, substance abuse programs and job training services. Tucson received $67 million in rescue funds in May

"Funding for officers is not the issue," Romero said, noting that her city has increased pay by 13% to try to attract recruits for 100 police positions that remain unfilled. "It's just that we're having difficulty in filling those vacancies."

Romero said crime must be tackled in a "much more holistic" way by confronting equity issues to breakup cycles of violence. She called the rescue funds a "godsend" for Tucson because it will boost nonprofits with a proven track record.

"We don't have to reinvent the wheel," Romero said.

Contributing: Associated Press. Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden, Democrat mayors use COVID money to fight soft-on-crime tag
Officers spent a large part of the day at the campsite north of Jackson (FBI)

A team of FBI agents and park rangers have carried out a major search of a wild campsite believed to have been used by missing YouYuber Gabby Petito.

Several dozen officers from the FBI, the US Forest Service, Teton County Sheriffs office and others, spent hours searching for clues at the site at Spread Creek Road, about 20 months of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Rangers from the National Park Service blocked the public and the media from entering the site, campers who had been using it were told to be gone by the time the search started on Saturday.

The #FBIDenver Field Office and its Wyoming Resident Agencies, in coordination with the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Teton County Sheriffs Office & Jackson Police Department, have been conducting ground surveys at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, the FBI said on Twitter.

It added: While we cannot comment further as to the specifics of this investigation, we will provide updates and request additional assistance from the public when appropriate to do so.

More follows....

Read More

Gabby Petito: YouTubers mysterious disappearance on road trip

Gabby Petito news: Police Chief appeals to Laundries lawyer for help

Gabby Petitos followers question unusual last posts on Instagram
Brian Laundries mother was spotted outside her home Sunday morning as Florida authorities resumed the search for Laundrie in the deeper parts of a nature reserve where he was last seen.

Gabby Petito, 22, has been missing for almost a month. Her mother, Nicole Schmidt, last reported speaking with her daughter on Aug. 25, and the family filed a missing persons report on Sept. 11. Police named Laundrie, Petitos fiance, a person of interest last week as the search for Petito intensified, but his family reported him missing on Friday.

Florida authorities commenced a search for Laundrie, 23, in the Carlton Reserve, a 25,000-acre reserve located roughly five miles from the familys home. Laundrie supposedly went for a hike in the reserve on Sept. 14.

GABBY PETITO: POLICE SPOKE TO WOMAN WHO CLAIMED TO SEE LAUNDRIE DAYS AFTER GABBY LAST SEEN

Police visited the Laundrie home to gather some of his clothing to help K-9 units track Laundrie. The search started on Saturday as officers in body armor entered the reserve, prepared for a possibly agitated encounter.

The Laundrie family have remained out of view since Friday, but Roberta, Laundries mother, was spotted outside her home Sunday morning. She refused to answer any questions and quickly returned inside.

Meanwhile, police moved deeper into the reserve as they started the second day of their search, crossing the Myakkahatchee Creek Bridge into the wider part of the reserve. Police noted that a team of more than 50 officers set out Sunday morning.

GABBY PETITO'S UTAH HOTEL, WHERE SHE WAS LAST SEEN PUBLICLY, WAS 2 BLOCKS FROM FBI FIELD OFFICE: REPORT

Police utilized K-9 units and amphibious vehicles as part of the search.

Police have repeatedly stressed that Laundrie is a person of interest and not a suspect in Petitos disappearance.

REWARD FOR MISSING IDAHO BOY MICHAEL JOSEPH VAUGHAN, 5, GROWS TO $26G

"It is important to note that while Brian is a person of interest in Gabby's disappearance, he is not wanted for a crime," North Port police said in Friday's statement. It added that the investigation is now a "multiple missing person" case.

Story continues

The FBI appealed for anyone who may have been in Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, where Petito and Laundrie supposedly spent some time in late August, to reach out and provide agents with their information.

A TikTok user on Friday and Saturday posted a series of videos outlining an encounter with a man she claimed to be Laundrie, and family passing through Grand Teton National Park, where Petito was last known to be alive, posted a video on YouTube on Sunday morning that appeared to briefly show Petitos white van on Aug. 27 in the park  three days after her mother last spoke with her.

The North Port police have confirmed they spoke to the TikTok user, Miranda Baker, about any information she has.

YouTube user "Red White & Bethune" claimed that the FBI asked for the video as evidence. Fox News reached out to the FBI for confirmation, but they have not yet responded.
Federal authorities have discovered the remains of a body they believe to be Gabby Petito, 22, a blogger whose mysterious disappearance has fueled national intrigue and a cross-country effort to solve the complex and increasingly bizarre case.

The FBI said law enforcement had combed through a camping area in Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest and found human remains that appear to be Petito. Authorities will conduct a full forensic review to verify the remains, according to Charles Jones, a special agent with the FBI's Denver office. He said a cause of death was not immediately clear.

"I would like to extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to Gabby's family," Jones said. "As every parent can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time."

The latest news: Remains of Gabby Petito believed to be found; search underway for boyfriend Brian Laundrie

On Monday, law enforcement in Florida said they were halting a search for Petito's fiance at a 25,000-acre wildlife reserve near Sarasota, Florida. Brian Laundrie, 23, the lone person of interest in the case, also disappeared last week. His family reported him missing and said he had been hiking in the Carlton Reserve. The North Port Police Department said Monday it had exhausted all avenues in searching of the grounds there.

Petito went missing while on a cross-country trip with Laundrie. She was last seen in Grand Teton National Park in late August. Laundrie returned home alone on Sept. 1 from the couple's weekslong trip.

Petito's mother, Nicole Schmidt, last reported speaking with her daughter on Aug. 25, and the family filed a missing persons report Sept. 11. The FBI in Denver said agents conducted ground surveys at Grand Teton National Park with help from the National Park Service and law enforcement agencies, seeking clues to Petitos disappearance.

Petitos father, Joseph, posted an image of a broken heart on social media with a picture of his daughter. His message: She touched the world.

Story continues

A lawyer and spokesman for Petitos family asked that the family be given privacy to grieve. Attorney Richard Benson Stafford indicated that the family would make a public statement at a later date. He also thanked officials with the FBI, Grand Teton Search and Rescue and other agencies that participated in the search for Petito.

The family and I will be forever grateful, Stafford said in a statement.

Laundrie and Petito set out in July from Long Island, New York, where they had been high school sweethearts, in a Ford Transit van, according to their social media accounts. They planned to reach Oregon by the end of October. Before the trip, they lived with Laundrie's parents, who moved to North Port, Florida, in recent years.

After Laundrie returned to Florida alone, he refused to talk with authorities and instead hired a lawyer, who advised him to remain silent.

What happened to Gabby Petito: Mystery prompts vast searches; social media sleuths hunt for clues

Authorities have released information showing the couple got into a fight during their cross-country trip. A witness reported a potential domestic violence incident in August in Moab, Utah, and police were called.

Body camera footage shows Petito in tears when an officer responded on the side of a highway near Arches National Park. Laundrie told an officer that Petito slapped him after friction had been building between them for several days. The officer wrote that the two had been traveling together for several months, and the closeness created an "emotional strain" leading to more arguments.

Laundrie told an officer that he and Petito both suffered from the same mental health problem. The police report redacted specific information on the condition.

Officers in the video told the couple to sleep in separate places for the night so they could "reset their mental states without interference from one another."

"I do not believe the situation escalated to the level of a domestic assault as much as that of a mental health crisis," the officer concluded in the report.

Laundrie and his family had declined to discuss Petito's case with police  until Friday, when family members filed a missing person report for Laundrie, North Port Police spokesman Josh Taylor told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, part of the USA TODAY Network.

It is important to note that while Brian is a person of interest in Gabbys disappearance, he is not wanted for a crime, North Port police said in a statement.

The family said they believe Laundrie went to the reserve earlier in the week. North Port police, the FBI and other agencies are conducting a search of the Sarasota County reserve.

Authorities used drones, scent-sniffing dogs and all-terrain vehicles. Investigators took some of his clothing from his parents home to provide a scent for the search dogs.

The twists and turns of the case have intrigued the country, including on social media.

On TikTok, the hashtag #gabbypetito has gained more than 275 million views, and many creators share updates  often of unconfirmed reports, screenshots of texts from amateur sleuths about their theories and their own feelings about the case.

Protesters also were a fixture outside Laundrie's family home in North Port. A crowd had grown over the days, yelling, "Where's Gabby?"

Contributing: Christine Fernando and Alex Connor, USA TODAY; Samantha Gholar Weires, Sarasota Herald-Tribune; The Associated Press

Timeline: From road trip with Brian Laundrie to missing persons investigation

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gabby Petito investigation: Remains matching her description found
There is "no question of the lights going out" this winter as a result of huge rises in gas prices, the business secretary has said.

Kwasi Kwarteng said he does "not expect supply emergencies" and described warnings about shortages as "alarmist".

His statement comes as smaller energy providers battle to stay afloat due to gas price hikes making price promises to customers undeliverable.

High demand for gas and reduced supply are behind a surge in wholesale prices.

Customers are protected from sudden hikes in wholesale gas prices through the energy price cap, which is the maximum price they can be charged on a standard tariff.

However, the cap means energy firms are unable to pass on higher wholesale costs to their customers, which is forcing some - mostly smaller companies - to go out of business.

Gas price chart

So far, four energy firms have gone to the wall, and four more are expected to follow in the coming days. On Sunday, the UK's sixth largest energy company, Bulb, announced it is seeking a bailout.

The government has said it is considering offering emergency state-backed loans to surviving energy companies to encourage them to take on customers from bust firms.

Mr Kwarteng said the government would "not be bailing out failed companies" and said the sector had seen a "regular entry and exit" over the past five to 10 years.

"The current global situation may see more suppliers than usual exiting the market but this is not something that should be any cause for alarm or panic," he said.

"The taxpayer should not be expected to prop up companies which have poor business models and are not resilient to fluctuations in price."

The business secretary said the government wanted to protect customers from "price spikes" and that the energy industry should not return to the "cosy oligopoly" of years past where a few large suppliers "dictated to customers conditions and pricing".

Story continues

At the beginning of 2021 there were 70 energy suppliers in the UK, but industry sources have said there may be as few as 10 left by the end of the year.

Mr Kwarteng added the UK benefited from having a "diverse range of gas supply sources" and had "more than sufficient capacity, to meet demand".

Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband warned that UK families were going to be hit by a "triple whammy" of tax rises, fuel costs and the end of the Universal Credit uplift this winter.

Higher bills

Industry group Oil & Gas UK has said wholesale prices for gas had increased by 250% since January - with a 70% rise since August.

The increase has been blamed on several factors, including a cold winter which left stocks lower than usual, high demand for liquefied natural gas from Asia, and lower supplies from other countries. Low winds meaning less renewable energy is being generated and outages at some nuclear stations have also contributed.

It has left some companies unable to provide their customers with the energy they have paid for.

However, if a supplier fails, energy regulator Ofgem will ensure supplies continue for affected households, and they will not lose money owed to them. A new energy supplier would be responsible for taking on any credit balances a customer may have, but consumers may end up on more expensive tariffs when they are switched.

Woman checking thermostat

Aside from gas prices driving up energy bills, millions of households in England, Wales and Scotland are already facing a 12% rise in their energy bills from October when a higher price cap comes into force.

Some of the largest energy companies have argued the current price cap on tariff - supported by both Labour and Conservative politicians - has helped trigger the current crisis.

"You can legislate to protect the consumer - but that can bankrupt the supplier," said one senior industry source.

However, Mr Kwarteng said the energy price cap was "not going anywhere".

Ofgem will review the price cap in February. There has been speculation that the energy regulator could lift the cap between now and next year to allow firms to charge customers more to cope with rising wholesale gas prices.

'I'm just watching the meter go up'

Stacey Stothard followed all the advice. Aware that energy prices were rising, she shopped around to find a decent fixed deal for her gas and electricity.

She saved 300 - or so she thought.

Her new energy supplier went bust and now she will be switched automatically to another one, and she is facing much higher bills, potentially amounting to hundreds of pounds more a year.

"It is just like watching the meter go up and up," she says. "I did the right thing - not going for the cheapest deal, but choosing a company with a decent customer service record."

Earlier on Tuesday, several smaller energy firms wrote an open letter sent to the prime minister, chancellor, business secretary and Ofgem, which stated they felt there "voice, as suppliers of all different sizes, has not been heard".

Signed by the likes of Green, AMPower, Neon Reef and Tru Energy, it called for a support package for all suppliers, a review of the price cap and for smaller firms to be included in future discussions on the future of the energy market.

It was critical of Ofgem, saying it was "currently unfit to regulate an industry they have appeared to have a vested interest in or turning a blind eye to the market returning to a selective monopoly and a reduction in competition".

In a joint statement on gas prices, Mr Kwarteng and Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley reiterated that the current crisis was "not an issue of supply".

The pair said there was a consensus among energy suppliers and consumer groups that the "top priority" must be support for customers, "especially the elderly and vulnerable".

"In the event an energy supplier fails, we are committed that consumers face the least amount of disruption possible - and there are clear and well-established processes in place to ensuring this is the case," they added.

Knock-on effects

As a result of gas prices booming, energy intensive fertiliser producers have shut down, which has created a shortage of the by-product of production, carbon dioxide.

Food manufacturers and supermarkets have urged action because carbon dioxide is used to stun animals prior to slaughter and to keep food fresh for storage and transport.

Supermarket Iceland's managing director Richard Walker told the BBC the carbon dioxide shortage must be prioritised to limit any potential disruption for supermarket supplies, which are also being affected due to a shortage in HGV drivers in the UK, partly caused by the pandemic and Brexit.

Supermarket Ocado said it had "limited stock" of some frozen items due to gas shortages, while another supermarket told the BBC the situation was "escalating quickly".

What happens if your energy supplier goes bust?

Gas hob

Customers will still continue to receive gas or electricity even if the energy supplier goes bust. Ofgem will move your account to a new supplier but it may take a few weeks. Your new supplier should then contact you to explain what is happening with your account

While you wait to hear from your new supplier: check your current balance and - if possible - download any bills; take a photo of your meter reading

If you pay by direct debit, there is no need to cancel it straight away, Citizens Advice says. Wait until your new account is set up before you cancel it

If you are in credit, your money is protected and you'll be paid back. If you were in debt to the old supplier, you'll still have to pay the money back to your new supplier instead

Read more about the next best steps to take here.

Banner Image Reading Around the BBC - Blue

Footer - Blue

Banner saying 'Get in touch'

How will you be affected by this? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.
Tennessee is set to receive at least 415 Afghan refugees in the coming weeks, while Gov. Bill Lee  who says he supports the resettlement of American allies from Afghanistan  is calling on the White House to provide detailed information on who will be arriving.

In a Wednesday email from the U.S. Department of State's Afghan Placement and Assistance Program, obtained by The Tennessean, federal officials gave the Lee administration and refugee resettlement partners an estimate of the number of evacuees expected to arrive, noting that figure is expected to grow.

Those initial projections show Nashville receiving the vast majority of those individuals  350  while Memphis is set to receive 25 and Knoxville and Chattanooga 20 Afghan refugees each. Individuals arriving through the federal program will be served by private local resettlement agencies.

Lee's office confirmed Friday it had received limited information earlier in the week from President Joe Biden's administration about plans to resettle Afghan around the country.

"Significant details are still outstanding, and as Ive said before, the federal government owes Tennesseans full transparency into their plan and vetting process," Lee said in a statement in response to questions from The Tennessean.

Governor Bill Lee made an announcement, issuing an executive order requiring schools to allow parents to exempt their children from mask mandates at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Aug. 16, 2021.

The governor, who faced criticism by some conservatives after his decision in late 2019 to continue to accept refugees in Tennessee, in recent weeks was initially reticent to say he would welcome additional refugees. Lee later clarified to reporters he wanted to assist American allies fleeing Afghanistan.

The situation in Afghanistan is horrific, and we must bring Americans home safely and support allies who have fought alongside U.S. troops," Lee said Friday.

"Whether its persecuted Christians or interpreters who served with our troops, Tennesseans have the right to know exactly who is being settled where. While we await more information from the federal government, we are in direct communication with our congressional delegation, members of the General Assembly and local officials.

Story continues

While Tennessee is set to receive significantly more than neighboring states of Mississippi and Alabama, which have been assigned 10 Afghan refugees each, other surrounding states like Georgia, North Carolina and Missouri are each accepting around 1,100.

Feds: Afghan refugees resettled in Tennessee expected to grow

In the email from Lawrence Bartlett, director of the federal government's refugee resettlement program, he explained the Office of Refugee Admissions would evaluate cities' capacities to receive additional evacuees.

"Throughout the program period, participating local resettlement agencies will continue to assess the capacity of the community to receive these individuals and will consult with key stakeholders," Bartlett wrote, saying the list of stakeholders includes local government, public health, social services, education and safety officials.

The city-by-city breakdown of 415 refugees amounts to "initial numbers and are subject to change based on programmatic needs," which officials "expect to continue to increase," Bartlett wrote.

The timeline is still unclear for when individuals and families fleeing Afghanistan will arrive in Tennessee, though the Diocese of Nashville told The Tennessean they're anticipating Afghan allies will begin arriving in Nashville in the coming weeks.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper on Tuesday announced that Catholic Charities and the Nashville International Center for Empowerment have partnered to welcome 225 Afghan refugees to the city.

"America is a nation of immigrants, and Nashville will always be a welcoming city," Cooper tweeted.

The Associated Press first reported estimated totals for how many Afghan evacuees are being sent to each state.

News of the Biden administration's plans to resettle Afghan refugees has been mixed among Republican leaders in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, who reiterated he wants to "halt illegal immigration" and limit who can enter the United States, last month referred to Afghanistan as a "unique situation" and said America should now help those who risked their lives to assist U.S. forces there.

"Our nation should do everything it can to assist legitimate and authentic political refugees from Afghanistan in finding new places to call home," McNally said.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton, meanwhile, said he did not favor accepting Afghan refugees.

Reach Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @natalie_allison.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Gov. Lee wants 'transparency' from Biden on Afghan refugees
TheGrio

Sage Steele has been temporarily removed from ESPN for her comments on a podcast, which included her thoughts about former [] The post Sage Steele removed from ESPN following comments on Obama, vaccine; former colleague Jemele Hill calls her out appeared first on TheGrio.
Storyful

A tent with a person inside was bulldozed during a homeless encampment cleanup in Washington, DC, on October 4.City crews, with garbage trucks and other equipment, approached the camp in the NoMa neighborhood around 1 pm, according to DCist. During cleanup, a small bulldozer hit an encampment tent and lifted up the person inside.Unfortunately, despite outreach staffs multiple checks, there was an incident during the engagement where a Bobcat temporarily lifted a tent that, unbeknown to us, a resident was still inside, said Wayne Turnage, the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, according to DCist. While there were no visible injuries sustained, as a safeguard, the resident received additional medical attention. Due to that incident, we decided to suspend further activity for the day.The encampment cleanup was driven by Mayor Muriel Bowsers Encampment Pilot, which is described as a plan to relocate homeless people from unsuitable living situations into viable and affordable housing options. Housing advocates have criticized the program, with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless rejecting the Bowser administrations attempt to frame forced displacement from large visible encampments as new or necessary to the provision of housing.These videos show the bulldozer picking up the tent in the encampment and the resulting outcry. Credit: Maydeen Merino for Street Sense Media via Storyful
Protests outside the Laundrie home in Florida ( )

Brian Laundries family had been under pressure from protesters outside their home for more than a day by the time they reported him missing  including one man shouting into a megaphone from the street just hours before police arrived to take their statement.

Mr Laundrie, 23, was named a person of interest in the disappearance of his girlfriend, Gabby Petito  then vanished himself. His family reported him missing to police in their town of North Port, Florida on Friday, saying they hadnt seen him since he left the house on Tuesday (14 September).

Theyd already been beset by protesters, who started showing up on Thursday with signs and chants, demanding to know the whereabouts of their sons missing girlfriend. One man on Friday, who identified himself as Jonathan Riches, exhorted the Laundries through the megaphone to stop hiding  accept responsibility.

Laundrie Family: You need to speak to investigators. You need to let them know what you know, said Mr Riches on Friday afternoon, calling out Brian Laundrie and his parents before it was revealed the 23-year-old was nowhere to be found.

Help them bring her home, said Mr Riches, wearing a MAGA hat and clad fully in red and claiming to be friends with a member of Petitos family. Stop coddling and enabling your son.

Officers arrived to speak to the family in the evening, with the North Port Police Department tweeting at 7:09pm local time that officers were currently speaking with the Laundrie Family at their request. At this time, we are not speaking with Brian.

A crowd of protesters had again gathered outside the Laundrie home while officers were inside, as the street remained packed with journalists reporting on the ongoing story.

It was only later revealed that the family told police their son had disappeared. Five local agencies are continuing to search for him but its feared he could survive for months in Floridas vast natural landscape. Its not yet known if he is armed.

Story continues

Police have confirmed that their search for Mr Laundrie is a missing persons investigation and that he is not wanted in connection with any crime.

He and Ms Petito, whom he met growing up on Long Island, embarked upon a cross-country road trip in July, documenting their van-life on YouTube and ostensibly aiming to reach Oregon by Halloween.

The pair had an altercation last month in Moab, Utah that warranted police intervention but did not result in charges. At the time, officers determined that Ms Petito, 22, had been the aggressor.

She was last seen in Wyoming, where authorities continue to search. Her boyfriend, who returned to his parents home in Florida in her van, refused to be interviewed by police from the outset.

Police said this weekend that their first time speaking with the Laundrie family occurred when they contacted the department to report their son missing.

Read More

Gabby Petito  live: Search intensifying as sniffer dogs sent in to camp ground and helicopters seen on site

Gabby Petito: A timeline of the social media stars disappearance

Gabby Petito: Did YouTube couple discover proof van was at site being searched by FBI?
A major fire that broke out Sunday evening at the Vathy migrant camp on the Greek island of Samos, was brought under control, the Greek Ministry of Migration said.

"There is no danger for those who are still there because the fire broke out in abandoned sheds in the western side of the camp," the ministry statement added.

Thirteen firefighters with six engines were fighting the blaze, according to the Fire Brigade that added there was no report of injury.

Earlier, as the fire still burned, the mayor of Samos, Girgos Stantzos, told AFP that the site had been entirely evacuated.

A number of migrants, including several children in tears, could be seen gathered at a car park near the camp.

The camp, due for closure at the end of the month, was still housing 300 people awaiting transfer Monday to a new "closed" camp opened this weekend by Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi.

According to the Ministry, all the asylum-seekers were evacuated to an empty space near the entrance of the camp.

While, 10 unaccompanied minors were expected to be transported to the new closed Samos facility later on Sunday, the rest of them will be transported there as planned on Monday.

The new Samos facility opened on Saturday is the first of five such camps, which are opposed by rights groups who say the tight access measures are too restrictive.

A double barbed wire fence surrounds the 12,000-square-metre camp, which is also installed with surveillance cameras, x-ray scanners and magnetic doors.

It also includes a detention centre for migrants whose asylum claims have been rejected and who are to be sent back to Turkey.

Campaigners had long denounced conditions at Vathy camp on Samos.

Located on one of the Aegean islands taking in migrants arriving from nearby Turkey, between 2015 and 2016 it sheltered nearly 7,000 asylum-seekers. It was only built to take in 680 people.

A year ago, the overcrowded camp at Moria, on the nearby Greek island of Lesbos went up in flames, destroyed in two fires that in quick succession that left 13,000 without shelter for several days.

ns-kan/jj/har
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP)  Dino Maldonado threw for three touchdowns and Juwaun Price ran for two more as New Mexico State rolled to a 30-point lead in the third quarter, then held off a late rally to beat South Carolina State 43-35 on Saturday night.

Price ran 14 yards for the game's first touchdown, then added an eight-yard run to start the second quarter to give the Aggies a 22-0 lead. Maldonado threw touchdown passes of 37 and 41 yards in the second quarter to put New Mexico State up 36-13 at intermission, then added his third scoring pass early in the third quarter to make it 43-13.

Corey Fields Jr. threw four touchdown passes to bring the Bulldogs (0-3) back, connecting on 30 of 47 pass attempts for 352 yards, but he was intercepted three times. Will Vereen had nine catches for 118 yards.

Maldonado finished with 321 yards on 24-of-32 passing. Price finished with 62 yards on 13 carries.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak to start the season for New Mexico State, which lost to UTEP, San Diego State and New Mexico.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25.

Sign up for the APs college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25
The $5 million initiative will create on-campus centers to support and foster the entrepreneurial mindset of young Black students

Mastercard announced on Wednesday that it would be giving $5 million dollars in grants to Morehouse College and Spelman College to help the universities develop Black entrepreneurship centers.

The multinational financial service company said the grants are a part of its 2020 pledge to invest $500 million to help close the racial wealth and opportunity gap for Black communities across America.

The company stated that historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) play a critical role in helping to train and develop Black entrepreneurs and are in a unique position to engage the Black community across different generations.

Morehouse has received a $2.5 million gift from @Mastercard to support the development of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship, a ground-breaking, new academic center that will seek to eliminate barriers among Black entrepreneurs and professionals. Link: https://t.co/9mzDDgy62N pic.twitter.com/IwMaoD0nKX  Morehouse College (@Morehouse) September 15, 2021

For over a century, HBCUs have played a critical role in nurturing professional talent and creating economic mobility in Black communities, said senior vice president for social impact at Mastercard, Salah Goss.

The money will be used to build Centers for Black Entrepreneurship (CBEs) on campus aimed at eliminating opportunity gaps by leveraging education, mentorship and access to capital for incoming Black entrepreneurs.

By investing in HBCUs, Mastercard is intentionally choosing key institutions who we believe can be catalytic in furthering our commitment to ensuring that the digital economy works for the Black community, and for everyone, everywhere, Goss continued.

Story continues

In the wake of the widespread calls for racial justice that arose after the summer of protests in 2020, many companies have committed to not only support Black communities, but also invest in initiatives that will create a more equitable environment for all.

Companies to likes of Apple, Target, Facebook and other top corporations joined a $50 billion pledge in 2020 toward racial equity, committing to donate to civil rights organizations and invest in communities of color.

Since then, the majority of the funding has come from two banks  J.P Morgan Chase and Bank of America  with the other companies either have given marginal amounts or none at all.

Because these are pledges, there isnt any one entity that will be holding these organizations accountable, said associate dean at Indiana University, Una Osili, to the Washington Post.

In addition, some companies have pledged to increase the number of Black employee in their ranks, while others push back on calls to publish diversity reports.

I wonder about the follow-through  whether the will, will be there in three to four years to continue to lift up these issues, Osili added.

Spelman College instructors informed students Thursday that they will no longer be teaching in-person classes because the institution has not provided clear and enforceable safety guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)

Mastercard said they are dedicated to designing programs that will have a transformational impact on the economic growth of Black communities.

The company said that the CBEs at Spelman and Morehouse will be located in new facilities on both campuses  which are nestled in the second-most densely populated city in terms of Black American population: Atlanta.

The grant will also support the hiring of faculty, an online program, experiential courses and a pitch competition, as well as digital training and access to the companys global startup engagement program.

Mastercard has partnered with the Black Economic Alliance Foundation (BEA), a non-profit that supports and advocates for the economic progress and prosperity in the Black community, for this initiative.

Have you subscribed to theGrios Dear Culture podcast? Download our newest episodes now!

TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku. Download theGrio.com today!

The post Morehouse, Spelman will receive Black entrepreneurship grant from Mastercard appeared first on TheGrio.
Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu mocked President Biden's physical appearance during a Facebook live session with supporters on Sunday and imitated him falling asleep.

Why it matters: This is an unprecedented move by Netanyahu who just a few months ago was still the prime minister and is trying to make a political comeback.

Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.

Driving the news: Several weeks ago, a member of Netanyahus Likud Party shared on social media an edited video of Bidens meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Twitter and insinuated Biden fell asleep during the meeting.

The tweet went viral in Israel, especially among Netanyahu supporters, and had more than 5 million views. Fact checks by Reuters and other news outlets concluded the video, which was shared on social media in the U.S., was misleading. As a result, Twitter designated the tweet by Netanyahus crony as manipulated content.

During a Facebook live session on Sunday, Netanyahu echoed that tweet when he spoke about Bennetts meeting with Biden. I heard Biden was very attentive to what Bennett had to say He dropped his head in agreement, Netanyahu said while imitating Biden and dropping his head.

What they are saying: After the Israeli press reported about the Facebook Live session, Netanyahu issued a statement blaming the media for showing a manipulative picture and denied he criticized Biden.

Former Prime Minister Netanyahu knows and cherishes president Biden as a friend of Israel for 40 years. His criticism was directed only at Naftali Bennett who spoke at length about nothing during his visit to the White House,'' Netanyahu's Likud Party said in a statement.

Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP)  Oregon State took care of business Saturday against FCS opponent Idaho, dominating from the outset in a 42-0 victory.

Chance Nolan passed for three touchdowns and B.J. Baylor ran for two scores as the Beavers (2-1) amassed 438 total yards and were stout defensively.

Oregon State led 28-0 at halftime and was not challenged by the Vandals (1-2), who have lost 17 of the past 18 matchups against the Beavers dating back to 1953.

It was Oregon States first shutout since a 3-0 victory over Pittsburgh in the 2008 Sun Bowl.

Idaho was limited to 192 total yards and didnt get inside the Beavers 20-yard line until late in the third quarter after an interception of OSU backup quarterback Sam Noyer.

Wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey, who missed last weeks game against Hawaii with an ankle injury, got the Beavers on the board midway through the first quarter with an 18-yard touchdown catch.

Baylors 4-yard TD run increased the lead to 14-0 late in the first quarter.

Deshaun Fenwicks 9-yard scamper gave the Beavers a 21-0 advantage at 11:05 of the second quarter.

Nolans 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Teagan Quitoriano late in the first half gave Oregon State a 28-0 lead at the break.

It was more of the same in the second half.

On the opening possession of the third quarter, Nolan connected with Champ Flemings on a deep sideline rout for a 30-yard score, increasing the lead to 35-0.

Baylor's 2-yard run capped the scoring later in the quarter.

THE TAKEAWAY

Idaho: CJ Jordan gave the Vandals a lift after replacing starting quarterback Mike Beaudry late in the first quarter, especially with his running ability, but it wasnt enough to ignite a comeback.

For the second game in a row, Idaho struggled against a FBS opponent. The Vandals were outscored 98-14 in losses to Indiana and Oregon State.

Oregon State: Nolan continues to be efficient at quarterback since replacing Game 1 starter Sam Noyer late in the third quarter of the season-opening loss at Purdue. He was 14 of 19 against Idaho and had a 25-yard run.

Story continues

The Beavers head into next Saturdays Pac-12 opener at USC with a winning record through three games for the first time since 2015.

Oregon State has shown good balance offensively in the past two games, victories over Hawaii and Idaho. Will that translate into continued success against Pac-12 opponents?

TOUCHDOWN MAKER

B.J. Baylor, who came into the nation second in the nation with five rushing touchdowns in the first two games, added two more against the Vandals.

FAMILIAR WITH VANDALS

Fourth-year Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith was quarterbacks coach at Idaho from 2004 to 2009.

UP NEXT

Idaho: Opens its Big Sky schedule Oct. 2 at UC Davis.

Oregon State: Opens its Pac-12 schedule Saturday at USC.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25.

Sign up for the APs college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25
Former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne (L) and Russian agent Maria Butina (R) Getty Images/AP

Former Russian agent Maria Butina stood for a seat in Russia's parliamentary elections, last week.

In 2018 Butina was jailed for acting as an unregistered foreign agent in the US.

Butina recently received large sums of money from her ex-boyfriend Patrick Byrne, the former CEO of online retailer Overstock.com and Donald Trump supporter.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Maria Butina, the Russian agent convicted and jailed for trying to infiltrate political organizations in the United States, is expected to be elected to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament in Russia, this week.

The 32-year-old stood for President Vladimir Putin's ruling United Russia party as a list candidate in the rural region of Kirov Oblast, in last week's elections.

United Russia is predicted to have a significant majority in the legislature following allegations of massive fraud by opponents, according to Reuters. With 99.9% of ballots counted, United Russia had won nearly 50% of the vote Central Election Commission, the news agency reported.

It is the latest chapter in a political thriller of a life for the young Russian. She has played the role of the girlfriend to powerful men on the US Right and grabbed the headlines when she was arrested for spying. She was imprisoned before being deported to her homeland to a hero's welcome.

The Russian agent arrived in the US in the guise of a guns-rights activist and focussed on the leadership of the National Rifle Association (NRA) to meet high-profile Republican politicians and set up a "back-channel" of communications with the Kremlin, according to reports.

But Butina was arrested in July 2018 in Washington DC and accused by federal prosecutors of infiltrating powerful political circles at the direction of Russian officials.

She pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as a foreign agent and was jailed for 18 months. Putin called the sentencing "an outrage." After her release in October 2019, she was deported back to Russia.

Story continues

'I have one weakness as a woman - I really like smart men'

Maria Butina appears in a police booking photograph released by the Alexandria Sheriff's Office in Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. August 18, 2018. Alexandria Sheriff's Office/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

Insider can reveal that Butina has not severed all her connections with the US. She has received large sums of money in the last year from Patrick Byrne, 59, the former CEO of online furniture retailer Overstock.com and Donald Trump supporter and conspiracy theorist.

When asked about the monetary gifts, Byrne told Insider, in an email: "I made a gift to Maria out of a desire to let her land on her feet and restart her life in Russia."

Byrne and Butina had been in a romantic relationship, and Byrne later claimed that he had been passing information on his lover to the FBI.

Federal prosecutors said that Butina traded sex-for-favors while networking in political circles in Washington DC.

Butina formed a romantic relationship with Paul Erickson, 59, a longtime Republican strategist and guns-rights activist, who she met in Moscow in 2013 and with who she also lived for some time.

In 2015, Butina emailed him about her plan to influence US policy towards Russia by making inroads with the GOP through the NRA, and Erickson responded with advice.

Around this time, Butina also began a romantic relationship with Byrne.

Butina said of Byrne, according to The New York Post: "I have one weakness as a woman - I really like smart men. That's my biggest weakness, and that I guess gets me in trouble all the time."

Byrne later said he continued his relationship with Butina at the direction of the FBI. Butina once claimed that he tried to poison her in order to interrogate her while under the influence.

Despite the apparent betrayal, a video made by jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny's team revealed that Byrne gifted Butina tens of millions of Russian rubles in the last year, according to her asset disclosures.

Recalling their unique relationship, Byrne told Insider the money he recently sent her was to make amends: "Because I felt badly for Maria, for the role I had played in helping the FBI set her up, and in the way I had misused her in my own designs."

But, he added, the couple will never be reunited.

"Maria and I know that we will never meet again, but it seemed like the right thing to do. When I performed this act of generosity I made sure it was done with full legality and notification to the proper authorities."

Last month Russia's Communist Party called on election officials to reject Butina's candidacy on the grounds that she is the recipient of "foreign funding," specifically referring to Byrne's gifts.

Insider could not reach Butina for comment.

Butina was photographed with top GOP politicians at NRA events

Maria Butina poses for a photo at a shooting range in Moscow, Russia on April 22, 2012. Pavel Ptitsin/AP

Butina's foray into politics began in 2011, when she founded a Russian gun-rights group called Right to Bear Arms, and started working as a special assistant for former senator and current Central Bank official Alexander Torshin.

Butina and Torshin formed close relationships with the NRA, regularly flying to the US to attend conferences and being named "life members" by the organization.

In 2014 and 2015 Butina was photographed with senior Republican politicians at NRA events, including Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

She also met Donald Trump Jr. at an NRA convention and asked Donald Trump a question about relations with Russia at an event.

In 2016 she moved to the US on a student visa, at which point the FBI supposedly started monitoring her and eventually snared her as a spy.

After serving her jail sentence, Butina returned to Moscow and took a job at the Russian state-funded television channel RT.

In April 2021 Butina filmed a segment in which she visited Alexei Navalny in prison to report on the "exemplary" jail conditions and to counter the opposition leader's protests that he was being poorly treated.

At the time Navalny was on a hunger strike after being denied medical treatment.

This weekend's parliamentary elections in Russia have been widely described as lacking transparency and fairness after the Kremlin cracked down on political opposition and limited press freedom.

Alexei Navalny had encouraged voters to vote tactically in order to beat United Russia candidates, as part of a movement called "smart voting."

It remains to be seen what kind of politician the reinvented Butina will be, and what this next chapter will hold.

In a recent campaign video Butina said she felt indebted to her country and her people after "everyone from the President to residents in the depths of Russia fought for my release."

"I will be very glad to be useful to the Kirov region," she said.

Correction: In the published article it originally stated that Maria Butina had been elected to the Russian Duma. It should have said she was a candidate.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Daily Beast

Clodagh Kilcoyne via ReutersROMEMarie was placed in a French Catholic boarding school for young girls from good families when she was in the fifth grade. She remembers a nun who would come to her class every day to choose a student to help her with Mass. But the nun wasnt looking for someone to help her. She was looking for a victim.I was 11 and looked 9. She would choose me once every two or three times, she recalls. She would take me to her office, lock the door, and then draw the cur
Police outnumbered protesters at the rally

A few hundred protesters gathered around the US Capitol on Saturday, for a rally in support of the pro-Trump rioters who ransacked the building on 6 January.

But the group were easily outnumbered by the police and journalists present.

Ahead of the event, police said they had detected "threats of violence" and security was tightened in Washington.

Organisers had a permit for 700 to attend, but only about 100 to 200 protesters turned up, Reuters reports.

Capitol Police said 400 to 450 people were inside the protest area - but that figure included the heavy media presence.

Washington police officials had been expressing concern about the "Justice for J6" event for weeks.

Its organisers - Look Ahead America - were led by Matt Braynard, the former director of data and strategy for Donald Trump's successful 2016 campaign.

Hundreds of officers patrolled the Capitol grounds and 100 National Guard troops were on standby.

A fence was erected around the Capitol, and lawmakers were advised to avoid the area.

Some protesters argue that last year's election was stolen from Donald Trump through fraud, despite there being no evidence of this

Speakers at the rally insisted that hundreds of rioters arrested for their actions on 6 January were "political prisoners" who had committed no violence.

About 600 people have been charged in the federal investigation into the Capitol riot, where a pro-Trump mob tried to stop the US Congress from certifying the 2020 election result.

At least 185 are accused of assaulting, resisting, or impeding police officers or employees. More than 70 were charged with destroying or stealing government property.

Most of those charged have been released ahead of their trials. The Associated Press news agency reports that about 63 are still in custody, citing court and jail records.

In July, officers who defended the Capitol during the riot told a Congressional committee they had been beaten and suffered racial abuse. One testified that he was knocked unconscious and suffered a heart attack. Another, an Iraq War veteran, compared the scene to a "medieval battlefield".

Story continues

Tony Smith, 40, from Maryland, told Reuters news agency he had come to Saturday's rally to support a fair judicial process for those charged.

"If we don't honour that, we don't honour America," said Mr Smith, who carried a poster board reading: "We Want Trump!"

Some counter-protesters also gathered around the Capitol, carrying anti-Trump signs. One was removed by police after confronting the pro-Trump attendees.

US Capitol Police in riot gear surround a counter-protester, after an altercation between counter-protesters and protesters

Rally organiser Mr Braynard had repeatedly urged his protesters to remain peaceful. Earlier this week he also asked them to avoid wearing pro-Trump clothing or paraphernalia.

Mr Trump, for his part, said in an interview that he believed the rally would be "a setup".

"If people don't show up they'll say 'oh, it's a lack of spirit'," he told The Federalist, a conservative news outlet. "If people do show up, they'll be harassed."

Capitol Police said four arrests were made, including a person in the crowd who was carrying a knife, and a man reported to be carrying a handgun.
By Andrew Osborn and Polina Nikolskaya

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Opponents accused Russian authorities of mass fraud on Monday after the ruling United Russia party, which supports President Vladimir Putin, won a bigger than expected parliamentary majority despite unease over living standards.

With 99.9% of ballots counted, the Central Election Commission said United Russia had won nearly 50% of the vote, with its nearest rival, the Communist Party, taking just under 19%.

The scale of the victory means United Russia will have more than two-thirds of deputies in the 450-seat State Duma lower house of parliament. This will enable it to continue to push through laws without having to rely on other parties.

United Russia, a party that Putin helped found, had always been expected to win. Its most vociferous critics, allies of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, were prevented from taking part in the election after a court branded them extremists in June.

Pre-vote surveys had suggested that discontent over years of faltering living standards and corruption allegations would dent United Russia's support. In the event, near final official results showed it securing around only 4% less than the last time a similar election was held in 2016.

The U.S. State Department said the election conditions had not been conducive to free and fair proceedings, Britain's foreign ministry called the vote a setback for democratic freedom, and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc noted reports of serious violations.

Up to 200 Communist protesters who felt cheated gathered for a demonstration in Moscow on Monday evening as police looked on.

Candidates opposed to United Russia in the capital had been ahead in more than half of 15 electoral districts, but all lost after electronic voters were added in.

"It's a disgrace and a real crime!" Communist candidate Valery Rashkin told the crowd, saying his party would keep protesting until what he called the falsified electronic Moscow results were overturned. Rashkin said the protesters would be back on Saturday.

Story continues

Separately, Navalny's allies condemned the results.

"With such a colossal number of violations, the results of the State Duma elections cannot be recognised as clean, honest or legitimate," said Lyubov Sobol, a Navalny aide.

Sobol had hoped to run for parliament herself but Navalny's allies were barred from taking part after the extremism designation. Critical media and non-governmental organisations were also targeted by the authorities in the election run-up.

Navalny's allies had tried to drain support from United Russia with an online tactical voting campaign which the authorities had tried to block.

Electoral authorities said they had voided any results at voting stations where there had been obvious irregularities and that the overall contest had been fair.

According to Ella Pamfilova, the head of the election commission, the vote was exceptionally clean and transparent. She told Putin she would look into any complaints before declaring final results on Friday.

Putin gave a short statement, thanking voters after the Kremlin had hailed the result, saying United Russia had confirmed its role as the leading party. The Kremlin said the election had been competitive, open and honest.

'PUTIN! PUTIN! PUTIN!'

The outcome is unlikely to change the political landscape, with Putin, who has been in power as president or prime minister since 1999, still dominating before the next presidential election in 2024.

Putin has yet to say whether he will run.

Dmitri Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, said the Kremlin would see the election win as a victory for the political system it presides over.

"Moreover, it (the Kremlin) has won the post-election situation: no street protests across the country...Major test on road to 2024 passed," Trenin wrote on Twitter.

Putin, who turns 69 next month, remains a popular figure with many Russians who credit him with standing up to the West.

The near complete results showed the Communist Party finishing in second, followed by the nationalist LDPR party and the Fair Russia party with around 7.5% each. All three parties usually back the Kremlin on most key issues.

A new party called "New People", appeared to have squeezed into parliament with just over 5%.

At a celebratory rally at United Russia's headquarters broadcast on state television, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, an ally of the Russian leader, shouted "Putin! Putin! Putin!" to a flag-waving crowd that echoed his chant.

Golos, an election watchdog accused by authorities of being a foreign agent, recorded thousands of violations, including threats against observers and ballot stuffing, blatant examples of which circulated on social media. Some individuals were shown on camera appearing to deposit bundles of votes in urns.

One Moscow pensioner who gave his name only as Anatoly said he voted United Russia because he was proud of Putin's efforts to restore what he sees as Russia's rightful great-power status.

"Countries like the United States and Britain more or less respect us now like they respected the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 70s. ... The Anglo-Saxons only understand the language of force," he said.

With official turnout reported to be around 52%, there were signs of apathy.

"I don't see the point in voting," said one Moscow hairdresser who gave her name as Irina. "It's all been decided for us anyway."

(Additional reporting by Maria Tsvetkova, Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber, Polina Nikolskaya, Tom Balmforth, Anton Zverev and Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Andrew Osborn and Tom Balmforth; Editing by Timothy Heritage and Hugh Lawson)
Hundreds of protesters drove through Bangkok's streets on Sunday to mark the 15th anniversary of a military coup that ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The billionaire ex-premier -- now living in self-exile -- has remained a prominent figure in the country's politics since the military deposed his government on September 19, 2006.

Unloading a massive cardboard model of a tank for their "cars against tanks" protest, rallygoers honked car horns to call for the resignation of Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a former army chief who came to power in a 2014 coup.

"Fifteen years have passed, we are still here to fight," shouted Nattawut Saikuar, a politician long associated with Thaksin, to a sea of supporters waving "Kick out Prayut" flags.

"No matter how many coups there are, it cannot stop us... No matter how good capacity their tanks are, it cannot stop the fighting hearts of the people."

Thailand has seen more than a dozen coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932 by its putsch-happy military -- often staged in the name of protecting the powerful royal family.

Thaksin's juggernaut rise to power was boosted by the so-called "Red Shirts", mostly working-class supporters who revere him for populist contributions such as instating a universal healthcare system.

But he was hated by Bangkok elites and the powerful military, and has faced a raft of corruption accusations.

His influence in Thailand's patronage-reliant politics permeated the kingdom even after his ouster -- his sister Yingluck was the next premier, before she too was deposed in a 2014 coup led by then-army chief Prayut.

The general went on to become prime minister in 2019 elections governed under a new constitution authored by his junta.

Nattawut said the premier has had plenty of time to improve Thailand, "but the country is in recession. The economy, society and politics are collapsing".

Story continues

The red-clad protesters in cars and on motorbikes moved to Democracy Monument for a quick demonstration in the heavy rain before dispersing at nightfall.

Another small group briefly clashed with authorities at the nearby Victory Monument intersection, flinging projectiles at riot-gear clad police who deployed tear gas against them before scattering around 9 pm (1400 GMT).

The protesters are part of an anti-government movement that has repeatedly called for Prayut's resignation since July 2020.

Scrutiny of the government increased after a fresh Covid-19 wave in April snowballed Thailand's cumulative caseload from less than 29,000 to more than 1.4 million infections in just five months, as well as a rising death toll.

Earlier this month, the premier survived a no-confidence vote -- his third since 2019.

tp-dhc/ssy
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, has teamed up with a California Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla on an immigration reform bill to provide a pathway to citizenship for "Documented Dreamers," children of long-term visa holders who have waited for years for a green card.

The "America's Children Act," introduced Tuesday by Paul and Padilla, would aim to help the Documented Dreamers, who face deportation if they age out of dependent status at 21 without a green card or other immigration status.

The bill, according to a news release, would create "a pathway to permanent residency for individuals who were brought to the United States as dependent children of workers admitted under approved employer petitions, have maintained status in the United States for 10 years (including four years as a dependent) and have graduated from an institution of higher education."

The proposal also establishes "age-out protections that lock in a childs age on the date on which they file for a green card rather than the final action date" and "provides work authorization for Documented Dreamers over the age of 16 whose green card applications are pending," per the release.

More politics: Sen. Rand Paul slams Gen. Mark Milley over reports the general secretly called China

"These children who have legally called the United States home for many years and even decades, are contributing members in our communities and to our economy," Paul said in the announcement. "They shouldnt be penalized by the governments failures in addressing green card backlogs. The Americas Children Act provides targeted relief for these children of merit-based immigrants who are at risk of 'aging out' of their lawful immigration status, and Im pleased to join Sen. Padilla in introducing this bill."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Padilla in December to finish the Senate term of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Story continues

Padilla, the Golden State's first Latino senator, had been serving as California's secretary of state when he accepted the move to Capitol Hill.

"We cannot turn our backs on the Documented Dreamers who have spent most of their lives in this country, contributing to their communities and our economy but face continued uncertainty and risk deportation once they turn 21, Padilla said. "These young people deserve the opportunity to pursue their American dream and continue building lives in the country they call home."

Dip Patel, president of immigration advocacy group Improve the Dream, told Axios most of the Documented Dreamers are Asian American, with roughly 70% emigrating from India.

Patel, a Documented Dreamer himself who was 9 years old when his family moved from India to Illinois, also said in a statement over 200,000 Documented Dreamers "who had felt hopeless now have hope for being recognized as something we have long felt: Americans."

Refugees: One family's harrowing escape from Afghanistan, and the road to resettlement in Louisville

"People don't realize that this is happening, that thousands of people who have been ... brought here at a young age, raised and educated here on visas with a legal status are having to leave the country," Patel told Axios.

Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Chris Coons, D-Del., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, are cosponsoring Paul and Padilla's bill.

In July, Reps. Deborah Ross, D-N.C., Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., and Young Kim, R-Calif., introduced a version of the bill in the House.

Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Rand Paul, Alex Padilla introduce 'Documented Dreamers' reform bill
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that she is deeply disturbed by the situation at Rikers

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that nearly 200 inmates at Rikers Island would be released during a press conference in her midtown office on Friday.

The citys first female governor, who described the holding jail as a volatile tinder box, made the announcement just before signing into law the Less is More Act, which is aimed at stopping technical violations from putting ex-cons back in jail.

The newly freed inmates were all in jail due to this type of technical violation, which includes things like being late for appointments with a parole officer, missing curfew or testing positive for drugs and alcohol.

In New York, we believe in redemption. We believe in rehabilitation.



I was proud to sign #LessIsMoreNY into law today so that we can begin to build a justice system that upholds our states values of justice, fairness, and equality. pic.twitter.com/FWrcgu5Sko  Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) September 17, 2021

The act was passed amid concerns of the jails overcrowding, staff shortages, and staggering coronavirus cases.

New York State incarcerates more people for parole violations than anywhere in the country, Hochul said during the conference. That is a point of shame for us, and it needs to be fixed. Its going to be fixed today.

The act doesnt go into full effect until March 2022.

The ongoing crisis at Rikers Island has been acknowledged by New York officials for decades.

The massive jail is the largest correctional institution in the world and has made headlines for its issues with violence, extensive inmate wait times for trial, and abuses by staff.

The obstacles inmates encounter at the jail was captured in the highly acclaimed documentary television mini-series The Kalief Browder story in 2017.

Story continues

Browder, who was 16-years-old at the time, was arrested for allegedly stealing a backpack and spent three years at the facility waiting for trial.

The series covered the physical and emotional abuse the teenager endured from other inmates and correctional officers throughout his stint, leading up to his two-year stay in solitary confinement. Browder was released on lack of evidence in 2013.

In November 2013, Browder filed a lawsuit against the New York Police Department, the Bronx District Attorney and the Department of Corrections, for his delayed trial and malicious persecution.

Two years later he committed suicide. His death was said to be a direct result of mental illness caused by the trauma he endured while at Rikers and while in solitary confinement.

His death and the docuseries helped push a litany of policies aimed at reforming youth incarceration and banning solitary confinement for juveniles. Mayor Bill De Blasio put for a proposal to permanently close the jailing facility by 2027.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the continuous issues that plague the facility.

There have been several reports of COVID-related inmate deaths, including three men who died due to the failure of the facility to adhere to social distancing measures, provide inmates with masks, keep the facility clean and distribute treatment to individuals who already had underlying respiratory issues.

The jail is also grossly overcrowded, making it that harder to control the spread.

In addition, the Department of Corrections reported that more than a third of the jail guards were sick on leave or medically unfit to work with inmates at one point in the summer.

The New York Times reported that only 36% of Rikers inmates are fully vaccinated, with the facility touting a higher seven-day average positive test rate than that of the city.

Lieutenant Governor of New York Kathy Hochul, states that the crisis at Rikers Island is deeply disturbing as she signs the Less is More act into law on September 17, 2021. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

How does this hell on Earth exist today, said Hochul, who said that the crisis is deeply disturbing and that she wishes she had the legal power to implement the act now.

This questions who we are as people that we can allow a situation that weve seen in Rikers exist in a prosperous, mighty city like New York. The fact that this exists is an indictment on everyone, and Im going to do what I can, she added.

The governor also announced that an additional 200 inmates, with less than 60 to 90 days left in their sentence, will be moved to another state facility.

Have you subscribed to theGrios Dear Culture podcast? Download our newest episodes now!

TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku. Download theGrio.com today!

The post Rikers Island set to release hundreds of inmates according to NY officials appeared first on TheGrio.
In her apartment in suburban Berlin, Regina Lehmann despairs at the letter from her landlord, a big real estate group: the rent is going up.

Effective November 1, the increase of 12.34 euros ($14.54) on her monthly rent of 623.44 euros will be "difficult" to finance with her only income a disability pension, Lehmann tells AFP.

Almost 700 of her neighbours in the popular Berlin neighbourhood of Spandau will suffer the same fate, boosting their rent by up to eight percent.

Increases like these are at the root of a popular initiative to "expropriate" real estate companies such as Adler, which owns Lehmann's flat, that will culminate in a local referendum on September 26, the same day as national and municipal elections.

Residents in the capital have become increasingly frustrated with rising housing costs, as the city's attractiveness to outsiders has grown in recent years.

And beyond Berlin, the cost of housing has become a hot topic on the campaign trail in the contest to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor.

Back in Lehmann's living room, surrounded by pictures of her family, Lehmann says she simply "won't pay" the rise.

"I think, if we pay, after a while they'll just increase the rent again," she says.

- 364,000 signatures -

Rent campaigners secured the referendum in Berlin after collecting 346,000 signatures in support of their proposition -- well above the number needed.

They are pushing to "expropriate" homes from real estate companies with more than 3,000 properties.

The result of the poll will not be binding, but advocates hope to force city government to respond to soaring rents, with the cost of housing going up by 85 percent between 2007 and 2019.

The rise has been painful for residents in the capital where 80 percent of people are renters, and 19.3 percent of people live under the country's poverty line, compared to 15.9 percent in the country as a whole.

Story continues

Campaigners lay the blame at the door of major real estate groups, such as Adler, which owns 20,000 properties in Berlin.

In Lehmann's Spandau district, activists argue Adler's attempt to hike rents is illegal, exceeding a legal reference index linked to the average rent in each area.

The property group, in response, describes an "improved environment" around the lodgings that gives it grounds to charge more.

Supporters of expropriation have upped the tempo of their campaign in recent weeks to win over undecided voters, hanging posters and organising demonstrations across the city.

Many Berliners experienced rent increases after the German constitutional court struck down a rent cap which had been introduced by the city earlier this year, and a poll by the Tagesspiegel daily showed 47 percent of residents supported the radical proposal put forward in the referendum.

"We have to fight for our rights," says Catia Santos, 41, who recently attended a rent protest with her partner.

"Recently my rent has gone up by 100 euros, even though I am not earning any more than before."

- Political clash -

On Friday, just over a week before the vote, the city of Berlin announced the purchase of 14,750 residential properties for 2.4 billion euros from German real estate giants Deutsche Wohnen and Vonovia, a deal forged under pressure to find an answer to rising rents.

Forcibly taking ownership of privately owned accommodation has largely been rejected by national and local politicians in favour of plans to speed up the building of new homes.

"The best protection for renters is and always will be having enough places to live in," Armin Laschet, the conservative candidate to succeed Merkel as chancellor, told a real estate conference in Berlin in June.

The social-democrat favourite in the local Berlin elections, Franziska Giffey, also declared her opposition to the proposal, saying it could "damage" the city's reputation.

But her party's candidate to be chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has called for a "rent moratorium" to stabilise prices.

Only the far-left Die Linke and some individual Green candidates have come out in favour of expropriation, with some even displaying the rent campaigners' logo on their election materials.

fcz-sea/mfp/har
Are face-to-face parents' evenings a thing of the past?

As the autumn term gets under way, parents will have their fingers crossed their little darlings will not have to return for another bout of home-schooling any time soon.

But the wish for a more normal school year is unlikely for most to include that forlorn gathering in the school hall or gym known as parents' evening.

Virtual versions were, in many people's books, one of the runaway successes of remote learning.

Gone was the mad dash to arrive on time, the confusion over where the maths teacher was sitting and the queues to speak to that particular teacher who never keeps to time.

Wet Tuesdays

Parents could nurse a glass of wine just off camera - and more importantly, those separated by divorce or work could both attend without awkwardness.

The termly event can now come served with wine for those who need it

And it works for educators too.

During lockdown in May, the then Education Recovery Commissioner, Sir Kevan Collins, said that particular aspect of school life would never "be the same again".

"Zoom for parents' evenings is much better than trying to find a car-parking space on a wet Tuesday and waiting your turn," he said.

Educational-technology adviser and London Borough of Havering senior inspector Dave Smith agrees the online versions are "here to stay".

"Online parent/carer meetings have proved very successful in schools," he says.

"Colleagues have outlined benefits for parents/carers who can dial into meetings with teaching staff from wherever they are - when previously they might not have been able to attend a meeting due to work or other commitments - has allowed better engagement and attendance rates."

Booked rooms

Lots of systems offer online parents' evenings and alongside established videoconferencing services such as Zoom there are plenty of bespoke platforms such as Iris, Epraise and Groupcall.

One of the most popular, SchoolCloud, started life, appropriately enough, in a school.

But it was not originally designed for meetings.

Story continues

In 2006, 15-year-olds Robbie Beattie and Marcus Fields were sitting in an information-and-communications-technology (ICT) lesson, wondering if they could improve the way their school booked rooms for both teachers and pupils.

"Everything was done on a bit of paper - and classrooms were often double-booked," Mr Fields says.

"It was frustrating for us."

So they decided to build an online alternative - and it proved a hit.

Got lost

The pair ran it for the school, Mearns Castle High School, in Glasgow, which after they left for university, kept the system running.

By 2014, it had grown to be used by about 1,000 schools.

And one of those came up with the idea of using the system to book teachers' time as well as rooms.

"What had happened before with parents' evenings was that children had a letter that was sent home, which often got lost at the bottom of a school bag," Mr Fields says.

"If they found it, then parents filled in the appointments they wanted and sent it back - and then the school had to work out how to make it all work.

"It was pretty inefficient.

"This was designed to put the power of parents' evenings back into the hands of parents."

Perennial problem

By 2019, some 4,000 schools were signed up - and the pair were starting to win awards for their creation.

Then, in March 2020, schools across Europe started closing.

"It was a late Sunday evening and we asked ourselves what we could do to help," Mr Fields says.

Making parents' evenings virtual seemed like an obvious thing to do.

But first, they wanted to solve another perennial problem with such events - the fact they often overran.

The solution was a countdown clock and shut-off for each appointment, at a specific time set by the school, usually after five or 10 minutes - although, my personal best is 25 minutes.

Mr Smith, a fan as a parent as well as a professional, tells me he once managed eight appointments in 48 minutes.

But he says there are some serious issues for schools to consider.

"Some considerations for schools are that teachers should provide enough time in a call to outline progress made by pupils, next steps for learning, an opportunity for parents/carers to ask questions.," he says.

"Plus, training staff on how to use the platform and modelling an effective session is vital, if the experience is going to be consistent across the school."

And sometimes, meeting in person is still important.

"There are occasions when in-person meetings may be better," Mr Smith says, "for example, when discussing sensitive issues or the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disability, where having physical sight of their adapted-learning space is crucial."

Covid restrictions

SchoolCloud has grown exponentially, by word of mouth and via social media.

The 500,000 minutes clocked up on the virtual platform at the beginning of March 2021 grew to 15 million by the end of July.

But the system really took off only after schools went back in September last year, when Covid restrictions meant parents were still largely barred from premises.

Now, there are about 7,500 schools on board and a survey run by the company suggests:

60% intend to use a combination of online and real-world meetings.

a third have no plans to go back to traditional parents' evenings

All of which is good news for those parents who still need an off-camera wine to help them through the process.
CONWAY, Ark. (AP)  Breylin Smith threw four first-half touchdown passes and Central Arkansas beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 45-23 on Saturday night.

Smith finished 31-of-42 passing for 329 yards. Three different receivers had a touchdown catch from inside the 7, and Tyler Hudson's 19-yard touchdown catch stretched the Bears' lead to 28-3 with about a minute to play before halftime.

Lujuan Winningham led Central Arkansas (1-2) with six receptions for 96 yards. Darius Hale had a pair of short-yardage TD runs in the fourth quarter and finished with 76 yards rushing.

Kierre Crossley had two touchdown runs and 82 yards rushing to lead Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-1). Andre Fuller had a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown that pulled the Golden Lions to 31-23 with 4:50 remaining in the third quarter.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25.

Sign up for the APs college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25
Former Starbucks baristas say customers have asked them to blend cake, cake pops, Danish pastries, cookies, brownies, and bananas into drinks - usually Frappuccinos. Grace Dean/Insider

Starbucks baristas are allowed to blend fruit into drinks, but not other food items.

Still, baristas say some customers request that cake, pastries, or egg bites be blended into drinks.

One said she'd even asked been asked to add protein shakes to drinks.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Should you ask your Starbucks barista to blend a cake pop, brownie, or cookie into your drink, chances are they'll say no.

It's against company policy for baristas to blend food into Starbucks drinks like Frappuccinos. But that hasn't stopped customers from trying.

"I've had people asked for some food items blended," Alexis Rivera, a former Starbucks shift manager in New Jersey, told Insider. "We don't do that."

A Starbucks representative said baristas "may handcraft blended beverages using ingredients offered at Starbucks stores including sauces, syrups, espresso, coffee and tea, Evolution Fresh juices, and bananas and blueberries."

"Food items in store (including baked goods and egg bites) are not approved additions to blended beverages at Starbucks," the representative added.

Numerous former baristas, however, told Insider they had gotten requests - which they said they rejected - for food to be blended into drinks. This included cake, cake pops, Danish pastries, cookies, and brownies.

Rivera said some customers brought in their own food or protein shakes and asked for them to be blended.

The baristas said this happened only with in-store customers because adding food to drinks wasn't listed as a modification on the Starbucks app.

Speaking about in-store orders, Rivera said "technically if you're not able to charge for it in the drink, it's not something that can be made."

But she said some customers would seek a workaround: "If you're requesting those items too, you're buying them separately, like a Frappuccino, but you're asking, 'Hey can you blend them for me?' Some places do - some places don't."

Story continues

"Making items like that during rushes where you don't even have enough people to go to the back and clean them properly, that's most likely why they're declined," she added.

Different baristas Insider spoke with had different attitudes. "It's not worth risking my job to add a brownie to a blender," a current barista in Florida said.

Rivera said one customer had even asked her colleague to blend egg bites into a drink, though the customer ultimately described it as a joke.

Rivera said her colleague didn't follow through with the request - but a former barista in Indiana, who asked for anonymity because she still visited the store as a customer, said she had actually blended egg bites into a Frappuccino.

"It was just gross to hand out," she said.

The Indiana barista said she had also blended a melted brownie into a frappuccino, too. She said her manager had told her that though she technically wasn't supposed to blend food into drinks, she could tell the customer they could make it as a one-off.

A former barista in British Columbia, who asked to stay anonymous because she might return to work at the chain, said customers often asked for their Refreshers, which usually contained liquid, ice, and fruit pieces, to be blended.

"A lot of the time we'd be like, 'We can do it, but we'd rather not put the fruit in it because the fruit gets stuck and it jams the blender,'" she said.

"They're not really designed for that kind of thing," she added, saying the staff at her store once broke a blender blending dried fruit into a drink.

Asking for fruit blended into their drinks is just another way customers are making their drinks orders more complex. Starbucks baristas told Insider they're sick of making TikTok-inspired drinks, too, sometimes with "mile-long stickers" listing order customizations.

Do you work at Starbucks? Got a story to share? Email this reporter at gdean@insider.com. Always use a non-work email.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sep. 19A 39-year-old man was charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief on Sunday after allegedly breaking into several businesses on Monument Square in Portland, police there said.

Jimmy Burnett broke windows and other items to get into David's Restaurant and The Lady In The Moon, a boutique store, according to Portland police. He faces three counts of criminal mischief and one count each of the other two offenses.

Officers responded to reports of vandalism around 6:10 a.m. Sunday morning and found that several business had damaged storefronts, including broken windows, department spokesman David Singer said. The Lady In The Moon had a large hole smashed in a window, and other businesses had overturned and damaged exterior tables and chairs, photos of the scene show.

David Turin, owner of David's Restaurant, said his business would have to replace two $2,500 tempered glass windows and some damaged tables and chairs. But he said he thought of the incident as a "tragedy," because he had heard that Burnett was suffering from a mental health crisis.

"It is too bad, really," Turin said. "I just can't even imagine the indignity and the trauma of someone experiencing that kind of stuff."

Turin said Monument Square had seen a number of similar incidents over the pandemic, which has put pressure on mental health services and services for those experiencing homelessness, some of whom congregate in Monument Square.

"It's been this kind of crescendo of difficulties going on," he said.
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AMMAN (Reuters) -Syria's defence minister visited Jordan on Sunday to discuss stability on their mutual border, the first such meeting since the Syrian conflict erupted a decade ago when the two neighbours supported opposing factions, officials said.

The meeting follows a major army offensive to retake the last rebel bastion in southern Syria, and after reestablising control this month over Deraa, a city south of Damascus, in a Russian brokered deal that averted an all-out military assault led by Iranian-backed units of the army.

Jordanian army head Lieutenant General Yousef Hunaiti met Syrian Defence Minister and Chief of Staff Ali Ayyoub over the Deraa situation and to discuss issues such as the fight against terrorism and drug smuggling in the area, Jordan's army said.

"The talks are within the concern to intensify future coordination over all common issues," a statement from Jordan's army said.

The Syrian army's pro-Iranian elite Fourth Division had for over two months besieged the area where the first peaceful protests against authoritarian rule broke out in 2011 before security forces cracked down and unrest developed into civil war.

Jordan's King Abdullah, a staunch U.S. ally, praised Russian President Vladimir Putin on a visit to Moscow in August where he said Russian troops who helped reverse the tide of Syria's conflict in Syrian President Bashar al Assad's favour, had succeeded in stabilizing the country.

Jordan had for years supported mainstream Western-backed rebels who controlled southern Syria until a campaign by the Syrian army in 2018 aided by Russian air power and Iranian-backed militias retook the province.

Thousands of rebels, who once received arms and support funnelled through Jordan, handed over their weapons under surrender deals brokered by Moscow.

Moscow gave guarantees to Israel, Jordan and Washington at the time that it would prevent Iranian-backed militias from expanding their influence in the area that also borders Israel's Golan Heights.

Story continues

The retaking of Deraa by government forces earlier this month has brought with it control of several towns and villages that until recently defied state authority.

Jordan and Israel are alarmed by an expanding Iranian presence through its penetration of Syrian army units and the proliferation of Tehran-funded militias who now hold sway in southern Syria, senior Western diplomats say.

Lebanon's Hezbollah has also consolidated its presence in Quneitra, a province that borders Deraa to the west along Israel's Golan Heights.

The military talks between Syria and Jordan, sources said, also addressed a major spike in drug smuggling in recent months which Jordanian officials say Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah is behind.

Hezbollah denies Western allegations it is behind a multi-billion dollar drug smuggling network that moves from Syria via Jordan to export to the Gulf.

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Edmund Blair and Diane Craft)
The Guardian

The prevailing mood among Washington insiders is to fight if China attempts to conquer Taiwan. That would be a mistake There is no rational scenario in which the United States could end up in a better, more secure place after a war with China.  Photograph: Taiwan Ministry Of National Defense/EPA Since last Friday, the Peoples Republic of China has launched a total of 155 warplanes  the most ever over four consecutive days  into Taiwans Air Defense Identification Zone; Ned Price said the st
The following is a transcript of an interview with Senator Bernie Sanders that aired on Sunday, September 19, 2021, on "Face the Nation."

MARGARET BRENNAN: We're back now with the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who joins us from Burlington. Good morning to you, senator.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): Good morning.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Lots to get to with you today. But I do want to ask your reaction to news that the U.S. military killed seven children, three civilian adults in this drone strike. You have in the past been very critical of reliance on drone strikes. Are you comfortable with the Biden administrations over the horizon policy?

SEN. SANDERS: Well, I certainly hope they understand what happened and make sure that never happens again. This is not only a human tragedy, it reflects on us before the entire world. It's unacceptable.

MARGARET BRENNAN: On immigration, I also want to get your reaction to what the Biden administration just said they're doing this weekend, which is to step up deportations, particularly of some of these Haitian migrants who have gathered in southern Texas, thousands of them. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has called it inhumane. Do you agree with her and looking at what you're working on right now on Capitol Hill, do you expect immigration will be tucked into this $3.5 trillion spending plan?

SEN. SANDERS: I hope it will in the sense that right now we have many, many millions of undocumented people in this country, people who are working hard. In fact, people who have maintained this economy, people doing the essential work, something like 11 million people. And I would hope very much, and I think the American people agree, that now is the time. And if we can do it through reconciliation, I'm there. I want to do it to move toward a path towards citizenship and comprehensive immigration reform through the reconciliation bill. That's my hope.

Story continues

MARGARET BRENNAN: Whether or not that can be done is still going to be decided. I know you say you want it done. But isn't this exactly the same kind of social policy that moderates are bulking- balking at here because you're--

SEN. SANDERS: Well actually.

MARGARET BRENNAN: --tucking it into a mechanism that even you--

SEN. SANDERS: MARGARET, actually, the truth--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --have said in the past to just be used for budget and spending?

SEN. SANDERS: Well, the truth is that when you because we have no Republican support in trying to pass a significant piece of legislation representing working families, we have to do it through the so-called reconciliation process, which means that you have to obey the Byrd rules. I won't go into- bore you with all the details. So, it's something that we are arguing right now. But I do hope as we move toward what I believe is the most consequential piece of legislation for the working class of this country, as we demand that the wealthiest people and large corporations start paying their fair share of taxes as we lower the cost of prescription drugs as we expand Medicare to include dental care for seniors and hearing aids and eyeglasses as we lower the childhood poverty as we have already done, maintain that by 50% as a result of the American Rescue Plan. I hope that immigration reform is part of that general package.

MARGARET BRENNAN: But don't all these very worthy causes you're laying out deserve their own debate and consideration. You in the past have said that this is not how this should happen.--

SEN. SANDERS: MARGARET right now we have- right now, we have no Republican support. Zero. There's not one Republican who was prepared to stand up to the drug companies and lower the cost of prescription drugs.--

MARGARET BRENNAN: And you may not have full democratic support either.

SEN. SANDERS: -- Not one republican who wants to build affordable housing. We can't do it without the reconciliation package. So right now, what we are doing and let's be clear, and I want the American people to understand it. We're taking on the pharmaceutical industry. We're spending millions and millions of dollars trying to make sure they could charge us 10 times more than the people of other countries for drugs. We're taking on the health care industry, does not want to expand Medicare. We're taking on the fossil fuel industry who thinks it's OK to continue emitting carbon while destroying the planet.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator, but you have to--

SEN. SANDERS: This is really a monumental struggle.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I understand it's monumental and it's a struggle within your own party--

SEN. SANDERS: You understand that?

MARGARET BRENNAN: --to be frank because Senator Manchin just met this week with President Biden. He continues to say the number you're asking for, it's too big. It's too much. Will you meet with the president this week and do you plan to give anything here to get closer to the numbers--

SEN. SANDERS: Well, MARGARET, I'll tell you this--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --that the moderates in your own party say need to be met?

SEN. SANDERS: Well, let me tell you this. We have started off, as you know, with, I would guess, 80% of the Democratic caucus supporting a $6 trillion bill. Remember, this is over 10 years. Per year, it's less than we spend on the military. Now maybe you can tell me, or somebody else can tell me, how much we should spend to save the planet. Because what the scientists are telling us is that if we don't get a handle on climate change within the next few years, there will be irreparable damage. And you know what? I got four kids and seven grandchildren. And I think we have a moral responsibility to leave them a planet that is healthy and is habitable--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you sure that President--

SEN. SANDERS: --Right now we got 50, we got 50 votes. We're going to have to work it out, as we did with the American Rescue Plan. But I have already made, and my colleagues have made a major compromise, going from six trillion down to three and a half trillion.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So am I hearing you correctly when you say you are not willing to move on that $3.5 number, even if the president asks you to do it? I mean, are you risking losing out?

SEN. SANDERS: Look, right now what we are doing is we are engaging with the House and the Senate. It is a complicated proposal. All I am telling you is the $3.5 trillion is much too low. A compromise has already been made; an agreement has been made. And the American people, by the way, poll after poll after poll are telling us--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.

SEN. SANDERS: --that now is the time to stand up to powerful special interests. Now is the time to start representing working families. On all of these issues--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.

SEN. SANDERS: --they are enormously powerful and maybe, just maybe we can work for workers for a change and not just wealthy campaigns.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You keep saying the number of 50 votes, but it is well reported that Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema are not with you--

SEN. SANDERS: You know--

MARGARET BRENNAN: --on this within the Democratic Party. Are you saying,--

SEN. SANDERS: Well, we went through this with the American Rescue Plan.

MARGARET BRENNAN: --that President Biden will get them all in line?

SEN. SANDERS: We dealt with this with the American Rescue Plan, which, as you know, is the most significant piece of legislation to take us out of the economic decline. And it cut childhood poverty by 50%. It provided unemployment benefits. It did what had to be done to get us out of the emergency. We came together.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.

SEN. SANDERS: I expect, because of the pressure of the American people we're going to come together again and do what has to be done.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Will you meet with President Biden this week, just like Senator Manchin did last?

SEN. SANDERS: I talked to, I talked to- I'm happy to meet with the president any time, but at the end of the day, I think what--

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, no.

SEN. SANDERS: --the overwhelming majority of the American people want us to do is finally stand up for them, not just the drug companies and the healthcare industry and the fossil fuel industry. This is what we are trying to do. It's an enormous fight. We're going to win it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: It's an enormous fight and we will track it. Thank you very much, Senator Sanders. We'll be right back in a moment with more FACE THE NATION.

Botched drone strike shows limits of U.S. reach in Afghanistan

Sanders says Democrats are "going to come together" on $3.5 trillion bill

Collins expects FDA to expand booster recommendation in "coming weeks"
Sep. 19EAST HARTFORD  Hundreds of truck horns could be heard blaring as a convoy of more than 500 trucks gathered at Rentschler Field this morning as part of a massive event to benefit Make-A-Wish kids.

The Wishes on Wheels Truck Convoy is an annual event that benefits the Connecticut chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.

Trucks pay a fee to enter, gather at Rentschler Field, and depart on a 7.5-mile loop that takes them onto Interstate 84 and Interstate 384 east, Route 85 in Bolton, and I-384/I-84 west back to Rentschler.

When they depart, they blare their horns and flash their lights as families cheer them on.

In addition to the convoy, there are also food trucks and vendors at Rentschler Field for people to enjoy, as well as a wrestling show and a canine demonstration by East Hartford police. Admission to the public is free.

"It's a carnival atmosphere, it's like a party," said Kristen Garrison, president of the Wishes on Wheels Inc. Board of Directors.

Garrison helped start the event 22 years ago when her friend in the trucking industry suggested the idea. Now, almost $2 million has been raised in that time.

"We're in the business of creating hope," she said.

Carin Buckman, communications manager of Wishes on Wheels, said that once families start coming to the event, they keep coming back.

"It's their favorite annual event," she said.

More than 15 Make-A-Wish families were at the event today, including the parents of Jesxander Huertas, who suffers from muscular dystrophy.

The event "means a lot to me, it's happy that they offer so many activities," said Jessica Nunez, Jesxander's mother, said. This was their first time coming to the event.

"He grew up loving trucks. We purchased a truck, drove it for a year and we wanted to dedicate the truck to him," said Alex Huertas, Jesxander's father.

Story continues

Other families were also present at the event watching the trucks leave.

"It's more than just a truck show, seeing everyone come out and the drivers and everyone taking this time is amazing," said Newington resident Michelle Mahoney, the mother of a Make-A-Wish child who has since passed away. Her other son rode with one of the trucks in honor of his brother's memory.

Gil Maffeo was also at the event with his children. They are not part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but came to show their support.

"It's a wonderful organization. It's the first time I've attended, I'm blown away by everyone's enthusiasm," he said.

Garrison estimated the event will end up raising around $2 million in one day alone.

The Wishes on Wheels "organization has helped us grant close to 200 wishes in Connecticut," she said.

"Our goal is to grant a wish to every eligible child in the state," said Buckman. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted 3,600 wishes in total to kids in Connecticut so far.

Ben covers Coventry and Tolland for the Journal Inquirer.
LONDON (Reuters) - The ball is in China's court when it comes to making the United Nations COP26 climate change conference in November a success, Britain's Alok Sharma, the summit's president, said on Sunday.

Sharma, who said he had had "constructive and very frank discussions" during a visit to China earlier this month, said China's President Xi Jinping had not yet confirmed whether he would attend the summit.

"In every conversation I had with the Chinese they were very clear that they want to see COP26 as a success so the ball is very much in their court," Sharma told Sky News.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Alexander Smith)
SANAA, Yemen (AP)  The United Nations, the United States and the United Kingdom on Sunday condemned the executions of nine Yemenis by the countrys Houthi rebels over allegations that they were involved in the killing of a senior Houthi official in an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition more than three years ago.

The Iranian-backed Houthis on Saturday publicity executed the nine by firing squad. Hundreds of people, mostly Houthis and their supporters, attended the execution in Tahrir Square in the rebel-held capital of Sanaa.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the trial in which the nine were convicted and sentenced to death did not meet the requirements of fair trial and due process," according to a statement from Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the U.N. chief.

Dujarric said the secretary general deeply regrets the executions, which caused outrage across Yemen including in Sanaa, where people usually refrain from criticizing the Houthis for fear of reprisals.

Rebel leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthis Supreme Revolutionary Council, tweeted that they have rejected the U.N.s challenge to the rebel-controlled judiciary.

The nine were among more than 60 people the Houthis accused of involvement in the targeted killing of Saleh al-Samad in April 2018. They were charged with spying for the Saudi-led coalition, which has been waging war against the rebels for years in an effort to bring back Yemens internationally recognized government to power.

Al-Samad, who held the post of president in the Houthi-backed political body, was killed along with six companions in an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition in the coastal city of Hodeida.

The U.S.s top diplomat in Yemen, Cathy Westley, called the trial sham after years of torture and abuse of the executed people.

This outrageous action is another example of the Houthi indifference to basic human rights ... This barbarism must end, Westley said in a message posted on the embassys Twitter account.

Story continues

The British Embassy in Yemen also condemned the brutal Houthi execution," which showed blatant disregard" for a fair trial and due process.

The nine, including a 17-year-old boy, were arrested months after al-Samads killing. They were held for months in undisclosed places where they suffered inhumane treatment, according to Abdel-Majeed Sabra, a Yemeni lawyer representing one of the people executed.

The U.N. chief also condemned the killing of at least six people from the same family when a suspected airstrike by the by the Saudi-led coalition hit their vehicle Saturday in an area between the provinces of Shabwa and Bayda.

He urged Yemen's warring sides to stop fighting and encouraged the parties to engage with the U.N. in good faith and without preconditions to relaunch talks for a peaceful settlement to the conflict.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, when the Houthis swept across much of the north and seized Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile. The Saudi-led coalition entered the war the following year on the side of the government.

The stalemated conflict has killed more than 130,000 people and spawned the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.
Australia's second-largest city will exit its coronavirus lockdown in late October if vaccine targets are met under an official roadmap released Sunday.

About five million people in Melbourne have been under stay-at-home orders since August 5, the sixth lockdown they have endured so far during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Officials in Victoria state, which includes Melbourne, announced those orders would be lifted when 70 percent of over-16s are fully vaccinated. They projected that target would be reached around October 26.

"Lockdown will end. The (limited) reasons to leave your home and the curfew will no longer be in place," Victoria premier Dan Andrews said, adding that a raft of restrictions would still be enforced.

Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to reopen but only with a maximum of 50 fully vaccinated people seated outdoors, while a ban on visitors to homes will remain in place.

But once the vaccination rate lifts to 80 percent -- projected by roughly November 5 -- fully vaccinated Melbourne residents will enjoy a greater range of freedoms, including no masks outdoors, up to 10 visitors to homes, and the option to work from offices.

Andrews said the health system was likely to come under "intense pressure" as a result of the changes, but the staggered reopening would help Melbourne to "normalise" its virus response.

"We cannot perennially or permanently suppress this virus. Lockdowns have been about buying time to get to 70 and 80 percent vaccination," he said.

"We are fast approaching those milestones and at that point we have got to open the place up, because remaining closed forever has its own cost in every sense of that word."

The announcement came a day after several police officers were wounded and more than 200 protesters were arrested at a violent anti-lockdown demonstration in Melbourne.

Officers used pepper spray on the crowd, who defied stay-at-home orders to march through an inner-city suburb in opposition to pandemic restrictions.

Story continues

Melbourne spent almost four months in lockdown last year, and has been recording hundreds of new cases each day despite enforcing strict lockdown rules.

After pursuing a "zero Covid" strategy for much of the pandemic, Australia has struggled to contain the more infectious Delta variant and state leaders are increasingly moving to ease restrictions once higher vaccination coverage is reached.

hr/qan
Paris archbishop Michel Aupetit, third left, celebrates a mass next to Patrick Chauvet, center, during a mass to call for more donations by faithfuls for the renovation of the monument ravaged two years ago by a fire at Notre Dame Cathedral Wednesday June 16 2021 in Paris. Thomas Samson, Pool via AP

The charity funding the project will soon take bids from companies who want to work on the restoration phase.

Workers fortified and reinforced structures in the "safety phase," which is now complete.

Initial reports after the April 2019 fire estimated that the cathedral might be too fragile to save.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

With the conclusion of its "safety phase," the charity responsible for financing and restoring Notre Dame after it was ravaged in a 2019 fire said the cathedral will reopen in 2024, according to CNN.

"We'll be able to firmly go ahead with the phase of restoring and rebuilding the parts destroyed by the fire, so that it's ready to reopen for services and public visits in 2024," General Jean-Louis Georgelin, president of the charity Friends of Notre Dame de Paris, told CNN affiliate BFMTV Saturday.

The charity is preparing to launch calls for bids in order to select companies for the restoration phase, which will also address critical issues that existed before the 2019 fire, BFMTV reported. During the prior safety phase, workers completed a number of projects, including lead decontamination, fortifying damaged structures, and reinforcing flying buttresses, according to the Friends of Notre Dame de Paris website.

"The iconic cathedral has long required restoration. In fact, the most recent restoration in the 1800s actually weakened the structure overall," the Friends of Notre Dame de Paris said in a statement. "Since the 2019 fire, those committed to restoring this beloved monument have an all-new set of obstacles to overcome."

Initial reports following the fire estimated that the landmark might be too fragile to save in its entirety. The 12th-century gothic cathedral in the heart of Paris was under renovation at the time of the accidental fire, which destroyed its roof and collapsed its spire.

Read the original article on Insider
TANACROSS, Alaska (AP)  One Alaska Native village knew what to do to keep out COVID-19. They put up a gate on the only road into town and guarded it round the clock. It was the same idea used a century ago in some isolated Indigenous villages to protect people from outsiders during another 
Heres a video of Ric Flair flashing flight attendants being portrayed in two separate WWE productionsthe "30 For 30 episode they co-produced with ESPN and an episode of Story Time on WWE Networkas a happy fun time worthy of happy fun time cartoon portrayals with jaunty music. pic.twitter.com/IzTqiUaVHH  David Bixenspan (@davidbix) September 17, 2021

 Vice's wrestling documentary series returned this week with a brand new episode that is causing uproar in the professional wrestling world. In 2002 the WWE was experiencing an upswing in popularity, especially abroad. Following Insurrextion (a Pay Per View event held in London) wrestlers boarded a flight back home, and that flight came to be known as the Plane Ride from Hell. WWE decided to charter a flight for the short European tour before the PPV using the same plane and crew, and by all accounts those flights were more relaxed. But almost immediately the flight out of London was a disaster with the flight getting onto the tarmac and being delayed for seven hours before they could take off. The passengers went through three full liquor carts in those seven hours. The passengers started serving themselves and the flight attendants were unable to cut them off. Some interviewees in this episode also allege that GHB and Halcions were readily available on the flight. Rob Van Dam talks about 'H Bombing' a practice that the wrestlers would frequently participate in. They would drop a Halcions in the drinks of other wrestlers to play pranks on them, or drop them in the drinks of women they met on tour. Jim Ross says, "never leave your drink exposed, because the boys think seeing someone froth at the mouth and slur their speech...[or] manage their own faculties, is funny." While on the plane an 'H-Bombed' Michael Hayes (who was working in WWE creative at the time) punched wrestler John 'Bradshaw' Layfield in the face and reopened a wound JBL had received at the PPV the night before. JBL began to bleed profusely and proceeded to knock Hayes out. Wrestler X-Pac cut off Hayes ponytail while he was knocked out, to the delight of the drunken wrestlers.  There was an incident between Curt Henning (aka Mr. Perfect) and Brock Lesnar. Henning had put shaving cream on Lesnar's head, and Lesnar began chasing Henning down the length of the plane and eventually picked Henning up and the two started brawling. They dived into a row of seats and were slamming from one side of the plane to the other. According to a flight attendant they broke several overhead bins, tables, and arm rests, and another unnamed wrestler took over the flight attendants's PA system to yell "we're gonna die, we're all gonna die" As both men stood at over six feet tall and were professional wrestlers, there wasn't anything the flight attendants could do to gain control of the situation. One of the pilots also tried to intervene to no avail. Jim Ross was called to the plane and by that time the two were fighting in the emergency exit row, with Lesnar picking up Henning and slamming him against the emergency door. Their fellow wrestlers finally got scared enough to get the two to stop fighting before they could do major damage to the plane.  Terri Runnells who at the time was a WWE host and manager recalls that this plane incident wasn't the first time Lesnar was a problem on this trip. He exposed himself to her backstage at the Insurrextion PPV event, and did so in front of Runnellls ex-husband Dustin Rhodes (aka Goldust). Rhodes told her "don't sell it", or don't give Lesnar a reaction. Lesnar did not comment. Rhodes himself drunkenly serenaded Runnells on the flight using the flight attendants PA system, and Runnells was once again encouraged to not "sell it" and let it happen. Ric Flair was apparently known to take off all his clothes and put on the robe he wore as part of his costume and then strut down the aisles of the plane and expose himself to everyone on the plane. According to the wrestlers interviewed, it wouldn't be a quick flashing and involved several minutes of preening to get a laugh out of his fellow wrestlers. Flair did his usual routine on this flight. Flight attendant Heidi Doyle says that following this routine Flair cornered her against a door in the flight attendants galley. He was thrusting his genitals at her and encouraging her to touch it. Flair then took her hand and put it on his genitals. In his talking head interview, wrestler Tommy Dreamer defends Flair, saying that he would never sexually assault anyone but instead he was just being his typical flamboyant self and that he was just making a joke and the flight attendant overreacted and took offense to it. Rob Van Dam remembers seeing Flair corner Doyle and trying to get her to touch him. Doyle says this went on for several minutes and that she asked him to stop but he wouldn't. She remembers that no one helped her but that eventually Rhodes told Flair to leave Doyle alone. Doyle remembers him as as the only person who tried to help her. Flair has denied that this ever happened. Two animated segments of Flair's flashing routine have surfaced, the first from his 30 For 30 documentary and another was a short that WWE themselves produced and promoted on their network. The WWE produced short depicts several flight attendants who Flair insists were all over him, and it's basically some company sanctioned sexual harassment whitewashing nonsense. Doyle also talks about a violent incident with Scott Hall (aka Razor Ramon). The flight was getting close to landing and Hall had just woken up so Doyle offered him breakfast. Hall grabbed Doyle by the front of her shirt, ripping off several buttons in the process, and pulled her down so he could describe what he was going to do to her. Doyle remembers what he said but only mentions that Hall told her that "he was going to lick" her, and proceeded to do that. Doyle herself attempts to downplay the experience but that the moment was one of "great violation" and discomfort. She doesn't say how long it lasted but eventually Hall passed out and she managed to free herself from his grip. Hall, who has had long struggles with substance abuse claims that Curt Henning 'H Bombed' him during the flight. After this incident Doyle refused to leave the flight attendant's galley for the rest of the flight. Hall maintains that he has no recollection of any of the events on this flight.  At the end of the 14 hour flight the plane was completely trashed. Some feared that Hall had died on the plane because they couldn't wake him up. Fellow wrestler PJ Polaco (aka Justin Credible) picked up an unconscious Hall and placed him in a wheelchair and made up a medical condition so he could get Hall through customs. Hayes woke up in a rage after seeing that someone (later revealed to be wrestler X-Pac) had cut his hair while he was passed out. Flight attendants began cleaning the plane and found vomit, blood, and even syringes in the back pockets of seats. Doyle refused to clean the plane and walked off the job. After the plane landed Jim Ross met with Vince McMahon to discuss repercussions for some of the incidents that took place on the flight. Even though McMahon was on the plane ride himself, there's no mention of him being involved in any of these incidents though allegedly there was a confrontation between him and wrestler Kurt Angle which is not mentioned in this episode.  Jim Ross shoulders all the responsibility for what happened on the plane. He says "Vince was well aware of it, but it was my job to handle." Dreamer says that while McMahon is the person who makes all the decisions, Ross is the person who has to execute everything from doling out firings and fines. Curt Henning and Scott Hall were both fired immediately following the flight. Dustin Rhodes was reprimanded and fined, but was fired the following year. Ric Flair completely evaded any sort of punishment for his behavior on the flight. In fact he would go on to enjoy a very successful run for the rest of the 2000s, from being a founding member of popular stable, Evolution, to receiving a major farewell match at Wrestlemania in 2008. A lot of the aftermath of the plane ride coincided with the WWF being forced to change its name to the WWE. This starts a short discussion about the old guard vs the new guard of the company. Doyle reported the incidents to her bosses at the company that chartered the trip, but they pressured her to let it go, because they wanted to make sure other companies knew that they "respected the privacy of other clients." Doyle talks about the shame and worries about reporting the incidents, but eventually filed a suit against the WWE with another flight attendant. They eventually settled. Tommy Dreamer bashed Doyle in his interview, saying, if thats how she felt, maybe she should have not taken a payout and went to the fullest extent of the law to then truly put this heinous person in jail. He also doubled down on his defense of Flair, and makes comments on the way everyone gets offended over everything these days. Dreamer is under fire for these comments. His current employers Impact Wrestling suspended Dreamer, who was asked to leave immediately from a taping of the show in Tennessee this Thursday.
Didn't he already have a huge deal with them? Am I imagining this?



Nevermind, looked it up and it was ABC Studios, though he'd technically still be under that deal and I'm not sure that anything came of it so I wonder what happened there.



Edited at 2021-09-19 03:00 pm (UTC)

Reply

Thread

Link

I always wonder what happens when those in initial deals dont work out. Like, Bethany from RHONY had a huge deal with some studio and recently she said it didnt work out so does she have to give the money back or does she not receive it until she actually completes the shows?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I think those big 7/8-figure deals are actually reflective of best case scenario numbers that sound good in press releases but are not a guarantee. In my understanding they get some amount up front, but the rest is doled out upon completion of X required projects.



I also have no idea whether the ABC thing actually didn't work out -- I couldn't think of any projects and have a completely warped sense of time where I thought the ABC thing happened like 6 months ago when in fact it's been 2 years and the deal's gonna expire next year.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link



Looks like he wanted more money after the emmys last year but ABC said no because he hasnt actually generated anything yet (lol, after over a year)



The Emmy-winning creator found himself at the center of a multiple-outlet bidding war in late 2019, ahead of the sixth and final season of the Pop TV favorite. Netflix heavily pursued a deal with Levy at the time after the streamers deal for Schitts Creek helped catapult the series to a broader audience and, ultimately, an Emmys sweep for its final season. Levy, who was also pursued by Warner Bros. TV and Disneys 20th Television, ultimately opted to ink a three-year overall deal with ABC Signature in September 2019 that sources at the time said was valued at $2 million a year.



Levy and his team, after the historic Schitts Creek Emmys haul, are said to have asked ABC Signature executives to renegotiate the deal to better reflect his value as a multiple Emmy winner while also extending the length of the pact. The studio, per sources, declined to renegotiate or talk extensions as Levy was only a year into a three-year deal that, thus far, has only resulted in a presentation for an animated comedy at Hulu. Sources say Levy spent the first five months of his ABC pact wrapping Schitts Creek before turning his attention to developing for Disney.



From here Yep youre rightLooks like he wanted more money after the emmys last year but ABC said no because he hasnt actually generated anything yet (lol, after over a year)From here https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/schitts-creek-dan-levy-netflix-film-tv-deal-1235014909/amp/

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Never underestimate the power of nepotism.

Reply

Thread

Link

At least hes talented and why not use any connections that you have to gain opportunities?



Plus, Eugene (dunno bout the mom) was well known, but its not like he had any studio power.



Just applaud the young man. Sheesh!



-Dans publicist

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Or having a hit show that makes it's streaming network millions.

It's insane, I know.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Obviously nepotism has help him (as networking does with most people) but he is someone that has been in the industry for a while (he used to be a talk show host in Toronto for quite a while), made a hit TV show that earned Netflix millions, swept award season, and is actually talented? Why wouldn't they give him more opportunities lmaooo

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

i don't care about litigating every celebrity's level of nepotism but the tenor of the replies compared to someone ontd doesn't like oh my god lol



Edited at 2021-09-19 05:43 pm (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I clocked that. I find him mediocre and Schitt's Creek was only good for the 1st few seasons.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Lmao Mte wow

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

ontd's complaint about nepotism kids is that they're unlikable and talentless, if ppl here largely think someone's likable and talented then obviously the tone will be different. like, "ontd complains a lot about ansel elgort and not at all about whitney houston, what could it mean?!" lol

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Right? Like, he's talented and all, but he would not be doing all this if he hadn't entered the game already on 3rd base.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Yes but also LOL



Dude started his career as a VJ for MTV Canada (who is clamoring for that job, even in 2006?). Schitt's Creek was created by both him and his dad and yet many networks passed it up. It was sold to a Canadian network with barely recognizable shows outside of Canada. It received partial funding from PopTV (owned by ViacomCBS but has very little recognition viewership compared to most of their channels). It wasn't until 3 years into the series when it was put on Netflix did it blow up.



Y'all really need to stop being bitter assholes about every little thing in life.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Working in this industry must be a blessing. Imagine earning millions for a job

I'm so poor 

Reply

Thread

Link

Can't you just, I don't know, come up with a tiktok dance or something? Go on a realty show? If you're not willing to pander and give up your dignity are you really even ready for riches? #TheSecret

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link



#supportiatse



Here's a sampling of why working in entertainment is horrible: This is only true for like the top 5%, the rest of us are poor and sufferingHere's a sampling of why working in entertainment is horrible: https://www.instagram.com/ia_stories/

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

and tbf, the deal is probably contingent on a lot of things. I doubt he is getting 8 million to do nothing.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

well DAMN get that coin sis

Reply

Thread

Link

I am so here for this. I want an Alexis spin-off.

Reply

Thread

Link

she's busy shilling spermicide ok?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

lmao what was up with that!!!!!

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Can I haz charity funding plz?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Lets just hope hed fare better than RM and AHS series lol. Dan seems such a sweetheart and can keep it real cute being inclusive with whatever he can make for new/original project series with such diversities in the future. So best luck to him

Reply

Thread

Link

I cancelled netflix months ago and havent missed it at all. theyre just not putting out quality original content anymore and havent for a while imo, maybe dan can change that 

Reply

Thread

Link

The sole reason I still have access is bc my parents just discovered it this year and keep paying. I forget I have it bc I prefer youtube, but I do like a lot of the food programs.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

The only reason I have Netflix rn is for the Circle lmaoooo

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I unabashedly enjoy this covid show

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Omg I just started watching that last week and I'm obsessed. It's ridiculous.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Me too. Most of the content seems to be centered on the teen market.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

I tried watching Clickbait and omg the acting was AWFUL. Zoe Kazan is the ultimate nepotism actress if her acting in everything else is as bad as it is in Clickbait. I couldnt get past 2 episodes it annoyed me so much.



Edited at 2021-09-19 03:55 pm (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Same. I might join again when the new season of The Crown drops but so far, I'm not missing it. The constant emails are annoying though.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

They cancelled GLOW, Tuca & Bertie, the OA, (among others) so they have shit taste and hate women.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Pay off my student loans NOW , Dan.

Reply

Thread

Link

that's awesome! looking forward to the projects

Reply

Thread

Link

Schitt's Creek was unbearably corny at times but I've been a Dan fan since his The Hills aftershow days on MTV Canada so I'll probably check out whatever he comes up with

Reply

Thread

Link

something being corny is how I can tell it's Canadian content, its why I love it so much

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Netflix just throws money at anyone but me.

Reply

Thread

Link

Yay for more gay?

Reply

Thread

Link

i watched the first episode of schitt's creek and it was so unremarkable to me but i get the feeling i should insist. is it the type of show that if you don't like from the get go you'll not like anyway or it eventually gets a lot better like parks & recs?

Reply

Thread

Link

The first 3 or so episodes are pretty meh but they're mostly exposition. Most people I know say it's around the 4th episode they really get into it. I think it's because in the first few episodes the Rose family seems like they're just going to be snobby and dickish the whole show but they develop into more interesting characters pretty quickly.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

It gets better after a few eps but it's only good/consistent through S3 in my recollection. I don't remember really caring for the last season or two, especially not the last season. It felt rushed.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Yep. After the 3rd episode youll be addicted and binge watching 8 episodes in a sitting.



Its always the case when we recommend it to people lol. And the episodes are like 20 mins so they go by quick.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I think it gets better after the first season, because they grow as characters, and it isnt just rich assholes an dumb hicks.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

It took me a few episodes honestly. At first I was like this is what the hype is all about?? But i fell in love with it.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I think it's a very specific kind of humor too. Imo it definitely gets better as well, but the tone of the humor is pretty similar throughout, the characters just get more nuance and development with sweet moments mixed in with the zany ones. I know people rave about Arrested Development but I will never be able to watch it because the style of humor gives me such second hand embarrassment but Schitt's Creek sort of felt more participatory humor than mocking the characters so the ottness worked out really well for me. I thought it was hilarious and very sweet at times.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

i think parks and rec is a good comparison -- the show takes some time to find its balance between the humour and making you care about the characters

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I honestly didn't get into it until S2. I thought s1 was really clunky and they were still exploring and establishing the characters. The later seasons were solid and I thought the series finale was probably one of the most satisfying I've come across to wrap everything up.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

It geta better but fluctuates. Its his wish fulfillment fantasy. Hes talked about that quite a bit, as have his coworkers. His character gets his dream life and dream guy despite being insufferable and bratty.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

The whole first season of Schitt's Creek is kinda rough since none of the characters are likeable. If you can make it to season 2, that's when they started to grow on me. All of the characters have fantastic character growth - they are completely different people by the end of the series.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Literally took me like two or three seasons (S E A S O N S) to even figure out "is this show...good? Or is it going to get better?"



It had a nice ending, and overall I'm glad I watched it, but at times it was indeed a chore.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link
A cross-section of Wall Street experts has been downplaying the recent surge in oil prices, saying that its unlikely to hurt the global recovery. One indicator that lends credence to this claim is the oil load, or the cost of oil as a proportion of gross domestic product. According to Morgan Stanley, the oil load--which is an indicator of the impact of oil on growth--is expected to reach 2.8% of global GDP in 2021, significantly lower than the long-term average of 3.2%, assuming an average oil price of $ 75 per barrel this year.

But that does not in any way mean that nobody is going to get hurt by the oil price trajectory.

Some sectors of the economy are feeling the effects of high oil and natural gas prices keenly, with businesses being forced to delay major projects or even close down altogether.

You can chalk up U.S. fertilizer maker CF Industries Holdings Inc. to the latter category. According to the Wall Street Journal, CF Industries has been forced to close two U.K. plants thanks to soaring natural gas prices.C F Industries, which uses hydrogen and nitrogen to make fertilizers and other products, said it has halted operations at its U.K. manufacturing complexes due to high natural-gas prices with no timelines given when production might resume.

Businesses across the UK are feeling the full brunt of high energy costs, with the price of electricity nearly seven times as high as at the same point last year. Meanwhile, power markets in Germany, France, and the Netherlands are also sharply higher ahead of anticipated higher demand in the winter.

Natural gas prices have hit their highest levels since 2014, outpacing oil and many other commodities. On Friday, natural gas futures were trading up 1.9% to $5.37 per million British thermal units (BTUs), their highest settlement price since February 2014. Natural gas prices are up 121% in the year-to-date, while the biggest nat. gas benchmark, the United States Natural Gas ETF, LP (NYSEARCA:UNG) is up 101% over the timeframe. The sticker shock is even greater in other key natural gas markets around the globe, with the price for Europes regional gas benchmark, the TTF month-ahead contract, closing at a record-high $24.2 per metric on Wednesday, more than 5x year-ago levels.

A recent survey by Make UK has found that around two-thirds of British manufacturers say they are feeling the impact of energy price, a survey by Make UK, with energy-intensive manufacturing the hardest hit.

Trouble for Petrochemicals

They are not alone.

After a brief recovery after seizing the unexpected opportunity provided by the Covid-19 pandemic (which proved a double-edged sword) and an indulgent government that gave it an open license to pollute, the tide appears to have turned against the petrochemicals industry--again.

Not only have plastic makers been facing growing competition as more refiners shift from gasoline and diesel to plastics, but now they are seeing a sharp contraction in profit margins thanks to higher naphtha and LPG costs--major plastics feedstocks.

Related: Europes Energy Crisis Is Driving Up Natural Gas Prices Worldwide

Petrochemicals--the building blocks of plastics--are processed from naphtha and LPG, or propane and butane. Companies with production units that are part of a larger refinery complex can tap on these raw materials produced on-site as a by-product of oil distillation, but everybody else has to procure feedstock from the open market.

The result: Standalone plants lacking a fully integrated refining system and ready access to affordable feedstocks are increasingly facing much higher production costs and could be forced to cut runs starting from the third quarter of 2021.

To make the situation even more dicey, Asias steam cracking capacity is set to increase by ~20% in the current year as per estimates by Armaan Ashraf, a senior analyst at FGE.

Steam crackers plants turn naphtha and LPG into ethylene and propylene, the main building blocks for plastics. Meanwhile, a massive surge in natural gas prices as well as a huge ramp in petrochemical capacity in Asia, led by China, is not helping matters, either.

The shale boom led to an overabundance of cheap oil and natural gas, key commodities used in the manufacture of plastics both as feedstocks and as fuel. The fossil fuel industry has been heavily pivoting into the petrochemical sector as a second cash cow even as the world grew increasingly weary of its role in environmental degradation and investors started giving it a wide berth.

Indeed, the plastics industry was poised for an epic explosion--until the coronavirus crisis and the subsequent oil price collapse dealt it a potential death blow.

Last year, Time magazine reported that South Africas integrated energy and chemical giant, Sasol Ltd, opened a new plastic plant in Louisiana, one of seven such projects it had in the works, while Shell was is in the process of building a huge multi-billion dollar ethane cracker plant in Pittsburgh with the capacity to churn out 1.8 million tons of plastic each year.

According to the American Chemistry Council, hundreds of new plastic production plants and expansions were given the green light last year. Global plastics production was set to increase by about a third over the next five years and triple over the next three decades.

But the energy and health crisis put paid to those plans and rosy projections.

In July, Thailand-based PTT Global Chemical announced that it will indefinitely delay its plan to build a $10B ethane-cracker plant in Ohio, citing uncertainty amid the health crisis, while Shell said in March that it was shelving its Pennsylvania project.

Meanwhile, Chinas plans to invest $84 billion in plastic and energy investment in West Virginia are yet to materialize three years since the promise was made.

Kevin Swift, MD for economics and statistics at the American Chemistry Council, told Time that the oil price and economic crisis means that spending is likely to be severely curtailed.

With Big Oil now shifting its focus from major investments to returning capital to shareholders in the form of dividends and share buybacks; the ESG boom and ongoing backlash against plastics in general, dont expect those dazzling petrochemicals predictions to come to fruition any time soon.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The former president of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, has died after a long illness at the age of 84.



Bouteflika led the country for almost two decades, stepping down in 2019 after his bid for a fifth term in office led to massive street protests.



He played a key role in Algeria's war of independence in the 1950s and 60s.



Then in 1999, as Algeria emerged from a brutal civil war that killed almost 200,000 people, he became president at the urging of the military.



Bouteflika had rarely been seen in public since a stroke in 2013, which affected his speech and mobility.



His political career began early: After Algeria's independence from France in 1962, he became the world's youngest minister of foreign affairs in his mid-twenties, a record that still stands.



He would hold the job for 16 years and was an active member of the UN. As president of the general assembly in 1974, he invited Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to address the UN governing body - an unprecedented and ground-breaking move.



He also insisted China should have a UN seat and stood against apartheid in South Africa. He is credited with giving young Nelson Mandela his first military training.



Bouteflika passed part of the 1980s in exile, avoiding corruption charges that were ultimately dropped.



He returned home in the 1990s and took office in 1999 - Algeria's first civilian leader in more than three decades.



The man known as "Boutef" managed to broker peace between the army and armed Islamist militants who were fighting the country's civil war.



In 2008, he initiated a change in Algeria's constitution which removed the two-term limit for presidents - and was duly re-elected twice, despite circling fraud charges.



When the 2011 Arab Spring protests broke out across North Africa, Bouteflika swiftly increased public subsidies and ended Algeria's long-standing state of emergency.



His final public appearance was in 2017, four years after his stroke, when he inaugurated a metro station and the newly renovated Ketchaoua mosque in Algiers. By this time, his younger brother Said Bouteflika was widely viewed as the country's real ruler behind the scenes.



When it was announced that the ailing president would run for a fifth term in 2019, protests spread across the country.

Source: BBC









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.

Featured Video
The Taliban have excluded girls from Afghan secondary schools, with only boys and male teachers allowed back into classrooms.



Schoolgirls told the BBC they were devastated not to be returning. "Everything looks very dark," one said.



Taliban officials who seized power last month said they were working to reach a decision on the matter.



Many fear a return of the regime of the 1990s when the Taliban severely restricted girls' and women's rights.



Under their new government, Taliban officials have said that women will be allowed to study and work in accordance with the group's interpretation of Islamic religious law.



But working women have been told to stay at home until the security situation improves, and Taliban fighters have beaten women protesting against the all-male interim government.



On Friday, the Islamist group appeared to have shut down the women affairs ministry and replaced it with a department that once enforced strict religious doctrines.



'I am so worried about my future



A statement issued ahead of Afghan schools reopening on Saturday said: "All male teachers and students should attend their educational institutions."



Secondary schools are usually for students aged between 13 and 18, and most are segregated.



Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid was later quoted by Afghanistan's Bakhtar News Agency as saying that girls' schools would open soon. He said officials were currently working on the "procedure" for this, and details including the division of teachers.



The spokesman told the BBC that officials were also trying to sort out transport for older schoolgirls.



Schoolgirls and their parents on Saturday said prospects were bleak.



"I am so worried about my future," said one Afghan schoolgirl, who had hoped to be a lawyer.



"Everything looks very dark. Every day I wake up and ask myself why I am alive? Should I stay at home and wait for someone to knock on the door and ask me to marry him? Is this the purpose of being a woman?"



Her father said: "My mother was illiterate, and my father constantly bullied her and called her an idiot. I didn't want my daughter to become like my mum."

Source: BBC









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.

Featured Video
The Police Administration has been advised to initiate moves in ensuring that suspects undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing before they are put in custody.



Mr. Kwadwo Bamba, a youth activist committed to Ghanas sustainable development, said the measure had become imperative to reduce the vulnerability of suspects in contracting the disease due to the congestion at the police cells.



Additionally, the Police ought to be supported with the requisite items such as face masks, sanitizers, and hand-washing bowls to protect themselves as well as those visiting the police station, he advocated.



Mr. Bamba, a philanthropist and also member of the Ashanti Regional Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Kumasi.



This was after he had handed over a renovated Police counter at the KNUST Police Station, a project sponsored by him to boost the work of the personnel.



Aside from the renovation, the youth activist also provided the Station with a new metal gate.



Mr. Bamba hinted that he embarked on the project in a response to an appeal by the Station Command, saying, the citizenry should partner with the Police in combating crime in the country.



The enforcement of law and order is a shared responsibility, he noted, urging Ghanaians to see the Police as a friend and not an enemy.



He asked the youth to always pursue productive ventures for the nations development and growth.

Source: GNA









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.

Featured Video
Ghanaians have been urged to strive for peace and unity at all cost.



This is because no matter what challenges might pertain, the country could only develop when there was political stability.



Madam Lucille Hewlett Annan, Greater Accra Regional Director, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), said this in Accra, at a day's sensitization programme on national cohesion.



She said Ghana was a unitary state, with a constitution that protected each citizen equally.



Madam Annan said even when people felt the need to express some misgivings or pent-up feelings, the country's constitution allowed that, adding that such expression, however, had to be done in a manner that didn't compromise peace and security.



She reminded the public that in the quest for improvement, every nation was bound to encounter challenges.



Madam Annan said the solution to such challenges, was not to create chaos and a hostile atmosphere but to forge ahead in peace and unity as much as possible.



She reminded the public that there was now a law against vigilantism in the country, and violating that law could attract a jail term of many years.



Mr. Carlos Kinka, Assembly Member, Odododiodoo constituency, said employing the youth in productive ventures, was key to curtailing political violence in the country.



He said young people who indulged in political violence were largely unemployed and in effect, vulnerable to negative influence.



The workshop was held by the NCCE, with support from the Ministry of National Security.

Source: GNA









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.

Featured Video
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, has handed over 18 containers of Rosewood that were impounded this year to the board of trustees of the National Cathedral.

The wood was handed over yesterday in fulfillment of the government's decision to donate all confiscated Rosewood to support the construction of the cathedral.

A ceremony was held at the Achimota Depot of the Forestry Commission in Accra where Mr Jinapor handed the wood over to the President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Rev. Professor Paul Frimpong Manso, and the Executive Director of the Salt and Light Ministries, Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, who are both members of the board of trustees of the cathedral.



Present at the event were the deputy ministers of Finance, Mr John Kumah, and Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Benito Owusu-Bio.



Clamp down on cartel



Speaking at the event, Mr Jinapor stressed that the government would go all out to clamp down on the cartel behind the illegal harvesting, transporting and exporting of the endangered tree species.



"We will go all out and ensure that the cartel and the syndicate behind the harvesting and exportation of Rosewood are actually dealt with so that we can preserve the forest cover of our country," he said.



The minister also reiterated the government's resolve to deal with all illegalities in the exploitation of the country's natural resources.



"When President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the management of the natural resources of our country is going to be done in transparency, which accords with the highest standards of integrity, the President means exactly that; and those of us who have been given the privilege to assist him to preserve and manage the natural resources of our country are going to do so with a sense of integrity," he said.





Boost for project



For his part, Rev. Prof. Manso said the donation of the Rosewood was a major boost to the timely completion of the project, which was expected to be dedicated on March 6, 2024.



He assured the minister that the Rosewood would be put to good use.



The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, also urged members of the public to consider the national cathedral a national asset and support its construction.

"The cathedral, which is the vision of the President, is not for the President; it is not for the government; it is for Ghanaians, so let us contribute towards making it a reality," he said.



Preserve environment



He said although the board of trustees of the national cathedral project was happy about the fact that impounded Rosewood was being put to good use, the board was also concerned about the disregard for the ban on the trade in the wood.

"We are happy that a burden has been taken away from us, but we are also pleading with Ghanaians to be mindful of the environment. People should not break the law and continue to harvest Rosewood," he said.



The GPCC President further underscored the need for all citizens to be law-abiding and help to preserve the environment for posterity.





National call



While expressing gratitude to Mr Jinapor for the donation of Rosewood to the cathedral project, Mr John Kumah said more needed to be done to make the project successful.





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.

Featured Video
Pastor Jacob Redicup, founder and leader of My Father's House Church at the weekend appealed to Christians to be steadfast because the world was currently battling the anti-Christ spirit, the beast, the false prophet, and the dragon.



He said it was because of this, that the world was going through a lot of tribulations including famine, wars, and covid-19.



Pastor Redicup made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Adaklu Helekpe.



He noted that many people were afraid to take the covid-19 vaccine because they thought it was the biblical anti-Christ's mark of 666.



He said many more events would be unfolding soon adding "are we ready for what is coming?"



He said the world was also entering the time of the great harvest, the latter rain which he said was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.



He reminded Christians to live above reproach adding that the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ was near.

Pastor Redicup hinted that his church's annual conference would come on at Adaklu Helekpe in the Adaklu district on Friday, 24th, and Saturday, 25th September 2021.



He said it was on the theme "kingdom, power and glory."



The Pastor noted that participants at the conference would be equipped to find an antidote to the myriads of problems facing Christendom.



Speakers at the conference include Pastor Dr. Gustavo Cadena, Pastor Ebenezer Baba Yidana, and Pastor Jolie Carr.

Source: GNA









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.

Featured Video
The Founder and Leader of Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah, was arrested with three of his junior pastors for issuing threats, brandishing weapons and attacking Police officers on Sunday.



The Pastor and the two suspects were arraigned before Accra Circuit Court on Monday, September 13, 2021, and were remanded for a week.



Journalists assigned to cover the court case were however assaulted and refused entry into the courtroom.



Some days into his one-week remand, an Accra High Court granted him bail in the sum of GH200,000, with two sureties.



Speaking to this during a panel discussion on Peace FM's Morning show "Kokrokoo', Charles Owusu who has described Rev. Owusu Bempah as his "godfather" expressed regret over the attack on journalists; insisting "it won't happen again"



"On behalf of the church and my godfather, we apologize to the media...we have no justification. All we are saying is that it won't happen again. That's not our character; so we sincerely apologize" he stated.



Listen to him in the video below





Source: 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.

Featured Video
Former President John Mahama says Ghanas debt has got to unsustainable level due to governments reckless expenditure to win elections.



This government must accept that it is their mismanagement of the economy, their thirst for consumption expenditure and the desire to spend beyond our means in order to win elections that have plunged us into the current crisis, not necessarily COVID-19.





This has led to rampant increments in the prices of goods and services. This is primarily responsible for the hardships Ghanaians are going through now, Mr Mahama wrote on twitter on Saturday morning.



He added: Our debt has ballooned to unsustainable levels- topping 80% of GDP- exposing us to very high risk of debt default. Almost all of our tax revenue is used to service our debt and the effect has been the introduction of several new taxes.



In April and May 2021, Ghanas public debt stock shot up by 27.8 billion to 332.4 billion which was equivalent to $57.9 billion, about 76.66 percent of Gross Domestic Product.



In March 2021, the total debt stock stood at 304.6 billion, and the significant increase in the debt stock is due to the $3 billion Eurobond raised in March 2021 as well as the huge borrowing on the domestic market.



In April 2021, the public debt stock was 328.0 billion. This means 23.4 billion new debt was added to the total debt stock.



Meanwhile, government says the economy is bouncing back from the strains of COVID-19.



A statement from the Finance Ministry on Tuesday said, In making their decision, the credit rating agencies considered Ghanas improving growth prospects, resilient external sector performance, and continued access to the capital markets (domestic and international) as essential factors in maintaining the rating and the outlook.



Notably, the two rating agencies recognised the efforts of the government to build back better through the innovative Ghana CARES (Obaatanpa) programme.



Furthermore, both credit rating agencies (Moodys and S & P) acknowledge that Ghanas economy is recovering from the effects of the pandemic faster than its peers.



The statement added, Hence, we should focus more on growth and the implementation of the Ghana CARES Programme. S & P, in particular, maintained Ghanas rating on the back of the growing economic prospects and the relatively transparent and responsive political institutions.



The stable outlook balances risks from fiscal and external financing pressures against the countrys medium-term economic growth prospects. Understandably, both credit rating agencies raised some concerns about Ghanas debt affordability and levels. The government, however, is committed to debt sustainability and fiscal consolidation.



As such, between 2019 and 2021, the government has undertaken various liability management measures to proactively reduce the external debt stock and the interest expense burden. As a result, the government bought back and retired over US$900 million worth of Eurobonds which has reduced the external debt stock significantly.





Source: starrfmonline.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.

Featured Video
Mr Joe Ghartey, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Esikado Ketan, has called on members of the party to work harder to enable the party to win a third term to break the eight-year cycle to make history.



He said as a history making party in Ghanas politics, the party would prosecute an effective and efficient political campaign in the run-up to the 2024 general election to win political power.



Mr Ghartey who is also former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice was speaking in an address read on his behalf at the inauguration of the Radford University College branch of the Tertiary Education Students Confederacy (TESCON) of the NPP in Accra.



It was on the theme, Rebranding TESCON in Breaking The Eight: The Role of Radford Tesconites.



I can assure party members and supporters that with hard work, the NPP will win a straight term to continue to steer the affairs of the nation, which will be a great shock to many Ghanaians, he said.



The Member of Parliament said although some Ghanaians and political watchers did not believe that the NPP stood a chance to break the eight-year cycle, the party would ensure that the agenda to break the cycle became a reality.



Mr Ghartey said just as party members and sympathizers worked so hard to enable the party to win both the 2016 and 2020 general elections, they should do the same for the next general election to enable the party to make history.



Alhaji Osman, First Vice Chairman of the Ayawaso West Wougon Constituency, said the NPP government has performed creditably in all developmental spheres in the Constituency since 2017.



When we are talking about development, no government can be compared to the NPP government in the constituency, adding that, we have done well, we will continue to do it and make sure those who have eyes will see it unless they dont want to.



He urged them to propagate the many developmental projects the party had brought to the constituency.



Miss Portia Adwoa Dede Aidoo, President of TESCON appealed to the members of the party to see themselves as belonging, to the elephant family and work in the interest of the party.



She entreated them to stand firm and defend the government as measures were being put in place to improve the economy to bring relief to ordinary Ghanaians



Miss Aidoo commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo for the numerous economic and social interventions he continue to make for the country.

Source: GNA









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.

Featured Video
An eruption September 19, 2021 was the first the Cumbre Vieja volcano has erupted in 50 years.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on Spain's Canary Islands Sunday, spewing out lava, ash and a huge column of smoke after days of increased seismic activity and forcing the evacuation of around 5,000 local people, authorities said.

Cumbre Vieja, which last erupted 50 years ago, straddles a ridge in the south of La Palma island, home to around 80,000 people.

"The eruption started in the Cabeza de Vaca zone, in El Paso," at around 3:00 pm (1400 GMT) the local government said on its Twitter account.

The evacuation was obligatory in a dozen areas placed on a maximum alert and temporary shelters were opened.

"People are asked to be extremely careful and to stay away from the eruption zone to avoid needless risk," a local government statement added.

The head of the Canaries region, Angel Victor Torres, said the zone was forested and "sparsely populated". No casualties had so far been reported, he added.

The lava reached several homes and made a number of roads impassable.

According to the local government's projections, lava flows from the volcano, located in the centre of the island, were likely to move southwest towards inhabited and wooded areas, before reaching the coast.

PM flies in

The lava flows were moving at about 700 metres (yards) an hour, and had a temperature of nearly 1,000 Centigrade, according to the Canaries Islands Institute of Volcanology.

Map locating a volcanic eruption on the Canary Island of La Palma, on Sunday.

"Everything leads us to believe that there won't be any new points of eruption," said Torres.

State television ran live coverage of the eruption during the late afternoon.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrived at the scene late Sunday.

"Given the situation (on) La Palma island, the head of government has delayed his scheduled departure today for New York," to attend the UN General Assembly, a statement said earlier.

"All services are prepared to act in a coordinated fashion," Sanchez wrote on Twitter.

As of 1830 GMT, flights to and from the island had not been disrupted, airport operator Aena said.

The interior ministry said 200 members of the security services had been mobilised, with a helicopter as back up.

The lava from an eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano reached several homes and made a number of roads impassable.

Thousands of tremors

Experts had been keeping a close watch on the volcano after observing a recent upsurge in seismic activity and magma displacements.

An earthquake swarm under La Cumbre Vieja began a week ago and since then there had been thousands of tremors, the strongest with a magnitude of nearly four, the Involcan volcanology institute said.

An earthquake swarm is a sequence of seismic events occurring in one place within a relatively short period of time.

Experts had been monitoring the Cumbre Vieja volcano after detecting a surge in seismic activity.

On Tuesday, the authorities raised the alert level from green to yellow, in certain areas around the volcano. The second of four alert levels, the change meant civil protection officials had to inform the public "to take precautions ahead of a possible volcanic eruption", under an emergency plan.

Involcan had reported a "significant ground deformation" as a result of "a small volume" of new magma flowing into the reservoir underneath the volcano, which amounted to 11 million cubic metres.

"Undoubtedly the current seismic swarm represents a significant change in the activity of the Cumbre Vieja volcano and is related to a process of magmatic intrusion beneath the island of La Palma," it said.

The Canaries, an archipelago of seven islands off northwestern Africa, last recorded a volcanic eruption in 2011, undersea off El Hierro island.

Cumbre Vieja erupted twice in the 20th centuryin 1971 and in 1949.

Explore further Threat of volcanic eruption puts Spanish island on alert

 2021 AFP
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
And the winner in the California recall is? None of the above
The Saloum Delta in Senegal is a land of cannibal myths and cursed kings. Nowhere is this more true than in Congolese director Jean Luc Herbulot's supernatural skinwalker of a film that brings West African mythology to the criminal getaway thriller. Saloum layers in a healthy dose of the Agatha Christie 'whodunit' murder-mystery party, before shifting gears to whirling Diola dervishes, gris gris sorcery, star crossed lovers who flirt in sign language, even a child-soldier revenge drama.

With three iconic leads supported by a host of interesting faces, Saloum brings its own brand of cosmopolitan style, Pan-Africa by way of Paris, to the table. As the fella says, "Stories about heroes travel faster than bullets." There is a superb bit of screen legend making going on here: The Bangui Hyenas.

Cool and sensitive Chaka (Yann Gael), Mister T with a frosted beard and aviator shades Rafa (Roger Sallah), and dreadlocked Shaman Minuit (Mentor Ba), piggy-back a heist of narco gold in the chaos of a coup d'etat, they drop 'death cards' like candy before making a quick hop over the border for clean getaway.

All is not so easy, however, as vehicle trouble forces an unscheduled landing in the remote and isolated swamps, beaches, and island region, navigated only by quads and canoes, where the River meets the Sea. A regroup and hunt for resin and fuel to fix their plane lands them at commune slash vacation resort where it is unclear on whether or not they blend in or stick out, as the other denizens have their dramas and stories as well. There is a landslide of unspoken of backstory here, but the filmmakers let the actors body language and the audience imagination do the heavy lifting, keeping the pace fleet and the form functional.

With its pounding surf, sodium vapour night-lighting, a bevy of handsome overhead shots, and a devil-may-care willingness to stuff 75 years worth of global genre cinema (from Leone and Kurosawa to Miike and McTiernan) into 84 minutes, Saloum may be ragged around the edges at times, but it is never, ever, boring. Filming the lion's share of the story in a single location, a destination sea-side resort, channels its own kind of energy, the energy of the land itself. It first offers space for the characters to breath and the story to build, then as an action-abattoir for their sacrifice or comeuppance.

The director and his creative partner, Pamela Diop, have stated that their film is not a heroic movie, but a movie about heroes. Heroes that we have not seen before. The revenge story at its core taps into the anti-hero western vibes that can be set anywhere from Australia to South Korea. Saloum is a loving home for this vision in Senegal. The filmmakers have a loving awareness of pop cinema, but are in no way beholden to it. Rules are bent and broken with aplomb. I cannot wait to see what they come up with next.
By Lidia Kelly and John Mair

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia on Sunday defended its decision to ditch a multi-billion-dollar order for French submarines and opt instead for an alternative deal with the United States and Britain, saying it had flagged its concerns to Paris months ago.

Canberra's move enraged Paris, triggering an unprecedented diplomatic crisis that analysts say could do lasting damage to U.S. alliances with France and Europe. It has also riled China, the major rising power in the Indo-Pacific region.

The United States has sought to assuage the anger in France, a NATO ally, and the French government spokesman said on Sunday that President Emmanuel Macron would have a call with U.S. President Joe Biden "in the next few days". Paris has recalled its envoys to Washington and Canberra for consultations.

"I don't regret the decision to put Australia's national interest first," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday.

Morrison said he understood France's disappointment over the cancellation of the order - valued at $40 billion in 2016 and reckoned to cost much more today - but reiterated that Australia must always take decisions in its best interests.

"This is an issue that had been raised by me directly some months ago and we continued to talk those issues through, including by defence ministers and others," he told a briefing.

Under its new trilateral security partnership, Australia will build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology. The scrapped deal, struck with France's Naval Group in 2016, was for a fleet of conventional submarines.

The new trilateral deal has cast into doubt the united front https://www.reuters.com/world/french-break-up-blow-bidens-china-focused-alliance-rebuilding-2021-09-18 that Biden is seeking to forge against China's growing power.

'OPEN AND HONEST'

French government spokesman Gabriel Attal told BFM TV that Macron would seek "clarification" of the cancellation in his call with Biden. Discussions would then need to take place over contract clauses, notably compensation for the French side.

Story continues

European Union leaders are certain to discuss the issue at talks in Slovenia on Oct. 5, said an EU diplomat, saying it had raised questions over the transatlantic relationship and Europe's own geopolitical ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region.

"I think the French... will milk it for all it's worth," the diplomat said, referring to Macron's long-standing support for greater European strategic autonomy, though many EU states are reluctant to weaken security ties with the United States.

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said Canberra was "upfront, open and honest" with France about its concerns. He declined to reveal costs of the new pact, saying only that "it's not going to be a cheap project".

Britain's role in the trilateral partnership demonstrates its readiness to be "hard-headed" in defending its interests post-Brexit, newly appointed Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in an article published on Sunday.

She said it also showed Britain's commitment to security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

(Additional reporting by Gus Trompiz in Paris and the Brussels bureau; Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by William Mallard and David Clarke)
Representative image

Brasilia [Brazil], September 19 (ANI): Brazilian Police are looking for a man who threw an explosive device at the Chinese Consulate General in the capital city of Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, a media report said.

Local media released a security camera feed of the attacker, who was wearing a face mask and a cap, NHK World reported. The footage shows an attacker taking out an explosive device from a pocket of his jacket, throwing it at the Consulate building.

The building was damaged by the explosion. However, nobody was injured.

The Chinese Consulate-General condemned the attack. The Chinese Embassy said it is in close communication with Brazilian authorities and that it has called for a probe into the attack and the arrest and punishment of the culprit.

This attack comes at a time when Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has rebuked Beijing over the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic and the efficacy of a Chinese vaccine.

According to the Japanese publication, multiple reports suggest a possible link between anti-China sentiments among the president's supporters and the attack on the Chinese diplomatic mission.

Earlier this month, Brazil has suspended beef exports to China after confirming two cases of atypical mad cow disease in two separate domestic meat plants. (ANI)
Representative image

Hong Kong, September 18 (ANI): Hong Kong government has ousted seven pro-democracy district councillors over the issue of "invalid" oath to bear allegiance to the city.

The government announced on Wednesday evening that seven of the 24 district council members who pledged allegiance last Friday had made "invalid oaths," Hong Kong Free Press reported.

They included Clarisse Yeung and Pakkin Leung of the Wan Chai District Council and Michael Pang of the Southern District Council.

Oaths taken by Eastern District Council's Wei Siu-like, So Yat-hang, Lancelot Chan and Anna Lai were also said to be illegitimate.

They were among a group of 24 district council members who became the first to swear allegiance under the administration of Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui.

Caspar had said he "had doubts" over the validity of some pledges and requested additional information from seven councillors.

Pakkin Leung of the Wan Chai District Council criticised the disqualification as "arbitrary." He said he had answered questions from the government, but the authorities gave no explanation as to why his oath was invalid.

While the pro-democracy camp took control of all but one of the city's 18 councils in November 2019, more than 260 district councilors have resigned amid an ongoing crackdown on public dissent and mandatory oath-taking since the national security law took effect.

As China has strengthened control over Hong Kong through varieties of laws including the draconian National Security Law, the people of the semi-autonomous city are facing increasing policing and crackdown.

Most of Hong Kong's opposition lawmakers are either in jail or have fled overseas since the national security law crackdown began. (ANI)
Robert Durst in his wheelchair spins in place as he looks at people in the courtroom as he attends the closing arguments in his murder trial at the Inglewood Courthouse in Inglewood, California - Shutterstock

Justice has finally caught up with Robert Durst, a New York real estate scion who spent half a lifetime seeking to explain away a string of shocking deaths, after he was convicted of the murder of his best friend.

Durst, 78, was found guilty of killing Susan Berman, who was shot at point-blank range in the back of the head in her Beverly Hills home in December 2000 as she was prepared to tell police how she helped cover up his wife's disappearance.

A Los Angeles jury found Durst ambushed Ms Berman and killed her because she was a witness to a crime, which prosecutors said was the suspected murder of Dursts wife Kathie Durst, who has never been found.

Ms Berman, the 55-year-old daughter of a Las Vegas mobster, was Durst's longtime confidante who, at the time of her death, was prepared to tell police she provided a phony alibi for him after his wife vanished.

"He killed his wife and then he had to keep killing to cover it up," lead prosecutor John Lewin told the court.

Durst, who is now frail and in a wheelchair, was convicted of first-degree murder and faces a life sentence with no option for parole.

Dursts life story has been fodder for New York tabloids since his wife vanished without explanation in 1982. The intervening years have provided so many plot twists, Hollywood directors decided to make a documentary about Durst, which the multi-millionaire agreed to appear in.

Susan Berman

While filming "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst," Durst was confronted with incriminating evidence over his wifes death and made what prosecutors said was a startling confession.

Durst could be heard muttering to himself on a live microphone while alone in a bathroom during a filming break: What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course. There it is. You're caught."

The shocking TV moment saw the HBO series propelled to instant success and brought fresh scrutiny on the unsolved case.

Durst, whose family owns many iconic buildings in Manhattan and is worth an estimated $100m (72m), was arrested in 2015 while hiding out in a New Orleans hotel on the eve of the airing of the final episode.

Story continues

He had been on the run for months, disguised as a mute woman in Texas and staying under an alias at a New Orleans hotel with a shoulders-to-head latex mask for a presumed getaway. He jumped bail in Texas and was arrested after shoplifting a chicken sandwich in Pennsylvania, despite having $37,000 in cash - along with two handguns - in his rental car.

Although Durst was charged only with killing Ms Berman, the prosecution contended that her death was connected to the mysterious disappearance of Kathie and the killing of a drifter he had befriended in 2001.

Durst was acquitted in 2003 of killing Morris Black, who lived across the hall from him in a rooming house in Galveston, Texas, where Durst was hiding from the authorities.

Deputy District Attorney Habib A. Balian holds a rubber latex mask, worn by Robert Durst when police arrested him - Pool Los Angeles Times

Durst took the stand in his defense during the sensational trial in LA County Superior Court. He denied killing Ms Berman, saying he was on the US East Coast at the time and that he later arrived to find her on the floor of her bedroom.

Durst's decision to testify in his own defense backfired as he was forced to admit lying under oath, made damning admissions and had his credibility destroyed when questioned for nine days by Mr Lewin.

"There has never been a defendant that I'm aware of that has perjured himself so many times about so many different things in such a short period of time," he said. "It was absolutely shocking."

Prosecutors painted a portrait of a rich narcissist who did not think the laws applied to him and ruthlessly disposed of people who stood in his way.

Meanwhile, the defence depicted him as a hapless, socially awkward man who doesnt make good decisions, and ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time and ran, twice.

His lawyers claimed he was the victim of deceptive filmmakers.

Prosecutors credited directors Andrew Jarecki and Marc Smerling with bringing fresh attention to the case.

"Without them having conducted the interviews we wouldn't be where we are," Mr Lewin said. "That was the starting point, no question."
Weve all heard it: Some of my best friends are Black. Its usually a white person trying to explain or justify a racist action or comment or behavior or overall attitude. Now, if youre Black, you know its usually a lie, that these Black best friends include the guy who takes your order at Starbucks, or a college roommate you havent spoken to in a decade, or the woman in the cubicle next to you at the office whose name youre not quite sure of. I am fairly confident that I am the Black best friend of dozens of people from my high school who I cant name outside of Facebook.

Advertisement

So the phrase, Some of my best friends are kills a lot more conversations about race than it actually starts, but Khalil Muhammad is hoping to change that. Hes a professor of history, race, and public policy at Harvards Kennedy School of Government. And he hosts a new podcast Some of My Best Friends Are  on the Pushkin network with his white BFF, journalist Ben Austen. On this weeks episode of A Word, I spoke with Muhammad about interracial friendships and evolving views about how they reflect racial progress in America. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Jason Johnson: The phrase some of my best friends are   is almost dated. I would think even most white people know better than to say that phrase right now. But what gave you the idea to make that the name of the show?

Advertisement

Khalil Muhammad: Yes, its a great challenge to the premise of the show, because in a way it is dated. Its dated because it has been, as you say, a conversation stopper and a way of shifting the conversation about structural racism for the better part of the last 50 years, since the civil rights movement allegedly solved all of the nations problems, and through desegregation and integration everyone was going to become friends and this was going to be enough. Or the notion that the MTV generation of kids growing up on Prince and Michael Jackson would all have listened to the same music, and hip-hop would be this way of everyone celebrating a multiracial democracy, turned out not to work.

Advertisement

Advertisement

And I think with the Obama two terms, we saw the culmination of this 50-year period, culminating around this notion that individualism of personal relationships, of proximity to each other across the racial divide, was sufficient to making sure that wed have racial progress. And of course, after two terms of the Obama administration and everything thats come since, its clear that that wasnt enough, that that didnt get us to the so-called promised land. And so while it is dated, it most certainly is as relevant today in how people navigate these conversations and issues about racism.

Advertisement

Youve done a lot of serious scholarship. Youve been at the center of these conversations about race and friendship, which are distinctly different from relationships that are based on sex or romance. What are you hoping to get at in your podcast that you havent been able to get a through your research?

Advertisement

Oh, what a great question. So, the first thing is a kind of unfiltered conversation that doesnt stumble on whether or not somebody said something to another person that they take offense at. And I am not here to critique cancel culture for its excesses, although I think thats a real issue.

Advertisement

What Ben and I are trying to model is that we cant use our relationship as evidence that racism is no longer a problem, which is too often how this modeling goes. Therefore, we take the collective experience of 35 years of friendship as an invitation, one, to trust us that were going to have an honest conversation, and then, two, our professional careers25 years for me as a historian, 20-plus years for him as a professional journalistto say, weve also been studying, writing about, educating, and engaging these issues for a very long time.

Advertisement

Your first episode is about interracial buddy movies, right? And so you touched on some of the classics. The Defiant Ones. Ive never seen that one. Trading Places, Ive seen a million times. 48 Hrs., which is sort of a buddy cop movie with Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy. Now look, each of these movies follows a familiar and I find infuriating pattern, right? Which is the racist white guy, whos usually more empowered, meets the Black guy. They hate each other. And yet at the end, they both realize how they were equally wrong and become buddies. What do these movies tell us about how default white people and white people in power in Hollywood see race relations and friendships?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Well, what they show us is that these films were made for white audiences, particularly white male audiences. One of the things that Ben and I were keen to pay attention to when we conceived of this episode was: Are there interracial buddy films with women? With Black women and white women? With Asian women or Latino women? No. I mean, by and large, the genre doesnt exist for women.

We actually have a bonus episode where we interview one of the leading film scholars, a woman named Jacqueline Stewart, who some of you may know from being one of the hosts of Turner Classic Movies. And she basically said that the genre of Black women co-starring, or in supporting roles, is still tethered to this subservient role. For example, the character in The Help played by Viola Davis. It also evokes a kind of tradition of a Mammy figure as the helpmate to a white woman. Hollywood hasnt broken out of that genre where Black women are still there to help white women find their full humanity. And thats why it isnt a genre of movies yet about equals.

Advertisement

Now Muhammad isnt an unusual name for Black people. And I always point out, 20 percent of American Muslims are African American. But your name comes from the Black Muslim family. Elijah Muhammad, founder of the Nation of Islam, is your great-grandfather. How has your own family story shaped your ideas about race and whats possible in interracial friendships?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Whats fascinating is my grandfather is a son of Elijah Muhammad and Clara Muhammad, and my father were thoroughly immersed and grew up in the Nation of Islam. And the Nation of Islam that my grandfather built from the 40s until his death in the 1970s did practice a kind of Black-centered, focused, economic and community development program. Obviously, it took place in Chicago at the headquarters, but spread across the nation.

Advertisement

Advertisement

That Nation of Islam, by the time I was coming of age, quickly changed. It passed power to Louis Farrakhan. And my familyso youre asking about my familythe family that I came of age in as a kid and then a teenager became a Sunni Islam family. My great-uncle Wallace established a new movement of Sunni Muslims, many of whom were African American.

And I say all that as a long way of saying, they embraced white people in ways that now I have many, many white relatives that are blood and very much different from the conception of the Nation from the very beginning. And in that sense, I came of age seeing the religious roots of my own family background as a much more expansive understanding of Islam. It was not about race, but about a commitment to a belief system that was ecumenical. It was the same kind of shift that Malcolm X himself made late in his life.

Advertisement

As we evolve as Black people, as you get more information, as you gain strength in your own identity, sometimes you can find the stuff that you tolerated from your white friends in high school you would never tolerate now. How do you talk about that sort of evolution with Ben? Because you guys have known each other since high school. Im pretty sure there was stuff Ben used to say that wouldnt be cool today, or vice versa.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats an interesting question. So Ben is actually not like that, and not just because hes my best friend. His journey was as kind of the Jewish kid who grew up in what changed from a Jewish to Black neighborhood, and the family stayed. He literally grew up down the street from Jesse Jacksons family home, and he and his brother ended up marrying their Black high school sweethearts. So, hes not that kind of white dude.

Advertisement

We joke about this, that when we were coming of age, I was listening to Phil Collins and he was listening to the Boogie Down Productions. He was wearing a gold chain and I had my shirt buttoned up. So, in his case, thats not exactly the story.

But I did have other white friends in high school where the kind of things that people say, you dont really fully appreciate at the time, or moments where you feel like someone ought to be sticking up for you and they dont. And that wasnt true for Ben, but it almost certainly was true for others. And especially in college.

Listen to the entire episode below, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Our advice columnists have heard it all over the years. Each Sunday, we dive into the Dear Prudie archives and share a selection of classic letters with our readers. Join Slate Plus for even more advice columnsyour first month is only $1.

Dear Prudence,

My girlfriend had a nose job done three years ago at my request. (I did not pressure her.) Tragically, the procedure went wrong and her face was disfigured. We stayed together throughout this and I covered some of her legal and medical bills and did my best to support her emotionally. For the past year, however, I feel like Im with her out of guilt more than anything. I find myself losing patience with her and making excuses to cancel our dates. I do not have the heart to break up with her because I feel obliged to look after her. Im sure shes noticed this but hasnt said anything to mein fact she treats me more nicely, as does her mom. Am I a jerk for not loving her anymore?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Ladies, heres some advice thats as plain as the nose on your face: Do not surgically alter your appearance in the hopes of pleasing some jerk who doesnt like you the way you are. Ultimately, Want-To-Be-Ex, it doesnt matter whether youd suggested you could look at your girlfriend more easily if shed had plastic surgery, or youd said, Get rid of the schnoz or Im out of here. Shes an adult and it was her decision. (However, in cases such as this, the best answer is, Goodbye!) Its good you stepped up and helped with medical costs. And if your (ex) girlfriend still is not looking normal, she needs to find a plastic surgeon who specializes in reconstruction. Im hoping its possible she can get to the point where shes satisfied with the repair, and you should offer to help pay for that. But this relationship sounds irreparable. Talk about adding insult to injury by longing to be free but hanging around because you helped persuade her to mess up her face. Youve done enough to mess up her life, so if you want out, get out. Emily Yoffe

Advertisement

From: Help! My Girlfriends Nose Job Left Her Disfigured. (July 18, 2011)

Dear Prudence,

Until recently I was engaged to a wonderful (or so I thought) man. Wed been together for five years, and I thought he was one of the best people I knew.

Recently a neighbor confided to me that theyd seen my former fiance teasing my blind dog and causing the dog to run into things. Theyd observed this several times and, after a lot of deliberation, decided I needed to know. I set up a spy camera and indeed caught him teasing my dog. I confronted him, and he admitted to doing it for years, although he pointed out my dog still liked him and was never seriously hurt.

Advertisement

Advertisement

I broke off the engagement immediately. Many people have expressed the opinion that Im making a mistake and that I should at least give myself time to cool down or try to work through this. I did make this decision quickly, but I believe its the right one. Theres an ugly side to my former fiance, and I dont want to be married to him. My instincts on this are right, right?

Advertisement

Hell yes, theyre right. If the strongest thing your ex could say in his own defense was I never seriously hurt your dog, then he doesnt have much of a defense.

Your neighbor saw this and felt strongly enough that they were compelled to tell you, and you yourself found the behavior cruel and disturbing. Hes admitted that hes done it for years, and yet he never did it in front of you, which suggests a certain (and disturbing) deliberation and awareness. Clearly on some level your ex knew what he was doing was not simple horseplay. He knew that if you saw him do it, you would object and possibly even leave him, so he made sure to hide it from you. Thats not a sign of good character or compassion. Youre well rid of him. Danny M. Lavery

Advertisement

From: Help! I Caught My Fiance Abusing My Blind Dog. (May 1, 2017)

Dear Prudence,

More than a decade ago, when I was 15, my beloved mother died of cancer. My siblings, our dad, and I grieved and stuck close together and moved toward healing. My dad did a great job of seeing us through to adulthood. In the months before her death, my mother decided to write her children cards and letters to read at different points along our paths: high school graduations, weddings, etc. I believe that doing this helped to steady her during a time of great anxiety about what would happen to her children, particularly a teen daughter without a mother. My siblings and I have shared some of the letters with one another, and we have appreciated learning more about her early life from them, as well as laughing at her wit and energy coming back to us. However, Im getting married in a few months, and I am now dreading reading the Wedding Letter from Mom. I understand what she was doing for us, as well as for herself, but the letters cause an emotional upheaval during times that are already emotional enough. Knowing that the stack is dwindling is painful, but knowing that I have to read them on her timeline is making me a little resentful toward her because its holding me back from closure. My aunt stressed to me that Mom never intended to control me through these letters, and I believe that she wouldnt want me to be the perpetual little girl lost years after shes gone. But the idea of sitting down and reading through all of them at once so I wont have to open them during big life events seems so final and sad. Any advice?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

My heart lurches over your dilemma. I can imagine your dying mother writing you, the daughter she knows shell never see become a woman, putting on paper the things she would want to say to you on the eve of your wedding. What a painful paradox to have your long-gone mothers voice come alive on the page while feeling taken back to the worst time in your life. There also must be something unsettling about getting advice from a mother who knew who you were then but doesnt know who you are now. Rebekah Gee, a physician and daughter of the former president of Ohio State, experienced the same dilemma you face when her late mother left her a ream of lettersher story was told on This American Life. I can see how it could be unnerving to hear your mothers voice anew, speculating about who you are and who you are marrying. I think you should put the letters away for now. You know theyre there, and you know your mother did not want you held emotionally hostage to them, so it is not a betrayal of her memory to say, Mom, Im going to read these later. Later could be after the wedding. Later could be years from now. Later could be when your children say, Mommy, what was your mommy like? And you say, Well, Ive got some mail from her. Lets read it together. E.Y.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

From: Help! My Dying Mother Wrote Me Letters a Decade Ago. Do I Have to Keep Reading Them? (Nov. 26, 2014)

Dear Prudence,

Im an ex-military guy using the GI Bill to attend college. Im looking to enter the tech field and landed a great internship at a well-known tech company. During introductions, I let people know that prior to entering college, I worked in military intelligence and had learned an East Asian language as part of my job. This attracted the interest of a senior project manager in my office who is also an ex-military linguist, but who had learned a different East Asian language. We struck up a conversation, and he revealed that he was working on a side project that could use my language skills. Being eager to impress, I readily volunteered, and he asked me to come over to his place that evening. However, when I arrived, I was mortified to learn that his side project was adding English subtitles to animated porn films for some website he runs! Not wanting to lose the internship, I awkwardly translated a few lines for him, then made up some excuse to leave. Now I have an email from him asking when I am free again to help! I worry if I say no, Ill risk upsetting somebody who could potentially sabotage my career, but I also dont want to spend my evenings translating tentacle porn and God knows what else for this weirdo! If I were a woman, I think this would be sexual harassment, but what the hell is this if youre a guy?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

This isnt good news, exactly, but I hope it may prove to be helpful newsyou dont have to be a woman to be sexually harassed at work. Regardless of your gender, what this is is wildly unprofessional and totally inappropriate, not to mention a display of bad judgment. I suspect, too, that he asked the intern to help him with this because he felt like he could abuse your precarious employment status in order to get what he wanted out of you. You say that hes a senior project manager, but not, it sounds like, your direct supervisor. Tell him youre not going to work on his project againsay this in writing so you have documentationand youre not comfortable being asked to help him write subtitles for pornographic films off the clock (what a sentence to have to write). If for any reason he did attempt to retaliate, youd have such a strong case against him that I dont doubt for a minute the company would be on your side. D.L.

Advertisement

From: Help! A Senior Colleague Asked Me, the Intern, to Help Translate His Animated Porn. (May 30, 2018)

More from Dear Prudence

Advertisement

My stepdaughter has never forgiven me for marrying her father after her mother died over 20 years ago. We tried family therapy when she was a teen, and it was a waste. She tried to disinvite me from her wedding, and only backed down when her father told her if I didnt go neither would he and he wouldnt be paying for it. I have never tried to be her mother. I just want a civil relationship like I have with her brothers. I gave up when during her baby shower we got her a stroller and signed it Pop Pop & Nana. My stepdaughter bluntly informed me that her baby has only one grandmother and in no way was I her.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Since then I have stepped back and sent my husband to see her alone. I dont want to cost him a relationship with his grandchildren and daughter. Now I have retired, and I have been taking care of my daughters son while she works. My stepdaughter is in the middle of a nasty divorce and has to go back to work. She wants me to watch her two children (a kindergartner and an infant). My husband is hopeful, but I am not. Frankly I think she wants free child care in addition to free rent (we are paying for her apartment). I dont mind the money; we can afford it. But I dont want to get attached to these children only to have them snapped away once it is convenient for my stepdaughter to hate me again. I would love to believe that this could be a new beginning, but I cant. What should I do?
Former Rep. Beto ORourke is getting ready to join the race for governor of Texas in 2022, according to Axios. An announcement is expected later this year, Axios reports, citing Texas political operatives. His allies say nothing has been decided yet but ORourke has been making calls to Democrats and others about a potential challenge against Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, reports the Dallas Morning News, which says Democrats are feeling confident he will join the race. That marks a change from earlier this year, when it seemed unlikely ORourke was all that eager to launch what would be his third major campaign in four years.

Advertisement

One reason ORourke and his allies seem more willing to push his candidacy is because new polls suggest Abbott is more vulnerable than ever before. the governors job approval rating has been falling sharply with only 45 percent of Texans approving of his performance as governor, according to a new poll by the Dallas Morning News and the University of Texas at Tyler. His approval rating before the COVID-19 pandemic was at 59 percent and has been steadily dropping since January. Whats more, 54 percent of Texans believe the state is headed in the wrong direction.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

ORourkes numbers are far from stellar but theyve been improving and now he only trails Abbott by five points in a hypothetical matchup, 42 percent to 37 percent. That is a sharp improvement for the El Paso Democrat since July, when he trailed Abbott by 12 points. ORourke served three terms in the House of Representatives before resigning to run for Senate in 2018. He lost that and then had a go at the Democratic presidential nomination. Despite a strong start to the campaign, ORourkes candidacy quickly faded into the background and he dropped out before voting began.

Advertisement

Even though ORourkes numbers have improved theyre nothing compared to what actor Matthew McConaughey enjoys as he continues to flirt with the idea of joining the race for governor. In a hypothetical matchup, McConaughey is nine percentage points ahead of Abbott. McConaughey could run as a Republican, leading Democrats to be concerned he could end up snapping up some of the anti-Abbott votes. But for now Democrats are optimistic about ORourkes chances. We hope that hes going to run, Gilberto Hinojosa, the state chair of the Democratic Party, told Axios. We think hell be our strongest candidate. We think he can beat Abbott, because hes vulnerable.
Clear majorities of Americans back mask and COVID-19 vaccination mandates, and the numbers appear to be increasing, according to a new Fox News poll released Sunday. The broad support coincides with rising concern over the pandemic as cases and deaths increase across much of the country. Almost three-quarters of registered voters, or 74 percent, say they are extremely or very concerned about the pandemic, which marks a five-point increase from August.

Clear majorities of Americans believe masks and vaccines are effective and 67 percent said they support mandating that students and teachers wear masks in schools. A similar number, 66 percent, agree businesses should also require masks of employees and customers. Vaccine mandates arent quite as popular, but still have clear support from the majority with 61 percent backing requirements that teachers get vaccinated, while 55 percent support vaccine requirements for business employees. A similar number, or 54 percent, support cities and towns requiring proof of vaccination to take part in indoor activities, a four-point increase from last month.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

All these numbers from the poll, which is made up by interviews with 1,002 registered voters between Sept. 12-15, amount to good news for President Joe Biden. Fifty-six percent agree with Bidens order from earlier this month that calls on companies with more than 100 employees to require vaccination or weekly testing of employees.

Despite the clear support from the majority, there are evident splits between parties. More than nine in ten Democrats say masks are effective, while 51 percent of Republicans disagree. The increased support for masks comes as only 23 percent of voters say the COVID-19 pandemic is under control in the United States, a sharp drop from 46 percent who felt that way in May.
Women who work in the Kabul city government must stay home, the interim mayor of Afghanistans capital said Sunday. The one exception is for women who cannot be replaced by men, including some members of the design and engineering departments and the attendants at public bathrooms for women. The Taliban found it necessary to stop women from working for a while, Hamdullah Namony, the interim Kabul mayor, said. There are some areas that men cant do it, we have to ask our female staff to fulfill their duties, there is no alternative for it. Before the Taliban takeover of the country last month, a little less than one-third of the citys 3,000 employees were women. It isnt clear exactly how many are now being forced to stay home.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The move marked the latest sign of how the new Taliban-led government is quickly curtailing the rights and liberties of women in Afghanistan despite earlier promises that they had changed and would run a more inclusive administration. Female middle- and high school students were told earlier this week that they couldnt resume their studies for now even though boys returned to school. That came shortly after female university students were told they could only study in gender-segregated classes and would have to adhere to a strict dress code. It is becoming really, really troublesome, Mabouba Suraj, who heads the Afghan Womens Network, said. Is this the stage where the girls are going to be forgotten?

The Taliban government also got rid of what was once the Womens Affairs Ministry on Friday. In its place, the government set up a ministry for the propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice to enforce Islamic law. A department with the same name was notorious for its role in enforcing strict religious rules when the Taliban was in power in the 1990s. A small group of women held a protest outside the ministry on Sunday but it only lasted for around 10 minutes. Taliban militants have been regularly breaking up the small womens protests that have taken place in recent weeks.

International organizations are sounding the alarm over the current situation with the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) saying it is deeply worried for the future of schooling for girls. Girls cannot, and must not, be left behind. It is critical that all girls, including older girls, are able to resume their education without any further delays. For that, we need female teachers to resume teaching, UNICEF said in a statement.
A doctor in Texas wrote an opinion piece for the Washington Post in which he detailed how he performed an abortion that violated a new state law that bans most abortions after around six weeks of pregnancy. It marks what is likely the most direct and public challenge yet to the law and the author is expected to face a number of lawsuits after the piece was published Saturday evening. I understand that by providing an abortion beyond the new legal limit, I am taking a personal risk, but its something I believe in strongly, Alan Braid, a San Antonio OB/GYN, wrote in the opinion piece. I believe abortion is an essential part of health care.  I cant just sit back and watch us return to 1972.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Braid, who has been performing abortions for more than 40 years as part of his practice, said he performed an abortion on Sept. 6 for a woman who was still in her first trimester but was further along than the new law allows. I acted because I had a duty of care to this patient, as I do for all patients, and because she has a fundamental right to receive this care, Dr. Braid wrote. I fully understood that there could be legal consequencesbut I wanted to make sure that Texas didnt get away with its bid to prevent this blatantly unconstitutional law from being tested.

The new Texas law, which has sparked uproar among abortion-rights advocates across the country, forbids abortions at around the six-week mark and although it includes exceptions for medical emergencies, it doesnt contemplate them for incest or rape. Under the new law it is up to private citizens to sue abortion providers, doctors, and anyone else who assisted in carrying out the procedure. Those who successfully sue can win $10,000. Braid said everything changed with the new law. It shut down about 80 percent of the abortion services we provide, Braid, who runs clinics in Houston and San Antonio as well as Oklahoma, said. Before publishing his opinion piece, Braid was already pushing back against the law as his clinics are among the plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking to overturn the measure.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Texas Right to Life legislative director John Seago said the group is exploring all of our options to hold anyone accountable who breaks the [Texas] law, reports the Post. Seago also called the column a stunt that doesnt come as a surprise. This was always something that we expectedthat someone would essentially try to bait a lawsuit, he said. The Center for Reproductive Rights, which represents Braids clinics and has brought a lawsuit against the law, has said it will defend Braid in court. We stand ready to defend him against the vigilante lawsuits that SB 8 threatens to unleash against those providing or supporting access to constitutionally protected abortion care, said Nancy Northup, the groups president and CEO.
You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
https://sputniknews.com/20210918/frances-fm-decries-uk-opportunism-calls-bojo-fifth-wheel-1089199798.html

France Decries UK's 'Opportunism' And Participation in AUKUS, Calling London 'Fifth Wheel'

France Decries UK's 'Opportunism' And Participation in AUKUS, Calling London 'Fifth Wheel'

France Decries UKs Opportunism And Participation in AUKUS, Calling London Fifth Wheel

2021-09-18T23:45+0000

2021-09-18T23:45+0000

2021-09-21T11:13+0000

boris johnson

jean-yves le drian

europe

diplomacy

aukus

aukus

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/12/1089200119_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_9e9cea2f996d56af2fcf8a90d10f3fda.jpg

When asked on Saturday why France did not recall its ambassador to London, French top diplomat Jean-Yves Le Drian replied that he did not see any point in that taking into account Britains permanent opportunism.He added that the UK role in AUKUS is as a fifth wheel on the carriage. Paris sees the treaty as an act of subterfuge and betrayal. According to the minister, Morrison informed him about AUKUS and the subsequent rupture of the previous deal just one hour before the pact went public.Le Drian noted that the way AUKUS was formed indicates a real crisis in relations between Western partners.Europe Minister Clement Beaune also made critical remarks on the issue, saying in an interview to France 24, that Britain has returned into the American lap and a form of accepted vassalisation.The diplomat stressed that Australia's cancellation of contracts on submarines undermined the confidence of all European countries, not only that of France. According to him, Europe's goal is to strengthen its ability to reflect strategic autonomy and defense."British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sought to ease tensions and, speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, suggested that military cooperation between Britain and France remains rock solid.Earlier this week, Johnson, US President Joe Biden and the Australian prime minister announced a new defense and security partnership, labeled AUKUS. Canberra expects to replenish its submarine fleet with at least eight new nuclear-powered submarines, using British and American technology. Canberra canceled its contract with France, worth $66 billion for the supply of 12 conventional submarines, with no warning, according to Paris.

https://sputniknews.com/20210918/france-urges-europe-to-enhance-its-strategic-autonomy-defence-amid-aukus-squabble-1089186826.html

4Justice This is like Hitler, Goebbels, Himmler, Hess and Gehring having an argument. The inner circle of evil is fighting amongst themselves and hopefully, they kill each other off and spare the world of more evil. 6

BUY HUAWEI France and Macron are being attacked by their allies, NATO countries one by one, first Turkey then the UK and most recently Australia with the United States. I actually think the macron has a big ass 3

7

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Alexandra Kashirina

Alexandra Kashirina

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Alexandra Kashirina

boris johnson, jean-yves le drian, europe, diplomacy, aukus
https://sputniknews.com/20210918/watch-spacex-capsule-with-all-civilian-crew-splashes-down-in-atlantic-1089199458.html

Watch: SpaceX Capsule With All-Civilian Crew Splashes Down in Atlantic

Watch: SpaceX Capsule With All-Civilian Crew Splashes Down in Atlantic

SpaceX launched the Falcon 9 rocket on Wednesday with the Crew Dragon capsule on top, manned exclusively by civilians. The launch took place as part of the... 18.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-18T23:14+0000

2021-09-18T23:14+0000

2021-09-19T01:21+0000

spacex

us

space

space tourism

crew dragon spacecraft

crew dragon

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/12/1089200228_0:55:3073:1783_1920x0_80_0_0_e28e770c07ba74083749a83e505a690c.jpg

The Crew Dragon spaceship, with a non-professional crew, made a successful splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean near the coast of Florida, completing its three-day orbital mission.Elon Musk's company announced the historic splashdown in a live broadcast also streamed to Twitter.According to the mission statement, the return took place normally and without incident. The crew is in good condition and is being evacuated from the capsule.A non-professional crew consisting of two women and two men conducted scientific work in orbit for three days, took part in direct communication sessions with the Earth several times and enjoyed the views of the planet from an orbit of an altitude of about 575 kilometers, considerably higher than the International Space Station.The Crew Dragon spacecraft was upgraded specifically for tourist flights and is equipped with a transparent dome that provides a panoramic view.Prior to the splashdown, SpaceX reported that for the first time a ship and crew would return to Earth on the Atlantic Ocean, as previously all manned Crew Dragon missions splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California.Inspiration4's mission is said to be primarily charitable, raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which specializes in childhood cancer. All four places on the ship were paid for - without disclosing the amount - by billionaire Jared Isaacman, 38, who owns a popular payment service sold to restaurants and hotels called Shift4 Payments.

space

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Kirill Kurevlev

Kirill Kurevlev

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Kirill Kurevlev

spacex, us, space, space tourism, crew dragon spacecraft, crew dragon
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/ah-yes-the-usaf-su-27-fleet-users-rofl-over-russian-jets-in-tweet-marking-us-air-forces-b-day-1089209026.html

Ah Yes, the USAF Su-27 Fleet: Users ROFL Over Russian Jets in Tweet Marking US Air Forces B-Day

Ah Yes, the USAF Su-27 Fleet: Users ROFL Over Russian Jets in Tweet Marking US Air Forces B-Day

The US Air Force marked the 74th anniversary of its establishment as an independent branch of the US military on Saturday. 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T11:31+0000

2021-09-19T11:31+0000

2021-09-19T11:45+0000

sukhoi

twitter

us air force

russia

mistake

tweet

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/101711/32/1017113205_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_4a8ba2960a274bf7baaed22c9741a716.jpg

The public affairs department of US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) is facing ridicule on Twitter over a graphic featuring what appear to be Russian jets in a post celebrating the US Air Forces birthday.Happy Birthday US Air Force! USSOUTHCOM, responsible for US military operations in Latin America, wrote Saturday. Eagle-eyed users took issue with the graphic accompanying the tweet, which features the silhouettes of three jets flying through the clouds with trails of blue and red smoke streaming from their tails. Users pointed out that the jets looked more like Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27 fighters than anything in the US Air Forces inventory.When did the USAF get Sukhoi jets? one user asked. Ah yes, the US Air Force Su-27 fleet, another jested.Happy Birthday, blin! one sarcastic Russian-language user tweeted, using the Russian slang for darn, and accompanying his post with a poster featuring jets, tanks and warships from Russias Defender of the Fatherland Day, marked every 23 February.Others joined in the trolling a similar vein.Will you use this photo next year? one Turkish user wrote, accompanying his post with a rendering of a non-existent Turkish F-35  deliveries of which the US cancelled in 2019 after Ankara decided to buy Russian-made S-400 air defence systems.A few users defended SOUTHCOM, with one expressing hope that the silhouettes in the picture were really Rockwell Advanced Tactical Fighters  a fighter jet design concept from the 1980s by now defunct US defence giant Rockwell that never got past the drawing board.Another offered a corrected version of the poster featuring F-22 Raptors.USSOUTHCOM wasnt the only US military Twitter account to carelessly use graphics in its account Saturday, with Special Operation Joint Task Force  Levant, the account of the US militarys Operation Inherent Resolve mission against Daesh (ISIS)* using a photo of US Navy jets flying through the desert with the US Air Force logo sloppily pasted on.The Sukhoi mix-up isnt the first time officials have mistakenly used Russian military equipment in promotional materials. Last year, the Trump Make America Great Again Committee used an image featuring what looked like Russian MiG-29 fighters and a soldier armed with a Kalashnikov rifle in an ad. The public affairs departments of the Chinese and Russian militaries were caught making similar snafus before that.* A terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

NthrnNYker59 Well, at least the fascists are aware their aircraft are for shit. They aren't totally morons. 10

BUY HUAWEI the usa has nothing to be proud of so the usa must take what russia has 7

3

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ilya Tsukanov

sukhoi, twitter, us air force, russia, mistake, tweet
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/as-us-prepares-to-leave-iraq-ex-advisor-to-iraqi-president-says-kurds-need-reliable-partners-1089203317.html

As US Prepares to Leave Iraq, Ex-Advisor to Iraqi President Says Kurds Need Reliable Partners

As US Prepares to Leave Iraq, Ex-Advisor to Iraqi President Says Kurds Need Reliable Partners

Washington has a proven track record failing its allies, says a former Kurdish official, whereas such countries as Iran and Russia are known for standing by... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T06:55+0000

2021-09-19T06:55+0000

2021-09-19T06:55+0000

us

middle east

russia

iraq

saddam hussein

iran

kurds

iraqi kurdistan

allies

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102231/10/1022311082_0:170:2000:1295_1920x0_80_0_0_c2fbf4b1b6e413f0858985d7288b1e92.jpg

With the pullout from Afghanistan officially over, the US is now looking to meet another deadline and withdraw its forces from Iraq, where they have been stationed since 2003. Today, there are some 2,500 US troops in Iraq. They help local forces combat remnants of Daesh* and other terrorist groups. After the withdrawal, only few troops will be left, and they are expected to train and advise the Iraqi military.Kurds Worried The promise to leave the region has already stirred worries among many Kurds within Iraq, and Hiwa Osman, an Erbil-based political analyst and former advisor to Jalal Talabani, a Kurdish politician who served as the president of Iraq from 2006 to 2014, says that the pullout of American forces from the country will not turn it into another Afghanistan, but Iraq will be "fragmented and divided". Up until recently, the Kurds of Iraq had high expectations of US President Joe Biden, who took office in January. Unlike his predecessor Donald Trump, who was perceived as someone who used the Kurds in his fight against Daesh and who dumped them years later, Biden has been viewed as a reliable partner, and as a leader who could solve their multiple problems. And those were in abundance. They included the attempts of Iran and Turkey to bite off some territories from the Kurds, the lack of agreement with Iraq's central government over oil revenues and disputed land and the involvement of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the Iraqi military. Unreliable Partners Now, as the policy of the Biden administration is clear, many Kurds feel exposed but Osman says he has not been surprised by the move, given Washington's "poor history" mistreating its allies. "They have always said they would not leave the Kurds. But history taught us they always did". Such was the case in 1975, when following the Iran-Iraq border treaty, the Kurds were attacked by the then-leader of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, while the Americans, who initially seemed to have supported the Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, were sitting idly by. In the 1980s, the Kurds experienced a similar setback when they joined the Iranian revolutionary guards in the Iran-Iraq war. Once the hostilities came to an end, Saddam Hussein became even more ruthless towards the ethnic minority that had cooperated with his enemy. Washington once again preferred not to interfere. "They have also left the Kurds of Syria," says Osman, referring to the 2019 US withdrawal from the war-torn country and refusal to confront Turkey over its decision to move troops and proxy forces into Kurdish-controlled areas. "They cannot be trusted, and this is the reason, why the Kurds should be looking for alternatives." Looking for Allies One such alternative could be Iran, thinks the former advisor. Steps in that direction have already been taken. In 2018, Kurds gave reassurances to the Iranians that they would not allow any Kurdish opposition groups to launch cross-border attacks from Iraqi Kurdistan, something that brought the two sides closer. And, more recently, eastern Kurdistan made a series of appointments that indicated they were seeking closer ties with the Islamic Republic. There have also been attempts at rapprochement with Russia. In 2020, Moscow made sure to involve the Kurds in negotiations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whereas Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated the importance of Iraq's Kurdish Pershmerga forces in their fight against Daesh. *Daesh, also known as ISIS/IS/Islamic State, is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.

kernel.panic999 Kurds are dumber than expected. It was the Yanks who were supplying Saddam Hussein with the biochemical weapons he used to genocide Kurds in Iraq and they are now the best friends with the Yanks that keep looting Syria and Iraq while the Kurds pick up the leftovers. 4

Thomas Turk ''...They help local forces combat remnants of Daesh* ..'' NO they don't Lizzie. It is well documented that DAESH is armed, trained, controlled and even heli-evacced out of hot spots. by the allies. Not so long ago in Syria an Israeli Military Intel fella was arrested in a DAESH control center. (SysrianPerpetive). Only reason Mad Murika is in Eye-Raak is 'cos Sadaam decided to sell his oil in Euros. 2

8

russia

iraq

iran

iraqi kurdistan

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Elizabeth Blade

Elizabeth Blade

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Elizabeth Blade

us, middle east, russia, iraq, saddam hussein, iran, kurds, iraqi kurdistan, allies
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/australia-had-grave-concerns-over-french-submarine-capability-prime-minister-says-1089205125.html

Australia Had 'Grave' Concerns Over French Submarine Capability, Prime Minister Says

Australia Had 'Grave' Concerns Over French Submarine Capability, Prime Minister Says

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Australia pulled out from a defense contract with France because it had "deep and grave" concerns about the capability of the... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T07:38+0000

2021-09-19T07:38+0000

2021-09-19T07:38+0000

france

australia

scott morrison

submarine

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/02/1081341494_0:17:999:579_1920x0_80_0_0_c6eae8088208abe488e89b0adbf667f6.jpg

"They would have had every reason to know that we have deep and grave concerns that the capability being delivered by the Attack-class submarine was not going to meet our strategic interest and we had made very clear that we would be making a decision based on our strategic national interest," Morrison told a press briefing, as aired by the 9News broadcaster.Australia had been making its concerns clear for some time, Morrison said.The "strategic judgment based on the best possible of intelligence and defense advice" was that French-designed submarines would not be the best choice, Morrison said.Morrison said he understood France's disappointment, but stressed that the decision was about protecting Australia's interests.On Wednesday, the United States, United Kingdom and Australia announced a new security partnership, AUKUS. As part of a new pact, the US and the UK will help Australia develop its own nuclear-powered submarine fleet, which effectively ends Canberra's $66 billion deal with France on 12 submarines. Paris has slammed the turnaround on the contract, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian describing Australia's withdrawing from the contract as a "stab in the back."The French foreign minister said Paris wanted to hear clarifications from Australia and the US. On Friday, Le Drian announced that Paris was recalling its ambassadors from Australia and the US for consultations.

Nevi'im Australian voters have grave concerns over the future viability of the Morrison government with a minister caught taking undisclosed financial gift. 11

Hess What a BS by Morrison? Billions of tax payer dollars already paid to France since 2016. Suddenly, Australia will be transformed into a giant American base of military operations as it was during World War II. The Alliance is against Australians and Australia's vital interests. Sadly, the new military alliance is greeted with muted public reaction. 10

11

france

australia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

france, australia, scott morrison, submarine
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/australia-may-rent-or-buy-nuclear-subs-from-us-uk-until-its-own-fleet-is-built-under-aukus-deal-1089202700.html

Australia May Rent or Buy Nuclear Subs From US, UK Until Its Own Fleet is Built Under AUKUS Deal

Australia May Rent or Buy Nuclear Subs From US, UK Until Its Own Fleet is Built Under AUKUS Deal

Australia announced its new security alliance with the US and the UK, called AUKUS, on Wednesday, which would allow the country to acquire a fleet of... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T05:56+0000

2021-09-19T05:56+0000

2021-09-21T11:13+0000

jean-yves le drian

world

britain

united states

australia

peter dutton

liz truss

scott morrison

asia & pacific

nuclear submarines

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1a/1080286118_0:151:1600:1051_1920x0_80_0_0_6fc5d8e1c43c7287a475ba0ff8870739.jpg

Australia may opt to lease or buy submarines from the United States or United Kingdom for an interim period as it waits for its own nuclear-powered fleet to be built, according to the countrys Defence Minister Peter Dutton. Dutton was interviewed by Sky News' Sunday Agenda program in the wake of the recent announcement of a new regional security pact that Australia had entered with the US and the UK, known as AUKUS. The deal presupposes developing an Australian nuclear-powered submarine fleet, which, however, may not be ready until the late 2030s. When questioned whether leasing nuclear submarines was a possibility for Canberra, the Defence Minister said: The short answer is yes. He underscored that relevant discussions would take place in the next 12 to 18 months, adding: National Interests a Driving Concern Australias Defence Minister responded to the severe backlash the surprise deal has triggered from France. French company DCNS (now known as Naval Group) had been on course to build 12 conventionally-powered submarines for Australia, based on France's Barracuda nuclear-powered subs, in a contract worth around 50 billion Australian dollars (31 billion, $36.5 billion) when announced in 2016. However, on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new security alliance  dubbed AUKUS between their countries, that has been condemned by France as a stab in the back. According to Dutton, the rate at which China was developing submarines, frigates and aircraft carriers prompted other countries to step up their own production. Australia, too, had to act in its national interest. "That unfortunately is the dynamic we are operating in at the moment," said the minister. Unacceptable Behavior On Friday, France branded the AUKUS agreement "unacceptable behavior between allies and partners", as French President Emmanuel Macron recalled the country's ambassadors from Washington and Canberra.In response to the criticism, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had warned President Emmanuel Macron in June that there were very real issues about whether a conventional submarine capability would be enough to tackle Canberras strategic security needs in the Indo-Pacific region. The European Union has also regretted being blindsided by the new alliance. "We regret not having being informed, not having been part of these talks I understand how disappointed the French government will be," said the EUs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, on Thursday. European Council chief Charles Michel went on Twitter to point out that the AUKUS deal showed how important it was to hammer out a common EU approach in a region of strategic interest." Beijing responded to the announced new alliance by warning that it would result in an arms escalation in the region. The US, UK and Australia were "severely damaging regional peace and stability, intensifying an arms race, and damaging international nuclear non-proliferation efforts," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a briefing. He added:

See you in the ice and if Australia rents or buys nuclear subs, probably for speed of integration of course, those USA/UK subs will be crewed by submariners from their respective nations. :D first occupation, then the joy of once again being kicked out of the place you live. wonderful deal for Aussies. 1

ECO ns with the poor status of US shipbuilding and maiden trips , repairs break dows and other child diseases it will not be before 2036 before we will ever see one of those subs meanwhile Russia will have some doomsdays torpedoes in standby in the near proximity of the Aussies beaches and some missiles ready to take down any attempt to even try to play with the big boys and by the way China will devore and ruin that miserable bunch of anglo saxon descendants have they not learn anything in their history first world war and in Gallipoli they were used as canon meat also in Vietnam they tasted the bitter defeat with their US friend it is just mind-boggling to be so naive as a previous punitive colony of the UK

2

britain

australia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

jean-yves le drian, world, britain, united states, australia, peter dutton, liz truss, scott morrison, asia & pacific, nuclear submarines, uk
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/biden-administration-worried-high-level-un-meetings-will-become-covid-19-superspreader---report-1089201273.html

Biden Administration Worried High-Level UN Meetings Will Become COVID-19 Superspreader - Report

Biden Administration Worried High-Level UN Meetings Will Become COVID-19 Superspreader - Report

Biden Administration Warries About COVID-19 Superspreader Ahead of UN High-Level Meetings

2021-09-19T02:25+0000

2021-09-19T02:25+0000

2021-09-19T02:25+0000

us

manhattan

un general assembly

covid-19

biden administration

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/0f/1083151060_0:244:3113:1995_1920x0_80_0_0_5bc4e4f8f845e80753672d3fdecc0b2a.jpg

The current US administration on Friday expressed its concern about the UN General Assembly event, saying it could boost the spread of COVID-19, as many world leaders are expected to join the session.The Assembly will continue until 27 September. High-level meetings with the participation of world leaders, alongside government and ministry heads will begin Tuesday, 21 September. The representative from the Maldives, who served as the country's foreign minister, Abdullah Shahid, will act as chairman of the General Assembly.Earlier, New York authorities required all attendants entering the General Assembly Hall to provide vaccination certificates.

TruePatriot What utter stupidity that is. The scamdemic has long been over. Get a clue. 2

1

manhattan

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Alexandra Kashirina

Alexandra Kashirina

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Alexandra Kashirina

us, manhattan, un general assembly, covid-19, biden administration
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/cia-reportedly-warned-us-military-of-likely-presence-of-children-near-afghan-drone-strike-target---1089205685.html

CIA Reportedly Warned US Military of Likely Presence of Children Near Afghan Drone Strike Target

CIA Reportedly Warned US Military of Likely Presence of Children Near Afghan Drone Strike Target

Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of US Central Command, admitted Friday that no Daesh-Khorasan* fighters were killed in the August 29th airstrike in Kabul... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T08:56+0000

2021-09-19T08:56+0000

2021-09-19T08:56+0000

world

john kirby

lloyd austin

afghanistan

daesh

cia

afghanistan

pentagon

drone

drone strike

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/07/1081381791_0:0:2965:1668_1920x0_80_0_0_30c5e0dbb6b16a71f2c8a7647b08d829.jpg

As the US military launched a drone strike on August 29th to stop a vehicle believed to be carrying explosives meant for Hamid Karzai International Airport, where US troops were leading the evacuation effort, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) issued an urgent alert that civilians were likely in the area, according to three sources cited by CNN. The warning that there were possibly children in the vicinity of the targeted white Toyota sedan had come seconds before the missile hit the car. Ten civilians, including seven children, the youngest of whom was 2 years old, died in the strike as the car was pulling into the family's driveway. Neither the CIA nor US Central Command have yet responded to this report. Tragic Mistake The airstrikes had been ordered by the US military in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attacks by Daesh-Khorasan* that targeted crowds of civilians as well as US and Taliban* soldiers outside Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26. The bombings left nearly 200 people dead and thousands injured. While the airstrike carried out on August 28 in Nangarhar Province purportedly wiped out two Daesh commanders responsible for orchestrating the attacks, the legitimacy of the second strike had been questioned for weeks in the media. The military had justified the strike as targeting a confirmed terrorist target, albeit with the acknowledgement that some civilians might have been killed. Intelligence officials are said to have tracked for several hours the movements of the vehicle driver, Zemari Ahmadi, an employee of the US non-governmental organization (NGO) Nutrition and Education International. They were ostensibly acting on the information that Ahmadi had a brief interaction with people in what the military believed was a Daesh safe house. The military commanders observed the man load what they thought were explosives but turned out to be water jugs into the back of the car to bring home. The Pentagon also stated there had been a large secondary explosion, most likely caused by explosives in the trunk of the car, with the latter credited for the civilian casualties. However, this blast was more likely a propane tank located behind the parked car that had ignited after the drone strike, writes the outlet. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley similarly defended the strike as "righteous." US Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of US Central Command (USCENTCOM), said the decision to strike the vehicle was made in an "earnest belief", based on a standard of "reasonable certainty", that it posed an imminent threat to American forces at the Kabul airport. However, on Friday, following a New York Times investigation, the Pentagon acknowledged that the US drone strike in Kabul on August 29 was a tragic mistake that killed 10 civilians, including an aid worker and seven children. There had been no one in the car affiliated with Daesh-Khorasan*, as originally believed, stated Gen. Frank McKenzie. Questions have been raised regarding whether the military had informed the intelligence community of its decision to deliver the drone strike, as lawmakers have vowed to probe what mistakes were made in the lead up to the strike on August 29. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has asked for a "thorough review" of the drone strike probe by US Central Command "to consider the degree to which the investigation considered all available context and information, the degree to which accountability measures need be taken and at what level, and the degree to which strike authorities, procedures, and processes need to be altered in the future." *Taliban and Daesh-K are terrorist groups outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

Gargarin Despite what a usa soldier said on tv, people in Afghanistan would see this bombing as a reprisal for the suicide-bombing at Kabul airport in which thirteen usa soldiers were killed. The airport bombing was followed by the usa president's 'We will not forgive, we will not forget, we will hunt you down' speech then a drone strike on a quiet family home. This kind of reprisal was common during the nazi occupation of Europe. 6

Sputnik User If you kill someone by mistake and apologize they will send you to jail nevertheless. 5

14

afghanistan

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

world, john kirby, lloyd austin, afghanistan, daesh, cia, pentagon, drone, drone strike
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/erdogan-plans-to-meet-with-greek-prime-minister-during-visit-to-us-1089209678.html

Erdogan Plans to Meet With Greek Prime Minister During Visit to US

Erdogan Plans to Meet With Greek Prime Minister During Visit to US

ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that he is planning to meet with Greece's prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T11:51+0000

2021-09-19T11:51+0000

2021-09-19T11:51+0000

greece

recep tayyip erdogan

turkey

kyriakos mitsotakis

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/0e/1080169593_0:35:2761:1588_1920x0_80_0_0_c4d2fe1d3c1b80f03d49435af7ff53f3.jpg

The high-level week of the 76th UN General Assembly will take place at New York headquarters from 21-27 September.He said that the meeting will discuss illegal migration and the recently adopted Athens Declaration on Cyprus, which Ankara considers "undesirable."On Friday, the EUMed 9 summit of leaders of nine southern European countries, including Greece, signed the Athens Declaration to reaffirm their commitment to the peaceful settlement of the Cyprus conflict on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation. Turkey, on the other hand, wants Cyprus to become a confederation of two equal states.On Saturday, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the provisions of the Athens Declaration were biased and short-sighted.The Cyprus divide between its Greek and Turkish communities has continued since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island and backed the self-proclamation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).The United Nations has attempted brokering reunification talks between the TRNC and internationally-recognized Republic of Cyprus, but the negotiation has reached an impasse.

greece

turkey

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

greece, recep tayyip erdogan, turkey, kyriakos mitsotakis
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/eu-greens-co-leader-threatens-to-turn-nord-stream-2-into-investment-ruin-1089215087.html

EU Greens Co-leader Threatens to Turn Nord Stream 2 Into Investment Ruin

EU Greens Co-leader Threatens to Turn Nord Stream 2 Into Investment Ruin

Construction of the mammoth Russian-West European energy infrastructure project was completed earlier this month, with gas supplies expected to begin flowing... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T16:23+0000

2021-09-19T16:23+0000

2021-09-19T17:07+0000

europe

russia

european commission

pipeline

gas prices

nord stream 2

the green party

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/1c/1082747626_0:160:3073:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_db1f1cd419d988ef7c1d343295fbbd11.jpg

The battle against Nord Stream 2 is not over, and Brussels can still turn the $10.5 billion project into an investment ruin, European Parliament lawmaker and European Green Party co-chair Reinhard Butikofer has suggested.The triumphalism with which the Russian side is celebrating the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is premature, Butikofer said, speaking to German newswire dpa in an interview published Saturday.According to Butikofer, the pipeline still needs to meet the requirements of European law  including the principle of unbundling, which requires gas production and the infrastructure for its delivery to be separated to prevent the creation of monopolies. In addition, third parties must have the right to feed into the pipeline, and Gazprom has not yet found a solution to this issue, the politician said.Butikofers comments are the latest bid by Nord Stream 2s opponents to cast the project in doubt. The 1,230km pipeline runs from Russia to north-east Germany along the bottom of the Baltic Sea, and is able to transport up to 55 billion cubic metres of additional Russian natural gas to Europe per year.Gazprom announced that the pipeline was completed on 10 September. The projects major adversaries, including Poland and Ukraine, have vowed to keep fighting Nord Stream 2 even after gas supplies begin to flow, and the United States has threatened to sanction it based on Russian behaviour.The BNA has warned that the project may face punishment if the pipeline is launched before the certification of its operator - Nord Stream 2 AG - is completed. The regulator is required to prepare a draft resolution four months after receiving a full package of documents, and its resolution is to be submitted to the European Commission for comment.Last week, a BNA spokesman told Sputnik that it received all necessary documentation related to Nord Stream 2 AGs bid for certification in June, with the verification period starting on 8 September, and a decision on the matter expected be taken no later than 8 January 2022.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that Moscow expects Nord Stream 2s commissioning to help balance the natural gas price parameters in Europe amid their recent spike by more than 170 percent since the start of the year to highs of nearly $950 per 1,000 cubic metres in futures trading.On Friday, Gazprom chief Alexei Miller said Europes gas stores were 22.9 billion cubic metres below normal seasonal levels, and stressed that the company will continue to stick to its supply obligations in full, and to increase deliveries if necessary.The spike in prices has prompted a group of more than 40 European Parliament lawmakers to accuse the Russian gas giant of deliberately manipulating prices in an attempt to pressure Brussels over Nord Stream 2. Gazprom and the Russian government have dismissed the allegations out of hand.

https://sputniknews.com/20210913/german-regulator-to-decide-on-nord-stream-2-ag-certification-bid-no-later-than-8-january-1089032345.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210915/why-gas-prices-break-records-in-europe-and-why-countries-cant-stop-their-growth-1089096842.html

Shadowwalker Reinhard Butikofer is definately un-desired element entity, who cares more about outsiders then its own nation who elected to represent. Shame though politician like him always cares about outsider not the nations interest. 7

NoGo For RF and Gazprom will not loose as much as EU will......Gas price will go through the roof no question about it......the rest of gas not sold to European countries, China will just welcome and swallow in no time! 6

7

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ilya Tsukanov

europe, russia, european commission, pipeline, gas prices, nord stream 2, the green party
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/france-russia-agree-modalities-of-settling-champagne-import-controversy-minister-says-1089206405.html

France, Russia Agree Modalities of Settling Champagne Import Controversy, Minister Says

France, Russia Agree Modalities of Settling Champagne Import Controversy, Minister Says

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The agriculture ministries of France and Russia have reached an agreement on how to work out the imports of sparkling wine in line with the... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T08:56+0000

2021-09-19T08:56+0000

2021-09-19T08:56+0000

france

russia

champagne

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102388/38/1023883819_0:0:1280:721_1920x0_80_0_0_3baadbf255bbf47a0295d6bc2edec826.jpg

"We have reached an agreement on the working method to clarify the new Russian wine law and find a solution to the current situation with our champagne," Denormandie said on Twitter following a meeting with Russian Deputy Agriculture Minister Sergey Levin on the sidelines of the meeting of G20 agriculture ministers.Imports of French champagne had been suspended in Russia since July before the Comite Champagne  a trade association of companies involved in production and trade of the region's signature sparkling wine  agreed to resume exports in compliance with the new Russian law on labelling on 15 September.Russia amended its wine law in July, mandating all foreign exporters to label their product as igristoye vino (sparkling wine) while reserving the term shampanskoye (champagne) for Russian-made sparkling wine only. This prompted Moet Hennessy to suspend exports to Russia on July 16.

france

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

france, russia, champagne
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/france-uk-defense-minister-meeting-canceled-over-aukus-fracas---report--1089218543.html

France-UK Defense Minister Meeting Canceled Over AUKUS Fracas - Report

France-UK Defense Minister Meeting Canceled Over AUKUS Fracas - Report

Earlier this week, France recalled its ambassadors to the United States and Australia, bringing modern-day relations between the two countries to an... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T21:23+0000

2021-09-19T21:23+0000

2021-09-21T11:13+0000

us

australia

france

uk

aukus

aukus

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/13/1089219283_0:0:3117:1754_1920x0_80_0_0_41d12f3349e129bcb4df7e4e836f3480.jpg

The French-British defense ministers meeting scheduled for next week has been canceled by Paris, following an intensified row over the unexpected announcement of a new trilateral security pact between the US, the UK and Australia, dubbed AUKUS, which effectively stripped the French government of a lucrative weapons sale, The Guardian reported on Sunday.UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and his French counterpart, Florence Parly, were reportedly scheduled to hold a bilateral discussion in London. The Franco-British Council Defense's top officials from Europe's military heavyweights were also expected to attend the meeting.The event, however, has been "postponed to a later date," according to Franco-British Council co-chair Peter Ricketts, a former UK national security adviser, according to reports. Parly's scheduled travel to London is said to have become unnecessary as the event will not take place.British sources reportedly expressed optimism that discussions would go ahead.Concerns over the French reaction prompted US President Joe Biden to request a meeting with Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, in an attempt to resolve the spat. This also comes ahead of British PM Boris Johnson's and UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss's upcoming trip to the US. Both will attend the United Nations General Assembly, with Johnson expected to make his first visit to the White House as prime minister, to speak with Biden.The Burden of Telling the News Fell on CanberraAccording to The Guardian, British defense officials claimed it was left to the Australians to tell the French that there would be no $66 billion weapons sale, but there appear to have been disagreements in Canberra over the best way to do so.In the end, however, no side prevailed, as the French were effectively blindsided on Wednesday morning when the details reportedly leak in Australian and US media. The Guardian noted that the UK claimed it was simply responding to a request from Australia in March this year for secret nuclear propulsion technology for its submarines, technology that Britain and the US share under a 1958 defense deal. The Australians then went to the Biden administration after securing British cooperation, according to the outlet's defense source.Macron is reportedly not expected to attend the UNGA meeting this year. France will be represented by Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who has described the Australian about face on the submarine sale a "stab in the back," and accusing those engaged in the reported months-long talks of "duplicity, contempt, and lies."According to a Sunday Telegraph report, even as they displayed a show of friendship with the French president at the G7 summit this June, UK and Australian prime ministers, with the US government, were secretly negotiating the defense pact.The French president and members of his government were reportedly kept out of the ongoing negotiations.As part of the announced AUKUS pact, the three English-speaking countries agree to collaborate in know-how regarding artificial intelligence and quantum computing. According to reports, the sub-based nuclear-propulsion contract is just the first step.

https://sputniknews.com/20210919/french-blindsided-as-aukus-details-were-discussed-at-g7-summit-leaving-macron-out---report-1089201184.html

Dicksonrp The frenchies has a British condom placed on their heads by the US on order of those who rule them all.. The zio terrorist jew scumm in isrealhell 2

Najjar "UK's constant opportunism"and constant back stabbing, constant hypocrisy, constant unreliability, constant lies, constant profiteering, you name it... For at least 300 years now. 2

5

australia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Kirill Kurevlev

Kirill Kurevlev

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Kirill Kurevlev

us, australia, france, uk, aukus
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/french-blindsided-as-aukus-details-were-discussed-at-g7-summit-leaving-macron-out---report-1089201184.html

French Blindsided as AUKUS Details Were Discussed at G7 Summit Leaving Macron Out - Report

French Blindsided as AUKUS Details Were Discussed at G7 Summit Leaving Macron Out - Report

A new security pact between Australia, the UK and the US was announced without warning earlier this week. France, which, until the announcement, had a $66... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T03:10+0000

2021-09-19T03:10+0000

2021-09-21T11:13+0000

france

emmanuel macron

us

australia

uk

g7 summit

g7

aukus

aukus

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/0d/1083137873_0:170:3071:1897_1920x0_80_0_0_8b590651f2447715d91a2261568a63d9.jpg

The details of AUKUS, abbreviated from the member country names, were not known by French President Emmanuel Macron at the June G7 summit in Cornwall, South West England, where they were reportedly discussed, The Sunday Telegraph reported. According to the report, despite a friendly and productive June summit between US President Joe Biden and Macron, which prompted several media outlets to describe their relationship as a "bromance," there existed on the sidelines a clandestine negotiation between British PM Johnson, Biden, and Australian PM Scott Morrison, in which the nuclear submarine accord was discussed in private.Despite warnings that a deal of this kind could harm relations with China and Paris, then-UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab participated in the negotiations discussed at the G7 summit, and all relevant AUKUS documents were classified "top secret," according to The Telegraph.New UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also wrote in her commentary in the newspaper, defending the new agreement by stating that AUKUS "shows our readiness to be hard-headed in defending our interests and challenging unfair practices and malign acts."According to the foreign secretary's commentary, the UK is partnering with "like-minded countries to build coalitions based on shared values and shared interests," while the pact and the submarine deal would "create hundreds of new and high-skilled jobs, from the shipyards of Govan to the factories of Tyneside."Johnson and Truss are scheduled to travel to the US for the UN General Assembly in New York on Sunday, and Johnson is likely to meet Biden at the White House. The prime minister reportedly plans to use the trip to galvanize support for climate action ahead of the COP26 meeting in November.On Friday, France branded the agreement "unacceptable behavior between allies and partners," as Macron recalled the country's ambassadors from Washington and Canberra.On Saturday, France's Europe minister, Clement Beaune, branded Britain a "junior partner" in the agreement, alleging that the UK had joined the trilateral agreement "opportunistically" to justify its post-Brexit standing. France's foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said that Paris chose not to recall its ambassador to London because it was aware of the UK's "permanent opportunism." Johnson, he claimed, was a "fifth wheel on the wagon."Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the United States make up the G7. The leaders of the European Union, as well as guest nations such as South Korea, Australia and South Africa, attended the summit in Cornwall, which took place June 11-13.

fluttershield mlp Freedoms need to be defended. When do government prostitutes in the USA or England ever defend freedoms? Lockdowns, coercive vaccination with a deadly criminal vaccine? She should be in a psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. 12

IronForge FRA should leave NATO and end their Sanctions against RUS. USA+GBR run NATO anyway. 12

17

france

us

australia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Kirill Kurevlev

Kirill Kurevlev

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Kirill Kurevlev

france, emmanuel macron, us, australia, uk, g7 summit, g7, aukus
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/healthcare-in-lebanon-facing-collapse-amid-fuel-shortages-brain-drain-who-chief-says-1089208759.html

Healthcare in Lebanon Facing Collapse Amid Fuel Shortages, Brain Drain, WHO Chief Says

Healthcare in Lebanon Facing Collapse Amid Fuel Shortages, Brain Drain, WHO Chief Says

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Lebanon's health sector is at the risk of collapse, with fuel shortages crippling hospitals and medical professionals leaving the country at... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T11:27+0000

2021-09-19T11:27+0000

2021-09-19T11:27+0000

world health organization (who)

lebanon

fuel shortage

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/08/19/1083705103_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_0b74ee2a61c6d63b7999815ef8b34320.jpg

The statement was issued after WHO officials completed a two-day trip to Lebanon.Fuel shortages have pushed hospitals to operate at 50% capacity, putting people's access to vital surgeries at risk, the statement said. And with lack of foreign currency limiting imports, many medicines are hard to find.The economic crisis and other hardships are forcing people to leave.The coronavirus pandemic has added to the difficulties already facing Lebanon's health sector and communities.WHO will remain committed to its "immediate, lifesaving work in Lebanon," Tedros and Al Mandhari concluded.For the last few years, Lebanon has been battling an economic crisis that has repeatedly sent its national currency into a free fall. The crisis was further impacted by a powerful blast that rocked the Lebanese capital in August, 2020. The explosion, which was caused by improperly stored cargo at a ship at the port, killed over 200 people and left thousands homeless. Entire districts adjacent to the port area were destroyed leaving the country to feel the after-effects of the blast up to this day.

TruePatriot So says the Ethiopian terrorist. Why don't you ask your buddies in the US then to lift all their sanctions on Lebanon and unrestrict any funds they've frozen, eh? 2

1

lebanon

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

world health organization (who), lebanon, fuel shortage
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/irans-president-hails-entry-into-china-russia-led-economic--security-pact-as-diplomatic-success-1089213758.html

Irans President Hails Entry Into China, Russia-led Economic & Security Pact as Diplomatic Success

Irans President Hails Entry Into China, Russia-led Economic & Security Pact as Diplomatic Success

Founded in 2001, The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a political, economic and security partnership which comprises most of the countries of Eurasia. The... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T15:04+0000

2021-09-19T15:04+0000

2021-09-19T16:40+0000

russia

united states

china

iran

eurasia

shanghai cooperation organisation (sco)

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/13/1089213731_0:288:3071:2015_1920x0_80_0_0_565507c8eab416e645dba286cdc35357.png

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has hailed Irans newly won membership of the SCO as a diplomatic achievement, saying that this status would be certain to provide the country with immense new economic opportunities.The presence of the Islamic Republic of Iran as [a full] member of the SCO creates a strong economic connection for the people of our country, which means connecting Iran to the economic infrastructure of Asia and the sustainable resources resulting from it, Raisi added, stressing that connecting to the Asian economic infrastructure is a valuable opportunity for Iran.Raisi asked the foreign ministry and other relevant ministries to make every effort to set the conditions to take full advantage of the new opportunities provided by SCO membership.Iran announced Friday that it had accepted the SCOs invitation to become the organisations ninth full member, joining China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Iran has expressed an interest in joining the SCO ever since the group was founded, but China, which was fostering friendly relations with the US at the time, expressed hesitation over the nations membership prospects because of Tehrans alleged nuclear programme.The SCOs members constitute more than 20 percent of global GDP and more than 40 percent of Earths population. The bloc engages in a range of economic cooperation projects, and has worked to develop a number of other initiatives, including a free trade area, joint banking and proposals to use local currencies instead of dollars for trade. Irans annual trade with SCO members amounted to some $28 billion in the period ending March 2021, with China accounting for $18.9 billion.Decline of UnilateralismIn addition to economic benefits, Iran hopes to gain other advantages from membership in the SCO. In a speech in Dushanbe on Friday, Raisi suggested that the SCO could become a driving force for resistance to US unilateralism.Raisi emphasised that Irans strategic position, bountiful supplies of energy, its human resources and culture could provide significant stimulus for transregional projects, including Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.Blasting US efforts to export terrorism and instability throughout the region  from Afghanistan to Syria, Raisi noted in his speech that Iran does not consider security to be segregated and believes in common security.In his remarks on Saturday, the Iranian president also indicated that Tehran and other countries had made their position clear on the crisis in Afghanistan, with countries agreeing that the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all groups in the country that can represent all the good and dear people of Afghanistan should be pursued.Afghanistan received observer status of the SCO in 2012, but its status in the organisation has been called into question since the government in Kabul collapsed in mid-August during the chaotic withdrawal of US forces and their allies from the country.Belarus and Mongolia are also observers of the SCO, with Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey acting as dialogue partners. As well as economic, political and cultural matters, the organisation is centered around security  namely combating terrorism, separatism, extremism, cyberwarfare, information warfare and transnational crime.

https://sputniknews.com/20210917/sco-summit-putin-calls-for-common-line-on-afghanistan-in-wake-of-us-flight-1089150825.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210916/message-for-india-aukus-announcement-sparks-debate-about-relevance-of-quad-reliability-of-us-1089118018.html

vot tak The israeloamerican colony rejected, Iran accepted. :-D Enjoy your decline into obscurity, zios and nazis. 2

2007harleydavidsonsg How come Saudi Arabia has partnership while still attacking holding Yemen in bondage. 1

2

russia

china

iran

eurasia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ilya Tsukanov

russia, united states, china, iran, eurasia, shanghai cooperation organisation (sco)
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/israeli-us-envoy-slams-ocasio-cortez-for-bid-to-block-sale-of-precision-guided-munitions-to-tel-1089209806.html

Israeli US Envoy Slams Ocasio-Cortez for Bid to Block Sale of Precision-Guided Munitions to Tel Aviv

Israeli US Envoy Slams Ocasio-Cortez for Bid to Block Sale of Precision-Guided Munitions to Tel Aviv

Ahead of next weeks vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) introduced seven amendments on September 16... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T12:43+0000

2021-09-19T12:43+0000

2021-09-19T12:43+0000

hamas

world

israel

gilad erdan

palestinians

alexandria ocasio cortez

joe biden

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/14/1082943563_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_953bd25ef38eb6126531aa0dac4ab073.jpg

Israels Ambassador to the US, Gilad Erdan, went on Twitter on Saturday to level scathing criticism at US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for submitting an amendment to the annual US defence spending bill to block the sale of precision-guided munitions to Tel Aviv. The envoy tweeted that Israel sought to defend its citizens against Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation. He warned the Democratic representative from New York that her amendment legitimises Hamas heinous attacks against innocent civilians, as well as antisemitic lies. Erdan underscored that the strategic alliance between Israel and the US was critical to the security of our two countries. The envoy to the US and UN touted Israels role as a world leader in the fight against terrorism, and reminded the congresswoman that Israeli-American partnership helped prevent terrorist attacks against American citizens many times in the past. Controversial Arms SaleEarlier in the week, US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced an amendment to the American defence budget bill - the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA) - that would block the transfer of $735 million-worth of the same kind of Boeing weaponry that the Israeli government used to kill 44 Palestinians in one night in al-Rimal". The latter was a reference to the Israeli airstrike on May 16 which destroyed three apartment buildings, resulting in 44 deaths in a Gaza neighbourhood. Israel claimed the strikes targeted an underground Hamas command centre, while The New York Times reported that the attacks were conducted "without warning" and "with limited intelligence about what they were attacking." In her tweet, the congresswoman also mentioned the bombing of media centres by the Israeli government in a likely reference to the bombing of a building in Gaza City that housed the offices of the Associated Press and Al-Jazeera. No one was injured in the strike on the building that Israel claimed was being used by Hamas, with the high-rise transformed into a pile of rubble. The administration of US president Joe Biden approved the sale to Israel of $725 million-worth of Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) - kits that convert unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions - in May. US Congress was officially notified of the proposed sale on May 5th, according to The Washington Post, nearly a week before Hamas, the Islamic group that controls the Gaza strip enclave, began its barrage of rocket attacks against Israel. Tel Aviv retaliated with rocket fire, amid the worst flare-up of the crisis in the region since the 2014 Hamas-Israeli war.It was during the May campaign in the enclave - "Operation Guardian of the Walls"  that Joe Biden expressed support for Israel, saying "my expectation and hope is this will be closing down sooner than later, but Israel has a right to defend itself." However, a chorus of Democrats, particularly in the House of Representatives, raised concerns about the arms sale. Ocasio-Cortez, along with a number of other House Democrats, including Rashida Tlaib, introduced a largely symbolic resolution of disapproval endorsed by over 70 organisations, including IfNotNow, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, and Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

vot tak This is precisely why the far right likudite media networks are so fanatic about attacking and smearing Ocasio-Cortez 24/7. She represents a threat to them

Max75 Tel Aviv will just give instructions to their elected members of the US Congress to ignore the proposal, so the NY Representative is just wasting her time.

2

israel

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

hamas, world, israel, gilad erdan, palestinians, alexandria ocasio cortez, joe biden
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/lancet-letter-urges-objective-debate-on-covid-origins-says-lab-related-accident-plausible-1089207269.html

Lancet Letter Urges 'Objective Debate' on COVID Origins, Says Lab-Related Accident 'Plausible'

Lancet Letter Urges 'Objective Debate' on COVID Origins, Says Lab-Related Accident 'Plausible'

A February 2020 Lancet letter dismissed the lab leak hypothesis as a conspiracy theory, claiming scientists overwhelmingly conclude that this coronavirus... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T10:45+0000

2021-09-19T10:45+0000

2021-09-19T10:45+0000

world health organization (who)

joe biden

world

britain

china

sars coronavirus

wuhan university

lancet journal

the lancet

wuhan

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/07/1080689598_0:0:3641:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_024d4c10fcd4ac387333afe1e69539b2.png

Peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet has published a letter signed by 16 virologists, biologists and biosecurity specialists calling for an objective, open and transparent debate on the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.The authors of the letter argue that direct evidence for a natural origin for SARS-CoV-2 is missing. Scientists are urged to evaluate all hypotheses on a rational basis, and to weigh their likelihood based on facts and evidence, devoid of speculation concerning possible political impacts. The letter makes reference to the Joint World Health Organisation (WHO) - China Study on the origins of Covid-19, which concluded that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal was the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is extremely unlikely. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the time declared that all hypotheses remained on the table including that of a laboratory leak, emphasised the letter in The Lancet. While conceding that overwhelming evidence for either a zoonotic or research-related origin is lacking, the article underscores that the jury is still out on the matter and, accordingly, a lab origin remains plausible. The new article weighed in on the letter, signed by 27 leading public health experts and published in The Lancet in February 2020, which had slammed the Wuhan lab leak hypothesis as a manifestation of conspiracy theories that do nothing but create fear, rumours, and prejudice. The virus was first formally reported in Wuhan in late 2019. The February statement had also extolled efforts of Chinese scientists who worked diligently and effectively to rapidly identify the pathogen behind this outbreak and share their results transparently with the global health community. Now, the letter published on September 17 urged scientists to embrace alternative hypotheses, contradictory arguments, verification, refutability, and controversy. The authors of the article wrote:The article in The Lancet deplored the labelling of debate on rivalling theories as misinformation. Professor Nikolai Petrovsky of Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia - one of the signatories to the letter in The Lancet  was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying:Inconclusive Probe The Lancet found itself under fire earlier in the year when the medical journal was accused of failing to acknowledge conflict of interest. At the time, one of the world's oldest and best-known general medical journals stopped short of declaring British zoologist Peter Daszaks work with the Wuhan Institute of Virology when it published its February 2020 letter condemning the Wuhan lab leak hypothesis as a conspiracy theory. Daszaks EcoHealth Alliance has funnelled millions of dollars in US National Institutes of Health funding into the Wuhan lab, with some $3.74 million spent on dangerous bat coronaviruses, in circumstances where such research was prohibited in the United States, revealed US media and congressional investigators earlier in the year. Amid an ongoing exchange of rhetoric between the US and China over the origins of the novel coronavirus, a US intelligence report delivered to the White House in late August was inconclusive on the origins of Covid-19. According to the report, ordered by President Joe Biden on May 26, the intelligence community remained split on whether it leaked from a lab or developed in nature, while conclusively determining that it was not developed as a biological weapon. Beijing has dismissed all allegations that its Wuhan Institute of Virology was responsible for the global pandemic and accused the US of playing a political game, seeking to shift the blame onto China.

Thomas Turk Many times have I posted the work of US lawyer Dr Francis Boyle here. Obviously Lancet editors don;t read Sputnik nooz. Dr. Boyle who has drafted bio-warfare Regs. recently stated.. ''The Australian health board working with Wuhan, genetically engineered HIV into SARS, all verified in scientific papers. They took that back to the [Wuhan] BSL4 and applied nanotechnology to it. The size of the molecules indicates we are dealing with nanotechnology. One of the cooperating institutions [to Wuhan BSL4]was Harvard. The chairman of the Harvard chemistry department, [Dr. Charles Lieber], a specialist in nanotechnology, set up an entire laboratory in Wuhan where he specialized in applying nanotechnology to chemistry and biology. They tried to weaponize all that together. And that is SARS-CoV-2 that we are dealing with now. So, its SARS, which is genetically engineered bio-warfare agent to begin with. Second, it has gain-of-function properties, which makes it more lethal,/infectious. 1

astrodetective The blame always seems to be on China when in fact it should be on the deep state globalist zionist deep cabal, puppet master of the Biden democRats 0

6

britain

china

wuhan

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

world health organization (who), joe biden, world, britain, china, sars coronavirus, wuhan university, lancet journal, the lancet, wuhan, covid-19, tedros adhanom ghebreyesus
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/letters-from-jehovahs-witnesses-in-england-blame-covid-pandemic-on-satan-media-says-1089217437.html

Letters From Jehovahs Witnesses in England Blame COVID Pandemic on Satan, Media Says

Letters From Jehovahs Witnesses in England Blame COVID Pandemic on Satan, Media Says

The religious group's statement claims that God has promised exciting changes for the near future and is going to end suffering and make life on earth a... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T19:20+0000

2021-09-19T19:20+0000

2021-09-19T19:36+0000

birmingham

letter

jehovah's witnesses

satan

uk

covid-19

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107600/76/1076007681_0:120:1277:838_1920x0_80_0_0_1adbb197172a1ffcb7e8c173fa10a384.png

Residents of the town of Sutton Coldfield, in Birmingham, England, recently discovered strange handwritten notes on their doormats, with at least one of the missives blaming the coronavirus pandemic and various natural disasters on Satan, Birmingham Live reports.According to the media outlet, a recipient of one letter, Justin Tooze, expressed concern about the tone of the message, apparently written by a member of the breakaway Christian sect Jehovahs Witness*.The letter mentions "good news", in the form of a God who has "promised exciting changes for the near future" and is "going to end suffering and make life on earth a delight for us."The message then suggests that those whose curiosity has been piqued either contact the sender directly or to visit the faith-based group's website.Personally, I dont mind people preaching, its up to them. But, when its a random letter that mentions Satan, the pandemic and wildfires, I didnt totally understand what it was," Tooze remarked. If anybody is going through the issues Im going through, or the vulnerable, it could affect them.Tooze noted that, while his girlfriend simply told him to ignore the message, "people who are vulnerable" could "take it the wrong way."Andrew Schofield, who claims to be a spokesman for the local Jehovahs Witnesses sect in the UK, reportedly explained that current restrictions implemented in the country amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic have not prevented, members of the Jehovahs Witnesses from canvassing neighborhoods, as they "remain active in trying to reach as many people as possible.*Jehovah's Witnesses is an extremist organization banned in Russia

AngelicPsalms The name in their group name is a malicious mistranslation which, in the language of the true creator, actually means holocaust, ruin, calamity, disaster, etc. after the first syllable. Its Strong's Hebrew #1942 and #1943. This is why that group is problematic - Every group who breaks the 1st commandment and Matthew 4:10 will be problematic. 0

vot tak Have these extremists been talking to another far right extremists who has a website callwd thesaker dot is? He also thinks satan is behind all the capitalist/zionist avarice plaguing the planet right now.

4

birmingham

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

birmingham, letter, jehovah's witnesses, satan, uk, covid-19
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/macron-biden-to-speak-in-coming-days-after-france-loses-defence-contract-with-australia--1089210062.html

Macron, Biden to Speak in Coming Days After France Loses Defence Contract With Australia

Macron, Biden to Speak in Coming Days After France Loses Defence Contract With Australia

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden will speak over the phone in the coming days, the French government spokesman... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T11:58+0000

2021-09-19T11:58+0000

2021-09-19T11:58+0000

joe biden

emmanuel macron

news

world

united states

australia

france

defence

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/0c/1083135440_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_8884d219a8c44d262097891a333ee967.jpg

On Wednesday, the United States, United Kingdom and Australia announced a new security partnership, AUKUS. As part of a new pact, the US and the UK will help Australia develop its own nuclear-powered submarine fleet. As a result, Australia gave up on a $66 billion deal with France on 12 submarines. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian described Australia's withdrawal from the contract as a "stab in the back.""President Biden has asked to speak with the French president. The phone conversation of president Macron and president Biden will take place in the next few days," Attal said, as aired on the BFMTV broadcaster.On Friday, the French foreign minister announced that Paris was recalling its ambassadors from the US and Australia for consultations.

koursk koursk billionaires mobsters own almost all of the military industrial bazaar of the nato zone and related, including more than 30%, private share of the management of French shipyards *** gansters, of which the richest own 200 billion pocket money, can happily choose which of their shop will produce submarines to impose on the public finances of nato territory *** the gauleiter at the head of the French quarter play the astonished in front of the cameras, but know these tricks well ** * they were moreover elected, Gauleiter president, or appointed ministers, because they accepted to be the minions of the big mafia which reigns on washington and brussels 2

Proof Reader Critic  There, there, there Mr. Macron - just let Mr. Biden stick a plaster on it and everything will be ok. 2

2

australia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

joe biden, emmanuel macron, news, world, united states, australia, france, defence
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/prince-andrew-may-visit-pregnant-daughter-at-london-hospital-amid-impending-sex-abuse-lawsuit-1089207081.html

Prince Andrew 'May Visit Pregnant Daughter' at London Hospital Amid Impending Sex Abuse Lawsuit

Prince Andrew 'May Visit Pregnant Daughter' at London Hospital Amid Impending Sex Abuse Lawsuit

The 61-year-old prince is facing a lawsuit from Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claims she was forced to have sex with him when she was 17. 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T11:03+0000

2021-09-19T11:03+0000

2021-09-19T11:03+0000

princess beatrice of york

prince andrew

sex abuse

viral

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107824/20/1078242049_0:0:3055:1719_1920x0_80_0_0_33f39fb81166859fd54d7821343bfd36.jpg

Prince Andrew may leave Queen Elizabeths Scottish estate, Balmoral, where he has been staying recently, to visit his pregnant daughter, Princess Beatrice, at a London hospital, the Sun reported. The 33-year-old Princess, who is due to give birth in the coming weeks, will have husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi by her side, but her father would like to go to her, the paper added, quoting an insider. The royal has been facing tough times since a lawsuit was filed against him by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claims that Prince Andrew sexually abused her after she had become a victim of sex trafficking at the hands of the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell when she was 17. Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and has been trying to avoid being served a court summons by Ms. Giuffre's legal team. Earlier this week, the high court accepted a request by Giuffre's lawyers to formally reach out to the royal regarding the legal proceedings.

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sofia Chegodaeva

Sofia Chegodaeva

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sofia Chegodaeva

princess beatrice of york, prince andrew, sex abuse, viral
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/satellite-snaps-appear-to-show-expansion-of-north-koreas-nuclear-bomb-making-capabilities-1089217861.html

Satellite Snaps Appear to Show Expansion of North Koreas Nuclear Bomb-making Capabilities

Satellite Snaps Appear to Show Expansion of North Koreas Nuclear Bomb-making Capabilities

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates that the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) has as many as 50 nuclear warheads in its... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T19:07+0000

2021-09-19T19:07+0000

2021-09-19T19:15+0000

nuclear

uranium

north korea

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/106008/20/1060082056_0:186:3001:1874_1920x0_80_0_0_366a9d2f42492a7669a84385ad040209.jpg

North Korea is expanding the capabilities of its Yongbyong nuclear complex, with the expansion expected to increase the countrys weapons-grade uranium making capabilities by up to a quarter, a US expert analyzing new satellite images has alleged.The satellite images, published by private US-based earth imaging company Maxar, were analyzed by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, a California-based graduate school.The analyst estimates that North Korea could house at least 1,000 additional centrifuges in the new space, with this capacity increasing the plants ability to produce highly enriched uranium by as much as 25 percent.Two sources told CNN that US officials are aware of Yongbyons possible expansion, and acknowledged that the construction could mean that the country is working to expand its weapons-grade uranium production capabilities.Lewis asterisked the 1,000 new centrifuges claim in his new report, saying that his calculations assume that North Korea continues to operate early-generation centrifuges seen since 2010, an assumption that should be treated with caution. He suggested that if the country were to replace its centrifuges with more advanced models, as Iran has done, this could increase the capacity of the plant substantially.North Koreas Nuclear PolicyNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the expansion of the countrys nuclear capabilities at the ruling Workers Party Congress in January, lauding the great cause of building a [domestic] nuclear force and urging the defense industry to develop nuclear technology to a higher level and make nuclear weapons smaller and lighter for more tactical uses while allowing the country to continuously push ahead with the production of super-sized nuclear warheads.The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates that the DPRK has about 30-50 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, and the means to deliver them.Pyongyang carried out fresh ballistic missile tests on Wednesday, saying its new railway-borne missile system would serve as an efficient counter-strike means capable of dealing a harsh multi-concurrent blow to threat-posing forces.The test of the rail-based missiles followed the DPRKs announcement a week earlier that it had successfully tested a new long-range cruise missile able to strike targets about 1,500 km away.North Korea considers its nuclear weapons capability to be a key plank of its deterrent against US and South Korean aggression. The country has promised that its weapons will never be abused or used as a means for preemptive strike, but has also warned that the nukes may be used in case of a military attack against the country.Last year, the country showed off a never-before-seen intercontinental ballistic missile system with the suspected capability of striking the continental United States. The system is believed to be a successor to the Hwasong-15, a liquid-fueled missile that can travel up to 13,000 km to its target.During his presidency, Donald Trump attempted to take steps to improve ties with Pyongyang and reduce nuclear tensions, with the ultimate goal including the demilitarization of the Korean peninsula and the curbing of North Koreas nuclear programme. Trump and Kim Jong-un established a personal rapport and met several times, but no firm agreements were reached, with Pyongyang categorically rejecting a push by the US for the elimination of its nuclear deterrent.Relations between North Korea and the US have worsened under the Biden administration, with Pyongyang urging Washington to drop the lunatic theory of [the] threat from North Korea and groundless rhetoric about complete denuclarization. Joe Biden helped to establish an atmosphere of tensions by criticizing Trump for meeting with Kim, and by characterizing the North Korean leader as a thug, tyrant and dictator. North Korea responded by calling Biden an imbecile and a rabid dog that must be beaten to death with a stick.

https://sputniknews.com/20200709/spy-satellite-reportedly-spots-new-nuclear-site-in-north-korea-amid-freeze-in-trump-kim-talks-1079840462.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210916/north-korea-touts-its-railway-borne-missile-system-to-deal-harsh-blow-to-threat-posing-forces-1089120072.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210909/hazmat-suits-no-nukes-and-slim-kim-jong-un-north-korea-holds-parade-on-73rd-foundation-day-1088912228.html

Thomas Turk ..and the..The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute also estimates that Israel has over 200 nooks, but as SIPRI is paid for by Murikan taxpayers and headed by Olaf Goldschtein,, we'll not mention that. 2

Ntl Either the author of this article made a mistake or the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute is serving us lies for dinner. According to the iInstitute, the new North Korean nuclear facility with the area of 1,000 square meters is housing 1,000 uranium enriching centrifuges. It means that if each centrifuge is two feet in diameter, it would leave between them a one foot path for supplying the centrifuges with the uranium ore and collecting the enriched uranium. Iran may not have the obesity problem like the US have, but Iranians are not that skinny to negotiate this narrow a passage between devices which are, no doubt, not safe to touch while operating. 2

4

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ilya Tsukanov

nuclear, uranium, north korea
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/tehran-threatens-to-expand-strikes-against-terrorists-in-northern-iraq-demands-closure-of-us-base-1089211054.html

Tehran Threatens to Expand Strikes Against Terrorists in Northern Iraq, Demands Closure of US Base

Tehran Threatens to Expand Strikes Against Terrorists in Northern Iraq, Demands Closure of US Base

Irans Revolutionary Guards launched multiple missile, artillery and drone attacks into Iraqi Kurdistan over the past ten days after warning that Tehran would... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T12:46+0000

2021-09-19T12:46+0000

2021-09-19T13:08+0000

iran

iraq

strikes

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/09/1082583937_0:131:2500:1537_1920x0_80_0_0_3f1e49736040287e97457f608747f290.jpg

Iran will continue and perhaps even expand its missile strikes against terrorist groups in neighbouring Iraq, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri has announced.Stressing that it was Irans legal and logical right to enjoy safe and calm borders, the commander urged officials in this region and the Iraqi government to take action against these elements. The commander suggested that the Baghdad governments weaknesses have allowed the US, Israel, and some Persian Gulf states to stimulate terrorists to expand their operations in the region.The commanders remarks come in the wake of multiple Revolutionary Guard missile strikes against terrorist forces in northern Iraq over the past ten days. The latest strikes targeting a training center belonging to foreign-backed terrorists, took place Thursday and saw the employment of seven short-range ballistic missiles, with dozens of terrorist commanders killed and wounded, according to the Iranian military. Before that, the Revolutionary Guards launched artillery and drone attacks on a terrorist stronghold in Kurdistan.The attacks followed warnings by Iran that terrorists in Kurdistan were trying to infiltrate provinces in western Iran and killing civilians. Before carrying out this months attacks, Iran warned residents in northern Iraq to stay away from areas in which terrorists are known to operate.During a recent visit to the Iran-Iraq border, Revolutionary Guard Ground Force commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour stressed that Tehran cannot tolerate the continuation of [insecurity at the border] and will give the necessary response to the terrorists.In addition to its operations against Daesh (ISIS)* and al-Qaeda* in Iraq and Syria, Iran has not hesitated to strike other groups it considers terrorists, including the so-called Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) -an Iraqi Kurdish militant group which has staged numerous attacks in Irans Kurdistan Province and other areas where Kurds live.While the US formally classifies PJAK as a terrorist organisation, Iranian officials have claimed repeatedly that the group is supported by Washington and its allies. The allegations are part of wider assertions by Iran over alleged US support for terrorism. In 2018, Revolutionary Guards Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani accused the US of cooperating with Daesh, and urged Iranian diplomats to slap the West in the face with documented evidence of US complicity in this matter. Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020. The assassination prompted Tehran to lob over a dozen ballistic missiles at American bases in Iraq, putting the US and Iran on the brink of war.In July 2021, Iraqi and US officials reached an agreement on the pullout of all US combat troops from the Middle Eastern country by the end of the year. The agreement comes after over a year-and-a-half of negotiations, and amid regular militia attacks on US forces and assets in the war-torn country. Iraqs parliament demanded the withdrawal of all US forces in their country in the wake of Soleimanis killing.* Terrorist groups outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

https://sputniknews.com/20210910/iran-says-it-struck-terrorists-in-northern-iraq-1088957173.html

smilingjack Syrias oil in Deir Ezzor must be returned to Syria. The israeli and 'murican terrorists in the country must be destroyed. Good work Iran. 6

Dicksonrp Bomb the isrealhell terrorist, Isis and the Americans to hell.... GO IRAN!!! 4

8

iran

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ilya Tsukanov

iran, iraq, strikes
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/trump-slams-dumbo-milley-over-secret-convo-with-pla-says-never-even-thought-to-attack-china-1089207746.html

Trump Slams Dumbo Milley Over Secret Convo With PLA, Says Never Even Thought to Attack China

Trump Slams Dumbo Milley Over Secret Convo With PLA, Says Never Even Thought to Attack China

Last week, journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa revealed that Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley promised his Chinese counterpart, Li Zuocheng of the... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T10:21+0000

2021-09-19T10:21+0000

2021-09-28T09:22+0000

donald trump

talks

mark milley

li zuocheng

rant

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/16/1083438618_0:0:2549:1435_1920x0_80_0_0_14b2ebf2980f79fca915a00a06ebb7f1.jpg

Former president Donald Trump has issued a fresh rant against his top commander, Mark Milley, accusing him of interfering with his successful China policy, and stressing that the idea of him launching a military attack against Beijing was absurd.After many years of allowing China to rip off the United States on trade and so much else, I was very tough on China, by far the toughest of any US President in history. During my administration, China paid us hundreds of billions of dollars and finally respected the US againFor Lightweight General Mark Milley to have called the Chinese to bring down the temperature of my negotiations with them, negotiations that were having a major positive impact on large-scale benefits to the United States, is outrageous, Trump wrote on his official Telegram account.Trump went on to accuse Dumbo Milley of inserting himself in the middle of his China negotiations, and to slam him as an idiot with no common sense or ability to negotiate.Thats why he left $85 Billion of the Worlds best Military equipment in the hands of the Taliban for no reason whatsoever. Thats also why 13 young Warriors are not with their families tonight, he added, referring to the 26 August suicide bombing attack at the Kabul airport by Daesh-K*, which killed over a dozen US troops and nearly 170 Afghan civilians.The revelations about Milleys conversations with Li in Woodward and Costas new book Peril have caused a minor political scandal in Washington, with Trump and some Republican lawmakers accusing the general of behaving in a manner that may constitute treason under the law. According to the book, Milley secretly phoned his PLA counterpart General Li Zuocheng on 30 October 2020 and 8 January 2021 to personally assure Li that he would warn China if Trump decided to attack, and to tell him that the situation in the US was under control in the aftermath of the 6 January riots at the Capitol.Milley has not denied making the phone calls, with a spokesperson telling reporters that the generals talks with Li were in keeping with his duties of improving mutual understanding of US national security interests, reducing tensions, providing clarity and avoiding unintended consequences or conflict.Milley, who was appointed by Trump in 2018, but stayed on as Joe Bidens Joint Chiefs chairman after January 2020, had a tense relationship with his former boss in the final months of his presidency. The two men had a very public falling out in the aftermath of the 2020 election and the Capitol violence, with Trump accusing Milley and other woke generals of focusing on critical race theory instead of tackling Americas real enemies. Milley, meanwhile, expressed fears that Trump might try to hang on to power after his loss to Biden in November, assuring senior Democratic officials including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that Trump was not able to independently order the use of the USs nuclear weapons.Trump: Milley Must Pay Big PriceMark Milley hurt our Country very badly, and he should pay a big price, just like the crooked politicians and lawyers on the Hillary Clinton campaign for the years of Fake Russia, Russia, Russia stories that are now being revealed with the arrest yesterday of Attorney Michael Sussman of the Democrats Law Firm Perkins Coie, who was one of the heads of the operation, Trump continued, referring to the grand jury indictment of Sussman for alleged false statements to the FBI about alleged links between a Russian bank and the Trump Organization. The lawyer has plead not guilty.Witch Hunt ContinuesTurning to the ongoing tax probe against him, Trump called the investigation of Witch Hunt and accused Never Trumper lawyers affiliated with Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee of engaging in the same fake bullshit investigation he suggested was meant only to Get Trump.Over three million pages of documents have been examined by themand they have NOTHING! Murder and all forms of crime are through the roof in New York, and their focus is on Trump, despite numerous other political investigations that went nowhere, the former president complained. They are spending tens of millions of dollars with a vast army of Trump Haters. This has been going on for years and the people of our Country are not going to take it anymore! he added.In July, New York prosecutors charged the Trump Organization, its payroll subsidiary, and long-time chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg with 25 counts related to a range of suspected crimes, including conspiracy, falsification of business records, and criminal tax fraud going back to the year 2005. Trumps son Don Jr accused prosecutors of going after their political enemies and suggested that the fraud charges were banana republic stuff.* A terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

https://sputniknews.com/20210917/perfectly-within-duties-gen-milley-defends-secret-talks-with-china-on-possibility-of-us-attack-1089164805.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210916/us-grand-jury-indicts-clinton-linked-attorney-for-making-false-statements-to-the-fbi--1089141393.html

kernel.panic999 Trump was capable of starting a war with China, Iran or anyone else for that matter. That guy is a financial idiot that went bankrupt 6 times and as a politician he employed his family as his advisers. Tells you enough to see how dumb this guy is. 9

NthrnNYker59 Fascist amerika is chock full of drama queens all falling over themselves trying to make themselves look good. 8

6

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ilya Tsukanov

donald trump, talks, mark milley, li zuocheng, rant
https://sputniknews.com/20210919/us-national-whelan-tells-family-about-physical-assault-in-russian-prison-1089215607.html

US National Whelan Tells Family About Physical Assault in Russian Prison

US National Whelan Tells Family About Physical Assault in Russian Prison

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US citizen Paul Whelan, who is serving a prison sentence in Russia on espionage charges, has told his family that one of the prison officers... 19.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-19T16:52+0000

2021-09-19T16:52+0000

2021-09-19T16:53+0000

news

russia

united states

paul whelan

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107605/82/1076058210_0:52:3073:1780_1920x0_80_0_0_7c044774bb14cb01b7547e27d116bbc5.jpg

"His brother called me and said that Paul had contacted his parents saying that one of the colony's junior staff had hit him," Olga Karlova said.She cited Whelan's brother as saying that there was video footage of the alleged assault but said she knew no further details, such as the name of the officer who allegedly hit her client."So far I have no information on the impact on Whelan's health or on the reasons for the conflict. He hasn't called me yet. He writes a request for a call every time, but it is not always approved," the lawyer said.Whelan, who is also a citizen of Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom, was arrested in Russia in December 2018. A court in Moscow sentenced him to 16 years in prison for espionage last June.

TruePatriot Probably because he was acting like an entitled idiot in jail. This man is just another CIA clown. Let him stay in jail til he rots. 3

vot tak Doubfful report and likely zio-western propaganda.

2

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

news, russia, united states, paul whelan
The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.
A national budget is, in one sense, no more than a snapshot in time of the fiscal condition of a country and a near term forecast of the future. It can also be viewed as an opportunity for national reflection on longer-term trends and a focal point for discourse about what it would entail to shape a better future.
A state of emergency is the exceptional power of a government to suspend certain rights or freedoms where some eventusually war, disease or natural disasterthreatens to undermine the very fabric of the state in question.

What is the legal basis for it?
A makeshift sales location of Hanoi-based bakery Bao Phuong, whose mooncakes are highly sought after during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam, saw long queues of buyers in front of them at as early as 4:00 am on Sunday.

A top-of-mind choice for Hanoi residents when it comes to mooncakes -- a sweet treat commonly eaten to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, falling on Tuesday next week -- Bao Phuong stores in Tay Ho District usually draws in huge crowds in the run-up to the festival.

On Wednesday, police of Tay Ho Districts Thuy Khue Ward forced two locations of the bakery to close as the operators did not ensure spacing between queuing customers.

To ensure epidemic safety, local police have assigned makeshift selling locations for Bao Phuong and other artisan mooncake brands, while mobilizing officers to monitor the crowds.

As seen by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper correspondents, buyers lined up in front of Bao Phuongs booth at Chu Van An Elementary School since as early as 4:00 am on Sunday.

People stand in queues leading to a makeshift sales location of mooncake maker Bao Phuong on Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, September 19, 2021. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

People stand in queues leading to a makeshift sales location of mooncake maker Bao Phuong on Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, September 19, 2021. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Queuers had to go through barricaded ways and undergo body temperature checks while maintaining a safe distance before getting the opportunity to buy the mooncakes.

The booth was open between 8:00 am - 11:00 am and 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, but its stock had run out by 9:00 am due to overwhelming demand.

We must ensure social distancing, ticket-based monitoring, and queuing solutions before allowing the stores to open, said Nguyen Anh Tuan, deputy secretary of the Tay Ho District Party Committee.

Protecting the peoples health and lives is our utmost priority.

People gather at a makeshift sales location of mooncake maker Bao Phuong on Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, September 19, 2021. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Viet Dat, a resident from Thanh Xuan District, waits for his turn to buy Bao Phuong mooncakes on Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, September 19, 2021. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

After nearly two months of social distancing, Tay Ho District, as well as 18 other districts in Hanoi, managed to contain the coronavirus spread, which allowed them to relax the ban on non-essential businesses and outdoor travels from Thursday.

However, large gatherings are still prohibited, and safe spacing rules are in place in these areas.

The capital city has recorded 4,394 coronavirus cases and 49 deaths since the pandemic erupted in Vietnam in early 2020, the Ministry of Health reported.

People gravitate to a makeshift sales location of mooncake maker Bao Phuong on Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, September 19, 2021. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

People stand in queues leading to a makeshift sales location of mooncake maker Bao Phuong on Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, September 19, 2021. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

A customer goes through a body temperature check before buying mooncakes from Bao Phuong bakery on Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, September 19, 2021. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Bao Phuong staffers prepare mooncakes at a makeshift sales location on Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, September 19, 2021. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

A customer picks up mooncakes from Bao Phuong bakery on Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, September 19, 2021. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Here are todays leading news stories:

Politics

-- Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Hanoi on Saturday night for an official visit to Cuba, which is scheduled to run from September 18 to 20.

COVID-19 Updates

-- The Ministry of Health documented 9,373 COVID-19 cases, including 4,237 in Ho Chi Minh City, on Saturday evening, raising the countrys tally to 677,023, with 448,368 recoveries and 16,857 deaths.

-- The National Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research on Saturday approved the mid-term evaluation report of the third phase of clinical trials for Vietnam's homegrown Nano Covax COVID-19 vaccine.

-- The central city of Da Nang recorded no local infection for the first time in 70 days on Saturday even though authorities had been conducting mass testing over the past days, according to the municipal steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control.

-- The Ministry of Health has required authorities in virus-hit provinces and cities to conduct rapid COVID-19 testing on managers and merchants at wholesale markets every week to prevent serious outbreaks.

Society

-- A 37-year-old men from the north-central province of Quang Binh has been arrested for setting up a COVID-19 checkpoint and collecting money from commuters.

-- Environmental police in the north-central province of Ha Tinh have discovered a frozen tiger weighing 160 kilograms along with animal bones inside a local residents house.

-- The director of the medical center in Thot Not District, located in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, has been given a warning as a disciplinary action for letting an under-18-year-old person receive COVID-19 vaccination.

-- A Singaporean investor has donated medical equipment and supplies worth SG$1 billion (US$741,000) to the southern province of Binh Duong to support local pandemic prevention and control efforts.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Police of Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday arrested a man in District 4 over allegations of printing and trafficking fake paperwork that helped users pass movement monitoring at COVID-19 checkpoints.

The suspect was identified to be Tang Minh Hieu, 36, who was caught red-handed selling forged travel passes on Ton Duc Thang Street in District 4 on Friday.

Upon searching Hieus house, police found six driver's licenses, three ID cards, four folders of driver's license applications, two color printers, one ID printer, three driver's license blanks, two blank ID cards, as well as other items for paperwork forging.

Officers also found 664 pieces of evidence of Hieus forging activities in his computer and USB drive.

Hieu later admitted that he advertised his service on Facebook, offering fake paperwork that helped people get through scrutiny at COVID-19 checkpoints during the ongoing social distancing bout in Ho Chi Minh City.

Under the current social distancing rules, only individuals on essential duties, such as frontline workers and hospital volunteers, are allowed to travel in the city.

After receiving orders, he used printers and blanks sourced from the Internet to forge travel passes.

In the past four months, he has sold 24 pieces of forged paperwork, including ID cards for hospital volunteers, citizen IDs, driver's licenses, and passports at the price of VND300,000 (US$13) each to a 38-year-old man named Phi Chi Luong.

Police of District 4 are continuing the investigation.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A Singaporean investor has donated medical equipment and supplies worth SG$1 million (US$741,000) to Binh Duong Province in southern Vietnam to support local pandemic prevention and control efforts.

The assistance, which was provided by Sembcorp Industries, was handed over to the Binh Duong Peoples Committee during a virtual ceremony on Saturday.

The ceremony was also attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung and Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam.

The first shipment of the donation, including a real-time RT-PCR test system and 12 high-end BIPAP ventilators for Binh Duong General Hospital as well as 65 patient monitoring devices for local COVID-19 treatment facilities, has been delivered.

The remaining batches of medical supplies will arrive in the coming time.

Binh Duong has recorded more than 175,000 local COVID-19 infections since the fourth wave hit the country on April 27, vice-chairman of the provincial administration Nguyen Loc Ha said at the ceremony.

Attendees are pictured during the virtual ceremony on September 18, 2021. Photo: Ba Son / Tuoi Tre

The donation from the Singaporean investor will certainly help improve the local treatment capacity and save many lives, Ha continued.

Sembcorp Industries and Vietnams Becamex IDC are the developers of the Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP), a cooperation project between the two countries governments that was initiated 25 years ago.

The system currently includes ten industrial parks in Binh Duong and other provinces across Vietnam, attracting a large amount of investment and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs for local workers.

Aside from Sembcorp Industries, several other foreign investors have also assisted in the fight against COVID-19 in Binh Duong.

Warburg Pincus and its Vietnamese partners previously handed over a factory covering tens of hectares to help build a makeshift hospital for COVID-19 treatment with a capacity of 27,000 beds.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Police in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam are investigating a man after discovering the body of a dead tiger and unidentified animal bones in a freezer at his house.

Police officers on Saturday said they had seized a tiger carcass weighing 160 kilograms and 34 kilograms of unknown animal bones stored in a freezer at the residence of Nguyen Van Chung in Huong Son District two days before.

A criminal investigation has been launched to clarify Chungs violation of regulations on the protection of endangered, precious, and rare wildlife species, police said.

Chung, 42, told investigators that in December 2020 he met a man named Viet, a truck driver, at local eatery and then invited him home.

Viet asked Chung to keep for him a freezer containing animal carcasses that would be processed into bone glue.

The driver promised to pay him some amount after the glue was sold.

Ten days later, Viet carried a freezer to Chungs house. Chung initially refused it upon finding a tiger carcass and animal bones inside, but he eventually to agree to Viets request.

Viet gave Chung VND9 million (US$395) to pay for the electricity cost for the freezers operation.

Another wildlife-related offense happened last month in Nghe An Province, a neighbor of Ha Tinh, when local police discovered 15 adult tigers, weighing 200 kilograms each, illegally raised at a local residents house.

Also in August, two men were arrested after being caught transporting seven live tiger cubs for sale in Nghe An.

Tigers and many other wild animals are strictly banned from being traded in, imported to or exported from Vietnam as they are on the list of endangered wildlife protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which the country has been party since 1994.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The Ministry of Health reported 10,040 additional coronavirus cases throughout Vietnam on Sunday, along with 9,137 discharged patients and 233 fatalities.

Thirty-four provinces and cities documented 10,025 domestic cases while the country counted 15 separate imported infections, the health ministry said.

The ministry had registered 9,360 locally-infected patients on Saturday.

Almost 6,000 of the latest domestic cases were found in the community, with the remaining detected in cordoned-off areas or centralized quarantine facilities.

Ho Chi Minh City logged 5,496 local infections, up by 1,259 patients from yesterday; Binh Duong Province 2,332, down by 545; Dong Nai Province 953; An Giang Province 287; Long An Province 249; Kien Giang Province 151; Tien Giang Province 102; Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province 84; Hanoi 20; and Da Nang two.

Vietnam has confirmed 682,617 community transmissions in 62 out of its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth  and worst  virus wave emerged in the country on April 27.

Ho Chi Minh City tops the list with 336,528 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 178,295, Dong Nai Province with 39,973, Long An Province with 30,328, Tien Giang Province with 13,059, Dong Thap Province with 8,072, Khanh Hoa Province with 7,523, Da Nang with 4,856, Hanoi with 4,157, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province with 4,068.

By comparison, Vietnam detected a combined 1,570 locally-transmitted infections in the previous three waves.

The health ministry announced 9,137 recoveries on Sunday, bringing the total to 457,505.

The toll has increased to 17,090 deaths after the ministry documented 233 fatalities on the same day, including 182 in Ho Chi Minh City and 31 in Binh Duong Province.

Vietnam has recorded 687,063 patients since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit it early last year.

Health workers have administered about 34 million vaccine doses, including 455,317 shots on Saturday, since inoculation was rolled out on March 8.

More than 6.5 million people have been fully vaccinated.

Health authorities aim to immunize at least two-thirds of a population of nearly 98 million people against COVID-19 by the first quarter of next year.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A teacher from the north-central Vietnamese province of Quang Binh has been found deliberately receiving two doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine within only 10 minutes.

The incident occurred at a vaccination site at a general hospital in Le Thuy District on Saturday, Ngo Duc Van  director of the infirmary  confirmed on Sunday morning.

N.T.L., a teacher at Truong Thuy Elementary and Middle School, received the two vaccine shots on purpose, Van added.

After getting her first dose, L. folded her vaccination paper to cover the confirmation stamp and headed back to the waiting line.

At the vaccination desk, the health worker looked at the folded piece of paper and was not aware that L. had already jabbed.

The health worker then injected L. with another dose and only realized it when she was about to add the confirmation stamp to L.s vaccination paper.

The interval between the two shots was only 10 minutes, while the recommended pause for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is eight to 12 weeks.

L. had her health monitored for about 40 minutes before being sent home as she was still in good shape.

The teacher was told to promptly contact the hospital if she experiences any abnormal signs.

Upon being questioned, L. said she originally intended to receive four vaccine doses that day.

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper contacted L. on Sunday afternoon and the woman confirmed she was in stable health.

Quang Binh has recorded over 1,400 local COVID-19 infections since the fourth wave hit Vietnam on April 27.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Four-part new docuseries Unidentified with Demi Lovato will stream on hayu in October.

Unidentified with Demi Lovato is an unscripted series that follows Lovato and their sceptical best friend Matthew and their sister Dallas, as they search for the truth about the UFO phenomena. While consulting with leading experts, Demi, Dallas and Matthew will investigate recent eyewitness encounters, uncover secret government reports, and conduct tests at known UFO hot spots.

Demi is a true believer, and during this courageous adventure, they hope to convince their friends, family and their social fans and followers that not only do E.T.s exist but that they are already on earth!

Demi plans to gain new insights into extra-terrestrials through interviewing scientists, eyewitnesses, alien abductees and conducting UFO experiments. They believe extra-terrestrials are here to help us save our planet and ourselves.

This series is an immersive docu-follow exploration of Demis quest, along with Dallas and Matthew, told through Demis unique and entertaining point of view.

Friday October 1 on hayu (all four episodes will drop at once).
Season 3 of Love Island Australia screens on Nine from October, filmed in Federal, near Byron Bay.

Sophie Monk returns to host with comedian Stephen Mullan as a new the narrator.

I cant wait for everyone to meet the new cast on Love Island  they are sassy, fun, and looking for love, and what better place to find it than the luxurious Love Island villa, she said.

In addition, this year Abbie Chatfield also hosts an Afterparty each Thursday night with the latest gossip, behind-the-scenes stories and cast interviews.

The Islanders are all hoping to find romance, passion and the one where they couple up, stay together, and win over the hearts of the public, all while surviving the temptations of beautiful bombshells entering the villa.

At the end of the series, the winning couple as voted by the public are handed a pot of money to start their new lives together, but theres a very big catch: one partner gets the whole say in either sharing the money 50/50  or walking away with the lot, like a love rat. Were they after love or the money all along?

Cant get enough of Love Island Australia? Each Thursday night join Abbie Chatfield and a bunch of celebrity superfans as they dissect all the highs and lows from the show on Afterparty.

Featuring the very latest gossip, behind-the-scenes stories, and exclusive former and recently dumped Islander interviews, Afterparty is your surefire way to debrief and stay up to date with all thats happening and about to happen in the Love Island villa.

Love Island Australia is produced by ITV Studios Australia for Channel 9 with assistance from Screen NSWs Made In NSW Fund.

Updated: 8:45pm Monday, October 11 on Nine / 9Now.
Hungary has continued to brazenly defy the European Union over its reviled anti-LGBT+ law, insisting that its not homophobic to protect children.

In what has emerged as a war of words and checkbooks, EU officials have sparred with Hungary after the country rolled out a devastating law that banned the promotion of LGBT+ people to minors.

Despite the ever-mounting backlash against the bill, Hungarian leaders have continued to insist the policy  tucked inside anti-paedophilia legislation  is not harmful.

On Wednesday (15 September), justice minister Judit Varga doubled down on supporting the ban, saying that it is the countrys right to protect its culture, national identity and the family values rooted in them.

Addressing EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, she said on Facebook: We reject categorically the assumption that the purpose of the law would be exclusion or discrimination.

Its only about the upbringing of Hungarian children and the protection of minors.

Hungarys justice minister Judit Varga. (JOHN THYS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JOHN THYS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

They try to punish us only because we dont let the LGBTQ lobby into Hungarian schools and kindergartens.

The law doesnt interfere in the lives of adults in any way, it doesnt change the rights of sexual minorities in any way, she said of that law that changes the rights of LGBT+ people.

What does Hungarys anti-LGBT+ law do?

Critics have argued that the law, a slew of last-minute amendments to the Child Protection Act, the Family Protection Act, the Act on Business Advertising Activity, the Media Act and the Public Education Act, equates being gay with paedophilia.

The law itself requires the labeling of all content that is not recommended for those under 18 years of age  LGBT+ topics included.

In terms of the media, the restrictions see television programmes that portray LGBT+ people limited to being aired between the hours of 10pm and 5am.

Similar limitations apply to school sexual education curriculums, with what teachers can educate being limited to a government-approved list, and advertisements.

Story continues

We keep ensuring that only parents can decide how to raise their own child, Varga added.

No one can force them to let their child receiving sexual information without their approval or facing harmful content that is inappropriate for their age.

Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbans has long sought in his premiership to position himself as something of a protector for so-called traditional families.

When defending the law in July, he told reporters outside Brussels: The European Parliament and the European Commission want us to allow LGBTQ activists into our nursery and elementary schools.

No matter how hard they try, we wont allow LGBT+ activists among our children in nursery and elementary schools.

But as the commissions president, Ursula von der Leyen said at a July debate in Strasbourg, France, of the bill: Homosexuality is equated with pornography.

This legislation uses the protection of children [] to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation.

It is a disgrace.
Vietnam  a friend, trustworthy partner of international community

VNA/VNP

President Nguyen Xuan Phucs visit to Cuba, attendance at a general debate of the United Nations General Assemblys 76th session, and bilateral activities in the US aim to demonstrate Vietnam as a friend and trustworthy partner of the international community.The President leads a high-raking delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State to pay an official visit to Cuba from September 18 to 20.The visit is made at the invitation of Miguel Diaz-Canel, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cubas Central Committee and Cuban President.Later, from September 21 to 24, the President and the Vietnamese delegation will attend a general debate of the UN General Assemblys 76th session and hold a number of bilateral activities in the US.The trip is set to boost the special traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, and deepen relations between Vietnam and other countries and international organisations.It is also expected to send a message of a dynamic and peace-loving Vietnam that advocates for multilateralism and works to practically contribute to the UN and the international community.Rare, special relationsVietnam and Cuba established diplomatic ties on December 2, 1960. The special friendship between the two Parties, States and peoples have been consolidated by generations of Vietnamese and Cuban leaders.Over the past years, the two countries have paid due attention to strengthening the solidarity, time-honoured friendship and comprehensive cooperation.They have maintained the regular exchange of visits, notably the visits to Cuba by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in April 2012 and March 2018, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in March 2014, President Truong Tan Sang in September 2015, President Tran Dai Quang in November 2016 and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in November 2016 to pay tribute to leader Fidel Castro.Presidents Fidel Castro and Raul Castro also visited Vietnam in February 2003 and July 2012, respectively, while President of the Cuban National Assembly Esteban Lazo Hernandez paid a visit to the Southeast Asian nation in June 2017.Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnamese and Cuban high-ranking leaders and officials from ministries and agencies have engaged in online exchanges, with the latest online talks between Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee Raul Castro Ruz in February, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and First Secretary of the (PCC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez in May and July, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and First Secretary of the (PCC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez in August, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Cuban counterpart Manuel Marrero Cruz in July.At the same time, the two sides have effectively implemented cooperation mechanisms, including the inter-governmental committee.It is noteworthy that the Vietnam-Cuba trade agreement, signed on November 9, 2018, officially came into force as from April 1, 2020 with a range of commitments.In agriculture, Vietnam has supported Cuba through many programmes and projects, focusing on rice, corn and soybean production, and aquaculture.Vietnamese enterprises have stepped up investments in telecoms, infrastructure development and constructional materials. They have shown greater interest in the investment amid changes in economic management policy and investment environment in the Caribbean nation.Vietnam and Cuba have also maintained their cooperation and mutual support at international organisations and multi-lateral forums, especially the UN.Raising Vietnams image, positionVietnam officially joined the UN on September 20, 1977. The relationship has contributed to protecting and promoting national interests, consolidating a peaceful, secure and favourable environment in service of national development, boosting international integration, raising Vietnams position and image in the international arena, and deepening ties between Vietnam and other countries, key partners and friends.The two sides have actively implemented the 2017-2021 One Strategic Plan within the framework of the One UN initiative signed in July 2017, helping the Vietnamese Government realise the socio-economic development plan for 2016-2020, and sustainable development goals (SDGs).During the COVID-19 combat, Vietnam has received more than 12 million vaccine doses via the COVAX Facility.UN organisations have assisted Vietnam in different areas and given recommendations to the country.In response, Vietnam has played an active role in UN efforts to deal with issues regarding regional and international peace and security, and human rights. It is the 10th country to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.Vietnam has sent a total of 243 officers to UN peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York, and deployed three second-level field hospitals in South Sudan.The UN also holds Vietnam in high regard in terms of the percentage of female personnel in peacekeeping operations.Vietnam officially won the election to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for 2020-2021 after getting 192 votes out of the 193 member countries and territories.The country has actively contributed to common activities of the UNSC, worked to promote bilateral ties with UNSC members, and carried forward its role as a non-permanent member of the UNSC and ASEAN Chair 2020 at the same time.Vietnam has continued to actively cooperate with UN mechanisms on human rights, and is running for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term.The country has also coordinated with the UN in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and proposed designating December 27 as International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, which has been approved by the UN General Assembly.Vietnam contributed 50,000 USD to the World Health Organisation (WHO)s COVID-19 response fund, and 500,000 USD to the COVAX programme. For the first, Vietnam successfully received and treated a UN staff member infected with COVID-19 under the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) mechanism.A MEDEVAC centre would be established in Vietnam in the future after the two sides reached consensus./.
Textile, garment and footwear industries are still facing many difficulties due the COVID-19 pandemic, and unable to recover production and business in the short term.

Many garment enterprises have found solutions to maintain production in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

These are large industries that have contributed large parts to the national export value and provided jobs for many workers.

However, many localities are implementing pandemic preventive measures, especially in southern cities and provinces where enterprises are suffering serious impact from the pandemic on production.

A large textile and garment enterprise with about 5,000 employees has had to suspend production for a month. However, it still has to pay VND17.5 billion per month in depreciation expenses, insurance premiums for employees, bank loan interest and COVID-19 testing of employees. This figure includes air freight for urgent orders and salaries of employees though workers stay at home.

Meanwhile, a footwear enterprise with about 9,000 employees has spent US$1 million to implement anti-pandemic measures. It has also faced increased input costs of 5-10 per cent.

However, garment and footwear enterprises said the highest cost was still fines for late delivery. If the delivery of products is delayed, besides higher transport costs by plane, they could be fined hundreds of billions of dong. Along with that, they would not be able to receive orders for the next season.

In order to keep orders for production next year, Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, general secretary of the Viet Nam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association, said many enterprises had found solutions to maintain production and ensure delivery.

The association proposed a gradual recovery of production for the footwear industry. Initially, enterprises would resume about 30 per cent of capacity. Then, they would continue to gradually increase production capacity to 50-70 per cent.

Xuan said the industrys prospect was not positive until year end and possibly next year. Now, many enterprises were facing difficulties and could not continue production or meet set targets in production and business.

Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association, said that if the pandemic continued complicated development, textile, garment and footwear enterprises would be unable to maintain production and keep customers. This was a huge challenge for the textile, leather and footwear industries.

"Besides that, workers at enterprises have also left large production centres in the south such as HCM City, Binh Duong and Dong Nai, to avoid the pandemic, causing enterprises to have a serious labour shortage," Giang said.

According to the Viet Nam National Textile and Garment Group, an important issue is to ensure human resources in the context of changed production plans, shortages of COVID-19 vaccines and an unpredictable pandemic.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said the industrial production index of the whole industry in August was estimated to decrease by 4.2 per cent month on month and 7.4 per cent year on year. Export turnover decreased by 9.2 per cent for textiles and garments and 38.5 per cent for footwear year on year.

It was difficult to make an accurate forecast about the prospects of the textile and garment industry in the short and medium term because the pandemic was still complicated in Viet Nam, affecting the production of enterprises and psychology of workers.

The ministry said the COVID-19 pandemic was prolonged, affecting most industries and localities as well as the target growth of all sectors. Due to the pandemic, many manufacturing and exporting enterprises must delay or cancel orders, leading to risks of losing markets and changing supply chains.

Along with that, import and export activities might still face many difficulties due to the complicated development of the pandemic that would force HCM City and southern provinces to prolong the social distancing period. This would cause many challenges in production, transport and logistics, the ministry said.

In order to restore production of the textile, garment and footwear industries, the ministry would focus on removing difficulties and providing support for factories to maintain and restore production. Initially, solutions would aim at completing signed export contracts and attracting more orders for the year-end shopping season in the European and US markets.

In addition, the ministry would accelerate the building and implementation of the development strategy for the garment, textile and footwear industries to 2030, with a vision to 2035. It would also build a programme on sustainable development of those industries until 2030.

At the same time, it would give support in training human resources, applying technology in production design, and developing the textile and dyeing industry.

The ministry would expand export markets and take advantage of effective free trade agreements as well as diversify export and import markets and the structure of export products.

Source: VNS
Vietnams rising involvement in global supply chain networks has been hampered by the pandemic, but its increasingly important role in the long term is not judged to be at risk.

Long-term prospects outlast supply chain concerns. Illustration photo - freepik.com

The latest survey by the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK) found that 60 per cent of German companies in Vietnam were complaining about price increases or supply chain bottlenecks for raw materials, intermediate products, and other goods. The main reasons for raw material shortages as claimed are increased demand, low production capacity, and transport problems that continue through the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.

The bottlenecks in the supply chain are causing numerous difficulties in terms of production activities for the surveyed companies such as higher input prices, longer waiting times, and even production interruption and operation halts.

The survey covered 3,000 German companies in various countries across all sectors. It pointed out that 90 per cent of German companies in Vietnam said seeking new or additional suppliers in Asia-Pacific and raising inventory levels are relevant solutions. Half of the companies surveyed have had no choice but to increase the manufacturing prices of their products, or they intend to do so.

Despite the challenges, Marko Walde, chief representative of AHK Vietnam, told VIR that Vietnam still plays an increasing role for German businesses as a manufacturing base in the mid-term. Thanks to the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, Vietnam is becoming increasingly essential for German investors in the Southeast Asia region.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recently hosted a reception for Charge d Affaires of the US Embassy in Vietnam Christopher Klein, as well as a number of US businesses and investors in this country. At the reception, the US representatives voiced their concerns about some challenges in sustaining the global supply chain from Vietnam, including transportation, production, administrative procedures, tax and fees, access to COVID-19 vaccinations, and foreign expert entry and travel visas.

The businesses stated that they want to make long-term investments in the country. Nonetheless, they expected future protocols at the local level to be more effective, detailed, and responsive to avoid supply chain headwinds.

Supply chain complexities are increasingly mounting as Vietnam is battling with its largest-ever coronavirus outbreak. In August, Vietnams economy fell for the fourth month in a row, marking the countrys longest period of recession since the pandemic began, according to the ANZ Vietnam Activity Tracker.

While the number of COVID-19 cases has generally been on the increase every day for the past few weeks, vaccination rates are still low. The vaccine campaign accelerated in the early half of August but has since decreased. Only over 20 per cent of the population has received their first dosage, and only 3 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated, the lowest rate in Asia.

Last week, Hanoi in particular kick-started its vaccination drive in an attempt to reverse the trend, with wide-scale programmes taking place across various districts.

Analysts Dhiraj Nim and Khoon Goh at ANZ wrote that the pressure on exports is of particular concern in light of the weakening growth forecast. Specifically, exports had been the mainstay of growth until the ongoing pandemic wave caused manufacturing hubs to shut down earlier this summer.

In spite of the present deep slump in the domestic demand, the analysts still highlighted the role of Vietnams longer-term prospects in the global supply chain. Beyond the near-term concerns, Vietnams medium-term economic prospects remain favourable, they wrote. The pandemic has had no effect on the countrys appeal as a manufacturing hub. Theres also plenty of room for policy support to help the economy recover even more.

Filippo Bortoletti, senior manager of International Business Advisory at Dezan Shira & Associates, told VIR, Due to restrictions imposed by the government to contain the pandemic, bottlenecks in the logistics infrastructure are hampering local manufacturing industry as manufacturers are challenged by the cumbersome restrictions and regulation on the circulation of goods. In the coming period, manufacturers shall implement safety measures at the workplace and devise appropriate contingency plans in case of outbreaks inside the factory.

While the outbreaks have slowed down the scaling up of manufacturing orders in Vietnam, Bortoletti trusted that such delays are only temporary. They have made multinational corporations realise it is paramount to diversify geographically to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions, he explained.

As soon as the situation in Vietnam stabilises, then orders are likely to flood into Vietnamese manufacturing as forecasted by analysts and as planned by such multinationals before the current coronavirus outbreak emerged.

Source: VIR
Despite possessing an abundance of fine and rare natural resources, the Central Highlands region is still considered a sleeping giant

Located at a strategically important location in the center of the region and considered the roof of Indochina, the Central Highlands includes five provinces: Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong, measuring 54,000 square kilometers. With adjacent plateaus with altitudes ranging from 500 to 1,500 meters, the Central Highlands is surrounded by majestic mountains, immense primeval forests and a fresh and cool climate all year round.

This is also a sacred land with hundreds of historical relics, ancient cultural treasures rich in identities of 47 ethnic groups. The Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space has twice been honored by the UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral tradition and intangible heritage, an invaluable treasure amongst human cultures.

It can be said that this place has all the best favors of creation: wild mountains and forests, peace and tranquility of the rural plains, and the charms and mysteries that are unique to great lands.

This is an ideal condition to develop tourism under the brand name of the Central Highlands. However, the invaluable potential of the coffee capital has not been effectively utilized, and the economic growth rate from tourism is still slow compared to other regions in the country.

The potential of Gia Lai province

The Central Highlands possesses natural and cultural treasures rich in identity to develop tourism.

In the five provinces of the Central Highlands, apart from Lam Dong, which has developed tourism quite early and put the name Da Lat on the tourist map, most provinces have not yet found a solution to the problem of turning tourism into one of their major businesses. The main reason is due to the lack of infrastructure, accommodation, uncoordinated development of tourism products, and the lack of linkages between localities in the region and other localities.

For example, Gia Lai, the province with the largest area in the Central Highlands and ranked second in Vietnam, in terms of potential, is not at all inferior to famous destinations such as Da Lat, Sa Pa, Moc Chau.

Gia Lai has a diverse natural ecosystem, which is considered a great advantage in developing eco-tourism and resorts, with locations such as Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve which is considered to be a World Biosphere. The Bien Ho - Chu Dang Ya volcano tourist area is included in the Government's plan for a national tourist area of over 6,000 hectares. The interesting system of the Phu Cuong waterfall, Mo waterfall, Nine Floor waterfall... and the surrounding pine forests, tea and coffee hills also have immense potential.

In the last five years, the average growth rate of Gia Lais tourism industry has been promising, reaching 22.7% per year. But in terms of visitor count and revenue, in 2019, Gia Lai welcomed 845,000 visitors with a revenue of 510 billion VND. This number is still modest when compared to destinations with similar potential such as Da Lat (more than 6.3 million visitors), Sa Pa (3.2 million visitors), and Moc Chau (1. 2 million visitors).

The Highlands awakening

The wild and pure nature in Gia Lai.

According to a recent report on the online travel website Agoda, in the second half of 2020, tourists expressed a preference for touring areas with diverse natural ecosystems, close to nature and have safe services.

As marine tourism is becoming more and more saturated, tourism in the highlands and mountainous areas will become a new dish on the tourist table. This is an opportunity for Central Highlands tourism to recover and catch up with trends, when it still has a diverse ecosystem that retains its wild features.

Central Highlands tourism industry will have the opportunity to make a breakthrough after the pandemic.

This ecosystem opens the door for many types of high-quality tourism which is expected to explode after the pandemic, such as ecotourism, convalescence tourism, healthcare tourism, exploration tourism

In this context, the development of eco-tourism models (high-class resorts, self-contained resort complexes that focus on preserving and promoting unique cultural and natural values) can be seen as one of the important keys to open the door to tourism for the region.

The next mission is to develop a unified tourism development strategy, with a centralized, open investment climate to attract investors. Only then can tourism in the Central Highlands take off.

Mai Nam
According to the Vietnam Association of Beer, Wine and Beverage (VBA), more than 85 percent of drink manufacturers have had difficulties in product distribution.

Their inventories are surging, the revenue is decreasing, and hundreds of thousand of workers have been affected.

Drink consumption has dropped dramatically. The large distribution channel of drink manufacturers has shrunk by two thirds.

The difficulty in goods circulation is one reason behind the supply chain disruption. Many enterprises have had to cut production capacity, the workforce, or stop production.

The production cost associated with the three on-site principle is increasing, as well as expenses on pandemic prevention, while enterprises cannot collect debts.

Analysts say that increases in input material prices, inventories and debts are the "three increases" that have sunk businesses.

Having been closed for a long time, restaurants, eateries and tourism sites have become exhausted. Lacking capital and workers, they face difficulties resuming business. This will also have an adverse impact on the beverage industry.

A recent survey by Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) found that as of the end of August 2021, only 30-40 percent of seafood companies in southern provinces could operate under the three on-site mode and the enterprises only mobilized 30-50 percent of total workers, while the others took unpaid leave.

Its estimated that the general capacity of the whole region has dropped by 60-70 percent.

According to VASEP, only 30-40 percent of enterprises are capable of recovering production soon after social distancing ends. Production will be seriously affected because of supply chain disruptions or difficulties in transportation.

For mechanical engineering enterprises, Dao Phan Long, Chair of the Vietnam Association of Mechanical Industry (VAMI), said because of social distancing, production of its member enterprises has been stagnant, especially in the south.

Because of strict regulations on goods transport, materials cannot be brought to factories, while finished products remain unsold. Many vendors in supply chains have to stop operation temporarily. There are not enough jobs for workers. Production is running at a moderate level with high cost and low efficiency.

The General Statistics Office (GSO) reported that 70,200 businesses halted their operation for a definite time in H1, stopped operation while following procedures for dissolution, and completed procedures for dissolution.

What worries enterprises the most is that they dont know how long social distancing will last. If some localities have reopened but others have not, their production cannot fully recover.

Rescuing businesses

Economist Le Dang Doanh said the output products of one industry could be the input materials of another industry. Since some enterprises have had to stop production, many other enterprises will suffer.

He warned about only paying attention to essential goods supply chains and neglecting other industries. This will cause serious consequences to the economy.

The policies on resuming production need to be designed in a way to ensure harmonious operation, with no discrimination among business fields.

Doanh quoted the Minister of Transport (MOT) as saying that all goods must be considered essential goods, except prohibited goods. All industries and business fields need to operate at the same time to create a harmonious economy.

In order to heal disrupted supply chains, economists say the Government needs to ensure uninterrupted goods and material transport. The regulations on essential goods should be removed and a list of goods and services that cannot be circulated should be released.

Its also necessary to speed up vaccinations for workers, especially in industrial zones (IZs) and enterprises in supply chains; and allow enterprises to use workers who can meet requirements to participate in production lines.

Local authorities should be required to prepare flexible scenarios to cope with Covid-19 outbreaks, because recovering the economy is an urgent matter. Enterprises are located in different areas but they have close relations and benefits. Reopening in only some localities wont help solve the current problems.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 9 signed Resolution 105 on supporting enterprises, cooperatives and business households, with a focus on restoring and developing production and business activities while ensuring compliance with regulations on pandemic prevention and control.

The resolution says that enterprises need help to settle the bottlenecks that hinder production and business; and the number of enterprises that have to stop operation temporarily or be dissolved should be minimized.

Tran Thuy

NA Committee turns spotlight on financial support for COVID-19 affected businesses and people The National Assembly Standing Committee yesterday continued discussions about the best ways to support businesses and people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A difference in profits of listed companies before and after auditing has left investors worried about the accuracy of finance reports.

For example, Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group (HAG) has released a biannual finance report reviewed by auditors which showed that the groups post-tax profit is 55 percent lower than in the finance report made by the group made itself.

Ernst & Young Vietnam had requested the adjustment of figures, including the increase of COGS (cost of goods sold). The auditor also expressed doubts about the ability of HAG to continue as a going concern.

The report showed that the accumulative loss by the end of June 2021 had increased by VND1 trillion compared with the beginning of the year.

This is not the first time HAG has seen a big difference in revenue and profit before and after auditing. In late February, HAG recorded an accumulative loss of VND5 trillion carried forward from the past after retroactively reporting losses caused by an increase in provisions against bad receivables, which caused a loss of one third of stockholder equity.

In a 2019 audited finance report, Ernst & Young Vietnam said it could not collect enough appropriate evidence to assess the capability of collecting the debt of VND5.669 trillion (as of December 31, 2019) out of the short- and long-term receivables of VND10.505 trillion.

HAGs 2017 profit also decreased considerably after auditing. The net profit shown in the audited report was VND70 billion instead of VND629 billion. In early 2017, HAG retroactively adjusted 2016s business results, related to the deal of selling HAGL Sugar.

After auditing, the TanTao Investment and Industry JSC (ITA) saw a six-month profit drop of 21 percent because of an adjustment related to an increase in business administration costs.

Dong A Plastics (DAG) turned from a profitable to loss-making enterprise in the half-year audit review because revenue decreased after the adjustment, while the cost price and General and Administrative Expense (G&A) increased.

A number of listed companies have seen big changes in business results in the past. Hiep Phuoc Industrial Zone JSC turned from an enterprise with profit of VND200 billion into one with a loss of VND800 billion after its finance report was audited in 2019.

ACV saw a post-tax profit drop of VND380 billion in its 2017 biannual finance report that was reviewed. NTACO in 2015 took a loss of VND426 billion instead of making a profit of VND30 billion.

The shares of enterprises providing inaccurate information are not attractive to investors, and their prices are low in the stock market.

HAG shares of Hoang Anh Gia Lai have been hovering around VND2,500-6,500 per share in the last three years and are now traded at VND5,100 per share, just one third of the nominal value. The price level is much lower than the peak VND40,000 per share seen in 2008-2009, when boss Duc was recognized as the richest stock billionaire.

ITA shares have been hovering around VND2,000-9,000 per share in the last three years, though Itaco operates in a very hot industry in Vietnam  industrial real estate. Itaco has huge projects capitalized at billions of dollars. At this moment, the shares are traded at VND7,300 per share.

DAG share prices of Dong A Plastics are between VND4,000-7,000 per share in the last three years, now traded at VND5,500, a very low level if compared with other plastics companies such as Binh Minh Plastics (VND54,500), Hoa An (VND49,000), Dong Nai Plastics (VND20,000) and Tien Phong Plastics (VND51,600).

Explaining the breach of loan commitments and the doubts about the ability to continue as a going concern, HAG said the group expects to generate cash flow from partial liquidation of financial investments, debt collection and from ongoing projects.

The company is working with lenders on adjustments of the breached terms of loan agreements.

Itaco is still facing difficulties. At the 2021 shareholders meeting, Dang Thi Hoang Yen, chair of Itaco, said the company would divest affiliated projects to gather strength on industrial real estate development, which is believed to have great potential in the future. It may give up the Kien Luong Thermopower Plant and withdraw from resort projects in Phu Quoc and Da Lat.

The Vietnamese stock market is hot at the moment with a high number of new investors joining the market over the last 1.5 years. In the first six months alone, 620,000 new accounts were opened by domestic investors, higher than the total accounts opened in 2020 and 2019 combined.

Luong Bang

EPR to promote recycling businesses to form circular ecosystem Management of electrical and electronic waste is a challenging issue in Vietnam.
The trial Mobile Money service allowed by the Prime Minister will set a precedent for applying a "sandbox" scheme for new services and professions in digital society.

Sandbox is a controlled institutional framework applied to new technologies, products, services and business models. It is an environment for technology firms to try their new technological apps and business models. After the trial period, management agencies will review the trial implementation and then accept or reject it.

Using laws to set rules to deal with new issues arising from the application of new technologies is a challenge. The apps may have a rapid impact on society that management systems may not be able to keep up with.

Many traditional business fields have changed, and businesses have to utilize technology to work more effectively. It is impossible to manage new services and business models within the existing framework, because policies tend to lag behind practice. Therefore, a sandbox is a wise method.

Its impossible to demand state management agencies to create policies for the future. Many countries apply sandbox policies to encourage enterprises to develop new business models, with certain limitations in deployment, said Nguyen Trung Chinh, president of CMC.

Sandbox is the manifestation of the principle businesses can do what is not prohibited by law, he said. To build a strong government, its necessary to give up the view that businesses can only do the things the State allows them to do."

The Prime Minister has put into effect the pilot implementation of Mobile Money services  making payments for small-value goods and services with telecom accounts. The pilot program will last two years.

This is the first service that the Government has applied the sandbox mechanism with the management of many ministries and branches.

The Government hopes the service will contribute to the development of non-cash payments, and promote access and use of financial services, especially in rural and mountainous areas.

Businesses can only provide Mobile Money to remit money and make payments for legal goods and services in Vietnam in accordance with current laws.

Mobile Money is only applied to domestic transactions with a monthly transaction value limit of VND10 million.

Vietnam is not the first country that has accepted a new technology platform, but experts said that it has an advantage by learning lessons from predecessors.

To popularize certain services among everyone, payment platforms must reach 100 percent of the people. There is no other means that can implement this better than Mobile Money.

In Vietnam, the proportion of credit card users is still low, but mobile subscriber density is very high. Ninety-nine percent of transactions with small value of below VND100,000 are carried out in cash. Mobile Money will be a strong solution to promote non-cash payments in society.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said that Mobile Money is a convincing example that shows that telecom carriers can become platforms for many things, not only telecom infrastructure. They can become platforms for data, computing, digital content, authentication, IT services and IoT.

Nguyen Son Hai, Deputy CEO of VNPT Media, said Mobile Money would lead Vietnamese on the path to become digital citizens and develop a digital society.

Mobile Money is the first sandbox involving many ministries and sectors to be piloted to meet the needs of society. It paves the way for more sandboxes to be applied to other new services and business models in the future."

Bui Son Nam, Deputy CEO of MobiFone, said that Mobile Money is a great opportunity for mobile network operators to build an ecosystem to accelerate digital transformation.

Got Its CEO Tran Viet Hung also puts high hopes on the sandbox mechanism, saying that it will help develop Vietnams technology startups.

Thai Khang

Calls for cashless payments to take-off in Vietnam The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has unexpectedly created "golden" conditions for the financial industry to accelerate digital transformation and shift to cashless payments.
Chinese officials said on August 29 that they would require a series of vessels to "report information" when passing through the area they consider to be their "territorial waters" from September 1, 2021.

Earlier this year, when China passed the revised Coast Guard Law, the world was worried, especially when the wording in this law was ambiguous.

"This law shall apply to coast guard organizations carrying out maritime rights enforcement activities in and above the sea areas under the jurisdiction of the Peoples Republic of China," it said. In the draft law published in November 2020, in article 74, the sea areas under jurisdiction are explained as internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, continental shelf and other sea areas under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China."

Ambiguous sentences

Chinese Coast Guard vessels. Photo: Sino Defense

However, when the Coast Guard Law was officially adopted, the interpretation of "the sea areas under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China" disappeared. This leaves the term "sea areas under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China" undefined. And China will be free to interpret this matter.

China also vaguely referred to its claim of jurisdiction over 3 million square kilometers of maritime space, often referred to as its "green national territory". This area includes Bohai Bay; a large part of the Yellow Sea; the East China Sea to the east of Okinawa Trough, including the waters surrounding the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands; and all waters within the nine-dash line in the East Sea.

According to Beijing's calculations, "more than half" of this space is disputed by other countries.

This ambiguity of China is not only related to the Coast Guard Law, but also in many other legal documents.

According to the media, Chinese officials said on August 29 that they would ask a series of ships to "report information" when passing through the areas that China considers to be its "territorial waters", starting from September 1, 2021.

This announcement is related to the Maritime Traffic Safety Law that China passed this April.

Article 54 of this law is completely new compared to the previous drafts. It clearly stipulates that submarines, nuclear ships, ships carrying radioactive materials and ships carrying oil, chemicals, liquefied gas and other hazardous substances must report detailed information upon arrival in the territorial waters of the Republic of China".

The regulation restricts vehicles from entering China's territorial waters. However, Article 117 explaining the terms of this law, does not clearly explain how China's "territorial waters" is defined, and whether it is based on the provision of "territorial waters" as the waters of 12 nautical miles from the baselines as defined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) or not.

What is worrying is that when answering the media, expert Song Zhongping from the Chinese military said: "This advance notice requirement will standardize the management of the country's territorial waters, improve the ability to protect China's sovereignty and security."

Song Zhongping also said the new regulation applies to China's territorial waters - including the East China Sea, the East Sea and China's islands and reefs - to regulate China's management of those territorial waters.

In addition, this law also stipulates that any ship deemed "dangerous to the safety of China's maritime traffic" will also be required to report information, including name, signs, current position, next port of destination and estimated time of arrival. Vessels will also be required to provide cargo and tonnage information.

The Chinese media noted that the Maritime Safety Administration of China "has the right to expel or refuse to allow a ship to enter China's waters if it is deemed to pose a threat to national security".

Biggest ambition

The question is: Why does China maintain ambiguity in these legal documents?

We all know that China's biggest ambition is to monopolize the East Sea. However, they do not have any legal basis to support this ambition. China cannot use force to seize the East Sea because they face many disadvantages.

Therefore, China has applied what Western researchers call "gray zone tactics", that is, using methods of intimidation, coercion, even attack, but not directly using the Navy. Because according to international law, when using the military, it will be considered

an invasion by force, or violation of the UN Charter and will be condemned by the international community.

China must also find reasons for its gray zone activities, and because there is no basis in international law, it must make its own rules in domestic law. Therefore, China has deliberately maintained ambiguity in its legal documents, to have an excuse for aggressive actions.

Strategic response

To protect its maritime interests against China's gray zone tactics, Vietnam needs to use integrated measures, diplomatically, legally, and on the ground, specifically:

Vietnam needs to continue to clearly show its active role in ASEAN to promote the negotiation process for the Code of Conduct (COC) for the East Sea, towards an effective and substantive COC in compliance with international law. The COC must be legally binding, which should clearly state that countries are not allowed to build artificial islands, to militarize island features, to block ships carrying supplies or rotating personnel, to establish an air defense identification zone (ADIZ), or to threaten to use force when settling disputes in the East Sea.

At the same time, Vietnam needs to strengthen cooperation with major powers in the region and the world, especially in the field of sharing intelligence, providing means and equipment to protect sovereignty over seas and islands. Naval forces should expand their participation in international exercises (RIMPAC) for deeper integration as well as build partner networks in the region.

In addition, Vietnam needs to take advantage of international and regional forums to protect its maritime interests, analyze clearly the intentions in the "gray zone strategy", and clarify the risks that make the East Sea tense from China's actions.

The functional forces, especially the navy, air force, coast guard, fishery control... need to invest more resources to modernize equipment, so that we are not passive in the field.

We also need to maintain the presence of labor forces at sea, to contribute to firmly asserting our sovereignty. And law enforcement agencies are always ready to support and protect people when necessary.

The most solid strategy to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands is to develop Vietnam into a country with a rich and strong marine economy.

Viet Hoang
Three hundred thirty-one years ago, John Locke wrote in his The Second Treatise of Government that For tis with commonwealths as with particular persons, they are commonly ignorant of their own birth and infancies. This treatise gave the philosophical basis for the Declaration of Independence, and this quote is all too true when it comes to Rep. Micaela Cadenas July 25 letter to the Journal regarding how Sen. Joseph Cervantes was treated by the Roman Catholic Church.

Cadena refers to a truth about people in that who are we if not our relationship with God? But this is not as complex or truthful as she stated. The truth is we are all children of God and must follow the Lord as the father of all humanity, and, as such, we must obey all of his teachings and commandments. I assume Cadena and Cervantes, being Catholic and Chicano, were followers of their parents teachings and obeyed their commands, and the relationship was simple in that regard. The truth came to our world in the Hypostatic Union that is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, Christ Jesus. As he stated in John 14:6, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It comes down to authority. 

This is the same authority that abolishes abortion in all its immoral forms. This is the authority that Cervantes and Cadena seem to have forgotten about, a divine authority they have swept under the carpet and replaced with an Americanized version of faith where whatever direction the liberal flag is blowing, then that is what they will vote for. With all the laws being passed under these types of politicians that go against the moral authority of the Roman Catholic Church  e.g. pro-abortion, gay marriage, transgender equality  is it really so surprising when the Roman Catholic Church fights back? The Church has always fought back against immorality since its founding 2,000 years ago by Our Lord Jesus Christ upon Saint Peter and his successors. The Church is famous for being the steel ball in the stomach of the world, inasmuch as the Church and its faithful church militant on Earth cannot be easily digested or assimilated by the curvature of culture.

Modern-day popes of the Roman Catholic Church have used this God-given authority to denounce abortion, such as Pope John Paul IIs 1995 statement that murder, genocide, abortion have devalued life. Pope Benedict stated in 2007 that Catholic politicians risked excommunication for supporting abortion and should not receive Communion. Also, Pope Francis declared in 2019 that abortion was always unacceptable. These are but a few examples of the divine authority being exercised in Gods Roman Catholic Church, as explained in Matthew 18:18: Whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven.

Our country charges all over the world declaring itself a champion of human rights, so I ask you: From where do we derive our moral integrity?

If you do indeed know of your own infancy and birth, both as an individual and as a nation, then the answer is the blessed trinity, as revealed to the world by his ever-present holy, apostolic and Catholic Church.

https://www.abqjournal.com/?p=2430144&preview=true
More than 65,000 residents across New Mexico experience a blackout each year.  And while New Mexico is among the most sun-drenched places in the country, the vast majority of the states energy is generated by heavily polluting fossil fuels  even as the impacts of climate change, from rising temperatures to storms to water scarcity, grow worse each year.

For all these reasons, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham enacted the Community Solar Act, a bipartisan measure to introduce 200 MW of affordable, clean, locally generated electricity fueled by the states most abundant natural resource.

By employing smaller, decentralized solar arrays closer to homes and businesses, community solar promises to ease New Mexicos dependence on aging, centralized power plants by introducing abundant sources of cheap, clean power managed at the local level.

This is the kind of forward-thinking policy that New Mexico needs. Expanding community solar will generate over 3,760 jobs, $517 million in economic benefits, $147 million in labor income, and $2.9 million yearly in tax revenue, according to the New Mexico Bureau of Business & Economic Research.

Under the Community Solar Act, energy from these projects will be offered as an affordable subscription from electric utilities. The law allocates 30% of those subscriptions for low-income customers and low-income serving organizations at a discount, ensuring rural areas, renters and tribal communities arent left behind by the energy transition.

And by decentralizing how the state generates electricity, the grid becomes more resilient to natural disasters, climate change and cyberattacks that hamstring energy infrastructure elsewhere. Even if one section of the grid is impacted, community solar and decentralized assets are able to keep operating.

Community solar produces additional benefits: While coal-fired power plants consume vast amounts of water for cooling, solar panels require virtually no water and ease the strain on New Mexicos valuable water resources. Local solar projects also dont rely as much on high-voltage power lines, putting less stress on existing lines and saving millions on maintenance and repairs.

Additionally, each megawatt of solar produced at the local level is one thats not needed from obsolete fossil fuel plants. Those power plants, propped up by ratepayers, impose millions of dollars in unnecessary costs that distort the market and cost millions more in medical bills from the pollution.

Those arent the only costs: (In recent years) New Mexicos overreliance on plummeting oil and gas production converted a $2 billion budget surplus into a $400 million shortfall. Clean energy, meanwhile, is among the fastest growing segments of the U.S. economy, attracting more than $1 trillion of investment in the past two years.

Two hundred MW of community solar should just be the start  which developers could fulfill by the end of this year alone. By building on the Community Solar Act and accelerating support for community solar, New Mexico can take full advantage of the enormous untapped potential statewide and generate thousands of jobs, nearly a half billion dollars in economic activity, and a clean, reliable and equitable grid.

Leadership from Gov. Lujan Grisham, state legislators and community activists put us on the right track for sustainably upgrading the grid. Accelerating that transition is necessary to protect our communities and prepare our energy industry for climate change  expanding community solar capacity is the next step.
The pendulum has swung too far  where officers do not feel supported, or that they can do their jobs effectively and safely in all situations.

 Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina

Struggling with a frightening epidemic of violent crime and an understaffed department that has lost more than 100 officers already this year, Medina and his boss, Mayor Tim Keller, argue its time to make some modifications to the way the settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the monitor who oversees it is working on the mean streets of Albuquerque.

Where the present annual homicide total has already eclipsed the previous annual record. Where we have clerks at sandwich and smoke shops shooting people who hold them up at gunpoint. A city where we have a 65-year-old woman who was robbed in a park saying in a public post she bought a gun for the first time, and a German shepherd dog, and signed up for a home security service.

Medina and Keller both believe we need constitutional policing. And we do. But at the core of that we need policing. Period. On a Sunday evening in early June, an APD dispatch supervisor sent an urgent message to the only lieutenant on duty: No officers were available to respond to calls in the city. Response times in general are unacceptable. So is police presence.

The police union says too many officers face discipline for minor infractions. Medina says too many are tied up for hours on investigations for even minor use of force. He said a major reason cited in exit interviews by officers who leave before retirement is they are very fearful of the DOJ and the discipline that has come down through the DOJ process.

Officers who could be on patrol or working property crimes are assigned to internal affairs. Despite bonuses and other efforts, APD is at least 200 officers short of its budgeted level of 1,140. APD had 369 patrol officers in July  down 74 from 2016. There are other factors. Officer shortages are a national problem in the age of defund the police and a new civil rights act in New Mexico making it easier to sue cops in state court.

Northwest Albuquerque City Councilor Cynthia Borrego is right when she says crime is unacceptable in Albuquerque. People are living in fear. And her opponent in next months election, former Councilor Dan Lewis, is right when he says people want to see patrol cars and badges.

So yes, Medina and Keller are right when they say its time for changes  a need emphasized last week as U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland rolled out plans for future monitoring that would cap expenses, impose time limits and scale back oversight as progress is made.

But its also important to remember the historical context that led to APDs settlement agreement and monitoring.

There is no question the Albuquerque Police Department was in desperate need of reform in 2014 when the Department of Justice hammered it for a pattern or practice of use of excessive force, including deadly force.

And there is no question impetus for change had to come from the outside. APD was simply not capable of addressing its own abuses. The cowboy culture embraced by too many in the department, especially in specialty units like SWAT and the infamous Repeat Offender Program (ROP), simply ran too deep. It was too ingrained.

A few of the most outrageous examples:

 The fatal shooting of mentally ill James Boyd in the Sandia Foothills in March of 2014. Dozens of officers were dispatched for a standoff for what amounted to homeless camping.

 The shooting of Kenneth Ellis III, an Iraq War veteran, in 2010 after a standoff in which Ellis was holding a gun to his own head.

 The shooting death of Lt. Col. Armand Martin by SWAT in May 2014 after a six-hour standoff at his Ventana Ranch home. Police had responded to a domestic incident but Martin, 50, was alone in the house after officers arrived. He suffered from depression and told officers he just wanted to take his medicine and go to sleep. Officers fired flash bangs and tear gas into the home. Martin came out firing two pistols and was shot dead.

This list could go on, but you get the point. A cowboy culture. Excessive force coupled with structural and systemic deficiencies including insufficient oversight, inadequate training and ineffective policies.

The argument Medina and Keller are making now boils down to this: Seven years and more than $26 million into the DOJ monitoring process, we have made significant progress and need to modify the oversight in a way that both guards against the kinds of abuses outlined above and lets us put enough officers on the street to respond to crime and empower them to discourage criminal activity.

Keller says his administration has been talking to the DOJ in Washington for several months and will ask for some relief. We want to make reforms that are actually meaningful to our local communities rather than out-of-state consultants, he said. I believe Albuquerque has what it takes to do that while supporting our officers, tackling crime and making our city safer for people from all walks of life.

History would show thats easier said than done, but Medina sums up what the focus should be: We need the local flexibility to ensure we can balance fighting crime while protecting the rights of all citizens.

And it will take some changes for that to happen.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

In Medieval times, men forced women deemed scolds or gossips to wear shame masks.

Created in mortifying designs as punishment devices, they were popular in Europe until the 18th century.

Santa Fe artist Samantha Mullen is reviving this practice in sculpture as parodies of the originals. Her work can be seen at Santa Fes Keep Contemporary.

After becoming known as a wood burner and creator of intricately detailed animal wall sculptures, Mullen decided it was time for a change.

I felt healthy for the first time out here, said the artist, who moved to New Mexico from New Orleans in February. The smoke (of wood burning) was really bothering me. Art wasnt as much fun.

Before she decided what to do next, Mullen headed to art supply stores and bought supplies for every medium she could think of.

I had a crazy, manic week, Mullen said. I went to the art store every morning in a serious panic. I felt this pressure to perform as well as I had with a new medium, which is ridiculous.

Prev 1 of 6 Next

I tried carving and painting and graphite, she continued. Nothing had enough texture. I got papier-mache things. I got a cheap potters wheel.

Then she discovered paper clay, a Japanese medium blending paper with volcanic ash.

I sculpted a coyote head and I just loved it, Mullen said.

She had always liked masks, be they African, American Indian or Indonesian.

But Im very aware of how white I am and didnt want to appropriate another culture, she said.

Then, she discovered the history of those Medieval masks used to shame misbehaving women during a Google search on the history of masks. The British invented the Scolds Bridle for women who nagged their husbands. Some sported piercing devices should she attempt to speak or eat. The Puritans brought them to America.

Its really wild, Mullen said. They were all forged in iron. They would make people walk around on a leash.

Her first shame mask incorporated jack rabbit ears and a coyotes nose with a long tongue.

I took all the things Im self-critical about or have been accused of and made a kind of badge of honor, she explained.

Mullen uses sculpting knives and tools for the carving, then paints her pieces with acrylics.

A winding slide trail twists around a vulture sculpture she hopes to transform into a marble run. She dreams of massive versions of the original.

I want it to be eight feet tall with marbles running through birds and coyotes, she said.

Mullen studied film at the University of New Orleans, but decided to switch to art after working in two productions.

It just wasnt my vibe, she said. It was so fast-paced with a lot of stress.

She fell in love with wood burning after she burned someones name on a piece. It was a passion that would last nine years. She first sold her work on New Orleans Pirate Alley in the French Quarter.

You wait for tourists to give you money for weird art, Mullen said.

She gradually moved up into galleries on Long Island and in Montana, as well as Santa Fe.

Mullen moved to Santa Fe with her husband because they both lost work during the pandemic. They had never visited New Mexico.

It was a very emotional decision, she said. We moved to Santa Fe because my husband is a professional trombone player. We decided, instead of stressing out about a mortgage we couldnt pay, we sold everything we owned and moved to Santa Fe.

Its so historic, which is what I love about New Orleans, she continued. History is just slapping you in the face all the time.
The first Native writer to serve as U.S. poet laureate, Joy Harjo is revered for speaking truth to power with lyricism and compassion in her nine books of poetry and a memoir, Crazy Brave. Her new book, Poet Warrior (W.W. Norton, 226 pages, $25), is a hybrid memoir, combining poetry and prose as it returns to the life passages revealed in Crazy Brave.

I have told some of these stories many times, she writes, but some stories are demanding. The stories tap you on the shoulder, pull at your shirt, begging for attention again. The father who abandoned her, the stepfather who abused her, the mother who inspired her, the Native friends at school with whom she discovered activism and built community, the mentors and teachers who nurtured her spirit  they gather again in these pages, their long shadows shifting across the road of her life.

Harjo was in second grade when she was given Louis Untermeyers Golden Treasury of Poetry and discovered a refuge from the instability and barrage of human disappointment. She thrilled to Emily Dickinson and Alfred Noyes The Highwayman, but Girl-Warrior was lonely/ for the poetry-talk of the Old Ones  the voices of Native culture she found scant evidence of until a bit later in her life.

When I hit puberty, she tells us, I was locked to the destiny of physical body. There was no more flying and dreaming in eternal time, there was only here and survival. There was a fire burning in my body, the same dangerous desire that had led my mother to disaster.

Her stepfather, the monster, raged against her enjoyment of rock music, forbade her to sing, broke into her diary and mocked her, beat her with his belt. When her mother failed to stand up for her, she drowned her anger and misery in cheap vodka and beer.

Harjo became a mother at 17 and, soon after, moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her son to train as a pediatric nursing assistant. The hospital work engaged me in a way nothing else had to that point. My innate impulse is healing, which is also standing up for justice, which can heal hearts and nations.

The connection made here between physical and spiritual healing, between the healing of the individual and the healing of the collective, is central to Harjos identity. At the University of New Mexico, plans for a premed major dissolved as her focus became painting, poetry and the Kiva Club, the Native American student organization. Blissfully, Harjo, now a mother of two small children, blossomed in a brave, brilliant, hilarious circle of friends.

Continually eliding the material and the ethereal, the political and the mystical, the poetry of words and the poetry of action, Harjo ends this iteration of her life story with a journey down the Amazon, a sighting of pink dolphins and, in the final pages, her mothers death.

If her many fans could have their way, this will not be the last we hear of these things.

Marion Winik is a writer and professor in Baltimore.
Two 1st Judicial District Court judges are being sued in federal court by the Pueblo of Pojoaque over personal injury cases theyre presiding over involving two casinos.

Judge Bryan Biedscheid and Judge Matthew Wilson both have lawsuits before them involving personal injury claims at Buffalo Thunder and Cities of Gold Casino. Both casinos are on Pueblo land and the federal lawsuits question whether the two state court judges have jurisdiction to preside over personal injury cases against the casinos.

The Pueblo of Pojoaque did not respond to requests for comment.

In the case before Biedscheid, Rudy Pena is suing Buffalo Thunder for injuries he allegedly suffered when a casino worker told him to move away from a slot machine, which he said caused him to fall backward and hurt himself. In the state lawsuit, Pena said he has muscular dystrophy  he was using a cane and a scooter  and couldnt move out of the way quickly for the worker.

Pena filed the lawsuit in district court in 2017. The Pueblo didnt file the federal lawsuit against Biedscheid until early 2020.

In the case before Wilson, Henry Martinez is suing Cities of Gold Casino also for a personal injury claim when he allegedly slipped and fell on a plastic sheet that was laid out on the floor. Martinezs lawsuit said there were no warning signs indicating a slip hazard or marking the area of the floor as dangerous.

Martinez filed his lawsuit against the Pueblo casino in late 2020, and the Pueblo filed its federal lawsuit against Wilson in April 2021.

In both lawsuits, Martinez and Pena claim their injuries occurred because of the negligent actions of casino employees. Its this claim that becomes a vital sticking point for the lawsuits.

Both Biedscheid and Wilson denied the Pueblos motions to dismiss the cases for lack of jurisdiction, stating in their orders that, under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Pueblo waives its right to sovereign immunity when injuries occur due to an employees actions.

Its this decision that the current federal lawsuits against Biedscheid and Wilson hinge on, which determines the broader question of which courts can hear which cases involving Pueblos.

Biedscheid and Wilson are both being represented by the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office. Matt Baca, chief counsel for the office, said the judges are not being sued for their conduct, but as a function of having the cases on their docket.

Theyre trying to get the federal courts to declare that those cases have to be heard in tribal court, Baca said. The tribes issues appear to be more about the legal question as to whether or not their courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear these cases and, again, not so much about the judges themselves.

The issue of tribal jurisdiction versus state or federal is a highly complex issue and it does arise in New Mexico with some frequency, he said.

Generally speaking, Baca said there is the idea of judicial immunity for the decisions the judge makes in overseeing their court. However, these lawsuits are more about case jurisdiction rather than judicial actions.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

The annual Taos Fall Arts Festival is back for the 46th year, taking place from Friday, Sept. 24, through Oct. 3.

Its exciting to bring arts events back to Taos after a year of not really having in-person events, says Norlynne Coar, marketing director for the festival. Ive been working on this show all year. Our virtual show in the spring was to help people get excited about arts returning to Taos.

Coar says this years festival celebrates the artistic achievements of some extraordinary artists with recognition and monetary awards. These include awards for the poster artist, lifetime achievement, visionary artists and Kids Give Back.

The festival will reprise the 2020 theme Return to the Earth, Sky, Water/Regresso a la Tierra, Agua, Cielo chosen by the Taos arts consortium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the return of Blue Lake to Taos Pueblo and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

The poster was created by Jonathan Warm Day Coming of Taos Pueblo.

Prev 1 of 3 Next

His painting, A Place of Stories, depicts a night scene at Taos Pueblo that clearly speaks to the theme, as well as the spirit, of the pueblo and its people.

Weve begun to work with Taos Pueblo more in getting more of their artists involved, Coar says.

Agnes Chavez will receive the Visionary Award.

Coars says Chavez is an interdisciplinary artist, educator and founder of the STEMarts Lab whose work integrates art, science and technology as tools for social and environmental change.

Chavez collaborates with scientists to raise awareness of the importance of scientific literacy in understanding the world around us and becoming informed global citizens.

Agnes was supposed to be awarded this last year and we wanted to do something for her this year, Coar says. She will also display a large, immersive installation at the festival.

Other awardees are: John Suazo of Taos Pueblo, who will receive the Charles R. Strong Life Time Achievement Award; and Deanna Autumn Leaf Suazo, who will also receive a 2021 Visionary Award, and says her work is inspired by the cultural traditions of my Pueblo and Navajo heritage.
Raymond Jonson spun visual harmony from instinct and intuition.

His eyebrows dancing like feathered caterpillars, he believed art could transform and uplift the world.

The Transcendentalist painter, University of New Mexico professor and founder of the shuttered Raymond Jonson Gallery created multi-canvas works because he believed a single painting could not capture vast subjects like the Grand Canyon.

The University of New Mexico Art Museum is showcasing the results in Visionary Modern: Raymond Jonson Trilogies, Cycles, and Portraits through Nov. 24.

The Iowa-born painter moved often during childhood, launching his formal training at Oregons Portland Art Museum School, according to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. In 1910, he moved to Chicago to study at the Academy of Fine Arts and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He experimented with stage design at the Chicago Little Theater. He was deeply influenced by the Chicago Armory Show of 1913 and the work of the Russian-born non-objective painter Wassily Kandinsky.

But Jonson voiced a love-hate relationship with cities, UNM Art Museum curator Mary Statzer said.

After visiting Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, he moved permanently to Santa Fe in 1924.

After the move, he penned hundreds of sketches of the hills, mesas and landscapes to spiritually acquaint himself with the forms, shapes and rhythms of the terrain. He produced increasingly abstract landscapes here until he developed a signature geometric style.

Theyre abstract, but they still refer to things in the world like the Grand Canyon, Statzer said. He was seeing all these European movements. He was also interested in ideas of modern music and that influenced his painting. He was less interested in depicting the world and more interested in depicting things that were more esoteric.

In his 1930 triptych (Jonson called them trilogies) Time Cycle, the artist captured the rising and setting sun in biomorphic shapes and rhythms in a steadily darkening palette.

He was a very experimental person, Statzer said. He was an early adapter of the airbrush. He embraced acrylic paint early on.

In 1938, Jonson founded the Transcendentalist Painting Group with Emil Bisttram and Agnes Pelton.

In their manifesto, the artists embraced a common goal of attempting to portray the world beyond physical sight and to overlap mystical and spiritual ideas.

In 1934, supported by a Works Progress Administration grant, Jonson painted six large murals for UNM and began teaching there part-time.

Jonsons early portraits of his wife Vera (in 1918) and a friend in The Sailor (1919) reveal both his technical ability as well as his theatrical background.

Theres this strong uplighting and these flat backgrounds that look like wallpaper, Statzer said.

Light grew more prominent in his work by the 1960s with Light  A Trilogy (Polymer No. 11.)

They feel influenced by the light and space movement (a minimalist group originating in Southern California) of the 1960s, Statzer said. It holds up against work by much younger artists of the time.

Jonson began to teach at the University of New Mexico full-time in 1950, living in the Jonson Gallery, a studio, residence and exhibition space that had been specially built on campus for him. He became emeritus professor of art at the university in 1954 but remained director of the gallery. Jonson continued to paint and exhibit widely throughout the United States until his death in 1982.

The UNM Art Museum possesses some 600 paintings by the artist; the Jonson Gallerys collection moved there in 2010.

We have to be the largest collector of Jonsons paintings in the country, Statzer said.

Jonson was a proponent of modernism and abstraction, she continued. He was very well-respected and the students really loved him. Hes not as well-known as he should be because hes such a wonderful painter. These paintings really hold up.
Editors note: The Journal continues Whats in a Name?, a twice a month column in which staff writer Elaine Briseno will give a short history of how places in New Mexico got their names.

One of the most satisfying parts of writing this column is hearing from the readers, especially family members and those who are experts in the topics I cover. And, sometimes, those with a better knowledge of a subject write in to let me know I got my facts wrong. Thats the case with my Sept. 5 column on the ghost town of Loma Parda in Mora County.

It turns out there are at least TWO Loma Pardas  the one I wrote about and another down south in Dona Ana County.

The murder of Pat Garretts deputy John McLeod took place in the Loma Parda down south, not the infamous Loma Parda in Mora County. The deputy had a ranch near there that still has his name, according to the reader.

Todays column brings us back to the streets of Albuquerque.

Anyone who has driven or ridden as a passenger in a car here knows the name Eubank. Its the moniker for one of the Northeast Heights main north to south thoroughfares. But what is a Eubank?

In this case, Eubank is a last name and it references a man whose stay in Albuquerque was brief but impactful.

The road honors Major General Eugene Lowry Eubank, who trained bombardiers here in the summer of 1941.

Eubank was born in 1892 in Mangum, Oklahoma, and served during both World War I and World War II. His lifelong military career brought him to Albuquerque just months before the United States entered World War II. He was already a seasoned veteran when he was transferred to the city.

Eubank joined the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps in August of 1917. He became a flying instructor in Texas in February of the following year. He served at several bases in Illinois and Texas before finally being transferred to Hawaii where he met his wife Helen, the daughter of a colonel.

He continued serving at locations around the United States as an instructor and a leader.

In 1941, he was appointed commander of the 19th Bombardment Group, a heavy bomber group used during the Philippines and Java campaigns. The group was transferred in 1941 to the new Albuquerque Army Air Base, which is modern day Kirtland Air Force Base.

The base was a trio of private airfields from 1928 to 1939. Santa Fe railroad employees Frank G. Speakman and William L. Franklin bulldozed the brush on the east mesa of Albuquerque in 1928 to install two runways for a private airport. The location eventually became a refueling and maintenance spot for military flights. The Army condemned the airport field and transferred the property to the federal government, which began construction on the Albuquerque Army Air Base in January of 1941.

Eubank arrived from a base in California in June of that year with his bombardment group, signaling the start of the bases boom.

A June 12, 1941 story in the Carlsbad Current-Argus talks about the arrival of the military men in Albuquerque.

It was expected today that plans for formal dedication of the big base, six miles southeast of the city would begin to take shape soon  the units have a paper strength of about 200 officers and 2,200 men.

The bomber pilots begin to train on the outskirts of the city. A June 13, 1941 article in the Albuquerque Journal gives a sense of what that was like.

Volcanic rock undisturbed since it boiled up out of the earth an eon or two ago, will soon be erupting again, this time to man-made explosions when the 19th Bombardment Group, Heavy, starts its practice on the bombing range northwest of the city Lieut. Col. Eugene L. Eubank indicated Thursday.

The group, along with Eubank, was only in Albuquerque a few months before they left for duty in the Philippines and South Pacific, and shortly after that the United States entered into World War II.

But as Eubank headed to war, his wife Helen stayed behind along with many of the other wives. Her 1998 obituary talks about her presence in Albuquerque during that time.

It was during this time of separation and deep concern that Mrs. Eubanks calm strength, creative leadership and kindness were both an inspiration and a consolation to those wives and families  These women had children to feed, rent to pay and Christmas coming with allotments and small savings. I will always be grateful for the way that the Salvation Army and the entire community rallied and took these families to their heart, her family recalled her saying.

Its not clear exactly when the road was named for the general, but an Oct. 16, 1951 article in the Albuquerque Journal about a new post Eubank was receiving mentions that the road in Albuquerque was named for him. A school built near Eubank and Indian School in 1955 was also named Eubank. The school was renamed the Janet Kahn School of Integrated Arts in 2016.

Eubank lived a very long life. He died in 1997 at the age of 104 in San Antonio, Texas. During his career he received several awards, including a Silver and a Bronze star, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Curious about how a town, street or building got its name? Email staff writer Elaine Briseno at ebriseno@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3965 as she continues the monthly journey in Whats in a Name?
Jeff Guinns new book War on the Border: Villa, Pershing, the Texas Rangers, and an American Invasion makes history come alive with its bloody shootouts, nasty skirmishes and angry squabbling on the volatile United States-Mexico border. The book spans a period from about the mid-19th century through, and focusing on, the first two decades of the 20th century.

Guinn references a host of relevant major and minor figures of the period  politicians, generals, soldiers, bandits, spies, diplomats and others  who enrich this complicated history on and far from the border. Perhaps two of the most famous border figures are Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa and U.S. Gen. John J. Pershing.

Villa led a band of men in a deadly pre-dawn attack on March 9, 1916, on civilians and the U.S. Armys Camp Furlong in the border town of Columbus, New Mexico, south of Deming. Villa lost 100 men, plus others badly wounded, in a fire fight. A handful of U.S. civilians and soldiers were killed, and some town buildings were burned down. Days later, with some 4,800 soldiers and more than 4,000 animals, Pershing pursued Villa in the so-called Punitive Expedition into Mexico.

One of its four cavalry regiments, the 10th, comprised the legendary Buffalo Soldiers.

In an overreaction, U.S. Sen. Albert B. Fall of New Mexico suggested half a million soldiers storm into Mexico, seize all critical ports and railroad lines, then help Mexican President Venustiano Carranzas government eradicate every Mexican bandit. Guinn writes that Fall failed to mention he held large properties and business interests in Mexico.

The expedition hunted for 11 months, but did not find Villa, nor did they eliminate his raiders. Pershing had no maps of a territory familiar to Villa and their vehicles were quickly stuck in sand and mud. Later, his troops were hemmed in by Mexican federal troops.

Behind Villas decision to raid was a series of provocations, Guinn said in a phone interview. By having American military in Mexico, Villa figured it would promote the festering resentment of working class and peasant Mexicans against yet another American incursion.

Mexicans felt that Americans exploited their country and they werent shown respect, Guinn said. By enticing the Americans into Mexico, Villa could claim Carranza was somehow in league with the Americans and Villa would gain support.  Villa was more complex than folks like to give him credit for.

In the backdrop was World War I and Germanys desire to keep the U.S. bottled up in Mexico and out of the European conflict.

Americans living on the border disliked and feared Mexicans, but, the author argued, Anglo and Mexican criminals were equally blameworthy for making the border unsafe.

The early Texas Rangers are criticized by Guinn as being racist. He writes that the Rangers targeted Mexicans and Tejanos, Texans of Mexican descent. All were suspect because, to the Rangers, any of them could be Mexican raiders skulking north of the Rio Grande for the opportunity to filch cattle, rob a store, or kill a white person, he writes.

Americans with enormous ranch holdings in Mexico also tired of rustlers and bandits. They protected their property with fences.

Among the first was the 2.4 million-acre Wood Hagenbarth Ranch near Palomas, just south of Columbus. In 1903, the owner announced he would mark the 140 miles of its northern boundary with three-strand barbed wire, Guinn writes.

In 1909, a federal agency proposed building a barbed wire fence along the California-Baja California border. A year later, a Boston newspaper claimed the U.S. government would erect a fence along the 1,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border, he writes. It didnt happen.

The issue of border wall-building echoes today. No matter how high it is, people who want to get into the U.S. would, he said.

Guinn, a Fort Worth, Texas, resident, wrote the book because of the past few years when there was talk of building a big, beautiful wall on the border, and all the talk of Mexico sending its rapists and murders.  I thought it would be helpful if a book that relied on solid facts as opposed to an alternative version to help people understand the problems about the border and whether anything has changed over the past century, he said.

In the books final chapter, Afterward, Guinn writes that The American vigilantes and their prey from over a century ago would nod in recognition: In so many ways on the border, inherent mutual mistrust and hostility remain.

Today, the town of Columbus, he notes, is virtually somnambulant except when 18-wheelers haul freight to and from Palomas, and when the annual March 9 remembrances are held. One is the Columbus Historical Societys Raid Day Memorial program at the train depot and the other is the Pancho Villa State Parks hosting a series of lectures on area history. Guinn said retired park manager John Read told him the parks name was intended to put things behind us, of moving forward.
A one-paragraph amendment to the state Legislatures new, sweeping alcohol reform law gave owners of gas stations in McKinley County a choice: You can sell hard liquor or you can sell gas.

To Benjamin Gonzales, manager of the El Sabinos grocery and gas station in Vanderwagen, it was a no-brainer.

We stopped selling gas July 1, the day the new liquor law went into effect.

The store is one of at least three in the county that covered its gas pumps in plastic in recent months, a direct response to the law, according to store employees, residents and county officials. The law prohibited gas stations from selling liquor in the county, so the stations stopped selling gas to circumvent the ban.

The choice to stop selling gas in rural parts of the county has stranded some motorists and added another inconvenience to life near the border of the Navajo Nation, residents said.

It also demonstrates the difficulty legislators face in crafting policy to help cut down on alcoholism and drunken driving in the area, both scourges that cost dozens of lives in the county each year.

State Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, who lobbied for the amendment, said the gas stations choice to close wasnt unexpected. But he said it represents a choice owners made to put profits above an essential service.

I think they made a moral choice, a financial choice. They probably werent pumping that much gas, he said. They were just really liquor stores with a gas pump outside.

Money trumps

One gas station in the county sells 80 gallons of vodka a day, Munoz said. Gonzales said El Sabino station makes about $8,000 a day in hard liquor sales but just about $2,000 a day on gasoline.

Everyones complaining that we should have kept the gas and got rid of the liquor, and this, that and the third, but people just dont understand, Gonzales said in a phone interview. I mean, if we would have done that, several of our employees would have lost their job, you know, or had their hours cut.

Now that El Sabino has stopped selling gas, the closest places to fuel up along Route 602 are in Zuni Pueblo, about 17 miles southwest, and Gallup, about 21 miles north.

Just last week, Gonzales said, a car sputtered to a stop at the station, out of gas. He said he happened to have a five-gallon tank in the back of the shop to help the stranded driver make it to Gallup.

Owner Gigi Garcia said gas is a money-losing endeavor at her station. All of the 8-cent-a-gallon profits are lost in salaries and maintenance. And she was soon going to have to buy new pumps to satisfy new federal regulations to prevent identity theft.

So she blamed Munoz for the law that gave her a choice between being profitable or not. She also defended alcohol sales, saying shes not doing anything illegal and has chosen to limit alcohol sales somewhat to reduce potential safety risks, even though her liquor license would allow more.

When you buy alcohol or food or whatever you want to buy, it is your choice, she said. There are many people with heart problems, diabetes, just many different diseases which are also legal to buy  but were not going to shut these things down because people make their own choices.

Garcia also owns Red Rock Liquor Package in Smith Lake, another McKinley County station, which also stopped selling gasoline because of the new law, according to an employee.

A third store, the Speedway in Church Rock near an area locals call Dead Horse, stopped selling gasoline after the law was passed in March but before it went into effect, according to resident Jennifer Brown, who drives past the station daily. The marquee that used to display gas prices now just says COLD BEER.

Speedways owners did not respond to a request for comment.

Billy Moore, chair of the McKinley County Commission, said he agrees with the spirit of the law  that mixing gas stations and liquor is a bad idea. DWI in McKinley County was the driving force behind the statewide ban of drive-up liquor sales in 1998.

Moore doesnt see much of a difference between selling liquor through a window at a drive-up store and selling it over the counter at a rural gas station.

I think its pretty sad. Were trying to help protect people, bring DWIs down in New Mexico and especially McKinley County, but, again, money trumps over doing whats right, he said.

Big reform

The Liquor Control Act passed in 2021 was the biggest reform to the states liquor laws in 40 years, officials said at the time of its passage.

The 74-page bill allows for liquor delivery in the state, bans the sale of mini liquor bottles at convenience stores, creates a new class of liquor license for restaurants, and repeals the ban on Sunday morning alcohol sales, plus other changes.

Munoz introduced the amendment that banned convenience stores that sell gas from selling any hard liquor, though they can still sell beer and wine. He said at the time that banning gas stations in the county from selling liquor would help the problem in McKinley County tremendously.

In 2019, McKinley County had the highest rate of alcohol-involved car crashes in the state  20.5 per every 10,000 people, according to the state Transportation Department. The county also had about 150 alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 people between 2013 and 2017, according to the Health Department. Thats also the highest in the state.

Because of its long-standing alcoholism problems, the county and the city of Gallup have often been at the forefront of state policies to curb alcohol abuse. For example, residents and lawmakers in the late 1980s demanded the Legislature allow them to impose an excise tax on liquor to pay for alcohol abuse treatment.

Weeks after the new law went into effect in July, Western Refining Retail LLC sued the state over what it said was an arbitrary choice to ban liquor at gas stations in just McKinley County. At the time, the company owned 10 Speedway gas stations in the county.

The lawsuit pointed out that Rio Arriba County has similar problems with alcohol abuse and deaths, and the rest of the state has its issues, as well. Targeting McKinley County was unconstitutional, attorneys argued, and would cause a severe economic impact on its stores in the county.

The company has since sold off its stations in McKinley County, and new owners 7-11 withdrew the lawsuit. Representatives from 7-11 did not respond to a request for comment, and neither did attorneys who filed the lawsuit on behalf of Western Refining Retail.

Now that the laws impacts have become clear and the lawsuit is withdrawn, Munoz said he plans to introduce new legislation in the upcoming, 30-day session to impose new restrictions on alcohol sales.

Now we know what [gas stations] main resource for income was, and thats alcohol sales, he said. So we can now begin to look at restricting those.

He wants to reimpose the ban on alcohol sales on Sunday in McKinley County, he said. He said he didnt realize that the Liquor Control Act reform would mean alcohol sales could resume Sundays in the county.

That was an unintended consequence that we didnt catch in the legislation, he said. We didnt know it would repeal in McKinley.

But he has no other reforms in mind, he said, adding that the session will have pressing issues around spending federal stimulus money and other priorities, so hes not sure there will be much appetite to revisit liquor policy.

Its super inconvenient

Jennifer Brown and her husband, Jerry, now have to drive 54 miles round-trip to get gas, after Red Rock Liquor Package and Food Mart closed in Smith Lake near their home.

The trip used to be about 12 miles. Jerry Brown regularly needs five gallons of gas to run his chain saw, Jennifer said.

The station stopped selling gas without any notice in July, she said, and she saw three or four people stranded on the side of the road each day for the first few days.

We saw many people run out of gas, just people on the side of the road, she said. We almost did that first day too, but we eked it into town with about five miles to go till empty.

She said the lack of a close gas station continues to make travel difficult for her and her neighbors.

It is not like the end of our life, but its super inconvenient, she said. And it did not do what it had anticipated it would do.

This story was originally published in Source New Mexico  sourcenm.com  which is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news provider.
WASHINGTON  Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is moving the national headquarters of the Bureau of Land Management back to the nations capital after two years in Colorado, reversing a decision by former President Donald Trumps administration to move the agency closer to the region it serves.

The land management bureau, which oversees nearly one-fifth of the nations public lands, lost nearly 300 employees to retirement or resignation after its headquarters was moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, in 2019. Grand Junction will be rechristened the agencys western headquarters, Haaland said in a news release, and have an important role to play in the bureaus clean energy, outdoor recreation, conservation, and scientific missions.

With control of 245 million acres, the agency has broad influence over energy development and agriculture in the western U.S., managing public lands for uses ranging from fossil fuel extraction, renewable power development and grazing, to recreation and wilderness.

Trumps first interior secretary, Ryan Zinke, initiated the headquarters move west and called it a needed reorganization that put top agency officials closer to the public lands it oversees. The move was completed under David Bernhardt, who succeeded Zinke in 2019.

Critics said the Trump administration intended to gut the agency and pointed to the number of people who refused to transfer to Colorado as evidence of the administrations bid to get rid of career employees. A similar mass exodus occurred after two Agriculture Department research agencies were moved from Washington to Kansas City, Missouri, under Trump.

Haaland, who opposed the BLM move as a congresswoman from New Mexico, visited the Colorado headquarters in July after being confirmed as interior secretary.

Top Colorado Democrats, including Gov. Jared Polis and members of the states Congressional delegation, wanted the headquarters to stay in Grand Junction. Democratic U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper said Haalands decision to keep a presence in Grand Junction will help ensure we have a fully functioning agency that understands the West.

To succeed, the western headquarters must be a strong, permanent presence that engages the community and adds a Western perspective and value to the BLMs mission, Hickenlooper said. The Trump administration scattered jobs throughout the region and assigned only a few dozen positions to a shell headquarters in Grand Junction, Hickenlooper added.

Haaland said in her statement that the past several years have been incredibly disruptive to the organization, to our public servants and to their families.

Theres no doubt that the BLM should have a leadership presence in Washington, D.C.  like all the other land management agencies  to ensure that it has access to the policy, budget and decision-making levers to best carry out its mission, she said. BLMs presence in Colorado and across the West will continue to grow, she added.

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said the bureau does not need two headquarters.

The Biden administrations answer for everything is to double the size of government, Barrasso said. The single headquarters of the Bureau of Land Management belongs in the West, closer to the resources it manages and the people it serves.

What the BLM needs is an honest director who doesnt bring shame to the agency, Barrasso said, referring to President Joe Bidens nominee to lead the bureau, former Democratic aide Tracy Stone-Manning, who received no Republican support in an energy panel vote on her nomination in July. Barrasso and other GOP senators have lambasted Stone-Manning over alleged links to a 1989 environmental sabotage investigation.

Stone-Manning will face a full Senate vote in order to become the new director. It would take every Senate Republican plus at least one Democratic lawmaker to block her confirmation in the evenly divided chamber. Haaland, who would be Stone-Mannings boss, reiterated her full support for the nominee during her Colorado visit.
Top New Mexico leaders say theyre open to most anything that would prevent spent nuclear fuel and other high-level waste from being stored indefinitely in the state, including legislation like a measure recently adopted by Texas to prevent the shipping and storage of such waste.

The renewed criticism this week of planned temporary storage facilities in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico came as federal regulators just granted a license for the proposed operation in Texas.

Interim Storage Partners LLC plans to build a facility in Andrews County that could take up to 5,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel rods from power plants and 231 million tons of other radioactive waste.

In New Mexico, Holtec International is awaiting approval of its license application for a facility that initially would store up to 8,680 metric tons of uranium. Future expansion could make room for as many as 10,000 canisters of spent fuel over six decades.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, and other top officials already have submitted comments in opposition to the multibillion-dollar proposal on their side of the state line and to the Texas project. New Mexico also is suing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, claiming it hasnt done enough to vet Holtecs plans.

Lujan Grishams office said it would be open to exploring legislation and to seeking funding that could boost efforts by New Mexico regulators to push back administratively.

We are open to most anything in preventing the placement of this kind of national high-level waste depository in New Mexico, Tripp Stelnicki, a spokesman for Lujan Grisham, told The Associated Press in an email.

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas said the case against the NRC is in the early stages and he still has concerns.

As a largely poor state and with communities predominantly of color, it is unacceptable to view New Mexico as a dumping ground for the countrys nuclear waste, he said. And the Department of Energy, Congress and the Legislature should absolutely do everything within their power to protect New Mexican families.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has a similar stance and tweeted this week that Texas will not become Americas nuclear waste dumping ground.

Holtec said the New Jersey-based company and its partners in the New Mexico counties of Eddy and Lea are committed to completing the federal regulatory process for the proposed facility.

Though we are mindful of the developments in Texas, the Holtec and ELEA (Eddy Lea Energy Alliance) project has strong support from local community leaders as they understand the proposed project is safe and will be an economic benefit to the area, said Joe Delmar, the companys senior director of government affairs and communications.

Texas and New Mexico fear the waste will be stranded in their states because the federal government has failed over decades to find a permanent disposal site.

According to the Energy Department, nuclear reactors across the country produce more than 2,000 metric tons of radioactive waste a year, with most of it remaining on-site because theres nowhere else to put it.

The fuel is sitting at temporary storage sites in nearly three dozen states, either enclosed in steel-lined concrete pools of water or in steel and concrete containers known as casks.

In the 1980s, the Energy Department and Congress approved building a permanent underground burial site in Nevada. Officials there fought the project for years, and Congress eliminated funding for it in 2011. Federal approval was granted for a temporary dump in Utah in 2006, but it was never built.

New Mexico state Sen. Jeff Steinborn, a Las Cruces Democrat who heads the Legislatures Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee, said passing new legislation would send an unmistakable message that the region is against becoming the repository for spent fuel.

The Biden administration has been vague at best with how it intends to address the problem, Steinborn said.

What I would really like to hear is a commitment to go back to the drawing board on figuring out a permanent solution, he said. Right now, we have a situation where the tail is wagging the dog, where national policy is being promulgated by a private company and a small handful of people who have decided this is a good business opportunity.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Albuquerque City Council President Cynthia Borrego recalls that back when she worked for the citys planning department, the words Here comes Dr. Joe put the departments staff on its toes. And thats likely just a polite way to phrase it.

Dr. Joe was Joe L. Valles, Albuquerque dentist and a fierce advocate for the citys West Side, where he resided.

I met him (at the planning department) in the 90s, said Borrego, who represents District 5 on the West Side. He was always working with our planning directors, and he gave so many people a little bit of grief on neighborhood issues. He would testify at Planning Commission meetings  and not just about West Side issues.

Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie OMalley said persistent is the first word that comes to mind when she thinks of Valles and honest is the second.

He wanted high quality development on the West Side, said OMalley, a former Albuquerque city councilor who now represents County District 1, which includes the West Side. He wanted to have planned growth. He did not just want housing on the West Side, but the opportunity for jobs there. He really fought for neighborhood representation in decision making on growth. Joe talked frankly to elected officials. He did not butter us up, and we disagreed on some things. He was respectful, but he was direct.

Borrego said Valles was a staunch neighborhood activist for at least 30 years.

He understood planning, and he was someone who cared about his community, she said. When he talked, people listened. He will be missed.

Valles, 72, died Sept. 5.

Survivors include his wife, Joanne; sons Domingo Valles, DDS, and Emiliano Valles, MD; a grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be on Sept. 24 at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Church, 5901 St. Josephs NW. A eulogy at 8:15 a.m. will be followed by Mass at 9 a.m.

Rural roots

Valles was born in Jarales, a few miles south of Belen. He lived his earliest years with his maternal grandparents on their subsistence farm and ranch in Jarales.

He loved his grandparents, Joanne, Valles widow, said. He used to talk about this rooster his grandfather had. That rooster loved Joes grandfather, but when he saw Joe, forget it. That rooster would chase Joe to the outhouse. He remembered that.

When his grandfather died in 1957, Valles and his grandmother moved closer to Belen. In a list he compiled last year, outlining influential points in his life, Valles recalled that during that time he worked on Saturdays, cleaning the law offices of former lieutenant governor Tibo Chavez.

When he was in sixth grade, he and his grandmother moved near Valles parents in Albuquerques South Valley. He attended Rio Grande High School and was coeditor of the schools yearbook.

Valles wrote that he saved up money by working after school and on Saturdays and Sundays and eventually bought a motorcycle and a car. Even though he was a good student, he dropped out of high school in April 1967. He recalled that his family was not upset.

In their eyes  I had a job and a car  I had it made.

Valles served in the Army in the late 60s and with the Volunteers In Service to America (VISTA) program from 1970 to 1972. After that, he earned a General Educational Development (GED) certificate and entered the University of New Mexico in 1972. Thats when he met Joanne.

We met in Chicano studies, she said. We were friends at first. He was a nice guy and very good looking. My girlfriends would say, Hey, do you know him? 

After graduating from UNM, Valles was accepted into and graduated from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. He started his dental practice in 1980 in Albuquerque when he was 31, and he would go on to serve as president of the New Mexico Dental Association.

He loved being a dentist, Joanne said. In fact (after he retired), he was sad he wasnt going into the office. But he loved a good fight, too. He loved the city and the neighborhoods. He was a champion for the neighborhood.

Strong voice

State Rep. Antonio Moe Maestas serves House District 16 on Albuquerques West Side. He knew Valles for more than 20 years.

He was one of my staunchest critics and biggest supporters, Maestas said. He was a strong voice on the West Side. Even before social media became what it is, he would do 2,000 email blasts about events, his opinions, or holding elected officials accountable, pushing his agenda of land use and planning, or any other issues he felt strongly about.

Maestas said Valles pushed back so vigorously against WalMart development on the West Side that the corporation filed suit against him.

Its scary when you get sued by a major corporation, but Joe didnt back down, he said.

More recently, Maestas said Valles had been actively involved in urging public officials to use state and local money to acquire the Poole property, 23 acres overlooking the Rio Grande, to save it from development and make it part of Albuquerques open space network. That campaign was successful.

He pushed us all to move forward on that, OMalley said. I give him credit for actually getting that done.

Maestas said Valles accumulated a kind of moral authority over the years, so he could tell public officials and others what to do.

He had just an incredible political courage to speak his mind, regardless of the personal and political consequences, Maestas said. And thats rare.
HONG KONG  Select Hong Kong residents voted for members of the Election Committee that will choose the citys leader in the first polls Sunday following reforms meant to ensure candidates with Beijing loyalty.

The Election Committee will select 40 of 90 lawmakers in the citys legislature during elections in December, as well as elect the Hong Kong leader during polls in March next year.

In May, the legislature amended Hong Kongs electoral laws to ensure that only patriots  people who are loyal to China and the semi-autonomous territory  will rule the city. The committee also was expanded to 1,500 members, from 1,200, and the number of direct voters for committee seats was reduced from about 246,000 to less than 8,000.

The restructured electoral process guarantees a vast majority of the Elections Committee will be largely pro-Beijing candidates, who are likely to choose a chief executive and nearly half of lawmakers who are aligned with the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Todays Election Committee elections are very meaningful as it is the first elections held after we have improved the electoral system to ensure that only patriots can take office, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said. Its not yet known if Lam will seek reelection in March.

The changes are part of a broad crackdown on Hong Kong civil society following mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. Authorities have tightened control over the city with a sweeping national security law imposed by Chinas Communist Party that effectively criminalized opposition to the government. The law and other changes have forced several civil organizations to disband or seen their leaders arrested.

Also Sunday, Hong Kongs largest opposition trade union  the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions  said it would disband out of concerns for the safety of its members. The trade union is the latest organization to disband, following the dissolution of a teachers union and rally organizer the Civil Human Rights Front last month.

Critics say the changes restrict freedoms Hong Kong was promised it could maintain for 50 years following the territorys 1997 handover to China from colonial Britain.

The nearly 4,900 voters representing different professions and industries who went to polls Sunday under a heavy police presence will choose among just 412 candidates for 364 seats in the Election Committee. Other seats were uncontested or held by people chosen based on their titles.

This election lets us select solid patriots who love our country and Hong Kong to rule Hong Kong, and who demonstrate their strengths in Hong Kongs administration and politics, said Armstrong Lee, a candidate representing the social welfare sector.

Wang Ting-ting, a voter from the financial sector, said she would vote for candidates who are patriots who love our country and love Hong Kong.

This is the most important, she said. Secondly, I would vote for those who are capable, because capability matters the most in this position.

Lam said the new Election Committee will be broadly representative as it included more grassroots organizations and associations that represent Hong Kongers who live and work in mainland China.

Sundays vote was taking place at five polling stations heavily surrounded by police. Local newspaper South China Morning Post previously reported 6,000 police officers would be deployed to guard the polls, outnumbering the number of voters.

Results are expected Sunday night.

Four activists from pro-democracy political party League of Social Democrats staged a small protest near the polling station in the Wan Chai neighborhood. They laid out banners criticizing the small circle election as having a pretense of representing public opinion.

The four were stopped and searched by the police.

___

Zen Soo reported from Singapore. Associated Press video journalists Matthew Cheng and Janice Lo contributed to this report.
CANBERRA, Australia  France would have known Australia had deep and grave concerns that a submarine fleet the French were building would not meet Australian needs, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Sunday after the contracts cancellation set off a diplomatic crisis.

France accused Australia of concealing its intentions to back out of the 90 billion Australian dollar ($66 billion) contract for French majority state-owned Naval Group to build 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines.

President Joe Biden revealed last week a new alliance including Australia and Britain that would deliver an Australian fleet of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.

Morrison blamed the switch on a deteriorating strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific. He has not specifically referred to Chinas massive military buildup, which has gained pace in recent years.

The capability that the Attack class submarines were going to provide was not what Australia needed to protect our sovereign interests, Morrison said.

They would have had every reason to know that we have deep and grave concerns that the capability being delivered by the Attack class submarine was not going to meet our strategic interests and we have made very clear that we would be making a decision based on our strategic national interest, he added, referring to the French government.

France responded to the contract cancellation, which Morrison has said will cost his government at least AU$2.4 billion ($1.7 billion), by recalling its ambassadors from Australia and the United States.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Saturday denounced what he called the duplicity, disdain and lies surrounding the sudden end of the contract and said France was now questioning the strength of the alliance.

On Sunday, the French government spokesman said President Emmanuel Macron will speak in the coming days with Biden in what will be their first contact since the crisis erupted.

The phone call is at the request of Biden, spokesman Gabriel Attal said, adding that there was shock and anger at first. But now its time to try to move forward, he said.

China has denounced the sharing of such U.S. and British nuclear technology as irresponsible.

France won the contract in 2016 over offers from Germany and Japan. The Shortfin Barracuda was to be a nuclear submarine design adapted to be powered by diesel on the surface and battery underwater.

Japan was particularly disappointed because then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott had promised the close defense ally the contract before he was deposed by his own party in 2015.

The government has talked down media reports of ructions between the partners in the French submarine project and delays on the original delivery date of 2027.

There have been concerns of a defense capability gap emerging that the aging Australia-made Collins class conventional submarines could not fill.

Australias first nuclear submarines are not expected to be delivered until close to 2040.

Defense Minister Peter Dutton said his government was prepared to lease nuclear submarines from the United States while Australias fleet was being built.

Dutton and Foreign Minister Marise Payne are in the United States for annual meetings with their U.S. counterparts and their first with the Biden administration.

Morrison flies to the United States on Monday for a meeting with Biden and the leaders of India and Japan that make up the Quad security forum.
AMSTERDAM  King Willem-Alexander officially unveiled a new memorial in the heart of Amsterdams historic Jewish Quarter on Sunday honoring more than 102,000 Dutch victims of the Holocaust, and the Dutch prime minister vowed that it would remind citizens today to be vigilant against antisemitism.

Designed by Polish-Jewish architect Daniel Libeskind, the memorial is made up of walls shaped to form four Hebrew letters spelling out a word that translates as In Memory Of.

The walls are built using bricks, each of which is inscribed with the name, date of birth and age when they died of one of the more than 102,000 Jews, Roma and Sinti who were murdered in Nazi concentration camps during World War II or who died on their way to the camps.

Jacques Grishaver, chairman of the Dutch Auschwitz Committee, officially opened the monument with the king in the presence of dignitaries and Holocaust survivors. After walking through the gates, each picked up a white stone and placed it in front of a commemorative wall, a Jewish tradition when visiting graves.

The king helped Grishaver to pick up and put down his stone. After the ceremony, he spoke to three survivors of the Holocaust.

Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the monument also should force people to confront the question of whether the Netherlands did enough to protect Jews during the war and what he called the cold reception for the small group who returned from hell after the war.

He called the era a black page in the history of our country and said the monument also has an important contemporary message in our time when antisemitism is never far away. The monument says  no, it screams  be vigilant.

The memorial is built close to a former concert hall where Jews rounded up by Amsterdams wartime Nazi occupiers were held before being sent to the camps.

Amsterdam Municipality granted permission for construction to start in 2017, but building work was delayed after residents argued that the monument was too big for the location. It was paid for in part by crowd-funding  84,000 people paid 50 euros ($58) each to adopt one of the bricks.

The official unveiling came a year after a friend of Anne Frank, Jacqueline van Maarsen, laid the first stone, which bears the name of 20-year-old Dina Frankenhuis, who was murdered in Sobibor.

Rutte said the monument carries a vital message.

This name monument says 102,163 times: No, we will not forget you. No, we wont accept that your name is erased. No, evil does not have the last word,' he said. Every one of them was somebody and today they get back their names.
While hiring new employees can pose a challenge in todays job market, retaining high-quality employees long-term can prove equally difficult for employers.

Many employers are looking for cost-effective ways to make their business a more competitive option for job seekers, while showing their appreciation and dedication to their existing employees.

Todays workforce is facing countless issues and many families are struggling financially to pay for the escalating costs of higher education for their children. New Mexico employers have the option to add a meaningful employee benefit at no extra cost by offering the states 529 college savings plan  The Education Plan.

Providing employees with an opportunity to easily save for future education expenses for themselves or their children is a thoughtful benefit that has the power to boost employee morale and retention. For employers, employees with robust benefits are often more engaged and work harder.

The Education Plan can be implemented at no cost to employers and requires no government reporting, making it a quick and easy way to show gratitude to those who keep your business thriving. Contributions can be made directly from payroll, and employees can start saving with as little as a $1. Offering a 529 savings account as part of a competitive employee benefits package is a great way to attract and retain good employees.

For employees, the plan not only helps cover the cost of higher education for themselves or a loved one, but it also offers tax advantages. Contributions are tax deductible from New Mexico income tax, and the funds grow tax-free. Withdrawals are tax-free if used to cover education expenses including tuition, housing, meal plans, books, supplies, computers and fees. Funds can be utilized at any vocational or trade school, professional school, college or university.

Whether an individual is looking to better their own future through higher education or to save for their childrens education, a 529 plan is an invaluable asset to be offered as part of a benefits package. For employers looking to further increase their benefit offerings, matching contributions are an optional add-on.

Student loan debt is a harsh reality for many New Mexico families. By adding The Education Plan for your employees, you can help to eliminate the stress of saving for education expenses and help to ease the burden of future loans.

The Education Plan can give businesses a competitive edge for both recruitment and retention, making it a win-win for everyone involved.

The executives desk is a guest column providing advice, commentary or information about resources available to the business community in New Mexico. To submit a column for consideration, email gporter@abqjournal.com.
Wakil's eyes fill with tears. He has no idea whether he and his family will get out of Afghanistan, and fears that if they don't the Taliban will hunt him down and kill him.

A former US government employee, Wakil is not his real name; he spoke to CNN on the condition that his identify would not be revealed.

He has been stranded in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif along with hundreds of other Afghans. All have worked closely with US federal agencies and the US military over the past decade and more. Most, like Wakil, either hold Special Immigrant Visas or were in the process of obtaining them when the Taliban overran Kabul.

Wakil said his family -- he has three young daughters -- was on a list compiled by the US State Department to be flown out of Kabul last month. But as they were trying to get into the airport, a suicide bomber struck, killing more than 170 people. Immediately after the bombing at Kabul airport on August 26, he said, he and his family -- and dozens of others -- were bussed north to Mazar-i-Sharif.

"I received a message from my former supervisor to go to Mazar-i-Sharif and that we would be taken to Doha [Qatar] from there," he said.

Now Wakil feels forgotten and in danger.

"I am requesting from the U.S. Government that they should not leave us behind," he told CNN in Mazar-i-Sharif. "We provided services for 15 or 16 years. I was on really bad missions. My friends were killed... They should not forget us."

Two decades of loyalty

Wakil says he first started working for the Americans in the fall of 2001, when he was with a security company that deployed him to the mountains around Tora Bora -- the last hold-out of al Qaeda. He was there four months, he told CNN. Subsequently, he says, he worked for the US Treasury's mission in Afghanistan, helping with its logistics, and more recently for the Embassy's visa department.

He told CNN that many of his Afghan colleagues have already been killed and he fears for his life every day. "They know me, that I'm working with the US Government especially with the US Embassy," he told CNN.

"Definitely I will be killed by them. I don't want to stay here because I'm in a very big risk."

For now, he and the dozens like him are camping in difficult conditions at hotels in Mazar-i-Sharif Many are sleeping on floors. "The conditions are terrible," he said -- adding that his wife and youngest daughter had become sick.

On Friday, a chartered flight was finally allowed to leave Mazar-i-Sharif's airport carrying hundreds of people -- Americans, legal US residents and Afghans, according to US-based advocacy group Allied Airlift 21. The advocacy group said about 400 evacuees were aboard the Kam Air flight, which arrived in Doha on Friday, and that some of the passengers will eventually be resettled in the United States. Wakil was not one of the lucky ones on board.

Earlier, he told CNN that he still hoped the US will come to his rescue. "They didn't betray us yet."

As the father of three girls -- aged 11, 7 and 2 -- he also wants to escape Afghanistan for the sake of their futures. "The Taliban [is] not allowing them to go to school so for this reason I have to go, I have to leave. I don't care about my [own] future."

A heartbreaking price

On September 7, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a news conference in Qatar: "There are groups of people who are grouped together, some of whom have the appropriate travel documents -- an American passport, a green card, a visa -- and others do not."

But several US senators have been fiercely critical of the State Department's handling of the situation. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, tweeted on September 6: "My staff and I have worked night and day to secure the safe passage of two planes waiting in Mazar-i-Sharif to take American citizens, at-risk Afghan allies, and their families to safety."

"I have been deeply frustrated, even furious, at our government's delay and inaction," Blumenthal said.

Wakil says that while he himself clings to hope, his family feel they've been abandoned.

"I hope and I dream but for the family for my wife it's difficult for them. I cannot convince them that we will be living in the United States. They are asking me, no they left you. They left you behind."

But even if he escapes Mazar-i-Sharif with his wife and three young daughters, he must still pay a heartbreaking price for being a friend to America. His mother cannot come with them, as she is sick and still in Kabul.

"She's alone there. I don't have anyone to support her. Everyone just... I am crying..."

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
TRINITY COUNTY, Calif. - Several evacuation orders were rescinded or changed by the Trinity County Sheriff's Office on Saturday afternoon.

Effective immediatley the following changes have been made in the Junction City and Hayfork areas:

JUNCTION CITY

The evacuation warning for Canyon Creek has been rescinded. There is no active evacuation order on Canyon Creek. (The Canyon Creek Trailhead is still closed, as well as the wilderness areas to the north and west of Canyon Creek Trailhead)

HAYFORK AREA

The following areas are reduced out of an evacuation warning.

All areas south west of the Jesse Rd / Tule Creek Rd intersection to FS Rd 3N08. This includes McAlexander Rd, Shangri La Rd, Hunter Lane, Green Gate Rd, and Land Acre Rd.

FS Rd 3N08 northwest to Oakridge will remain closed

Gulch, Doctor Lane, Phares Lane, Turkey Track, and Digger Gulch

The following areas are reduced to an evacuation warning:

FS Rd 10 between FS Rd 3N08 and the St. John Rd at the Hyampom Rd intersection. Hyampom Rd, east from the St. John Rd to Grassy Flats Rd. This includes Indian Valley through FS Rd 10 and Bar 717 Camp.

NOTE: Hyampom Rd between Grassy Flats and James Creek will remain closed.

CLICK HERE to read our article with the latest updates on the Monument Fire that is updated several times per day as new information is provided by officials and by our reporters in the field.
CHICO, Calif. - A man who was wanted in Glenn County on a drug-related charge was arrested in Chico on Saturday morning by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

CHP officers were responding to a report of a broken-down red mini-van on the northbound off-ramp of Highway 99 at East Ave. when they discovered that the man with the vehicle had an outstanding warrant.

They arrested the man, 39-year-old Rockford Bell of Corning, and then took him to the Butte County Jail.

He is expected to be transferred later to the custody of Glenn County law enforcement.
https://www.aish.com/ci/s/Why-Were-the-Graves-of-So-Many-Jewish-GIs-Marked-by-a-Cross.html

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter and a group of dedicated volunteers, Jewish heroes are finally being buried with a Star of David.

Sam Cordovas family was among the pillars of the Orthodox Sefardi community in interwar Seattle. They were founders and presidents of the Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation, a still-functioning synagogue there. The Cordovas kept a kosher home, spoke Ladino and hosted guests at their Passover Seders.

Yet when Corporal Cordova was killed in the Japanese assault on the Philippine island of Corregidor, in December 1941  one of the first American casualties in the South Pacific in World War II  the US army marked his grave with a cross. Why?

Something Was Missing

It was a chilly spring afternoon in the French coastal town of Colleville-sur-Mer. Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter gazed upon the hundreds of rows of grave markers that fill the American military cemetery at Normandy, contemplating the ultimate sacrifice those young soldiers made seventy years earlier to defeat the Nazis and preserve world freedom. Then a nettlesome thought intruded upon the serenity of that afternoon in May 2014. Something was wrong with what Rabbi Schacter was seeing. Something was missing. Somebody was missing. The Jews.

Looking out at the vast Normandy expanse where 9,388 American soldiers are buried, virtually all the graves Rabbi Schacter could see were marked by crosses. It didn't seem right.

More than 500,000 American Jews served in the US armed forces in World War II, and about 11,000 of them lost their lives. Most of the fatalities occurred on the European front. Yet as Rabbi Schacter looked out at the vast Normandy expanse where 9,388 American soldiers are buried, virtually all the graves he could see were marked by crosses. There was a marker with a Jewish star here and there  but they were very few, and very far between, Rabbi Schacter recalled. It just didnt seem right.

That hunch would launch the Teaneck, New Jersey rabbi on a years-long mission that not only would bring him back to Normandy again and again, but would take him and a small team of close colleagues to Allied military cemeteries around the world in their quest for historical justice.

What Went Wrong

Rabbi Schacter turned first to his friend Shalom Lamm, a businessman with a masters degree in American military history. As they began to explore the mystery, it quickly became apparent that the Jewish GIs were not missing, after all  they were misidentified.

Aided by Lamms relative by marriage Steve Lamar, an amateur genealogist, and Yeshiva College student volunteer Yaakov Ellenbogen, Rabbi Schacter and Lamm determined that there are hundreds of Jewish soldiers buried under crosses in multiple American military cemeteries around the world.

Rectifying those errors is the goal of their campaign to right a decades-old wrong and ensure that the Jewish GIs who gave their lives for their country can rest in peace at last under the Star of David markers that they would have wanted.

There are several reasons a Jewish soldier might be interred under a cross. The first had to do with the process by which soldiers were temporarily buried near battlefields. Many of the GIs who were killed during the storming of the Normandy beach on D-Day in June 1944 or in the weeks to follow had to be hastily buried on the spot, then later reburied when military cemeteries were established in the region. The army made every effort to determine the identity of the deceased, but when soldiers had to be reburied multiple times, clerical errors sometimes ensued, especially if the GIs dog tags  which indicated religious affiliation  became separated from their bodies during battle and were lost.

During World War II, some Jewish GIs requested a C or a P  or N, for no religious preference  for fear of persecution if they were taken prisoner by the Germans.

A second explanation concerned the dog tags. They not only state the GIs name, rank and serial number, but also bear the designation P for Protestant, C for Catholic or H for Hebrew, in order to ensure that the religious needs of a seriously wounded soldier are met, and that a deceased soldiers burial rites are conducted in accordance with his faith. During World War II, some Jewish GIs requested a C or a P  or N, for no religious preference  for fear of persecution if they were taken prisoner by the Germans; others altered the H to resemble a P  or totally effaced the religious designation on the dog tag  shortly before going into battle.

They had good reason to be afraid; the Nazis did not respect conventional rules regarding treatment of captured enemy soldiers. Some American GIs were sent to the Buchenwald and Mauthausen concentration camps, instead of normal POW facilities. Several hundred US Jewish GIs who were among the American POWs brought to the Stalag IX-B prisoner camp in 1945 were separated from their comrades and sent to the Berga slave labor camp, a subcamp of Buchenwald; thirty-five of them were worked to death, and another thirty-six died on a death march from Berga before the arrival of the victorious Allied armies.

There is also evidence that some American Jewish soldiers may have requested a C or a P, or no designation, for fear of suffering discrimination at the hands of fellow soldiers if their Jewish identity became known. In her book GI Jews, Professor Deborah Dash Moore found that anti-Semitic incidents occurred frequently in the military in the World War II era, sometimes erupting into fistfights.

In every instance that mislabeled graves have been uncovered, human error, not malice, was the cause.

The teams research found no evidence that the military authorities ever deliberately chose a cross to mark a grave of a soldier whom they knew to be Jewish. In every instance that mislabeled graves have been uncovered, human error, not malice, was the cause. Because their loved ones were buried in faraway Europe or the South Pacific, many surviving relatives never visited their graves and thus never knew about the crosses; or, if they knew, they did not realize the mistake could be corrected.

A True Kindness

Once we understood why the crosses had been erected, we knew we needed to do something about it, Lamm recalls. Every grave marker we could correct would be an act of justice and a teaching opportunity. And, of course, a chesed shel emet  an act of generosity for which there is no expectation of any material reward, in this case because the beneficiary is no longer alive.

One important source of information for the team is to be found in the records of the Jewish Welfare Board, housed at the American Jewish Historical Society in New York City. Many parents of Jewish GIs in World War II filled out a JWB form providing basic family and biographical information so the Board could assist the GI in various ways during his service  for example, via the Jewish chaplains (such as Rabbi Schacters father, the late Rabbi Herschel Schacter) whom the JWB helped train. Cross-checking the JWBs records with US military records of wartime casualties has yielded crucial information.

For many, its shocking and upsetting to hear that their loved one is buried under a cross.

After confirming through an extensive documentary trail that a soldier who was Jewish is buried under a cross, the team moves into the phase of contacting surviving relatives. Legal next of kin are the only ones who have the authority to formally request that a grave marker be changed. The request is made to the government agency charged with caring for all foreign US military cemeteries, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). A country must be judged by how it cares for those who gave their lives for it, says ABMC leader Major General (ret.) William Matz, with whom Rabbi Schacter, Lamm and their colleagues work closely in addressing these issues.

Contacting the families is a sensitive matter. For some families, just talking about the person they lost is re-opening a painful old wound, Rabbi Schacter notes. For many, its shocking and upsetting to hear that their loved one is buried under a cross. And some families are suspicious of our motives. It takes time for them to understand what were doing, and why.

Private Benjamin (Boruch) Garadetsky

Their First Success

The teams first success was the case of Pvt. Benjamin (Boruch) Garadetsky, who was killed in a German bombing of his position in France in August 1944. There was no doubt Garadetsky was Jewish; Lamm and his wife, Tina, had visited the Long Island graves of the GIs parents and saw the Hebrew inscriptions on their headstones. Moreover, Garadetsky, who was born in Russia, had written Hebrew under race on his 1941 application for American citizenship.

When the team tracked down Garadetskys nephew, a doctor in St. Louis, it turned out that the family was aware of the cross and had written to government officials about it many years earlier but had not pursued it. With help from Lamm and Lamar, an official request was submitted through the American Battle Monuments Commission and quickly approved.

On June 20, 2018, Lamar, Rabbi Schacter and dozens of friends and family members of the Garadetskys gathered at the Normandy cemetery for the solemn ceremony at which the cross was replaced by a Star of David. Psalms were recited, family members shared reminiscences and Rabbi Schacter conducted a memorial ceremony that he created for the occasion; since there is no existing religious service for this uniquely modern occasion, the rabbi improvised. He concluded with the poignant declaration, Benjamin, on behalf of the citizens of the United States of America, we thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice, and Benjamin, on behalf of the Jewish people, we welcome you home.

To honor the namesake of their first successful mission, the team gave their campaign a permanent name: Operation Benjamin. They also secured tax-exempt status and began fundraising (the families of the GIs are not charged for any of the expenses involved).

Seven more such ceremonies took place in the year to follow: two brothers, both crew members on bombers, who were buried in France and Belgium; and five GIs who were buried in the Philippines after being killed in the South Pacific or Japanese POW camps.

By early 2020, three more marker replacements had been approved by the ABMC, and ceremonies were being planned in Belgium and France when the coronavirus pandemic struck. International travel ground to a halt, forcing Operation Benjamin to reschedule those for the summer of 2021. Two more marker replacements have been approved, one in Manila, and the other in Rhone, France.

For the past year, the group has focused on researching more candidates, contacting their families, and helping them navigate the application process, while waiting for the day that they can fully resume their chesed shel emet.

Harry Cordova was the one who answered the door on that fateful day in December 1941 when the army messenger brought the telegram announcing his brother Sams death in action. Their mother was a Turkish Jewish immigrant who knew little English; Harry read the telegram aloud. We simply tried to get through that painful period as best as we could, Harry, now ninety-nine, explained in his appeal to the army commission. We did not concern ourselves with his grave marker at the time.

Thanks to the efforts of Operation Benjamin, that time finally came. Following the submission of the familys request, backed up by the teams research, approval by the commission was swift. Cognizant of Harrys age, Operation Benjamin, in partnership with the ABMC, proceeded with the headstone replacement ceremony on December 29 in Manila, exactly seventy-nine years to the day that Sam was killed. Harry spoke at the ceremony from Florida via video.

Sam Cordova made the ultimate sacrifice  as a soldier on the battlefield, as a patriotic American, and as a Jew fighting the Axis  and at last he was remembered as an American and as a Jew, as he no doubt would have wanted.

This article originally appeared in the Summer issue of the Jewish Action magazine.
https://www.aish.com/f/hotm/Sydney-Taylors-All-of-a-Kind-Family-Revolutionized-Jewish-Childrens-Literature.html

Warm, intimate and full of fun, I adopted Taylors fictional family as my own make-believe family.

As a kid my favorite books were Sydney Taylors All-of-a-Kind Family Series. To me and thousands of other children, her stories about an observant Jewish immigrant family on New Yorks Lower East Side were both enchanting and inspiring.

The much-loved childrens author is the subject of the new biography, From Sarah to Sydney" (the writer's name used to be Sarah Brenner). Written by the late literature scholar June Cummins, the book is a meticulously researched labor of love.

Cummins immersed herself in her subject over a period of two decades, tracking down Taylors friends, relatives and personal associates, and making numerous visits to Library of Congress, the Sydney Taylor archive at the University of Minnesota and to the home of Taylors daughter Joanne to read through thousands of dusty letters, diaries and documents.

In 1951, Sydney Taylor won the Charles W. Follett Award for her writing.

During the final years of writing Cummins developed ALS and gradually lost motor function until she could no longer type. Assisted by her husband and close friend Alexandra Dunietz, Cummins continued writing, using special software which allowed her to write by blinking her eyes. According to Dunietz, working on the book gave Cummins a sense of purpose, brightening what might have been a very bleak time in her life. Tragically Cummins passed away before the book's publication, never to revel in its widespread critical acclaim.

Cummins points out that the All-of-a-Kind Family books  there were eventually five  represented a revolution in literature for Jewish children. Until that point Jewish books were mostly about the holidays or retellings of bible stories, many of them flat and preachy. Written in an engaging style, Taylor's novels were the first kids' books to depict traditional Jewish life in all of its glory.

June Cummins

During the 1950s, publishing an obviously ethnic work was a huge gamble and Taylors publisher urged her to tone downs the stories Jewish tone. Thankfully Taylor mostly resisted. Despite their particularism  or perhaps because of it  the books became huge bestsellers. The first volume came out during the 1950s and the series has remained in print ever since.

Taylors plot points, more heart-warming than exciting, include holidays like Sukkot and Simchat Torah, lost library books, the joys of eating candy in bed, the birth of a baby brother and marriage of the oldest sister. Unlike contemporary kids lit, Mama and Papa play a leading role and are depicted as both wise and kind.

#Even though she wasn't observant, Taylor's novels were the first kids' books to depict traditional Jewish life in all of its glory.

Reading these stories as a child, All-of-a-Kind Family books offered me an immensely appealing alternative reality. My Holocaust survivor parents were loving but preoccupied with the immense challenge reestablishing themselves in a new country, and lacking sisters, cousins and even friendly neighbors, I spent a great deal of time by myself. Warm, intimate and full of fun, I adopted Taylors fictional family as my own make-believe family, with Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte and Gertrude as my imaginary sisters. Taylor's books sold me on the joys of large family life.

Cummins quotes a 1952 radio interview in which Taylor says, In a large family we got the best possible preparation for living in the adult world. We learned to cooperate, to divide the work and get it done.

Cummins points out how deeply ironic it was that the success of the books turned Taylor, who was not at all religiously observant, into a spokeswoman for the glories of traditional Jewish life. She quotes a fan letter Taylor received from a reader who convinced her family to hold a Passover seder, their first ever, followed up by reading of sections from the books.

Taylor never lost her love for the Judaism she practiced as a child, but because her husband was so fiercely anti-religious her own family lived like atheists." As she grew older, her nostalgia grew even stronger. Cummins quotes a letter by Taylor to her daughter recalling her father at High holiday time: I remember papa saying I will pray for you. Who will pray for us now?" she asks.

That daughter, Taylors only child, Joanne, intermarried, later divorced and never remarried. Taylors lack of grandchildren was one of her great sorrows.

Yet Taylors writing became the catalyst for explosive growth in Jewish childrens literature. Back in the 1950s when the first All-of-a-Kind Family was published, the Jewish Book Council's list of Jewish kids' books barely spanned eight pages. Today the list is 300 pages long and the Sydney Taylor Book Award recognizes the best in Jewish children's literature.

Although she lacks physical descendants, Taylors books have brought her an ever-increasing spiritual progeny  the many of us who were inspired by her works to live as her family once did.
https://www.aish.com/jw/id/Netanel-Felbers-Message-Dont-Give-Up.html

The wounded Israeli American soldier continues to make great strides.

The progress of U.S. born Israeli soldier, Netanel Felber, who was shot in the head almost three years ago, continues to inspire.

A year ago Netanel left the hospital and moved back home.

The progress Netanel has made has been incredible, Judi Felber, Netanels mother told Aish.com. He communicates with us, he smiles and laughs and can play games. Two years ago, I wouldnt have believed that I would be back at home with my son playing a game of Connect 4, but he never gives up.

Netanel Felber is back in his hometown of Raanana.

In December 2018, Netanel was shot in the head by a Palestinian terrorist while guarding a civilian bus stop. Two other soldiers, Yovel MorYosef and Yossi Cohen, both from Netanels combat unit, were killed in the attack.

Unresponsive when paramedics arrived at the scene, Netanel, 21 years old at the time, underwent life-saving neurosurgery. He was sedated and connected to a respirator as he battled for his life, and remained in minimally conscious state for seven months. His slow road to recovery has captured the hearts and minds of Jews around the world, as he defies the odds.

More than two and a half years ago, Netanel was transferred to the Tel Hashomer rehabilitation unit near Tel Aviv. Just before Rosh Hashanah last year he made the long-awaited move back home to Raanana, where his family has lived since they made Aliyah from Silver Spring, Maryland in 2006. Netanel lives near to his family with care-workers helping him day and night. The move, which had been a pipe dream, has opened the door to greater normalcy for the family, and has turbo-charged Netanels recovery, encouraging him to make greater strides in his fight for independence.

Netanel Felber, prior to the attack in 2018.

Netanel cant walk, talk, or eat independently  yet; but hes responding to people, to us, his family, he is able to show emotions and is making great progress, Judi says.

He has made the major leap of starting to be able to vocalize sounds to let us know what he likes and what he doesnt like, and on a couple of occasions he has vocalized when he wanted his caregivers to come to him.

Last year, Aish.com reported on Netanels first smile since the injury was sustained, which occurred at a party at his yeshiva with friends. Now, Netanel smiles all the time, Judi says, And he laughs with us at funny things, he has a great sense of humor.

Living back at in his home town has meant Netanel also gets to see more of his friends. This makes him so happy, Judi says. Previously, friends would have had had to come to stay near the hospital for the whole Shabbat to see him but now they can just pop in.

Living with caregivers who assist him, Netanel is fighting to reclaim some of his old interests. He has always loved music and now he has an amazing music therapist. One note at a time, he has learned to lift his finger up and down and move it to the right place on the keyboard to play the opening notes of Hatikva, Israels national anthem.

Never Give Up

Netanel, with Dr. Adi Gidal of the Sheba Medical Center.

I am constantly reminded how hard it is for him to do things, which you see babies just do instinctively, such as swallowing and making noises. Everything he does he has to learn how to do it, but the key is that he really wants to get better, and when he wants something, he is willing to work very hard for it.

Just this week, his physical therapist was asking him to try something new and he really wanted to, and he tried, but failed. His therapist told him, Its ok that you didnt succeed this time, just try again. He did try again, succeeded, and his face lit up with a broad smile.

This is a message he has given us as a family, and he gives to everyone he meets: Dont give up, just keep trying. This is what he does, and this is his message to the world.

Prior to his injury, Netanel loved learning Torah. Back at home he learns Torah with friends and family, and has been back to shul, joining the local outdoor minyan, which he enjoys.

The days he puts on his tefillin, he does better, Judi says. It takes time for his caregivers to put them on in the morning, and even when theres not much time or there is a rush to be somewhere, I tell his caregiver to help him put his tefillin on, it will be a better day.

Learning Torah with his father.

Staying Positive

Weve still got a long way to go, Judi acknowledges, and although some days are good, some are not. I always try and find room for optimism, to find something good even when it appears that that its the hardest thing in the world to do.

Netanel will always have his limitations, but I speak to other parents of children with similar injuries who say that even as after 20 years, they are still making progress. Netanel has shown how hard he is prepared to work at getting better, and I have no doubt, in the future he is going to be walking, talking, and eating, the sky is the limit.

The Felber family asks for continued prayers for Netanel Ilan ben Shayna Tzipora.
https://www.aish.com/jw/s/How-an-Imprisoned-Jewish-Doctor-Invented-a-Typhus-Vaccine-in-Buchenwald.html

And kept his groundbreaking discovery a secret from the Nazis.

Today, the deadly disease typhus is largely confined to history books, eradicated in great measure by the work of Ludwik Fleck, a brilliant Jewish scientist who was imprisoned by the Nazis. Forced to experiment on prisoners in the Nazi death camp of Buchenwald, Dr. Fleck managed to invent a vaccine against typhus  and keep his world-changing discovery a secret from his brutal Nazi overlords.

Fear of Typhus and Hatred of Jews

When we look back on the Holocaust era, its difficult for us to appreciate the extent to which the Nazis and others feared typhus and to understand the way that terror was employed by Nazis to stoke fear and hatred of Jews. Yet the intense terror of typhus outbreaks helped to fuel the Nazis hatred of Jews.

Typhus epidemics raged when people lived in close proximity in unsanitary conditions and cannot change their clothes or bathe regularly. Armies were particularly prone to typhus outbreaks during wartime, when soldiers lived in squalid conditions and lice  which spread the disease  ran rampant.

Dr. Ludwik Fleck

With the rise of the Nazi movement, Jews were increasingly blamed for typhus. The Nazis often portrayed those they persecuted as vermin, parasites, or diseases, the United States Holocaust Museum notes. During the Nazi era, German medical professionals repeatedly pushed the false claim that Jews were especially responsible for outbreaks of typhus In Nazi propaganda, Jews were commonly depicted in political cartoons as lice; the implication was that they carried diseases, particularly typhus. Jews are lice; they cause typhus declared a Nazi propaganda poster disseminated in Poland in 1941.

"Jews are lice; they cause typhus."

The threat of typhus, particularly, was used by Nazis as an excuse to confine Jews to ghettos in Nazi-occupied cities. Ironically, the terrible conditions in overcrowded ghettos were precisely those that allowed typhus to spread. In 1940, 380,000 Jews were imprisoned inside the Warsaw Ghetto, the largest Nazi ghetto. Over 80,000 residents eventually succumbed to starvation and disease. (Virtually all remaining Jews were deported to Nazi death camps where they were murdered.)

In 1941, SS General Reinhard Heidrich instructed the SSs chief physician to deliberately introduce a typhus epidemic into the Warsaw Ghetto. Soon, typhus was raging through the ghetto, killing large numbers of starving, malnourished, imprisoned Jews there.

In 1941, SS General Reinhard Heidrich instructed the SSs chief physician to deliberately introduce a typhus epidemic into the Warsaw Ghetto.

Soon after this Nazi-initiated epidemic, in October 1941, Dr. Jost Walbaum, the Chief Health Officer of the Nazi-imposed Polish government told an audience of physicians that it was necessary to imprison and murder Jews in order to stop typhus and other infectious diseases. The Jews are overwhelmingly the carriers and disseminators of typhus infection, he announced. There are only two ways (to solve this). We sentence the Jews in the ghetto to death by hunger or we shoot them We have one and only responsibility, that the German people are not infected and endangered by these parasites. For that, any means must be right. These chilling words were met with applause.

Typhus, World War I, and Dr. Fleck

Typhus profoundly shaped the course of World War I. A major epidemic broke out in Serbia with the start of fighting in 1914; within a year, 150,000 people had died of typhus in Serbia, including 50,000 POWs. The mortality rate of the Serbian outbreak reached as high as 70%. A third of the doctors in Serbia died of the disease. According to the London-based Microbiology Society, the raging outbreak of typhus in the midst of World War I dissuaded the German-Austrian command from invading Serbia in an attempt to prevent the spread of typhus within their borders.

At the same time, typhus began spreading throughout the Russian army on the wars eastern front. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, Russias typhus epidemic raged out of control. History and science writer Arthur Allen documented the incredible story of Dr. Fleck and the race to invent the vaccine against typhus in his 2014 book The Fantastic Laboratory of Dr. Weigl: How Two Brave Scientists Battled Typhus and Sabotaged the Nazis (Norton and Co.). In a 2015 interview, he described the terrible toll that typhus took at the time. "Following World War I, when there was this terrible chaos all over the Eastern Front after Lenin pulled his troops from the Eastern Front, and Russian soldiers were roaming through all parts of Russia  whats now Russia, Ukraine, Belarus  and there were POWs in Poland. And the disease just spread like wildfire through that entire region. There have been estimates of as many as 20 million cases of typhus and...3, 4, 5 million deaths

One of the many soldiers fighting on the German side of the war who watched typhus spread with horror during World War I was Ludwik Fleck, a young Jewish medical student from Lvov, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (in 1919 it became part of a newly-independent Poland; today, it is part of Ukraine). Lvov was home to a thriving Jewish population when Dr. Fleck was born in 1896. He attended medical school, but his studies were interrupted by World War I, during which Dr. Fleck worked as a medical officer and witnessed first-hand the terrible toll that typhus took on soldiers and civilians alike.

During World War I, Dr. Fleck came into contact with Dr. Rudolf Weigl, an older and acclaimed biologist. Shocked by the horrific effects of typhus he witnessed in the military, Dr. Weigl began working on a vaccine against typhus, building on research that was being done throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time. Dr. Weigl collaborated with other scientists, including his wife Zofia, and managed to produce an effective vaccine against typhus in a laboratory setting, using lice as the hosts of the disease. The vaccine worked, but it was extremely difficult to produce and Dr. Weigl resisted experimenting on humans.

As the acclaimed Polish microbiologist Stefan Krynski has noted, typhus vaccine production in the years before World War II was extremely limited. Dr. Weigels hesitation before introducing for use in humans was based on extreme caution, enhanced by the fact that he himself was not a doctor of medicine Dr. Weigls early typhus vaccines degraded quickly, but he established a research lab in Lvov and recruited prominent scientists  many of them Jews  to help research typhus and other diseases.

At the time, it was difficult for Jews to obtain research positions in Polish universities. Dr. Fleck, by now a prominent virologist in his own right, was one of many talented Jewish scientists who was unable to obtain an academic appointment. Instead, Dr. Fleck established a private medical lab in Lvov where he analyzed several diseases, including typhus. His work brought him into contact with Dr. Weigl and his team, one of the local scientific labs which didnt discriminate against Jewish researchers. In Dr. Weigls lab, Dr. Fleck made a major breakthrough, inventing a skin test to diagnose typhus.

Rising Hatred of Jews

While the Nazis consolidated power in Germany in the 1930s, Polands right-wing nationalist government fomented anti-Semitism and passed anti-Jewish laws inside Poland, too. Under Prime Minister Felicjan Slawoj-Skladkowski, who served as Polands prime minister and minister of the interior from 1936 to 1939, Poles were encouraged to boycott Jewish businesses and even to riot against Jews in various Polish towns.

Jewish butcher shops were forced to shut, Jewish businesses found it difficult to receive commercial licenses or bank loans. Prime Minister Slawoj-Skadkowski encouraged boycotts of Jewish businesses and professionals. In Polish universities, students were forced to sit in special sections of the classroom. Polish rioters attacked Jews in towns including Radom, Brest-Litvost, Vilna, Czestochowa, and Lvov, Dr. Flecks home town. The authorities refused to intervene, instead arresting members of Jewish self-defense groups, not Polish rioters.

Arthur Allen describes the atmosphere in Lvovs medical school: by 1937, no new Jews were being admitted to the school. Members of anti-Semitic student clubs...menaced the remaining Jewish students in the streets and the halls of the university, armed with razor blades slotted into wooden sticks. Of the many Jewish students beaten and attacked, at least three died

Dr. Rudolph Weigl

Many Poles refused to give into this atmosphere of hate, including Dr. Flecks mentor Dr. Rudolf Weigl. One day when Dr. Weigl walked into the lecture hall where he taught in the Lvov medical school, he saw all his Jewish students standing, forbidden to sit. Whats going on here? asked Dr. Weigl. When anti-Jewish students explained that Jews were forbidden to sit in the class, Dr. Weigl replied, In that case, I will stand until they sit. (Quoted in The Fantastic Laboratory of Dr. Weigl: How Two Brave Scientists Battled Typhus and Sabotaged the Nazis by Arthur Allen.)

Creating a Vaccine inside the Lvov Ghetto

Nazi forces entered Lvov on June 29, 1941. Jews were forced to give up their property and herded into a cramped ghetto. Approximately 5,000 Jews were shot by Nazis during the establishment of the Lvov Ghetto. Over 110,000 Jews were soon imprisoned behind the ghettos walls. Starvation and disease  including typhus  were rampant.

Liquidation of the Lvov Ghetto,

Dr. Ludwik Fleck, along with his wife Ernestyna and his son Ryszard were forced into an apartment in the Lvov Ghetto with two other Jewish families. For several months, Dr. Fleck managed to keep up his research inside the ghetto. Along with three fellow Jewish scientists  a Dr. Olga Elser, a Dr. Bernard Umschweif and a third scientist whom Dr. Fleck identified as Dr. Anhalt  he miraculously managed to create a typhus vaccine in laboratory conditions inside the Ghettos Jewish Hospital. Their survival was largely due to Dr. Rudolf Weigl, who listed these Jewish scientists as associates in his lab, which was now working for the German Army.

After the Holocaust, Dr. Fleck described the research he carried out in the Lvov Ghetto: It was of major importance to work out such a method that would allow us to produce the vaccine in the primitive conditions of the ghettoI managed to create the typhus vaccine made from the urine of the patients (in the Jewish Hospital) suffering from the typhus fever. The vaccine saved lives of many people in the ghetto as well as (nearby) Janowska Concentration Camp, where we vaccinated the prisoners....

Dr. Ludwik Fleck

The incredible success of Dr. Flecks typhus vaccine didnt go unnoticed by the Nazi guards. They asked Dr. Fleck if it were possible to inoculate Germans too. I answered that it was doubtful, as they were of different race and the vaccine had been made from the urine of ill Jews Dr. Fleck recalled telling them.

In March and April 1942, the Nazis murdered 15,000 Jews whod lived in the Lvov Ghetto. They were sent to the Janowska concentration camp, and from there were sent by trains to the Nazi death camp Belzec. Among the thousands of murdered Jews were Dr. Flecks two sisters, Antonia Fleck-Silber and Henryka Fleck-Kessler. Both women had been teachers in the Vocational School for Jewish Girls in Lvov. They were murdered, along with their husbands, in Janowska.

Vaccine Miracle in Buchenwald

Dr. Fleck, his wife and son, were deported to Auschwitz. At first Dr. Fleck was forced to do backbreaking slave labor, but soon the camp officials recognized Dr. Flecks medical expertise and sent him to Auschwitzs infirmary to help conduct medical experiments related to bacteria and infection on prisoners. At the end of 1943, Dr. Fleck was sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp. There, the German government was trying to set up a laboratory to invent a durable typhus vaccine that could be mass produced and shipped to German soldiers.

The leader of this project was a German quack scientist named Joachim Mrugowsky whod faked much of his research and was, as Dr. Fleck would later describe, scientifically illiterate. After his lab in Berlin was destroyed by British bombers, author Arthur Allen describes, Mrugowsky decided to produce the vaccine at Buchenwald, thinking that allied bombs would not fall there. Jewish inmates of the concentration camp  those whom the Nazis condemned to death as mere human lice  would be employed to manufacture it, thereby saving the German troops at the front.

At the time, the best-known typhus vaccine was that produced by Dr. Rudolf Weigl. However, Dr. Weigls method incubated typhus in the bodies of lice. With their overwhelming fear of lice, there was no way the Nazis would allow researchers to breed lice in Buchenwald. An entirely new way of making typhus vaccines would have to be invented. Dr. Mrugowsky recruited another German scientist named Dr. Erwin Ding-Schuler to assemble a typhus vaccine lab in Buchenwald. Dr. Ding-Schuler went about choosing Jewish scientists from among Buchenwalds inmates to staff his prison lab. Many of the men he selected werent actually scientists or medical doctors, but were pretending they had medical expertise as a way to appear useful to the Nazis and stay alive.

The team worked round the clock and invented a novel new way to breed typhus in animals that werent normally used in this type of typhus research. Dr. Ding-Schulers research methods involved using guinea pigs, rabbits and mice. Just before Christmas in 1943, the vaccine was ready: Dr. Ding-Schuler injected prisoners with the vaccine and waited for the results.

Tragically, the typhus vaccine didnt work. Dr. Ding-Schuler falsified the experiment records to make it look as if hed done what no one else had achieved: develop an effective typhus vaccine that could be used outside of a lab and which didnt involve breeding lice. Yet he needed help in finding what had gone wrong.

Dr. Fleck managed to create a life-saving typhus vaccine, working with Jewish slaves as his colleagues in the unimaginable hell that was Buchenwald.

It was then that Dr. Ludwik Fleck was transferred to Buchenwald, and Ding-Schuler placed him in charge of the vaccine project. Right away, Dr. Fleck realized that Dr. Ding-Schuler had no idea what he was doing. Privately, Dr. Fleck called him a dummkopf, Yiddish for idiot. Dr. Fleck later recalled that the Nazi scientists at Buchenwald looked into their microscopes and continuously misunderstood what they saw There was no individual author of the error. The error grew out of the collective atmosphere.

Dr. Fleck adjusted the method that typhus was being bred and managed to create a life-saving typhus vaccine, working with Jewish slaves as his colleagues in the unimaginable hell that was Buchenwald.

Duping the Nazis

Once Dr. Fleck adjusted the vaccine production method, he and his fellow Jewish scientists decided to keep their discovery secret. Dr. Eugen Kogon, a Jewish scientist imprisoned in Buchenwald who led the Jewish team producing the vaccine, later described what happened. Since Ding-Schuler demanded large quantities of vaccine, we produced two types: one that had no value and was perfectly harmless, and went to the front; and a second type, in very small quantities, that was very efficacious and used in special cases like for comrades who worked in difficult places in the camp. (Quoted in The Fantastic Laboratory of Dr. Weigl: How Two Brave Scientists Battled Typhus and Sabotaged the Nazis by Arthur Allen.)

"We were consciously producing a non-active vaccine Ding, the idiot, never wised it up

Whenever the Nazis became suspicious and demanded vaccines to test, Dr. Fleck and the other Jewish scientists would send a vial of the precious real vaccine, and independent tests would confirm that the vaccine worked. Dr. Fleck later recalled that Dr. Ding-Schulers lack of knowledge of science was very useful in the sabotage activities that were soon undertaken by a group of doctors and scientists from the Concentration Camp Buchenwald We were consciously producing a non-active vaccine Ding, the idiot, never wised it up

While Dr. Fleck and others produced small quantities of vaccine using rabbits, guinea pigs and other animals, Dr. Rudolf Weigl continued to manufacture vaccines derived from lice in his laboratory in Lvov. Dr. Weigl was also determined to trick the Nazis and help Jews.

Dr. Weigl was compelled to turn almost all of his vaccine over to the Nazis, but author Arthur Allen has documented that Dr. Weigl was allowed to keep 8,200 doses each month in order to conduct further experiments and inoculate family members and friends. Instead of honoring this arrangement, Dr. Weigl acted heroically. He sabotaged the vaccine doses he gave to the Nazis, and donated the doses he was allowed to keep to resistant groups, orphans, Jewish fighters and priests. He even managed to smuggle 30,000 precious doses of vaccine to the Warsaw Ghetto, where typhus was rife, to inoculate 30,000 Jews there.

Testifying to Nazi Atrocities

After he was liberated, Dr. Ludwik Fleck testified about the horrors hed witnessed. When it comes to the reprehensible experiments carried out on prisoners, I had an opportunity to give testimony on that matter in the Nuremberg Court, Dr. Fleck later recalled. Among the many gruesome medical treatments, experiments and tortures he described, was the deliberate infection of large numbers of prisoners with typhus, so they could then be given the vaccine.

At the Nuremberg trials, Dr. Joachim Mrugowsky, who set up the typhus project in Buchenwald, was found guilty of crimes against humanity and was hanged. Dr. Ding-Schuler killed himself in an American military prison before his trial. He left a letter asking Dr. Kogon, the Jewish director of vaccine trials in Buchenwald, to look after his wife and children. Yet Dr. Ding-Schulers wife soon died  from typhus.

In Postwar Poland, Dr. Rudolf Weigl was accused  wrongly  of having been a Nazi informer. He was largely ignored by the Polish scientific establishment and died in 1957, his great heroism and scientific brilliance all but forgotten. In 2003, Yad Vashem declared Dr. Weigl Righteous Among the Nations and planted a tree in his honor in the Avenue of the Righteous in Jerusalem.

In 1957, Poland experienced a resurgence of anti-Semitism, and the Flecks fled, joining their son in Israel.

Dr. Fleck survived the Holocaust, along with his wife and son. Their son, Ryszard Fleck, moved to Israel with the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948. Dr. Fleck and his wife stayed in Poland, where Dr. Fleck held distinguished posts in the University of Lublin and University of Warsaw, conducting research and writing philosophical works. In 1957, Poland experienced a resurgence of anti-Semitism, and the Flecks fled, joining their son in Israel.

In Israel Dr. Fleck worked in epidemiology in the Institute of Biological Research in the Israeli town of Nes Ziona. He continued to write philosophical works. Dr. Flecks last paper was written in Israel, titled Crisis in Science: Towards a Free and More Human Science.

Dr. Ludwik Fleck died in 1961 and is remembered today most of all for his work as a scientific philosopher, not his groundbreaking discovery of a vaccine for typhus. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy notes that Dr. Fleck was one of the most influential philosophers of science of the modern age. His groundbreaking discovery of a typhus vaccine, and his insistence on using it to help his fellow imprisoned Jews, laid the foundation for a lifetime of scientific research and contemplation of the role of humanity and morality in science.
https://www.aish.com/jw/s/Ida-Nudel-4-Life-Lessons.html

The diminutive giant defied the Soviet Union to move to Israel.

Forty-three years ago, during Sukkot, Ida Nudel  one of the worlds most famous Soviet refuseniks  landed in Israel, ready to start a new life after decades of waiting. Every once in a while something happens which is unambiguously good, said then-US Secretary of State George Shultz, who joined throngs of well-wishes at Israels Ben Gurion airport to greet Ida.

Ida Nudel was a household name in Jewish homes across the Soviet Union and around the world. When Jews petitioned for permission to emigrate from the Soviet Union, almost all were denied and most faced reprisals for daring to hope to leave the repressive USSR. Refuseniks lost everything: their careers, their friends. Without income many risked arrest for the crime of parasitism. Yet tens of thousands of brave refuseniks never backed down, demanding permission to leave the USSR and move to Israel.

Photo by Jonathan Feldstein

For many of these desperate refuseniks who longed to live and practice freely as Jews, Ida Nudel was a ray of hope.

Born in 1931 in Crimea, Ida trained as an economist and lived in Moscow. Her only relatives were her sister Elena, Elenas husband and son. In 1967, as Ida and Elena heard the incredible news about the Six Day War, Ida and Elena thought that perhaps they too could move to the Jewish homeland and make their lives there.

A group of idealistic young Soviet Jews hatched a plan to hijack a small passenger airplane in Leningrad. The plan was to force the pilot to land the plane in Sweden, then later to fly on to Israel. But the group was arrested and tried in highly publicized show trials. If the Soviet Unions intent was to frighten its Jewish citizens from hoping to escape, then the trails were a dismal failure. Thousands of Jews began applying for permission to emigrate to Israel. Among them were Ida Nudel and Elena and her family.

After exile in 1985.

Elena and her family were granted permission to leave in 1972, but Ida was refused a visa. She remained in Moscow where life became increasingly difficult. She lost her job and was harassed by the KGB. In 1974, Ida told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the KGB had threatened to throw her into prison on fabricated charges of alcoholism and prostitution. She joined other Soviet Jews in a hunger strike demanding their freedom to move to Israel, to no avail. An exit visa officially cost 900 rubles, Ida Nudel observed, but no one has so far estimated the price that one has to pay in human suffering for the privilege of being about to obtain this tiny scrap of paper.

Ida began gathering information about other refuseniks and documenting their cases. She corresponded with the Union of Council for Soviet Jews in the USA and other Jewish organizations in the West, passing along vital information about Jews trapped behind the Iron Curtain. She wrote copious letters to Soviet officials and agencies, demanding that she and other Jews be given permission to move to Israel. She was harassed and repeatedly arrested, but refused to back down.

In 1978, Ida hung a banner on the balcony of her apartment demanding, KGB  GIVE ME MY EXIT VISA. This was too great a provocation for the Soviet authorities. Instead of giving her a visa, the KGB arrested Ida for hooliganism and sentenced her to four years in prison in a Siberian gulag.

The conditions there were terrible. Ida was housed with hardened male criminals in a mens section of the prison, and had to sleep with a kitchen knife under her pillow to defend herself. A tiny woman, she froze in Siberias terrible winters and lived in constant fear of the prison guards and her fellow prisoners. Her health suffered terribly, but Ida remained defiant. Over 10,000 people from around the world wrote letters to the USSR protesting her sentence.

Finally freed in 1982, Ida was forbidden from returning to Moscow and settled in Bender, Moldova, where she continued her letter writing activities. In 1987, just a few hours before Yom Kippur, Ida was summoned to Moscow and got the news shed been waiting for: she had her exit visa. I only feel happiness, she told The New York Times soon after hearing the news; I am unable to think right now.

That night, Ida made her way to Moscows Central Synagogue where she prayed the Yom Kippur service with large crowds of well-wishers whod came out to pray with the Mother of Prisoners of Zion one last time before she finally left for Israel.

Ida Nudel arrives at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv in October 1987, 16 years after she began fighting to be allowed to leave the Soviet Union. Nudel died Tuesday at age 90.

Ida moved to Israel and settled in Rehovot, near her sister. She remained an outspoken political activist and continued to work to help Soviet Jews, founding the Mother to Mother organization which provided after school programs to the children of Soviet immigrants. Natan Sharansky, another refusenik who became a senior Israeli politician, wrote that Ida did everything to build a bridge across the abyss, separating the Gulag from...freedom.

Ida Nudel passed away on September 14, 2021 at the age of 90. Here are four lessons we can all learn from Ida.

Strive to be a Leader

In 1971, when she first petitioned the Soviet authorities to emigrate, Ida was a 40-year-old economist. She occupied no communal position; she wielded absolutely no influence. Like most Soviet Jews, she had very little Jewish education. What Ida did have was a burning desire to do what was right and live her life as a proud, free and independent Jew. She never set out to change the world, but her quiet determination to do what was right transformed her into a leader.

All Jews Are Responsible for One Another

The Talmud (Shavuot 39a) elucidates that all Jews are responsible for one another: we are all connected. What strengthens one Jew strengthens us all; whenever one Jew is harmed or weakened, we all are diminished.

Ida Nudel understood this key Jewish tenet clearly. It wasnt enough that she herself applied for and eventually received an exit visa. She was determined to help her fellow Jews gain permission to move to Israel, too.

Drawing Strength from the Jewish Community

After sixteen years of waiting, Ida finally received her precious exit visa just hours before Yom Kippur in 1978. Instead of rushing home to pack and make arrangements, there was something even more important she wanted to do: She made her way to Moscows Central Synagogue to stand together with the Jewish community. Surrounded by large crowds of her fellow Jews whod come out to join her, Ida spent her first evening knowing that she was a free woman at last.

Moving on From the Past

In Israel, Ida didnt stop her political activities and work. She looked forward, not back, At the age of 56, in a new country, Ida never slowed down, founding Mother to Mother and continuing to act on behalf of Soviet Jews and for other political causes dear to her heart. She and her sister retained their passion, despite the toll the years had taken. I am here, my dream fulfilled, Ida declared.

Lets honor Ida Nudels incredible legacy by emulating her bravery and passion for helping her fellow Jews, and for building an authentic Jewish life in the land of Israel.
https://www.aish.com/tp/ss/ssw/Sukkot-5782-A-Time-for-Unity.html

GOOD MORNING! On this upcoming Monday night, September 21, begins the seven day holiday of Sukkot (though outside of the Land of Israel an extra day is added). This holiday is unique in many ways, not the least of which is that it is known as zman simchateinu  The time of our joy. Although the word joy is sometimes used interchangeably with the word happy they really are very different.

Happy is a description of a momentary state of being. At any particular moment a person may be happy, sad, angry, jealous, etc. These emotions are generally outcomes caused by a specific event or occurrence. I am reminded of the quote: Some people bring happiness wherever they go; and others whenever they go.

Joy, on the other hand, is very different. Joy is a state of mind that comes from lasting relationships, working towards meaningful goals and achievements, and living with a set of values and ideals.

Of course, a person who is in a state of joy will also experience being happy more often. But this happiness is derived from being able to focus on the simpler pleasures in life like a great cup of coffee, a walk on the beach in the early morning, or truly experiencing a spectacular sunset.

Many people (perhaps even the majority of our society) believe they will be happy when they get rich, marry the right person, have an expensive car, or have a ten million dollar home. Obviously, this is terribly wrong.

Research shows that the sweet spot for being able to experience happiness with income is somewhere between $60,000-$95,000. Likewise, if you are unhappy when single, you wont be happy in a relationship. Being happy doesnt come from external things, it come from within. This is the true message of Sukkot.

The Torah tells us, "The festival of Sukkot shall be to you for seven days when you gather from your threshing floors and your wine cellar. You shall rejoice in your festival [...] for the Almighty will bless you in all of your produce and in all of the work of your hand and you shall be completely joyous (Deuteronomy 16:13-15).

The name Sukkot is derived from the Torah mandated obligation to live in a sukkah  a temporary outdoor hut, which symbolizes that the Almighty sheltered the Jewish people when they left Egypt:

So that your future generations will know that I sheltered the Children of Israel when I brought them out of Egypt (Leviticus 23:43).

The word sukkah comes from the materials that we use as a temporary roof to cover these huts  the schach  which means to shelter. We are enjoined to live these seven days in our sukkah  we eat in it, sleep in it, and try to spend as much time in it as possible.

Sukkot is celebrated as a harvest festival; a time when we look at all the fruits of our labors. In other words, it is the time of year when we step back and appreciate all that we have achieved through our hard work. But it is also a time to appreciate all the good that the Almighty has bestowed upon us.

It is no accident that farmers  people who work the earth  are amongst the most religious of people; trusting in the benevolence of the Almighty. They take a perfectly good seed that could be eaten and they stick it in the ground not knowing whether there will be rain or drought or floods or pestilence. They put forth hard work not knowing the outcome. They trust in the Almighty for their food and their very existence.

The mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah teaches us that our lives our totally intertwined with God. We often lose sight of this key element of our existence. We tend to think that our possessions, our money, our homes, our intelligence, will protect us.

But during the holiday of Sukkot we are exposed to the elements in a temporary hut. Living in a sukkah puts life into perspective. Our corporeal bodies are even more transient than our possessions.

Life is vulnerable. Jewish history has borne out how our homes and communities are fleeting. No matter how well-established, wealthy, and "secure" we have become in a host country, in the end it too has been a temporary dwelling. Our trust must be in the Almighty who sheltered us when He took us out of Egypt and continues to do so every day of our lives.

Sukkot is one of the Shelosh Regalim, Three Festivals (the other two are Pesach and Shavuot), where the Torah commands all Jews to leave their homes to come to Jerusalem to celebrate at the Temple. For the last 2,000 years since the destruction of the Temple, we've been unable to fulfill this mitzvah (may we soon be able to fulfill this mitzvah once again in its entirety!).

In the times of the Temple, during the Festival of Sukkot, seventy offerings were brought -- one for each nation of the world -- so that the Almighty would provide for them as well. The Talmud tells us that if the nations of the world understood the value of what the Jewish people provided them, they would have sent their armies to defend our Temple in Jerusalem to keep it from being destroyed!

Aside from the mitzvah of eating and sleeping in a sukkah, we have another unique mitzvah on the holiday of Sukkot. The Torah informs us in Leviticus 23:40 of a special commandment for Sukkot -- to take the arbah minim  the Four Species. The four different species that we are commanded to take are 1) etrog  citron, 2) lulav  a branch from a date-palm, 3) hadassim  myrtle branches, and 4) aravot  willow branches.

Being a harvest festival, it is only natural that we collect different things that grow and incorporate them into our prayer services for this holiday. In the prayer section known as Hallel we gather these four species in our hands and wave them in the four directions of the compass as well as up and down. The waving is symbolic of several things, including a reminder that the Almightys presence is everywhere.

Still, we must try to understand why these four species are specifically designated for this mitzvah.

Our rabbis teach that each one of these four species represents a different type of Jew. The etrog (citron), which has both a fragrance and a taste, represents those Jews who have both Torah wisdom and good deeds. The lulav (date palm branch), which has a taste (from the dates) but no fragrance, represents those Jews who have Torah wisdom but no good deeds.

The hadassim (myrtle branches), which have a fragrance but no taste, represents those Jews who have good deeds but no Torah wisdom. Lastly, the aravot (willow branches), which have neither a taste nor a smell, represents those Jews who are lacking in both Torah wisdom and good deeds.

I once heard from my father a beautiful lesson related to this concept. My father pointed out a very interesting contradiction to this teaching. According Jewish Law, if one is present at the precise time that another Jew passes away one is obligated to do kriah  a several inch tear of the outer garment which is over the heart (generally a shirt). This is similar to the kriah that mourners typically do after burying a loved one.

The great medieval commentator known as Rashi explains the reason for this. Says Rashi There is no Jew who passes away that doesnt have some Torah knowledge or mitzvot for which their soul is credited. Therefore, when a Jew passes and one is present at the very moment that the soul leaves the body then a sign of grief is required, which is fulfilled by kriah.

If this is true, asked my father, How is it possible that the lulav represents the Jews without mitzvot or that the hadassim represents Jews without Torah knowledge or that the aravot represents Jews that have neither Torah knowledge or mitzvot  Rashi just explained that every Jew has some Torah knowledge and some mitzvot?

My father explained the contradiction with a fundamental principle of Judaism: Its absolutely true that every Jew has at least some Torah knowledge and some mitzvot. But the message that we learn from the four species is that there is also a taste and a smell related to the study of Torah and the performance of mitzvot.

Taste and smell are attributes that relate to how an item impacts something else, positively or negatively. Unfortunately, there are many Jews who have Torah knowledge but they dont impact others in a positive way. They may be very knowledgeable, but dont take others into consideration.

Likewise, there are many Jews who rush to do mitzvot, but sometimes it comes at the expense of others (I often see people rushing to prepare for Shabbat while double parking in the middle of the street and inconveniencing everyone else because they are in a hurry).

These people may have Torah knowledge and fulfilled many mitzvot, but they dont have the pleasant taste of the Torah or the fragrant smell of the mitzvot. Consequently, a person may actually have significant Torah knowledge and a multitude of mitzvot, but on the whole they are still represented by the lowly aravot  the one species with no taste or smell.

But even with all our shortcomings as a people, on Sukkot we are commanded to bring all these four species together as a single entity. In other words, to complete the mitzvah we need all four of them and they need to be held together at the same time when making the blessing for this mitzvah. Likewise, if any are missing there is no mitzvah.

The message here is very clear. We must recognize that each and every Jew is integral to the unity of the nation. Whether a person is as big a scholar as our teacher Moses, or as ignorant as a child who never even went to school, all are a necessary component of the body of the Jewish people. If either one is not included in the group, we as a people are incomplete.

We symbolically bind together and recognize every Jew as an integral and important part of the Jewish people. Whether or not we agree with everything they do or how they comport themselves, if even one is missing, the mitzvah is incomplete.

Our people are one; we must do all we can to bind together the Jewish people and work to strengthen the Jewish future!



http://www.aish.com/sh/c/ I have seen great intolerance shown in support of tolerance.

 Samuel Taylor Coleridge



Dedicated with Deep Appreciation to



Sauricio Schumer




It has been the project of the political left for quite some time to convince Americans that there is nothing exceptional about their country. To "fundamentally transform" a culture, you must first poison the roots of what has already been growing. So for a century, Marxists have disparaged American history as steeped in genocide, imperialism, and avarice. They have exploited the imagery of virtue and vice to convince moral people that their nation rose from immorality. This has reached its logical apex with the historically illiterate 1619 Project, supported by elite news publications and academic institutions, reimagining America's birth as bathed not in liberty, but rather enslavement.

Killing American history is not just a matter of destroying our collective identity as Americans, but also the vehicle for undermining notions of personal freedom. Barack Obama famously revealed how little he understood about the United States when he mocked the idea of "exceptionalism" altogether: "I believe in American exceptionalism," he said after becoming president, "just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism." After taking heat for so nonchalantly dismissing a point of American pride, Obama made sure to pay lip service to the idea of "American exceptionalism" for the remainder of his presidency. When he did so, however, the "exceptionalism" of which he spoke was clothed in the trappings of postmodernism, personal identity, and power. At various times, he pointed to America's commitment to "international norms," the ability of American NGOs to reshape societies abroad, government-funded science and health care, American economic dominance and military might, and even his own rise to power as proof of "American exceptionalism." In other words, Obama redefined "American exceptionalism" in ways that a Marxist professor might find appealing to justify collective power and global government and buried what actually makes "American exceptionalism" so historic.

When we talk about America's "exceptionalism," it is not a racial or nationalist idea that denigrates other countries or implies that Americans possess in their DNA something that is unobtainable by other peoples. It is, in fact, a proposition that the Founding Fathers hoped would inspire the world's nations in time to emulate America's example. At its crux, three intertwined principles are sewn together to create something revolutionary: (1) all people are created equal; (2) every individual possesses rights that cannot legitimately be diminished or denied by those in positions of power, and among those rights are life and liberty; and (3) legitimate governments exist only through and by the consent of the governed.

The 1619 Project Marxists and their propagandists in the press and academia can attempt to rewrite the genesis of America as something mundane or even evil, but the truth is that America's founding was just the opposite. The history of the world is composed like links on a chain of small aristocratic groups of self-styled "elites" proclaiming inherent powers over everyone else. On every spot of land that man has cultivated through every generation up to the present, a hideous idea has taken hold that some people are entitled to rule and that some people must always obey. When America declared its independence to the world in 1776, it did so by explicitly smashing that falsehood on the rocks of its foundation; lifting the chains of aristocracy from its shoulders; and saying, "No more." No nation had ever set forth the course of its future on the bedrock of such revolutionary principles that prized above all else the inviolable freedoms of every person, and no nation has done a better job at trying to cultivate and safeguard those principles over time and through all hardship. That and that alone is what has always made the United States of America exceptional. It has nothing to do with privilege, purse, or power  let alone domination over those within its borders or those well outside them. Yet American leaders from both parties have worked outrageously hard for many decades to scrub that truth from the minds of the American people.

When George Bush decided to memorialize in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the three thousand Americans murdered by Islamic terrorists on 9/11 by denigrating pro-liberty Trump voters as morally equivalent to jihadists, he revealed just how bipartisan the parasitic tumor of "elite rule" has become. To defer to the American voter has become synonymous with condoning vulgarity. To empathize with Americans who disagree has become superfluous in a system that increasingly guards self-preservation, not the honest protection of those it purports to represent. To recognize that Americans now find their rights being threatened is to acknowledge that those who have been charged with protecting those rights have failed. It is much easier to pretend that the intrusive surveillance state unleashed in the wake of a national tragedy was done for the public's own good, and not to usher in a new era of absolute control. It is much easier to assert deceitfully that the world has grown too complex and unwieldy to survive without a class of managerial technocrats ruling over everyone else. It is much easier to malign a political opponent and his followers as fascists while organizing behind closed doors with the globe's financial elite to initiate a "Great Reset" of society. It is much more difficult to listen to those who object to the loss of their independence and liberty and self-government. Choosing the difficult path, after all, is what has always made America exceptional.

Now that it has been confirmed that Joint Chiefs chairman General Milley conspired with House speaker Nancy Pelosi and others to usurp the constitutional powers of President Trump while he was in office, there is little question that those with power in America have chosen to reinvest in aristocracy again. In justifying his extraordinary actions as prosaically as possible, the general allegedly stated that he worried that the president would act contrary to the advice of his military advisers. Yet to invert the adviser-advisee relationship is to assert the absolute power of a permanent governing elite over those representatives chosen by the people themselves. To undermine the representation that undergirds any system of consensual government is to deprive the people of power that is theirs and theirs alone. To do so by appealing to expertise is to elevate privilege and to sever the equality between governing and governed. It is a return, in other words, to the hideous idea that some people are entitled to rule while others must always obey.

Bush and Milley are not alone in forsaking "American exceptionalism" for the fabricated form peddled by the likes of Obama and his fellow travelers. They do provide further proof, however, that no enclave of traditional leadership in the United States has been left unscarred by the efforts of America's enemies to "fundamentally transform" the nation into something it's not. Just as the tyranny of COVID-1984 has picked up right where the "war on terror" left off, the expediency of Fauci fascism today will be replaced with something even more pressing tomorrow. A government of "experts" and "elites" will not be coming to freedom's rescue. That job, as always, rests with the people, who must only remember how special America's founding truly was to find the resolve to protect that founding still today. For as much as our current leaders may wish us to forget, "American exceptionalism" is still the only answer for the troubles that ail us.

Image: NIH Image Gallery via Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
As employers and governments have become more stringent with COVID vaccination requirements, many are no longer honoring conscientious or religious exemptions to the vaccine. Several states have dropped or are in the process of dropping these exemptions. Some hospitals and health departments, such as the New York Department of Health, have eliminated religious exemptions. In the private sector, United Airlines has announced that employees with religious exemptions to the vaccine will be placed on unpaid leave.

Even if vaccination is a wise idea, removing these exemptions is morally wrong and unjust. The rights of conscience and religious liberty must be respected as a precondition for responsible decision-making of all kinds.

Why Conscience Matters

Why should conscience matter at all? Many people think that appeals to conscience (religious or non-religious) are just convenient excuses to get around the rules. But this is a grossly unfair way of characterizing what conscience is and why it matters. Let me explain.

Good decisions are responsible decisions. In order for a decision to be responsible, it must proceed from a position of confidence. We must be convinced that what we are doing is right. After all, it would be reckless to make decisions -- especially about important matters -- if you dont bother to check that what you are doing is right or have sincere doubts about it.

Even if things turned out in your favor, it would still be reckless because you made the decision carelessly without proper consideration of its merits. You did not make the decision for the right reasons. What makes a choice reckless isnt a matter of whether that choice is harmful, but how it is chosen. For that reason, we can still make reckless decisions about things that are good and beneficial.

As such, it would be wrong to coerce someone into making a decision that they are not confident about, even if that decision ultimately ends up beneficial. What makes it wrong isnt merely the fact that youre overriding their autonomy -- although that is certainly relevant -- but the fact that they are being compelled to act recklessly. They are not acting from a position of confidence, but fear and doubt.

That, in a nutshell, is why the right of conscience is so important. There are many good ideas that are worth acting on. To avoid making reckless decisions about these ideas, ones decision to act on these ideas must proceed from a position of confidence. This is what conscience provides us with. Conscience is confidence, trust, or assurance that what one is doing is the right course of action. This confidence, trust, or assurance is what allows us to act in a responsible manner. The importance of conscience pertains to how we make decisions, not what we end up deciding.

Put another way, conscience isnt a still small voice in our heads that guides us, but an attitude of conviction about ones actions. Protecting conscience is a matter of protecting the ability to make responsible decisions. Forcing people to act against their conscience (even for the sake of something good) is wrong because it means that they are being compelled to act from a position of doubt and fear, which is reckless behavior on the part of the person doing the coercing.

If people do not have a clear conscience on an issue that one thinks is important, then the proper thing to do is not to violate their conscience but to convince them to freely act for the right reasons and with a clear conscience.

One might worry that this view of conscience is far too permissive. Wouldnt it imply that the right of conscience can be used as a universal permission slip for anything we dont like?

No. This objection is based on a misunderstanding of what conscience is. As John Henry Newman put it, conscience has rights because it has duties. Conscience matters because we have an obligation to make responsible decisions. It serves to illuminate our obligations by giving confidence to our decisions. Conscience is thus a judgment of reason, not a reflection of emotion or preference. It identifies obligations, not permissions. Thus, conscience is not a version of autonomy, desire, or will; it cannot be used as an excuse for allowing us to indulge in our personal preferences.

Vaccine Mandates Without Conscience-Based Exemptions are Unjust and Immoral

Suppose that COVID vaccination is a wise choice and that individuals should choose to be vaccinated. However, some individuals are not entirely convinced of this and have doubts. If vaccinations are going to be mandated as a matter of policy or law, then the doubtful conscience of these individuals must be respected. They must have the right to refuse on grounds that they are not confident that what they are about to do is right. Removing conscience-based exemptions compels these individuals to act in reckless ways.

The reasoning is straightforward. In order to make responsible decisions, we must make them from a position of confidence. But one cannot act from a position of confidence about a medical decision if he is coerced into it. Vaccine mandates are an example of medical coercion since they involve penalties of various kinds. So, vaccine mandates conflict with the obligation of each person to make responsible decisions. In the absence of conscience-based exemptions, these mandates are unjust and immoral.

If one is convinced that COVID vaccination is a wise choice and that individuals should choose to be vaccinated, the right thing to do would be to simply work to change the minds of those who are unconvinced. This is done through reasoning and education, not threats. One can be pro-vaccination without having to resort to coercive mandates.

One might object on the grounds that refusing vaccination can be risky. Even if correct, this objection misses the point. The value of conscience is not a function of its benefits or risks, but rather has to do with its being an essential part of ones personhood. If we deny someone the right to make responsible decisions, we deny him the very thing that makes him a unique human person: his rationality. The right of conscience is a basic right that comes with being human. As such it cannot be overridden simply because it would reduce risk.

Note that risk is not the same thing as harm. The right of conscience cannot be used to justify activities that are intentionally harmful, i.e. damaging or injurious. This is because conscience functions to facilitate responsible decision-making, and decisions that intentionally cause harm cannot be responsible. Thus, conscience does not protect activities such as human sacrifice. By contrast, risk is simply the likelihood that an action might lead to harm. Everything we do generates some non-zero probability of risk, whether it be commuting to work, shaking someones hand, or just opening a window.

While refusing vaccination might be risky, it is not harmful. Someone who refuses vaccination might have a greater chance of becoming ill or spreading illness to others. However, it is the illness that causes actual harm, not the refusal to be vaccinated. For that reason, vaccine exemptions do not fall outside the scope of conscience protections. Although refusing vaccination may increase risk, there is not a moral obligation to reduce risk as much as possible. Otherwise, we couldnt drive to coffee shops, build campfires, or give hugs.

Conscience Matters

The right of conscience is an integral part of responsible decision-making and must be recognized and protected. Individuals who cannot in good conscience submit to vaccine mandates should be granted exemptions. At the same time, conscience has rights because it has duties: the importance of having a clear conscience means that we ought to continue examining the evidence. Whatever one ends up deciding, appealing to conscience does not provide an excuse to remain in ignorance, nor does it function as a permission slip that lets us get out of anything. We ought to align our consciences to what is true.

Tim Hsiao is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Grantham University. His website is http://timhsiao.org

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
In 2015 the law firm Perkins Coie, which also represented the Democratic National Committee, was hired by the Hillary Clinton Campaign. Early the following year it hired Fusion GPS to perform opposition research for the campaign. Fusion GPS provided the now-debunked Steele dossier that alleged Russian collusion with the Trump campaign. For the services performed during the campaign, the DNC paid the firm $5.6 million and the Clinton campaign paid them $3.6 million. Having the firm hire GPS Fusion meant that the connection would not be revealed through campaign financial disclosures but, in time, the connection was revealed, largely because of a defamation suit filed in Great Britain by Alfa Bank against Steele. In recent weeks, a key member of the firm, Mark Elias, who had been the Clinton campaigns lawyer, left the firm and, this week, another member, Michael Sussman, was indicted by a federal grand jury called by Special Counsel John Durham of making a false statement to the FBI. Sussman pleaded not guilty.

The trial is some ways off, but in my view, getting an indictment against Sussman by a District of Columbia grand jury suggests the evidence must be compelling, and may, in fact, include confessions by one or more co-conspirators. The indictment is lengthy and detailed and raises the question of how many people may yet be charged for this years long political dirty trick.

Heres a detailed look at the indictment.

Michael Sussmann used Clinton campaign funds to construct a now-debunked memo and other evidence alleging that computer communications between a server at the Alfa Bank in Russia and the Trump Tower in New York might be a secret backdoor communication system for Trump and Vladimir Putin to hijack the 2016 election. Sussmann delivered the package in mid-September 2016 -- just weeks before Election Day as Trump and Clinton were locked in a tight race -- to then-FBI General Counsel James Baker, even after the team of computer experts warned the theory was a "red-herring," according to the indictment. And then Sussmann falsely told Baker, the prosecutors alleged, he was providing the information to the FBI solely as a good citizen, and not on behalf of any client. In fact, Sussmann was working on behalf of a tech executive and the Clinton campaign and charged nearly all the work on the Alfa Bank narrative to the Democratic presidential campaign, including his meeting with Baker, the indictment stated. The alleged lying, Durham argued, deceived the FBI into thinking the allegations were coming from a neutral source -- Sussmann had been a cybersecurity expert -- and not an election-motivated client.

It was a diabolically engineered hoax. Clinton or her campaign (depending on your degree of naivete) hired Perkins which hired GPS, who hired Steele, who made up scurrilous nonsense like the pee tape. They first peddled to the FBI a cock and bull story about the Alfa Bank communicating with Trump and then leaked the fact of a federal investigation to complaisant reporters. In so doing they lent credence to the charges. All the while, Sussman was, per the indictment, not acting on his own but on behalf of The Hillary campaign committee and Rodney Joffe [Tech Executive 1 in the indictment] and Neustar [Internet Company 1 in the indictment].

Why was the Sussman lie significant? Mark Wauck writes:

The importance of Sussmanns lie lies in the fact that, had the FBI known that the allegations against Trump came directly from the Clinton Campaign, the credibility of the allegations would have been seriously undermined. The FBI would have thought and rethought the idea of even opening such an investigation. That was the reason Sussmann lied, and by doing so he gained his end: a media buzz about the FBI investigating Trumps supposed secret channel to Russia, just a week before the election. What Durhams investigation determined was that Joffe -- who hoped to obtain a plum cybersecurity position in a Clinton administration -- had exploited his access to non-public internet data to conduct opposition research against Trump and recruited others to assist him. Joffe, Sussman, and Perkins Coie had coordinated with representatives of the Clinton Campaign to concoct the material that Sussmann presented to Baker.

Wauck thinks others are implicated in this conspiracy but whether or not they face prosecution is as yet unknown. He finds from the recitation of facts in the indictment that Elias and FusionGPS/Simpson and Chris Steele were all involved, and the charge of lying to the FBI may not be the only charge against Sussman as an excerpt of his testimony before Congress in the indictment seems less than candid.

Why did Hillary choose this tack for her anti-Trump dirty trick of Russian Collusion? Everything she does is to deflect from the wrongdoing of herself and her husband by claiming the wrongdoing is by others. A psychologist could explain this to you.

John Solomon of Just the News offers the most plausible explanation:

The effort was launched after Clinton's campaign funded a poll in 2015 showing her own ties to Russia and Moscow money paid to her husband, ex-President Bill Clinton, were threatening her path to the presidency, according to documents made public last year in "Fallout," a book by this reporter and coauthor Seamus Bruner. The first leg of the collusion narrative was run by Steele, who used his MI-6 credentials and his prior ties to the FBI and high-ranking DOJ official Bruce Ohr to walk in his infamous dossier to U.S. law enforcement and intelligence in the summer of 2016. The FBI ultimately concluded Steele's dossier was riddled with Russian disinformation and disproved evidence. The second leg was Sussmann, who crafted information from computer experts supporting Hillary Clinton into the tale of the Alfa Bank server back door. That narrative was flagged by Sussmann's team as unlikely even before he pitched it to the FBI, according to the indictment, and the theory was ultimately dismissed by the FBI and Russia Special Counsel Robert Mueller. "It wasn't true," Mueller testified to Congress in 2019. And the third leg of the dirty trick consisted of the efforts of federal bureaucrats inside the FBI, State Department and intelligence community -- many of whom disliked Trump -- who managed to deceive the FISA court, the Congress and the American public, often by using leaks to news media outlets to sustain a collusion story that had fallen apart within weeks of Steele's first approach.

Don Surber is especially harsh in assessing the media role in the hoax: he calls them the  unindicted co-conspirators" naming "CNN, Jake Tapper, Carl Bernstein, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Pulitzer Committee which honored and vouched for the Post and the Times, and just about every political reporter and columnist in America."

Worse, he shows how they continue to mislead in their reports of the Sussman indictment:

ABC implies that he was not working for Clinton. No, no, no. He's just some guy who worked at a law firm that once represented Hillary. Never mind that Sussmann was a partner at the law firm. Never mind that he was peddling Hillary's fake opposition research to the FBI. ABC wants you to believe he was just some guy who did something that day. [snip] The New York Times spun it as strictly partisan, billing its story, "Trump-Era Special Counsel Secures Indictment of Lawyer for Firm With Democratic Ties." Not "Lawyer Charged With Misleading The FBI About Russiagate." But why would NYT start being honest? You don't get Pulitzers by telling the truth anymore. Hamas-Shielding AP was even worse in its reported, as it did not mention Hillary until Paragraph 4. Most news outlets ran just 3 paragraphs. Instead, AP continued to peddle its Fake News that Mueller somehow verified Russiagate, even though not one of his indictments was related to Russiagate.

Glenn Greenwald echoes this more tersely on Twitter: Russiagate was a gigantic fraud perpetrated on the public by a union of CIA and FBI operatives, the liberal/anti-Trump sector of the corporate press and the Democratic party.

Perkins Coie is involved in far more election shenanigans than this, including dozens of pre-election lawsuits to overturn election laws in 2020. Among those challenged by the firm was a Texas law to end straight-ticket voting. They persuaded a federal court judge to void the law on the ground that straight-ticket voting would speed lines and reduce the risk of virus exposure. The Fifth Circuit overruled her, noting, the Legislature had passed the law, state election officials had planned for it, and that courts should not alter election rules on the eve of an election. It denied the firms effort to supplement the record. Then the firm tried to hide from the Fifth Circuit that its second motion to supplement the record in that case was virtually identical to one the Circuit had already denied. So angry was the Circuit Court that it sanctioned the attorneys for filing redundant and misleading" information on the case.

If the ABA follows the lead of the Pulitzer Committee it will vouch for and honor this firm as Pulitzer vouched for and honored the media shills played by the firm on behalf of Hillary and her party.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Traditionally, education was focused on facts, information, details, content, learning, and knowledge, all of these hopefully leading to wisdom. Now we've gone to the other extreme.

The students learn little, and they cannot connect one fragment of information to another. Classrooms are filled with chatter. The brains of students are overflowing with nothing much.

This shift is bizarre. Wasn't it always assumed we were searching for the truth, for higher understanding, for the inner workings of reality, for the nitty-gritty, as slang had it?

If you mentioned any of that to today's students, they would wonder what you're babbling about.

By weird accident, or more probably a century-long plot, our Education Establishment embraced every method guaranteed to kick facts to the curb. There are so many examples:

Our professors of education agree that students should never have to memorize anything. What most of us call facts, these professors call factoids so they can more easily be dismissed as trivial.

If students are made to memorize anything, it's the wrong things, as in the cases of sight-words and cumbersome math gimmicks  e.g., the lattice method.

Direct instruction from teachers to students of any information is scorned. Children are told to find or create their own new knowledge. Teachers should not get in the way of this process  i.e., shut up.

Children should learn everything as a group so knowledge is blurred and nobody feels in possession of anything in particular. The big dogma nowadays is that students are encouraged to embark on complex projects which may or may not teach any essential information.

Education experts talk continually about the importance of critical thinking, but that would require children to have lots of knowledge in their heads so they can learn to prioritize and evaluate this knowledge. If there's no knowledge there, you cannot learn such skills. Critical thinking is constantly exalted in our public schools but routinely rendered null and void.

There is now, we might say, a lockdown of every approach once thought constructive and normal and a celebration of every dysfunctional method sure to make the lights dimmer.

For comparison, let's consider what genuine education looks like. An adult conveys knowledge to a young person. Ideally, that knowledge is reduced to its simplest form for easy understanding. If your children are playing in the dirt, you might tell them to be careful they don't have a wound or cut, as that's how germs enter the body. This is a good stepping-off point for mentioning disease, infection, microbes, and what a clever thing our skin is.

In five minutes you could teach so much valuable information to a classroom of children. As already noted, however, our schools don't allow such direct instruction. Students must figure it out for themselves.

As a result, there is no substance in our schools, nothing solid. At the end of the day, clutter is all that children have encountered. Reality must seem soft and vague to these children, who know so very little for certain.

I suspect that the most urgent need in our school system is returning to simple statements of facts. If something is worth knowing, tell the kids about it. Never mind what mad scientists say. Share your knowledge with the next generation.

Traditionally, education meant in practice that if somebody mentioned pyramids, you knew that the Egyptians built them along the Nile several thousand years ago. Basic cultural literacy contains this sort of foundational information, which everyone should know, but almost nobody does nowadays.

I don't think students today become acquainted with the nitty-gritty because they spend the whole time wrestling with content that has been hidden or presented in disjointed ways. Finally, the world seems soft and muddled. Students can't have a sense of their culture or their place in it. Intellectually and academically speaking, they are anorexic. The early grades are supposed to be a foundation for further advancement. But this foundation is too often neglected. And now lots of time must be spent explaining to students why they might feel aggrieved because of social and historical factors.

More than fifty years ago, Marshall McLuhan theorized that "the medium is the message." One common example is that seeing someone on TV is different from experiencing him in person. Nobody talks about these distinctions anymore, perhaps because there are so many media now or the differences never were very great. Now the avalanche of data, the blur of new information, is discussed a lot. But our schools don't help children deal with this tsunami; rather, they leave children at its mercy. Now the clutter is the medium. The big shift is that children became part of the chatter.

Probably the teachers themselves do not know that chatter and clutter are unusual. Maybe they went to the same sort of school. In any case, when they got to ed school, they were told to cater to each child's learning style, thereby introducing weird divisions in the class. Teachers were told to create a lively class by jumping from one topic to another, a gimmick called "spiraling." Children reach the end of the school year having hardly learned anything. Ask them simple questions, and you will confirm this. Education, instead of being a way of connecting to reality, is now a flight from reality. The schools are fact-averse; they are challenge-averse. Empty clutter is the norm. The media are much like scribbling.

QED: Direct instruction is the most efficient way to teach. You hold up an apple and tell the class, "This is an apple." A lot more can be taught quickly at each level. This is not a burden on students. Teaching them nothing is the burden.

Bruce Deitrick Price is the author of Saving K-12 (a book) and Let's Fix Education (a podcast).

Image via Pxhere.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
On May 10, 1940, German Nazi forces invaded the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium, all of which were occupied by the end of the month. Then the Germans on May 14 burst through the Ardennes, moving quickly west and north toward the English Channel. Allied counterattacks failed to halt the German attack, which reached the coastline on May 20. The Nazis had cut off the north tip of France from the rest of the country, so Allied troops were stranded. The Allies had lost the battle for France, in which Britain had suffered 68,000 casualties. British and Allied forces had retreated to the area around the French seaport of Dunkirk, and military leaders suggested they be evacuated to Britain. Winston Churchill, who had become prime minister on May 13, at first opposed evacuation but quickly decided that it was the only right policy. Surprisingly, and still largely inexplicable, Adolf Hitler had ordered a halt on May 23 of Panzer divisions toward Dunkirk. The tanks went ahead on May 26.

Out of adversity came opportunity, and it occasioned what Winston Churchill called the miracle of deliverance. Amateur British sailors joined with the regular military to rescue the stranded troops, acting against the odds and the conditions, in an episode that has become part of British lore.

Operation Dynamo took place on May 27June 4, 1940, a remarkable heroic effort to rescue the Allied troops. The operation resulted in 338,000 Allied troops saved, 198,000 British and 140,000 French, but it was not a victory because of personal and material losses. More than 90,000 troops were left behind. More than 11,000 British troops were killed, 40,000 were captured, and 17,000 were wounded. About 48,000 French troops were captured, while 20,000 German soldiers were killed and wounded.

Material losses were colossal. Abandoned were 64,000 vehicles, motorbikes, tanks, rifles, 2,472 field guns or artillery pieces, bullets, and 76,000 tons of ammunition. In addition, the Royal Air Force, which carried out reconnaissance, bombing, and fighter missions, lost 177 aircraft, including 106 fighters. Six destroyers were sunk, and 200 other vessels were lost. To help the evacuation, the Allied forces, trapped on the beach with their back to the sea, re-created makeshift piers for troops to get to the rescue ships. To prevent useful material from being used by the Germans, the Allied troops deliberately damaged their vehicles, fuel tanks, and headlights of motorbikes.

Dunkirk, with large and wide beaches and surrounded by marshland, was a defining moment, the biggest operation in World War II, perhaps the largest military evacuation in history, enabling the Allies to continue fighting. It is a pivotal moment in two ways. One was on the creative initiative of Winston Churchill, who gave the lion's roar for evacuation and resistance. On June 4, 1940, he told the country, "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields, in the streets and in the hills. We shall never surrender."

The second moment is the endearing story of thousands of Britons who sought to help evacuation. They crossed the 21-mile Channel in little ships, cross-channel ferries, lifeboats, trawlers, motor launches, rowing boats, fishing boats, pleasure yachts, all manned by non-sailor owners  even a canoe. Large ships could not reach the beaches; only shallow-draft small boasts could get close. RAF Spitfires protected them against the Luftwaffe and Junkers.

An early fictional portrayal of the heroic amateurs was the 1942 Hollywood romantic drama Mrs. Miniver, in which the husband, an architect, volunteers with his boat.

The Dunkirk evacuation was both courageous behavior in the face of adversity and an exhibition of inspiring political leadership. It exemplifies the "Spirit of Dunkirk," fortitude and stoicism of a population in a perilous situation, a setting in which, after a moment of darkness, British morale was raised in spite of a military defeat.

David Petraeus, former CIA director, general, and commander of Allied forces in Afghanistan for a year, 20102011, during which he commanded 150,000 coalition forces, spoke on August 15, 2021, of the collapse of the Afghan army as disastrous and tragic and of the chaotic evacuation of Americans and others from the country. This, he said, is "a Dunkirk moment, and our decisions created it. We should recognize the catastrophe we have created for Afghans who have supported us."

It is necessary to distinguish between the decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan and the chaotic nature of the withdrawal. As Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said, "doing the right thing in the wrong way can end up being the wrong thing."

Can the inept American exit from Afghanistan be compared to Dunkirk, in political terms, managerial competence, popular support, or acceptance of responsibility? There are unclear or inexact statements from Washington on a variety of issues: whether U.S. intelligence sources predicted the speedy collapse of Afghan government forces, lack of coherent preparation for withdrawal, lack of clarity on the number of Americans and Afghans still missing. There has been no comparable "spirit of Dunkirk," no exaltation of morale, no eloquent speech by President Joe Biden to rally the nation.

There is a similarity with British experience in the amount of physical loss, in Humvees, helicopters, uniforms, rifles, night vision goggles. U.S. forces had rendered some of the equipment inoperable. Otherwise, there has been a lack of forthright statements by the Biden administration about the ability of the Taliban to capture territory once the U.S. had withdrawn. Yet this was predictable since the Taliban early on had seized control of many provinces in the northeast part of the county and was aided by the Haqqani network, the Sunni Islamist military organization based in Pakistan, which was responsible for many high-profile attacks in Afghanistan. Even before the U.S. and NATO pulled their troops out of Afghanistan and thousands of contractors withdrew, the U.S. could never hope to win. The Taliban network and associates have had major bases outside Afghanistan, primarily in Pakistan, which has refused to evict them.

Both President Joe Biden, who said "the buck stops here," and secretary of state Antony J. Blinken said they accept full responsibility for decisions, but in a rhetorical, not instrumental way. They have both blamed others in slightly different ways: President Donald Trump for the deal he made with the Taliban and his deadline decision to withdraw and the Afghan army for lacking will to fight, an uncharitable and false statement since that Army suffered high casualties.

Besides these self-serving statements, the Biden administration has engaged in surprising gaps of information, such as how many American citizens and others remain at high risk in the country. It is unclear whether the State Department provided the Taliban with a list of individuals the U.S. sought to evacuate, thus endangering their lives. The Pentagon and State Department differed regarding the ability of U.S. citizens and others to reach the Kabul airport.

One unusual development in the U.S. has been "digital Dunkirk," a virtual network, begun by veteran groups, and now including civilians, government workers, and technology specialists, manned with cell phones and laptops, using these around the world to protect Afghan allies who had helped the U.S. This group claims to have helped more than 450 people to escape from Afghanistan. The group started by supporting Afghans wanting to leave the country by the international airport and then became involved in supporting Afghans still in the country as well.

Problems remain in an uncertain political situation. Will the Taliban control the terrorists, al-Qaeda and ISIS, who wish to establish caliphates? The Taliban is economically weak, but it does control the narcotics trade. It engages in cyber-activity. The Taliban agreed to refuse refuge to terrorist groups if the U.S. withdrew, yet this is improbable in view of the activity of ISIS. The most senior Taliban leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, is living in Afghanistan.

The miracle of Dunkirk with the charisma of Winston Churchill can be considered one of Britain's finest hours, an icon of public acclamation and involvement in a worthy cause and the honor of Britain. No one is likely to consider the Biden execution of the evacuation of people from Afghanistan or his leadership of a divided country as equivalent in stature.

Image via Public Domain Pictures.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
It was either Voltaire or Honore Gabriel Riqueti, one of the founding fathers of the French Revolution, who observed that the now-former nation of Prussia is not a state that has an army, rather an army that has a state.

In contemporary times, that description aptly applies to Pakistan.

An examination of the history of Pakistan reveals several disturbing consistencies.

In Pakistan, few elected leaders ever complete their tenure in office. These leaders are either executed or jailed after Pakistan's deep state stages a coup. The more fortunate manage to bribe their way out in exchange for being exiled to a foreign country, where they live in great luxury.

Occasionally, army generals from the deep state who led coups to become leaders themselves become victims of a coup led by other factions. If the deep state does not eliminate them, the Islamists supported by factions in the deep state conduct an assassination.

The Pakistani deep state consists of the armed forces, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and the judiciary.

The deep state in Pakistan has ruthlessly used iron-fist tactics at regular intervals, to serve as severe warnings to elected leaders who presume that their elected office gives them a license to develop a mind of their own.

The knowledge that they can be summarily dethroned or even eliminated perennially looms over every elected leader in Pakistan. Hence, they operate with the utmost caution, never daring to disturb 'equilibrium' as determined by the deep state.

In Pakistan, the news media is always on a tight leash. Media outlets that dare to be critical of the deep state are regularly shut down while journalists are hauled up for treason when they show any streak of independence.

Religious minorities such as Hindus and Christians are treated as non-persons, irrespective of what Pakistan's constitution may state. Places of worship for minorities such as temples and churches in Pakistan are either rapidly disappearing or are neglected.

In Pakistan, the Islamists are supreme. Among the Islamists, there are frequent killings and death sentences by the courts for blasphemy. Killers of blasphemers are celebrated and shrines are dedicated to them. Islamist groups held celebrations after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan following Biden's inept withdrawal. Even Pakistani Premier Imran Khan claimed that the Afghans were breaking the shackles of slavery

Pakistan has frequently masterminded and conducted terror attacks on its neighboring country, India.

They once hosted the most dreaded terrorist in the world, Khalid Sheik Mohammad, the architect of 9/11. Before he was captured in 2003, he was living comfortably in Pakistan. Pakistan also hosted Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Palestinian terrorist Abu Zubaydah was also in Pakistan prior to his 2002 apprehension.

The final feather in Pakistans cap of shame was hosting 9-11 mastermind, Osama Bin Laden. He was living securely near a Pakistani army base.

Now for the situation in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has a unique relationship with Afghanistan. They share a 1,600-mile border. They have significant trade ties. They also have many cultural, ethnic, and religious links.

But it is also true that almost every problem that we see in Afghanistan today has the fingerprints of the Pakistani deep state.

During the '90s, Pakistan's deep state cultivated, shaped, and supported the Taliban. When the Taliban seized power by brutally executing Afghanistan's elected leader, Pakistan was one of the few countries to formally recognize the Taliban. This is the very Taliban that created a safe haven and training grounds for Al Qaida which conceived, planned, and conducted the 9-11 terror attacks.

After the 9-11 attacks, the chameleons in the Pakistani deep state positioned themselves as allies of the U.S. and even provided support for the airstrikes to the end of the Taliban rule.

At every juncture, the Pakistani officials are given substantial funds to fight the war on terror.

Since 2002, the U.S. gave over $14 billion to Pakistan as a form of reimbursement for their support in the war on terror. This is part of the $33 billion in total help that the U.S. has given Pakistan. President Trump was the only U.S. president to stop this practice upon learning of Pakistan's relentless treachery.

Pakistan is said to have supported the Taliban with arms, logistical support, and medical aid as they took over Afghanistan.

Despite Pakistans relentless treachery, U.S. politicians, both Republican and Democrat, and other U.S. officials have been relatively restrained in their criticism of Pakistan.

The reason they usually cite for their hesitation to confront Pakistan is nuclear weapons, i.e., the fear that if the state collapses, the nukes will be in the hands of the terrorists. Considering the deep connections between the Pakistani deep state and terrorists, there is always the likelihood of that happening.

Recently, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham reiterated that: Any sustainable solution in Afghanistan must include Pakistan. Graham also lauded the efforts of the Pakistani government to assist with the evacuation of U.S. citizens, our allies, and other nations.

Thus Pakistan has a standard strategy. They support terrorists behind closed doors and when they feel the heat around the corner they assist the U.S. in the war on terror.

But the truth, as defense expert C. Christine Fair once said, is that Pakistan is an arsonist that is pretending to be a firefighter.

Einstein once said, The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

What is the rationale behind this insanity in dealing with Pakistan that has produced no results?

A plausible reason is Pakistan has a strong group of lobbyists in the U.S. who neutralize unfavorable views of Pakistan and push Pakistans agenda to in the U.S.

It is not beyond the realm of possibility that these lobbies are contributors to U.S. electoral campaigns, and if so, the financial support for Pakistan would be part of an implicit quid pro quo agreement.

This once again highlights the decay that is deeply rooted in the swamps of Washington.

Even the global media have been relatively silent about Pakistan. The BBC shut down an expert who attempted to expose Pakistan.

The situation is dire. More wars and drone strikes in Afghanistan may solve the problem temporarily. But to achieve a lasting solution, the U.S. will have to target the roots of the problem which is Pakistan.

The following punitive actions must be taken if the U.S. really wants to resolve the problem of terrorism at its core

 Declare Pakistan to be a terror sponsor  Stop all military aid and financial aid  Withdraw support for loans for Pakistan from the IMF, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank  Impose strict trade sanctions on Pakistan  Downgrade all diplomatic relations  Reduce visas for Pakistani nationals  Shut down all lobbyists for Pakistan in the U.S.  Order Pakistan to dismantle its nukes

After that, the U.S. must compel Pakistan to provide concrete proof for the following actions, if they want such punitive actions to end:

 Stop funding terror activities globally.  Stop giving safe haven, training, and logistical support to terrorists  Stop their nuclear program  Stop assisting the Taliban  Hand over terrorists and political prisoners to relevant authorities  Provide a safe haven for Afghan refugees and evacuees  Stop meddling in Indias internal affairs

Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the U.S. will assess Pakistan's role in the last 20 years with respect to Afghanistan.

So are things about to change?

I respectfully recommend that you don't hold your breath.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Joe Biden's halting of the border wall, bid to end President Trump's 'remain in Mexico' policy for would-be asylum claimants to halt abuses, abrogation of migrant treaties with Central American states, and diplomatic mismanagement of relations with Mexico, has led to a humanitarian crisis on the U.S. border.

Press accounts point to squalid conditions in the 15,000-person first-of-its-kind shantytown encampment of mostly Haitian migrants, which is real enough, but the real victims are the Americans who live in Del Rio, Texas, now seeing a host of unasked-for problems as thousands of unvetted, unvaccinated, often indigent foreigners stream in.

According to this report:

NEW: TX Congressman Tony Gonzales says food shortages are beginning at Del Rio grocery stores and that some local restaurants have been asked to close early and make food for the migrant camp underneath the international bridge, where nearly 15,000 migrants are camped. @FoxNews  Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) September 18, 2021

...and this

Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez said that that his officers are "all hands on deck" to ensure safety in Del Rio. He said his priority was making sure, "the citizens of my community understand we are mobilizing all our resources to address this issue." Food and water provided by U.S. officials at the Del Rio camp quickly run out, so hundreds of migrants cross back through the Rio Grande to Ciudad Acuna each day to buy provisions.

...and this:

I am continuing to get messages from our Del Rio community on the ripple effects of this crisis. There are food shortages in grocery stores and restaurants have been asked to close early to make food for the camp. Workers who usually commute from Mexico are unable to get to their jobs resulting in a shortage of help in hotels and other industries.

Del Rio is a small American city of 53,000 people in 17,000 households, which just happened to be situated near the Mexican border. It's not close to anything, its nearest big city is San Antonio which is 150 miles away, and therefore it has little cartel activity involving disputes over trade routes in cross-border traffic. Many of its residents are bi-cultural, with some working in Mexico and living in the states and others working in the U.S. and living in Mexico in perfectly legal arrangements which are natural for any border city.

The city is facing food shortages? What are the locals supposed to eat? Are there Americans now, going hungry? That's what happens when a place runs out of food. How does the small city of Del Rio feed and house a sudden migrant camp that's a third the size of the city itself?

The restaurants have been dragooned into serving illegal border crossers instead of conducting business as usual within their own community? (I'd like to know if they're being paid properly.)

The feds who've been sent in to deal with the crisis are facing a housing shortage? Where are they going to put them?

Legitimate workers at hotels and other industries are being told they can't come to work from across the border because of the migrant surge? (I'd like to know if the Biden administration will compensate them for the lost wages since this is a problem they created).

This is a heckuva lot of disruption for a small city to take, and based on what's out there, all of it looks uncompensated. Let's not even get into the potential for crime as frustrated criminally-minded migrants fan out around a city they view as rich and there for the taking.

Yes, there's a humanitarian crisis of another kind over at the 15,000-person migrant camp -- where there's no food, no bathroom facilities, no water, no air conditioning, no sanitation, no trash collection, no law enforcement and it's obviously getting hellish.

But the latter was a man-made crisis and the camp itself is the result of the personal decisions of the migrants. Apparently, they thought someone would take care of them or they would not have made the bus trips. It could easily be shut down if the feds didn't take it upon themselves to feed and house the group and the inevitable happened in the wake of it -- the group moved back into Mexico to obtain food and water as they had done before. There are many reports out there of migrants moving back and forth from Mexico and the states to secure the provisions. But apparently, there aren't enough, because Del Rio itself is experiencing shortages as well as other problems caused by the sudden crush of humanity brought in by the promises of asylum thanks to Joe Biden.

If that's not something to hold Joe Biden accountable for, what is? The Del Rio residents have the same rights as other American citizens. But right now, they're being treated as second-classers. It's high time that Biden be held accountable for the problems he's created for U.S. citizens as he pursues his open-borders political agenda designed to ensure a permanent Democratic majority in government. These costs and side-effects from his policy on the Del Rio residents are unconscionable, unfair, and basically despicable.

Image: Twitter screen shot

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
At the University of South Carolina, a leftist, revisionist historian has doubled down on the Democrats assertion that the American Revolutions purpose was to defend slavery. The loudest voice challenging this historian is...wait for it...the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS), which published an article arguing that this grotesque historic inaccuracy harms socialism by giving fuel to conservatives.

Woody Holton, who got himself a Ph.D. in History from Duke University and now teaches American history at the University of South Carolina, is the quintessential modern academic, for he sees American history as a series of oppressive acts aimed at destroying anyone who wasnt rich, White, and male. Hes also an attention seeker.

Writing at the WSWS, Tom Mackaman, a socialist who wrote a book attacking the 1619 project, explains that Holton wrote a pro-1619 Project article for the Washington Post, which he followed with a series of tweets, all aimed at proving that the American Revolution had nothing to do with liberty and was, instead, a thinly veiled effort to maintain slavery in the face of an Anglo-Black Alliance:

In his Post column, Holton says that he believes that the American Revolution was caused when Whites became furious after learning that Blacks had forged an informal alliance with the British. It was only this uncontrollable racist fury that caused Whites to formally declare independence. According to Holton, the American Revolution was no revolution at all, but a secessionist reaction to the threat of slave liberation posed by the British Empire, and, in this, its true essence, was nothing so much as a dress rehearsal for the Confederate counterrevolution of 1861.

Mackaman identifies and quickly demolishes each piece of evidence Holton puts forward to support this proposition. The article focuses especially closely on Holtons centerpiece argument, which is built around the Dunmore Proclamation. In the proclamation, issued in November 1775, the last royal governor of Virginia offered freedom to any slaves who took up arms against masters revolting against the Crown. This, said Holton, so panicked White Americans that they became fiercely racist and determined to secede from Great Britain.

To his credit, Mackaman will have none of this:

To arrive at this conclusion, Holton must disregard the basic chronology of the Revolution. In fact, the war was already on a half year before Dunmores order. Major battles had already taken place in New England, the Continental Army had been formed, and a situation of dual power had emerged throughout the colonies, with the imperial state crumbling and new revolutionary structures of authority taking its place, at the head of which was the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. In Virginia, British authority had rapidly dissolved over the preceding two years. In fact, Holton fails to note that Dunmore issued his order from his refuge aboard a British naval vessel in the James River!

The article is long, detailed, and well-sourced, and I cant do it justice here. Its certainly worth reading, for Mackaman cites multiple Revolutionary War scholars and spells out chapter and verse of events in the 1770s that put the lie to Holtons revisionist claims. He also takes apart Holtons arguments challenging anyone who dares deny his revisionist history.

Whats so ironic is that Mackaman, in addition to having an honest persons disgust for falsifying history, says that the lies that Holton writes damage the socialist causea cause the Founding Fathers would have viewed as appalling:

Holton does not think he is a racist. No doubt he believes he is fighting racism, and that in this fight it is permissible to play fast and loose with the facts of historyeven its very chronologyall the better to achieve a usable past for the present. He is mistaken. The oppressed masses of all races and all nationalities require an honest and objective understanding of the past, just as much as they do the present. The imposition of racialist mythology on history, whatever its short-term and, frankly, pecuniary aims, will only provide fodder for the unscientific and irrationalist miasma out of which the far right emerges. The attack on the American Revolution and Civil War, and the broader historic struggle for equality in which these revolutions formed twin peaks, only strengthens the right wing. It comes at a dangerous moment, when democracy in the United States, and elsewhere, is in a state of peril. Indeed, the far right finds its own usable past in the historical territory abandoned, and now denounced, by American liberalism. The attack on the American Revolution by the New York Times and historians like Woody Holton allows Trump and the Republican Party to posture as defenders of 1776. Behind this screen the coup-plotting against democracy deepens.

When the Revolution finally ended with Cornwallis surrendering after the Battle of Yorktown, the British band played a then-popular song, The World Turned Upside Down. Seeing a socialist writer, at a socialist publication, absolutely savage an academic whos bought into Critical Race Theory and seeks to drag the American Revolution under that umbrella makes me think that the world really has turned upside down.

I dont think Id enjoy dinner with Professor Holton. Im very sure that, despite his awful political ideology, Tom Mackaman would be an interesting person to meet.

Image: Cornwalliss surrender at Yorktown by John Trumbull. Public domain.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
It's been a tough summer for the old guard in Cuba. They are dying so quickly that many are wondering if someone is poisoning their "cafecito," or maybe it's COVID. Who knows for sure? The truth is, they are quickly joining Fidel wherever the bearded one is spending eternity.

This is from our friend Alberto De La Cruz:

Stellar News on Cuban state-run television reported the death of Reserve Brigadier General Hiraldo Antonio Mora Orozco, who passed away on September 16 from COVID-19. In an announcement from the Ministry of Armed Forces, it was reported that the officer was part of the First Column of the Rebel Army under the command of Fidel Castro and after 1959, he served as an infantry and tank battalion chief, head of the anti-aircraft artillery regiment and the tank division, and the Second in Command of the Juvenile Labor Army, among other duties. He also commanded troops during the so-called "Escambray cleansing" against armed Cubans who rose up against Fidel Castro's regime and served three tours in Angola with the Cuban military operations that intervened in the war in that country. "His body will be cremated and his ashes placed in the Veterans' Pantheon in the Necropolis of Colon," said the announcement in conclusion. According to state-run media, Mora Orozco is the third high-ranking officer of the Revolutionary Armed Forces to die in the past week and a half. He is the 12th to pass away since July 11, when massive protests against the regime shook the island. From that date on, obituaries for high-ranking officials published by state-run media have been frequent.

Yes, the guys at the state-run media are getting a lot of practice writing obituaries.

There are lots of rumors flying around, as you would expect. I heard they want to "cremate" the old guard so no one can oppose the economic reforms coming. That sounds possible, but who said current leader Diaz-Canel is a reformer? He didn't show it when people rose up over the last few weeks. Then I heard that they are paving the way for the big one or Raul Castro, who is somewhere either dead or near death. It's possible. Then I heard that their deaths are just another example of how bad Cuban health care is. I like that one because Fidel Castro had to bring in some doctor from Spain, and Raul Castro is probably being treated by a similar group.

So who knows? All we know is that the old men who sat behind Fidel's longest speeches are fading, and fast. We are up to twelve and wonder who the lucky number thirteen will be.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image via Max Pixel.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
A relevant question regarding the COVID-19 vaccines is whether or not it is reasonable to apply for a religious exemption simply because the vaccine may have, at some point in its development, utilized parts of an aborted baby. In order to arrive at my answer, please follow me through a brief theological discussion to its practical application.

As many philosophers have contended, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky contains one of the most notable passages for what has been termed the existential problem of evil. In book V, chapter IV, two of the brothers Karamazov are conversing about the nature of reality, evil, and God. The religious skeptic Ivan poses a particularly difficult dilemma to his younger brother Alyosha, a practicing monk, which is specifically intended as an argument against God.

Tell me yourself, I challenge you  answer. Imagine that you are creating a fabric of human destiny with the object of of making men happy in the end, giving them peace and rest at last, but that it was essential and inevitable to torture to death only one tiny creature  that baby beating its breast with its fist, for instance  and to found that edifice on its unavenged tears, would you consent to be the architect on those conditions? Tell me, and tell the truth.

To this challenge, the devout believer Alyosha simply replies, No, I wouldnt consent. Yet, before we jump ship and either prosecute Alyosha for being of little faith or throw in with the skeptic Ivan and declare this a death blow to the character or existence of God, we have to understand what Dostoevsky is doing with this thought experiment. Alyosha goes on to remark that he, himself, as a mere human, could not possibly agree to be the architect of such a world. Alyosha continues:

you said just now, is there a being in the whole world who would have the right to forgive and could forgive? But there is a Being and He can forgive everything, all and for all, because He gave His innocent blood for all and everything. You have forgotten Him, and on Him is built the edifice, and it is to Him they cry aloud.

The point is that, according to the Christian narrative, Christ is both the one who bears the suffering of that tortured baby and forgives the torturer. In the words of theologian Jurgen Moltmann, God not only participates in our suffering but also makes our suffering into his own, and takes our death into His life. That is, His imagination and power are ones that greatly exceed our own, such that He is the only Being who could ever consent to such a world of suffering, precisely because according to Gods justice no tears will ever remain unavenged.

This is where I think Dostoevsky has given us a masterly illustration of our place within the created order. As human beings, we cannot consent to building a Utopia, much less any worldly system, on the unavenged tears of an innocent child because we possess neither the right to forgive nor the power to redeem. God alone is the owner of such rights and powers. So, we cannot unjustly take the life of another human person for the utilitarian purpose of the greater good because, in the end, no matter how much greater the good, the entire project remains unjust (see Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment for a narrative take on this question).

Thus, Dostoevskys illustration becomes a useful analogy in our contemporary scenario in which we might be asked to participate in receiving a potentially advantageous vaccine that has been created at the expense of an aborted baby. Supposing that we could entirely eradicate COVID-19, if but only one baby had to be ripped apart to achieve this end, would the end justify the means?

Alas, the vaccines are proving that they are certainly falling well short of completely eradicating COVID-19, if not even exacerbating new and more infectious variants, while simultaneously causing a record number of deaths and adverse events. So, in the best-case scenario, we are really asking whether a vaccine that could reduce the severity of symptoms from an illness that has a very high survival rate but does not appear to protect us from contracting the illness, is worth the price of one, and in some cases, multiple aborted babies.

As has been noted, many vaccines, including those used for COVID-19, have utilized aborted baby organs and tissue in their development, through the use of derived stem cells. Some distinguish between vaccines that utilized aborted lines for the products invention versus those that have aborted fetal elements within the vaccine itself. One reasonable response might be that it is far more objectionable to receive a vaccine that contains fetal tissue rather than receiving a vaccine that only used such in its original development. However, this is a bit of a misnomer when we consider Dostoevskys analogy. Yes, killing more than one baby is worse than killing only one baby. But, let us consider the ethical reality of any system built upon the foundation of an abortion:

Tell me yourself, I challenge youanswer. Imagine that you are creating a fabric of human destiny with the object of making men safe from COVID-19, giving them freedom from lockdowns at last, but that it was essential and inevitable to torture to death only one tiny creaturethat baby in womb ready to burst forth into the fullness of lifeand to found that medical achievement on the edifice of its unavenged tears, would you consent to be the architect of such a vaccine on those conditions? Tell me, and tell the truth.

No, I wouldnt consent.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Its not nearly as complicated as once I thought it was. Its a top-down insurrection. All that it ever needed was a sufficient number of conspirators, in key positions, to network with each other. Granted, the numbers needed were large. That is why it took so many years to take hold. Once the threshold was reached, however, circa 2015 or 16, the treachery began in full swing.

The plotters were delayed by one mistake, a very big one, in 2016. They underestimated the amount of electoral fraud that was needed to place Hillary Clinton in the White House. That set them back four years. By 2020, however, the insurrectionists understood their error, and they did not repeat it again. This time, the fraud was massive. It was too large to hide, but on the other hand, there was no longer any need for concealment. Nobody in power was ever going to oppose the reported result, save for President Trump and a very few others, but there were not enough of them to be effective.

As of now, there are a few loose ends to be tied up before the take-over is strong enough to make us into another Cuba. The top is secure, but the bottom is a bit unsteady. One of those loose ends is that pesky Second Amendment, or more precisely stated, the people who exercise it. Its not that those in power cannot prevail against an armed rebellion of the citizens; they can, and they know it. They also know, however, that it would be messy. Spartacus never really stood a chance against the Roman Empire, but he still defeated a legion while trying. He made a mess of things for quite some time.

People who wield absolute power can never relax for a moment while the possibility of another Spartacus lurks beneath the surface. The Second Amendment is the loose end that, momentarily, has introduced uncertainty among the schemers, for whom certainty is the ultimate goalthe certainty bequeathed by permanent, absolute power. What most discomfits those in authority is that the very purpose of the Second Amendment, is to enable the common man to overthrow them when they abuse their powerand abuse it they have.

The fear of this is real. It is why so many of those arrested on January 6, 2021, are being held in solitary confinement, denied access to their lawyers or the press, and subjected to cruel punishment.

Watching the top-down insurrection take place has become like watching a massive hurricane approach. One can batten down the hatches, store up food and water, but nothing can stop the hurricane. Against it, all this talk and blogging and commentary are little more than the sound of a reed in the ever-increasing wind.

There remain two last hopes. First, the parents of public school children are outraged that their children are being indoctrinated by radical leftists and morally undermined by sexual perverts lecturing in the class, in one case, by a man with bared buttocks. Will the parents act effectively? If the general public fails to protect its children, there is no hope.

The second hope is that, as is well known, those in government tend to be inept. This is why, in communist nations, the Great Leaps Forward have always tended to fall flat on their faces, worsening the economic deprivation that communism inherently inflicts on its millions of subjugated people. How does that apply to America? To paraphrase Barack Obama, never underestimate the ability of Biden to screw things up. That applies to progressives in general.

Neither of these two hopes is dependably likely to save the Republic. That leaves one last desperate dream, the black swan.

A black swan event is one that is unforeseeable, one which can have catastrophic consequences. Curiously, such events, after they happen, are seen to have been inevitable all along, but only in retrospect.

This last, desperate hope is not, however, entirely unpredictable. The Bible predicts it.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Joe Biden has a creepy way of making himself scarce whenever there's a crisis. He gets a lot of crises.

Weekends are convenient for that, as was noted back when Afghanistan was collapsing. Biden's vacay, see, comes first, and could not be interrupted by, say, a phone call or three from Britain's prime minister, Boris Johnson. This time, Biden's going to the beach:

President Biden left the White House before noon Friday for a long weekend at his beach house and kept out of sight as the FDA rejected his push for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, the Pentagon admitted it killed Afghan civilians and France recalled its ambassador. Biden didnt speak with reporters about the trio of political debacles during the less than two-hour trip to his Rehoboth Beach, Del., mansion  or after he arrived.

Here's the crisis line-up:

The border is being flooded by 15,000 illegal migrants massing under a bridge near Del Rio, Texas in the biggest migrant massing in U.S. history. For the Border Patrol, it's a disaster. There's no practical means of processing all of them into the country as is the Biden practice, meaning, no time to give them court-appearance papers, no time to vet them, no time to fingerprint them, no time to do the entire rigamarole for their fake asylum claims which will be rejected in any case. The New York Times notes that most of the migrants are country-shoppers, previously resettled refugees from other South American countries, who have come to the U.S. in search of a better benefit package, which creates particular problems in deporting them back. Worse still, there's a humanitarian crisis building, with no resources to feed them, house them, test them for COVID and other diseases, let alone time to vaccinate them. Some are having babies. The garbage they've created and strewn around has now reached heights of ten feet. Many are building shacks to create an imported shantytown just like the places they left back home. Obviously, in this lawless setting, gangs are going to take over if they have not done so already. And there is a bona fide fear that the group will stampede in or riot as conditions grow more hellish and hopes of getting in scot-free remain high. That's a crisis, and it's of Joe Biden's own making. But he's got a date with the beach first.

There's also France, America's oldest ally, which has pulled its ambassador from the U.S. for "consultations," something he did in the middle of a dinner party for Washington's elites, according to David Frum, who'd know about such things, writing in the Atlantic. He seems to think it was significant that the guests got fed, but that's nonsense. A very important ally has cut ties based on Joe Biden's mismanagement of a new alliance set up between Britain, France, and Australia, which left France entirely out of the loop, and out a $50 billion defense contract, too, with the news sprung on them at the spur of the moment after it happened. Biden's spokesweasels said it was Australia's job to tell them and Australia said it was Biden's job to tell them. Sound like good diplomacy? France's reaction tells us what they think of that kind of Biden 'diplomacy,' which France's foreign minister called "a stab in the back." One of France's officials actually said it was 'like Trump,' but of course, it was not like Trump and France never cut ties with the U.S. nor even threatened to do so during the Trump administration. What the French were doing was trying to stick it to Biden, knowing that he hates such comparisons. Analysts say this will have consequences for the NATO alliance. Crisis? Joe went to the beach.

There's also Afghanistan fallout and it's ugly. Turns out the Pentagon admitted that the ten "terrorists" they fired a rocket on in retribution for the suicide attack at Kabul airport, which killed 13 American service members and around 200 Afghanis, was a "mistake." An aid worker working for a U.S.-linked NGO, two other adults, and seven children were killed in 'retribution' for that attack. The Pentagon is blaming the CIA for bad intelligence, others are accusing it of taking its intelligence from our 'partners' the Taliban. The fact that the Pentagon refused to name these supposedly high-level ISIS operatives compounds the emerging war crime, the killing of civilians as the terrorist masterminds laugh up their sleeves, and the war crimes tribunals crank up. The propaganda value is amazing for the Taliban of course, and the U.S. image abroad lies in new ruins. Nobody's getting fired, of course. Crisis? No, not a crisis to Joe, just a reason to go to the beach.

It gets worse:

Let's get back to the topic of Joe "diplomacy is back" Biden and his vaunted foreign policy skills. What is the source of the Del Rio border surge, which emerged in less than a week? How did it happen? Turns out Mexico released the 15,000 migrants from a holding pen in Tapachula, Mexico, out near the Guatemalan border, and the migrants headed north. With word out that cartels would not charge a fee to cross at Del Rio, they massed there. Mexico was supposedly keeping the migrants back for the U.S., but something went very wrong diplomacy-wise because suddenly, Mexico quit doing it, foisting the humanitarian crisis it had been managing onto Joe Biden and dusting its hands off. We know they have been frustrated with Biden, who created the border surge through his invitations to illegal migrants and Mexico's president has openly stated that. Meanwhile, Biden sent idiot Kamala Harris to visit the Mexican president, Andres Manuel Lopez-Obrador, supposedly to resolve the border crisis, which only managed to annoy him further. Now AMLO's just shipped her and her Biden government a full-blown migrant surge unlike any in U.S. history. That's a message. If all of this is true, (and our source has always been impeccable), that was a preventable disaster, and now another diplomatic crisis with a very important partner, one we must get along with and keep happy. In some ways, diplomacy with Mexico is as important as, or even more important than France, but the relationship too has gone by the boards, thanks to Joe Biden. President Trump was able to get along with Mexico but Biden on the other hand is an abject failure and now has the migrant mess to show for it. Crisis? Nope, beach time for Biden.

Here's another crisis: Days before Biden was set to foist COVID booster vaccines onto the public, Biden's FDA flatly refused to recommend boosters at all as a response to containing COVID. That signals a rebellion over Biden's politicization of the COVID crisis to his partisan ends. It follows from two high-profile resignations of non-partisan professional research leaders, both of whom had signed an article in a professional journal finding booster shots counterproductive, and one of whom also signaled reservations about COVID vaccines for children under 12. Biden was full of rubbish all along on his claims to 'science' as he pushed for boosters. As it stands now, Biden can't be believed about anything because his 'science' was outdone by real science. The FDA didn't want to be a sorry politicized agency the same way the CDC under Dr. Rochelle Walensky had become, taking orders from union operatives instead of following actual research results. The actual science thus far has found booster shots counterproductive in containing the COVID virus based on research showing that the effective thing to do is get the entire world vaccinated so that variants can't develop from third-world countries. Other science, from hyper-vaccinated countries such as Israel, suggests that over-vaccinating the public with boosters may be weakening, not strengthening, the human immune system and extending the pandemic. Joe Biden was making huge hay and headlines in his call for booster shots. He got shot down and ought to be called to explain himself. Crisis? What crisis? Time for the beach.

Oh but there's more.

Biden's signature $3.5 trillion pork-spending bill to foist government into every aspect of Americans' lives and make them pay for it, turning America into a surveillance state with a social credit system, as well as a green new deal state, with amnesty for 30 million illegals, is in trouble. From our point of view, that's dandy, but from his point of view, it's a Democrat crisis, given that Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia are feeling enough heat from voters to not go along, while squadsters in the House are saying 'no pork bill, no $1 trillion infrastructure bill' either. They consider the $3.5 trillion price tag of the Bernie Sanders-crafted bill "a floor." For Joe, that ought to be a crisis given that this is his big signature project and he has a very narrow window to get it done before Democrats are expected to be thrown out of power in both houses of Congress by 2022. Good news for us, but bad news for Joe. But Joe's got a date with the beach.

For Biden, hiding out and taking vacay is how he manages the presidency. The beach time, though, may be the last straw. Ted Cruz was scored for taking a beach vacation in Mexico during a power crisis in his state of Texas. So was New Jersey's Gov. Chris Christie, whose beach-chair antics during a crisis in his state made him a figure of fun. Unable to learn from even recent history, doddering Joe went to the beach, too.

His presidency seems to be not about managing the presidency, but about managing the news cycle and making bad stories go away. So now, whenever a crisis hits, he skips town instead of gets out on the front lines to lead in a crisis.

And not surprisingly, his presidency has many, many, crises, so he's going to be hiding out a lot as crises build. That's a man unfit for office. One only hopes that voters will take note.

Image: Screen shot from video posted by VOA using AFP footage, via shareable YouTube

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Newt Gingrich, the one-time history professor whose insights in 1994 about the American electorate helped Republicans gain control of the House for the first time in 40 years, thinks hes got a plan that will return Congress to Republican control in 2022. His research has revealed that there are multiple unifying issues that concern all Americans and that Republicans are the ones with the more appealing platforms regarding those arguments.

Gingrich appeared on John Solomons podcast to discuss how he thinks Republicans can readily regain Congress in 2022. According to Gingrich, there are 16 issues that bind Americans together. Indeed, 85% of voters are in accord as to these issues, with only a left fringe opposing the majority viewpoint.

The most obvious issue is defunding the police, which Americans strongly oppose.

The most interesting thing Gingrich and his team discovered while working with Larry Kudlow is that Americans havent really bought into socialism, although they think theyve been alienated from capitalism. However, if you frame the two political systems by talking about liberty versus big government, people suddenly view them differently.

In fact, it turns out that they support capitalism and oppose socialism, but only if the issue is phrased quite specifically as free-market capitalism versus big government socialism. This insight means that the Republicans can attack the $3.5 trillion Democrat boondoggle by referring to it as big government socialism. Throwing around abstract words or phrases will fail while specific definitions will help people evaluate policies.

What this means is that, as Gingrich wrote on his website,

In the next few weeks, Republicans have an opportunity to rebrand the Democrats as Big Government Socialists. [snip] Every Democratic senator and representative has already voted for the outline of Senator Bernie Sanders $3.5 trillion Big Government Socialist bill. No matter what lies they tell back home about being moderates, their names are right there on pages S6237 (Aug. 10) and H4371 (Aug. 24) of the Congressional Record. When it mattered there were no moderate Democrats. The only Democrats serving in Congress were unanimously willing to vote for Big Government Socialism. The Big Government Socialist brand will isolate the Washington Democrats from their own moderates and from the rest of the country. Faced with this clear betrayal of their values, millions of grassroots Democrats will find themselves having to organize a moderate wing of the Democratic Party (something Bill Clinton tried to do as governor of Arkansas in the 1980s). [snip] The polling is clear and devastating for the Big Government Socialist Democrats. Americans in general favor Free Market Capitalism over Big Government Socialism by a huge margin (59 percent to 16 percent). Among swing voters, there is an almost 5:1 advantage for Free Market Capitalism over Big Government Socialism (82 percent to 18 percent).

Another one of the big sixteen common principles that Gingrich explained to Solomon ties together Americans is race: It turns out that, despite the lefts efforts to force Critical Race Theory on America, 91% of Americans support the Martin Luther King view of race in America. That is, they want a world in which people are judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin.



Of course, were currently looking at a Republican political class that too often seems to be more interested in D.C. politics and pleasant relationships with the Democrats who openly despise them than with American well-being. And when it comes to race, no Republicans have the courage to say anything that would allow Democrats to holler, Racist!

It remains to be seen whether Republicans be able to take advantage of the opportunity that Gingrich is putting before them. As Gingrich asks at his web page:

When facing hostile, distracting questions from leftwing television reporters, can Republicans discipline themselves to constantly point out that the $3.5 trillion bill was written by an avowed socialist and is Big Government Socialism? When facetoface with Democratic incumbents, can the Republicans muster the courage and discipline to stick to facts and hammer away that on this date you voted for a $3.5 trillion Big Government Socialist Bill and that makes you a Big Government Socialist? Finally, can Republican Party officials, activists, and candidates focus on communicating that Democrats have become Big Government Socialists  and that the old moderate Democratic Party has been replaced by a new radical party?

Im sorry to be a downer here, but I have my doubts that our current crop of Republicans will be able to do any of the things needed to rout the Democrats from Congress. If voters reject Democrats and give Congress back to the Republicans, that will happen in spite of, not because of, our ostensibly conservative political class.

Image: Newt Gingrich. YouTube screen grab.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
The editorial board of the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) student newspaper savaged the school for its recent decision to recognize the campus pro-life group Case for Life, which the paper called a danger to the student body. The Observers editorial board wrote, CWRU does not care about its students. If they actually cared, they would have immediately considered concerns about the student bodys immediate safety and the broader school-community impacts, and they would have easily determined this organization to pose a danger.

The board added: It is not just that students have to worry about laws that impose on their bodily autonomy, but they also have to worry about being in an environment that is supposed to be safe but isnt. Who could care less if someone is pro-forced-birth, but when that someone takes action to enforce that opinion on othersthats when it becomes dangerous.

You know what else is an environment that is supposed to be safe but isnt?" A womb. And, speaking of imposing on ones bodily autonomy and taking action to enforce that opinion on others, where does the board stand on vaccine mandates?

The boards deranged written rant continued: "We already have to deal with anti-abortion laws dictated by governments that put our lives in danger, but now we have to face the reality of our tuition going to a club that makes the majority of the student body feel unsafe.

A pro-life group makes the majority of a student body feel unsafe?

Case for Life members say its mission is to help protect and promote respect for all life from conception to natural death through education, outreach, and volunteering at local pregnancy centers.

Those bastards! Who wouldnt be afraid of a group like that?

The editorial also claimed that CRWUs approval of Case for Life was just another example of the broadening attack on reproductive rights. No, board members, you have every right to reproduce. That is, in fact, what Case for Life and other pro-life groups stand for. What you fervently disapprove of is that pro-life groups would potentially make it slightly more difficult for you to kill your babies. I mean, if you cant be troubled to exercise restraint or even take precautions if you do not wish to have a baby.

So you cant exterminate your child after the first six weeks of your pregnancy or so? Well, you cant have a handful of cocktails and drive yourself home, either.

Five unelected white guys, now all dead, concocted the right to abortion out of thin air. Duly elected representatives of the people passed the Texas law that you assert is anti-democratic. You cant make this sh*t up!

Case for Life is, of course, not a danger to any student body. Pro-abortionists are a danger to every babys body.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
The Duke of Sussex has spoken for the first time about how the Duke of Edinburgh gave him the space to talk about serving in Afghanistan.

Harry was twice deployed to Helmand province during the UKs military operations, and in a BBC tribute programme to Philip he describes how his grandfather would never probe but listen.

In lighter moments Philips passion for barbecues is recounted by his children and grandchildren, and his love of cookery shows is revealed, with the Hairy Bikers among his favourites.

During Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, Harry says: Going off to Afghanistan he was very matter of fact and just said, Make sure you come back alive then when I came back, there wasnt a deep level of discussion, more a case of, Well you made it. How was it? Thats how he was.

He was very much a listener, he sort of set the scene for you to be able to share as much as you wanted to share but he would never probe.

Harry first served on the front line in Afghanistan as a forward air controller, during 2007-08, co-ordinating air strikes on Taliban positions before his presence was revealed by foreign media and he was flown home.

But he got his wish to return to the front line, serving as an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner during 2012-13.

Philips children and grandchildren speak with affection about the man who was a central figure in their lives in the tribute programme filmed before and after his death in April, aged 99.

During Harrys second deployment to Afghanistan he served as an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner (John Stillwell/PA)

His love of barbecuing is well known and the duke even tasked a Sandringham engineer with building him a trailer to hold his barbecuing kit.

The Prince of Wales said about his father: He adored barbecuing and he turned that into an interesting art form. And if I ever tried to do it he I could never get the fire to light or something ghastly so (hed say): Go away!

Philips cooking skills were praised by his grandson the Duke of Cambridge, who said: Every barbecue that Ive ever been on, the Duke of Edinburgh has been there cooking hes definitely a dab hand at the barbecue.

I can safely say theres never been a case of food poisoning in the family thats attributed to the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Countess of Wessex added: Cooking is something that I love talking to him about. And he loves watching cookery programmes. Hairy Bikers, I think is one of his favourites.

The Duchess of Cornwall with The Hairy Bikers (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)

More than a dozen royals including all of the Queen and Philips children  the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex  and their adult grandchildren, the dukes of Cambridge and Sussex, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, took part in the one-hour programme.

The Queen was not interviewed for the programme but granted special access to her private film collection.

The documentary-makers went inside Buckingham Palace to meet the dukes long-serving staff and to capture his study, private office and library as they were during his seven decades of public service.

The programme, which will air on Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One, was originally conceived to mark the dukes 100th birthday in June, but the nations longest-serving consort died two months before his centenary.

The Duchess of Sussex, who has accused the royal family of racism, the Duchess of Cambridge and other spouses of the Queen and Philips grandchildren do not appear.

Philips dedication to the nations military was highlighted by Charles: Well he took very seriously the fact that he was involved in the three armed forces and obviously the Navy was his main service but he took an inordinate interest in everything to do with the other two.

He read up an awful lot and thought about it and so he certainly put a lot of the generals and others through their paces, if you know what I mean. Hed always thought of a better way of doing it.

William described how the duke, who served as a naval officer during the Second World War, was concerned about the care the armed forces received.

He said: Hes always set a very good example about how we have to look after the welfare of the military and represent them and be there for them, and understands, you know, the trials and tribulations that they all go through.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has said customers will be protected if more small energy companies go to the wall as a result of surging gas prices.

Following talks with the regulator Ofgem, Mr Kwarteng said he could appoint a special administrator to ensure power supplies were maintained in the event of further market failures.

His assurance came amid fresh warnings from the food and drinks industry of shortages on the shelves within days as a result of the knock-on effects of the price hike.

The increases have resulted in a dramatic cut in the supply of carbon dioxide (CO2), which essential to a range of products from poultry and pig products to the packaging used in salads.

Mr Kwarteng also met on Sunday with Tony Will, the global chief executive of CF Industries, the UKs biggest supplier of CO2.

The company last week shut down two major fertiliser plants in Teesside and Cheshire, where CO2 is produced as a by-product, citing the high cost of natural gas.

Following their meeting, Mr Kwarteng said they had discussed the pressures the business was facing and explored possible ways forward to secure vital supplies, including to our food and energy industries.

However, the Food and Drink Federation chief executive Ian Wright warned that the impact of the shortages could be felt in the shops in a matter of days.

Towards the end of the week to come and into the following week we are going to see really serious consequences, he told the BBC.

Our priority is to protect consumers. If a Supplier of Last Resort is not possible, a special administrator would be appointed by Ofgem and the Govt. The objective is to continue supply to customers until the company can be rescued or customers moved to new suppliers (3/7)  Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) September 19, 2021

I would think that by the middle of next week  10 days time  we would see a really, really big hit to poultry production, to pig producers and probably increasingly in other sectors  so in packaging materials and in bakery and drinks.

Meanwhile, Mr Kwarteng is set to hold further talks on Monday with energy industry representatives and consumer groups as they grapple with the surge in gas prices, with wholesale costs up 250% since January.

Four small energy companies have already folded and, following his meeting on Sunday with Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley, Mr Kwarteng said he had been assured that if another failed supplies would continue uninterrupted.

Our priority is to protect consumers. If a supplier of last resort is not possible, a special administrator would be appointed by Ofgem and the Government, he said in a series of tweets.

The objective is to continue supply to customers until the company can be rescued or customers moved to new suppliers.

The rise in gas prices has been blamed on a number of factors, including a cold winter which left stocks depleted, high demand for liquefied natural gas from Asia and a reduction in supplies from Russia.

Mr Kwarteng acknowledged it was a worrying time for businesses and consumers, but said he remained confident energy supplies would be maintained.

Energy security will always be our absolute priority, he said. The UK benefits from having a diverse range of gas supply sources  both domestic, and from reliable import partners such as Norway.

I am confident security of supply can be maintained under a wide range of scenarios.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has still not committed to attending the Cop26 international climate change talks in Glasgow, the British minister chairing the conference has said.

Cop26 president Alok Sharma was unable to confirm China would even be sending a delegation to the gathering in November  although he insisted he was very, very hopeful they would.

The agreement of China, as the worlds biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, is seen as crucial if the talks are to succeed in slowing global warming.

However, Beijing has been infuriated by the new defence pact by the UK, US and Australia  widely viewed as a move to counter Chinas increasing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.

The foreign ministry in Beijing said it was extremely irresponsible after the three allies announced plans to collaborate on developing a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian navy.

Mr Sharma, who is flying out to New York with Boris Johnson for the United Nations General Assembly, said he would not expect Mr Xi to say whether he was going to Glasgow until nearer the time.

Pressed on the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show, he was unable to say for certain that there would even be a Chinese delegation at the talks.

On the issue of whether Xi Jinping is going to come, that is not yet confirmed. Normally these things come a bit closer to summits. I am very, very hopeful that we will have a delegation from China that is coming, he said.

President Xi Jinping would come for the world leaders conference which is the first two days of Cop. But, of course, we want China there as part of the negotiations.

Cop26 president Alok Sharma, on the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show, said he was confident the talks could go ahead safely in Glasgow (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA)

I do feel that they will come for that. I certainly expect that China will send a negotiating team to Glasgow.

Mr Sharma, who was recently in Beijing for talks ahead of the summit, acknowledged China would have to be a key part of any agreement.

He told Sky Newss Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme: There is no doubt that China is going to be part of the key to all of this. They are the biggest emitter in the world.

They have said to me they want the Cop26 to be a success. The ball is in their court. We want them to come forward and make it a success together with the rest of the world.

Mr Sharma said he was confident the talks would be able to go ahead as planned in Glasgow, despite rising Covid levels in Scotland.

He said that a range of safety measures were being put in place, including providing vaccines for accredited delegates who would otherwise be unable to access the jab in their own countries.

I am confident that we are going to have a physical Cop26. We are planning for that, he told the BBC.

Whats vitally important is that the people who are coming are safe but also the people of Glasgow are safe. I am confident that we will have a safe event.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said it is unacceptable that anybody feels unsafe going to the Labour conference, following reports MP Rosie Duffield will miss the event on security advice.

Ms Duffield, the Labour MP for Canterbury, has reportedly pulled out of attending her partys gathering in Brighton later this week amid online threats from transgender activists, according to The Sunday Times.

She told the newspaper: We have had Labour MPs who have had to have security at conference over the past few years, and I didnt want that sort of attention or to become the story. I just thought it was better for everyone if I quietly stayed away.

Asked on the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show whether someone who thinks that only women have a cervix is welcome at conference, Mr Khan said: They are. One of the things about the Labour Party is its a chance to debate, discuss, have disagreement in a respectful way.

Its unacceptable that anybody feels unsafe going to the Labour Party conference, whether its Rosie Duffield, whether its journalists or anybody else.

We must be able to have this conversation in a civilised way and I make this point which is really important: One out of four trans teenagers tries to kill themselves, these are one of the most vulnerable members of our society and its really important we have this debate in a cool, calm, respectful way.

Labour MP Pat McFadden said he would be appalled if Rosie thought she couldnt go to the Labour Party conference.

He told Sky Newss Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme: Every MP should be safe at Labour Party conference or at their own party conference. We had this a few years ago, you may remember with Luciana Berger.

I was appalled then and I think first of all, I want Rosie to be able to go to conference but, more broadly here, I think theres an important cultural point about how we discuss things.

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said too many people have been targeted for their opinion or the office they hold (UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA)

Difficult issues have to be able to be discussed in a way that doesnt result in  if someone says something that someone else disagrees with, then being placed completely beyond the pale and subject to terrible online abuse or threats or anything like that, and weve got to find a way to work through issues where people can say things where someone else might disagree, some of these issues are not easy, without the consequence that youre talking about here.

In a statement, Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: Parliamentarians, who have been elected to speak up for their constituents, should be able to attend their own party conference without fear of harm.

It is why we chose to discuss the security of MPs, their staff, journalists and other public figures at our G7 Speakers conference this weekend, because too many people have been targeted for their opinion or the office they hold.

In order to protect democracy, we need to ensure those participating can do so without threats of intimidation.
Sir David Jason has described John Challis as a gentleman in the true sense of the word, following his Only Fools And Horses co-stars death aged 79.

The actors family said in a statement that he died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Sunday after a long battle with cancer.

He was best-known for his portrayal of unscrupulous second-hand car dealer Boycie in the beloved sitcom, alongside Sir David and Nicholas Lyndhurst.

Sir David, who played Derek Del Boy Trotter, said in a statement: It is with much sadness to hear that John Challis, a dear friend, has passed away.

He was a wonderful actor, a gentleman in the true sense of the word and I know he will be missed by so many.

He said Boycie was a character so well loved by the many fans of that show so I am pleased that he witnessed the outpouring of admiration recently shown for the 40th anniversary of the first episode in 1981.

I send my love and condolences to his wife, Carol.

Boycie, a cigar-smoking businessman with a mocking laugh, was married to the feisty Marlene, played by Sue Holderness, and regularly butted heads with Sir Davids Del Boy.

Holderness said in a statement: Marlene without Boycie  its unthinkable. John Challis was my partner on screen and stage for 36 years and my beloved friend. R.I.P. darling John. I will miss you every day.

John Challis with Sue Holderness, who played his wife Marlene in Only Fools And Horses (PA)

Challis cancelled a 30-date speaking tour earlier this month after only one appearance, due to ill health.

A statement from his family to the PA news agency said: It is with heavy hearts that we bring you such sad news.

Our dear friend and yours, John Challis, has died peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer.

He will always be loved for being Boycie and leaves a great legacy of work that will continue to bring pleasure and smiles for many years to come.

Please respect the privacy of Johns family and friends at this difficult time, and be assured that in the future there will be an occasion to celebrate Johns life  when everyone will be welcome to come along.

Challis was born in Bristol but moved to south-east London when he was one.

Challis starred in Only Fools And Horses alongside Sir David Jason (Century/PA)

He attended the state boarding Ottershaw School near Woking, Surrey, and worked as a trainee estate agent before becoming a professional actor.

Early roles included gangster drama Big Breadwinner Hog in 1969 and a recurring role on Z-Cars as Sergeant Culshaw between 1971 and 1975.

Challis played Terrance Aubrey Boyce in Only Fools And Horses from 1981 to 2003, as well as in Boycie-focused spin-off show The Green Green Grass.

He recently became an honorary citizen of Serbia, where the BBC sitcom remains hugely popular.

Challis made the documentary Boycie In Belgrade, exploring why the show was so beloved there.

He was also known for playing Monty Staines in ITV sitcom Benidorm.

His family have requested that instead of flowers, donations are made to his favoured animal charities  Cuan Wildlife Rescue, Tusk and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

Their statement added: As Boycie would have said you know it makes sense!
(Reuters) -Crews searching a national park in Wyoming for missing Gabby Petito have found remains "consistent" with the 22-year-old woman but have not yet made a formal identification, the FBI said.

Petito has not been seen since her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, returned home from a months long cross-country trip without her on Sept. 1. Laundrie has been named a "person of interest" in the case.

"Earlier today human remains were discovered consistent with Gabrielle Petito," FBI spokesman Charles Jones said. "Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified of this discovery."

Jones said the cause of death was yet to be determined.

Petito and Laundrie, 23, left New York in June on their road trip, heading west in a white van planning to visiting national parks along the way and documenting the trip on social media.

Petito posted her last photo on Aug. 25. Her family believes she was headed to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming when they last heard from her.

Laundrie, who lived with Petito in North Port, roughly 70 miles (110 miles) south of St. Petersburg on Florida's west coast, has refused to speak with investigators.

His family told police on Friday that they had not seen him in three days. Florida police and FBI agents spent the weekend combing a nearby forest area for him.

Petito was last seen leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.

(Reporting by Maria Caspani and Dan Whitcomb; Additional reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Mr Patel is known to be a protege of former chief minister Anandiben Patel, who has a tense relationship with Mr Shah

When first-time MLA Bhupendra Patel was named the new Gujarat chief minister, political observers were quick to declare that Amit Shah, Union home minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modis closest confidant, had been cut to size. Mr Patel is known to be a protege of former chief minister Anandiben Patel, who has a tense relationship with Mr Shah. But the truth is that Mr Patel has, over the past five years, befriended Mr Shah as he realised that he would end up jeopardising his political career if he antagonised the former BJP chief. Today, Mr Patel enjoys a good rapport with Mr Shah. It must be noted that Mr Patels Assembly segment Ghatlodiya falls in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. When Mr Shah contested the 2019 general election from this seat, Mr Patel worked doubly hard to ensure that the party stalwart led by a huge margin in his constituency. Mr Patels elevation is, therefore, not a defeat for Mr Shah and nor does it, in any way suggest, that Mr Shah has fallen out with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two top leaders are known to work in tandem.

In a spate of recent interviews, actor Naseeruddin Shah spoke about how the Modi government is pressing Bollywood to make films on pseudo-nationalism and mythology. The actor is absolutely right. This is a pet project of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the BJPs ideological mentor, which believes that Hindi cinema should be tapped to propagate its ideology because it is a popular and powerful medium. The RSS is encouraging and even ensuring that the projects of filmmakers who toe their line are adequately funded. Their current favourite is producer Mahaveer Jain, who arranged a series of meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leading members of the Mumbai film industry two years ago, and has made two films on Modi. The latest film  Mann Bairagi  described as an untold story of Modis life has been co-produced by Mr Jain with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Mr Jain has had a meteoric rise considering he turned film producer only a decade ago. Well-known directors and producers have been persuaded to partner with him to make the kind of movies RSS wants them to make.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi often speaks about the importance of a free press but the harsh reality is that his government is determined to deny media-persons access to government offices or Parliament. Though journalists are issued accreditation cards by the Press Information Bureau which allows them entry to most ministries, there is a tendency among the ministers to keep them out. It started with Piyush Goyal when he was heading the power ministry. Then it was the turn of finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to clamp down on accredited journalists who can only enter the ministry if they have a prior appointment with an official. Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is the latest to join this club. Similar restrictions are in place in Parliament as journalists can no longer go to the offices of political parties in the building, talk to party MPs on the premises or drop in on a minister in his Parliament office. The basic objective is to see that only the government version of events is reported. These restrictions have also terrified bureaucrats who are unwilling to talk informally to the media for fear of being pulled up in case there is a critical report.

Long before the Election Commission announced the schedule of the Rajya Sabha elections, there was talk that the DMK had offered one seat to the Congress, specifically for Ghulam Nabi Azad. It is learned that the DMK did not name Mr Azad but told the Congress that it would prefer it if they fielded someone from the minority community and asked for a panel of names. The Congress leadership, however, did not respond to this request. It transpires that the Congress did not even discuss this matter with Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK chief M.K. Stalin. The DMK finally went ahead and nominated its own candidates for both the seats.

There is considerable speculation in poll-bound Uttarakhand after it was informally conveyed to the local BJP leaders that they should not be too harsh on senior Congress leader and former chief minister Harish Rawat. This has baffled the BJP rank and file as it was initially given to understand that they should focus their attack on Mr Rawat since he is the Congress partys chief ministerial face. One view is that the Aam Aadmi Partys entry as a serious contender has queered the pitch and the BJP is looking at a possibility of a hung Assembly in next years election. In that case, it will have to make up the numbers by striking deals with winners from other political parties. The BJP is apparently identifying those who could be the kamzor kadi or weak link and probably thinks Harish Rawat may be amenable to persuasion if the need arises. Maybe it took a cue from an exchange of messages on social media between Mr Rawat and Anil Baluni, BJP national spokesperson, when the two leaders praised each other.
People like Adityanath also seem to be motivated by the focused goal of setting one religious community against another

Abbajaan in Hindustani, is used as an honorific, to address your father. It is indicative of love and respect for an elder, part of an Urdu tehzeebiyat that has something graceful and elegant about it. But, Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of UP, used it as a pejorative to tarnish a community. That speaks volumes about him, his character, his upbringing, and his civilisational credentials.

A singular hatred seems to be at the core of people like the UP CM. This is not about loyalty towards the Hindu dharma; it is about a deep aversion to anybody not belonging to his own religion. It is animated by the mistaken belief that you can only show fidelity to your faith if you hate other faiths. Such an approach militates directly against the letter and the spirit of the Constitution of India, which directly espouses respect for all faiths. It is also against the qualifications required by any leader to rule a country like India which has citizens of multiple faiths, and whose collective ethos makes up the rainbow colours of our vibrant Republic.

People like Adityanath also seem to be motivated by the focused goal of setting one religious community against another. Hindus must be set against Muslims, because that is the only way he knows of reinforcing his own electoral citadel. Hindus can be brought to his side only if he convinces them that the Muslims were stealing rations from Hindus. His tactic then goes beyond personal hate. It must encapsulate his community, on the pernicious doctrine that hate reinforces hate. It is a siege mentality, where the only brahmastra is to spread hatred between communities for short-term political gain.

Adityanath believes that electoral success lies through the consolidation of the Hindu vote. For him that consolidation can be achieved if he convinces Hindus that their well-being is under attack by outsiders. An enemy has to be conjured, created, nurtured. In this process, no stone is left unturned to demonise the other. Every assumed slight is highlighted; stereotypes are created and reinforced; anger is deliberately ignited and whipped up; insecurities are fanned; myths are propagated; threats are imagined and systematically projected. There has to be no subtlety, no restraint, no compunctions no dignity, in the exercise. The end goal of retention of political power is far more important.

The unfortunate thing is that Hindus are seen as puppets in this operation, cannon fodder, inert instruments for personal and party aggrandisement. The essential tenets of a great religion like Hinduism are deliberately distorted to serve this goal, in order to make it a caricature of itself: vengeful, bigoted, violent and exclusionist. Trying to reinvent Hinduism and make it akin to Wahabism is an act of sacrilege. Hinduisms worldview is governed by the seminal Rig Vedic injunction  Ekam satya vipra bahudah vedanti: The truth is one, wise people call it by different names. One of the greatest voices of Hinduism in the modern era, Swami Vivekananda, emphasised precisely this in his famous speech on 11 September 1893 at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago: I am proud to belong to a religion that has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal tolerance, but we accept all religions as true

If hatred of the other was Hinduisms dominant emotion, why would the Upanishads say: Anna bhadra kritavo yantu vishvataha: Let good thoughts flow to us from all directions? If religious exclusion was the defining belief of Hinduism, why would our ancient seers stress  Udar charitanam vasudhaiva kutumbakam: For the big-hearted, the entire world is a family? The Narada Bhakti Sutra, containing aphorisms of the great sage Narada, could not be clearer: It is not proper to enter into a controversy about God, or spiritual truths, or about comparative merits of different devotees. For there is room for diversity of views; no one view based upon mere reasons is conclusive in itself. King Ashoka, in his Rock Edict XII, makes the same plea: Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadasi, desires that there should be growth in the essentials of all religions. Growth in essentials can be done in different ways, but all of them have as their root, restraint in speech (Emphasis mine). In Tulsidas Ramcharitmanas, Shri Rama, whom Hindutva zealots randomly invoke when indulging in lawlessness and violence, uttered the ultimate verity of Hinduism when he told Lakshman: Par hita saris dharam nahin bhai, par peeda sam nahin athmai: There is no greater dharma than the welfare of others, and no greater sin than injury to others.

Resentment against some of the injustices done to Hinduism in the past may have its reasons. But hatred and violence cannot become the defining features of a religion, which rejects them both. That is why, one of modern Indias great entrepreneurs, Narayana Murthy, categorically says: The founding fathers of Independent India wanted a nation where every religion would flourish and every voice would be heard. Thus, India, very rightly adopted secularism as its credo. That is also why the Shankaracharya of Sringeri, Jagadguru Bharathi Teertha Mahaswami, on a visit in 1994 to the Buddhist shrine at Sarnath, declared: The principles of non-violence, compassion, truth, self-restraint and purity were meant for every individual; one might go to a temple, vihara or church, but the faith and belief were the same.

Hindus are not a passive people. They can, when the need arises, defend themselves. Nor is Hinduism a walkover, not the least because of its conquering eclecticism. But coarse language is not the way Hinduism or Hindus would like to defend themselves. Hindu civilisation has seen remarkable peaks of refinement. It would be outraged by a man who dresses himself in the garb of a renunciate but goes around insulting members of another community on the basis of how they address their father.
Manoj was one of those people, one of the many we met in a short but harrowing journey from India to England this week

Dont worry, said Manoj, Im here. Im here to serve. Its what Ive done through the pandemic. Serve senior citizens.

Sometimes when you want get something done, its the people you know. We all know how that works. Something goes wrong and you pull up your phone book or you discover someones someone knows the right person. Its not that these important someones someone can always help. They can try to, they can put in a word but lets be honest, being asked for too many favours too often does put people, and I mean all of us here, off.

But sometimes, its the more wonderful thing that happens. Help from unexpected quarters. Or from those not seen as important but are in fact far more significant in keeping the wheels turning than the big person in a fancy suit somewhere high up there.

Manoj was one of those people, one of the many we met in a short but harrowing journey from India to England this week.

We had a family visit planned to England two years ago. The pandemic put paid to that as it did to so many hopes and dreams and for some with horrific consequences.

Ours were not so bad. There was family to see, a wedding to attend and for my Father, 83, to meet his Brother, 88. Locked up for most of the pandemic, we had been spared the tragedy and horror that so badly affected so many across the planet.

Travelling in a pandemic though sucks out almost every aspect of pleasure the experience might have once had. Danger and the fear of danger hang in the air. Even before you leave, the preparations are more frenetic. The visa process, the questions, the forms, the Covid 19 tests, the waiting, the uncertainty. In asking for help in a random social media manner, help came from unexpected quarters.

From former colleagues and contacts from work world almost in another universe. They went out of their way to track progress and keep in touch with updates until the work was done. No simple thank yous are enough.

But Manoj wasnt in this category of person, someone you once knew or someones important someone. Manoj is one of the wheelchair attendants at Delhi airport. But thanks to Manoj, what would have been a traumatic wait, full of tension and bureaucracy and the tedium of travel when all you have to do is get onto an aeroplane, not chase hippos from across African rivers into Columbia, became plain sailing.

Thanks to Manoj, we whizzed through heightened security, long queues, confusing officialese and the mind fog that descends after 2 am without sleep and comfort. Manoj had said goodbye to us three hours earlier, but there he was back at half past two, with his efficiency and cheer. It is people like Manoj who are the cogs that keep the system together as someone pointed out.

But people like Manoj are more than that. They are the pleasures that remind us that being human is almost an art. A peon in a dusty government office is a vital cog in the wheel because he knows what the babus dont, because hes been there forever as babus have come and gone and because not all babus can be bothered. But that peon usually needs something to place under every paperweight in the chain of babus above him and he himself often wont even function without that initial funding. Manoj is not a cog in the same sense. Hes the joy.

Like the cabin crew of a Jet Airways flight four years ago. When they heard that my Father was travelling with his two daughters, they had a little impromptu party for us in their service area. They cut a cake and sang. There was no need to do it. But they did.

We will never forget it. And we still mourn the loss of an airline which provided the best service. Those who gave Jet its coveted status  its staff  are those who have suffered the most after the airline shut down. Capitalism works hard to build its capital and then forgets that all businesses have something to do with people. Profits, balance sheets, accountants and numbers are all very well. But without people what do they mean?

But I digress. As the flight ended, with more anxiety to follow  have you filled all the forms in correctly, what about all those stories about Brexit and massive queues, and all the frightening signages everywhere that the British are so fond of and good at.

Instead, although the lines were long, the wheelchair service at Heathrow was almost as good as Delhi, from the human angle anyway. Although I was a bit upset that all those complicated forms we had filled in and all the tests we had done, no one looked at them except the Air India staff!

In the airport terminal, from the helpful young woman who helped us with SIM cards to the woman who booked the taxi we suddenly decided to take making sure she got us the best rate, it was the people who took the tiredness out of travelling long journeys.

Its the Manojes that make you smile and remember at the end. And you know, with his mask on all the time, we never really saw his face at all.

But his kindness and generosity would be recognisable anywhere.
The findings of the study were published in the journal 'Sustainable Cities and Society'

The researchers found that aerosols travelled farther and more quickly in rooms with displacement ventilation, where fresh air continuously flows from the floor and pushes old air to an exhaust vent near the ceiling. Representational Image. (ANI)

Washington: A recent study led by an international team of researchers asserts that indoor distances of two meters (about six and a half feet) may not be enough to sufficiently prevent transmission of airborne aerosols.

The findings of the study were published in the journal 'Sustainable Cities and Society'.

Eighteen months ago, stickers began to dot the floors of most shops, spaced about six feet apart, indicating the physical distance required to avoid the COVID-19 virus an infected person may shed when breathing or speaking. But is the distance enough to help avoid infectious aerosols?

Not indoors, say researchers in the Penn State Department of Architectural Engineering.

"We set out to explore the airborne transport of virus-laden particles released from infected people in buildings," said Gen Pei, first author and doctoral student in architectural engineering at Penn State.

"We investigated the effects of building ventilation and physical distancing as control strategies for indoor exposure to airborne viruses," added Pei.

The researchers examined three factors: the amount and rate of air ventilated through a space, the indoor airflow pattern associated with different ventilation strategies and the aerosol emission mode of breathing versus talking.

They also compared transport of tracer gas, typically employed to test leaks in air-tight systems, and human respiratory aerosols ranging in size from one to 10 micrometres. Aerosols in this range can carry SARS-CoV-2.

"Our study results reveal that virus-laden particles from an infected person's talking -- without a mask -- can quickly travel to another person's breathing zone within one minute, even with a distance of two meters," said Donghyun Rim, corresponding author and associate professor of architectural engineering.

"This trend is pronounced in rooms without sufficient ventilation. The results suggest that physical distance alone is not enough to prevent human exposure to exhaled aerosols and should be implemented with other control strategies such as masking and adequate ventilation," added Rim.

The researchers found that aerosols travelled farther and more quickly in rooms with displacement ventilation, where fresh air continuously flows from the floor and pushes old air to an exhaust vent near the ceiling.

This is the type of ventilation system installed in most residential homes, and it can result in a human breathing zone concentration of viral aerosols seven times higher than mixed-mode ventilation systems.

Many commercial buildings use mixed-mode systems, which incorporate outside air to dilute the indoor air and result in better air integration -- and tempered aerosol concentrations, according to the researchers.

"This is one of the surprising results: Airborne infection probability could be much higher for residential environments than office environments," Rim said.

"However, in residential environments, operating mechanical fans and stand-alone air cleaners can help reduce infection probability," Rim added.

According to Rim, increasing the ventilation and air mixing rates can effectively reduce the transmission distance and potential accumulation of exhaled aerosols, but ventilation and distance are only two options in an arsenal of protective techniques.

"Airborne infection control strategies such as physical distancing, ventilation and mask-wearing should be considered together for a layered control," Rim said.

The researchers are now applying this analysis technique to various occupied spaces, including classrooms and transportation environments.

Mary Taylor, a graduate student at Penn State at the time of the research, also contributed to this work, which was supported by the National Science Foundation.
SUV

"A G-Class like never before" were the first words Mercedes-Benz used to describe the impressive 650 Landaulet. This highly exclusive machine very proudly showcased a superlative V12 engine, portal axles, an electric fabric top, and a rear passenger compartment developed to meet the highest standards of luxury and comfort. It represents the model's pinnacle of evolution, from its first iteration way back in 1979 as a classic all-terrain carrier with few amenities to a sumptuous off-roader that offers a riding experience never seen before on such kind of vehicle.The G 650 Landaulet' s exterior architecture was simply staggering. Its main design language resembled the other G-Class models in the line-up with some hallmarks of its own. The electrically engaging side-steps were a welcoming addition for such a tall vehicle.It featured an extended wheelbase of 11.25 ft (3.43 m) and a total length of 17.55 ft (5.35 m). Furthermore, the vehicle stood 7.21 ft (2.2 m) high with an ample ground clearance of 1.64 ft (0.5 m), making it suitable for traversing the most demanding surfaces in utmost style and luxury. Not least, the impressive stance was complemented by its ceramically polished 22-inch twin-spoke light-alloy wheels equipped with 325/55 R 22 section tires.Of course, this being the top-of-the-range G-Class model, it packed a serious punch under the hood. The 650 Landaulet came fitted with the mighty 6-liter M279 V12 bi-turbo powerplant, developing 621 hp and 738 lb-ft (1000 Nm) of torque, being able to propel this extravagant off-road barge from standstill to 62 mph (100 kph) in just 6 seconds. Sadly, top speed needed to be sacrificed for safety reasons meaning it was limited to only 112 mph (180 kph).These substantial power figures were delivered through a 7-speed torque converter automatic gearbox mated to a separate transfer case with low gearing capabilities. Additionally, in true G-Wagon fashion, the Maybach 650 Landaulet came equipped with three independent locking differentials, enabling this machine to conquer any terrain with ease, no matter the conditions.The interior design of the Maybach G 650 was genuinely exquisite. The electronically operated folding roof was conceived to benefit exclusively the rear passengers offering them a unique open-air experience, a style that, at the time, was last used on the Maybach 62 saloon. Thanks to its 22.8-inch longer wheelbase than the regular G 65, the backseat occupants enjoyed a truly first-class experience lying on the executive rear seating taken directly from the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class saloon.Additionally, the electronically adjustable armchairs could be set to a fully reclined position and offered multiple massaging options, making good use of their inflatable air chambers that provided superior comfort and excellent lateral support. Furthermore, besides numerous massage settings, the rear occupants enjoyed large 10-inch individual displays, separate climate control settings for each seat, or heated and cooled cup holders.Not least, they could deploy an electrically operated glass partition between the front and rear compartment that could be actuated with the push of a button to convert from a fully clear pannel to an opaque glaze in a matter of seconds.Sadly, Mercedes-Maybach built this exclusive G-Class in only 99 examples and, the original price tag sat around the 630,000 ($754,200) mark before any taxes. These days, you will be remarkably fortunate to find such a gem on the pre-owned market and should expect to pay over $1.2 million for one, making it the most expensivemoney could buy at the moment.The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has always been representative of the extreme off-roading culture, and the Maybach G 650 Landaulet acted upon that heritage and took its legacy further than ever before. A unique project for adventure enthusiasts or automobile collectors alike, this machine remains in history as one of the most impressive vehicles the German brand ever built.
VTOL

When most children had a Lamborghini Countach picture on their walls, I had an awesome Aerospatiale Dauphine SA-365 C poster that adorned my dorm - that's because my dad was a flight engineer for that kind of helicopter. He took me to his unit several times, I loved the aircraft around there, and started to know them.I still look up to the sky and know the difference between a fenestron-type and a regular tail-rotor helicopter, only by the sound. So when I saw the first pictures with the Defiant X, it blew my mind, and I showed my dad the pics, and he smiled and explained a little. While the Defiant X looks similar to an autogyro ( or gyrocopter ), the engine sends its power to the upper blades instead of the rear ones.The U.S. Army relied on different versions of the good old Bell UH-1 (originally HU, hence the Huey nickname) since 1962. They fought in all the wars ever since, bringing troops to safety or deploying to the battlefield. It was fitted with weapons, improved, and transformed into an attack helicopter, but one thing it couldnt do was to carry too many troops or stretchers. For that job, the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk was a much better choice starting with 1971. But with all the improvements and upgrades, its time is gone and, even if it is still good nowadays, it wont be in the near future.It is time for a new era, and Lockheed-Martin joined forces with Boeing to build a next-generation aircraft: the Defiant X . Any Star Trek fan would recognize the name Defiant as the most powerful Starfleet starship (in Deep Space 9). This new aircraft tries to live up to its name and propose a completely different approach than other helicopters.For starters, it comes with a coaxial rotor system (or twin rotor), the likes of which are used by most Kamov helicopters. Worth mentioning that the Kamov KA-32 aircraft could lift up to 5 metric tons (11,023 lbs) back in the 70s. It is still currently used as a highly effective firefighter aircraft in many countries, including Canada. Defiant Xs twin-rotor diameter is similar in size to the one that equips the UH-60, but has more lifting power and, thanks to its rear propeller, a higher speed. Usually, twin-rotor helicopters cant travel too fast, but this is different.Lockheed-Martin claims that the maximum speed is above 230 knots (265 mph or 426 kph). Considering that its civilian brother Sikorsky X2 achieved 299 mph (481 kph), it is not an overestimated statement. By comparison, the well-known AH-64 Apache can reach up to 182 mph (293 kph) in certain conditions.On the other hand, Bell Helicopters offers an alternative with an upgraded, reworked version of its tilt-rotor aircraft Osprey, named Bell V-280 Valor . It is true that it is faster than the Defiant X and (allegedly) can carry more. Still, it is more of an airplane with vertical take-off and landing () capability than a helicopter and requires a wider landing area, but it is shorter from nose to tail. But since the U.S. Army has its own agenda and knows what its best for them, the civilian helicopter industry will benefit from this advanced design system proposed by the Boeing-Sikorsky alliance (actually Boeing-Lockheed Martin).Lockheed-Martin and Boeing designed the Defiant X to compete for U.S. Armys Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program. Speed, maneuverability, payload, and handling qualities will be some of the decisive factors. But things are going painfully slow, and the health crisis doesn't make things easier. The final decision will be taken in 2022, with the winner entering in service in 2030.As for the former Aerospatiale helicopter maker I enjoyed as a kid, that company was integrated into Airbus Helicopters (part of the Airbus Industrie) and continues to build updated and reworked Dauphines and, for Long-Range aircraft, the Super Puma. Both of them are connected to older models, with trustworthy technologies. They are working on the Future Transport Helicopter (FTH) program which will deliver a chopper that could compete against the Boeing CH-47 Chinook
HP

Before the highly-advanced icebreaking explorers and robotic research vessels of our days, there were two land exploration vehicles that made history: Americas Arctic Snow Cruiser and the Soviet Unions Kharkovchanka. Both of them were born out of the desire to conquer the challenging terrain of Antarctica, for in-depth scientific research. One of them failed, and was lost forever, while the other thrived and continues its service to this day.The U.S. Antarctic Snow Cruiser was designed in the late 1930s, as an unprecedented type of vehicle for exploration that even came with its own aircraft attached. Unfortunately, since there were no real-world tests performed, as they would have been today, the harsh reality of the Arctic region proved that the concept wasnt feasible. Then, the World War II broke out and finished it off completely.By the 1950s, the Soviet Union , as well as other nations, had begun active research in Antarctica. The first Soviet expedition arrived in 1955, and the first station, called Mirny, was established a year later. As more expeditions followed, the explorers realized that the tracked tractors they were using wouldnt be enough.A new type of vehicle was required, one that could withstand these incredibly harsh conditions, but also provide safe and comfortable accommodation for the expedition group.This is how the Kharkovchanka (woman from Kharkov, where it was produced) came to be. The new vehicle was based on the ATT heavy artillery tractor, which was a modified tractor using the chassis and drive system of the T-54 tank. This was the first main advantage of the Soviet off-roader, compared to the Arctic Snow Cruiser that had failed because of its unsuitable wheels and tires.The massive explorer was over 13 feet (4 meters) high and 11.5 feet (3.5 meters) wide, with a length of almost 28 feet (8.5 meters). The cabin was almost the size of a studio apartment (20 square meters/220 square feet), and could accommodate eight people. The cabins exterior panels had multiple layers of insulation.Inside, the group members had access to a small kitchen, a bedroom, a restroom and a vestibule, apart from the control section for the driver and navigator. There was also a separate workshop/laboratory, which made this vehicle a mobile lab as well. The cockpit provided access to the engine, while the fuel was located at the center of the vehicle, under the floor, and the heating system  in the back.The kitchen was equipped with an electric snow-melting device and an electric stove, where they could heat up canned food. Since the expedition crew wouldnt be able to get out in the freezing temperatures, the igloomobile was literally a survival vehicle.An upgraded five-speed gearbox and a turbocharged diesel engine that could deliver over 900allowed the massive off-roader to perform well even at high altitudes. Its caterpillar tracks could handle icy terrain and fluffy snow, and its chassis, although not amphibious, was waterproof. Traveling at a maximum speed of 6.8 mph (11 kph), the massive mobile home could pull one or even two trailer sleds with a total weight of about 77 tons.In 1959, three fully-equipped Kharkovchanka vehicles, with trailer sleds, arrived at the Mirny station. From there, two of them and an AT-T tractor made an incredible 1,678-mile (2,700 km) journey to the final destination, the South Pole. Some members of the expedition would later recall in their memoirs this unique but challenging experience.The Kharkovchanka had achieved what the Antarctic Snow Cruiser had dreamt of. For the next years, it would continue to serve as an arctic expedition vehicle. By 1975, the upgraded Kharkovchanka-2 replaced the original version and continues to operate in polar expeditions, to this day. According to Russia Beyond , a third generation was supposed to come out in the 80s, but the fall of the Soviet Union put an end to that, as WWII had done with the U.S. futuristic Snow Cruiser.Its hard to imagine what it was like traveling inside this Soviet Behemoth, in the most challenging environment possible, but one things for sure: this is one of the greatest overland vehicles/mobile homes in history.
After the impact, the Earth was still standing, but the effects of the blast killed most of Earths species, including the dominant one at the time, the dinosaurs.Now, this extinction-level event has been at the center of countless studies, books, and movies, and that tends to give one the impression we know all there is to know about it. But thats far from being true as, for instance, even to this day, we have no idea where the asteroid came from.Our solar system is a nursery of such dangerous pieces of rock. The main asteroid belt, floating aimlessly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, is the best known such collection of floating space debris, but there are other dangerous places as well.Its likely the dinosaur-killing asteroid came from the main belt, but that is a very large place, containing an estimated 1.9 million asteroids larger than 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) in diameter, and millions of smaller ones, according to NASA. And all are spread in a torus formation in a space some 92 million miles (150 million km) wide.So, pinpointing the place where the asteroid originated is not an easy task. Doing so might help us better understand the dangers that lie ahead for our species and now, thanks to a research by a team from the Southwest Research Institute, we might have a better idea of where it came from. And a scarier one, at that.Depending on composition, there are three types of asteroids we know of. We have M-types, made mostly of nickel-iron, S-types, comprising silicate materials and nickel-iron, and C-types, made of clay and silicate rocks.The Yucatan asteroid belongs to the C-type class, which is the most common of them all. The thing with most such asteroids though is that they are not usually as big as the one that hit our planet long ago.Knowing this, scientists began looking for asteroids that meet the two requirements for size and composition. Using the NASA Pleiades supercomputer, the team started looking at the methods through which objects escape the main asteroid belt.130,000 model asteroids were tracked this way in a simulated timeframe spanning millions of years, and the results indicate theres a very good chance the dinosaur-killing asteroid came from the outer half of the asteroid belt, the one closer to Jupiter than Mars.Now, that may not seem that impressive for the uninitiated, but it does point to dangers coming from less expected places. That piece of info also came with the supercomputer-backed knowledge that asteroids head our way from this region 10 times more often than previously calculated. Or, in numbers we can better understand, an asteroid the size of the one that wiped out the dinosaurs is moving to us from that place once every 250 million years.Now, 66 or so million years have passed since the last major impact, so based on this timescale we might consider ourselves safe. But one can never be sure with such things and, as a recent NASA simulation has shown, humanity is not nearly ready to defend itself against hurtling space rocks.The knowledge of the Yucatan asteroid having originated into a rather unexpected region of space does nothing but warn once more we really should keep as many eyes in the sky as possible, as celestial dynamics taking place over millions of years in places we believe harmless may have a huge impact on us all.For the first time in history, humans seem to believe that it will probably not be wars or diseases that wipe us now, but something coming from the big dark void that surrounds us.And were planning to at least devise some means of defense, starting with the Double Asteroid Redirection Test that launches this November.The Southwest Research Institute study detailing the findings can be found here
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
President Biden is constructing and deepening new alliances to strengthen the U.S. position in its showdown with China, but he risks alienating longstanding allies in the process.

Why it matters: Biden heralded a new agreement to help Australia acquire nuclear submarines as part of a trilateral security pact with the U.K. and the U.S. as an "historic step" to update U.S. alliances to face new challenges. The message from French foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, was quite different.

"Allies don't do this to each other," he said, comparing Biden's announcement to "what Mr. Trump used to do."

Australia is scrapping a $90 billion submarine deal with France  described as "the contract of the century" when signed in 2016  to enter the new "AUKUS" partnership.

Le Drian called it "a stab in the back," and the French defense minister said she didn't learn the news until Biden announced it last night  just the latest key decision on which Biden has blindsided his European allies.

To make matters worse, the announcement came just one day before the EU was set to present its own much-anticipated strategy for the Indo-Pacific, embarrassing the Europeans just as they sought to flex their own geopolitical muscle.

"I suppose that a deal like that wasnt cooked the day before yesterday," the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said at a press conference to unveil the strategy, which was consumed by questions about AUKUS. "Despite that, we werent informed."

A senior Biden administration official told Axios the timing of the announcement had "no connection" to the EU's plans, and said U.S. officials had "been in touch with their French counterparts to discuss AUKUS, including before the announcement."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also said her country, a key intelligence-sharing ally of the AUKUS members, was not asked to join the group, though she said that was natural as New Zealand opposes nuclear submarines.

The big picture: Biden's stated China strategy has long been to bring like-minded allies together to push back on Beijing.

Europe was to be at the heart of that approach, and France in particular since it is a leading military power and the only EU country with overseas territories in the Indo-Pacific

Successive U.S. administrations have encouraged European allies to "step up their presence in the Indo-Pacific," notes Benjamin Haddad, director of the Atlantic Council's Europe Center. "And so a strategic dimension, I think, was overlooked by the American administration."

European officials, meanwhile, may have "overestimated the Trump factor in some of the trans-Atlantic differences," Haddad says. "You have deeper trends in terms of shifting priorities, and the submarine decision is a very spectacular example of this."

EU countries knew "Europe was not the focus" when Biden took office, a European diplomat told Axios this week.

Still, they were heartened by Biden's symbolic steps to shore up the relationship after Trump left office, including a visit to Brussels for his first overseas trip and his pledges to coordinate with Europe on key issues, the diplomat said.

But they have been bitterly disappointed at times with the lack of communication and flexibility in practice, including the one-sided ban on vaccinated European travelers.

The chaotic withdrawal of NATO allies from Afghanistan led to another round of soul-searching about whether Europe could or should base its security so heavily on the U.S. alliance.

What's next: Biden will host U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson next week to celebrate the AUKUS partnership, and he'll also host the first in-person "Quad" summit with the leaders of Australia, India and Japan.
Environmentalists are pressing big companies with lofty climate goals to split with their lobbying associations over sweeping Democratic legislation that includes major new clean energy spending and tax incentives.

Driving the news: A suite of climate groups just released an open letter to two dozen companies  including Apple, Walmart, Coca-Cola and Amazon  in the Business Roundtable, which has voiced several concerns about Democrats' wider spending and tax package.

The letter to the companies, many of which are also in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, says there is "no time to waste in distancing yourself" from the two associations' lobbying against the plan.

What they're saying: "We are asking you to live up to your climate commitments when it matters the most," the letter states.

"[Y]ou must step in, call for the passage of immediate climate investments through the Build Back Better Act, and publicly break with their campaign to undermine our best chance to take meaningful climate action at the federal level," it states.

Around 30 groups including Climate Power, the Sierra Club, the Sunrise Movement and the League of Conservation Voters are on the letter.

Why it matters: It could raise pressure on some corporate giants to take an active role in lobbying for the big, multi-topic spending and tax package Democratic leaders are struggling to move on a party-line vote.

It's part of a wider effort to enlist corporate support for legislation slated to include big new renewables and EV incentives, and new financial carrots for utilities to accelerate clean energy deployment.

A separate coalition of environmentalists is out with a letter to "America's CEOs" urging them to publicly back climate measures in the Democrats' package and "any trade association lobbying that would undercut these provisions."

The other side: Both business groups are currently opposing portions of the $3.5 trillion legislation, a mix of healthcare, social safety net and climate measures.

They're citing concerns about the overall price tag and tax increases that would hit their members.

"These measures would put millions of American jobs at risk, stunt wage growth, suppress business investment and innovation and once again make American companies more susceptible to foreign takeovers," Business Roundtable CEO Joshua Bolten said in a statement this week about tax provisions in legislation moving through the House.

The U.S. Chamber calls the legislation an "existential threat to Americas fragile economic recovery and future prosperity."

The big picture: Some of the country's largest corporations  including the ones name-checked in the green groups' letter  have increasingly been setting ambitious carbon-cutting targets and expanding investment in clean energy.
Hong Kong's elections to choose the city's Election Committee members opened to a select group of voters on Sunday, under a new "patriots only" system imposed by China's government.

Why it matters: All candidates running to be members of the electoral college have been "vetted" by Beijing, per Reuters. They will go on to choose the Asian financial hub's next leader, approved by China's government, and some of its legislature.

Beijing lawmakers passed a law in May to ensure only "patriotic" figures can run for positions of power. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the law a "denial of democracy."

By the numbers: About 4,800, or 0.064% of Hong Kong's 7.5 million population, were allowed to vote in Sunday's elections, per AFP.

What they're saying: Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam told reporters Sunday: "The Election Committee elections are very meaningful as it is the first elections held after we have improved the electoral system to ensure that only patriots can take office."
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally sunny. High around 80F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 59F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Robert Price is a journalist for KGET-TV. His column appears here on Sundays; the views expressed are his own. Reach him at robertprice@kget.com or via Twitter: @stubblebuzz.
In the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, federal government is still pitted against state  and local government is at the whim of both.

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden mandated that all employers with staff over 100 people require all employees be mandated. The day after, Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted his disapproval.

Bidens vaccine mandate is an assault on private businesses, Abbott wrote. I issued an Executive Order protecting Texans right to choose whether they get the COVID vaccine & added it to the special session agenda. Texas is already working to halt this power grab.

A similar confrontation happened a few weeks ago, when Biden mandated all government workers be vaccinated and Abbott promptly issued an executive order refusing such a mandate. But with local government subject to both entities, human resources departments across Southeast Texas are doing a delicate dance.

We encourage our employees to be vaccinated, said Cary Erickson, Jefferson County director of Human Resources and Risk Management. Were certainly not mandating anything, but were encouraging employees to be vaccinated. We also encourage them to wear masks, but we do not have a mask mandate.

But even with the governors rules, in Jefferson County at least, there are some exceptions for those visiting certain courts.

The county has had employees back at work for months. Those exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 must stay at home until they produce a negative test.

Those exposed to someone who tested positive must quarantine for five days and can only return to work after producing a negative test result.

There are cleaning stations at the doors and personnel are encouraged to use hand sanitizer multiple times daily. County offices adhere to physical distancing and in some cases, there are plexiglass shields erected as a barrier between the public and the office.

In Hardin and Orange counties, it is much the same. Most of the county employees have been back at work for months, unless they have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has the virus, at which point they follow the CDCs quarantine guidelines.

In Hardin County, the staff of 294 is practicing social distancing, but vaccination is a personal decision.

Of course, we clean and sanitize all the time, said Debbie Mendisabal, Hardin County human resources director. They also spray our offices. It is an antiviral spray of some sort.

In Orange, barriers are something they rely heavily on.

The court has invested a lot of money in putting up the glass panels, said Lori Ardoin, Orange County director of human resources. So, our employees and the public are safe from each other when they have to do business.

Every department has a temperature monitor, but masks are optional. Employees choose their comfort level based upon how close they are seated to other workers.

Some offices that are seated real close together, if they want to wear masks, they have that availability. But we dont require that, Ardoin said. Whether or not they wear a mask, its the employees choice. And some do, some dont.

For the countys 380 employees, vaccinations are optional, but they do provide information on where interested parties could receive their shots. The number of vaccinated employees is currently unknown, but it is something people are curious about.

We have talked about it  just kind of wondering, Ardoin said. We have not asked that because we dont want them to misconstrue that were requiring it.

As of Friday, Jefferson County had 29,404 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Orange County had 5,044 confirmed cases. Hardin County had 3,931 confirmed cases. Hardin and Orange counties also have a combined 13,641 probable cases.

Politically, we cannot comment on anything. But from the evidence that we have, we have seen that majority of the people in the hospital are unvaccinated and most people on the ventilators and most of the fatalities are among the unvaccinated people, said Dr. Praphul Joshi, Jefferson Countys principal COVID-19 investigator. There is a growing evidence that vaccines have helped, and more than 90% of the hospitalizations are within the unvaccinated population. Certainly, the more people you vaccinated, the better it is.

But when dealing with sharp divisions nationally, statewide, and locally, many in the area find that regardless of their personal feelings, its best to let people make the choices that they believe are best for them and their body.

Most people are reasonable, Erickson said. If (they) do refuse, if somebody feels more comfortable that way, we try to work with them on that. It kind of goes back to that common courtesy thing.

rachel.kersey@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/ontheREKord
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  After uncertainty if COVID-19 would force South Africa to postpone local government elections, the courts have ruled that the crucial polls should move ahead.

Despite concerns about political rallies spreading the disease, South Africa's courts ruled earlier this month that the Independent Electoral Commission should hold the polls on November 1.

The elections may see erosion of support for the ruling party, the African National Congress party, which failed to register candidates in about 90 municipalities across the country before the deadline.

However, the electoral commission threw the ANC a lifeline by reopening registration for candidates to be councilors in the nation's cities.

The local government elections, which take place every five years, determine who will be on the councils that run cities, including responsibility for delivering basic services like water, sanitation and housing.

The elections also determine who will be mayors of major cities.

The previous local government elections held in 2016 resulted in major political shifts across the country with the ANC losing control of the major economic hub of Johannesburg, the Tshwane metropolitan area which includes the capital city Pretoria, and Nelson Mandela Bay. Cape Town continued to be governed by the opposition Democratic Alliance.

Voters are going to be looking at how political parties are performing nationally and provincially ... this is not going to serve the ANC particularly well," said Collette Herzenberg, senior lecturer of politics at Stellenbosch University. She said the ANC had been confronted by many challenges in the past five years.

The elections will be an assessment of President Cyril Ramaphosas leadership since he was elected in 2019, including his handling of the pandemic and corruption.

Several municipalities governed by the ANC have been found to be mismanaged by state auditors and some others have been placed under the administration of provincial governments.

The upcoming elections come at a difficult time for the ANC, which has been struggling with internal divisions, recent violent riots across the country over the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma and the suspension of the party's secretary-general Ace Magashule over corruption charges. South Africa's unemployment rate of 34% will also be a major issue.

COVID-19 should not be a big factor in voter turnout, according to Lesiba Teffor, vice chancellor for research at North West University.

The (pandemic's) threat is actually during the campaigning, where some parties will want to do door-to-door campaigning and others will want to hold massive political rallies. That is where the threat of the spread of the virus is," said Teffo. "The actual voting day is usually very orderly and people can social distance while queuing to vote.

But voter apathy may result in a low turnout.

Winston Mahlangu, who sells phone chargers and pouches on the streets in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg, is among voters who are unenthusiastic about voting.

To be honest with you, I have not seen any obvious changes since I voted in the last elections. There is a lot that has been happening, with the coronavirus and people struggling," he said. "I am not sure how things will change after we vote.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
SPRINGFIELD  A 69-year-old plaintiff shouldnt be kept waiting.

After hearing that plea from an attorney, a Springfield judge ruled last week that the former Chicopee altar boy raped by a once-celebrated bishop deserves to have his civil lawsuit heard with as little delay as possible.

Quote The case law interpreting the common law charitable immunity cannot fairly be construed to give charitable organizations carte blanche immunity from suit simply because their articles of incorporation evidence charitable purposes."  Judge Karen L. Goodwin

Until the decision came Wednesday from Judge Karen L. Goodwin, the plaintiff, identified only as John Doe, expected to have to wait for a year or more as defendants pursued an appeal of an earlier ruling.

Goodwin scribbled the word Allowed on a court document submitted by the plaintiffs attorney, Nancy Frankel Pelletier, and set a status conference for 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21 in Hampden Superior Court, at which lawyers will discuss the trials timing.

Her decision is another setback to lawyers for the Springfield Diocese, who claimed in court filings that their clients, including the diocese itself, could not be sued because of charitable immunity under the law. They also claimed that the First Amendment bars courts like this one from deciding church disputes involving interpretation of ecclesiastical standards.

Carolee McGrath, the dioceses spokeswoman, has said the church does not comment on pending civil litigation.

Goodwin rejected both of those arguments and set a date for the lawsuit, filed in February, to move to trial.

Parties shall submit jointly or separately if they cannot agree [to] a proposed schedule, the judge wrote.

Goodwins decision means attorneys for the defendants will have to present a defense in Hampden Superior Court even as they prepare to argue, at the appellate level, that Goodwin erred in June in dismissing their earlier motion to toss out the entire complaint.

The plaintiff says he was raped by former Bishop Christopher J. Weldon in the early 1960s  and then defamed and neglected by local church officials after he came forward as an adult to report his abuse. The suit claims that the diocese and eight other defendants, including former Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, engaged in a cover-up and civil conspiracy against the plaintiff.

Clergy abuse survivor claims former Springfield bishop, others engaged in cover-up The former altar boy who accused a legendary bishop of rape  an account deemed unequivocally credible by a retired judge last summer  want

The mans allegations against Weldon were found in 2020 to be credible, after an independent inquiry by retired Judge Peter A. Velis, a review ordered by Rozanski.

The lawsuit alleges that people who work or worked for the diocese, including its longtime attorney, John. J. Egan, played roles in suppressing the plaintiffs abuse by Weldon and two other members of the clergy in the 1960s, starting when he was a child of 9.

Inside the decision

Goodwins decision rejected claims of immunity by the diocese.

The case law interpreting the common law charitable immunity cannot fairly be construed to give charitable organizations carte blanche immunity from suit simply because their articles of incorporation evidence charitable purposes, the judge wrote.

Instead, she writes, immunity applies to negligence committed in the course of activities carried on to accomplish charitable activities.

Goodwin concludes that counts in the plaintiffs complaint include alleged intentional injury.

Common law charitable immunity would not apply to those claims, she wrote.

The assaults involving Weldon started when the plaintiff served as an altar boy and occurred at St. Anne Parish in Chicopee and other places, including Camp Holy Cross in Goshen, according to the lawsuit.

Plaintiff was subjected to heinous acts of abuse perpetrated upon him, including severe anal penetration by multiple perpetrators including Weldon, [Clarence] Forand, and [Edward George] Authier, the suit states.

All three of those clergy members, now deceased, are listed by the diocese as having sexually assaulted children. Authiers name was added after the lawsuit was filed.

Plaintiff was taken to a rectory bedroom at St. Anne Parish and various other locations where they and others violently raped and assaulted him, the suit claims.

In a long footnote, Goodwin says no appellate court in Massachusetts has held that a charity enjoys immunity from suit for the types of claims of intentional misconduct causing personal injuries such as those alleged here .

Goodwin denied the defense motion to stay court proceedings until the appeal is decided, writing that the defendants have not met their burden in moving for a stay ....

Along with Rozanski and Egan, the complaint names as defendants Patricia McManamy, Monsignor Christopher Connelly, Jeffrey Trant, John Hale, Kevin Murphy and Mark Dupont. It also names the legal entity known as the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield, a Corporation Sole.
The outlook is today's look ahead at the week's weather, its impact on the Berkshires and beyond. Clarence Fanto can be reached at cfanto@yahoo.com.
The additional beds will be set up in a new building, which is currently under construction

Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad will be adding 60 more beds, taking the total number of beds in the hospital from 210 to 270. The additional beds will be set up in a new building, which is currently under construction, as a part of the hospital. A bhumi pujan ceremony was recently held at the hospital and Krishan Pal Gurjar, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Power, Government of India, was the Guest of Honour. The event was also attended by Jitender Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Faridabad and Yashpal, Commissioner MCF.

Construction of the new building will be completed within a year. In addition to 60 new beds, the hospital will also be building an operation theatre and ICU.
Indiana University Health, the biggest hospital system in the state, has announced that 125 staff members are no longer employed there after refusing to comply with the organizations COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Indiana University Health has put the safety and well-being of patients and team members first by requiring employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 1, IU Health said in a Sept. 16 statement. After a two-week unpaid suspension period ending Sept. 14, a total of 125 employees, the equivalent of 61 full-time employees, chose not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and have left the organization.

While the statement did not specify whether the workers quit or were fired, a spokesperson for IU Health told Newsweek that the employees who refused to get the shot resigned.

The Epoch Times has reached out to IU Health with a request for confirmation whether the employees quit or were terminated, but did not receive an immediate response.

Most of the employees who chose not to be vaccinated worked part time, less than part time or have not worked for a number of months and will have a minimal effect on staffing, the spokesperson told Newsweek, adding that, as of Friday, all employees at IU Health were compliant with the vaccine mandate.

IU Health, which operates 15 hospitals and dozens of outpatient clinics around the state, employs around 36,000 staff members.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Friday confirmed that the government isnt requiring COVID-19 vaccines for people who illegally cross the US-Mexico border  despite President Bidens new vaccine mandates for about two-thirds of US workers.

Thats correct, Psaki told Fox News reporter Peter Doocy at her daily press briefing.

Psaki gave the curt reply when Doocy asked, It is a requirement for people at a business with more than 100 people. It is not a requirement for migrants at the southern border. Why?

She did not elaborate.

Bidens new vaccine mandates impact federal workers and contractors, employees of private companies of 100 or more people, health care workers and some teachers.
RICHMOND HILL, Ont. - Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said Saturday that he remains open to getting rid of Canada's first-past-the-post electoral system if his party is re-elected, but added that it's not a priority since there's no consensus on the issue.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau greets supporters at a campaign stop in Newmarket, Ont., on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

RICHMOND HILL, Ont. - Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said Saturday that he remains open to getting rid of Canada's first-past-the-post electoral system if his party is re-elected, but added that it's not a priority since there's no consensus on the issue.

Trudeau said, however, that he would not favour proportional representation as an alternative, saying the system "gives more weight to smaller parties that are perhaps fringe parties."

Trudeau instead expressed his preference for a ranked ballot system, saying such an approach contributes to less divisive elections.

"I have always been a fan of ranked ballots where people get to choose first choice, second choice, third choice," he said during a campaign stop in Aurora, Ont. "I think it forces parties to come together and make a pitch to be the second choice of other voters and therefore they are less divisive."

The Liberal leader first raised the prospect of electoral reform in 2015 by promising that the federal election held that year would be the last to use the first-past-the-post method, a pledge he would ultimately renege on.

Trudeau added Saturday that moving forward with electoral reform was "not a priority" since there was still no consensus among political parties on the issue.

"If ever there is more of a consensus, it could be interesting to follow up on and I'd be open to that, because I've never flinched in my desire for ranked ballots," he said.

Trudeau was asked about the issue shortly after his party announced it was cutting ties with a Toronto candidate who previously faced a sexual assault charge that was later dropped.

The party said Friday it had learned of the allegations against Kevin Vuong through a report in the Toronto Star a day earlier, and had asked him to "pause" his campaign.

But the party released a statement on Saturday saying Vuong won't be a Liberal candidate anymore, and if he's elected to represent Spadina-Fort York on Monday, he will not be a member of the Liberal caucus.

Vuong denied the allegations against him in a statement Friday, and noted the charge was withdrawn. He did not immediately respond to request for comment on Saturday's developments.

When asked about the issue on Saturday, Trudeau said the party had followed the processes in place and had "come to the conclusion this individual can no longer be a Liberal candidate in this election."

He also said his party would continue to improve its candidate vetting process to avoid similar situations in the future.

With only two days before Canadians head to the polls, Trudeau clearly wished to keep his attention firmly fixed on the battle for last-minute votes.

Under sunny skies, he blitzed through a series of stops in Ontario -- buying honey at a farmer's market in Newmarket, doing some lawn bowling in Richmond Hill and dropping by a campaign office to urge volunteers to "go flat out" to get the vote out.

"Knock on doors, talk to your neighbours," he urged them.

At most stops, Trudeau was greeted by friendly crowds who swarmed him for selfies, with the occasional protester or heckler throwing insults from the outside.

A small group of sign-waving protesters lined the road leading to Trudeau's final rally in Peterborough and booed his bus as it passed, but were limited to the street outside the venue under the watchful eye of police officers.

Over and over, Trudeau repeated his party's promise to fight climate change and promote vaccines, and insisted Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole would "take Canada backwards."

Trudeau has been coy in recent days about his own post-election future, saying that he wants to concentrate on Monday's vote and not engage in speculation.

But on Saturday, he said he's not done with putting forward his agenda on issues such as climate change, affordable child care and protecting seniors, adding he's enthusiastic "not only for the days to come, but the years to come together."

"There is lots of work still to do, and I'm nowhere near done yet," he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Sept. 18, 2021.
MONTREAL - Almost 250 days into her 15-month captivity in Mali, Edith Blais realized her life was no longer her own, and she didn't know if she'd ever get it back.

Edith Blais poses in a park in Candiac, Que., Friday, September 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes.

MONTREAL - Almost 250 days into her 15-month captivity in Mali, Edith Blais realized her life was no longer her own, and she didn't know if she'd ever get it back.

Separated from her travelling companion, Luca Tacchetto, and the group of women with whom she'd earlier been held hostage, the Quebec woman found herself in a truck racing across the Sahara in the company of yet another group of armed men. Despite the imminent danger, all she felt was numbness.

"I no longer had the strength to fight against oblivion," she writes in a new book about her ordeal. "I had become docile, a puppet in their hands.

"I was their hostage: both a treasure and a nobody."

The fact that Blais survived to tell her story is improbable.

She and Tacchetto, her sometimes boyfriend, were kidnapped in December 2018 by an armed Islamic terrorist group in eastern Burkina Faso as they drove towards the border with Benin. Some 450 days later, the pair made world headlines after escaping their captors in Mali and flagging down a passing truck, with Blais carrying a jug of water and 57 poems that she'd written in captivity.

Those events, and everything that happened in between, are chronicled in "The Weight of Sand," which was released in French earlier this year and is now being published in translation. It recounts the agonizing and dangerous months she spent as a hostage: being shuttled from camp to camp at gunpoint, sheltering under trees, enduring insects, sandstorms and crippling boredom, embarking on hunger strikes and, eventually, breaking free.

In a recent interview, she said that if it weren't for the COVID-19 pandemic, the book might not have existed. It was during her mandatory two-week quarantine period after she returned home to Sherbrooke, Que., that she decided to write down parts of her experience for her family and friends.

"At first, I started to write for them," she said. "I was writing every day because I had nothing else to do. I was quarantined. After that, I didnt stop. I wrote, I wrote, I wrote."

The 37-year-old said the hardest part of her captivity was the uncertainty. "Not knowing what's going to happen," she said. "Actually," she corrected herself, "the only thing you know is nobody gets out."

After three initial months of captivity, Blais was separated from Tacchetto and taken to a camp with three other women, all of whom had been hostages for years. She said they formed a close bond, cooking together and exchanging stories and small gifts.

One of the women  called Elisabeth in the book  lent her a pen to let her start writing the poems that she credits with keeping her sane during the hard months of solitary captivity that would follow.

Blais said that while she's always enjoyed creative pursuits, poetry became her "salvation" during the endless days. She wrote every day, even when the pen ran out of ink and she had to use the tip to scratch words into cardboard. Many of the poems are reproduced in the book, striking a dreamlike tone in which time and landscape are, unsurprisingly, the main themes.

After being separated from the women, Blais spent several agonizing months alone with her captors before being reunited with Tacchetto after both agreed to convert to Islam.

Soon after, they slipped away after evening prayers, taking advantage of a full moon to light their way and a rare night breeze to hide their tracks through the desert. A passing civilian took them to a UN checkpoint, and they began the long journey home  he to Italy, and she to Sherbrooke.

A year and a half after her March 2020 liberation, Blais appears remarkably well-adjusted. Talking in a park south of Montreal overlooking the St. Lawrence River, sporting dreadlocks and a loose blue outfit, she said she's eager to move forward.

After her return, she spent some time in nature in Jasper, Alta., which she said helped her regain her bearings.

Now she's hitting the road again, setting off on a two-month road trip to the East Coast, where she'll live in a van with her new boyfriend. She says she's also eager to travel internationally again one day, although she laughingly says she's had enough of Africa.

When asked how she was changed by her experience, she says she is no longer stressed about life and no longer worries about the future.

"I was really surprised when I got out, so it's like if I have bonus time I didnt think I was going to have," she said. "Its like a gift."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2021.

 "The Weight of Sand: My 450 Days Held Hostage in the Sahara" is published in English by Greystone Books and comes out Tuesday.
CAMBRIDGE, Ont. - The issue of personal choice around getting vaccinated against COVID-19 continued to dog Canada's Conservative leader Saturday as he spent the day vying for votes in seat-heavy Ontario, a crucial battleground for any possible election win.

Vice Admiral Mark Norman arrives to the Ottawa Courthouse in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. Retired vice-admiral Mark Norman, who was at the centre of a failed prosecution by the Liberal government in a politically heated case that ended his military career, has endorsed Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole ahead of Monday's vote. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

CAMBRIDGE, Ont. - The issue of personal choice around getting vaccinated against COVID-19 continued to dog Canada's Conservative leader Saturday as he spent the day vying for votes in seat-heavy Ontario, a crucial battleground for any possible election win.

As Erin O'Toole shifted his focus from making policy promises to cheerleading volunteers to get out the vote for Monday's election day, he faced renewed questions about his decision not to require his candidates to be immunized. He did not answer queries Saturday about whether he knew how many of his party's 336 candidates had received their shots.

"We have a rule that everyone that's campaigning for us -- candidates, people going door-to-door -- have to use vaccines, and if someone is not fully vaccinated they must use a daily rapid test and follow all the public health guidance in the provinces they're in," he said at a small rally in Hamilton.

"We've said that from the beginning of the campaign and here's something interesting, we've followed it."

The issue is one that has dogged the leader over the course of the campaign, largely because the Liberals have raised it repeatedly and used it as grounds for numerous attacks. O'Toole is an outlier among the main party leaders for not requiring candidates to be fully immunized with two doses of vaccine before hitting the campaign trail.

At the heart of the matter is the party's belief in personal freedoms, and its position of promoting vaccines without disrespecting the choices of those who don't want one.

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole and Rebecca OToole stop and play with Grace, a golden retriever, during a campaign stop in Flamborough, Ont., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

O'Toole is himself inoculated, and has committed to appointing a health minister who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But he didn't say on Saturday whether he would be asking his candidates for their immunization status or how he would confirm who is or isn't immunized.

"We need to encourage as many Canadians as possible to get vaccinated," O'Toole said. "We're not going to be doing that by wedging people, like Mr. Trudeau, always dividing people. Using even a health-crisis for his own benefit."

Retired general Rick Hillier, who previously served as the chief of defence staff for the Canadian Forces and led Ontario's vaccination rollout until the spring, repeated that people should get their shots when he endorsed O'Toole at a rally in Kitchener, Ont.

Hillier said he's known O'Toole for 15 years, and believes all candidates running in the federal election should be vaccinated.

The endorsement comes following Hillier's departure as the head of Ontario's immunization effort, which was criticized as a piecemeal system that led to confusion and delays.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has called the crowds of protestors that have followed him throughout the campaign "anti-vaxxer mobs" for their resistance to his plan to make vaccines mandatory for federal workers and airline passengers. The protesters also oppose his support for vaccine passport systems used by a growing number of provinces.

Alberta and Saskatchewan recently joined the list of jurisdictions to adopt such a program after weeks of first opposing the idea and then changing their minds when a wave of cases driven by a more infectious virus variant filled hospitals with COVID-19 patients who are not fully vaccinated.

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, right, and retired general Rick Hillier wave to supporters at a campaign rally in Kitchener, Ont., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Before her province announced it would introduce such a system, Saskatchewan incumbent Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall posted a video to YouTube asking people to advocate against it.

Right now, we, fortunately, are living in a province where our premier does not mandate passports and has not mandated vaccines. I encourage you to contact the premier and your MLA to thank them and to encourage them to continue to persevere in the face of pressure to implement such a passport that discriminates against those who choose not to take the current vaccines being offered by our federal government," she said.

Wagantall said in a statement Saturday she was asking residents to thank their provincial representative for not introducing such a system, but now that it has, she respects that decision.

And this past week, incumbent Conservative Martin Shields told a federal candidates forum, Ive never been asked as a member of Parliament by my party whether Im vaccinated."

"It isnt an issue in our party, its your choice, so Ive never been asked," the Alberta legislator said, adding he believes getting a shot against COVID-19 should be left up to an individual.

Neither campaign for Wagantall or Shields have returned a request for comment.

While also campaigning in Ontario, the Liberal leader attacked O'Toole for "protecting anti-vaxxers" in his caucus.

O'Toole started his second-last day of campaigning by jogging past a farmers market outside of Waterloo, Ont., without appearing to go inside to capitalize on one of his final chances to meet prospective voters.

During the day, he twice stopped to thank volunteers on different campaigns for a candidate in Waterloo, and then in Cambridge. At the latter location, he appeared to ignore a woman seen standing on a sidewalk near the patio where he had been bumping elbows with campaign workers and shouting questions about what he planned to do for the city and Indigenous Peoples.

Those decisions reflect the party's overall campaign strategy, which has relied more on O'Toole answering questions from people through virtual townhalls in a broadcast studio in downtown Ottawa rather than pressing flesh in local communities.

He defended taking a more physically distanced approach by saying he's met thousands more people this way and run a safer campaign than the Liberal effort, which has seen Trudeau appear in crowded rooms and at hospitals.

"I'm proud of the campaign we're running," O'Toole said. "I'm proud I'm not a celebrity taking people for granted like Mr. Trudeau."

O'Toole also received an endorsement Saturday from retired vice-admiral Mark Norman, who was at the centre of a failed prosecution by the Liberal government in a politically heated case that ended his military career.

In a video clip the Conservatives shared on social media, Norman said Canadians have an important decision to make as to who should lead the country through the challenges it faces at home and abroad.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2021.
EDMONTON - Jagmeet Singh met with health-care workers and criticized the COVID-19 pandemic responses of provincial governments in Saskatchewan and Alberta Saturday as the federal NDP campaign focused on Conservative-held seats in the Prairie provinces.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh greets health care workers prior to making his morning announcement in Saskatoon, Sask., Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

EDMONTON - Jagmeet Singh met with health-care workers and criticized the COVID-19 pandemic responses of provincial governments in Saskatchewan and Alberta Saturday as the federal NDP campaign focused on Conservative-held seats in the Prairie provinces.

"We wanted to come here because it's that serious," Singh said during a campaign stop in Edmonton.

The party leader said people across the Prairies are being hit extra hard by the fourth wave of the pandemic because their governments have failed them.

He threw his support behind health-care worker unions who have called on Alberta Premier Jason Kenney to request military assistance for a health-care system they say is on the verge of collapse.

Singh aims to wrest prairie seats away from federal Conservativesin the two provinces that have historically voted blue.

His campaign stops in the provinces were much smaller and he met with only a handful of people and local candidates while staying outside.

Asked whether its appropriate to continue campaigning as the regions bring back significant public health orders to tackle the spread of COVID-19, Singh defended the decision.

"A leader has to show up," he said.

Samantha Waller, an intensive-care nurse in Edmonton, told Singh about the dire situation she faces at work. There aren't enough resources and patients are dying, she said.

"I got into health care on the foundation that I wanted to help people," she said in an emotional plea.

Another intensive-care nurse, Cathleen Cobb, echoed those concerns.

"It feels like we haven't been able to do enough for anybody," Cobb said.

People should be angry at the conservative premiers, Singh said during an earlier campaign stop in Saskatoon. Health is under provincial jurisdiction and Singh did not say how a federal NDP government would have dealt with the situation or the premiers differently.

He did take aim at Justin Trudeau, saying the Liberal leader abandoned the provinces in the fourth wave.

Singh has kept his sights on the Liberals throughout the campaign, arguing the New Democrats are a viable alternative and discouraging people from strategic voting. Despite running a campaign that outwardly prides itself on positivity, the New Democrats have been very negative about Trudeau.

Singh said Canadians have to make a choice, leaving the party with little choice but to point out mistakes and bad decisions of other leaders.

The New Democrats' popularity level hasnt moved much in the last week of the campaign, with the party lagging behind both the Liberals and Conservatives in opinion polls.

Singh did not answer repeated questions about whether hed support the Liberals or Conservatives if Monday's election results in a minority government. He would also not say whether he believes the party that wins the most seats should get the first crack at government.

The NDP said Singh is ready to grow the partys seat count to fight in the House of Commons for what Canadians need.

With that goal in mind, the New Democrats are trying to capitalize on voters who are mad at provincial governments for their handling of the pandemic.

Some may come over to the NDP, but pollsters are also watching to see if others get behind the Peoples Party of Canada, splitting the vote on the right. That could allow some NDP candidates to squeak in a win.

During the whirlwind tour Saturday, Singh also visited the Regina Indian Industrial Residential School with candidate Tria Donaldson before having a sit down with a handful of Indigenous supporters at the Moose and Bannock restaurant.

The riding of Regina-Lewvan was previously held by former NDP member of Parliament Erin Weir. The Conservatives have held it since the last election in 2019.

Singh has made allyship with Indigenous issues a key point of his campaign. During the sit down, Singh was told that Canada's reckoning over residential schools and unmarked graves cannot be the end of action.

Attendees pointed to the ongoing apprehension of children through the child welfare system, language rights and self determination as pressing issues still in need of attention.

"It's time for Indigenous communities to thrive," said Chasity Delorme.

Singh will take the NDP campaign to British Columbia for the final push before election day.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2021.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said former NDP MP Erin Weir lost the riding of Regina-Lewvan in 2019. Weir did not lose the race, but was out of office prior to the 2019 vote in which the Conservatives won the riding.
Bakhtawar Khan excitedly waited, her friend holding two cellphones and a camera, for her turn to get a photo with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh greets supporters during a campaign stop in Hamilton, Ont. Wednesday, September 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Bakhtawar Khan excitedly waited, her friend holding two cellphones and a camera, for her turn to get a photo with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

The 20-year-old, like most people showing up to political rallies across the country, wanted to share the image with friends and followers on social media.

I feel like a lot of people are telling me not to vote for NDP because it will be a split with the Liberals, Khan said. But the way I look at social media, I dont think it will be true this year.

Khan, like people across the country, says she gets all her political and election information from social media.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been spending even more time on their social media and all the political parties are hoping to take advantage to tap directly into their voter base. But just because someone likes or shares a political post doesnt necessarily translate at the polls.

Experts across the country are watching to see which partys social media strategy paid off the most on election day.

Half of Canadians, regardless of age, use Facebook weekly to get news on current events and politics, said Oksana Kishchuk, a consultant with Abacus Data.

Social media has become a vital player in building support. Its not just about posting either, she said, as parties have to consider good photos, snappy clips and current trends.

Mastering these techniques will be important, Kishchuk said.

As election day comes closer, she says all three main parties are taking the strategy of target and spend. In the last week or so, each has spent $400,000 to $600,000 on advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. The Liberals and NDP are using that cash to share messages focusing mainly on their own strengths, while the Conservatives have put a focus on Justin Trudeau, she said.

The most recent polling by Abacus shows Liberals in the lead with their social media strategy, Kishchuk said, but impressions of Singh and Conservative Leader Erin OToole rose significantly during the election.

In particular, Kishchuk said shes interested to see the outcome of the New Democrats focus on TikTok to connect with younger voters.

Very few (users) are using TikTok as a main source for news, she added.

Tori Rivard says she joined the app because of Singh after seeing a lot of hype from the leader through her friends social media accounts. Now, she is excited about the party and even showed up to a campaign stop in Ontario.

I think its super important especially with millennials and gen Z  because social media is how we get all of our information pretty much, Rivard said. So (Singh) being engaged on there makes us more likely to seek out more information elsewhere.

Tamara Small, a professor of political science at the University of Guelph, said she thinks TikTok as a campaign strategy is more of a stunt and will be less influential at the ballot box.

As a tool of persuasion, it's a bunch of people who cannot vote, and a bunch of people who, if they can vote, don't likely vote, she said. So, thank goodness it's free because you wouldn't want to spend money there."

Small also cautioned that social media can get party faithful excited but has less impact on flipping peoples partisanship.

"The whole thing is a big echo chamber, she said.

If you are going to go on social media you are unlikely to follow the leader of the party that's 'the worst' because why would you do that to yourself.

Social media is a double-edged sword for political parties, said Kim Speers, a professor at the University of Victoria. It has the potential to garner new support by sharing what the party stands for

It also has the potential to decrease support if negative (information) is found on a current candidates social media account  or if the messaging is or can be negatively misinterpreted, she said.

Both the Conservatives and the New Democrats removed candidates or saw them resign because of their social media history.

All parties are taking a hybrid approach, she said, which includes social media ads, videoconferencing and in-person campaigning. She said NDP are focusing on new social media platforms, the Liberals have a more traditional approach with things like Facebook ads and the Conservatives are using a virtual approach, with online question-and-answer sessions and rallies.

The mix is important, Speers said, because when it comes to social media the parties may have followers but they need voters more.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2021.
Ive been doing a lot of thinking about federal politics lately. In light of Mondays federal election, I thought it might be appropriate to share some of these musings with you.

THE CANADIAN PRESS Green Party Leader Annamie Paul, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole take part in the English-language Leaders debate in Gatineau, Que., last week. Columnist Kerry Auriat is not exactly overwhelmed with Trudeau, Singh or O'Toole.

Ive been doing a lot of thinking about federal politics lately. In light of Mondays federal election, I thought it might be appropriate to share some of these musings with you.

Each of the leaders make promises to voters, from parliamentary reform to spending, taxes and social policy. We, in turn, use our votes to show support for various policies and politicians.

Its an old bromide to talk about politicians breaking promises, but why are we sanguine about it? We can only judge these people by the words and their actions. What else do we have?

Prior to the 2015 federal election, I discounted Justin Trudeaus likelihood of victory. Why? Because commitments like parliamentary reform and eliminating the deficit are incredibly difficult. There is no perfect electoral structure anywhere in the world. There may be some that offer greater stability or voter interaction, but not a single platform makes everyone happy.

Ultimately, though, I believed then (and believe now) that Trudeau was a very shallow version of his father. He wasnt a classically educated law professor  he was a trust-fund baby who became a drama teacher after providing snowboard lessons and attending parties in blackface.

Hes as shallow as milk on a platter.

Why would anyone think Justin Trudeau would be the best person to lead us?

As quickly as he was elected, he used a throwaway virtue expression to explain why half of his first cabinet was female. Remember " because its 2015?" Such an offensive line that was undoubtedly screen-tested by Trudeaus brain trust. His quick quips and shirtless selfies were indicative of his depth.

I wrote so at the time and believe so now.

Elections are more often about getting rid of the old guy than electing a new one.

Make no mistake  Stephen Harpers last campaign was a complete mess. Anyone recall the barbaric practices hotline? What were they thinking? My sense is that the most right-wing elements of Harpers team had his ear. If you think about that election campaign, and then consider a lot of the Trump rhetoric, you would notice a lot of similarities, including dog-whistle messages.

There wasnt a lot to choose from in 2015, and things havent gotten a lot better in 2021.

I cant get my head around Jagmeet Singh. In many respects, he seems to be the most open and transparent leader. He is openly appealing to young people through his TikTok videos. Singh is talking about wild spending plans and new taxes on the wealthy (whoever that may be).

Quite frankly, I trust Singh and believe him. Thats why I cant vote for him. His policies are not designed for me. I need a manager and cant stomach yet another visionary.

In the columnists opinion, we simply cannot afford Trudeaus "building back better" nonsense nor Singhs earnest musings. Thanks to the toxic combination of Trudeaus pre-pandemic spending (already a massive deficit) and his out-of-control pandemic spending, there are few coins left in the kitty. We are in a tough way, friends, and this is the beginning of a time of restraint, not more profligacy.

So who does that leave?

The obvious answer for me, so it would seem, is Conservative Erin OToole. A former corporate lawyer from Ontario, OToole has been in Parliament for almost a decade. He ran for the Tory leadership in 2017 and lost. This time he was retooled as a much more conservative Tory. So who is he?

I dont know how I feel about him.

Was he being honest about his values in 2017, or now? Is he tacking left in this election only to return to a more conservative core, or is he always a moderate? One could go crazy trying to figure this stuff out.

Its a tough call, friends, and for such a serious juncture in our nations history, Im disappointed in our choices.
The trade union watchdog has launched an investigation into the Maritime Union of Australia to probe whether union cars were sold for below-market rates to relatives without following proper processes.

The Registered Organisations Commission, a government-funded independent regulator for unions and employer associations, has started the investigation after receiving a whistleblower complaint, according to sources.

The Maritime Union of Australia is under investigation for allegedly selling union cars for discounted rates to family and friends. Credit:Nine News

The commission declined to comment but pointed to a compliance fact sheet sent to all trade unions last year calling for federally registered organisations to review current practices, policies and governance procedures around vehicle sales to employees.

The ROC will continue to investigate whistleblower disclosures made to it involving the below-value sale, transfer or disposal of motor vehicles by registered organisations to their employees and officials which may be to the detriment of registered organisations and their members, the statement said.
The success rate for women trying to have a baby from IVF has jumped almost 20 per cent in a decade, with more women every year using frozen embryos to screen for genetic abnormalities.

The number of twins and triplets born in Australia to women who undergo IVF has plummeted to a record low in the past ten years, the latest analysis from the Australian and New Zealand Assisted reproductive database (ANZARD) shows, while the live birth rate continues to climb particularly when using frozen embryos.

Shameela Karunakaran and Julian Rayappu and their three children, aged 5, 3 and 1. Ms Karunakaram underwent IVF to have her children. Credit:Janie Barrett

The overall live birth rate for each embryo transfer has increased from 22 per cent in 2010 to 28 per cent in 2019. One in every 20 babies is now conceived from IVF.

It is unprecedented to see this rise in the IVF live birth rate in Australia while simultaneously having one of the lowest multiple birth rates in the world, president of the Fertility Society of Australia, Professor Luk Rombauts, said.
International airlines, their staff and airports will be given another $183.65 million to tide the sector over until March in a sign the industry will still need significant help even if overseas flights resume around Christmas.

Qantas and Virgin have said they hope international travel will resume by the end of the year, a development Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said was getting closer as vaccination rates rise.

Qantas international flying has been almost entirely paused during the pandemic, except for some essential repatriation and goods flights. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The money will cover an extension of the governments $750 weekly payments to cabin crew and pilots of international airlines, primarily Qantas, that largely cannot fly. It was set to end in October but will now run until March.

It is intended to ensure the industry doesnt lose its capacity to operate before borders reopen. Airports in 11 cities will also get a share of $64 million to pay for the costs of screening passengers and baggage, which is a constant cost regardless of how many planes land and passengers go through screening.
France should have been aware Australia was prepared to break a $90 billion deal to build conventionally powered attack submarines, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has suggested, despite Paris accusation that the Canberra-Washington move was treacherous and brutal.

As Defence Minister Peter Dutton said the broader arrangement under the trilateral relationship with Britain and the United States was aimed at ensuring enemies think twice about attacking Australia, the Prime Minister defended the decision to break the contract with France as in the national interest.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says France should have known Australia was reconsidering the $90 billion submarine deal. Credit:Edwina Pickles

Paris has recalled its ambassadors to Australia and the United States over the decision by Canberra to abandon its deal with Frances Naval Group to build 12 submarines. Australia will instead buy at least eight nuclear-powered submarines, most likely from the United States, as part of the security partnership with Britain.

Mr Morrison, who held talks with French leader Emmanuel Macron about the submarines in June, said Australias concerns about the Naval Group boats were well known.
DOYLESTOWN >> The Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS) will launch a new program series this month exploring the history of the notorious Doan Gang of Bucks County, offered throughout October and November. The series will feature three virtual programs and one in-person program that highlight artifacts and archives related to the gang and their history. At the time of the...
has pointed out unscientific and "ill-founded prejudices" against diesel-powered commercial vehicles and has sought free movement of such vehicles inside cities.

In its Annual Report for 2020-21, the Pune-based company, which sells a range of diesel-powered vehicles in the commercial, passenger and agricultural segment, noted that there was no point in restricting movement of diesel vehicles when they met the country's mandated norms.

"The ill-founded local area restrictions on use of diesel powered vehicles that actually meet the nationally mandated norms, are illogical. While the movement for achieving zero emissions by way of achieving full electric traction for all segments of automobiles is at least a decade away, the diesel vehicles that meet the mandated norms are an excellent solution even in the inner cities," the automaker noted.

The unscientific and ill-founded prejudices in this regard need to be addressed, it added.

Fearing rise in air pollution, several states do not allow movement of commercial vehicles with diesel engines to play inside the cities or some parts where they encourage use of environment friendly vehicles.

Last month, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari asked vehicle manufacturers to discourage production and sale of diesel engine vehicles, and urged them to promote other technologies.

Addressing industry body SIAM's annual convention virtually, Gadkari had noted that the government is committed to delivering vehicles with flex engines that give the users an option to run a vehicle on either 100 per cent petrol or 100 per cent bio-ethanol.

Bullish on the tour and travels segment, noted that the tour, travel and hospitality industry had a great future in the country going ahead.

The company also informed its shareholders that it was possible for the evolution of the tour, travel and hospitality industry in India to international standards.

The evolving improved infrastructure in major pilgrimage locations in India, the rapidly modernising road transport augurs well for enhanced domestic tourism, the company noted.

"Besides encouraging local economies , both the international and domestic tourism will spur the spread of a wide variety of service requirements in industry, therein offering significant improvement in market size and opportunities," said.

The company sells models like Gurkha,Trax, Traveller in the commercial and passenger vehicle space. It also sells tractors like Balwan 400 and Abhiman.

The company also exports its range of products to various countries in the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Force Motors also supplies engines and other components to various leading automakers.

Till date, it has supplied over 1,15,000 engines and over 1,00,000 axles to Mercedes Benz India and over 44,000 powertrains to BMW for their various products in the country.

(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.)
Peril

Author: Bob Woodward and Robert Costa

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 482

Price: Rs 799

The titles of Bob Woodwards three about the Trump administration  Fear, Rage and now Peril  are appropriately blunt. The books, about the staccato stream of events that accompanied Donald Trumps time in office, are written at a mostly staccato clip.

The frantic pace is redoubled in Peril, written with Robert Costa, Woodwards colleague at The Washington Post. Broken up into 72 short chapters, it hurtles through the past two years of dizzying news. The books centrepiece is the riot at the Capitol on January 6, and its primary concern is how President Trump behaved in the lead-up to and the aftermath of that crisis.

in this genre like to make news, and this one doesnt waste any time. Its opening pages recount how last October and again in January, after the riot, Gen Mark A Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had secret conversations with his Chinese counterparts to assure them that the United States was 100 percent steady, despite what they might be seeing and hearing.

The Chinese were concerned that Trump might lash out on a global scale in a desperate attempt to secure his power. Milley went over the process for nuclear strikes and other acts of war with his colleagues, to make sure nothing was instigated without his awareness. He was, Woodward and Costa write, overseeing the mobilization of Americas national security state without the knowledge of the American people or the rest of the world.

The day after the election, speaking to Kellyanne Conway, Trump seemed ready, at least privately, to acknowledge defeat. Enter Rudy Giuliani.

The former New York mayor becomes a more prominent player here than in the previous In Fear, Woodward had noted that Giuliani was the only Trump campaigner to appear on a prominent Sunday morning talk show to support his candidate the week that the notorious Access Hollywood tape was leaked. He actually went on five shows, a rare feat.

At the end, Woodward wrote, he was exhausted, practically bled out, but had proved his devotion and friendship. It will be left to psychologists, not historians, to write the definitive account of why Giuliani remained so steadfast to the president, but in Peril hes portrayed as the prime force behind Trumps refusal to let the election go.

I have eight affidavits, Giuliani said in a room of friends and campaign officials three days after the election, hinting at the scope of the alleged voting fraud. Later the same day, in front of Trump and others: I have 27 affidavits! And yet again the same day, he urged Trump to put him in charge.

I have 80 affidavits.

The note about this books sources is nearly identical to the notes in the previous two books. The authors interviewed more than 200 first-hand participants and witnesses, though none are named. Quotation marks are apparently used around words theyre more sure of, but theres a seemingly arbitrary pattern to the way those marks are used and not used even within the same brief conversations.

And as usual, though the sources arent named, some people get the type of soft-glow light that suggests they were especially useful to the authors. In this book, much of that light falls on Milley and William P Barr, Trumps attorney general from November 2018 to December 2020.

In addition to Milleys actions, the book has gotten attention for a scene in which  read this next part slowly  the former Vice President Dan Quayle talks sense into Pence. Trump had suggested to Pence that he had the power to essentially rejigger the electoral outcome as head of the Senate, an idea that Quayle told Pence was preposterous and dangerous. Woodward and Costa write, in a rare bit of deadpan: Pence finally agreed acting to overturn the election would be antithetical to his traditional view of conservatism.

Trump tweeted about the election ballots on the morning they were to be certified: All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage! Extreme courage is not the first phrase one reaches for to describe Pence after reading Peril.

On his way to the Capitol on January 6, Pence released a letter saying that he did not have the unilateral authority to decide which electoral votes got counted. His reward? About an hour later, protesters inside the Capitol chanted for him to be hanged.

In the wake of the riot,Peril loses force. Even more fatally for the books momentum, Woodward and Costa devote 20 pages  a lifetime by their pacing standards  to behind-the-scenes negotiations for President Bidens $1.9 trillion stimulus package.

The book mounts a final rally, helped by circumstance. A late section closely recounting Bidens decision to end the American war in Afghanistan is plenty absorbing. The authors recount Bidens resistance to the war when he was vice president under Obama. Biden was long insistent that the point of American engagement in the country was to diminish the threat of Al Qaeda and not to crush the Taliban. He held to his strategy despite advisers who presented him with a stunning list of possible human disaster and political consequences.

As Peril nears its close, the Delta variant is muddying the pandemic picture, and thats not the only detail that makes it read like a cliffhanger. Trump was not dormant, the authors write. He was staging rallies for supporters, and getting good news about his place in very early polls for 2024. Like an instalment of a deathless Marvel franchise, for all its spectacle Peril ends with a dismaying sense of prologue.
Poonawalla Fincorp Chairman Adar Poonawalla on Sunday said Abhay Bhutada, who resigned last week from the post of Managing Director on alleged charges of insider trading, "hasn't done anything" as per the lawyers and others who gave him reports.

He said the company is also conducting an independent investigation.

Last week, Bhutada resigned as Managing Director of Poonawalla Fincorp, after capital markets regulator barred him and seven other entities from securities markets for alleged in shares of the company.

Poonawalla said he too was shocked when he heard the (about barring Bhutada) and the company has also done a preliminary enquiry on its part.

"I have looked at what has happened. We are conducting an independent investigation ourselves also, but very soon this entire matter will be cleared in a positive way. And whoever has done anything wrong will of course face their justice.

"And of course, Abhay will also be cleared of what he has done, because he actually hasn't done anything as per the lawyers and the others who have given me the reports," Poonawalla said during an investor call.

The Pune-based non-banking finance company submitted the audio recording of the investor call through stock exchange filing on Sunday.

When asked if the position of the managing director will be filled, he said, "MD's position is yet to be seen."



He said the company can very well run with the new team and the old team that is there.

"To the unfortunate subject, let me just assure everybody that of course I was also a little shocked when I heard this But upon my preliminary investigation...very soon this entire matter will be cleared in a positive way and whoever has done anything wrong will of course face their justice," he added.

However, on the compliance side, he said the first action the company had to take was whether someone is guilty or not of an alleged crime, they have to sit down until the enquiry goes on.

Poonawalla Fincorp has the managerial structure of having a Managing Director and a Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Vijay Deshwal is the group CEO presently. Deshwal was business head at ICICI Bank in his last role, responsible for its fast growing services. After the action, Poonawalla Fincorp last week said Deshwal will continue to run the operations of the firm.

Kolkata-based Magma Fincorp was renamed Poonawalla Fincorp a few months back, after the acquisition of the company by the Poonawalla Group which also owns the Serum Institute of India (SII).

(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.)
Private equity major on Sunday signed an agreement with Group to acquire a majority stake in Eureka Forbes at an enterprise valuation of Rs 4,400 crore.

Eureka Forbes (EFL), a 100% subsidiary of Forbes & Company, would be demerged into a standalone company, and then listed at the stock exchanges. Upon listing of EFL, Advent would purchase up to 72.56 per cent of the companys then outstanding stock on a fully diluted basis from SP Group. Advent would make an open offer, according to Sebi's takeover regulations.

According to the Forbes & Company's annual report disclosures, EFL had gross debt of Rs 285 crore for the year ending March 2021, while cash & bank balance was Rs 23 crore and liquid investment in mutual fund units was Rs 86.2 crore. If these are adjusted from the enterprise value (which is equity plus debt plus cash & bank balances), the equity value for EFL would translate to around Rs 4,250 crore. Consequently, Group may end up getting around Rs 3,100 crore for its 72.56 per cent stake in the standalone listed Eureka Forbes.

SP Group had to sell the company because of its commitment to the lenders, according to their requirements for one-time restructuring (OTR) of debt as approved by the banks last year. The OTR was approved after the company defaulted on loans; the proceeds from the EFL deal would be used to repay the lenders.

We are pleased that Eureka Forbes Limited, a jewel in Group has found a new home with Advent, while at the same time unlocking value for shareholders. This transaction also reflects our stated objective and strategy of significant de-leveraging and focusing on our core competencies and businesses. We thank the EFL family of employees and stakeholders, and firmly believe they will benefit from this transaction, said Jai Mavani, executive director, Shapoorji Pallonji and Company.





On the other hand, Shweta Jalan, managing director, Advent India PE Advisors, said: Eureka Forbes's Aquaguard brand is a household name in water purification, helping safeguard the health and well-being of a large segment of the Indian population. We look forward to working with Marzin Shroff and his team to guide EFLs next phase of growth and solidify its market leadership.

Eureka Forbes was set up in 1931 and its parent firm, Forbes & Company, traces its origins to 1767 when John Forbes from Scotland started his business in India. Over the years, the companys management moved from the Forbes family to the Campbells, then to the Tata group, and finally to SP Group.

During this period, Forbes & Company went through a series of mergers and demergers, and had to disengage from different businesses. Initially known as Forbes Gokak Limited, the company was renamed Forbes & Company on October 25, 2007. SP Group holds 73.85 per cent of the paid-up share capital of Forbes & Company.

Post-various divestments and business discontinuations, in terms of revenue contribution, on a consolidated basis, EFL contributes more than 80 per cent to its total operating income.
In the famous scene in the 2006 film, Sofia Coppolas Marie Antoinette, where the queen, played by Kirsten Dunst, sat surrounded by macarons while her subjects starved outside the Palace of Versailles, the luxe almond confections were supplied by Laduree, the historic French patisserie. Since then, Laduree has gone from being the single iconic bakery in Pariss Rue Royale to a chain with a presence in 21 countries, including the US, UK, Japan and the UAE. (Of course, in real life, the patisserie was born only some 70 years after Marie Antoinettes death in 1793.)



Now, with a master franchisee deal with Noida-based CK Israni Group, Laduree is kickstarting its foray into India with its first salon de the in Delhis upscale

I remember the first time I walked into Laduree in Paris, says Chandni Nath Israni, co-founder of the CK Israni Group. It was magical. Thats why this is a passion project for me.



Through the pandemic, they developed a four-storeyed kitchen (they call it a lab) in Noida, imported their raw materials, worked on creating interiors, which marry the brand aesthetic with some unique Indian elements, and most importantly, developed a menu. The very first thing I asked our lab to perfect was the French toast, Israni says, for that was what made me fall in love with Laduree the first time I went there.Wicker ceilings, Indian marble table tops and enormous green marble planters add local touches to the restaurant, otherwise resplendent in peachy pastels that the brand worldwide is known for. On the menu are signature Laduree staples like croque-monsieurs, vol-au-vents and, of course, pillowy double-decker macarons. The story goes that in the middle of the 19th century, a chef at Laduree decided to sandwich a ganache filling between two macaron shells. The resultant macaron was an instant success and their recipe has not changed since.

The menu in Delhi also has Indian accents like rose cake with candied rose petals and soaked in fragrant rose syrup and chicken tikka sandwich. The tikka sandwich is my favourite, says executive pastry chef Leinekugel Godfroy, who took Laduree to Moscow and Kazakhstan before taking over the Laduree lab in India five months ago. At Laduree we develop new menus for every season and Im working on a secret India-themed special edition for Diwali.





French toast salted caramel

Laduree has a ten-year agreement with the Israni Group and plans to explore diverse models keeping in mind the changing landscape of the F&B industry. Were planning to start a premium delivery service soon, says Karan Israni, co-founder of the group. But I personally feel that after two years of being at home, people are now raring to go to Look around us in today; all the are packed to capacity. They are also launching Laduree pastry carts for private events and are working on special gift hampers for the upcoming festive season.

Compared to the original Laduree store on Rue Royale in Paris, the Delhi space, spread over three floors (the ground floor is just the patisserie) feels expansive. However, like many of its international stores and restaurants, especially the ones in shopping malls, Laduree Delhi lacks the sense of history that makes this luxury pastry maker, around since 1862, so iconic. For more than its minty, peachy pastels and the ceiling painted with cherubs (no doubt owing their chubbiness to the sweet treats on offer), Laduree pioneered the concept of salons de the, Parisian tea rooms that were as much venues for refined conversation as they were places to eat and drink.

Whether Laduree Delhi will grow into such a venue remains to be seen. But at Rs 300 and only 60 calories a pop for a macaron, Delhiites should ready themselves for a historic sweet that will trim not only their waistlines but their wallets as well.
Mumbai-based drugmaker said on Sunday that its Goa facility has received seven observations from the US drug regulator. At present, five sites of either have warning letters of Official Action Indicated (OAI) status from the US Food and Drug Administration.

In a stock exchange notification, said: We wish to inform you that the US FDA has concluded an inspection at our Goa facility in India. The inspection was carried out from September 6, 2021 to September 18, 2021 and closed with seven observations. Exact revenue contribution from the Goa facility is not known.

The company, however, is confident of resolving the matter with the FDA. We are confident of addressing the observations satisfactorily and are committed to be compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice standards across all our facilities, it added.

has not shared the nature of the observations made by the USFDA, and thus analysts feel that further impact analysis could be done, once the details are known.

The companys Goa plant was inspected in March 2017 and subsequently, the company received a warning letter for the facility. The plant was again re-inspected in the beginning of 2019, and the FDA had then issued a form 483 with two or more observations.

In June Lupin had received a warning letter from the for its Somerset, (New Jersey) facility. This took the number of Lupin sites under warning letters or OAIs to five.

A Mumbai-based analyst said that the near term earnings guidance is not impacted much because of the latest observations, as its critical inhaler portfolio is manufactured at sites that are FDA compliant. However, lesser physical inspections are now happening due to the pandemic. Thus, resolution may take some time, the analyst added.

Vinita Gupta, Lupin CEO had told Business Standard earlier in August that, We have built flexibility in manufacturing between our Pithampur site and the US site (Florida). Inhalation products are made at Pithampur site 3 which is already cleared by the FDA.
A senior U.S. trade official privately criticised India's July decision to ban Inc from issuing new cards, calling it a "draconian" move that caused "panic", according to U.S. government emails seen by Reuters.

The documents show frustration within the U.S. government after India's central bank banned new card issuance by American Express and Diners Club International in April, then took similar action against

The Reserve Bank of India accuses the of breaking local data-storage rules. The bans do not affect existing customers.

The ban on - a top payment network in India alongside Visa - triggered a flurry of emails between U.S. officials in Washington and India as they discussed next steps with Mastercard, including approaching the RBI, the government emails show.

"We've started hearing from stakeholders about some pretty draconian measures that the RBI has taken over the past couple days," Brendan A. Lynch, the deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for South and Central Asia, wrote on July 16, two days after the Mastercard announcement.

"It sounds like some others (Amex, Diners) may have been impacted by similar actions recently," wrote Lynch, asking his colleagues in India to get in touch with their central bank contacts "to see what's going on".

Lynch, spokespeople for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi did not respond to requests for comment. The U.S. government has not publicly commented on the Mastercard ban.

The RBI did not immediately respond.

A Mastercard spokesman told Reuters, "We've had very constructive engagements with the Indian and U.S. governments over the past few weeks and appreciate the support of both." This includes discussions with the RBI, and Mastercard has "made good progress" as it looks to resolve the situation quickly, he said.

"PANIC", "FULL COURT PRESS"

Mastercard counts India as a key growth market. In 2019 it said it was "bullish on India", a country where it has made major investment bets and built research and technology centres.

The Mastercard ban rattled the company and upset India's financial sector as Indian partner banks fear a hit to their income as they struggle to swiftly partner with new networks to offer cards.

The RBI acted against Mastercard because it was "found to be non-compliant" with the 2018 rules despite the "lapse of considerable time and adequate opportunities".

The rules, requiring foreign card networks to store Indian data locally for "unfettered supervisory access", were implemented after failed lobbying efforts of U.S. firms also soured trade ties between New Delhi and Washington.

Mastercard has said it was "disappointed" with the decision. The company has told Reuters it had submitted an additional audit report to the RBI before the ban took effect on July 22.

The U.S. government emails show there was hope things could be sorted out before that.

In one, Lynch told colleagues the understanding was that "the RBI has info they need and are hopeful that they will respond appropriately." But as the ban approached, "if the RBI doesn't change course, I'm sure the panic will resume," he wrote.

Days later, he wrote that Mastercard was continuing "to put on the full court press" in Washington.

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra in New Delhi; Editing by William Mallard)

(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 (CBI) will question minister Manas Ranjan Bhunia at his residence on Monday in connection with its probe into the I-Core ponzi scam, a source in the agency said.

Bhunia, the minister for water resources investigation and development, will be quizzed at his home as he is a senior citizen, the source said.

The Trinamool Congress MLA from Sabang was allegedly seen in some of the public functions organised by the now-defunct I-Core which was charged with duping investors by offering them abnormally high returns on investments.

"Officials of the economic offences wing of the CBI will go to Bhunia's home to quiz him in the I-Core chit fund case," the source said.

Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had also served a notice to the minister in the same

The CBI had on September 13 questioned Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee for nearly two hours in connection with his alleged involvement in the I-Core chit fund scam.

Like Saradha and Rose Valley chit fund companies, I-Core raised money from the public by several fraudulent schemes floated by it.

The CBI had taken over the investigation of Saradha and other cases on the orders of the Supreme Court on May 9, 2014.

(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 August 16, the Delhi Government gave permission to the National Highway Authority of India to axe 6,600 to build a third ring road for the capital city on the condition that 4,365 of these would be transplanted.

Up to 40 big projects in New Delhi have been approved on the condition of tree transplantation, including the Central Vista Project which could require a large number of to be felled. The Delhi Government's Tree Transplantation Policy of December 2020 requires building agencies to transplant 80% of the they uproot.

Will tree transplantation, the process of replanting uprooted trees elsewhere as a measure to counter deforestation, be effective in Delhi, which stands to lose large green tracts to various projects? Unlikely, environmentalists say, pointing to the many big projects in India where tree transplantation failed. Here are some examples:

Up to 2,141 trees in 2017 were felled in Aarey Colony, an urban forest referred to as Mumbai's last green lung, to make way for the Mumbai Metro 3 project linking the southern end of the city to its western suburbs. The Bombay High court appointed a fact-finding team in 2019 to inspect the transplanted trees and reportedly found that over 60% of them had died.

The metro line constructed to connect north and south Nagpur led to the transplantation of 21 trees in 2019. None of these survived. Despite this failure, the city has planned infrastructure projects like the Rs 1,053-crore InterModal Station to integrate road, rail and metro terminals but would end up displacing 1,940 trees.

Urban projects planned with little thought for their environmental impact have left Indian cities with depleted tree cover, examples across India show: Nagpur, once one of Indian greenest cities, has lost over or 40 sq km of its green cover to infrastructural projects between 1999 and 2018--reducing its green cover from 31% of the city's area to 21%--as per a 2019 study. Nearly 94% of Mumbai has been concretised over 40 years and the metropolis has only one tree for every four persons, according to the last BMC Tree Census in 2018. Bengaluru, with an estimated 1.47 million trees (2013 figures), has 0.166 trees per person. The ideal tree-human ratio is 8:1.

The 2019 India State of Forest Report revealed that India's total tree cover is 95,027 sq km, just 2.89% of its geographical area.

Tree transplantation has not been effective in India because there is no uniform process and the penalty for failure is not enough of a deterrent, experts say. "The problem is not that transplantation is bad, but [that] the authorities who talk about transplantation are rarely serious about the survival of the trees," said Sanjiv Valsan of Rewilding Aarey, an activist group that seeks to reforest the Aarey area of Mumbai with native trees. "And there is no penalty for a dead tree."

For example, the Nagpur municipal corporation charges project authorities a security deposit of Rs 5,500 for each tree to be transplanted but this has never worked as a deterrent, said Kaustav Chatterjee, an environmentalist at Green Vigil, a city-based non-profit. "Project officials prefer to forgo the deposit than invest money in tree care and scientific transplantation," he said.

Widespread felling though every tree supports 30 species

In January 2020, then Chief Justice S.A. Bobde asked a committee of experts to evaluate the loss of trees to the environment. The panel, while evaluating, estimated the economic value of a tree at Rs 74,500 multiplied by its age. Heritage trees with a lifespan of over 100 years could thus be valued at more than Rs 1 crore. "Upon adding the costs of micronutrients and compost, living trees will more often than not outweigh the benefit of most of the projects they are felled for," the committee noted.

Apart from filtering air pollutants, fighting erosion, providing oxygen and recharging groundwater, trees support all forms of life. A single tree supports as many as 30 species, said Sasirekha Sureshkumar, a botanist and a former member of the expert panel set up by the Bombay Municipal Corporation's Tree Authority. "We fail to understand what a single tree is worth and the ecology it supports," she said.

Plantation expert Prachi Mahurkar undertook a habitat survey of over 7,000 trees spread across 446 acres of Nagpur's Ajni Vann, one of the few remaining green patches in the city and a thriving biodiversity habitat, and found 56 different species of trees, of which 39 are native species with an average age of 40 years. Ajni Vann is now set to be the site of the InterModal Station in Nagpur.

The BMC's Tree Authority has reportedly sanctioned the felling of 373 trees, of which 332 are to be transplanted, for the building of a coastal road. Another 1,719 trees are to be cut, and 1,166 transplanted for the widening of the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road and the construction of Metro corridors.

Neglect killed 60% of transplanted trees

In 2017, when the protests against the felling of 2,141 trees in Aarey forests to build Metro 3 in Mumbai gathered pace, social media was abuzz with arguments like "why cut down trees when you can transplant them elsewhere?" As many as 1,072 trees were approved for transplantation and the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) budgeted Rs 5.36 crore for transplanting them, at the rate of Rs 50,000 per tree.

But, a Bombay High Court-appointed committee concluded in a 2019 report that over 60% of trees transplanted for the Metro 3 project had died. It inspected 1,462 fully grown trees transplanted since 2017; of these, 759 were either dead or dying. The report traced this to inadequate tree care and lack of scientific transplanting methods.

Zoru Bhathena, environmental activist and petitioner in the case, who accompanied the High Court committee in site visits, alleged that the MMRCL "lies through its teeth". "They also claimed in the court that they have hired an arborist (a person trained in the science of planting, caring and maintaining trees) for Rs 21 lakh a month," he said, adding that no such arborist had been appointed. We emailed MMRCL on September 16, for a comment on the allegations. We will update the story when we receive a response.

Aarey activist Valsan alleged that contractors use transplantation projects to make money on the side. During the Mumbai Metro 3 project, he said he noticed contractors uprooting transplanted trees to accommodate new ones. "They get paid for every tree that comes in. Plus, there is money to be made out of selling wood," he said.

No viability study

Transplantation has not been successful in other cities either.

In Delhi, the Dwarka expressway was proposed in 2016 to connect the south-west side of Delhi to neighbouring Gurugram. To make way for this, 6,500 trees had to be felled over two years on the condition that 3,500 would be transplanted. But, the permission for transplantation had been given without estimating its viability, alleged the Society for Promotion of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions and Promotion of National Awareness (SP-CHETNA), a Delhi-based non-governmental organisation, in a plea to the National Green Tribunal in 2019. The tribunal directed the Delhi forest department to monitor the survival of transplanted trees.

In connection with the same project, Delhi's environment minister Gopal Rai was reported to have said that a large number of trees were transplanted under the project, and conceded that "many of them have not survived", as they could not be watered "for several months because of Covid".

Similarly, for the first stretch of the Bengaluru metro, which connected the east and west corridors of the city, the Bengaluru Municipal Corporation had reportedly cut 1,428 trees. Of the 10 trees transplanted as an experiment, only three survived.

No method

Guidelines outlined by countries such as the UK and Hong Kong--and research bodies--talk of a systematic approach wherein trees must be separated into those that do well in transplantation and those that do not. The process they mandate involves digging up trees to isolate their root balls and lopping off the branches leaving only a small shoot for revival. Trees also need to be 'acclimatised' by using their original soil during transplantation and regular monitoring is a must for the first 12 months to ensure hydration.

However, there are no procedures in place for tree transplantations in India and the work is left largely to construction agencies and contractors. The Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, for instance, talks of "transplanting trees necessitated by the construction of new roads or widening existing roads" but makes no mention of any process.

The Karnataka High Court, while hearing a public interest litigation filed by the NGO Bangalore Environment Trust (BET) against indiscriminate tree felling by BMRCL, constituted a panel to select sites for transplantation and ordered separate budgets for transplantation and aftercare. But the orders were not codified to apply uniformly across projects in the state.

Under the Delhi Tree Transplantation policy, a committee of experts empanels agencies to undertake transplantation. C.R. Babu, a professor at Delhi University's School for Environment Studies, is a member of this committee. "We ensure that transplantation is done only when there is no option," he said. "For all kinds of projects, these empanelled agencies follow technical specifications for tree transplantation."

Botanist Sasirekha Sureshkumar, who resigned in 2019 as a member of the expert panel at BMC's Tree Authority, said a report had been submitted identifying trees that could or could not be safely transplanted for the Metro 3 project. "It was not accepted by the authorities", she said.

While native trees have the best success rate in transplantation, experts claimed that non-native exotic trees are transplanted the most. "Invasive species often overpower native species, changing the soil composition and microbial balance," said Sureshkumar. A 2011 research paper revealed that India had lost 80% of its native forest cover to invasive exotics. "This promotes an imbalance in nature," she said.

Transplantation not a solution

Green activists no longer support transplantation as a solution for large-scale tree felling.

"Nothing justifies the felling of a tree that has been standing there for 50-60 years. It will take that much longer for a sapling to establish itself and re-create its habitat," said Neema Pathak Broome of Kalpavriksh, an environmental action group.

Activist Valsan, who has been transplanting trees uprooted by cyclones in Mumbai, is critical of how the authorities approach the process: "The way these authorities have been transplanting, it is like they are killing a tree in instalments, not in one shot."

Anasuya Chhabrani, an activist with Paryavaran Prerna Vidharbha that advocates for sustainable development, said she and her fellow activists have held several protests, filed petitions and court cases against the Rs 1,053 crore Intermodal Station that will fell trees in Nagpur's Ajni Vann. Soon after, in November 2020, the National Highways Authority of India, the project developer of the InterModal Station's Phase 1, announced that the 1,940 trees to be felled for the project would be transplanted. But activists are against this.

"A few months ago [during the pandemic surge] we were fighting for oxygen, now we are cutting those sources of oxygen, what have we learned?" said Chhabrani.
The government has received maximum foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals in three departments -- electronics and IT, industry and internal trade, and heavy industries -- from countries sharing land border with India, an official said.

In April 2020, the government had made its prior approval mandatory for foreign investments from countries that share land border with India to curb opportunistic takeovers of domestic firms following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Countries which share land borders with India are China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Afghanistan. As per that decision, FDI proposals from these countries need government approval for investments in India in any sector.

The major sectors under which these FDI proposals mainly came included manufacturing of heavy machinery, automobile, auto components; computer software and hardware; trading, ecommerce, and manufacturing of light engineering and electrical, the official said.

Besides, these three departments, the ministry of new and renewable energy and department of pharmaceuticals have also received several proposals from these countries, the official added.

Further, pending FDI proposals received under this decision up to June 15 this year in the Ministry of Electronics and IT; Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT); and Ministry of Heavy Industries are over 40.

Most of the foreign investment proposals have come from China and Hong Kong. Besides, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh too have submitted certain applications.

In April this year, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) came out with a press note stating that a company or an individual from a country that shares land border with India can invest in any sector here only after getting government approval.

An inter-ministerial committee has been formed by the government to scrutinise these proposals, they said adding most of the investments are for brownfield projects (means in existing Indian companies).

All administrative ministries and departments have been advised to have dedicated FDI cells to process these proposals expeditiously.

India has received USD 17.6 billion worth of FDI during April-June this fiscal.

(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.)
States have expressed shock after finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had, post the (GST) Council meeting on Friday, expressed her inability to extend the compensation to them beyond June 2022.

The states pointed out that, during the meeting, the matter was only deferred for further discussions.

Chandrima Bhattacharya, West Bengal minister of state for urban development and municipal affairs and health and family welfare, who represented the state at the meeting, said the council did not decide on extending the compensation for states beyond June 2022.

This was not a decision. All issues, including extending compensation to states beyond June 2022, have gone to a GoM (group of ministers), said Bhattacharya.

She said that the Centre was taking advantage of the Constitutions 101st Amendment Act, which says that compensation will be paid for a period of first five years from the date of introduction of

The indirect tax regime was put into effect from July 1, 2017, and the compensation will end on June 30, 2022, unless extended by the council.





ALSO READ: Kerala FM seeks extension of GST compensation regime

The extension till March 2026, is something which the Centre had to give anyway, but did not give. It is giving the arrears. But, what about the next part? It will not be possible for states to run like that, said the West Bengal minister. She added that the states strongly pitched for the extension by another five years.

Delhi finance minister Manish Sisodia also reiterated that the issue of compensation to states has been referred to the GoM, which will submit its report in two months.

Sisodia pitched for the extension by another five years. Delhi has estimated an annual loss of close to Rs 8,000 crore, if not compensated beyond June 2022.

Similarly, Kerala also pressed for giving compensation to the states for another five years. On the other hand, Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal asked for an extension of compensation to states by another three years.

Tamil Nadu finance minister P Thiaga Rajan said the non-extension of compensation to states beyond 2022 was not communicated during the council meeting. While Rajan did not attend the meeting, he was briefed about the outcome by the officer representing the state.



Then matter was deferred. But to say that extension of compensation beyond June 2022 was ruled out is to me, said Rajan.

Chhattisgarh health minister T S Singh Deo, who represented the state at the council, said the extension of compensation to states was not ruled out, unlike what the Union finance minister had said. I hope there will be another meeting on the issue. This is the way it (the Centre) has been functioning, said Singh Deo, who did not personally attend the council meeting but was represented by a state officer.

He added that his state will have to bear a loss of close to Rs 3,000 crore annually if the compensation is stopped post-2022. After June 2022, we will be at a big loss as is a consumption-based tax, he said.

He added that while consuming states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were gaining from the GST regime, producing states were losing out.





ALSO READ: Oppn-ruled states demand extension of GST compensation beyond June 2022

The consuming states are getting a higher revenue than what they got in the VAT (value-added tax) regime, whereas producing states have lost out badly from the GST regime, he said. He added, We dont get anything on the bauxite, steel, cement, iron ore, or any other commodity that is mined and produced in the state. Chhattisgarhs land and water resources are used but we do not get the revenues.

The council decided to extend the compensation cess period till March 2026, but the collection will be used purely to repay the back-to-back loans taken between 2020-21 and 2021-22, not to further compensate states, Sitharaman had clarified at a press conference after the meeting.

Revenue secretary Tarun Bajaj, during the press briefing, had also said, The cess collection, extended till March 2026, will be utilised to repay back-to-back loans. So, where does the compensation (to states beyond 2022) get paid from? The cess will be used to pay the remaining amount that is payable to the states, and repay the loan, and interest on that, he added.

States are given full compensation for the first five years of introduction of GST on the assumed revenue growth rate of 14 per cent in the base year of 2015-16. Compensation cess is levied on luxury and sin items such as aerated drinks, pan masala, cigarettes and automobiles over the peak rate of 28 per cent.
Lakhs of students in the country work hard and toil to secure admissions in educational institutions on the basis of merit and it is high time that backdoor entries there, including medical colleges, should stop, the Delhi High Court has said.

The high court's observation came while dismissing an appeal by five students who were granted admission in 2016 by L N Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal, without their undergoing the centralised counselling conducted by the Department of Medical (DME).

However, according to the Supreme Court's direction, admissions in all government and private in the country have to be done through the centralised counselling system on the basis of NEET examination result.

Consequently, the Medical Council of India (MCI) issued letters of discharge regarding the five petitioners in April 2017 and thereafter, several more communications were sent but neither the students nor the medical college paid any heed to them.

The college continued to treat the petitioners as their students and allowed them to attend the course, appear in the examinations and get promoted.

Eventually, the five petitioners filed a petition seeking quashing of the discharge communications issued by the MCI and for direction that they be permitted to continue their studies in the medical college as regular medical students, which was dismissed by the single judge.

They filed an appeal challenging the single judge's order. However, a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh also dismissed the appeal saying there is no merit in it.

"It is high time that such backdoor entries in educational institutions, including medical colleges, should stop. Lakhs of students all over the country work hard and toil to secure admissions to educational institutions on the basis of their merit," the bench said in its order on September 9.

"To permit any backdoor entry to any educational institution would be grossly unfair to those who are denied admission, despite being more meritorious, on account of the seats being taken and blocked by such backdoor entrants, it said.

It further added that the petitioners have only themselves to blame for the mess that they find themselves in.

"Had they acted in terms of the discharge letter of April 26, 2017, they would have saved four years of their lives. But they did not, and acted recklessly. Despite not having any interim orders in their favour in their writ petition, they continued to attend the course obviously, at their own peril, the court said.

Advocate T Singhdev, representing the MCI, said despite discharge of the petitioners by the MCI, as early as on April 26, 2017, the same was not acted upon either by the college or by the students and they continued to ignore it even after repeated communications.

He further said that there was no interim order obtained by the petitioners from the court and despite that they continued to take admissions in subsequent years and undertake examinations at the college which was done at their own peril and they cannot claim equity in their favour.

Singhdev said the petitioners did not undergo the centralised counselling and they were well aware from day one that their admissions in the college were irregular and illegal, being in the teeth of the judgement of the Supreme Court.

The counsel for the petitioners contended that they ranked higher in the NEET examination than even those who were granted admission through the central counselling conducted by the DME in relation to this medical college and, therefore, they should be shown leniency.

The court said it is for this reason that if the medical college had informed the vacancy position to the DME on time, the DME would have conducted further counselling and sent names on merit on the basis of the NEET examination conducted in 2016.

"It is quite possible that the names of other candidates, more meritorious than the five petitioners, may have been sent, the bench said.

"Since the respondent medical college does not appear to have informed the DME of the vacancy position, and they proceeded to grant admissions to the five petitioners much before the close of the date of admission on October 7, 2016, the other meritorious students, obviously, remained unaware that they could stake a claim against a seat in the respondent medical college on the basis of their merit. Thus, to say that no other meritorious candidate has shown up, is neither here nor there, it 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.)
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
Most of the merchant bankers who had submitted bids for facilitating strategic sale of LIC-controlled indicated a time-frame of one year to complete the elaborate process, sources said.

During a presentation before the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) held recently, most of the eligible transaction advisers gave a time-frame of 50-52 weeks to undertake several stages of the privatisation process of IDBI Bank, market sources said.

However, the government intends to complete the transaction during the current fiscal itself. Thus the merchant banker has to find a buyer in about 26 weeks or six months.

According to market sources, as many as seven bids -- Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP, Ernst and Young LLP, ICICI Securities Ltd, JM Financial Ltd, KPMG, RBSA Capital Advisors LLP and SBI Capital Markets Ltd -- were received.

DIPAM on behalf of Government of India had floated a tender in June inviting bids from transaction advisors from reputed professional consulting firms or investment bankers or merchant bankers or financial institutions for facilitating and assisting strategic disinvestment of The last date for submission of bids was July 13.

KPMG placed the lowest bid of Re 1, and was selected as the transaction adviser, market sources said, adding, the firm will assist the government in the sale for Re 1.

The Cabinet had in May given in-principle approval for IDBI Bank's strategic disinvestment along with transfer of management control.

The central government and LIC together own more than 94 per cent equity of LIC, currently having management control, has 49.24 per cent stake, while the government holds 45.48 per cent. Non-promoter shareholding stands at 5.29 per cent.

The transaction advisor would be required to advise and assist the government on modalities of disinvestment and the timing; recommend the need for other intermediaries required for the process of sale/disinvestment and also help in identification and selection of the same with proper Terms of Reference.

The transaction advisor will also assist in preparation of all documents like Preliminary Information Memorandum (PIM), organise roadshows to generate interest among the prospective buyers and suggest measures to fetch optimum value.

The advisor would also be supporting IDBI Bank in setting up an e-data room and assisting in the smooth conduct of the due diligence process.

As per the eligibility criteria outlined in the RFP, the bidders should have advised at least one transaction of strategic disinvestment/strategic sale/M&A activities/private equity investment transaction of the size of Rs 5,000 crore or more during the period from April 2016 to March 2021.

The extent of shareholding to be divested by the central government and LIC shall be decided at the time of structuring of transaction in consultation with the RBI, the government had earlier said.

Insurance giant LIC had acquired controlling stake in IDBI Bank in January 2019.

minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget for 2021-22 had said the process of privatisation of IDBI Bank would be completed in the current fiscal.

The government aims to mop up Rs 1.75 lakh crore in the current fiscal from minority stake sale and privatisation. Of the Rs 1.75 lakh crore, Rs 1 lakh crore is to come from selling government stake in public sector and financial institutions, and Rs 75,000 crore through CPSE disinvestment receipts.

(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.)
When the troubled Chinese property giant Evergrande was starved for cash earlier this year, it turned to its own employees with a strong-arm pitch: Those who wanted to keep their bonuses would have to give Evergrande a short-term loan.

Some workers tapped their friends and family for money to lend to the company. Others borrowed from the bank. Then, this month, Evergrande suddenly stopped paying back the loans, which had been packaged as high-interest investments.

Now, hundreds of employees have joined panicked home buyers in demanding their money back from Evergrande, gathering outside the companys offices across China to protest last week.

Once Chinas most prolific property developer, Evergrande has become the countrys most indebted company. It owes money to lenders, suppliers and foreign investors. It owes unfinished apartments to home buyers and has racked up more than $300 billion in unpaid bills. Evergrande faces lawsuits from creditors and has seen its shares lose more than 80 percent of their value this year.

Regulators fear that the collapse of a company Evergrandes size would send tremors through the entire Chinese financial system. Yet so far, has not stepped in with a bailout, having promised to teach debt-saddled corporate giants a lesson.

The angry protests led by home buyers  and now the companys own employees  may change that calculus.

Evergrande is on the hook to buyers for nearly 1.6 million apartments, according to one estimate, and it may owe money to tens of thousands of its workers.

As remains relatively quiet about the companys future, those who are owed cash say they are growing impatient.

There isnt much time left for us, said Jin Cheng, a 28-year-old employee in the eastern city of Hefei who said he put $62,000 of his own money into Evergrande Wealth, the companys investment arm, at the request of senior management.

As rumors rippled through the Chinese internet that Evergrande might go bankrupt this month, Jin and some of his colleagues gathered in front of provincial government offices to pressure the authorities to step in.

In the southern city of Shenzhen, home buyers and employees crowded into the lobby of Evergrandes headquarters last week and shouted for their money back. Evergrande, give back my money I earned with blood and sweat! some could be heard yelling in video footage.

Jin said employees at Fangchebao, Evergrandes online platform for and automobile sales, were told that each department had to put monthly investments into Evergrande Wealth. Evergrande did not respond to a request for comment, but the company recently warned that it was under tremendous financial pressure and said it had hired restructuring experts to help determine its future.

For over two decades, Evergrande was Chinas largest developer, minting money from a property boom on a scale the world had never seen. With each success, the firm expanded into new areas  bottled water, professional sports, electric vehicles.

2021 The New York Times News Service
President will speak in the coming days with President in what will be their first contact since a major diplomatic crisis erupted between France and the United States over a submarine deal with Australia, an official said Sunday.

The phone call is at the request of Biden, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said, adding that there was shock and anger at first. But now it's time to try to move forward, he said.

What the French now call a grave crisis erupted over the sudden, surprise end to a 2016 contract worth at least $66 billion between France and Australia to build 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines. Instead, Australia signed on with the United States and Britain for eight nuclear powered submarines. France insists it was not informed of the deal in advance.

France recalled its ambassadors from the United States and Australia in a sign of the seriousness of the crisis.

What's at play in this affair, this crisis are strategic issues before being commercial issues, Attal said in an interview on BFMTV.

The question is ... the forces present, the balance, in the Indo-Pacific where part of our future is at play, and our relations with China.

The deal by the United States reflects the American pivot toward the Indo-Pacific region, seen as increasingly strategic as China bolsters its influence there.

France feels the deal steps on its feet in a region where it has long had a strong presence that it, too, is working to bolster, in addition to a five-year contract with Australia.

France is a country of the Indo-Pacific, Attal said, noting the French territory of New Caledonia, the French citizens living in the region and military forces based there.

The Indo-Pacific is also an issue for Europe, he said.

Macron will be seeking explanations from Biden about what led to a major rupture in confidence, the spokesman added. There was a moment of shock, of anger ... Now, we must advance, Attal said.

On Friday night, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian railed against what France views as a betrayal marked by duplicity, disdain and lies.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday that France would have had every reason to know that we have deep and grave concerns about the capability of France's Attack class subs that can't meet its strategic interests.

(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 secretary-general of the United Nations on Friday excoriated members for choosing a catastrophic pathway on that is leading to a massive loss of lives and livelihoods.



Antonio Guterres, a former Portuguese prime minister whos led the UN since 2017, responded to new estimates showing just how far behind countries are in fighting The estimates how much the world will warm if nations implement their stated commitments under the Paris Agreement signed in 2015.

The dire course that Guterres described would take the world to a 2.7-degree Celsius rise in average temperatures by the centurys end.

This is breaking the promise made six years ago to pursue the 1.5-degree Celsius goal of the Paris Agreement, Guterres said in a statement. Failure to meet this goal will be measured in the massive loss of lives and livelihoods.

Scientists have been increasingly vocal and specific about what will happen if the global temperature continues to rise. These predicted changes include everything from heat waves, wildfires, and flooding -- already evident today -- to conditions that may render coastal cities too wet and tropics too hot for sustained settlement.

Governments and citizens would be forced to reorder society and economies in a chaotic world.

Action or inaction by G20 countries will largely determine whether we can avoid the most dangerous and costly impacts of climate change, Helen Mountford, vice president for climate and economics at the research group World Resources Institute, said on Twitter.

Spewing Pollution



As a part of the Paris Agreement, each member country agreed to policy goals, referred to as Nationally Determined Contributions. Fridays adds them up and extrapolates the rate of both emissions and warming. By 2030, the authors found, pollution is expected to increase by 16% above the 2010 level, which was 47 billion metric tons of greenhouse-gas emissions.

There are caveats to the latest figures. More than 70 countries have yet to submit revised plans that could lower the estimate for 2100. Four of those laggards make up a third of G20 emissions: China, India, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The emissions goals also may not reflect all climate commitments, such as some countries efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, said Mountford. WRI on Friday issued an analysis suggesting that if the G20 countries all reached net-zero emissions by 2050, warming could be limited to 1.7 degree Celsius.

The global average temperature has risen by 1.1 degree Celsius since industrialization began, which is hotter than the planet has been in 125,000 years. Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide are higher than they have been in 2 million years, according to an Intergovernmental Panel on report in August.

Code Red



Guterres called that study a code red for humanity that must sound a death knell for coal and fossil fuels before they destroy our planet.

The new review comes six weeks before the UNs Conference of the Parties in Glasgow, Scotland, which is the worlds main venue for coordinated efforts to cut emissions.

Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which organizes the talks, said countries could update their plans any time. The body will publish an updated report Oct. 25.

Those nations which have submitted new and ambitious climate plans are already bending the curve of emissions downwards, said Alok Sharma, the Glasgow conferences president. But without action from all countries, especially the biggest economies, these efforts risk being in vain.
The quartet of newly minted citizen astronauts comprising the Inspiration4 mission safely splashed down in the Atlantic off Florida's coast on Saturday, completing a three-day flight of the first all-civilian crew ever sent into Earth orbit.

The successful launch and return of the mission, the latest in a recent string of rocket-powered expeditions bankrolled by their billionaire passengers, marked another milestone in the fledgling industry of commercial astro-tourism, 60 years after the dawn of human spaceflight.

Welcome to the second space age, Todd Leif Ericson, mission director for the Inspiration4 venture, told reporters on a conference call after the crew returned.

SpaceX, the private rocketry company founded by Inc electric automaker CEO Elon Musk, supplied the spacecraft, launched it, controlled its flight and handled the splashdown recovery operation.

The three-day mission ended as the Crew Dragon capsule, dubbed Resilience, parachuted into calm seas. Sian Proctor, the pilot of the worlds first all-civilian space mission, tweeted thanking for the Best ride of my life!





Capsule carrying the crew parachutes into the Atlantic Ocean

Each of the four stood on the deck for a few moments in front of the capsule to wave and give thumbs-up before being escorted to a medical station on board for checkups at sea. Afterward they were flown by helicopter back to Cape Canaveral for reunions with loved ones.

(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.)
Apple, known among its Silicon Valley peers for a secretive corporate culture in which workers are expected to be in lock step with management, is suddenly facing an issue that would have been unthinkable a few years ago: employee unrest.

On Friday, Tim Cook, Apples chief executive, answered questions from workers in an all-staff meeting for the first time since the public surfacing of employee concerns over topics ranging from pay equity to whether the company should assert itself more on political matters like Texas restrictive abortion law.

Mr. Cook answered only two of what activist employees said were a number of questions they had wanted to ask in a meeting broadcast to employees around the world, according to a recording obtained by The New York Times. But his response was a notable acknowledgment that the workplace and social issues that have been roiling Silicon Valley for several years have taken root at

Over the past month, more than 500 people who said they were current and former employees have submitted accounts of verbal abuse, sexual harassment, retaliation and discrimination at work, among other issues, to an employee-activist group that calls itself #AppleToo, said Cher Scarlett and Janneke Parrish, two employees who help lead the group.





ALSO READ: Navalny app removed from Apple, Google stores as Russian polls open

The group has begun posting some of the anonymous stories online and has been encouraging colleagues to contact state and federal labor officials with their complaints. Their issues, as well as those of eight current and former employees who spoke to The Times, vary; among them are workplace conditions, unequal pay and the companys business practices.

A common theme is that Apples secrecy has created a culture that discourages employees from speaking out about their workplace concerns  not with co-workers, not with the press and not on social media. Complaints about problematic managers or colleagues are frequently dismissed, and workers are afraid to criticize how the company does business, the employees who spoke to The Times said.

Apple has this culture of secrecy that is toxic, said Christine Dehus, who worked at Apple for five years and left in August. On one hand, yes, I understand the secrecy piece is important for product security, to surprise and delight customers. But it bleeds into other areas of the culture where it is prohibitive and damaging.

Mr. Cook and Deirdre OBrien, Apples human resources chief, said in response to a question about pay equity on Friday that Apple regularly scrutinized its compensation practices to ensure it paid employees fairly.

When we find any gaps at all, which sometimes we do, we close them, Ms. OBrien said.

Asked what Apple was doing to protect its employees from Texas abortion restrictions, Mr. Cook said that the company was looking into whether it could aid the legal fight against the new law and that its medical insurance would help pay for Apple workers in Texas if they needed to travel to other states for an abortion.



ALSO READ: Apple touts iPhone 13 filmmaking prowess with Twitter 'hashflag'

Mr. Cooks comments received a mixed reception from Apple employees on Slack, the workplace message board, Ms. Parrish said. Some employees cheered for Mr. Cook, while others, including her, were disappointed.

Ms. Parrish said she had submitted a question about what concrete steps Apple had taken to ensure that pay gaps were resolved and that more women and people of color were being promoted to leadership roles. With the answers Tim gave today, we werent heard, she said.

Apple has about 160,000 employees around the world, and it was unclear if the newly public complaints reflected systemic problems or isolated issues that happen at many larger corporations.

We are and have always been deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace, the company said in a statement. We take all concerns seriously and we thoroughly investigate whenever a concern is raised and, out of respect for the privacy of any individuals involved, we do not discuss specific employee matters.

While the airing of Apples workplace issues is remarkable to many people who have followed the company over the years, employee activism has become commonplace in Silicon Valley.

Three years ago, Google employees marched out of their offices around the world to protest sexual harassment policies. Last year, Facebook employees protested their companys handling of posts by President Donald J. Trump. And some have explicitly banned discussions that arent work-related.

But at Apple, the rank and file had until recently appeared to be doing their jobs with little fuss. Secrecy was a trait pushed by the companys late co-founder, Steve Jobs, who was obsessed with preventing leaks about Apples new products to maximize the publics surprise when he unveiled them onstage. The employees who spoke to The Times said that, over time, that culture had extended to the broader workplace.

Never have I met people more terrified to speak out against their employer, said Ms. Scarlett, who joined Apple as a software engineer in April and has worked at eight other





ALSO READ: Four space tourists end their trailblazing trip with Atlantic splashdown

An Apple spokesman pointed to a company policy that said employees could speak freely about your wages, hours or working conditions.

Slack has been a key organizing tool for workers, several current and former employees told The Times. Apples siloed culture kept different teams of employees separate from one another, another result of efforts to prevent leaks. There was no wide-scale, popular internal message board for employees to communicate with one another, until Apple began using Slack in 2019.

When employees were told to work from home at the beginning of the pandemic, Slack became particularly popular. For a lot of us, this was the first chance to interact with people outside our own silo, Ms. Parrish said. Previously, none of us were aware that anybody else was going through this.

The complaints seem to be making an impact. When Apple this year hired Antonio Garcia Martinez, a former Facebook manager, more than 2,000 employees signed a protest letter to management because of what they called overtly racist and sexist remarks in a book he had written, based in part on his time at Facebook. Within days, Apple fired him. Mr. Garcia Martinez declined to comment on the specifics of his case.

In May, hundreds of employees signed a letter urging Apple to publicly support Palestinians during a recent conflict with Israel. And a corporate Slack channel that was set up to organize efforts to push Apple to be more flexible about remote-work arrangements once the pandemic ended now has about 7,500 employees on it.

Beyond the group activism, Apple is dealing with individual fights that are slipping into public view.

Ashley Gjovik, a former engineering program manager at Apple for six years, said she had complained to Apple for months about what she believed was inadequate testing for toxic chemicals at her office, as well as sexist comments from a manager.

After taking her complaints public this year, Ms. Gjovik was placed on leave and later fired. She said Apple had told her that she was fired for leaking product information and not cooperating with its investigation. She has filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Justice Department, she said.





ALSO READ: Four space tourists end their trailblazing trip with Atlantic splashdown

Apple declined to comment on specific employees cases.

Ms. Dehus, who worked at Apple to mitigate the impact of mining valuable minerals in conflict zones, said she had left Apple after spending several years fighting a decision to reassign her to a role that she said had involved more work for less pay. She said Apple had begun trying to reassign her after she complained that the companys work on the minerals was not, in some cases, leading to meaningful change in some war-torn countries.

Richard Dahan, who is deaf, said he had struggled at his former job at an Apple Store in Maryland for six years because his manager refused to provide a sign-language interpreter for him to communicate with customers, which federal law requires under some circumstances. He said that he had communicated with customers by typing on an iPad, and that some customers had refused to work with him as a result. When he told his manager, the manager said it was the customers right, he said.

Would it be OK if they said they didnt want to work with a person of color? Mr. Dahan asked in an interview via a sign-language interpreter.

He was eventually assigned an interpreter. But by that time, he said, upper management viewed him as a complainer and refused to promote him.

Their culture is: Drink our Kool-Aid, buy into what were telling you, and well promote you, he said. But if youre asking for anything or making noise, then they wont.




Director General Audrey Azoulay has expressed deep concern over the announcement made in to gradually reopen secondary schools for boys and their male teachers only, leaving girls and women behind.

Should this ban be maintained, it would constitute an important violation for the fundamental right to education for girls and women, said.

calls on those responsible for this announcement to clarify the situation and reopen schools for all Afghan students, boys and girls alike.

UNESCO has warned about the irreversible consequences, if girls are not allowed to return to school at all levels of education swiftly. In particular, the delayed return of girls to secondary school may risk them to be left behind in education and ultimately, in life.

It increases the risk of dropping out from education altogether and exposes them to negative coping mechanisms such as child marriage. It may further widen the learning disparities between boys and girls, and ultimately hinder girls' access to higher education and life opportunities.

"Our commitment to Afghan children is unequivocal, and our collective responsibility is to ensure that the fundamental right to education for each and every one of them is fully realized", UNESCO said.

According to a report, has made significant gains in education over the past twenty years particularly for girls and women. Since 2001, the female literacy rate almost doubled from 17 per cent to 30 per cent; the number of girls in primary school increased from almost zero in 2001 to 2.5 million in 2018. The number of girls in higher education increased from around 5,000 in 2001 to around 90,000 in 2018. The percentage of female teachers increased from 27 per cent in 2007 to 36 per cent in 2018. Yet these critical gains for the country's development are at risk if there is a delayed return of girls to school.

--IANS

san/skp/

(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 US plans to speed up its efforts to expel Haitian on flights to their Caribbean homeland, officials have said as agents poured into a border city where thousands of Haitians have gathered after suddenly crossing into the US from Mexico.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that it moved about 2,000 of the who had gathered under and near a bridge in the border city of Del Rio to other locations on Friday for processing and possible removal from the

It also said it would have 400 agents and officers in the area by Monday morning and was prepared to send more if necessary.

The announcement marks a swift response to the sudden arrival of Haitians in Del Rio, a city of about 35,000 people that's roughly 233 kilometers west of San Antonio and sits on a relatively remote stretch of border that lacks capacity to hold and process such large numbers of people.

A US official told The Associated Press on Friday that operational capacity and Haiti's willingness to accept flights will determine how many there will be. The official said progress was being made on negotiations with Haitian authorities.

The official said the US would likely fly five to eight planes a day, starting Sunday, while another official expected no more than two a day and said all would be tested for COVID-19.

Both officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

US Customs and Border Protection closed traffic to vehicles and pedestrians in both directions Friday at the only border crossing between Del Rio and Ciudad Acua, Mexico, "to respond to urgent safety and security needs."



Travellers were being directed indefinitely to a crossing in Eagle Pass 91 kilometers away.

Crowd estimates varied, but Val Verde County Sheriff Frank Joe Martinez said Friday that there were about 13,700 new arrivals in Del Rio. Migrants pitched tents and built makeshift shelters from giant reeds known as carrizo cane. Many bathed and washed clothing in the river.

The flight plan, while potentially massive in scale, hinges on how Haitians respond. They might have to decide whether to stay put at the risk of being sent back to an impoverished homeland wracked by poverty and political instability or return to Mexico. Unaccompanied children are exempt from fast-track expulsions.

DHS said, "Our borders are not open, and people should not make the dangerous journey."



Individuals and families are subject to border restrictions, including expulsion," the agency wrote. :Irregular migration poses a significant threat to the health and welfare of border communities and to the lives of migrants themselves, and should not be attempted."Stephen Miller, the main architect of former President Donald Trump's hardline policies and a frequent critic of the Biden administration, expressed doubt that Haiti's government would agree to the number of flights for a large-scale operation.

He recounted daily calls with US State Department officials last year over Haiti's resistance to flights, with relenting only under the threat of sanctions.

About 500 Haitians were ordered off buses by Mexican immigration authorities in the state of Tamaulipas, about 200 kilometers south of the border, the state government said in a news release Friday. They continued toward the border on foot.

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating earthquake in 2010. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

It is unclear how such a large number amassed so quickly, though many Haitians have been assembling in camps on the Mexican side of the border to wait while deciding whether to attempt to enter the

US authorities are being severely tested after Biden quickly dismantled Trump administration policies that Biden considered cruel or inhumane, most notably one requiring asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while waiting for U.S. immigration court hearings.

A pandemic-related order to immediately expel migrants without giving them the opportunity to seek asylum that was introduced in March 2020 remains in effect, but unaccompanied children and many families have been exempt. During his first month in office, Biden chose to exempt children travelling alone on humanitarian grounds.

Nicole Phillips, legal director for advocacy group Haitian Bridge Alliance, said Saturday that the US government should process migrants and allow them to apply for asylum, not rush to expel them. The group's executive director was traveling to the area but hadn't arrived yet.

"It really is a humanitarian crisis," Phillips said. "There needs to be a lot of help there now." Mexico has agreed to take in expelled families only from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, creating an opening for Haitians and other nationalities.

Mexico's immigration agency said in a statement Saturday that Mexico has opened a "permanent dialogue" with Haitian government representatives to address the situation of irregular migratory flows during their entry and transit through Mexico, as well as their assisted return.

(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 Sensex last week almost touched 60,000, while the Nifty edged closer to 18,000. These levels would have been difficult to fathom when the Sensex dropped below 26,000 and the Nifty fell to 7,500-levels on March 23, 2020, at the peak of the Covid-19 sell-off.

Market pundits point out that such low levels were an aberration and one should not look at the gains made from these levels. But even from the valuation standpoint, stocks, across the board, are expensive.

The bullish sentiment, especially towards Indian equities, stems from factors, such as the easy monetary stance of the US Fed and other central banks, the hope of strong revival in the economy and corporate earnings, strong domestic and retail flows, and reallocation of foreign flows due to the regulatory crackdown in China.

Experts warn against going overboard as they see the risk-reward ratio turning unfavourable at the current levels.
Shiv Sena, which is running a coalition government with Congress in Maharashtra, on Sunday said that Captain Amarinder Singh's resignation from the chief ministerial post in is the internal matter of Congress.

"Just as Rupani resigned in Gujarat and it was an internal issue of the BJP, the issue of is an internal issue of the Congress", MP Sanjay Raut said.

"I have no idea if anyone has been insulted," he added.

Amarinder Singh resigned as Chief Minister and submitted his resignation to Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Saturday.

The resignation came ahead of the meeting of the Congress legislature party convened by the party leadership.

Singh served as president of the Pradesh Congress Committee from 2010 to 2013.

(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.)
leader Ambika Soni, who was called in a late night meeting with Rahul Gandhi, has declined to become the chief minister. Sources close to her said she has instead suggested that a Sikh become the Chief Minister.

After the refusal, the which wanted Ambika to become the CM after Amarinder Singh resigned, the party is now considering other names, including Pratap Singh Bajwa, Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa and Ravneet Singh Bittu. Earlier, the party had decided to appoint Sunil Jhakhar as the Chief Minister, but now the party leadership is having second thoughts on his name.

Former President Rahul Gandhi held a meeting late in the night in which party leader Ambika Soni, General Secretary Organisation K.C. Venugopal were present. The meeting ended post midnight on Sunday.

Sources said discussion on a new chief minister was held and also strategy to pacify Amarinder Singh was discussed. Since Ambika Soni hails from Punjab, the party leadership wanted her to become the Chief Minister till elections are held.

Sources said the party wants to project a non Sikh face ahead of the polls to counter the AAP which is gaining ground in the state.

Sources also said that the party wanted a Sikh, Navjot Singh Sidhu, as the state Congress chief and a non Sikh CM candidate combination in the polls.

--IANS

miz/dpb

(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.)
Working president of the Pradesh Committee (PPCC) Pawan Goel said that interim President would take the decision on the next Chief Minister of state on Sunday.

However, he refused to comment on the prospective candidate for the post of CM.

Speaking to media persons, Goel said: "A meeting of MLAs was held with Harish Rawat and Ajay Maken yesterday. The MLAs have sent their opinions to "

"A resolution was passed that chief's decision will be final on this matter. Today you will get to know her decision," the Congress leader said.

CLP, earlier on Saturday, unanimously passed a resolution to give Congress chief power to nominate the new Chief Minister of after stepped down.

The second resolution passed by the CLP praised Amarinder Singh.

Chief Minister stepped down from his post on Saturday ahead of the meeting of party legislators in the faction-ridden state unit as the party high command decided to effect a change of guard in the border state ahead of assembly polls early next 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.)
Speculations are rife over the political future of Captain Amarinder Singh, who resigned as chief minister of on Saturday. The manner in which he is continuously referring to national security and anti-Pakistan rhetoric, tongues have started wagging in the state.

Soon after putting in his papers, Amarinder Singh accused Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu of having ties with Pakistan and even called him "anti-national". He warned that his becoming the chief minister of will be a threat to India's national security.

BJP's Lok Sabha MP from Punjab's Hoshiarpur and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry in the Modi government, Som Prakash, while talking to IANS said, "The Congress has accepted by removing the Chief Minister that its government in Punjab has been a failure on all fronts."

He also accused the Congress government of promoting mafia, corruption and illegal mining in the state.

But at the same time, Som Prakash also said, "What Amarinder Singh is saying about Navjot Singh Sidhu is true and everyone knows it."

Responding to the question whether Captain will join the BJP, Union Minister Som Prakash said, "What will happen in politics, nobody knows." However, he added that the party high command has to decide on it.

Talking to IANS, BJP's national spokesperson Sardar R.P. Singh said, "It is the Captain Saheb who has to decide whether he is disillusioned with the family (Gandhi family) or not and what he plans next." He also added that if Amarinder Singh expresses his wish to join the BJP, then the party will take a call at the appropriate time. It is too early to say anything."

The BJP is going to contest the Assembly elections in Punjab on its own for the first time after the Akali Dal left the alliance.

The BJP at the moment does not have any strong face as a chief ministerial candidate in the state. Political observers also believe that the BJP can benefit from the association with a leader like Amarinder Singh just like it did in Assam.

--IANS

stp/skp/dpb

(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.)
Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa is likely to be appointed as the new Chief Minister of Punjab, sources said. The Congress is soon to announce the name of the chief minister.

A majority of MLAs have proposed his name and the top leaders in Chandigarh are awaiting the green signal from the high command.

A meeting is going on at Rahul Gandhi's Delhi residence to decide the next chief minister of

Most of the MLAs are said to be in favour of a Sikh Chief Minister, sources said.

Sources also said that there are going to be two deputy chief ministers.

After the name of CM is announced, he is likely to meet the Governor later in the day.

Earlier, Ambika Soni declined to become the chief minister in favour of a Sikh name.

The Congress has been holding several meets since Saturday after Captain Amarinder Singh resigned as the chief minister of

--IANS

miz/dpb/skp/

(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.)
is going all out with its foldable devices, striding into what is touted to be the future, ahead of any other smartphone maker. At the pole position is the Galaxy Z Fold3 (review), but it is the inexpensive Galaxy Flip3 that makes a solid entry-point to the foldable smartphone future. Unlike the Galaxy Fold3 5G, which is a smartphone and a big-screen device integrated into one, the Galaxy Flip3 is just a smartphone. However, it is novel and unlike any other.

The Galaxy Flip3 5G boasts a stylish clamshell form factor with a bendable screen on the inner side, supported by a horizontal hinge at the centre dividing the smartphone into two equal halves. Thanks to the improved hinge mechanism, the flap movement is flexible but precise. The flip mechanism adds zing to an otherwise mundane style of answering and disconnecting calls  open and close the flip to answer and disconnect a call, respectively. Unlike the traditional clamshell phones, the flip movement on the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is not fixed but adjustable. This opens a whole new way of using a smartphone. For example, you can open the flip at 90 degrees, and put the smartphone on any flat surface to take a selfie or record a video from the front camera without using your hands. That said, it is indeed classy to operate the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and it brings back the memory of a time when flip phones were all rage for their style statement.

The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is, however, a modern-day smartphone with certain elements of the future. Its bendable screen is quite futuristic in its own right, but it is the optimisation at the operating system level that really puts into context the benefits of using bendable screens in smartphones. Take for example the Flex Mode feature. In this mode, select apps automatically adjust to fit the folded screen when the phones flap is not fully open. This feature is particularly useful in the camera app  the lens view switches to the top half of the screen, and the icons shift to the lower half.

A clamshell smartphone is incomplete without a second screen because not all operations require the efforts of opening and closing the flap. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G has one, and it is equally intriguing as the bendable screen. Though tiny, it is good enough for a quick glance at information like time, date, and app notifications. Interestingly, it is a touchscreen and supports several actions. You can use it to view notifications, reply to messages, and answer/disconnect calls. You can also use this cover screen as a camera viewfinder to take photos and record videos using the smartphones dual primary cameras.

Without being extravagant, the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G unfolds several new possibilities that are beyond the scope for conventional bar form-factor smartphones. Importantly, the smartphone does not drop anything that you get in other premium smartphones.

It has a sturdy and durable aluminium alloy construction with Gorilla Glass Victus protection on parts covered with glass. It is not dust resistant but IPX8-rated for water resistance. The bendable AMOLED screen scales 6.7 inches. It boasts a fullHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It is bright, vivid, and has good sunlight legibility. The screen has a visible horizontal crease at the centre  from where it bends. This comes in the way while operating the phone and takes some time getting used to. But it does not really hamper user experience. On the cover, the phone has a 1.9-inch sAMOLED screen. It is also bright and has good sunlight legibility. Complementing the viewing experience are the stereo speakers, which are loud and clear.

Imaging is covered by a dual-camera array of 12-megapixel sensors with optical image stabilisation support for the primary sensor. The camera performance is good, if not class-leading. There is another camera with a 10MP sensor on the inside which is modest at best.

In terms of performance, the smartphone is a powerhouse, but not without caveats. It is severely marred by thermal issues  it heats up significantly, especially after extensive usage. The phones on-battery time is another weakness. The phone barely manages to sail through a day on normal use. Power users might need to charge it quite frequently. Galaxy Z Flip3 5G: Specifications

Form Factor Flip Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 RAM 8GB Storage 128GB and 256GB Display 6.7-inch fullHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Cover Display 1.9-inch sAMOLED Rear Camera 12MP + 12MP Front Camera 10MP OS Android 11 Battery 3,300 mAh Colours Cream and Phantom Black Price Starts at Rs 84,999

Verdict

Priced Rs 84,999 for the base model with 8GB RAM and 128GB on-board storage, the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is an inexpensive gateway to Samsung foldable future. It is a bold and beautiful smartphone, which surely attracts attention. The phone has some limitations like thermal issues and weak battery, but these are conditional and prop up only when the phone is used to its max potential. That said, power users are better off with the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G to experience a true foldable device experience. For others, the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is good.
Debt-ridden telecom operator on Sunday claimed to have recorded a peak speed of 3.7 gigabit per second (gbps), highest by any operator in India, during trials in Pune.

The company also claimed to have recorded 1.5 gbps download speed in the mid-band spectrum in Gandhinagar and Pune.

Vi (Vodafone Idea) has been allocated high-frequency bands like 26 gigahertz (Ghz) by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), along with the traditional 3.5 GHz spectrum band, for network trials.

"In Pune city, Vi has deployed its trial in a lab set-up of an end-to-end captive network of Cloud Core, new generation Transport and Radio Access Network.

"In this trial, Vi has achieved a peak speed in excess of 3.7 Gbps with very low latency on the mmWave (millimetre wave) spectrum band," Vi said in the statement.

The DoT had approved applications of Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone in May, and MTNL later. The permission has been granted for six-month trials with telecom gear makers Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung and C-DOT.

Jio had revealed in June to have recorded a peak speed of 1 gbps and Airtel is also said to have recorded the same level of peak speed in July.

Reliance Jio is using its own technology as well for 5G trials.

All the private players are providing 4G services across the country at present and gearing up for 5G. State-owned BSNL is yet to roll out 4G across India.

Chief Technology Officer Jagbir Singh said, "We are pleased with the speed and latency results in the initial stages of the 5G trials on the government allocated 5G spectrum bands."



He added that having established a robust 4G network across India, delivering the fastest 4G speeds and a 5G-ready network, Vi is now testing the next-gen 5G technology to be able to bring a truly digital experience for enterprises and consumers in India, in the future.

(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.)
It comes as a surprise to many that Pickup-based Passenger Vehicles or PPVs are now getting quite expensive. Although theyre loaded with mo...
Photo: The Canadian Press A man holds a picture of Chantel Moore during a healing gathering at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria on June 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Five people have been arrested after a Victoria police chief had a liquid poured on him at a memorial event for an Indigenous woman killed during a wellness check. Chief Manak was attending the memorial at the B.C. Legislature on Saturday.

Victoria police stated in a news release that a female approached Chief Manak from behind just after 2 p.m. while he was attending the memorial event. The event was organized to pay tribute to Chantel Moore, who was an Indigenous woman from British Columbia who was killed by New Brunswick police during a wellness check back in 2020.

The incident occurred after the blanketing ceremony, when police state that Manak was assaulted when the woman poured liquid on him. She then moved away from the area.

Manak was not physically harmed and the incident was captured on video. The police chief was attending the memorial by the invitation of Moores mother,.

After the incident, officers in the area approached the suspect. Police said a group then surrounded the suspect and surrounded officers. Five people were taken into custody.

Police believe that those who were involved were not part of the organizers for the Chantel Moore memorial event.

There were no injuries.

The file is still under investigation and police are asking anyone who has information about this incident and has not yet spoken with officers, to call the Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 extension 1.
In August, federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Alberta's July decision to lift all COVID restrictions was "an unnecessary and risky gamble."The gamble failed. At Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's Sept. 15 news conference, he invoked a province-wide public health emergency. Alberta hospitals have cancelled thousands of surgeries to deal with the deluge of COVID-19 patients, most of whom arewait for itunvaccinated.

On Sept. 16 (Liberal leader) Justin Trudeau told reporters: "Just a few days ago, (Conservative leader) Mr. (Erin) O'Toole was still applauding Mr. Kenney for his management of the pandemic. Do you really want Erin O'Toole to be sitting across from them [premiers] at the premiers' table, talking about how we end this pandemic, when he himself can't stand up to the anti-vaxxers in his own party?"

In the Hollywood medical disaster thriller Outbreak (1995), the virus caused bleeding from the ears, nose, mouth and eyes, liquefied the internal organs, with death occurring within 24 hours. In Contagion (2011) the virus infects the lungs and brain, causing coughs, fever, headache, seizures, brain hemorrhage, with death occurring about four days after infection. If COVID-19 or one of its variants displayed many of the same symptoms, do you really think there would be many anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers still talking about their rights?

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918 - 2008) was a Russian novelist and philosopher awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1970. He was also an outspoken critic of communism, and helped to raise awareness of political repression in the former USSR. During his famous 1978 commencement address at Harvard University, Solzhenitsyn caused controversy when he criticized the secularism and hedonism of the West. Condemning the nations of the "free West" for being morally bankrupt, he urged that it was time "to defend not so much human rights as human obligations. He said emphasis on rights instead of responsibilities was leading to the abyss of human decadence.

Back to the election campaign, in his Sept. 9 post-debate remarks about the pandemic, O'Toole said Trudeau was "so slow on approving rapid testing", which is patently false. By December 2020, the federal government had already approved and delivered nearly 42 million rapid tests to provinces and territories, but public health officers have only approved the use of a small percentage of them. The majority of these tests are either still sitting on shelves, or who knows, perhaps sent to landfills or destroyed because their "best before date" has passed.

Until last month, Dr. Bonnie Henry stubbornly opposed the use of rapid tests, despite repeated calls from B.C. Care Providers Association president Terry Lake and B.C. Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie. Since January, Lake and Mackenzie had been calling for rapid testing of staff and visitors to long-term care homes as an additional screening measure. According to the NIA Long Term Care COVID-19 Tracker website to date in Canada there have been 15, 285 resident deaths and 30 staff deaths due to COVID-19, including 756 resident deaths in British Columbia.

I recently re-watched Dr. Henry's July 8 press briefing.

She said, in part: "An important change is that we do expect that all visitors, recognizing the risks that we continue to have in long-term care, will be fully immunized for COVID-19. That means two weeks after the two doses of vaccine. So visitors will be asked to provide proof of immunization when they arrive at a facility, and will continue to need to wear a medical mask when they're in common areas, but they'll no longer be required to follow those infection prevention measures when they're in the room with their loved one, or in the area with their loved one. And we can expect that these mask-free smiles will make a lot of people very happy."

But next came the twist: "For those who are not fully immunized, or who are not willing or able to produce their proof of immunization, the precautions that we have in place now will be continued to make sure that we don't add additional risk in our care homes."

Henry spins information just like politicians do. By using the word "expect" at the beginning of her briefing, the B.C. public interpreted this to mean: "All care home visitors must be fully immunized", which is not the case at all. The unvarnished truth is any visitor can refuse to be immunized, refuse rapid testing and refuse to show a B.C. Vaccine Card.

According to Evan Balgord, executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, those showing up to protest against government COVID-19 restrictions are individuals steeped in far-right ideology or those sympathetic to it. Although the People's Party of Canada isn't involved in organizing the protests, Balgord said its supporters are often in attendance with the party's purple signs.

David Buckna, Kelowna
Photo: The Canadian Press A man holds a poster of Afghan politician Fawzia Koofi prior to a press conference organized by the "movement of change for Afghanistan Party" in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday.

Female employees in the Kabul city government have been told to stay home, with work only allowed for those who cannot be replaced by men, the interim mayor of Afghanistan's capital said Sunday, detailing the latest restrictions on women by the new Taliban rulers.

Witnesses, meanwhile, said an explosion targeted a Taliban vehicle in the provincial city of Jalalabad, the second such deadly blast in as many days in an Islamic State stronghold.

The decision to prevent most female city workers from returning to their jobs is another sign that the Taliban, who overran Kabul last month, are enforcing their harsh interpretation of Islam despite initial promises by some that they would be tolerant and inclusive. In their previous rule in the 1990s, the Taliban had barred girls and women from schools, jobs and public life.

In recent days, the new Taliban government issued several decrees rolling back the rights of girls and women. It told female middle- and high school students that they could not return to school for the time being, while boys in those grades resumed studies this weekend. Female university students were informed that studies would take place in gender-segregated settings from now on, and that they must abide by a strict Islamic dress code. Under the U.S.-backed government deposed by the Taliban, university studies had been co-ed, for the most part.

On Friday, the Taliban shut down the Women's Affairs Ministry, replacing it with a ministry for the propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice" and tasked with enforcing Islamic law.

On Sunday, just over a dozen women staged a protest outside the ministry, holding up signs calling for the participation of women in public life. A society in which women are not active is (sic) dead society," one sign read.

The protest lasted for about 10 minutes. After a short verbal confrontation with a man, the women got into cars and left, as Taliban in two cars observed from nearby. Over the past months, Taliban fighters had broken up several womens protests by force.

Elsewhere, about 30 women, many of them young, held a news conference in a basement of a home tucked away in a Kabul neighborhood. Marzia Ahmadi, a rights activist and government employee now forced to sit at home, said they would demand the Taliban re-open public spaces to women.

Its our right, she said. We want to talk to them. We want to tell them that we have the same rights as they have."

Most of the participants said they would try to leave the country if they had an opportunity.

The explosion Sunday in Jalalabad targeting a Taliban vehicle was the second such deadly blast in as many days in an Islamic State stronghold.

The Taliban and IS extremists are enemies, and fought each other even before the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan last month.

Witnesses said Sundays blast targeted a vehicle of the border police, which is now run by the Taliban. Initial reports said five people were killed, including two civilians, among them a child. The Taliban were not immediately available for comment about possible casualties among their ranks.

Also on Sunday, interim Kabul Mayor Hamdullah Namony gave his first news conference since being appointed by the Taliban.

He said that before the Taliban takeover last month, just under one-third of close to 3,000 city employees were women, and that they had worked in all departments.

Namony said the female employees have been ordered to stay home, pending a further decision. He said exceptions were made for women who could not be replaced by men, including some in the design and engineering departments and the attendants of public toilets for women. Namony did not say how many female employees were forced to stay home.

There are some areas that men cant do it, we have to ask our female staff to fulfill their duties, there is no alternative for it, he said.

Across Afghanistan, women in many areas have been told to stay home from jobs, both in the public and private sectors. However, the Taliban have not yet announced a uniform policy. The comments by the Kabul mayor were unusually specific and affected a large female work force that had been involved in running a sprawling city of more than 5 million people.

Namony also said the new government has begun removing security barriers in Kabul, a city that has endured frequent bombing and shooting attacks over the years. Such barriers  erected near ministries, embassies and private homes of politicians and warlords  had been commonplace in Kabul for years.

The mayor said private citizens would be charged for the work of taking down the barriers. While he said most barriers had been removed, reporters touring the city noted that barriers outside most government installations and embassies had been left in place.

The Taliban have tried to present themselves as guarantors of security, in hopes that this will win them support from a public still widely suspicious of their intentions. Under the previous government, a rise in crime had been a major concern for ordinary Afghans.

Perhaps the toughest challenge faced by the new Taliban rulers is the accelerated economic downturn. Even before the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan was plagued by major problems, including large-scale poverty, drought and heavy reliance on foreign aid for the state budget.

In a sign of growing desperation, street markets have sprung up in Kabul where residents are selling their belongings. Some of the sellers are Afghans hoping to leave the country, while others are forced to offer their meager belongings in hopes of getting money for the next meal.

Our people need help, they need jobs, they need immediate help, they are not selling their household belongings for choice here, said Kabul resident Zahid Ismail Khan, who was watching the activity in one of the impromptu markets.

For a short-term people might try to find a way to live, but they would have no other choice to turn to begging in a longer term, he said.
Photo: Pacific Whale Watch Photos J36 taken on Sept. 5, 2020, left, and on Sept. 6, 2021, suggest the orca might be pregnant.

A baby boom is coming to J-Pod.

The endangered southern resident killer whales, down to 74 animals in three pods, could use the infusion of new life, but scientists and observers are cautiously optimistic: Baby booms during 2015 and 2016 produced six calves, but only two have survived.

Drone footage captured by scientists at Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research, a Washington-based non-profit, indicate that J36, J37 and J19 are in various states of pregnancy. There is no specific timeline on the births. Orcas have an 18-month gestation period.

Young orcas have about a 50-50 chance of survival, said Dawn Noren, a biologist with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration based in Seattle.

She said the southern resident population faces many challenges, including dwindling stocks of chinook salmon, their chief food source, toxins in the water and food, and increasing boat noise.

Several members of J-Pod have recently been reported in the Strait of Georgia around Vancouver, foraging for salmon returning to the Fraser River.

Orca mothers increase their food consumption by 25 per cent during pregnancy and then double it after giving birth to produce milk for their calves, Noren said. With salmon in increasingly short supply, she said, mothers have to work extra hard to forage for food, often amid boat noise that affects their echolocation, which is how they find fish.

Noren has done studies on orcas in aquarium settings that show orcas milk is contaminated with PCBs from fish they are fed. In the wild, its likely higher  and those toxins are passed to the calf, potentially creating serious health issues that reduce the chances of survival.

The three pregnant whales have all calved before, but not for several years, Noren said.

Between them, there have been five births  and only two offspring have survived.

According to the Orca Network, which tracks the southern residents, 44 orcas have been born and survived since 1998. Over the same period, 80 have gone missing or have been confirmed dead.

J19, known as Shachi, is the second-oldest member of J-Pod. Shes 42 years old and has given birth twice before. Her first, a male known as J29, survived only a few weeks. But her second, J41, or Eclipse, born in 2005, has given birth twice, and J19 has helped raise both calves.

J36, or Alki, is 22 and has given birth only once, in 2015. The calf, J52, or Sonic, died six months later, shortly after weaning.

J37, also known as HyShqa, is 20. She had male calves in 2012 and 2015  J49 (Tilen Inges), who is still part of J-Pod, and J55 (Betel), who died.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is enforcing a 400-metre distance between all vessels and orcas until at least May, and all whale-watching companies have signed an agreement not to watch the southern residents and to focus on Biggs orcas. In the U.S., vessels must stay 275 metres away.

Erin Gless, executive director of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, said the rules are not being followed by other vessels, including many recreational boaters.

While our whale-watch vessels are keeping a distance, we are still observing from afar a lot of other vessels exhibiting fast and dangerous boating behavior near southern residents with very little enforcement presence, Gless said. Requests for extra space from whale watchers doesnt do much if other vessels arent required to also oblige.

Scott Rumsey, deputy regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Fisheries, said everyone needs to work together to give these pregnant whales every chance of success. The more they can forage undisturbed, the better their odds of contributing to the population.
The Chattanooga Mocs' indoor volleyball and the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles battled for the Southern Miss Classic crown on Saturday afternoon inside the Wellness Center. After the Mocs took the first set, 25-19, Southern Miss won the next three sets 25-16, 25-17, 25-13 to take the match in four.



MATCH 1: CHATTANOOGA 3, LAMAR 0

SET 1  UTC 25, USM 19

SET 2  USM 25, UTC 16

SET 3  USM 25, UTC 17

SET 4  USM 25, UTC 13



After an early 7-6 UTC lead, the Mocs went on the first run of the match. UTC won seven of the next 11 points to take a 14-9 lead. The run consisted of multiple Southern Miss errors, back-to-back kills from Gylian Finch and a huge block from Coniah Davis and Marcelle Baez-Carlo. With the Mocs up 20-15, the hosts had called their last timeout. UTC never gave up the lead, taking the frame with a Baez-Carlo kill. The Mocs held Southern Miss to a .114 hitting percentage in the set while UTC hit .270. The Blue and Gold slotted three aces and allowed the Golden Eagles just one.

UTC held another lead early in the second. Down 5-3, the Golden Eagles went on a 6-0 run, forcing the Mocs to call their first timeout of the match. The Blue and Gold were able to win two long rallies to stay in the set. Ultimately, the hosts took the set 25-16, hitting .268 and limiting the Mocs to a .025 clip.

The two teams were close until the hosts went on a 3-0 run after the set was tied at 10 points apiece. The Golden Eagles went on a 3-0 run to take a 13-10 lead and never looked back. USM picked up six of seven points in the middle of the set to protect their lead. The Mocs fell in the set 25-17 after Southern Miss hit .324 in the set. At the end of the frame, Finch had already posted a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs.

Southern Miss held a 4-3 lead in the fourth before they went on a 4-0 run, forcing the Mocs to call timeout down 8-3. The hosts used two more runs winning four straight points to extend their lead. The Mocs fell in the fourth 25-13 to close out the weekend. Southern Miss hit .342 in the set siding, out on 12 of 13 opportunities.

Finchs double-double was complete with 15 digs and 13 kills. The 13 kills were a team best; she also was tied for a match high with three aces.

Rackel was second on the squad with nine kills. Defensively, she had six digs and two blocks, one solo.

Rounding out the offense, Aleya Kennedy posted five kills, while Baez-Carlo and Davis both had four. The three combined for four of UTCs 8.5 blocks.

In the back row, Paige Gallentine led the match with 21 digs. The Mocs libero was perfect in serve-receive in her 24 chances.

Notes

Finch was named to the Southern Miss Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 3.67 kills/set throughout the three matches.

Four Southern Miss attackers registered 10 or more kills. Kinsley Hanback hit .500 with 12 kills and was named the tournaments most valuable player.

Records  CHATTANOOGA (4-9) | SOUTHERN MISS (8-5)



Up next

The Mocs return home on Friday, Sept. 24 to begin Southern Conference play. UTC faces UNCG inside Maclellan Gym at 6 p.m.
After dropping a three-set match to Greensboro to open Saturday's play at the USA South Crossover, the Covenant volleyball team rebounded to sweep William Peace in the day's finale.The split puts Covenant's record at 5-5 overall.Kyla Bailey's nine kills and 11 digs led the way for the Scots to sweep William Peace, 25-16, 25-23, 25-18.Covenant remained undefeated all-time against William Peace at 8-0, though it was the first time the teams had met since a USA South Tournament semifinal in 2017.It was a season-high nine kills for Bailey as she registered a .278 hitting percentage and added one ace.Riley Howe tallied eight kills, nine digs, and three aces, while Emma Kalbfleisch hit .636 with seven kills and three blocks. Summer Johnson had 16 assists with six digs and Kayla Youell totaled five kills and five solo blocks.Anna Baldwin led the way with 14 digs.Covenant led the entire way in the opening set as the Scots scored the first four points, aided by a pair of Howe aces. The lead stretched to 17-9 on a Johnson ace and the Scots went on a 6-1 run to end the set, capped by a Kalbfleisch kill.The second set saw seven ties and two lead changes, but Covenant hit .345 in the frame with 12 kills to eke out a 25-23 win. With the score knotted at 22-22, Reagan Keener gave the lead to Covenant for good with her kill and a solo block from Youell opened up a 24-22 advantage. After a William Peace kill, Howe ended the set with a solo block to give the Scots a 2-0 match lead.The Scots again never trailed in the third set. Covenant held a slim lead midway through the set before a 5-1 spurt gave the Scots a 21-14 lead after a kill from Howe.Rachel Bartlett added 13 assists for the Scots and Keener finished with four kills in the win. Covenant hit .262 as a group and out-blocked William Peace 10-5.William Peace (4-6) was led by Kelsey Bierbauer's 11 kills and Logan Moore's 31 assists.In Saturday's opener, Covenant struggled to get a consistent attack going as the Scots dropped the match to Greensboro in three sets, 25-20, 25-20, 25-22.It was the second meeting of the year between the two teams. Covenant defeated Greensboro in three sets on Sept. 3 at the Emory Classic.Kalbfleisch had 12 kills and hit .429 to go along with five digs to lead the Scots. Bartlett had 16 assists and seven digs, while Meriel Chupp had six kills. Baldwin had 13 digs as Johnson totaled 11 digs and eight assists.Covenant led early in set one, but Greensboro rallied back to take a 16-11 lead and held the lead the rest of the frame to take a 1-0 match lead. In the second set, the Scots again led early as a Kalbfleisch kill made it 7-3. A 7-1 run by Greensboro gave the Pride a 15-10 margin and Covenant would not overcome that.A reversal in the third saw Greensboro take the early advantage, only to see Covenant roar back. The Scots caught up to the Pride on a Bailey solo block that made it 17-17. The Scots took a 21-20 lead on a Youell solo block and led 22-21 after a Greensboro error. However, the Pride took the final four points to secure the sweep.Hailey Stout led Greensboro (8-4) with 10 kills and McKenzie Norris added 27 assists.Covenant opens USA South play on Wednesday at Maryville. Match time is set for 7 p.m.
The confrontation between Lalo Salamanca and Kim Wexler ranks as one of the best (and most intense) moments on Better Call Saul. Its a scene that had everyone on edge, fearing what would happen to Kim for challenging Lalo in such an angry and aggressive way. But in a surprise twist, Lalo simply walked away. Tony Dalton, who plays the menacing villain, said thats because Kim was actually right about what she said about him.

Tony Dalton on the red carpet at an event for AMCs Better Call Saul in February 2020 in Los Angeles, California | Jesse Grant/Getty Images for AMC

Lalo Salamanca and Kim Wexler clashed in the fifth season of Better Call Saul

The confrontation happened at the end of Better Call Saul Season 5, when Lalo popped up at the Goodman home to question Saul Goodman about what happened when he went to pick up his bail money. Saul (Bob Odenkirk) stuck to his original story, telling Lalo that he got stranded and had to walk home. Lalo, who had found Sauls bullet-ridden car, found that hard to believe, making Saul repeat his story over and over.

His demand for another answer flustered Saul and annoyed Kim (Rhea Seehorn), who eventually butt in and confronted Lalo for involving Saul and then not trusting him. Lalo ultimately accepted her explanation and left quietly to Mexico.

RELATED: Better Call Saul: After Kim Meets Lalo, Fans Are Terrified Its a Prelude to Her Death

Tony Dalton on Lalo Salamancas thoughts during that scene with Kim Wexler

Dalton spoke to The Los Angeles Times about Lalos thoughts during that scene, telling the outlet that Lalo realized Kim was right and that he probably was overreacting.

What [Kim is] saying  Get your house in order  is right, he explained. Also, it was like hes thinking, Im going to Mexico, Im getting all huffy-puffy about something that is probably nothing. Im free. Lets get the hell out of here. If she hadnt stepped up and said something, Lalo was going to kill her and Jimmy. But it became like a mother scolding her child. He never saw it coming.

Asked what he thinks will happen on the show next, Dalton said, I dont know, man. But the cool thing about [creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould] and the writers is, whatever you think is going to happen, the complete opposite happens. Im just here for the ride. Im sure its going to be amazing.

The next season of Better Call Saul is expected to address the aftermath of the attack on Lalo and what happens to him in the end. Many viewers believe hell die because of Gus Frings comment in Breaking Bad that he exterminated the Salamancas. But its possible he never learned Lalo had survived the attempt on his life.

RELATED: Better Call Saul: 5 Characters Whose Fates Are Up in the Air Going Into Season 6

Find out when Better Call Saul returns

Better Call Saul is expected to return in 2022 with its sixth and final season. No exact release date has been shared, but well let you know when theres an announcement.
Always on My Mind remains one of Elvis Presleys most famous late-period songs. Despite this, the King of Rock n Rolls version was not the highest-charting version of the track. One of the co-writers of Always on My Mind reacted to the cover that reached No. 1. He also discussed why he thinks the song resonated with so many people.

Elvis Presley | Frank Carroll/Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

How the public reacted to Elvis Presleys Always on My Mind

Many of Elvis most famous songs were covers. For example, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, and Blue Hawaii were all originally by other artists. Always on My Mind was no different. The original version of the song was performed by Gwen McCrae. McCraes version of the song remains obscure.

Its undoubtedly true that a lot of people would never have heard Always on My Mind if not for the King of Rock n Rolls cover. The Official Charts Company reports his rendition of the song reached No. 9 in the United Kingdom. It stayed on the chart for 22 weeks.

RELATED: Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret Sang This Song Together Like Cats

This version of Always on My Mind hit No. 1

Willie Nelson also released a country cover of the song. The Official Charts Company says it peaked at No. 49 in the U.K., staying on the chart for three weeks. However, the most popular version of the song was by the Pet Shop Boys. According to The Official Charts Company, their cover of Always on My Mind reached No. 1 in the U.K., remaining on the chart for 14 weeks. Their version of the song was a synth-pop song with s substantially different melody from the original.

Always on my Mind was co-written by Wayne Carson, Mark James, and Johnny Christopher. During an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Carson revealed what he thought of the Pet Shop Boys changing Always on My Mind. Everybody had told me, Youre not going to like it. They changed some of the melody, they changed a couple of words and they added all these synthesizers and things,' he said.

Carson proved them wrong. But I just kept an open mind and when I finally heard it, I thought, Hell, thats a great record,' he said. I dont think you can hurt a good song, and this is living proof.

RELATED: This Singer Said Elvis Presley Was a Good Person Because of 1 Thing He Did When He Recorded Songs

1 of the writers of the song explains why it resonated whether its performed by Elvis Presley or the Pet Shop Boys

Carson revealed why he thinks Always on My Mind resonated with so many people. To me, a good song tells a story that everyone would like to say  a song that leads people to say, God, that songs me,' he said. Carson thinks lots of people wanted to hear a song that expressed the emotion of Always on My Mind.

Carson explained the essence of the song. All that Always was about was one long apology, he said. Its sort of like all guys who screw up and would love nothing better than to pick up the phone and call their wives and say, Listen, honey, I could have done better, but I want you to know that you were always on my mind.'
Emma Watson has been just as passionate in her activism as shes been with her acting career. Having been appointed as a UN Ambassador for women in 2014, the actor has continued to use her platform to push for a better society. Shes a staunch supporter of gender equality and has taken steps to ensure fair treatment of all genders. Recently, shes been using the power of her voice to support the transgender community. And the more shes learned about being trans, the more shes noticed some interesting parallels to the transgender experience and her own fame. Parallels that make her support a little more personal.

Emma Watsons history of activism

Emma Watson | Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Watson is motivated by a desire for a better society. Its a passion thats driven her to improve conditions for women worldwide. Shes visited countries like Bangladesh to promote education and awareness for the conditions of women workers in the country. Shes an outspoken ambassador for Camfed, an organization and movement promoting education to girls in rural Africa.

Ive traveled to Zambia myself with a charity called Camfed, Watson once told her fans. After watching women, I am pledging to purchase bicycles for girls and women in Zambia so that they can get to school, so that they can work.

Her compassion and humanitarian efforts led her to become a UN Ambassador, where she helped launch HeForShe. She describes HeForShe as a unique movement that tries to unite men and women in solidarity for the sake of gender equality.

This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN, Watson said in a speech to the United Nations. We want to try and galvanize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for change.

But her support for gender equality isnt limited to just boys and girls. It extends to all genders, including and especially the trans community, for who shes admitted she feels incredible empathy.

Emma Watson compares being transgender to fame: Were dealing with life-and-death stuff

In a 2019 interview with Vogue, Watson compares the anxieties of fame to the anxieties she feels trans people experience.

I feel anxious walking down the street, I feel anxious getting on a train, she opened up to her trans interviewer. Its totally different, and oftentimes its not my safety thats at risk. But I have insane amounts of empathy for what it must be like for you.

Her support for the trans community comes from a personal space that informs her passion on the matter.

Having spoken with, or having friends who are trans, theres so many more important issues that are not being discussed. Were dealing with life-and-death stuff.

Watson encourages others to understand the Trans community before speaking out against their cause. Having explored the world herself to understand the plight of all kinds of women, she believes knowledge is the gateway to harmony.

I understand fearing what you dont know, but go out and learn, Watson said to Vogue. Making people feel not included isis just such a painful, awful thing to do. And it has big effects.

Emma Watson defended the trans community against J.K. Rowling

Watson proved that her support for trans people was more than lip service. In June 2020, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling sent out a tweet many perceived as transphobic.

People who menstruate. Im sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?



Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA  J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020

People who menstruate. Im sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?

The tweet was a response to a devex.com article discussing the effects Covid-19 had on people of all genders.

Rowlings tweet received backlash from many, both fans and celebrities alike. The reaction prompted Rowling to write an essay on her official website defending her stance.

Women are told they must accept and admit that there is no material difference between trans women and themselves, Rowling wrote. But, as many women have said before me, woman is not a costume.

The prolific author doubling down on her remarks incited even more trans supporters to speak up for the community. One of which was the Hermoine Granger actor herself, Watson, who didnt mince words.

Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they arent who they say they are.  Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020

Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they arent who they say they are. Watson said in her tweet.

In another tweet, she showed further solidarity with the trans community. Once again, Watson used her voice to comfort those in need of support.

I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.

RELATED: Emma Watson Bought A House Sight Unseen Because of 1 Feature
Jean Smarts career is in a resurgence. After years of playing supporting and guest roles, shes being acknowledged as one of Hollywoods true MVPs. The Television Academy has recognized her work with two nominations for two different shows at Primetime Emmy Awards. In fact, Smart is favored to win a trophy for her work on Hacks, an HBO Max original series. While Smart loved the project, she had to endure an incredibly family tragedy during the final days of filming the series. The death of Jean Smarts husband, Richard Gilliland, was sudden and traumatic, but she filmed through her grief to wrap the project.

Jean Smart is a favorite to take home at least one Emmy Award

Smart has had a long and illustrious career so far. While she is still best known for her breakout role in Designing Women in the 1980s, Smart has worked consistently since, taking on roles in several well-received shows. She has specifically shined in supporting and guest roles. Smart famously took home two Emmy awards for her guest role on Frasier in 2000 and 2001, and she struck Emmy gold again in 2008 for her supporting role on Samantha Who?.

Emmy Statuette | Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Now, in 2021, she has a chance to take home not one but two Emmys for two different roles. The 70-year-old actor is nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in A Limited Or Anthology Series or Movie for Mare of Easttown. She portrayed Helen in the smash hit starring Kate Winslet. Her second nomination, in the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series category, is for Hacks. In the series, Smart plays Deborah Vance, a Las Vegas comedian. She is a favorite to take home the trophy for Hacks.

Jean Smarts husband, Richard Gilliland, unexpectedly died while she was filming Hacks

Smart is getting serious recognition for her work this year, but that doesnt mean her 2021 was a good one. Smart endured a massive family tragedy in March 2021. Her husband of more than 30 years died suddenly from a heart condition, leaving her reeling. Gillilands sudden death also happened around the time that Smart was wrapping up her work on Hacks.

Richard Gilliland and Jean Smart | Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Smart recalled that she wrapped up filming on the HBO Max hit the week after Gilliland died. In a candid interview with the New Yorker, she revealed that she had one week left of filming when Gilliland died. Instead of pausing production, Smart opted to finish the show. She noted that she had to film a funeral scene in that final week and that she was a wreck. The emotional pain was surely unimaginable, but Smart said she is proud of how the production turned out.

Jean Smart said Richard Gilliland made her career possible

Smart reflected on her long-enduring marriage and how she and Gilliland worked together to make her career possible during the same interview with the New Yorker. She said that Gilliland never got to show his acting chops because he often set aside his career aspirations to accommodate her roles. Smart paid homage to Gilliland by saying that everything she has done and is currently doing is largely thanks to him. She went on to say that he would have loved how Hacks turned out. According to Smart, Gilliland enjoyed the script and was supportive during the filming process. The duo was married for 34 years at the time of Gillilands death. They share two children.

Richard Gilliland and Jean Smart | John M. Heller/Getty Images

While Smart was the better-known half in her marriage, Gilliland had plenty of acting credits to his name, too. He appeared in 91 different projects during his more than 40-year career. Jean Smarts husband actually appeared in several projects with her. In fact, Gilliland is perhaps best known for his role in Designing Women, the show that made Smart famous, too. He portrayed J.D. Shackelford in 14 episodes. Gilliland and Smart were slated to work together on a movie in the summer of 2021.

RELATED: Emmys 2021: Jean Smart and Kaley Cuoco Top Contenders to Win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy
Jennifer Aniston revealed during an interview with Rob Lowe that she hasnt been on a plane since January 2020, but she has some ideas about where shed like to eventually fly. Aniston explained how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had her sticking pretty close to home.

Jennifer Aniston | ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Jennifer Aniston said she hasnt been on a plane since January 2020

During the Sept. 16 episode of the Literally! With Rob Lowe podcast, the two actors discussed Anistons love for vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The Friends actor had a surprising confession, however.

The thing I love about you is you really embrace and enjoy your time away from work, Lowe remarked. You have fun. Youve always been a big Cabo girl. Do you like Cabo still as much as I do?

Aniston shared, I do, but revealed, Well its also really easy to get to. Its a nice quick flight  but I havent been on a plane since January 2020. I havent gone anywhere.

Lowe seemed shocked, saying, No. Really? Wait til you try that.

Aniston shares where shed like to travel

Later in the podcast, Aniston chatted about plans to start filming Murder Mystery 2 with Adam Sandler in January. The filming location, while not yet determined, will certainly require Aniston to get on a plane. Were figuring that out right now but we are hoping it will be in a tropical location and then in a European location, she shared.

I know that the next three months are just going to be taking a break, Aniston said of her upcoming plans. And I will leave the house eventually.

Im going to have to get on a plane, but where, is the question, she said. I really want to go to New York  I miss the city.

The two then moved the conversation along to traveling by train. Thats something that I actually would love to do, she said of getting a sleeper car. Lowe highly recommended the experience.

Jennifer Aniston wont be attending the 2021 Emmys

Aniston hasnt traveled far but she did leave the house for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Sept. 13, where she revealed she wont be attending the Emmy Awards. Friends: The Reunion has been nominated for four Emmy awards, but she has no plans to be there in person for the event.

Ive been in the house a lot, she admitted, saying she goes to work and visits with a handful of her bubble of friends, including Courteney Cox, Kimmel, and Jason Bateman.

No, I will not be going, she said. I think Ben Winston, our producer and director, [whos] incredible, who put the whole thing together [will go].

Aniston shared that being a guest on Kimmels show was one of her first big adventures away from home since the pandemic. This is a big step for me to just be here, she explained. Im just [taking] baby steps.

RELATED: The Crazy Story Behind This Friends Throwback Pic Has Fans Feeling Nostalgic
To many people, Jennifer Aniston is the epitome of perfection. She never looks anything less than amazing, and it almost seems as if the actor is flawless at everything that she does. Aniston, who rose to fame in her role as Rachel Greene on the hit comedy, Friends, has a fan base that is well into the millions.

So many people tend to copy whatever she does, even all the way back in the 90s when the superstar was sporting one of the most famous haircuts of all time. No matter what, just about everyone can certainly agree that everything Aniston does is classy and elegant at the same time. Despite the fact that she is about as tasteful as any one person can possibly be, it actually turns out that Jennifer Aniston went through a teenage rebel phase just like the rest of us.

A career that has never cooled down

Jennifer Aniston | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Born in Los Angeles in 1969, acting is actually in Anistons blood. Her father is in the business, as is her mother, and despite the fact that they didnt want her to follow in their footsteps, she knew it was something that she wanted to do. Anistons big break didnt come until landed the role of Rachel on Friends, and EveryDayKoala reports that prior to that, she enrolled in LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan, where she graduated in 1987. Many people might not know that Aniston almost never got the chance to play Rachel at all since she was all set to star in another show at the time. Fortunately, she was able to take the career-making role and has been a household name ever since. Over the years, Aniston has appeared in some hit movies such as Cake, Horrible Bosses, and Were the Millers, and she is also the recipient of countless awards. In addition to several Teen Choice and Peoples Choice awards, the actress has won several Screen Actors Guild Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards for her work. Even after all these years, Anistons career shows no signs of slowing down.

Jennifer Aniston went through a rebellious phase

Aniston seems to be one of those people who can do no wrong. After all, she has so many followers who want to be just like her, so it only makes sense to assume that the actress has everything figured out! However, TheThings reports something that not too many people know and are surprised to learn  that Aniston went through quite the rebellious phase just like the rest of us. The icon may be known for playing a popular former prom queen, but that is not the way things went down in real life. In high school, Aniston went through what she describes as a goth phase, and has actually said that she made a serious attempt to be the most rebelliously unattractive. Wow!

What is she up to now?

The actress has been on fire for years, so what is she up to now? We all know that she recently made an appearance in the Friends reunion, which was a huge hit. Secrets were revealed and questions were answered, and fans were pleasantly surprised to find out that Aniston and her co-star, David Schwimmer, had a crush on each other. In addition to acting, she is known for having amazing hair, and Allure reveals that she recently launched a haircare brand of her own, LolaVie. She is also working on The Morning Show with fellow actress Reese Witherspoon, which is about to begin its ten-episode second season. Most fans love keeping up with Anistons career, and it is safe to say that more amazing things are to come.

RELATED: Is Jennifer Aniston Joining TikTok?
Josh Duggars arrest has shaken the Duggar familys foundation. The unfortunate circumstances cost them TLCs Counting On, and it has many fans wondering whats next for all of the famous family members. Recently, it seems Lauren Duggar and Josiah Duggar reemerged in an Instagram photo after the Duggars had a huge family event. But the couple still hasnt posted to their own social media.

Welcome to the Duggar family, Lauren! https://t.co/dhWk7An7GV  Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) June 30, 2018

Josiah and Lauren Duggars Instagram used to stay quite active for Duggar family followers. But the couple hasnt updated their social media since November 2020. The last post was on Nov. 8, 2020, and it featured photos from Lauren, Josiah, and their daughter during a fall photoshoot they had that year. It seems they created the post to celebrate their daughters birthday.

Happy first birthday, Bella! Lauren captioned the post. Cant believe we have a little 1-year-old! You are such a joy and gift to your daddy and I. You have one of the most contagious smiles and the sweetest, silliest, cutest personality. I am so blessed to be your mama! Love you, baby girl!

While fans expected Lauren and Josiah to post by now, it seems theyve remained offline. And this might be for the best considering Josh Duggars arrest in April 2021 caused many fans and critics to watch the Duggar family even closer.

The Duggar family posted a photo showing Lauren and Josiah at a family event

Quite a few of us made it out to Farmland Adventures for a great day of family fun! It still feels like Summer outside, Posted by Duggar Family Official on Monday, September 6, 2021

While Lauren and Josiah Duggar havent posted to their Instagram, they still spend time with the Duggar family. The Duggar Family Instagram posted a set of photos of the many family members who made it out to Farmland Adventures in northwest Arkansas in early September 2021. The third photo of the set features Lauren, Josiah, and Bella, amongst the crowd of kids, teens, and adults. Additionally, a few of Josh Duggars children can be seen in the photos.

Quite a few of us made it out to @farmlandadventuresnwa for a great day of family fun! the photo caption reveals. It still feels like summer outside, but the giant corn maze sure did get us in the mood for fall! The pumpkin patch, pony rides, farm animals, pig races, 9-acre maze, and play area all made for some happy, tired kids  and adults! Cant wait to go back!

Duggar family fans continue to speculate on Lauren and Josiahs choice to stop posting publicly online. They could just be distancing from social media, a Reddit user suggested. Its been brutal to them in the past. And they might even have private social media that we dont know about. Id probably distance myself after all that came out about Josh.

Josh Duggars arrest may be the biggest reason why Lauren and Josiah have gone dark on social media

The Duggar family | D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra

The Duggar family as a whole seems quieter than usual in the wake of Josh Duggars arrest. In April 2021, federal agents arrested Josh on suspicion of obtaining child sexual abuse material. Josh pleads not guilty to the crimes, and his trial is set for November 2021.

Josh Duggars wife, Anna Duggar, was once very active on social media as well  but shes remained silent since the arrest. It doesnt look like she attended the gathering at Farmland Adventures despite a few of her children attending. Given reports of the recent past, its possible Anna was spending private time with Josh. Or, she could be preparing for the birth of their seventh child.

We hope Lauren and Josiah continue to do whats right for them during this difficult time.

How to get help: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for free and confidential support.

Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook!

RELATED: How Old Are Josh and Anna Duggars Kids in 2021?
As it moves toward its season finale, Power Book III: Raising Kanan is getting more intense. The series is set in the early 90s and follows Power antagonist Kanan Stark as he becomes the criminal he was in the original series.

Kanan is being raised in Southside Jamaica, Queens by his queenpin mother Raquel and her brothers Marvin and Lou-Lou, who help her run the family business. Tensions with rival drug lord Unique have slowly unraveled throughout the show, leading up to a recent attack on Lou-Lou. Luckily, he survived, but he isnt looking too good, as seen in a new teaser image for the show.

Mekai Curtis as Kanan Stark in Power Book III: Raising Kanan | Starz

What happened to Lou-Lou in Power Book III: Raising Kanan?

Lou-Lou (Malcolm Mays) has had a target on his back ever since his confrontation with Unique (Joey Bada$$). Uniques men nearly killed him in the Sept. 12 episode, when they attacked his house, firebombing it and shooting it up.

Marvin (London Brown), who had been on his way to Lou-Lous, showed up and was able to fend the men off by shooting back at them. He reached his brother before the house burned up and took him to safety, but Lou-Lou was unconscious and in a poor state.

RELATED: Power Book III: Raising Kanan: What Just Happened With Lou-Lou?

But Lou-Lou is not dead

The episode cut before Lou-Lous fate could be revealed, but the synopsis for the next episode indicates he survives. According to HITC, it says that as Lou-Lou recovers, Marvin seeks revenge. The YouTube page Movie Bot also obtained and posted a photo of Lou-Lou in a hospital bed, surrounded by Jukebox (Hailey Kilgore) and his girlfriend Jessica Figueroa (Natalee Linez). He looks pretty out of it but his condition seems stable  at least, for now.

As he recovers, Marvin and Raq meet up. He asks her in a teaser trailer about what they should do next, to which she gives a chilling look back. Knowing her and how she is about her family, we can pretty much guarantee that shes about to strike back against Unique  hard.

We entering the final stage of the game now. Only TWO episodes left  Make sure you catch the next episode of #RaisingKanan this SUNDAY on @starz. pic.twitter.com/crwlwiidBs  Raising Kanan (@RaisingKanan) September 17, 2021

RELATED: Power Book III: Raising Kanan: Fans Are Convinced Raq and Uniques War Will Allow Breeze to Take Over

Stay tuned to Power Book III: Raising Kanan

As the penultimate episode in the first season, theres no doubt that things are about to get even wilder. Not only will Raq and Unique go at it, but Raq also has Detective Malcolm Howard (Omar Epps) on her back about Kanan (Mekai Curtis).

He wants her to tell Kanan the truth about them so he can begin to have a relationship with the boy, but Raq knows it wont be a good look that she shares a child with a cop. Will she ultimately decide to give in to Malcolm? Will she come up with another plan instead? Well see.

Power Book III: Raising Kanan airs at 8 p.m. ET on Sundays on Starz. Dont miss it.

RELATED: Power Book III: Raising Kanan Fans Think Adult Kanan Hinted at the Fate of Detective Howard
Star Wars and Indiana Jones are two of the most popular movie franchises to ever exist. They both feature breathtaking action sequences, plenty of drama, romance, Harrison Ford, and even a few laughs along the way. But beyond that, the two properties couldnt be more different. One takes place in a galaxy far, far away while the other takes place here on Earth during the early part of the 20th century. That doesnt mean theyve never crossed paths, in one way or another. Heres the story of how The Force Awakens continued the tradition of Indiana Jones and Star Wars crossovers.

Star Wars wasnt the only blockbuster franchise George Lucas had a hand in

Cast members (L -R) Oscar Isaac, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. | Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

George Lucas gained worldwide fame and acclaim for his role as the visionary behind the Star Wars franchise. But he also played a crucial role in another blockbuster tentpole.

Lucas also served as the brainchild and executive producer behind the Indiana Jones films. He wasnt the only famed creative mind behind the camera, however. On the first four, Lucas was joined by critically acclaimed director Steven Spielberg. Of course, Ford also starred in both as Han Solo and the titular character of Indiana Jones.

Because of Lucas proximity to both series, there have been opportunities for references to both films across the movies. They may not have had characters or storylines that intertwined, but there were plenty of crossovers in both.

The many crossovers of Indiana Jones and Star Wars: Heres how The Force Awakens kept the tradition alive

According to Tickets2You, these films reference each other quite a bit. Some examples include:

A plane in Raiders of the Lost Ark features the letters OB-CP0, in what seems like a clear reference to the characters Obi-Wan Kenobi and C-3P0.

Another Raiders scene sees Indy standing in front of some ancient hieroglyphics. Painted on a pillar are two characters who look strikingly similar to droids R2-D2 and C-3P0. Princess Leia is drawn on a wall.

In Temple of Doom, the action passes a nightclub called Club Obi-Wan.

One scene in the Clone Wars animated series finds two characters move an object that looks like the Ark of the Covenant.

One of the best crossover references comes in The Force Awakens, however. Han Solo and Chewbacca are running from a rolling creature looking to eat them. The sound effect used is the same as the one used in Raiders, when Indy runs from a boulder.

Eagle-eyed (and eagle-eared) fans may have spotted many of these references. But the question remains: Will there be more of these in the future to keep fans of both movies happy?

Whats on the horizon for Star Wars and Indiana Jones?

So, can fans of both film series look forward to any further crossovers? Its hard to say.

As far as Star Wars is concerned, there are some films in the pipeline. The Skywalker Saga came to a conclusion, which means the main film continuity is at an end  for now, at least. According to Games Radar, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins will direct a Rogue Squadron film set to come out in 2023. Taika Waititi also has a film in development.

Meanwhile, Ford is signed up for a fifth Indiana Jones movie. There will be a major difference this time around, however; for the first time, Spielberg will not direct Ford. James Mangold, director of Logan, will helm this one. It will obviously feature a significantly aged Dr. Jones, but beyond that theres still some mystery around the production.

Its anyones guess as to whether there will be any more crossover references between the two franchises. But as long as Disney is pumping out films from both universes, the possibility certainly exists.

RELATED: Indiana Jones Was Once Rated the Second-Best Movie Hero of All Time, But Who Beat Him?
This July 16, 2004, file photo, shows a gray wolf at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake, Minnesota. Dozens of American Indian tribes are demanding the Biden administration enact emergency protections for wolves. Groups representing the tribes sent a letter on Sept. 14, 2021, to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland asking her to place wolves back on the endangered species list on an emergency basis for 240 days.
For many, the events of September 11, 2001, are ingrained in their memories. Watching the Twin Towers in New York City fall was a traumatic experience for so many Americans, and the events that followed led the country into a 20-year conflict.

But for the students at Cheshire Academy, who were born after 2001, there is no collective memory of the terror attacks. That is why the school took ample time last week to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Cheshire Academy hosted a Voices of 9/11 speaker series to educate students about the events of that day, and how the world has changed since. On Wednesday, students helped beautify the 9/11 Memorial at Sherwood Island in Westport. On Friday, volunteers participated in a day of service by helping out at the Cheshire Fall Festival and donating to the Cheshire Food Pantry.

The main event was held on Thursday, when several speakers were invited to address the student body as a whole, including Lieutenant Colonel Jason Hearn, a 24- year U.S. Army veteran who served three tours of duty abroad. Hearn explained to the students what the Army was like prior to 9/11, and how it changed afterwards.

It was pretty boring, he said. There was a lot of training, drills, reports and PowerPoints  things like that.

Hearn was living in Pennsylvania on 9/11, and was working on remodeling his home when he heard the news about planes crashing into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and Shanksville.

I didnt even have a TV out of storage yet, he said. I had to go grab it, plug it in and try to get a signal. When I did, I saw the recap of the Towers falling, along with the other crashes.  It seriously changed the military forever.

Post-9/11, Hearn explained, a surge of patriotism led to hundreds of thousands of people signing up for the Armed Services.

Usually the biggest sell the Army has is money for college, but these people werent signing up for college money, Hearn said. They wanted to protect our country.

Another speaker shared his experience as a Muslim-American doctor.

On 9/11, I was in the process of resuscitating one of my patients when I saw the first plane fly into the first Tower, said Dr. Reza Mansoor, a cardiologist at Hartford Hospital. It was a strange feeling, trying to revive someone while hundreds of people were dying in that building.

Mansoor spoke about what it was like for him to experience 9/11, and how attitudes towards Muslims have turned negative since the attack.

One in two people are terrified of me simply because I am a Muslim. That needs to change. Sixty percent of Americans have never met a Muslim, said Mansoor, citing a Pew Research Center poll.

His message to the Cheshire Academy students was to get to know their Muslim neighbors, and by doing so, hopefully erase any negative stigmas that surround those communities. He even invited the students to visit him at a mosque in Berlin.

That statistic (60% of Americans having never met a Muslim) really surprised me, explained Santino Gambardella, a junior at Cheshire Academy. As someone who was born after the event, I have never lived in a time where there werent those anti-Muslim sentiments and its hard for me to even imagine a time before that. I think that members of the younger generation are going to be the ones to be able to break through those barriers because we arent living with the direct trauma of having lived through the event.

Another junior, Devan Fernando, explained how the events of 9/11 have always been around him.

I have had friends and family members who were first responders or people who knew people in the Towers that day, he said. I have a limited glimpse of what happened, but the impact is not lost on me. Hopefully, what we learned today can be put towards making sure something like this never happens again.

Ann OBrian, the director of Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS), became emotional when speaking about the current situation in Afghanistan.

What happened in Afghanistan a few weeks ago exceeded anything that we thought was going to happen, she explained, through tears. In just days, the government not only collapsed, but hundreds of thousands of people immediately were in danger, and we have been trying to get them out since.

On Aug. 15, Taliban fighters overtook the Afghanistan capital of Kabul after U.S. forces were withdrawn from the country, leading to the president of Afghanistan fleeing the country, and the evacuation of U.S. citizens from the country.

OBrian went on to explain that many displaced families are going to be moving to towns like Cheshire in the coming months, and she urged everyone to welcome them with open arms.

We need every town in Connecticut to organize and take in a (refugee) family, she said. There might be some Afghan kids in your neighborhood, or even in your school, and they hear that Americans are friendly. We need to show them that kindness.
Biden admin. ramps up deportation flights after migrant encampment at border swells to over 15,000

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The Biden administration said thousands of migrants gathered under a bridge in Del Rio, Texas, will be deported to their home country under a Trump-era pandemic health measure, but it will only apply to single men as family units will be allowed to enter the U.S.

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that "U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz says there are currently 12,600 [migrants still] under the bridge in Del Rio."

"Single adult men will be expelled via Title 42, but most family units will be processed and released into [the] U.S. [with a] notice to appear," he added in a post on Twitter.

A majority of migrants being held under an international bridge bordering Mexico are Haitian, but many others are from Venezuela, Cuba and multiple African countries.

The Department of Homeland Security on Sunday started repatriation flights, with Haitian migrants being flown from San Antonio to Port-au-Prince.

NEW: As of 7:15pm Del Rio time, here is what the situation under the international bridge looks like, where close to 15,000 migrants have camped out after crossing illegally. Many of the migrants have constructed makeshift shelters from sticks and plants. @FoxNewspic.twitter.com/i6tyPxSw25  Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) September 19, 2021

As of Thursday, about 9,000 migrants were in the area, but the number increased to over 14,000 by Saturday, The Epoch Times reported. By Sunday, the numbers had surpassed 15,000.

Officials are relocating the migrants to processing locations to accelerate the deportation process. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it planned to send 400 agents and officers to Del Rio to assist with processing, The Wall Street Journal reported.

NEW: From our @FoxNews drone, a look at the migrant camp under the international bridge in Del Rio this morning, where thousands migrants remain after they crossed into the US illegally. pic.twitter.com/06sUY2XCi5  Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) September 19, 2021

Rep. Tony Gonzalez, R-Texas, who represents the states 23rd Congressional District that includes Del Rio, said Saturday that the border crisis is causing a shortage of food in local grocery stores, The Daily Wire reported.

Border patrol agents are doing everything they can but its clear they need more support and they need it NOW, Gonzalez wrote on Twitter. DHS is also working to increase and accelerate repatriation flights to return migrants to their country of origin. This includes Haitians & Central Americans. There will be a surge of 8 ICE flights this coming week, up from 2-5 flights before, with more flights to come, he added.

Gonzalez also wrote that the Biden administration is still using the pandemic health measure, known as Title 42, to expel some migrants but others will be released in the U.S. while awaiting immigration proceedings.

He added, This policy is disastrous & Ill continue to push to resume Remain in Mexico so migrants no longer have an incentive to be released in the U.S.

The Remain in Mexico policy dealt with a surge in illegal immigration by requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their court hearings in the United States. Biden reversed the policy on his first day in office on Jan. 20.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday gave clearance to Fox News to document the surge of illegal immigration in Del Rio, just as the network has done in the past.

At the behest of the Biden administration, the FAA had implemented two-week temporary flight restrictions over the International Bridge in Del Rio for a special security reason.

The restrictions, which had the temporary effect of blocking the Fox News drone from entering the airspace above the Del Rio International Bridge, sparked outrage and allegations of censorship by the Biden administration.

Haitians have been migrating to South American countries for jobs for years and after the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in those countries, they are seeking to enter the U.S. Many migrants believe that the Biden administration will let them in.

The surge of migrants in Del Rio comes as CBT reported 208,887 encounters between law enforcement officials and illegal immigrants at the southwest border in August.

While the number of encounters dropped slightly from July to August, more than 1.5 million people have crossed the border illegally in the fiscal year 2021, with the fiscal year 2022 set to begin on Oct. 1.

Critics of the Biden administration attribute the astronomical number of border crossings to the reversal of Trump-era policies designed to curb illegal immigration.
Mayflower 400 year ends with Thanksgiving legacy

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Last years 400th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing to the New World was devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Many of the originally planned festivities were canceled or greatly scaled back. Then there were the American tourists who never came to Plymouth, England, where the ship departed on Sept. 16, 1620, with 102 passengers.

Heading into 2020, Mayflower 400 looked very promising overall for all the destinations in the Mayflower 400 commemoration with both domestic and international visitors booking to visit the U.K., Mayflower 400 UK spokesman Mark Howell said. We originally anticipated an extra 500,000 visitors in 2020 on top of the 5.2 million we get annually.

Ignoring what was lost, October is actually the quadricentennial of the 1621 Thanksgiving held by the Pilgrims, most of whom dissented from the Anglican state church at a time of political and religious tumult.

According to a contemporary account by Edward Winslow, a three-time governor of Plymouth Colony, they were joined by local Indians in celebrating the harvest with three days of feasting and rejoicing in the goodness of God.

The harvest would have been quite the celebration, as it was one of the rare successes in the first year. Not only had the Mayflower landed hundreds of miles from their intended destination of Virginia, but nearly half of the colonists died from malnutrition or disease during what William Bradford, the most famous and important of Pilgrims, called their hard and difficult beginnings.

Popular belief notwithstanding, the Thanksgiving in Massachusetts wasnt Americas first. Nevertheless, the Pilgrims feast is seen, fairly or not, as the precursor to the modern Thanksgiving holiday.

Of course, the enduring legacy of the Pilgrims isnt the kitsch and commercialism of the holiday every November. Rather, it is the exceptionalism of God-given American liberty, which was written into their covenant of self-government known as the Mayflower Compact. These foundational principles were reaffirmed more than a century later by the Founding Fathers in Philadelphia.

If you go

Those going to England now that U.K. borders are reopen to tourists should visit the Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy exhibit at The Box, the newish museum and cultural center in Plymouth. The exhibit, which uses 300 artifacts and other objects to tell the epic journeys story, runs through the end of December.

Perhaps the best resource for planning a trip on all things Pilgrims and the Mayflower is the Mayflower 400 UK website. Consider the road trip I did back in 2018, which took me to 11 destinations across Englands Mayflower 400 trail. (Read On the Pilgrim trail across England, 400 years after the Mayflower: Part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4.)

On these shores is the Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The open-air museum and recreation of the original 17th century settlement is a must visit. Visitor hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Follow @dennislennox on Instagram and Twitter.
Taliban are carrying out mass executions, says Christian missionary helping Afghans

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Less than a month after the U.S. withdrew troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban have started arresting, and in some instances executing, people they perceive as their enemies. Recent photos and video suggest they're killing as many as 30 to 40 at a time, Christian missionary David Eubank, a former U.S. Army Special Forces and Ranger officer, said in a media interview.

The way the United States pulled out is dishonorable, and a horrible breaking of promises  and leaving thousands of people behind that we promised wed take out with us including American citizens, Eubank, who is from Free Burma Rangers and provides humanitarian services in war-torn areas, told CBN News.

In some instances, the pull-out has been cowardly, he continued, speaking from Tajikistan, which neighbors Afghanistan and where many Afghans are arriving after fleeing the Taliban.

They [the Taliban] are hunting down people right now, trying to get all the names of anyone they perceive as an enemy, Eubank said, adding that the enemies include people who work with the U.S. government, people who are with other governments, people who work with non-governmental organizations they dont agree with.

Eubank, who is in Tajikistan to help Afghans, also said that many have been executed.  Ive seen recent photos of 30 to 40 people [being executed].

Eubank clarified that he doesnt know the scale of the killings or the arrests, but I believe its countrywide now.

The Taliban are allowing American citizens who have identity cards to escape, he continued, adding that anyone who doesnt have papers, anyone they perceive as an enemy, they are going to arrest them, and, in many cases, execute them.

The people in Afghanistan are in terror, Eubank added.

According to its website, Free Burma Rangers have helped 1.5 million displaced persons to date who would have otherwise died.

Eubanks mantra is that love is the antidote to evil.

In an interview with The Christian Post last year, Eubank shared: I am motivated by what Jesus does for me and want to share His love and encourage people to follow Him. We are not to be led by comfort, fear or pride, but go in the love God gives us. We go into areas of direct combat to save lives and share love.

Following the drawing down of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the Taliban quickly seized control of much of the country, taking the capital Kabul last month and forcing the government to flee.

The U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern warned last week that as the Taliban is cracking down on protests and journalists, concerns are also being raised among religious minorities of increased oppression and persecution because the Taliban have promised strict enforcement of Sharia law.

Almost all Afghan Christians  estimated to be between 8,000 and 12,000  are converts from Islam and remain largely closeted and hidden from the public eye due to severe persecution.

Their status as converts makes Afghan Christians direct targets for persecution by both extremist groups and society in general, ICC reports. In Afghanistan, leaving Islam is considered extremely shameful and converts can face dire consequences if their conversion is discovered.
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A bill proposed in the Scottish Parliament would legalize physician-assisted suicide, adding Scotland to a growing list of countries that allow the practice. What the Scottish Parliament eventually decides to do with the bill will reveal something about the conscience of the nation. Will Scots choose to tell their fellow man their lives are worth living, or not?

Liam McArthur, a Liberal Democrat member of the Scottish Parliament, proposed the bill, which would allow terminally ill patients thought to have six months or less to live to choose to end their lives. All forms of assisted suicide are currently illegal across the United Kingdom (UK), but recent polling suggests the UK public is increasingly favorable towards the practice.

Critics of the bill from the medical field say that policies allowing for physician-assisted suicide fundamentally reorient the purpose of medical care. In July, 200 medical professionals signed an open letter opposing the bill, saying, The shift from preserving life to taking life is enormous and should not be minimised. The prohibition of killing is present in almost all civilised societies due to the immeasurable worth of every human life.

The bill in the Scottish Parliament is part of a wider push for assisted suicide across the United Kingdom. Baroness Meacher introduced a bill in the UK Parliament in May that would similarly legalize physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients, demonstrating a failure to acknowledge that any person  even those who are terminally ill  who seeks to end his life is in need of love, support, and treatment for depression.

UK Bishop John Sherrington warned of the dangers of a gradual expansion of the criteria by which one might be eligible for physician-assisted suicide. Indeed, other European countries have slipped further down this dangerous slope. For example, Belgium and the Netherlands allow physician-assisted suicide for psychiatric reasons, even for patients in perfect physical health. Such an allowance makes it clear that a states endorsement of assisted suicide is really an endorsement of all suicide. Not surprisingly, both countries have seen a sharp rise in assisted suicide in recent years.

A major victory for proponents of assisted suicide was announced on September 14 when the British Medical Association adopted a neutral stance on the issue when they had previously been against it. The vote was narrow  with 49 percent of the association in favor and 48 percent against the neutral stance  but the effects will be substantial. Members of Parliament had often pointed to the medical communitys opposition to assisted suicide when Parliament voted against it previously.

Proponents of assisted suicide say they are motivated to end physical suffering. But the reality is that many patients who choose assisted suicide do not cite pain as the primary reason. The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund reports:

[T]he overwhelming majority of the people in Oregon who have reportedly used that states assisted suicide law wanted to die not because of pain, but for reasons associated with disability, including the loss of autonomy (89.9%), the loss of the ability to engage in activities that make life enjoyable (87.4%), the loss of dignity (83.8%), and the loss of control of bodily functions (58.7%). Furthermore, in the Netherlands, more than half the physicians surveyed say the main reason given by patients for seeking death is loss of dignity.

The legalization of assisted suicide is intrinsically linked with devaluing the lives of people living with disabilities. While the reasons many people choose assisted suicide are not related to pain and suffering, they are related to struggles people with a disability face every day. Although not everyone with a disability has a terminal illness, everyone with a terminal illness eventually develops a disability. Society cannot condone those with terminal illnesses killing themselves without simultaneously condoning those with disabilities killing themselves. The message to those with disabilities is loud and clear: a life with a disability is not worth living.

In addition, a 2007 study about assisted suicide patients in the state of Oregon found that 45 percent of assisted suicide patients made that choice out of fear of becoming a burden to their families. Thus, assisted suicide does not primarily serve to end suffering, as its advocates would have us believe.

Elderly patients, especially those who fear being a burden, are vulnerable to manipulation or family pressure, and it can be difficult to comprehensively safeguard against this. Even knowing that assisted suicide is an option can pressure some people into choosing death if they think they will become a future burden to their family or society. Instead of offering them assisted suicide, these concerns should be met with assurances that their lives are worth living and that we are prepared to love and support them to the end.

At its core, assisted suicide promotes a false compassion. It benefits caretakers or families who prefer not to observe or care for someone experiencing trials at the end of their lives, rather than the patients themselves. We ought instead to exercise true compassion, the root of which means to suffer with.

Even if assisted suicide was primarily utilized to end suffering, it focuses the efforts of doctors, medical professionals, policymakers, and others toward the wrong goal. The goal ought not to be ending human suffering at all costs. In a broken world, suffering will always be with us.

An appropriate goal that truly treats humans with dignity is to love people well by providing everyone with the best medical care, emotional and spiritual resources, and community support possible until their lives come to natural ends.

Doctors should be focused on healing patients and enabling them to live as well as they can for as long as they can. Premature death is not an equally valid option in the category of health care  rather, it sidesteps health care entirely.

The Scottish Parliament will debate the issue this fall, and the UK House of Lords will debate its bill later this year. One thing is for surethis issue will test the conscience of the people. Concerned individuals should reach out to their members of Parliament about the dangers of assisted suicide and the value of all human life.

Those in favor of assisted suicide have co-opted the phrase death with dignity, but they fail to recognize that human dignity cannot be taken away by lifes circumstances. It is because human beings have dignity that all people must be loved, supported, and cared for until natural death.

Originally published at the Family Research Council.
Do pronouns matter?

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

We live in a unique time. Not only is technology moving fast, but our language seems to be changing faster than ever. There are so many new words and re-definitions of words that it can be hard to keep up.



Historically, language has often changed naturally on its own. This has happened for many reasons like, efficiency (easier to say exam instead of examination), geographic separation (we say elevator and the Brits say lift), cultural environment, and the like.



But today, something different is happening. We are artificially changing our language to make people feel better. Old examples of this are saying stewardess instead of flight-attendant, or saying disabled instead of handicapped. While there is nothing wrong with these specific changes, we need to recognize that the sole purpose of artificial language changes is to redefine how people think. Knowing this, we must make sure our language is taken care of, both for ourselves and future generations. We must consider it precious and guard it, since it is how we define our world and communicate in it.



One of the best ways of doing this is understanding how some are trying to restructure our language. These artificial changes can take many forms. Sometimes definitions are rewritten (like when Merriam-Webster recently changed the definition of racism). Other times new words are made up (The term "birthing people" in place of women or mothers would have made no sense just a few years ago), and sometimes it's not the definition of a word that changes, but its context.



The dictionary defines affirm as:

1. To declare positively; assert to be true.

2. To declare support for or belief in.



Ultimately, affirm means we all believe the same thing. Loving someone and affirming them are entirely different things, but they have come to mean the same thing in today's culture. We can no longer love someone unless we also affirm their feelings. We must believe someone's identity is defined by their self-perception and to believe otherwise is hateful. That's why we must use preferred pronouns. It's not enough to love and care for someone anymore, but we must also believe their beliefs.



When we really think about it, though, if we're called to love people, and the only definition of love is believing someone's beliefs, then doesn't that make preaching the Gospel a form of hate? How can we show love to a Hindu or Muslim unless we affirm and pray to their gods instead of our own? If someone believes something about Jesus that conflicts with Scripture, then wouldn't the loving thing be to adopt those beliefs? In this insane definition of love, there would never be an end. In a world of constantly changing beliefs, we would be affirming all sorts of things that completely contradict each other (i.e., the feminist movement and the transgender movement). It doesn't take much logic to realize we can't affirm everyone's beliefs. Even those that champion these values recognize that. Otherwise, they would affirm those who are unwilling to affirm.



This hypocrisy can be frustrating. Yet, in today's highly political climate, it can be dangerous to speak up. For example, if we refuse to believe that a man can give birth or use preferred pronouns, it could end in job loss or worse. This makes it easy to rationalize not saying anything. We can tell ourselves, who am I to stand up and speak the truth. Is it really worth the risk? Why does it even matter? Yet often, it's the little people and seemingly trivial things that are the most important. Because when we hold our ground even in small matters, the larger battles can be won. But if no one is willing to stand for basic common sense, then we can only imagine what our language will look like in 10, 20, or 50 years. Could basic thoughts that we take for granted one day be impossible to express?



It is alarming to consider that possibility but, all of this doesn't mean we should be argumentative with those who believe we should radically restructure our language. Rather, we need to find the middle ground. We must be willing to ask the tough questions in a loving and Christ-like manner. When someone associates affirmation with love, we need to be eager to go deeper into that belief. We need to ask if they believe affirmation and love are the same. If to love and to affirm are the same, then should we affirm everything? Even if that thing hurts somebody? What makes an idea worthy of our affirmation and what doesn't? Do our words decide the truth, or is truth immutable no matter how we say something?



In between these questions, we must lovingly listen to their response. Because if we are only thinking about winning an argument or what we will say next, then we won't reflect Christ in our conversations, and that is the most critical part in all of this. We must walk with them and seek to understand the truth not as adversaries but as friends. This is how we tear down spiritual strongholds. Not by our arguments or ideas, but by reflecting Christ in all the small moments.
When the larger culture abandons God and biblical values

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

For the last several decades, it has been common to hear America described as a post-Christian nation. This does not mean that America can never turn back to some of its very Christian roots. Rather, it means that what used to be Christian-based, cultural norms are no longer norms today.

The implications of this are massive, representing a seismic cultural shift. It is imperative that we respond rightly.

A few years ago, I was speaking to a black pastor in Charlotte, North Carolina. He told me that when he was growing up, any adult in the neighborhood who saw a child misbehave could correct that child or even discipline him. Doing that today might get you shot.

He also said that the older generation would commonly admonish the younger generation to act with respect and dignity, pointing to the example of Dr. King. Now, he said, the young people hardly know who King is. Things have really changed.

Of course, not all of this is a matter of being post-Christian. But it does reflect some of the seismic shifts we are witnessing.

I have often cited the findings of psychologist David Myers who noted that, Had you fallen asleep in 1960 and awakened today (even after the recent uptick in several indicators of societal health) would you feel pleased at the cultural shift? You would be awakening to a:

Doubled divorce rate.

Tripled teen suicide rate.

Quadrupled rate of reported violent crime.

Quintupled prison population.

Sextupled (no pun intended) percent of babies born to unmarried parents.

Sevenfold increase in cohabitation (a predictor of future divorce).

Soaring rate of depression  to ten times the pre-World War II level by one estimate.

Need I say that things have continued to change since 2000? Need I say that, 21 years ago, the idea of the Supreme Court redefining marriage or the White House being lit up in rainbow colors would have sounded like madness? Or that the idea that the Olympic icon Bruce Jenner would be named Woman of the Year by GlamourMagazine and, as a woman, would run for governor of California would have sounded like a cruel joke?

My colleague Prof. Darrell Bock has noted that, in times past, we could say to people, We know this is true because its in the Bible. Now, he notes, we must say, This is in the Bible because its true.

What was taken for granted is no longer taken for granted. And that means that we make a grave error to take certain truths as self-evident and widely accepted. That is not the case anymore.
Students sue Catholic university for denying them vaccine exemptions on religious grounds

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Four pro-life students are suing a Catholic university for denying their request to obtain religious exemptions from the coronavirus vaccine.

Creighton University, a Jesuit-affiliated school with campuses in Omaha, Nebraska, and Phoenix, Arizona, is the subject of a lawsuit by four of its students, who are challenging the newly instituted requirement that students provide proof that they have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine before they can attend classes on campus. While the university allows students to request medical exemptions from the vaccine requirement, it does not allow exemptions based on religious objections.

The lawsuit was filed in the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, on Wednesday by attorney Robert Sullivan on behalf of Creighton University students Lauren Ramaekers, Patrice Quadrel, Sarah Stinsel and Jane Doe. It noted that Creighton University set Sept. 7 as the deadline for all students to receive at least one dose of the vaccine. Any student who did not receive at least one dose of the vaccine by this time was to be unenrolled or administratively withdrawn after 4:30 p.m. on that date.

Each of the plaintiffs have religious objections to the Covid-19 vaccines based on the fact that the vaccines were developed and/or tested using abortion derived fetal cell lines and some have serious medical conditions which make the vaccine not recommended, Sullivan wrote. The use of vaccines developed and/or tested using abortion derived fetal cell lines has divided the Catholic Church, which is known for its outspoken opposition to abortion.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans has urged faithful Catholics to refrain from taking the morally compromised single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to its use of aborted fetal cells in production and testing. Meanwhile, the Vatican has assured Catholics that it is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.

Catholic World Report noted that Ramaekers received a letter from Tanya Winegard, Creighton vice provost for student life, informing her that Creighton University communicated to you that vaccination documentation of your first vaccine dose must be submitted by Sept. 7, 2021. Winegard told Ramaekers that Student Health Education and Compliance (SHEC) records indicate that you have not submitted the required documentation. Therefore, you are in violation of the Creighton University Standards of Conduct.

The lawsuit maintained that because the students have been attending classes since the semester started, and Defendant has accepted tuition money and other fees the Plaintiffs have paid, the university had entered into a binding contract with the students.

Sullivan argued that keeping the plaintiffs tuition money while expelling them from campus for refusing to take the coronavirus vaccine constituted a breach of the contract. The lawsuit asked a judge to order Creighton to re-enroll and [reinstate] Plaintiffs to Creighton University, and enjoining Defendant from expelling, unenrolling, disciplining, retaliating against, or otherwise restricting all students access to classes, and any other service or privilege afforded to the students of Creighton University due to their vaccination status.

On Sept. 2, Sullivan sent a letter to the president and board of Creighton University seeking relief for his clients. He never received a response and filed the lawsuit shortly thereafter.

Ramaekers was scheduled to graduate from Creighton in December 2021. Quadrel had completed 97 credits of coursework while Sinsel was on track to graduate from dental school at Creighton at the conclusion of the 2021-'22 academic year.

As noted in the lawsuit, Creighton Universitys student population has an extremely high vaccination rate of more than 93%. By contrast, according to Johns Hopkins University, just under 55% of the U.S. population as a whole is fully vaccinated.

Creighton University is not the only institution of higher learning to embrace a vaccine mandate for its students. A case challenging Indiana Universitys vaccine mandate went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which dismissed the case, thereby leaving the mandate in place. A.T. Still University School of Dentistry and Oral Health in Missouri amended its vaccine mandate to accommodate religious exemptions for two Christian dental students following legal action.

Last week, President Joe Biden announced that he was directing the U.S. Department of Labor to institute mandates on businesses with over 100 employees, requiring their employees to either get vaccinated or produce at least one negative coronavirus test per week. Threats of legal action soon followed.
Christian school agrees to implement COVID-19 protocols after county threatens closure

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A Christian school in Colorado has agreed to implement various measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 among its students and staff after receiving an order from local health officials threatening closure if steps aren't taken.

Resurrection Christian School of Loveland garnered national headlines when it received an order from Larimer County officials stating that it must implement various COVID-19 protocols or face the possibility of being shut down.

Kori Wilford, a spokesperson with the Larimer County Health Department, told The Christian Post on Tuesday that the school and local officials were working together to implement the protocols.

RCS is working with our team to implement practices and protocols designed to keep as many students and staff learning and working safely, in person, while the outbreak resolves, detailed Wilford.

The best practices required of RCS are proven strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and stop the current climb in cases associated with the outbreak. The hope is that by implementing these measures quickly, the risk to students, staff, and visitors to the school will be reduced and in person learning can continue.

Wilford said that while the county order demanded that the school implement these protocols by Monday, the county agreed to a deadline extension.

These practices were to be implemented Monday, 9/13, and upon RCS letting us know they could not meet that, we granted them a short extension, Wilford continued.

The Christian Post reached out to Resurrection Christian School. However, the private school did not respond by press time.

Resurrection Christian School experienced a coronavirus outbreak earlier this month, with at least 40 positive cases being reported by local media.

According to a report by Loveland Reporter-Herald last week, Resurrection Christian was refusing to comply with demands that they implement COVID-19 protocols, such as masking and social distancing.

Measures that the county demanded to be implemented as part of a mitigation effort included mandatory face coverings for students and staff, as well as maintaining 3 feet of social distancing. The order also called on the school to cohort students, compile seating charts and vaccination status of students and conduct contract tracing for quarantine purposes.

RCS is refusing to work with and communicate with public health staff, stated the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment in a statement.

They are not implementing practices and protocols designed to keep as many students and staff learning and working safely, in-person, while the outbreak resolves.

Larimer County Public Health Director Tom Gonzales sent a highly publicized letter last Thursday to the school, demanding that the school work with the county or face closure.

The order stated that state regulations require each county to "investigate and control the causes of epidemic or communicable diseases and conditions affecting public health." Additionally, the order argued that the county has authority to "To close schools and public places and to prohibit gatherings of people when necessary to protect public health."

LCDHE is concerned about the health of the students, staff and visitors of RCS and the failure thus far to effectively implement any control measures, wrote Gonzales at the time.

Maintaining in-person learning is the primary goal, but this cannot be possible if the outbreak continues and cases increase.

Resurrection Christian had earlier rejected the county's demands to implement safety protocols. In an email sent to families, the school's Superintendent Jerry Eshleman argued that the county had "no authority" over the private institution. According to The Fort Collins Coloradoan, Eshleman told the school community on Sept. 7 that it had obtained legal counsel and would not require masks or other safety protocols.
Christians in Afghanistan facing 'new phase' of crisis, have lost contact with US ministries

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Christian ministries have lost contact with numerous partners in Afghanistan as the embattled country enters a new phase of the crisis sparked by the Taliban takeover, the head of a U.S.-based ministry has said.

William Stark, International Christian Concerns regional manager for South Asia, told The Christian Post that when the Taliban took control of much of Afghanistan following the drawing down of U.S. troops in August, many ministries working with the countrys underground church worked tirelessly to evacuate at-risk Christians.

Now, as Christians trapped in the country face an uncertain future, many have gone silent, desperately seeking to avoid the probing eyes of the Taliban.

Christians are now in hiding because of active threats against their community, Stark said.

He shared stories of how Christians continue to face threats from members of the Taliban. In one situation, an Islamic extremist threatened to kidnap a Christian mans daughters and marry them off to members of the Taliban. In another, a Christian man received a letter from the Taliban saying his house belonged to them. Christians have also been warned to refrain from gathering.

Even within the networks that we have, a number of people have changed their phone numbers because its simply not safe anymore, Stark said. Their work to lie low in the country makes it hard for someone on the outside to stay in contact.

Many estimate the Christian population in Afghanistan to be as many as 12,000, making it one of the countrys largest religious minorities. Afghanistan is over 99% Muslim.

Though all religious minorities in Afghanistan are at risk under Taliban rule, Christians are particularly vulnerable, Stark said, because the vast majority of them have converted to Christianity from Islam. Under Sharia law, leaving Islam is a crime punishable by death.

We talk about Christians as a religious minority, but to the Taliban, theyre seen as apostates, criminals and people that deserve to be punished, Stark explained.

As persecution continues to increase, Afghan Christians need help from the outside to escape their circumstances, he said.

It's going to take a diplomatic process by the U.S., the U.K. and other countries that are going to allow them to leave that country, he said. Essentially, what they need is some sort of special status that would allow them to travel outside of Afghanistan.

Many Aghan Christians are rural, uneducated and don't have a passport, he added, so many of them are unable to acquire the documents needed to leave the country.

Because they don't have passports, and they can't work with the government in order to issue them a passport, it makes it very challenging for them to be able to leave the country, Stark said.

ICC has been advocating for the U.S., the U.K. and other governments to create a special status for Afghan Christians to give them a legal avenue to leave Afghanistan and seek refugee status elsewhere in the world.

As some voices are calling on the government to limit the number of refugees entering from Afghanistan to the U.S., Stark called for nuance. He posited that only allowing Afghans who might be targets of Taliban violence due to their U.S. affiliations into the country leaves little room for Christians.

Vulnerable populations, like the Christian community, often don't fall within that the group of people that work with the military, he said. If we draw a hard line and say only people that did that can be allowed to leave and come to the United States, we're essentially putting a line through most Christians being able to get out of the country.

We have to make sure were not casting out vulnerable populations who are very deserving of resettlement, he added.

ICC is not the only persecution watchdog to share reports of missing Christian contacts in Afghanistan. Nehemiah, from Forgotten Missionaries International, recently shared with Mission Network News the story of a man named Abdar who disappeared after traveling to Afghanistan for evangelism purposes.

He was with us for the last few months, Nehemiah said. He is from Afghanistan, studying in Pakistan, and he said last month that he was going to Afghanistan for evangelism purposes. Its been more than a week since we have been unable to hear from him. We have lost contact.

Nehemiah said: Christians in Afghanistan will be bracing themselves. Will they be forced to convert back to Islam? Will they be killed if they refuse?

In late August, human rights group ADF International urged the international community to address the dire plight of religious minority communities in Afghanistan.

As disturbing accounts of killings, harassment and intimidation against them are rapidly emerging, we urge States and the international community to give utmost attention to these persecuted minorities and guarantee the conditions for their prompt and safe exit from the country, irrespective of whether they have valid travel documents, ADF said.
Street preacher hails victory after case over breaking draconian COVID regulations is thrown out

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

When coronavirus restrictions on outdoor gatherings during the pandemic were first implemented in March 2020, Christian preacher and lay minister Mike Overd didn't let that stop him from preaching in the streets as part of his ministry.

The 56-year-old has spent well over a decade evangelizing as a street preacher, offering Bibles to passersby and praying with pedestrians. He continued his efforts even when gatherings were restricted by the U.K. government last year.

While in his usual spot preaching at Taunton town centre in Somerset, England, on April 2, 2020, Overd was confronted by police from Avon and Somerset and became the first Christian preacher to be prosecuted for violating COVID-19 regulations banning outdoor gatherings.

Officers instructed Overd to go home after a member of the public filed a complaint against him.

Overd, however, questioned the officers' actions toward him and refused to go home.

The Christian Legal Centre, which represented Overd in his case, noted that he was carrying out his work as a minister by "offering pastoral support" for those who were struggling during the pandemic while also adhering to social distancing guidelines of standing just over 2 yards (2 meters) apart from others.

After being ordered to leave the premises and go home, Overd asked the officers whether authorities were "now banning Christian workers from coming to help people?

The officers then proceeded to confiscate Overds Bibles and forced him to leave the area. Overd was also fined $83 (60).

After contesting the fine, Overd waited 547 days in anticipation of his court hearing, only to learn that the Crown Prosecution Service had decided to drop his case.

Tom Allen of Christian Concern told The Christian Post that on Sept. 1, he was informed by the Crown Prosecution Service that the prosecution is no longer proceeding in this matter and that the trial listed for Sept. 6 will be vacated at Weston Magistrates Court.

The fact that it has been quietly dropped ... after dragging on for 18 months, shows that my case, and the laws in general, have been all about control and intimidation, Overd said in a statement shared with CP, noting that he was ridiculed and even lost friends over his decision to "bring a message of hope to people struggling at the start of this crisis."

He added: A year-and-a-half on, with draconian measures still in place and more Christian preachers being arrested than ever before, I knew I was right to take a stand and I am glad to have been vindicated. It was always wrong for Christian ministries and churches to be shut down at such a moment of need. Never in our history have so many Christians that sought to support the most vulnerable in our communities been treated so badly by the authorities."

The BBC reported in April that more than 85,000 fixed penalty notices have been issued in England since the pandemic began, and 8,000 in Wales, citing a report that was released at the time by members of Parliament.

A Joint Committee on Human Rights comprised of cross-party members of Parliament determined that fines of nearly $14,000 (10,000) for breaking COVID-19 regulations "are muddled, discriminatory and unfair," especially for the poor and those who are "unfairly targeted" by police.

The report said in part:

"We are aware that more recently the police have moved more quickly to enforcement action. This is problematic given the confusion over the state of the frequently changing law, and in light of confused communications from the Government which continue to conflate guidance with the law. A heavy-handed approach to enforcement in such circumstances risks unjustly penalizing a wide range of behavior, in circumstances where there are insufficient safeguards in place to protect people from arbitrariness and unjustified interferences with basic human rights."

Looking back to the start of the pandemic, I knew that something was not right with the power the police had been given by the government," Overd added. "It did not sit right with me sitting at home and not going out to preach when people were in need."

In Overds case, which was originally scheduled for a court date last Friday, his lawyers argued that Overd had been out on the streets for the purposes of voluntary or charitable services'' while adhering to coronavirus regulations.

Lawyers further stated that the regulations, as interpreted by the police officers on that day, were disproportionate and constituted an unreasonable interference with Overds rights under European law and English common law, Christian Legal Centre said.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, added in a statement: The coronavirus regulations required society to willingly surrender basic freedoms. Many courageous Christians, seeing the danger in the laws, simply refused to close down their outreach Christian ministries and stop helping people."

"For that many have been disproportionately punished," she added. "Mike is one of many Christian preachers and outreach workers who have been intimidated and fined during this crisis, but who have ultimately been vindicated and told they have not done anything wrong. Christian street preachers are now being arrested every month in the U.K. for preaching the Gospel. This is a phenomenon in our history unique only to the 21st century.

Williams said she finds the powers given to the police during the pandemic to be setting a dangerous precedent, which are continuing to have a ripple effect despite a return to relative normality.

We said at the time when this story happened that the coronavirus regulations would have far-reaching implications for Christian freedoms in the U.K., and this has proven to be so, she added.

Overds case was also supported by Christian theologian Martin Parsons, who submitted his expert testimony to the Crown Prosecution Service in which he stressed: street preaching is an important part of evangelical Christianity, even during epidemics.

A long and continuing practice of street preaching and other forms of open-air evangelism in the U.K., which is seen by evangelical Christians as being an essential part of fulfilling Christs command to preach the Gospel to all people, particularly those who are unlikely to ever enter a church, Parsons said. During times of epidemic this has been viewed as being particularly important as helping men and women to find peace with God.

From the perspective of Christian public theology and church history the use of coronavirus regulations to prohibit street preaching raises significant issues relating to the development of freedom of religion in British constitutional history, the theologian concluded.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Dental work for seniors on Medicare. An end to skys-the-limit pricing on prescription drugs. New options for long-term care at home. Coverage for low-income people locked out of Medicaid by ideological battles.

Those are just some of the changes to health care that Democrats want to achieve with President Joe Bidens massive Build Back Better plan. The $3.5 trillion domestic agenda bill touches almost all aspects of American life, from taxes to climate change, but the health care components are a cornerstone for Democrats, amplified during the COVID-19 crisis.

For the nearly 145 million Americans covered by government health programs, along with their families and communities, the investment in the nation's services could make a difference in the quality of life for decades.

It's a holistic look at how health care can be not just expanded, but better directed to the needs that people actually have, Kathleen Sebelius, federal health secretary under President Barack Obama, said of the Biden bill. You've got a plan that's really aimed at the serious gaps in health care that are still causing people to either go totally uninsured, or run out of money in the course of their treatments.

But Democrats can only succeed if they bridge divisions among themselves. Don't look for Republicans to help.

With Medicare's long-term finances under a cloud, Republicans say now is not the time to add new benefits. They are planning to oppose not just the health care provisions, but the entire Biden package, voting lockstep against it as too big, costly and a slide toward socialism.

Mindful of the politics ahead, Democrats are assembling the package with their slim hold on Congress. Instead of launching new experiments that many progressives prefer, they have chosen to plow more resources into existing programs, from Medicare and Medicaid enacted during the Great Society to the Obama-era Affordable Care Act.

It's a compromise, of sorts, led by Biden's approach, paid for by taxes on corporations and the wealthy, those earning more than $400,000, as well as savings on prescription drug prices paid by the government to the pharmaceutical companies.

Ive said many times before: I believe were at an inflection point in this country -- one of those moments where the decisions were about to make can change -- literally change  the trajectory of our nation for years and possibly decades to come, Biden said in remarks last week at the White House.

Polling has shown that core health care provisions appeal to voters across political lines. Many Republican voters, for example, generally approve of Medicare negotiating prescription drug prices, even if GOP lawmakers do not. While the Obama health law focused mainly on helping uninsured working-age people and their families, Biden's coda puts a big emphasis on older people, who also happen to be reliable midterm election voters.

Major health care provisions in the mix include:

Authorizing Medicare to negotiate prices for the costliest drugs, including insulin. Private insurers and employer plans could then access those lower prices. Annual price increases for established drugs would be limited. Seniors out-of-pocket costs would be capped.

A RAND Corporation study finds such an approach could cut U.S. spending on top drugs by half.

Sharp opposition from the big pharmaceutical companies and key business industry groups have left Democrats divided over the structure of the program.

Four House Democrats opposed the measure during committee votes this past week, enough to tank the entire bill. In the past, they had supported giving Medicare authority to negotiate, but they are expressing a range of concerns about the scope of House Speaker Nancy Pelosis plan. The Senate could take a somewhat different approach.

Medicare negotiating authority is the linchpin of the health care package because expected savings would be used to provide new benefits.

Expanding Medicare to cover dental care, vision, and hearing aids for seniors. This provision, championed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has been a long time coming. Vision care would begin the latter part of next year and hearing aids in 2023, but in an apparent concession to costs, dental coverage would not start until 2028.

Building on Obama health law. The idea is to provide health insurance to more than 2 million low-income people in GOP-led states that have rejected the Medicaid expansion of Obamacare. The workaround is a top health equity demand for Black lawmakers because many of those caught in the coverage gap are minorities in Southern states.

Biden's plan also calls for making health insurance more affordable for people who buy their own policies by extending a subsidy boost for Obama's health law. The richer subsidies are being temporarily provided in Biden's COVID-19 relief bill to people who lack employer coverage, and the White House wants to make the subsidies permanent. Lawmakers may only be able to meet the president part way.

Promoting a shift to long-term care in the patients own home as opposed to nursing facilities, which turned into incubators for the coronavirus as the pandemic spread. Biden had wanted $400 billion for this initiative under Medicaid, but it looks like Congress will give him about half that.

Permanently funding the politically popular Children's Health Insurance Program so it's not subject to recurring votes in Congress that could disrupt services.

Improving maternal health by providing postpartum coverage for 12 months through Medicaid.

With key centrist Democrats, including Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, saying the overall $3.5 trillion price tag is too high, Democrats are looking for ways to cut costs, either by eliminating some programs or, more likely, shaving some costs or duration off what has been proposed.

Other Democrats, though, warned that a slimmer package might disappoint voters who sent them to Washington on their promises to make big changes.

My constituents are expecting me to deliver, and Im committed to doing it," said Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., whose professional background is in health care policy.

Biden's approval rating has taken a dive following the chaotic and violent consequences of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan and the resurgence of coronavirus at home after he proclaimed the pandemic was waning, and as Democrats in Congress look ahead to next year's midterm elections.

Democratic pollster Celinda Lake said the health care provisions in the budget bill appeal to lawmakers' own instincts for self-preservation. The proposals resonate with older voters and women, two key groups in the 2022 contests, with Democrats battling to hold on to the House.

If you want to protect yourself in your district, you ought to double down on the health care provisions, she said.
CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP)  Three of the four men who suffered serious burn injuries in an explosion at a Chandler printing shop last month are out of the hospital now.

A fundraiser was held Saturday for two injured brothers who own Platinum Printing  29-year-old Dillion Ryan and 39-year-old Andrew Ryan  plus 29-year-old employee Parker Milldebrandt.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  France would have known Australia had deep and grave concerns that a submarine fleet the French were building would not meet Australian needs, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Sunday after the contract's cancellation set off a diplomatic crisis.

France accused Australia of concealing its intentions to back out of the 90 billion Australian dollar ($66 billion) contract for French majority state-owned Naval Group to build 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines.

President Joe Biden revealed last week a new alliance including Australia and Britain that would deliver an Australian fleet of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.

Morrison blamed the switch on a deteriorating strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific. He has not specifically referred to Chinas massive military buildup, which has gained pace in recent years.

The capability that the Attack class submarines were going to provide was not what Australia needed to protect our sovereign interests, Morrison said.

They would have had every reason to know that we have deep and grave concerns that the capability being delivered by the Attack class submarine was not going to meet our strategic interests and we have made very clear that we would be making a decision based on our strategic national interest, he added, referring to the French government.

France responded to the contract cancellation, which Morrison has said will cost his government at least AU$2.4 billion ($1.7 billion), by recalling its ambassadors from Australia and the United States.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Saturday denounced what he called the duplicity, disdain and lies surrounding the sudden end of the contract and said France was now questioning the strength of the alliance.

On Sunday, the French government spokesman said President Emmanuel Macron will speak in the coming days with Biden in what will be their first contact since the crisis erupted.

The phone call is at the request of Biden, spokesman Gabriel Attal said, adding that there was shock and anger at first. But now its time to try to move forward, he said.

China has denounced the sharing of such U.S. and British nuclear technology as irresponsible.

France won the contract in 2016 over offers from Germany and Japan. The Shortfin Barracuda was to be a nuclear submarine design adapted to be powered by diesel on the surface and battery underwater.

Japan was particularly disappointed because then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott had promised the close defense ally the contract before he was deposed by his own party in 2015.

The government has talked down media reports of ructions between the partners in the French submarine project and delays on the original delivery date of 2027.

There have been concerns of a defense capability gap emerging that the aging Australia-made Collins class conventional submarines could not fill.

Australias first nuclear submarines are not expected to be delivered until close to 2040.

Defense Minister Peter Dutton said his government was prepared to lease nuclear submarines from the United States while Australias fleet was being built.

Dutton and Foreign Minister Marise Payne are in the United States for annual meetings with their U.S. counterparts and their first with the Biden administration.

Morrison flies to the United States on Monday for a meeting with Biden and the leaders of India and Japan that make up the Quad security forum.
WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) 

Colby College has celebrated a groundbreaking for its $85 million Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts.

It's the largest academic building project the small liberal arts college's history, the Morning Sentinel reported.

The 74,000-square-foot (6,875-square-meter) center will have a performance hall, multipurpose performance areas and studios and an arts incubator to facilitate and nurture emerging art forms, Colby President David Greene said. It's scheduled to open in the fall of 2023.

Greene and about 40 Colby trustees, faculty, senior staff and students attended Saturdays event.

For us, its literally a dream come true, said Greene. We all have dreams and many of them never come true.

The center is named for Michael L. Gordon, a 1966 Colby graduate and trustee who was the lead donor among about 30 people who contributed to the project, the newspaper reported.

___

This story's dateline has been corrected to Maine, not Vermont, and the member attribution has been corrected to the Morning Sentinel, not the Waterville Sentinel.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  The Illinois Commerce Commission has reached a settlement with Star Energy Partners LLC over its investigation into the alternative electric retail supplier's practices.

The ICC announced that the settlement includes $300,000 in refunds, including $275,000 to current and former customers who enrolled with Star for service from May 1 to Oct. 25, 2018.
CHICAGO (AP)  A kind of bird that not that long ago was so rare in Illinois that people traveled hours just to catch a glimpse of one have lately been winging their way through the Chicago area.

Snow-white 30-pound birds called the American white pelican are on their semiannual migration through Illinois right now. It is a trip that means hundreds of them stop to rest near the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, 50 miles, southwest of Chicago. Thousands more stop for a bit about 150 miles beyond Channahon at the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge in Lewistown.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A Nevada death row inmate convicted in the 1980 robbery-killing of a man for $2 is no longer eligible for capitol punishment and must be resentenced, the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled.

The Nevada justices ruled Thursday that a New York court's recent erasure of Samuel Howard's lone conviction for a violent crime took the death penalty off the table for his Nevada murder conviction, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Iran's top leader has appointed a pilot of Russian fighter jets to command the nation's air force, state television reported Sunday.

It said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's choice is Air Force Brig. Gen. Hamid Vahedi.

Vahedi, 56, trained on a simulator for a Sukhoi-24, a Russian fighter jet, from 2000 to 2001. He worked as the acting commander of the air force since 2018. As commander, Vahedi succeeds F-14 Tomcat pilot Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh.

The change is part of routine replacement of army commanders.

The countrys air force has both Russian and American-made made jet fighters in service.
RENO, Nev. (AP)  The Nevada Press Association bestowed its top honors on reporters and photographers from the Las Vegas Review-Journal for the second year in a row Saturday while also recognizing the newspaper for general excellence in a category of urban daily publications.

The press association convention, which was canceled last year because of COVID-19, opened Friday with an informal gathering hosted by the Reno Gazette-Journal at its new headquarters in downtown Reno.

Contest winners, judged by the Montana Press Association, were honored Saturday night at an annual awards banquet that followed daytime meetings and seminars and a luncheon where inductees into the associations hall of fame were honored.

Review-Journal reporter Rio Lacanlale and photographer Benjamin Hager were awarded as the states outstanding journalist and outstanding visual journalist, respectively, in 2021. Judges praised Lacanlale's reporting for its style and depth, noting her work on the Clark County Sheriff's Department, victims of a 2017 mass shooting and relatives of a Black man choked to death by police decades ago. They praised Hager for creativity, angles and visual elements, noting his work on Las Vegas performers and Black Lives Matter protests.

Reno Gazette-Journal photographer Jason Bean was honored for photo of the year and Mike Smith of the Las Vegas Sun for the year's top editorial cartoon.

Megan Messerly of the Nevada Independent and the staff of the Reno Gazette-Journal were jointly awarded story of the year honors for retrospective pieces on the coronavirus pandemic.

The Gazette-Journal's entry was a series of stories about groups affected by the coronavirus pandemic including parents, first-responders and people who died in hospitals alone.

Messerly's was an in-depth look at how state officials responded to the first year of the pandemic.

In the rural publications category, the Boulder City Review won the association's general excellence award and was recognized for its news reporting, opinion page and design. Jeffrey Meehan of the Pahrump Valley Times won investigative story of the year in the category. Reporter Amy Alonzo's piece on sexual misconduct at Fernley schools for the Mason Valley News won the category's honors for explanatory journalism and news feature story.

The Las Vegas Sun's Justin Emerson won Journalist of Merit, and Edible Reno-Tahoe was awarded for general excellence in the magazine category.

The association recognized more than 100 awardees Saturday at a ceremony in Reno.
BRUSSELS (AP)  The Belgian town of Aarschot has a vaccination rate of 94% of all adults, but Mayor Gwendolyn Rutten worries her town is too close for comfort to the capital of Brussels, where the rate stands at 63%. But theres not much she can do about it.

Her hope is that the government mandates vaccination. Otherwise, you drag all others back into danger, Rutten said in a recent interview.

But few European Union countries have issued outright mandates, instead requiring people to show proof of immunization, a negative test or recent recovery from COVID-19 to participate in ever more activities  even sometimes to go to work.

More sweeping requirements are the order of the day in the U.S., which has faced significant vaccine resistance. President Biden announced mandates last week that cover large portions of the population, sometimes without any option to test instead.

Despite apparently divergent strategies, officials in both the U.S. and the EU are struggling with the same question: how to boost vaccination rates to the max and end a pandemic that has repeatedly thwarted efforts to control it.

And the apparent split may in fact be narrowing. While not calling their restrictions mandates, some European countries are making life so difficult for those without the vaccine that it may amount to the same thing.

In a perhaps surprising move in a country known for touting individual freedoms, Biden has imposed sweeping vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans, including many private-sector employees and health care workers. Employees at firms with more than 100 workers will need to get immunized or test weekly, while vaccination will be required for employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government  with no option to test out. There are some exemptions.

The seemingly more aggressive U.S. policy may reflect greater pressures there. The EU, which initially lagged way behind the United States in terms of vaccinations, surpassed it at the end of July. As of Thursday, the 27-nation bloc had 60% of its population vaccinated compared to 53% for the United States, according to Our World In Data. In the both places, immunization rates vary widely from country to country or state to state.

American authorities from Biden on down have labeled the current phase a pandemic of the unvaccinated, with data showing that nearly all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are now are in people who werent vaccinated. EU officials have used the same description for continuing outbreaks in their countries.

But it's harder for the EU writ large to impose vaccine mandates since health policies are the responsibility of the 27 national governments, and top EU officials walk on egg shells addressing the issue. Asked specifically by The Associated Press whether mandatory vaccination could be part of the solution, three EU commissioners swerved around the question, though none argued against it.

This is not within our remit. This is not part of our legal framework," EU Vice President Margaritis Schinas said, before adding: But if there is a message that we would like to repeat to member states and through member states to the European citizens, it is 'vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.'"

Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized that supply wouldn't be an issue, and the bloc would "be ready for everything which is needed. That underscores that such debates can only play out in wealthy nations, while many lower-income countries remain unable to even offer all their citizens a first shot.

But while officials in Brussels can't impose a mandate on the EU's 450 million citizens, many national governments are ramping up restrictions for those who are not vaccinated. Some countries are, in fact, requiring vaccines for some groups: Slovenia is imposing them for government employees, with no option to test out.

More common in the EU, however, is essentially requiring regular testing for those who aren't vaccinated.

Want to see The Last Judgment by Flemish Primitive Rogier van der Weyden at a Burgundy museum? You must show a so-called COVID pass  which provides proof of a negative test, a vaccination or recent recovery from COVID-19  to be allowed to admire that Northern Renaissance gem. The restrictions apply across France for everything from entering restaurants to visiting the Eiffel Tower.

Struggling to boost its paltry vaccination rates in the early summer, France was the first major EU nation to start using such passes. Macron then announced obligatory vaccinations for all health workers in July.

It proved effective. In the eight weeks since the announcement, the French public health service said that the overall vaccination rate went from 40% fully vaccinated to 69%.

As a result, it has found other takers in the bloc. And on Thursday, Italy, which already required the pass for many activities, upped the ante. Premier Mario Draghi's government said workers in both the public and private sectors will soon be forced to show one to go to work. Slovenia and Greece have adopted similar measures, but Italy is the first major European economy to require the COVID pass to access places of work across all sectors.

The health pass is not a nudge to get vaccinated, it is a not-so-gentle push, Italian legal expert Vitalba Azzollini said.

On both sides of the Atlantic, people have sometimes felt the push more like a shove.

In the United States, there has been lots of angry rhetoric and scattered demonstrations.

Everyone should have a right to say no to something, and not lose everything, said Candace Ganjavi, a nurse at Memorial Herman Healthcare in Houston, Texas, who is helping others with advice on how to obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate her employer has imposed.

Meanwhile, Republican governors across the U.S. have loudly condemned Bidens mandate and vowed to take legal action. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster vowed to fight the president to the gates of hell.

Biden has defended the mandates by saying my job as president is to protect all Americans."

Italy and France have seen thousands take to the streets in protests of the COVID passes, some of which resulted in clashes with police in Paris. In Slovenia, hundreds of anti-vaccination protesters hurled flares at the parliament building on Wednesday to protest new measures that require a COVID pass for entering almost any shop as well as restaurants and private workplaces.

The government doubled down, announcing Friday it would expand the requirement to government employees.

Vaccination rates have soared since the first measures were announced.

I would be more pleased if people understood why they have to get vaccinated," said Bojana Beovic, the chief of the Health Ministrys advisory group on COVID-19. "But the main thing is that the share of the vaccinated population is increasing.

___

Associated Press writers Christina Larson in Washington, Josh Hoffner in Phoenix, Angela Charlton in Paris, Colleen Barry in Milan, Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade, Serbia, and AP reporters from across the EU contributed to this report.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)  The mayor of Tampa says officials will revamp a program that allowed police officers to notify landlords when their tenants had been arrested, even in cases where charges were later dropped.

The decision to reform Tampa's Crime-Free housing program was announced by Mayor Jane Castor Saturday following an investigation by the Tampa Bay Times that showed police officers were reporting tenants after arrests for misdemeanor crimes and the arrests of juveniles, and that about 90 percent of the 1,100 people flagged by the program were Black tenants.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Things to watch beyond the main speeches from leaders at this week's high-level meeting of the U.N. General Assembly in New York:

 A MEETING at U.N. headquarters on Wednesday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the U.N. conference on racism in Durban, South Africa will be closely watched. It is being boycotted by the United States, France, Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia because of concerns about anti-Semitic statements at the 2001 meeting.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  An interactive exhibit in Mississippi prompts visitors to speak aloud the names of people who were killed in acts of racist violence in the United States during the civil rights era  incantations in a darkened room to honor some 150 men, women and children whose lives were cut short.

The names appear on lighted glass panels, backed by images of trees. Next to each name is a code that visitors can scan with their cellphones.

Say his name to begin his story," or Say her name to begin her story," says the recorded narrator, journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault, who made history in 1961 as one of the first Black students to enroll in the University of Georgia.

The traveling exhibit, Un(re)solved, was created by PBS Frontline with artist, filmmaker and technologist Tamara Shogaolu. It is on display until Oct. 24 at the Two Mississippi Museums in downtown Jackson. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi History are under one roof and share a lobby, meeting areas and exhibit spaces.

The exhibit opened in Mississippi on Aug. 28  66 years to the day after Emmett Till, a Black teenager from Chicago, was abducted, tortured and killed in the Mississippi Delta after witnesses said he whistled at a white woman working in a country store. His mother insisted on an open-casket funeral in Chicago, and photos of his brutalized body became a catalyst for the civil rights movement.

Un(re)solved focuses on the federal investigation of more than 150 cold cases under a law enacted in 2008, the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act. Mississippi has 56 names in the exhibit  more than any other state.

Pamela D.C. Junior, director of the Two Mississippi Museums, said she knows relatives of two men listed in the exhibit, Benjamin Brown and James Earl Green.

Brown was shot to death in May 1967 during a demonstration on the campus of Jackson State College, now called Jackson State University. The Justice Department says its investigation into Brown's killing is closed because the likely shooter was a Mississippi state trooper who is deceased.

Green, a Jackson State student, was shot to death in May 1970 when law enforcement officers opened fire on campus as students were protesting against racism. An investigation into his killing remains open, according to the Justice Department.

Junior said she attended junior high in Jackson with Green's younger brothers and always wondered how they were affected by their brother's violent death.

These are family members that are just walking around trying to have peace and still cant have peace because they lost a loved one to something so traumatic, Junior said in the room with the exhibit. Think about all these names here and people who still dont have peace because they are unsolved lynchings, murders.

Un(re)solved was on display in May at the Tribeca Film Festival. After it leaves Mississippi, it will go to other parts of the U.S.

____

Follow Emily Wagster Pettus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Law students Azra Ozdemir and Mia Bacher prepared, memorized and analyzed their scripts for their first trial in court.

Days of preparation amounted to just a one-minute introduction  and, just like that, their first semester at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Misdemeanor Clinic commenced.

It seems very small in the grand scheme of the courts, but for the people who are kind of going through the misdemeanor issues, its very, very difficult, and its very serious, and its very impactful once they get proper representation, Ozdemir said. So I was very excited to jump in.

The clinic at the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law connects law students with defendants facing misdemeanor charges or traffic offenses and who do not qualify for public defenders.

The clinic, with six students this semester, is co-directed by professors Eve Hanan and Anne Traum, who said students apply for the work and receive credit for six academic units upon completion.

They just take it really seriously like a job, and they work a lot of hours, Traum said. It is for-credit but feels like a job because of the time, but also because its a higher level of responsibility than they would have experienced at almost any other job during law school before they get to the clinic.

The units are equivalent to about half a semesters worth of classes. But Ozdemir said the effort felt less like a requirement than a necessity.

The course load honestly feels less demanding to me because were doing such tangible work that actually helps people, she said.

Nevada Supreme Court Rule 49.3 allows students such as Ozdemir and Bacher to practice law under the supervision of an attorney licensed in Nevada.

As long as they have completed 45 semester credit hours, they can attend hearings, counsel clients and draft legal documents, Hanan said.

Following passage in June of Assembly Bill 116  which will decriminalize minor traffic offenses starting Jan. 1, 2023  the students work is more imperative than ever, Hanan said.

Part of our projects right now is to determine which courts are changing their procedures now or soon, in anticipation of that change in 2023, and which courts are continuing with business as usual, she said.

Most convictions that occur in the United States are for misdemeanors, and a Loyola Law School study discovered that white misdemeanor defendants were 46% more likely to have their charges cleared compared with Black defendants.

Misdemeanor charges push Black workers into lower-class status  yet even Black residents without criminal records will still make less money compared to white workers, according to the Clark County Black Caucus.

The Mob Museum, officially the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, hosted an Aug. 2 screening of the documentary Racially Charged: Americas Misdemeanor Problem, which Bacher and Ozdemir said they watched with other students at the clinic.

Leisa Moseley, Nevada state director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center, is entrenched in the reform of the misdemeanor system both through work and personal experience. She said she received a traffic ticket for an expired registration and spent a day in jail. Educating those unfamiliar with the impact of a misdemeanor conviction is key to making lasting change.

The biggest obstacle is information, Moseley said. We tend to think misdemeanors are just minor crimes and that theyre something that can be taken lightly, when in fact they are a system that just gets people caught up in a cycle of poverty.

Before law school, Bacher said she did not know the negative effects of a misdemeanor.

Going into law school I definitely knew that I wanted to do public defense work, and the misdemeanor clinic was kind of the closest I could get to that, said Bacher, a native of Portland, Oregon. I was really excited to apply for the misdemeanor clinic because I knew it would be the kind of work that I wanted to do post-graduation.

Yvette Williams, founder and chair of the Clark County Black Caucus, said AB 116 was a strong step forward for the state. However, she said she thought that before the effective date in 2023 judges should halt prosecution of the minor traffic offenses the new law will eventually cover.

On Sept. 23, the Clark County Black Caucus will host a community discussion regarding an additional aspect of the misdemeanor problem  additional fines and fees tacked onto charges.

We are going to do some other previews with folks that are in decision-making positions and also within the community to continue to educate and inform, she said.

Ozdemir said she was proud of her work at the clinic, especially as a Las Vegas local who grew up and attended all her pre-college, undergraduate and graduate schooling in the city.

I didnt really understand, when I got into law school, just how burdensome it can be, she said. Its a little scary. We hope that the judges have (AB 116) in the back of their mind, and we hope that theyre aware of why this was needed.
DEL RIO, Texas (AP)  The United States acted Sunday to stem the flow of migrants into Texas by blocking the Mexican border at an isolated town where thousands of Haitian refugees set up a camp, and American officials began flying some of the migrants back to their homeland.

About a dozen Texas Department of Public Safety vehicles lined up near the bridge and river where Haitians have been crossing from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, into Del Rio, Texas, for almost three weeks. Yellow police tape was being used to block them from using a small dam to walk into the U.S.

The migrants initially found other ways to cross nearby until they were confronted by federal and state law enforcement.

A Mexican police officer on the Mexican side of the border said migrants will not be allowed to cross anymore. He would not give his name. But an Associated Press reporter saw Haitian immigrants still crossing the river into the U.S. about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) east of the previous spot. They were later stopped by Border Patrol agents on horseback and Texas law enforcement officials.

As they crossed, some Haitians carried boxes on their heads filled with food. Some removed their pants before getting into the river and carried them. Others were concerned about getting wet.

Get out of the water," agents yelled at the migrants who were crossing in the waist-deep river. The several hundred who had successfully crossed and were sitting along the river bank on the U.S. side were ordered to the Del Rio camp. Go now, agents yelled.

Migrant Charlie Jean had crossed back into Ciudad Acuna from the camps to get food for his wife and three daughters, ages 2, 5 and 12. He was waiting on the Mexican side for a restaurant to bring him an order of rice.

We need food for every day. I can go without, but my kids cant, said Jean, who had been living in Chile for five years before beginning the trek north to the U.S. It was unknown if he made it back across and to the camp.

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating 2010 earthquake. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

Border Patrol Chief Raul L. Ortiz said Sunday that 3,300 migrants have already been removed from the Del Rio camp to planes or detention centers, and he expects to have 3,000 of the approximately 12,600 remaining migrants to be moved within a day. The rest should be gone within the week, he said. The first three planes left San Antonio for Port-au-Prince on Sunday, with the first arriving in the afternoon.

We are working around the clock to expeditiously move migrants out of the heat, elements and from underneath this bridge to our processing facilities in order to quickly process and remove individuals from the United States consistent with our laws and our policies, Ortiz said at news conference at the bridge.

The blockade and deportations marked a swift response to the sudden arrival of Haitians in Del Rio, a Texas city of about 35,000 people roughly 145 miles (230 kilometers) west of San Antonio. It sits on a relatively remote stretch of border that lacks capacity to hold and process such large numbers of people.

At the Port-au-Prince airport, families arriving on the first plane held children by the hand or carried them as they exited, and some deportees covered their heads as they walked into a large bus parked next to the plane.

About a dozen officials from various Haitian government agencies gathered to meet with the deported Haitians. Public security officials with the Ministry of Justice requested the presence of Haitis national police to prevent any potential violence.

A minibus from the International Organization of Migration also was posted at the airport. It was filled with brightly colored bags containing toiletries, hand sanitizer and hair ties.

All the deportees have been tested for COVID-19, and authorities are not planning to put them into quarantine, said Marie-Lourde Jean-Charles with the Office of National Migration.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry wrote Sunday on Twitter that he is concerned about conditions at the border camp and that the migrants would be welcomed back.

We want to reassure them that measures have already been taken to give them a better welcome upon their return to the country and that they will not be left behind, he tweeted. Henry did not provide details about the measures. A Haitian government spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment.

But another Haitian political leader questioned whether the nation could handle an influx of returning migrants and said the government should stop the repatriation.

We have the situation in the south with the earthquake. The economy is a disaster, (and) there are no jobs, Election Minister Mathias Pierre said, adding that most Haitians cant satisfy basic needs. The prime minister should negotiate with the U.S. government to stop those deportations in this moment of crises.

Some of the migrants at the Del Rio camp said the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise make them afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

In Haiti, there is no security, said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived in Texas with his wife and two daughters. The country is in a political crisis.
HOUSTON (AP)  A year after the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the country's top abortion-rights activists warned that the Supreme Courts recent inaction on Texas extremely restrictive new abortion law could signal the end of judicial checks and balances on the issue.

For a lot of people, theyve always assumed that, even if they lived in a state that passed restrictions on reproductive care, that there was always a judicial system that would be there to protect them and declare these laws unconstitutional, Cecile Richards, former president of Planned Parenthood, told The Associated Press in an interview this week.

That isnt happening any more.

To coincide with Saturday's anniversary of the death of Ginsburg, whom she called a trailblazer and advocate for women everywhere, Richards released an open letter warning that Texas' Republican leaders "have outlined a roadmap for other Republican governors to follow suit, with the acquiescence of the Supreme Court.

The right to a safe and legal abortion that had been protected under our constitution and by our judicial system for nearly 50 years is in jeopardy, and we must fight to fully regain it," wrote Richards, who stepped down from the helm of Planned Parenthood in 2018 and currently co-chairs American Bridge 21st Century, which supports liberal causes and conducts opposition research on Republicans

Texas' new law, which is the nation's most restrictive, prohibits abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, which is usually around the sixth week of pregnancy and before some women know theyre pregnant. Courts have blocked other states from imposing similar restrictions, but Texas law differs significantly because it leaves enforcement to private citizens through lawsuits instead of prosecutors through criminal charges.

The measure took effect this month after the U.S. Supreme Court declined an emergency appeal from abortion providers asking that it be stayed. Opponents of the law have called it the nations biggest curb to abortion rights since the court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which established a nationwide right to abortion at any point before a fetus can survive outside the womb, which is roughly around the 24th week.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has defended the measure  which has no exceptions for rape or incest  saying it does not force victims to give birth and vowing that the state will work tirelessly to make sure that we eliminate all rapists from the streets of Texas by aggressively going out and arresting them and prosecuting them.

Abortion providers have said they will comply, but some of Texas roughly two dozen abortion clinics have temporarily stopped offering abortion services altogether. Clinics in nearby states say they are struggling to meet surging demand, and care for their own residents is being delayed to accommodate women making long trips from Texas.

The Justice Department is suing Texas, saying in a federal suit that the law was enacted in open defiance of the Constitution and violates the Supremacy Clause, which says federal law supersedes state law. A federal judge next month is set to consider the case, which argues that the measure unlawfully infringes on the constitutional rights of women.

According to a poll earlier this year by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, a solid majority of Americans believe most abortions should be legal in the first three months of a womans pregnancy, but most say the procedure should usually be illegal in the second and third trimesters.

The poll came just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case involving a currently blocked Mississippi law that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, two weeks into the second trimester. Similar measures in states across the country are on hold pending the outcome of that case.

Richards said she is concerned that, without a shift in direction, Roe v. Wade could be headed for extinction in more places. But she pointed to the 2022 midterm elections as what she sees as a way for voters to change that.

We are in a post-Roe world now," Richards said. "Here in the state of Texas, Roe is no longer in effect ... and all it takes is a Republican governor and a Republican Legislature. Your state could be exactly the same.
A Texas doctor stepped forward Saturday to say he had performed an abortion that is illegal under the state's restrictive new law to force a test of its legality

"I understand that by providing an abortion beyond the new legal limit, I am taking a personal risk, but it's something I believe in strongly," Alan Braid, a San Antonio ob-gyn, said in an op-ed in The Washington Post. "I have daughters, granddaughters and nieces. I believe abortion is an essential part of health care. . . . I can't just sit back and watch us return to 1972.

Braid said he performed a first-trimester abortion on Sept. 6, just a few days after the law known as Senate Bill 8 went into effect in Texas, making nearly all abortions illegal after a woman is about six weeks pregnant -- with no exceptions for incest or rape. The doctor said he acted because he had "a duty of care to this patient, as I do for all patients."

The op-ed is the latest development in the storm over Texas' abortion law, the most restrictive in the nation. The law took effect Sept. 1 after a conservative Supreme Court majority declined to block it, saying the abortion rights advocates who challenged it could not show they were suing the right people. The Justice Department sued Texas a little more than a week ago to try to block the ban and has also made an emergency request to a federal judge in Austin to immediately block its enforcement. The judge set an Oct. 1 hearing date.

Meanwhile, several other Republican-led states have indicated they are considering following Texas' lead. Unlike other six-week abortion bans that have been struck down by the courts, the Texas law does not rely on the state to enforce it. Instead it deputizes private citizens to sue abortion providers, doctors or anyone else who aids in the procedure. Individuals can receive a $10,000 award if their lawsuits are successful.

A slew of lawsuits against Braid are expected to follow his public admission.

John Seago, legislative director for Texas Right to Lifesaid the group "is exploring all of our options to hold anyone accountable who breaks the (Texas) law."

"This is obviously a stunt to move forward with other legal attacks on the law," he said of Braid's column. "This was always something that we expected - that someone would essentially try to bait a lawsuit. So we're just moving into the next phase of Senate Bill 8 right now."

But Kristin Ford, acting vice president of communications for NARAL Pro-Choice America, an abortion rights advocacy group, praised Braid for "stepping forward in this bold and brave way" describing the situation as untenable.

"Roe v. Wade has been rendered meaningless in the second biggest state in the country and we can't continue in that limbo," she said.

In his column, Braid recounted speaking with a 42-year-old woman with four children - three under age 12 - who recently entered his clinic seeking an abortion. He advised her to go to Oklahoma, which is 9 hours away from San Antonio, and offered to help with funding. She told him she couldn't go even if they paid to fly her in a private jet.

"Who's going to take care of my kids?" she asked him. "What about my job? I can't miss work."

Advocates say the abortion ban is likely to have a disproportionate effect on low-income Texas residents and those of color.

A first trimester abortion of the sort Braid describes in his column would have been protected under the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade that grants a right to the procedure up until fetal viability, usually around 22 to 24 weeks - until the Senate Bill 8 took effect.

Braid also shares his memories of treating patients who underwent unsafe abortions in 1972, the year he began his obstetrics and gynecology residency at a San Antonio hospital. He said he saw three teenagers die from illegal abortions that year, including a teenager who died of massive organ failure, caused by a septic infection.

Braid's clinics are represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, which brought a federal lawsuit against the Texas ban.

"We stand ready to defend him against the vigilante lawsuits that S.B. 8 threatens to unleash against those providing or supporting access to constitutionally protected abortion care," said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments later this year about another restrictive abortion law in Mississippi but that law was stayed from taking effect. Mississippi officials have asked the court to overturn Roe v. Wade and continue a state law that bans abortions after 15 weeks.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
You may need an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) if you were ever received a removal order.

How to return to Canada after being ordered to leave You may need an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) if you were ever received a removal order.

How to return to Canada after being ordered to leave You may need an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) if you were ever received a removal order.

How to return to Canada after being ordered to leave You may need an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) if you were ever received a removal order. Michael Schwartz Matt Hendler Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

Canada can order non-citizens to leave the country by issuing removal orders. Some of the reasons for such orders can include criminal conduct and violation of Canadian immigration laws. If youve been subject to a removal order, you may need an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) to come back.

Whether or not you require an ARC depends on several things. The most important are: what type of removal order you received, and if and when you complied with it. In any case, you must meet all other admissibility requirements.

There are actually three different kinds of removal orders. From least to most severe they are:

1. Departure Order

This is an order that you leave Canada by a certain deadline. It does not limit if or when you can return. If you comply with the removal order within the time period and verify your departure with a Canadian immigration officer upon leaving, then you do not need an ARC. But, if you leave Canada after 30 days or without confirming your departure, the departure order turns into a deportation order. This means it becomes more severe. In that case, you need an ARC.

2. Exclusion Order

This is an order that you leave Canada and that you stay away for at least twelve months afterwards. If you comply with the Exclusion Order within the deadline it sets and confirm your departure with Canadian authorities, you receive a Certificate of Departure. If you receive a Certificate of Departure and twelve months have passed since, you do not need an ARC. If you do not receive a Certificate of Departure or less than twelve months have passed, you need an ARC.

3. Deportation Order

If you received any deportation order, you are theoretically banned from Canada for life. This means you must get an ARC, no matter how you left and how much time has passed since.

If you need an ARC, you should not apply separately for it. Instead, you should deal with this matter in your general application to come to Canada. For example, include it with your request for a work permit. You cannot obtain an ARC at a Canadian border or from inside Canada, so you must apply before travelling.

If you need an ARC, you must pay a $400 CAD processing fee. You must also include a letter explaining why Canada should grant you an ARC. This document must be in English or French and typedor written in block letters in black pen. If you did not leave by your deadline or report your departure, you should explain why. The government may request you attend an interview or provide more documents, it will advise you in writing. Any documents you send that are not in English or French must include a certified translation. You can find here where to submit your ARC. If you are applying for an ARC from the USA, you can apply to the Canadian consulate in either Los Angeles or New York City.

Canada decides ARCs using several factors. These include:

why the removal order was issued;

the likelihood of you repeating the conduct that caused Canada to issue to issue the removal order;

how long has passed since the conduct, removal order, or when you left Canada; and

your conduct since leaving Canada.

The reason you want to return to Canada. In general, the more pressing the reason (work or family commitments over vacation) the greater likelihood one has of receiving an ARC.

Immigration officers have considerable discretion in ARC decisions. There is no guarantee you will receive one. ARCs can also take a long time to process, and there is no set time-frame. You should therefore present a well-organized, thorough, and convincing argument.

Click here to get a free consultation with the Law Firm of Campbell Cohen

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Discover your Canadian immigration options at CanadaVisa.com.
The sudden spread of COVID-19 globally introduced new challenges across the healthcare landscape that disrupted all day-to-day operations. The pandemic forced King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFS&RC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to deal with and manage the immediate impact that a large number of infected patients had on the healthcare system. KFSH&RC and the Saudi Ministry of Health, as a starting point, built on the lessons from Chinas response and those of the World Health Organization.

King Faisal Specialist Hospital Dr. Osama Alswailem is CIO at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The challenge was to create a truly holistic view of what was happening during the pandemic by developing effective knowledge discovery capabilities amongst disparate sources from the international, national and organisational levels.

In this Q&A, Dr. Osama Alswailem, CIO at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, discusses how the pandemic fuelled a digital transformation that was already underway in healthcare.

CIO Middle East: To what degree are hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a process of digital transformation  using IT to fundamentally change the way they work?
U.S. gymnasts, from left, Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Maggie Nichols arrive at the Capitol on Wednesday to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the FBIs bungled investigation into sexual abuse of athletes by USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University Dr. Larry Nassar.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 19)  One of the country's leading vaccine experts thinks implementing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination would help in the rollout but may face legal obstacles as he believes inoculation remains a personal option.

"I don't think we can really implement that. We need to know the legality of mandatory vaccination because I still feel that vaccination is an option for everyone or anyone who can get it," Dr. Rontgene Solante, a member of the governments vaccine expert panel, told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Weekend on Sunday.

Solante added that a mandatory COVID-19 immunization for all Filipinos can help improve vaccine rollout at the local level, but the national government should ensure a stable vaccine supply in the country first before implementing such a rule.

Last Sept. 16, the Davao City government issued an executive order requiring all its personnel to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Asked about the legal implications of such an order, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said it warrants further study.

"This is a very delicate matter that needs a lot of study and there's a proper procedure for obtaining a formal [Department of Justice] opinion," he told CNN Philippines in a message.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health cited Republic Act 11525, which states that vaccine cards shall not be considered an additional requirement for employment.

"While vaccination is not mandatory, we call on all eligible population to register in their respective LGUs and avail of COVID-19 vaccines for free, for additional protection," the DOH said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 19)  Over 30 million Filipinos should have been vaccinated by now against COVID-19 given the current supply if only the national government were quick to process the distribution of the vaccines, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday.

"Mabagal, in the sense na halos 58 million (doses) na ang dumating pero 17 million pa lang ang nababakunahan," she said during her weekly radio show.

[Translation: It is slow, in the sense that almost 58 million doses have arrived but only 17 million people have been vaccinated.]

The National Task Force against COVID-19 said Friday that over 17.9 million Filipinos are now fully protected against the virus.

As of Sept. 16, it said, 58.2 million doses of COVID vaccines have been delivered to the Philippines.

Robredo said some of the local executives they met have complained about the release of a certificate of analysis.

"Baka ang problema ay kulang ng tao. Sana gawan ng paraan na mag-hire ng mas maraming tao [at] budget para mas bumilis," she said.

[Translation: Maybe the problem is lack of people. Hopefully they could hire more people and increase the budget to ramp up the distribution.]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 19)  Vice President Leni Robredo says the national government should conduct COVID-19 mass testing by deploying free testing sites in areas with high reported cases.

During her weekly radio show on Sunday, Robredo reiterated that the government must make coronavirus testing more accessible to Filipinos amid the country's current positivity rate.

The Department of Health on Saturday said the positivity rateor percentage of tested people who yielded positive resultsdropped from 26.7% based on tests reported on September 15 to 26% based on 73,635 tests reported on September 16.

A rate of above 20% is at critical level while a rate of below 3% indicates there is adequate testing, according to US nonprofit Covid Act Now.

"Sana i-expand 'yung libre at accessible. Sana everywhere, lalo na sa Metro Manila, anytime pwede sila mag-walk in para magpa-test," she said.

"Mahina na nga ang contact tracing, very limited pa ang testing," Robredo added.

[Translation: I hope they could expand and make the free testing accessible. Hopefully everywhere, especially in Metro Manila, where they can walk in to take a test. Contact tracing is already weak, and yet testing is still very limited.]

While the government has lowered the price cap for RT-PCR test, Robredo said the rates remain expensive for daily wage earners.

On Aug. 26, the Department of Health issued a circular providing a price cap for the "gold standard" in testing effective Sept. 6:

- Public laboratories: P2,800 for plate-based and P2,450 for cartridge-based GeneXpert

- Private laboratories: P3,360 for plate-based and P2,940 for GeneXpert

- Home service: Additional P1,000 for plate-based and GeneXpert

The DOH also said testing centers can charge lower rates but not exceed the price cap.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 19)  More government-procured vaccines arrived in the country on Sunday to bolster the fight against COVID-19.

Three million doses of Sinovac arrived at Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 6:04 p.m. via flight PR 359. The cargo was welcomed by vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr.

Speaking during the shipments arrival, Galvez said most of the vaccines will be distributed to Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Davao Region as first doses and as second doses in the National Capital Region.

To date, Galvez said 18,475,950 million Filipinos are now fully vaccinated.

Galvez also responded to an earlier comment by Vice President Leni Robredo that vaccine distribution in the country remains slow.

"Mabagal, in the sense na halos 58 million (doses) na ang dumating pero 17 million pa lang ang nababakunahan," she said during her weekly radio show on Sunday.

[Translation: It is slow, in the sense that almost 58 million doses have arrived but only 17 million people have been vaccinated.]

"Madam...hindi po ganoon ang pag-compute ng pagbabakuna. Hindi po natin iko-compute na kunyari 60 million ang ating delivery ay idi-divide natin agad...Kailangan alalahanin po natin na regimen and protocol sa tinatawag na second dosing," Galvez said.

[Translation: Madam...thats not the way to compute. If 60 million vaccines arrive we cannot just divide it immediately...We have to remember the regimen and protocol when it comes to second dosing.]

Galvez added that challenges in vaccine distribution must also be taken into consideration.
NORTH DAKOTA

Oil boom remakes county with fastest growth in US

WATFORD CITY  Lured by steady wages as the nation climbed out of the Great Recession, roughnecks and other oil field workers filled McKenzie County's few motel rooms, then began sleeping in cars, tents, trailers  anything to hide from the cold wind cutting across the North Dakota prairie. Once empty dirt roads suddenly were clogged with tanker trucks. Crime rates spiked.

Soon everything shifted yet again: The workers' spouses and children arrived. Classrooms swelled. Apartment buildings cropped up beside oil rigs.

The growth made McKenzie the nation's fastest-growing county during the past decade, according to the Census Bureau. It brought youth, diversity and better wages  breathing new life into somnolent towns that had been losing population since the 1930s.

Since the boom began in 2010, jobs in McKenzie County have come and gone with oil's changing fortunes. Crude prices peaked last decade at more than $130 a barrel, fell below $40, then rebounded before falling again when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

McKenzie just kept growing.

From 2010 to 2014, the amount of crude produced in the county grew 1,800%. By the end of the decade, census figures show, its population more than doubled, to 14,704 residents.

Pump jacks pulling oil from the ground dot the landscape across the county's 2,860 square miles. Bordered by the Yellowstone River to the north, Lake Sakakawea to the east and Montana to the west, McKenzie is larger in land mass than Delaware.

With a median age of 30 compared to 39 in 2010. The county has a median household income increasing 61% to almost $78,000, according to census data.

Farmhand Charlie Lewis said he came for the work and stayed for the community.

"The only time I think of going back is when it's 40 below, he added.

NEW MEXICO

State deploys absentee ballot drop boxes

SANTA FE  Election officials are deploying ballot drop boxes across New Mexico for people who chose to cast absentee ballots without walking indoors during the upcoming Nov. 2 local election for public offices including mayor of Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver told a legislative panel on Sept. 13 that county clerks are required to provide one drop box for every 25,000 voters and at least two per county. Exceptions can be made at the request of local county officials.

The quick-drop boxes for voting are among a long list measures backed by Toulouse Oliver, a second-term Democrat, that are aimed at making voting more accessible. Lawmakers appropriated funding for the initiative amid concerns about COVID-19 and indoor crowding at polling places.

Ballots must be collected at least once a day from the boxes, video surveillance of drop boxes is required and recordings must be retained by county clerks. It remains illegal for any person to deliver a ballot for another person with the exception of immediate family, and signs at each drop box are required to explain that prohibition against so-called ballot harvesting.

The proliferation of drop boxes is the outcome of 2019 legislation from the Democratic-led legislature that was signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and more detailed rules this summer from state election regulators aimed at consistent procedures.

Drop boxes were a focus of Republican Party concerns about election security in the 2020 general election. Disputes about ballot drop boxes in two counties were resolved in state district court in October 2020 prior to the close of voting.

UTAH

Judge tosses lawsuit over Mormon church use of donations

SALT LAKE CITY  A judge tossed out a lawsuit filed by James Huntsman, a member of one of Utah's most prominent families and brother of a former governor, against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a ruling issued Sept. 13.

Huntsman had accused the Utah-based faith known widely as the Mormon church of fraud and sought to recover millions of dollars in contributions, saying the church spent donations solicited for charity on commercial purposes. Judge Stephen Wilson rejected Huntsman's claims and said that no reasonable juror would believe that Latter-day Saint leaders made false statements about how tithing funds would be used.

In a lawsuit filed in March, Huntsman said he was defrauded out of millions during the 24 years he gave 10% of his annual income to the church. He is the brother of former U.S. diplomat and ex-Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and son of late billionaire philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr.

He alleged that the church has "repeatedly and publicly lied" about the use of billions of dollars in contributions meant to pay for missionary work, temples and other educational and charitable work.

Church spokesperson Eric Hawkins said the church is "grateful" the judge granted its motion for summary judgment in a statement Tuesday.

Huntsman's attorney David Jonelis said they intend to appeal the ruling

NEBRASKA

Anti-abortion students sue Creighton over vaccine mandate

OMAHA  Four students are suing Creighton University over its requirement to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to remain enrolled, arguing that some of them "feel coerced" to violate their religious beliefs against abortion.

The lawsuit filed the week of Sept. 6 in Douglas County District Court also alleges that some of the four students have medical conditions that make vaccines not recommended for them.

The university in Omaha is affiliated with the Jesuit order of the Catholic Church. It mandated that all students get vaccinated in August, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to a vaccine mandated by Pfizer, according to local news reports. The university had previously allowed medical exemptions to its vaccine requirements, but not religious ones.

The lawsuit says all four students have "religious objections" to COVID-19 vaccines because "the vaccines were developed and/or tested using abortion derived fetal cell lines."

The Vatican declared in December that it is "morally acceptable" for Roman Catholics to receive COVID-19 vaccines based on research that used cells derived from aborted fetuses, when "ethically irreproachable" vaccines aren't available.

The university declined comment.

IDAHO

Arrest warrant issued for ex-lawmaker on rape charges

BOISE  An arrest warrant has been issued for a former Idaho lawmaker who resigned in disgrace after a 19-year-old intern reported that he brought her to his apartment on false pretenses and raped her.

The Ada County arrest warrant on charges of rape and sexual penetration with a foreign object comes nearly five months after Aaron von Ehlinger, a Republican from Lewiston, resigned from the Idaho House of Representatives after an ethics committee found he should be formally censured for his behavior.

The investigation into von Ehlinger began in March after the young staffer reported he raped her after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant. Von Ehlinger has denied all wrongdoing and maintains he had consensual sexual contact with the young woman.

A legislative ethics committee unanimously found that he engaged in "behavior unbecoming," and said they would support a vote to remove him from the statehouse.

The woman informed Legislative leadership and the police about the rape allegations on her first day at work after the incident. She also testified before the legislative ethics committee, despite facing harassment from von Ehlinger's supporters and some fellow lawmakers.

Attempts to contact von Ehlinger for comment were not immediately successful.
Offer a personal message of sympathy...

By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that below. Otherwise, you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below, and then register to create your account.
DEL RIO, Texas (AP)  The U.S. flew Haitians camped in a Texas border town back to their homeland Sunday and tried blocking others from crossing the border from Mexico in a massive show of force that signaled the beginning of what could be one of America's swiftest, large-scale expulsions of migrants or refugees in decades.

More than 320 migrants arrived in Port-au-Prince on three flights, and Haiti said six flights were expected Tuesday. In all, U.S. authorities moved to expel many of the more 12,000 migrants camped around a bridge in Del Rio, Texas, after crossing from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico.

The U.S. plans to begin seven expulsion flights daily on Wednesday, four to Port-au-Prince and three to Cap-Haitien, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Flights will continue to depart from San Antonio but authorities may add El Paso, the official said.

The only obvious parallel for such an expulsion without an opportunity to seek asylum was in 1992 when the Coast Guard intercepted Haitian refugees at sea, said Yael Schacher, senior U.S. advocate at Refugees International whose doctoral studies focused on the history of U.S. asylum law.

Similarly large numbers of Mexicans have been sent home during peak years of immigration but over land and not so suddenly.

Central Americans have also crossed the border in comparable numbers without being subject to mass expulsion, although Mexico has agreed to accept them from the U.S. under pandemic-related authority in effect since March 2020. Mexico does not accept expelled Haitians or people of other nationalities outside of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

When the border was closed Sunday, the migrants initially found other ways to cross nearby until they were confronted by federal and state law enforcement. An Associated Press reporter saw Haitian immigrants still crossing the river into the U.S. about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) east of the previous spot, but they were eventually stopped by Border Patrol agents on horseback and Texas law enforcement officials.

As they crossed, some Haitians carried boxes on their heads filled with food. Some removed their pants before getting into the river and carried them. Others were unconcerned about getting wet.

Agents yelled at the migrants who were crossing in the waist-deep river to get out of the water. The several hundred who had successfully crossed and were sitting along the river bank on the U.S. side were ordered to the Del Rio camp. Go now, agents yelled. Mexican authorities in an airboat told others trying to cross to go back into Mexico.

Migrant Charlie Jean had crossed back into Ciudad Acuna from the camps to get food for his wife and three daughters, ages 2, 5 and 12. He was waiting on the Mexican side for a restaurant to bring him an order of rice.

We need food for every day. I can go without, but my kids cant, said Jean, who had been living in Chile for five years before beginning the trek north to the U.S. It was unknown if he made it back across and to the camp.

Mexico said Sunday it would also begin deporting Haitians to their homeland. A government official said the flights would be from towns near the U.S. border and the border with Guatemala, where the largest group remains.

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating 2010 earthquake. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

Some of the migrants at the Del Rio camp said the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise make them afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

In Haiti, there is no security, said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived in Texas with his wife and two daughters. The country is in a political crisis.

Since Friday, 3,300 migrants have already been removed from the Del Rio camp to planes or detention centers, Border Patrol Chief Raul L. Ortiz said Sunday. He expected to have 3,000 of the approximately 12,600 remaining migrants moved within a day, and aimed for the rest to be gone within the week.

We are working around the clock to expeditiously move migrants out of the heat, elements and from underneath this bridge to our processing facilities in order to quickly process and remove individuals from the United States consistent with our laws and our policies, Ortiz said at news conference at the Del Rio bridge. The Texas city of about 35,000 people sits roughly 145 miles (230 kilometers) west of San Antonio.

Six flights were scheduled in Haiti on Tuesday  three in Port-au-Prince and three in the northern city of Cap-Haitien, said Jean Negot Bonheur Delva, Haiti's migration director.

The rapid expulsions were made possible by a pandemic-related authority adopted by former President Donald Trump in March 2020 that allows for migrants to be immediately removed from the country without an opportunity to seek asylum. President Joe Biden exempted unaccompanied children from the order but let the rest stand.

Any Haitians not expelled are subject to immigration laws, which include rights to seek asylum and other forms of humanitarian protection. Families are quickly released in the U.S. because the government cannot generally hold children.

Some people arriving on the first flight covered their heads as they walked into a large bus parked next to the plane. Dozens lined up to receive a plate of rice, beans, chicken and plantains as they wondered where they would sleep and how they would make money to support their families.

All were given $100 and tested for COVID-19, though authorities were not planning to put them into quarantine, said Marie-Lourde Jean-Charles with the Office of National Migration.

Gary Monplaisir, 26, said his parents and sister live in Port-au-Prince, but he wasnt sure if he would stay with them because to reach their house he, his wife and their 5-year-old daughter would cross a gang-controlled area called Martissant where killings are routine.

Im scared, he said. I dont have a plan.

He moved to Chile in 2017, just as he was about to earn an accounting degree, to work as a tow truck driver. He later paid for his wife and daughter to join him. They tried to reach the U.S. because he thought he could get a better-paying job and help his family in Haiti.

Were always looking for better opportunities, he said.

Some migrants said they were planning to leave Haiti again as soon as possible. Valeria Ternission, 29, said she and her husband want to travel with their 4-year-old son back to Chile, where she worked as a bakery's cashier.

I am truly worried, especially for the child, she said. I cant do anything here.

___

Lozano reported from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, Sanon from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and Spagat from San Diego. Associated Press writers Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Maria Verza in Mexico City also contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
ATHENS, Ga. (AP)  A second mistrial has been ordered for a Georgia man charged with raping and sodomizing a woman in her apartment in April 2018.

Alex Michael Mosby, 30, of Athens, was on trial in Clarke County Superior Court when the jury deadlocked Thursday at six for acquittal and six to convict. Judge Lawton Stephens ordered the mistrial after the jury was unable to agree on a verdict, The Athens Banner-Herald reported.
A Kansas nurse who texted a co-worker a picture of a dementia patient slumped over in a wheelchair and then suggested she was responsible and deserved thanks has pleaded guilty to intentionally administering the wrong medication.

The Kansas City Star reports that 37-year-old Jennifer Lynn Reavis, of Atchison, is free on bond as she awaits sentencing on charges of endangerment, unlawful administration of a controlled substance and battery. She pleaded guilty to the charges Friday in Leavenworth County District Court.
BRIDGEPORT  Bridgeport can officially lay claim to another Connecticut institution: Paier College.

Paier, a small, for-profit college known for visual arts, relocated ahead of the fall semester from Hamden to its new, 5.5-acre home on the University of Bridgeports campus.

In magnitude, its maybe five times bigger than where we were, said Joe Bierbaum, the college president. Maybe more than that.

The college also has plans to grow its student body and add masters programs launching at the start of 2022.

The physical move marks the latest development in Paiers acquisition of the struggling UBs art programs  part of a joint deal forged in June 2020 alongside Goodwin University.

Paier announced its relocation to Bridgeport in March, with a goal to be ready for incoming students this fall. And though the time frame was expedited, college officials managed to move on schedule.

You really recognize a week has 168 hours in it, Bierbaum said of the process. And you try to use as many of those hours as possible.

Paier remains an independent institution on UBs campus in the Arnold Bernhard Center for Arts & Humanities and the Cooper Hall Dormitory, alongside two additional buildings on the southwest side of campus.

Ive got the Long Island Sound that way, I have the Bridgeport beach right in front of me, and were surrounded by Seaside Park, said Bierbaum. Its beautiful.

You can be in almost any space when its you and a canvas, he added. Whats really charming here is you get people looking away from the canvas.

And though Paier is an arts and design-centric school, the college president said the college is also focused on commercial arts and employment opportunities. He said the move to Bridgeport could help with those goals.

Were so close to New York  were right in Fairfield County, he said. It took us a big step closer to where a lot of those opportunities are going to be for students.

Bierbaum said the co-location model with UB and Goodwin is a welcomed bonus to the space Paier already has.

We do have some facilities we share together, he said. We also offer everything we need for our students on campus.

Paier is also growing. Bierbaum said the college had 55 students at the beginning of his tenure in winter 2019. Since then, enrollment has climbed to 216 students this fall, plus more than 50 faculty members.

The college president estimated the freshman class is about a third of that population, and he would not be surprised if Paier grows to more than 800 students.

As for what would become of the Hamden campus, Bierbaum said Paier still owns the property and is not really in the business of renting.

All academic programs are housed in Bridgeport, but Paier still hopes to do good with its former facilities. As of this week, the college opened up its residential space to Afghan refugees.

Bierbaum called the opportunity to assist with those efforts a pleasure.
LONDON (AP)  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was travelling to the United States on Sunday with senior Cabinet officials to urge world leaders attending the U.N. General Assembly to take urgent action on climate change ahead of this fall's COP26 climate summit in Scotland.

Johnson is set to co-host a meeting on climate change with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday. The two will discuss the need to help developing countries mitigate the impact of climate change.

This week, as world leaders arrive in New York for the biggest diplomatic event of the year, I will be pushing them to take concrete action on coal, climate, cars and trees so we can make a success of COP26 and keep our climate goals within reach, Johnson said in a statement.

Britain is hosting the COP26 climate summit from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12 in Glasgow. The conference is billed as a pivotal moment to persuade governments, industry and investors to make binding commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and to make progress on reducing global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The British government says 100 world leaders have confirmed they will attend the conference. But Alok Sharma, the British official serving as the conferences president, was not able to confirm Sunday whether Chinese President Xi Jinping has committed to attending the talks, or whether China would definitely be sending a delegation.

On the issue of whether Xi Jinping is going to come, that is not yet confirmed. Normally these things come a bit closer to summits. I am very, very hopeful that we will have a delegation from China, Sharma told the BBC.

He told Sky News that Beijing, as the worlds biggest greenhouse gas emitter, would have to be a key part of any climate change agreement.

They have said to me they want the COP26 to be a success. The ball is in their court. We want them to come forward and make it a success together with the rest of the world, he said.

Johnson, Sharma and newly-appointed British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss arrive in New York on Sunday for a four-day visit to the U.S.

After the U.N. General Assembly, Johnson and Truss will visit the White House for talks on climate, the pandemic and international security. It will be Johnsons first visit to the White House since President Joe Biden took office.
The BBC must launch an immediate investigation into The Mail on Sunday's revelations about the conduct of Martin Bashir and what looks like another shameful episode for the corporation.

The mother of a murdered child has been grievously wronged and yet again the reputation of BBC journalism is undermined.

I've been a television journalist for nearly 40 years and I find the events exposed by this paper  and the BBC's failure to investigate them properly  extraordinary.

To take potentially vital forensic evidence from a distressed mother, evidence the police later wanted as part of a murder investigation, and somehow 'lose' it should have prompted a major inquiry when BBC management was first alerted back in 2004.

Former head of Channel 4 News and Current Affairs Dorothy Byrne is pictured

It is hard to imagine how devastated the families of Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway felt when Russell Bishop was acquitted of their murders. Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway are pictured

Its apparent failure to do so exposes utter contempt for a grieving mother and the police. These failings must be examined by an independent inquiry and the findings made public.

The BBC and ITV must also re-examine all stories Bashir worked on. It's becoming clear that the unethical methods he used to get his infamous Princess Diana interview were not a one-off example of his appalling behaviour.

That's something television journalists, including many of his BBC colleagues, have said for years. They are furious that their reputation for high standards is being dragged through the mud.

AND there is another important question here. Why does the despicable trickery used by Bashir to fool Diana and her brother Earl Spencer merit a major inquiry led by a retired senior judge, yet the wrong done to the families of two little girls from ordinary backgrounds does not?

It is hard to imagine how devastated the families of Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway felt when Russell Bishop was acquitted of their murders.

So when the BBC, in the form of Bashir, promised to reinvestigate, a glimmer of hope must have risen in their hearts. Documents obtained by this paper show the Public Eye programme made a genuine attempt to find new evidence. This would have been laudable if conducted carefully and sensitively.

The BBC and ITV must also re-examine all stories Bashir worked on. It's becoming clear that the unethical methods he used to get his infamous Princess Diana interview were not a one-off example of his appalling behaviour

More hope came when the double jeopardy law preventing those acquitted of a crime from being retried was overturned and police reinvestigated.

It was then that Michelle, Karen's mother, and Sussex Police realised the clothing  which one of the detectives said could have helped build a case against Bishop  was missing. To add insult to injury, Bashir denied ever taking them.

This paper has now discovered that despite the gravity of the situation, the BBC conducted what appears to be the most perfunctory investigation into the whereabouts of the clothes.

They did not speak to Bashir directly and freelance reporter Eileen Fairweather, who saw the hand-over of the clothes, says she was not interviewed or told there was an investigation.

Editor Nigel Chapman, who told Bashir to obtain scene-of-crime evidence, has told the MoS he was not contacted, which the BBC denies. Charlie Beckett, who worked on Public Eye, and deputy editor Harry Dean say the same.

Either way, the BBC can't say it doesn't know how to investigate properly. It is one of the world's most respected investigative news organisations. An inquiry must find out why the original probe was so poorly conducted.

When Lord Dyson's excoriating report on the BBC's handling of the Princess Diana interview was published, I was among those who publicly called on the BBC to reopen its inquiries into this scandal, too.

It did not respond. I also suggested Bashir's other stories should be examined.

Bashir's interview with Diana landed him a plum job at ITV. But his conduct there began to be the source of complaints. It was claimed that he lied to Michael Jackson to obtain an interview.

The then head of BBC Current Affairs wrote a letter to ITV claiming Bashir had lied in investigations into serial killer Harold Shipman and Soho Nail Bomber David Copeland. In each case, said the BBC, he had traduced BBC journalists' reputations to persuade people to give him their stories.

Bashir has denied this, just as he denies almost every damaging claim about him.

When I was Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel Four, I would have seen it as my absolute duty to thoroughly investigate accusations such as those levelled at Bashir.

UK television journalism is admired worldwide for its ethical standards. BBC journalists have sat with me at events aimed at helping journalists in other countries to emulate them. The BBC can't lecture others if it doesn't enforce those standards itself.
A baby carrier that is popular with the likes of Emily Ratatjkowski, Jessica Alba and Gigi Hadid is proving to be the parenting buy of the year, with thousands flying off the shelves around the world.

Anna van den Bogert is the brains behind the Dutch brand Artipoppe, which was founded in 2012 after the birth of her second baby.

Anna set out to create stylish baby carriers that are both useful for the mother, sustainable in their design and fashionable at the same time.

The result is her 'Zeitgeist Baby Carriers' - which are available in a range of prints and materials, from velvet to snake skin, leopard print and tartan, and which start from $465.

A baby carrier that is popular with the likes of Emily Ratatjkowski (pictured with her Artipoppe), Jessica Alba and Gigi Hadid is proving to be the parenting buy of the year

Instead of owning a 'practical' baby carrier in black or grey, the wearer of an Artipoppe carrier is able to enjoy something a bit more special and stylish.

'A Zeitgeist Baby Carrier gives the wearer an opportunity to keep their identity, to demonstrate self-confidence, to feel beautiful and to show the world they care - not only about their baby but also about themselves, the environment and all of us together as a community,' Anna said.

She added that the carriers have been designed to give an outfit an extra 'bit of panache', while providing all of the comfort, ease and safety of use of a regular baby pouch.

Since launching, Artipoppe's carriers have become popular with celebrities the world over, including model Elsa Hosk (pictured)

Homegrown star Jesinta Franklin (pictured at the beach) is also a fan of the Dutch brand, and owns the popular leopard print style

Since launching, Artipoppe's carriers have become popular with celebrities the world over, including model Elsa Hosk, TV star Millie Mackintosh and homegrown star, Jesinta Franklin.

They have even found themselves a fan in the British royal family in Princess Eugenie, who owns the pricey 'Yin Yang' style ($1,051).

Every Artipoppe carrier comes with padded shoulder straps and a waistband, as well as comfortable leg padding for your baby, who can be carried both on your front and back in multiple ergonomic positions.

They are designed to be used from newborn up to two years (3.2 kg), and can be adjusted for a more personalised fit.

Every Artipoppe carrier comes with padded shoulder straps and a waistband, as well as comfortable leg padding for your baby, who can be carried both on your front and back in multiple ergonomic positions (Gigi Hadid and Jessica Alba pictured)

Reviews online for the Artipoppe are glowing, where mums have described it as a 'lifesaver' and 'so chic' (Millie Mackintosh pictured)

Reviews online for the Artipoppe are glowing, where mums have described it as a 'lifesaver' and 'so chic'.

'At this point, I've used it many times and I can confirm that it's incredibly comfortable, very easy to put on and I could wear it for hours without it breaking my back,' one mum wrote.

She added: 'It is the most comfortable carrier that I've worn and tried on'.

Others have said their babies also find the carrier incredibly comfortable.
Jeremy Paxman says regular falls were the biggest alarm bell that his health 'wasn't right' as he reveals that his doctor sent him for tests after becoming concerned that he wasn't his usual self on University Challenge.

The presenter, 71, revealed in May that he had been diagnosed with the incurable disease, which affects the brain and motion.

The former Newsnight host told the Sunday Times Magazine he kept falling and hurting himself and would end up with cuts, bruises and black eyes and 'blood everywhere.'

However, Paxman admitted to the newspaper that he didn't think he had Parkinson's, because he thought the disease only manifested through body tremors.

Scroll down for video

71-year-old presenter Jeremy Paxman, pictured, revealed he kept falling over and hurting himself before being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and said he was surprised because he felt the condition only manifested through body tremors

The University Challenge host says he knew something was wrong with him before he was diagnosed and admits it's 'very hard to know youre not going to get better'.

He explained: 'I kept falling over, I blamed the dog getting under my feet, but after the last time I went down, straight on my face, it was a real mess - black eyes, cuts and blood everywhere - and I thought, "This isnt right", he said.

'The doctor said, "Youve got Parkinsons." It had never occurred to me. I thought, "Parkinsons what?",' he added.

The symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are mild when they first appear, and they gradually worsen.

While involuntary tremors are the symptoms most people associate the condition with, it also manifests itself through slow movement and stiff and inflexible muscles, according to the NHS.

The BBC host said his doctor ordered some tests after seeing him on University Challenge during lockdown, pictured

Paxman, pictured, said he didn't want to be beaten down by his diagnosis and had to adapt to his symptoms

Speaking of his diagnosis, Paxman, who wrote a new book, Black Gold: The History of How Coal Made Britain during lockdown, said the only thing people could do was to 'adapt,' but admitted he struggles with how unpredictable the disease is.

'Sometimes you feel awake, sometimes you feel asleep, and how you are today is no guide to how you will be tomorrow. Its really annoying,' he said, adding he felt tired most of the time.

'Parkinsons is incurable, so youre stuck with it. And that is hard. Very hard to know youre not going to get better. You hope you will, but you dont,' he added.

The presenter was spotted using a walking stick during a visit to Manchester a month before his diagnosis became known, pictured

WHAT IS PARKINSON'S? THE INCURABLE DISEASE THAT STRUCK BOXER MUHAMMAD ALI Parkinsons disease affects one in 500 people, including about one million Americans. It causes muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, tremors, sleep disturbance, chronic fatigue, an impaired quality of life and can lead to severe disability. It is a progressive neurological condition that destroys cells in the part of the brain that controls movement. Sufferers are known to have diminished supplies of dopamine because nerve cells that make it have died. There is currently no cure and no way of stopping the progression of the disease, but hundreds of scientific trials are underway to try and change that. The disease claimed the life of boxing legend Muhammad Ali in 2016. Advertisement

But the presenter, who has three grown-up children with ex partner Elizabeth Clough, said he refused to be 'beaten down' by the condition and said he hoped it would not totally incapacitate him.

He added that the diagnosis made him feel depressed, but that he didn't feel it was a series of symptoms.

The presenter also said he didn't want to join a support group because he was suspicious of them.

But he did say he would donate his brain to Parkinson's UK after his death to help their research into the condition.

Paxman revealed his shock diagnosis in May, saying he had 'mild symptoms' and was receiving 'excellent treatment.'

A month earlier, he had been seen looking frail and supporting himself with a walking stick as he was out and about in Manchester.

At the time, he said he has suffered a nasty tumble when his dog Derek got startled by a squirrel and pulled on his lead.

Born in Leeds, Paxman started his career in 1972 on the BBC's graduate trainee programme, working in local radio and reporting on the Troubles in Belfast.

Shortly after moving to London in 1977, he transferred from Tonight to Panorama, before stints on the Six O'Clock News and BBC One's Breakfast Time.

He became a presenter of Newsnight in 1989, a position he would hold until June 2014 during which time he interviewed high-profile figures from politics and culture.

After 25 years in the job, Paxman presented a programme including an interview with then London mayor Boris Johnson, while they both rode a tandem bicycle.

Paxman has also presented University Challenge since 1994, making him the longest serving current quizmaster on UK TV.
Advertisement

The heir-to-the throne and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a service to mark the 81st Battle of Britain Anniversary Service at Westminster Abbey on Sunday morning.

After a pared down service due to the pandemic in 2020, this year's annual remembrance saw social distancing measures remain in place but many more well-wishers gathered outside the historic London building to see the royals and members of the British Government arrive.

The service marks the victory, and loss of life, by the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

A military fly-past from a Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire, which left RAF Coningsby earlier this morning, flew over the capital at midday, with the royals watching from historic Grade-II listed Church House in central London.

Scroll down for video

The royal couple arrive at Westminster Abbey service on Sunday to remember those lost in the Battle of Britain. Prince Charles, 72, wore a full military uniform while the Duchess of Cornwall looked chic in a striped blue dress-jacket and a wide-brimmed hat, with a three-tier of pearls and a cream leather clutch bag completing the look

Caution: While clergy wore face masks as they escorted Charles and Camilla through the Abbey's entrance, the royals opted not to when out in the fresh air

The 11am service remembers the 1,497 pilots and aircrew killed or mortally wounded in the battle was borne through the church - with a military fly-past jetting over the capital at midday

The Duchess of Cornwall offers a smile to well-wishers as she arrived at Westminster Abbey this morning. The royals had posted about their attendance on social media earlier in the day

Home Secretary Priti Patel, who donned a mid-length navy dress jacket - in Royal Air Force blue - and a charcoal pillbox hat

Ms Patel, 49, wore a three-tiered string of pearls and matching pearl drop earrings, with her hair neatly pinned back under a the military-style hat

The Home Secretary smiled for photographers as she arrived alone at the annual service to remember those lost in the Battle of Britain in 1940

Later, Ms Patel emerged from the service wearing a black face covering as she exited Westminster Abbey and made her way to Church House for the military fly-past

The royals were joined by key figures from the Government including Prime Minster Boris Johnson, who wore a sober grey suit and a black face mask

Mr Johnson's face covering offered a nod to the patriotism of the event, with a Union Jack stitched onto it

Prince Charles, 72, donned a full military outfit to attend the service, arriving with Camilla just before 11am in an official car. The royals had posted about their attendance on social media earlier in the day, sharing on their Instagram stories that they were heading for Westminster Abbey.

The heir-to-the throne was appointed to the rank of Marshal of the RAF in 2012, the highest rank in the British Royal Air Force.

Camilla, 74, looked chic in a striped dress with multiple shades of blue and a pastel blue wide-brimmed hat. The Duchess of Cornwall accessorised her look with cream heels with a navy blue toe and a three-tier string of pearls with a central diamond brooch and a sapphire blue cross bracelet. Neither of the royals arrived wearing face coverings outside of the ceremonial service.

The couple were joined by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel. Mr Johnson did opt to wear a black face mask, and the covering offered a nod to the patriotism of the event, with a Union Jack stitched onto it.

Dean of Westminster Abbey, David Hoyle, leads the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall past the Tomb of the unknown soldier

Once inside the Abbey, the Duchess wore a face covering that matched her outfit as the couple took their seats for the service

The socially-distanced service saw the PM attend alone; Pictured: Boris Johnson walks past the Tomb of the unknown soldier

The Home Secretary pictured during the service; guests were seated in socially distanced bubbles to ensure the ceremony could go ahead safely

The Prime Minister reads the order of service for the Thanksgiving and Rededication ceremony, which was led by Dean of Westminster Abbey, David Hoyle

The Prince, who's a patron of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association, awaits a military fly-past from a Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire, which left RAF Coningsby earlier this morning

There they go! The Prince spots the midday fly-past of two RAF planes, seen from historic Grade-II listed Church House following this morning's service

Charles and Camilla on the balcony at Church House; earlier this month the couple spent time north of the border in Scotland

A moment of reflection: The two RAF planes roar over Westminster Abbey and central London to mark the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Charles and the Home Secretary Priti Patel, third from left, laugh on the balcony at Church House as they await the fly-past

All smiles: On a mild and sunny September Sunday morning, Prince Charles is seen sharing a joke with clergy - including Dean of Westminster Abbey, David Hoyle - at Westminster Abbey

Earlier, the couple had arrived outside Westminster Abbey in their claret and black royal vehicle, with tourists gathering to catch a glimpse of the royals

A close protection officer escorts the Duchess of Cornwall, face mask in hand, as she exits the royal car, with members of the Royal Air Force greeting the royal couple

Camilla looked in good spirits as she arrived at the London church this morning ahead of the 11am service

While Mr Johnson opted for a sober grey suit and black tie Ms Patel wore a mid-length navy dress jacket - in Royal Air Force blue - with matching heels and a charcoal pillbox hat.

The Home Secretary, 49, also wore a three-tiered string of pearls and matching pearl drop earrings, with her hair neatly pinned back under the military-style hat.

Westminster Abbey has held a service of thanksgiving and rededication on Battle of Britain Sunday every year since 1944. Other key names in attendance this year included Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis and acting US ambassador Philip T Reeker.

While Dean of Westminster Abbey, David Hoyle, wore a face mask as they escorted Charles and Camilla through the Abbey's entrance, the royals opted not to. Once inside both Charles and Camilla wore coverings, with Camilla sporting a mask that was in the same material as her dress coat.

The Duchess of Cornwall accessorised her blue-hued look with cream heels with a indigo blue toe and a three-tier string of pearls with a central diamond brooch

The royal was appointed to the rank of Marshal of the RAF in 2012, the highest rank in the British Royal Air Force

When the service was finished around midday, the royal couple chatted to clergy as they left Westminster Abbey and made their way to nearby Church House

Impressive collection of medals: Prince Charles graduated from Cranwell in Lincolnshire and was awarded his RAF pilot's wings in 1971

Other key names in attendance this year included Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis, left, and acting US ambassador Philip T Reeker, pictured right

The 11am service included an act of remembrance, during which the Battle of Britain Roll of Honour bearing the names of 1,497 pilots and aircrew killed or mortally wounded in the battle was borne through the church.

The Battle of Britain was a major air campaign fought in the skies over the UK in 1940, and although the battle took place between July and October, September 15 saw the British Royal Air Force (RAF) gain a decisive victory over the Luftwaffe in what was Nazi Germany's largest daylight attack.

Prince Charles graduated from Cranwell in Lincolnshire and was awarded his RAF pilot's wings in 1971.
It was with such a mixture of disbelief, awe and humility that I watched footage from Afghanistan recently, of women protesting against the Taliban. Not just women  some brothers and husbands had come out to support their call for the right to work and education.

Some protests were dispersed by gunfire. At others, protesters were reportedly whipped. Even at apparently peaceful protests, what might be the ramifications for marchers? Might every one of them be marked as trouble-makers? Might their families face discrimination?

I know there are jubilant scenes of regime change in literature too: of Allied tanks rolling into occupied European towns, and reunions. But it is the scenes of flight from those fearing oppression or reprisals that have been foremost in my mind.

Women have been the victims of mens wars since the dawn of time. Pat Barkers The Women Of Troy, a follow-up to her Homeric reimagining The Silence Of The Girls, begins within the Trojan horse, then evokes Troys destruction and the Greeks pyrrhic victory, from Briseiss viewpoint, an enslaved former queen. Khaled Hosseini is, of course, an Afghan-born writer. His bestselling first novel The Kite Runner explored the impact of the Soviet invasion and Taliban takeover, from the perspective of two motherless boys.

The first part of Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky, titled Storm In June, describes several families flight from Paris in June 1940, ahead of the invading German army.

Nemirovsky wrote from experience. A Jew, she fled to France, where she wrote the first two parts of the intended five-part novel, before being arrested. She died at Auschwitz in 1942. More than 60 years later, the rediscovery and release of the book made it a sensation.

Women have been the victims of mens wars since the dawn of time. Pat Barkers The Women Of Troy, a follow-up to her Homeric reimagining The Silence Of The Girls, begins within the Trojan horse, then evokes Troys destruction and the Greeks pyrrhic victory, from Briseiss viewpoint, an enslaved former queen.

Khaled Hosseini is, of course, an Afghan-born writer. His bestselling first novel The Kite Runner explored the impact of the Soviet invasion and Taliban takeover, from the perspective of two motherless boys.

His follow-up, A Thousand Splendid Suns, explored the same period, but from a female vantage. Mariam and Laila are thrown together by war and misfortune. Forced to share a household, their at first distrustful relationship becomes a loving one.

I hope those brave Afghan women continue to be heard and keep safe.
Despite being a point of discussion for sometime, previously the question, 'Do you pee in the shower?' was reserved for hygiene debates, but now health has been called into question.

TikTok users were thrown when Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, a doctor of physical therapy at Boston Urology, posted a video titled, 'Why you shouldn't pee in the shower.'

In the video, that gained over 29,000 likes, the self-proclaimed, 'TikTok's Pelvic Floor PT' outlined that the sound of the running water could cause you problems.

'If you pee in the shower, or turn on the faucet or turn on the shower and then sit on the toilet to pee while the shower is running, you're creating an association in the brain between the sound of running water and having to pee,' said the physician.

She also warned that it could create incontinence issues for women, not least because they're 'not designed to pee standing up'.

Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas posted a TikTok video warning people of the potentially harmful effects of peeing in the shower

Alicia went on to say that urinating while showering will subconsciously cause your brain to link the sound of running water with peeing.

She explained that down the line this could lead to 'leak issues' if coupled with pelvic floor problems, because women are 'not designed to pee standing up'.

'Your pelvic floor isn't going to relax appropriately, which means that you aren't really going to be emptying your bladder super well,' she explained.

After Alicia's video went viral, Tiktok commenters debated in the comments whether this was information they needed or not.

Commenters on Alicia's video were divided and could not decide the advice was useful or unnecessary

One said, 'My mum did this to me, conditioned me to pee with a faucet before we got in the car. Now every time I wash my hands or do the dishes it's triggered.'

While someone else wrote, 'Girl with respect I already got too much to worry about. There's bigger fish to fry, but thanks for the info.'

A third simply chimed in with, 'Frankly the conditioning (dog theory) doesn't apply to every single situation.'

After Alicia's video went viral and picked up traction, FEMAIL spoke to Dr Jay Khastgir, a Consultant Urological Surgeon from South Wales to clear up the fact from the fiction.

TikTok commenters were torn over whether Alicia's shower peeing advice was actually useful or not

'Bladder control is determined by complex neural mechanisms. The bladder is able to passively store urine and intermittently switch to the voiding phase when it is safe and appropriate to do so,' said Jay.

'Toilet training in children marks a shift from reflex voiding in early life to a voluntary controlled function.'

Jay explained that several theories surround incontinence but the precise cause remains unknown.

'The association with environmental factors such as the sound or feel of running water or entering their front door (latchkey incontinence) is anecdotal.

'It may may suggest subconscious associations that interference with nerve pathways that 'buffer' between stimulus and response. But in reality, there is little or no evidence that urgency incontinence may be caused by habitually urinating in the shower.'

Jay also advises that there's little cause for concern when it comes to women standing while peeing either.

'There is no evidence that it has a detrimental effect on bladder emptying. In one study the flow was weaker when standing but the bladder emptying was no different between the standing and sitting or crouching position,' the urologist said.

'It should be noted that the position for voiding varies between cultures, both in men and women. The standing position is anecdotally being increasingly adopted by women who do not like to sit on public toilets or are in public places such as music festivals. This is has been facilitated by the availability of external appliances developed for women.'
Advertisement

From shadows on a coffee house wall showing all the people who have visited to a penny which was kept in a pocket for 50 years and now has no face, these incredible pictures reveal how objects are worn down with time. Bored Panda has rounded up a gallery of stunning snaps that capture how items have become more interesting with age. Among the images that give a glimpse back in time are the stairs on the Great Wall of China, which have been worn away by years of footsteps and layers of spray paint sealed into a broken piece of the Berlin Wall. Another image shows an old coffee shop, believed to be in Reykjavik, Iceland, which has shadows of past visitors. Here, FEMAIL rounds up a selection of the most captivating dated objects...

Fine dining! One photo, believed to have been taken in Reykjavik, Iceland, shows how the sun has bleached walls, while leaving eerie shadows showing people on either side of the table having conversations.

Another image from the Pompeii ruins shows a 'Beware of the Dog' sign, which is still visible despite dating back to the second century BC. The image shows a stunning mosaic at the House of the Tragic Poet, which was made to resemble the image of a black dog, complete with a chain around its neck.

Up, up and away! Carved out from years of people eager to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the footfall on The Great Wall of China has resulted in dipped stairs.

One person who lives in the United States, claimed their father has been carrying this Liberty Dollar coin for more than 50 years, despite the engravings having worn away.

Another image reveals what paint looks like if it is not removed, with a broken piece of the of the Berlin wall showing layers of graffiti that have built up over the years.

The telephone boxes graveyard is located in the small village of Carlton Miniott, North Yorkshire, shows the iconic symbol of Britain in various states of decay. As the years go by, decommissioned red phone boxes are replaced and deposited in this site. In the 1980s, over 73,000 red telephone boxes were in use, and by 1992 there were at least 92,000 red boxes dotted all over the UK. As mobile phones became more popular, the need for public phone boxes decreased, and after a while only one third were able to provide a service. During the early 2000's, only about 40,000 were still working and the rest were disabled, with many eventually ending up here.

Another individual, who lives in the UK, revealed a street on their way to work has worn away enough to reveal the cobblestones that were covered over.

In for a penny! One person took to Reddit to joke about how the coin in their father's baby book had only remained clean in the areas covered by tape.

Out of service! A Reddit user, who is believed to live in the United States, shared a photograph of an abandoned vending machine advertising a Star Wars film first released in the 1990s.

One baffling image, believed to have been taken in America, shows cubic crystals starting to form in old Play Doh. Children have enjoyed playing with the moulding substance since the 1950s.

Another photograph, shared on U.S-based forum Reddit, shows how an old railing is slowly merging with a large tree after being in the same position for years.

Thirst quencher! One image shows 'biodegradable' cups that remained in an almost usable condition, 15 years after being placed in a composter.
Elevating my & Other Stories jeans and jacket and Saint James breton top with my beloved Chanel 19 flap bag

Life would be so mundane if we didnt have accessories, dont you think? I love the way they effectively  and effortlessly elevate the everyday.

My obsession with bags, shoes and other shiny dangly bits started at a very young age. Every September, the idea of returning to school was always made more exciting by the prospect of a new school bag and a gleaming pair of shoes straight out of the box. Not much has changed  I can still be found every September excitedly scrolling through the new season bag drops.

Accessories are powerful play things; the right or wrong one can make or break an outfit and this year, there are some exciting newcomers to the autumn arena

THE CLASSIC IT BIG

I often get asked whats the best investment bag to buy. I would advise you to take your time choosing, because this could be the start of a lifelong relationship. The classics are always the best bet. Timeless styles from the big fashion houses such as Chanel (see my iconic flap bag, right, for example), Gucci, Hermes and Louis Vuitton all tend to hold their value. Some even increase in price over the years if you look after them carefully.

Perhaps its a result of pandemic nostalgia but vintage designer bags are having a major resurgence, particularly among millennials, who are saving up and investing in styles way older than they are, such as the Jackie Gucci bag, which was named after Jackie Kennedy.

THE CHELSEA BOOT

This year, the chunky chelsea boot is back. Im planning on experimenting with a pair over leggings and a wool knit or under a sleek slip or wool dress. When styling, its all about contrasting the chunky and the sleek. Go forth and chunk!

After lockdown, Im still struggling to get back into high heels and have been opting more for flats and block heels instead. But hopefully this Christmas will come with party invitations and a few excuses to topple over in something vertiginous.

THE CAPE

I love the idea of a chic cape and arriving at a restaurant on a crisp autumn evening wrapped up in its cosy glory. They are the perfect throw-on cover-ups and look amazing casually layered over knitwear.

CHUNKY JEWELLERY

Lately Ive switched from layering fine pieces to enjoying more stand-alone statement pieces. I like nothing more than contrasting charcoal, black or camel knits or jackets with something chunky and gold. Rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets the world is our accessorised oyster.

Follow me on Instagram @thestylistandthewardrobe





The Chelsea style is everywhere. Boots, 495, Loewe, net-a-porter.com. Forget winter scarves its all about the winter bib! Bib, 110, bymalenebirger.com.

This Gucci tote is fierce and fabulous. Bag, 1,940, matchesfashion.com. Throw everything you need into this gorgeous shopper. Bag, 59.99, mango.com.
It was our trusty wardrobe staple back in the day and now the bodysuit is back. Rosie Green (who still has PTSD from a popper mishap) asks: do the 2021 varieties comfortably go the distance?

From left: Kylie Minogue, Halle Berry and Cindy Crawford flaunt their bodies, 90s style

Bodysuits are everywhere. The September issue of Vogue is full of them. And the autumn/winter catwalks had a cavalcade of statement ones, with the likes of Burberry and Balmain sending shimmering gold versions out for approval. Type bodysuit into Net-A-Porter and you get 294 results: latex ones by Saint Laurent that come with their own cleaning kit, knitted ones from Miu Miu with a woolly gusset (not sure about the practicalities of that), sexy ones from Myla.

In the showbiz section of this newspaper I see J-Lo wearing a sleek black poloneck version to kiss Ben Affleck in. Shes teamed it with white paper-bag trousers and sky-high heels and her look immediately makes me crave autumn polish.

But I have mixed feelings about the return of the bodysuit. The good things were great. They were form-fitting and flattering, but not overly exposing. Chic, classy and cool, they created a neat silhouette and added streamlined polish to any outfit. I loved my aubergine one from Pineapple Dance Studios, which clung to my curves and smoothed over imperfections. Spanx before Spanx was a thing. For clubbing I had a see-through net one  under which I wore a Wonderbra (sorry, Mum).

This shimmering, backless Oseree number is Rosies absolute favourite (even if she had to ditch her bra)

But it just wouldnt be fashion if there werent also some challenges. And they were not trifling. I am taller than average, so I spent a decent chunk of the 90s surreptitiously extracting fabric from my derriere. I spent yet more time wrestling with the poppers when Id had a few too many sea breezes (so sophisticated). There may have been a few times when I failed to correctly refasten those pesky dangling flaps. And the memory of the last time I wore a bodysuit, in 1995, still brings me out in a cold sweat. Warning: this story is not for the fainthearted and involves distressing images.

The new varieties are chic, sleek, form-fitting and sexy without being trashy

The item in question was a flesh-coloured number, which I wore under a sheer slip dress to a fancy fashion party. This nude body was tight. The fancy meal was plentiful. The laws of physics meant that as I stood up from the table, the bodysuit immediately snapped open. Thanks to its impressive Lycra content it rode up to my waist, revealing my lady bits to the assembled company. I hurried out of the private dining room, only to be greeted by hundreds of eyes having tea in the foyer.

For work drinks a sequined Commando one is just the job

So you can see why I might be a little apprehensive about revisiting the trend. I call YOUs fashion editor Sophie Dearden, who it turns out has been wearing them for a while.She likes them a lot. Blessed with an ample cup size, she likes bodies as they make her feel held: You dont need to worry about constantly tucking in a shirt. She wears hers under a tux jacket and says they pull the whole outfit together. They were a great option back when I was dating, she adds. Sexy without being trashy.

Inspired, I buy my first new bodysuit in years from Wolford, the classic poloneck in black (I manage to find it at Bicester Village, for 95 instead of the usual 160). Now the kids are back at school, I road test it on a trip to get my hair done. I pull it on with minimal wrestling. I team it with high-waist jeans and it both flatters (the price tag reflects the quality of the fabric, which sculpts and smooths) and is on trend. I feel chic and pulled together. Its a typical September day and it keeps me warm without bulky layers. Its what the fashion cognoscenti would call a trans-seasonal piece. Win.

For dinner out, a lacy Myla body beneath a blouse nails it

For a dinner date, I wear a sexy body in the same way I might have previously worn a camisole. Its a Myla number and the merest peek of lace peeps out from beneath a blouse. Again it feels like a win.

For a girls night I go on the hunt. My main criteria? I want to find a bodysuit that will a) make a statement b) work with a bra and c) not have a thong. I find the French brand LAgence has a great range  including some great one-shouldered and spaghetti strap styles  that are gorgeously soft and cool in a sort of off-duty model way. Trouble is, they also require a models perky boobs. And her bank balance. I find an Intimissimi black mesh panelled corset one that feels a bit Dolce & Gabbana and would look great with jeans.

The label Commando is a great discovery, and has some stylish mid-priced ones. You do need to wrestle them on, but thats because the fabric is satisfyingly supportive and gives you that held feeling Sophie talks about. Theyre edgier, coming in faux leather or covered in sequins, and look more expensive than they are. They have the thong, though.

A Wolford poloneck body is great with jeans. Rosie wears jeans, Acne. Shoes, Aquazzura

My absolute favourite is an Oseree gold sequined bodysuit that makes a real statement, and has a sleek, sexy backless design. I cant wear a bra with it, but somehow it works. Then theres a velvet scooped-neck style from The White Company (available from 10 October, great for the well endowed), and a Zara see-through lace one  which is rather fabulous, but I think Ill leave that to the 20-somethings along with the leopard print H&M slashed-to-there body. I dont really have enough shape tape or chutzpah.

I wear the gold sequined one to a birthday dinner and feel fabulous. Then I wear a Commando sequined one for a work drinks do and am similarly enamoured.

In conclusion? I can happily say Ive moved on from the whole bodysuit-popping trauma of the past. The new varieties are chic, sleek, form-fitting and sexy without being tacky.

Apparently puffballs and catsuits are the next 90s trends to return. Im not feeling the urge to give those another spin yet.

Bodysuits for every body

YOUs fashion editor Sophie Dearden picks the most flattering styles

SHORT

Look for bodies that fit your shape. You want to avoid sagging material. Size down if you need to achieve a more fitted silhouette.

FULL FIGURED

Try styles you feel really comfortable in. Bodies are amazing for wearing under things to feel secure and sexy and make great basics instead of tops that rise up. A lined body is really flattering and provides more coverage.

TALL

A lot of brands do tall lines (try Topshop, Asos, Misguided and Wolford) and a body is a key piece to shop wisely for. No one wants to be harassed by their clothing on an evening out: it should be comfortable and not ride up.

BIGGER BUST

Find a cut you love. You dont need to wear styles you think are prescriptive due to your shape. However, try on a few to make sure you find a body that you feel supported and secure in, as otherwise you will just feel uncomfortable and at risk of spilling out.

75, reiss.com

SLIM

The best bodies for you are ones with stretch to ensure they fit your figure. A thick jersey is great for this.

Make-up: Virna Midgley
Harvest time? Reap the rewards for months with these recipes for pickles and jams

Kimchi fried rice with a fried egg

PRESERVING KNOW-HOW

STERILISING JARS

Wash jars and lids in hot soapy water, then rinse in hot water and drip-dry upside down. Next, place them right-side up in a 100C/80C fan/gas  oven for at least 20 minutes before you start cooking. For jam and chutneys, fill hot jars straight from the oven. For pickling, cool sterilised jars before filling. You can also put your jars and lids in a dishwasher; however, they will need to be rinsed with hot water afterwards as dishwasher rinse aid can leave a residue that can act as a possible contaminant.

Roast butternut, pickled beetroot, feta and Puy lentil salad; Pickled cherry and matcha friands

THE WRINKLE TEST

Timings for jam differ, depending on the fruit pectin levels, the pan you are using, the heat source and even the room temperature  so use your eyes and instinct to make a judgment. I find the wrinkle test the most reliable way to tell if jam is at the desired set. Before cooking place several small saucers in the freezer. When ready to test, remove the pan from the heat, take one of the saucers from the freezer, drop a quarter teaspoon of jam on to it and place in the fridge for 1 minute (this mimics the cooling process). Remove the saucer and gently push the jam. There should be a hard or soft wrinkle on the surface for a hard or soft set. Not all fruits will ever make it to a hard set, creating an obvious wrinkle. So with a soft set, scoop it up with the forefinger and allow it to drip off  you want a slow drip. If not at the desired set, return to the heat and test again until it is.

Now buy the book

Our recipes are from The Modern Preservers Kitchen by Kylee Newton, which will be published on 30 September by Quadrille, price 22. To preorder a copy for 18.70 until 3 October, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193. Free UK delivery on orders over 20.
California prison guard James Allen Jones Jr, 50, was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly attacked a Wells Fargo bank manager for being asked to put on a mask in the building

A California prison guard was arrested for allegedly racially abusing and attacking a Wells Fargo bank manager who told him to wear a mask in the building.

James Allen Jones Jr., 50, of Grover Beach, California was arrested on suspicion on Tuesday following a 10-day investigation for the September 3 attack on the victim.

The Grover Beach Police Department obtained warrants to search his home and property and arrested him at his job California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo on suspicion of committing a hate crime, making criminal threats and battery with serious bodily injury.

The bank manager told the San Luis Obispo Tribune that a customer became upset when he asked the man to put on a mask, as required by local health orders, called him a racist slur and caused a commotion in the lobby.

Later that evening, the manager said the man showed up in the parking lot in the central California city of Grover Beach and fought with him. The man fled before police arrived.

The department launched the investigation after articles of Jones's clothing were found at the scene.

Grover Beach Police Chief John Peters said investigators identified Jones as the suspect after interviewing witnesses and gathering surveillance video and still photos of him.

'Hateful speech, violent behavior, racism, bigotry and prejudice of all forms are not acceptable, and they have no place in our society," Peters said in a news release.

'The city of Grover Beach is committed to fostering a collaborative, safe and culturally diverse environment for its residents, workers, business owners and tourists.'

Peters said police will present their case and ask San Luis Obispo County prosecutors to file charges next week. Jones was released from custody after posting $50,000 bail.

'Hate crime investigations are sensitive cases that are taken very seriously by the Police Department and the department takes caution in releasing information,' the department said.

The attack happened in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo in Grover Beach, California after Jones yelled racist slurs at him hours before

Jones was arrested at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo County, where he worked as a security guard

'Our officers and investigators spent several days following up on many leads, conducting numerous interviews of witnesses, conducted multiple follow-up interviews with the victim, collected several articles of evidence and ultimately identified a suspect that was not known during the preliminary stages of the investigation.

'In this case, the distribution of preliminary information could have negatively impacted our investigative efforts and could have resulted in inaccurate witness statements, the loss of physical evidence and the suspect evading capture.'

Jones, a 27-year employee, is on administrative leave pending the outcome of his case, and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is cooperating with the investigation, spokeswoman Vicky Waters said. She would not specify if he is on paid or unpaid time off.

'The details of this incident are deplorable, and CDCR does not tolerate this type of behavior on or off duty," Waters said.

'This does not represent our department, nor the standards and expectations we have of our staff.'

It's not known whether Jones has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

It's one of several instances of violence or threats that have been reported nationwide by workers trying to enforce COVID-19 restrictions at businesses, schools and elsewhere.

In August, a man was stabbed and a radio reporter were attacked during an anti-vaccine protest that occurred in Los Angeles.

An anti-vaccination protester holds a sign reading 'Stop the Needle Rape' during a rally near City Hall

The fighting started around 2pm on August 14 after anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers - many of whom are affiliated with the Proud Boys - clashed with counter-protesters from Antifa outside the Los Angeles City Hall and Police Department - as the city reimposes stricter mandates because of rising COVID cases.

Anti-vaxxers held the rally, dubbed the 'Choose Freedom March,' to protest against what they described as 'medical tyranny' of mandatory vaccinations and vaccine passports.

They were confronted by a counter-protest - calling itself 'No Safe Space for Fascists'.

Both sides were seen in videos lining up in the street with fists raised and engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Both sides threw punches and wrestled to the ground.

Prison shank-like weapons and knifes were allegedly used to stab people on both sides.

Bloody chaos unfolded after the anti-vaxxers harassed the skateboarders in front of what appeared to be dozens of police officers, who didn't immediately stop the fight.

It took three minutes for the police to get involved after the fight broke out.
Devon Erickson, 20, was sentenced on Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2019 school shooting at STEM School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, that left one dead and eight wounded

A Colorado gunman who killed a classmate and wounded eight others during a 2019 school shooting was sentenced on Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Devon Erickson, 20, was also sentenced by a Douglas County District Court judge to an additional 1,282 years for attempted murder and other charges stemming from the 2019 shooting at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Erickson is the second person sent to prison for the shooting rampage. Alec McKinney, who aided in the shooting, pleaded guilty last year to murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and related charges.

Erickson was convicted of first-degree murder for fatally shooting Kendrick Castillo, 18, one of three students who rushed to intervene when he burst into a classroom wielding a handgun.

During Friday's five-hour sentencing hearing, Judge Teresa Slade listened to statements from victims, including Castillos parents.

Fighting back sobs, Castillo's mother, Maria, told the judge that the grief she feels for losing her only child was unbearable.

'Grant no mercy to this evil killer,' she told the judge.

Erickson, who was 18 at the time of the shootings, declined to speak at the sentencing, and Slade told him his lack of remorse throughout the proceedings compelled her to impose the additional years to his sentence.

Erickson was convicted of first-degree murder for fatally shooting Kendrick Castillo, 18. Pictured is Erickson in a court appearance in 2019

Erickson was also sentenced by a Douglas County District Court judge to an additional 1,282 years for attempted murder. Pictured is Erickson and his defense in court on Friday

Kendrick Castillo, 18, was one of three students who rushed to intervene when he burst into a classroom wielding a handgun. Castillo died in the attack

For the major part of the sentencing, he kept his head down and only showed emotion when his relatives gave their statements.

'The first time I see any kind of emotion from you is today... When your family is talking about the things that you were going to lose. The things you had before this,' said the judge.

Erickson's mother listed his difficulties at school and challenges at home as possible reason behind his actions on May 7, 2019, but the judge was firm on her stance.

'This isn't your mom's fault. You had options to change this course and you didn't,

'I haven't seen and haven't heard that you've accepted responsibility for this,' she told him.

Slade mentioned in her statement letters she had received from across the state and the world of people compelled by the case.

'Thirteen-year-olds who are afraid to go to the restroom because they were hiding in the stall afraid that they were going to be killed.

'Fifteen-year-olds who are scared to go to their own rooms because of the nightmares from May 7.

'Nineteen-year-olds who changed their college plans because they are scared to be in a classroom with only one exit.

'Twenty-one-year-olds who are afraid of the dark because they were stuck in a locked down room with no windows, hearing gun shots... you did that,' she said.

Alec McKinney, who aided in the shooting, pleaded guilty last year to murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and related charges

The May 2019 shooting took place in Colorado's STEM School in Highlands Ranch

Police officers, first responders and students are seen outside STEM School Highlands Ranch, a charter middle school in the Denver suburb of Highlands Ranch

Erickson and his accomplice Alec McKinney - who previously admitted the same charges - walked into the STEM School in Highlands Ranch on May 7, 2019 carrying handguns and other weapons hidden in guitar cases. Both killers attended the school at the time.

Students in that room were watching The Princess Bride as part of their British literature studies

Castillo and two friends jumped up from their desks and shoved Erickson against a wall. Erickson fired off several rounds, and fatally struck Castillo, who was later hailed as a hero for his courageous actions.

Erickson is said to have been a chronic drug abuser at the time, with his substance abuse said to have left him unable to think clearly.

He was charged with a total of 48 counts, including 31 counts of criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In previous interviews, fellow students say they are angry about red flags they claim were missed in relation to Erickson, and a former student said Erickson would bully younger students and had previously made jokes about shooting up the school.

Defense toxicologist Wanda Guidry testified that Erickson's drug abuse, malnourishment, and long-term sleep deprivation and insomnia meant he 'couldn't think, concentrate or understand' what was going on on the day of the shooting.

'I believe it created psychiatric symptoms... disruption in mood, behavior and thinking,' Guidry said of the drugs found in Ericksons system hours after the shooting. 'He had a very difficult time figuring out or thinking of what he needed to do, what was right or what he wanted to do.'

McKinney, who is transgender, testified against Erickson at his trial, and was sentenced to life plus 38 years in prison.

Because McKinney was a juvenile at the time of the crime, he could be eligible to apply for parole after serving 40 years.

Students are evacuated from the Recreation Center at Northridge in Highlands Ranch after a shooting at the STEM School Highlands Ranch on May 7, 2019

Terrified students were evacuated from the school after shots were fired
Advertisement

Border agents on horseback chased down migrants illegally crossing the border into the United States to try and join a camp of more than 15,000 immigrants in an isolated Texas town.

Haitian migrants are pleading with Joe Biden not to deport them after being stopped at the United States-Mexico border - as more than 300 returned home on the first flights on Sunday.

The United States Border Patrol began removing groups of mostly Haitian migrants from a makeshift camp more than 15,000 immigrants set up in an isolated Texas town over the weekend.

Border agents on horseback chased down migrants illegally crossing the border into the United States to try and join a camp of more than 15,000 immigrants in an isolated Texas town

On Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security announced it moved about 2,000 of the migrants from an encampment beneath a bridge in Del Rio, Texas to other locations for processing and possible removal from the United States.

The statement said it would have 400 Border Patrol agents and officers in the area by Monday morning and would send more if necessary.

By Sunday, nearly 330 Haitians were deported to Port-au-Prince on three flights from the United States.

A U.S. official revealed to the AP on Friday that they would likely send five to eight flights of migrants out per day in the coming week.

United States Border Patrol agents on horseback try to stop Haitian migrants from entering an encampment on the banks of the Rio Grande near the Acuna Del Rio International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas on September 19,

A United States Border Patrol agent on horseback tries to stop a Haitian migrant from entering the encampment

The agents were pictured riding across the river and grabbing at migrants trying to enter the US

The officers seemed to wrangle up the migrants with their horses

U.S. border patrol officers cut the way of migrants asylum seekers as they are trying to return to the United States along the RAo Bravo river, after having crossed from the U.S. into Mexico to buy food on September 19

One migrant is seen running to dodge the arm of a sheriff, on horseback, as they tried to stop people crossing the border illegally

A U.S. border patrol officer grabs the shirt of a migrant trying to return to the United States along the Rio Bravo river, after having crossed from the United States into Mexico to buy food, as seen from Ciudad Acuna, in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico on September 19

Migrants were continuing to cross the Rio Grande river over the weekend despite heightened security on the U.S. side that included horse-mounted agents, one of whom charged his horse to block migrants and swung what looked like a lariat at a person trying to climb up the U.S. embankment from the water.

At least 100 Haitians, including families with small children, crossed back into Mexico from under the bridge on Sunday evening, gripping a yellow rope stretched across the river that had risen to chest level.

Scores of people were pictured wading back and forth across the Rio Grande, re-entering Mexico to purchase water, food and diapers in Ciudad Acuna before returning to the Texas encampment under and near a bridge in the border city of Del Rio.

Many carried backpacks and plastic bags of belongings, and several people told Reuters they planned to stay in Mexico for now because they did not want to be returned to Haiti.

The announcement of removal flights came in response to the sudden arrival of Haitians in Del Rio, roughly 145 miles west of San Antonio, after wading through the Rio Grande. The town sits on a relatively remote stretch of border that lacks capacity to hold and process such large numbers of people who sought to petition the United States for entry and to escape poverty and gang violence in their own country.

At one point, the Associated Press reports, the site was dotted with tents and tarps strung up on reeds as thousands waited to cross into the country.

The U.S. took another step on Sunday to quell the influx, blocking entry of migrants at the Mexican border.

At least 100 Haitians, including families with small children, crossed back into Mexico from under the bridge on Sunday evening, gripping a yellow rope stretched across the river that had risen to chest level

An unnamed Mexican police officer on the Mexican side of the border said migrants will not be allowed to cross anymore even as reporters witnessed Haitian immigrants continuing to cross the border.

About a dozen Texas Department of Public Safety vehicles lined up near the bridge and river where Haitians have been crossing from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, into Del Rio, Texas for three weeks. Yellow police tape was being used to block them from using a small dam to walk into the U.S.

On Saturday, Border Patrol agents on horseback began rounding up some of the migrants.

A day earlier, about 500 Haitians headed towards the U.S. border were ordered off buses by Mexican immigration authorities in the northern state of Tamaulipas, and some tried to continue the journey on foot.

Immigration agents and National Guard officers stopped the buses at a highway checkpoint near the town of San Fernando, about 120 miles south of the Texas border, the state government said in a press release.

Mexico has turned back Haitian migrants trying to walk through southern Mexico. But 8,000 to 12,000 people, mainly Haitians, have already walked across the Rio Grande river. Some of those migrants may have already been in northern Mexico for some time.

The migrants stopped in Tamaulipas told local media they had boarded about 15 buses in the city of Poza Rica, Veracruz, and were headed on a nine-hour journey to Reynosa, Tamaulipas, across the border from McAllen, Texas.

U.S border patrol agents order asylum seekers to back across the border

Haitians deported from the U.S. deplane at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, in Port au Prince, Haiti on Sunday

Haitian immigrants are escorted from a processing facility near the Del Rio, Texas border. The families were taken by minivan to a local facility where they received food, shelter and showers before being released

Migrants deported from the U.S. gather as they arrive back in Haiti as the U.S. steps up efforts to expel illegal crossers after thousands of Haitians set up camp near the Texas border with Mexico in Del Rio

Meanwhile, other Haitian migrants have been making the long and tiring journey north to the Texas border by foot from the southern Mexico city of Tapachula.

Federal authorities have recently been allowing migrant groups to walk for hours and tire under sweltering heat before swooping in to detain them. Before dawn on Wednesday, officials surprised migrants sheltering from the rain in in the nearby town of Mapastepec, chasing them between houses and businesses.

Many of the Haitians aiming to reach the U.S. are traveling from both Haiti and other South American countries such as Chile and Brazil where they have lived since seeking refuge there after the 2010 earthquake.

The reasons for the influx of Haitians traveling to the U.S. are multifaceted. The rise in Haitian migration began soon after President Biden took office when he began reversing former President Donald Trump's strict immigration policies. Many Haitians interpreted this as the U.S. being more open to immigration.

'False information, misinformation and misunderstanding might have created a false sense of hope,' said Guerline M. Jozef, the executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, told The New York Times.

Meanwhile, last month Haiti experienced a devastating earthquake last month and the assassination of the country's president in July - leaving gangs to wreak havoc on the capital. This led many Haitians to flee their homes and leave the country.

In addition, many Haitians who are traveling to the U.S. are among the estimated 250,000 Haitians who left Haiti after the 2010 earthquake for Chile and Brazil. But since the pandemic, both countries have suffered economic declines which has sparked the current influx of migrants trying to reach the U.S.

For those who are seeking to travel to the U.S. from Tapachula, they have already made the dangerous journey across countries while navigating jungles and deserts as they crossed international borders.

Jean Edelince, 36, who is originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, told the LA Times he has spent the last four months in Tapachula with his family.

He had lived in Chile for four years but he and his family decided to travel north to reach Mexico through Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and finally Guatemala.

Edelince told the newspaper that he saw dead bodies of more than a dozen migrants who perished while walking through the rainforest of Darien Gap, which connects Colombia and Panama.

Migrants seeking to escape poverty, hunger and a feeling of hopelessness in their home countries said they will not be deterred by U.S. plans to speedily send them back.

Jorge Luis Mora Castillo, a 48-year-old from Cuba, said he arrived Saturday in Acuna and also planned to cross into the U.S. He said his family paid smugglers $12,000 to take him, his wife and their son out of Paraguay, a South American nation where they had lived for four years.

Told of the U.S. message discouraging migrants, Castillo said he wouldn't change his mind.

'Because to go back to Cuba is to die,' he said.

Junior Jean, a 32-year-old man from Haiti, said: 'We are all looking for a better life.'

Cuban Immigrants are captured at the Del Rio, Texas border on Sunday. The group had traveled for two months to get to the US border.

U.S. border patrol officers stand guard at an illegal mass border crossing site on the Rio Grande

A bus full of migrants arrive on the tarmac at the Del Rio International Airport as the Department of Homeland Security prepares to accelerate removal flights of illegal crossers at the U.S.-Mexico border

Biden's is looking to quell the mass migration of Haitians to the U.S. by starting removal flights as he faces backlash for his continued failures in addressing the border crisis. Biden and first lady Jill take a bike ride in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on Sunday

Another woman, only identified as Stephanie, said she also left 'to go find a better future.

'If jobs could be created, we would never have exposed ourselves to this misery,' she said.

The migrants were forced to sleep on a concrete floor under thin plastic tarps, unable to shower, as they waited to be processed, according to Garry Momplaisir, who was deported with his wife and five year old daughter.

'Biden knows well what is happening, but he doesn't care,' one woman told AFP. 'He treated us, us and our four children worse than animals.'

Migrants had to find an alternative path to cross between the U.S. and Mexico after DHS closed a dam they were using to cross

Haitian migrants eating after migrants use a dam to cross into the U.S. from Mexico on September 18

More than half of the 327 Haitians that were deported on Sunday were under the age of five and were born abroad, according to AFP, with many Haitians emigrating to Chile and Brazil in 2016 and 2017 to save up enough money to come into the United States.

'In Santiago, I had a small business, my husband worked [and] we were able to save money - that's what allowed us to make the whole trip to the United States,' said 28-year-old Jeanne, who spent two months and $9,000 traveling through South and Central America on a dangerous voyage with her husband and her 3-year-old son, Moel, who has a Chilean passport.

Migrants seeking to escape poverty, hunger and a feeling of hopelessness in their home countries said they will not be deterred by U.S. plans to speedily send them back

'It's an inexplicable thing,' she said. 'No one can really explain the horror.

'If I had known what I was going to live through, I would have never made the trip.'

She said she thought they would benefit from Temporary Protective Status, a U.S. program that allowed Haitians to temporarily stay in the country regardless of immigration status, but it only applied to Haitians already in the country on July 29.

Haitian migrants bathe and do laundry along the banks of the Rio Grand after they cross into the U.S. from Mexico

DHS is starting removal flights of Haitian migrants on Sunday who are at an encampment under a bridge in border city of Del Rio, Texas. One official says there could be as many as eight flights out of the U.S. per day. Above a Haitian man carries a young girl across a dam

A man carries a woman on his shoulders as they wade through the thigh-high dam water

Haitian migrants use a dam to cross into and from the United States from Mexico on September 18 in Del Rio, Texas.

On Sunday, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry pledged to help those who are returning to the country.

'It's with great sorrow that we watch on social media, through television and listen on the radio to the tribulations of our brothers and sisters at the border of Mexico and the United States,' he said in a televised speech, imploring Haitians to build a future where they can 'live well in our country without having to suffer these forms of shame.'

But Mondesir Sirilien said he spent about $15,000 to leave the country - first traveling to Brazil, and then crossing by land until he eventually reached the Rio Grande.

'I could have invested that money here,' he said. 'I could have built a great business, it's not like we don't know how to do things. But we're not respected, we're humiliated and now we don't have anyone to defend us.'

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump on Sunday slammed the White House for the continued migration crisis at the southern border, which has caused Customs and Border Protection to encounter more than 1.25 million illegal crossers since Biden took office.

'The largest number of illegal aliens in the history of our Country are pouring in by the millions,' Trump slammed. 'They are totally unchecked and unvetted, can do whatever they want, and go wherever they want.

Former President Donald Trump immediately slammed Biden for allowing 'tens of thousands of people' coming from Haiti as 'part of this massive migration' crisis

A dust storm moves across the area as Haitian migrants use a dam to cross into and from the U.S. and Mexico on Saturday. The migrants say they still plan to seek asylum despite U.S. plans to expel them back to Haiti

In a satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies, hundreds of migrants seek refuge and shelter from the sun and heat underneath the Del Rio International Bridge, as other people can be seen wading across the Rio Grande River at the Mexico-U.S. border near Del Rio, Texas on Saturday

Haitian migrants use a dam to cross into the United States from Mexico on Saturday as planes are expected to remove them from the country starting Sunday

Migrants head to a makeshift camp where thousands of Haitian migrants have created a makeshift camp on Saturday in Del Rio, Texas

WHY HAITIANS ARE FLEEING TO AMERICA Thousands of Haitians are traveling to Mexico and crossed the border into Texas at a time when the Caribbean nation is being ravaged by political and economic turmoil and hammered by natural disasters. In early July, Haitian President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in his home of Port-au-Prince in a dramatic plot which authorities are yet to determine who the mastermind was. The murder threw the troubled nation into uncertainty with gun battles breaking out in the streets and a fight over who was the rightful successor as questions continued to mount about a possible inside job. This week, Haiti's chief prosecutor said there was evidence linking the country's Prime Minister Ariel Henry to the plot and banned him from leaving the country until he answers questions about his potential involvement. One month after the assassination, the island nation was dealt another blow as a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck in August. More than 2,200 people were killed and 100,000 homes destroyed. This marks the biggest natural disaster Haiti has seen since the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in January 2010 which killed over 200,000 people. The nation was still recovering from the devastation it wrought and its economy was already in tatters as the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Most Haitians who have traveled to the border in recent weeks are thought to have already been living in South America after the 2010 earthquake. Many have then traveled up through Mexico into the US recently - likely driven by the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on South America and the pause on deportation flights to Haiti. Data released by Border Patrol shows 28,000 Haitians have been arrested along the border this fiscal year, which began last October. This dwarfs the 2020 number of 4,395 and 2,046 in 2019. Last month, 6,768 Haitians were detained by Border Patrol, up from 5,000 in July. Haiti is severely impoverished with 24.7 per cent of Haitians in extreme poverty, meaning they live on less than $1.25 per day  and 59 per cent of Haitians living on less than $2 each day. Of the 195 countries in the world, Haiti comes in 142 when ranked by GDP. Advertisement

He added: 'Our Country is rapidly becoming a cesspool of humanity. Murderers, drug dealers, and criminals of all shapes and sizes are a big part of this massive migration.'

'Tens of thousands of people are coming from Haiti, and many now from countries in Africa, even more so now than South America,' he said. 'Nothing is done and the corrupt Mainstream Media is giving almost no attention to what will be perhaps the greatest Crisis in the history of our Country. This is not just a Border Crisis, this is a Crisis Crisis. God Bless America!'

Besides accelerating the rate of removal flights of the mass influx of Haiti asylum-seekers, DHS is also prompting Customs and Border Protection to increase manpower and improve conditions for those at camps along the border.

August was the first month since Biden became president where the monthly number of migrant crossings went down instead of increased. In July there were 213,534 encounters compared to 208,887 last month.

Several migrants, when they found out about U.S. plans on Saturday for removal, said they still intended to remain in the encampment and seek asylum.

Some spoke of the most recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, saying they were afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

'In Haiti, there is no security,' said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived with his wife and two daughters. 'The country is in a political crisis.'

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating 2010 earthquake. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection closed off vehicle and pedestrian traffic in both directions Friday at the only border crossing between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna 'to respond to urgent safety and security needs' and it remained closed Saturday. Travelers were being directed indefinitely to a crossing in Eagle Pass, roughly 55 miles away.

Crowd estimates varied, but Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano said Saturday evening there were 14,534 immigrants at the camp under the bridge. Migrants pitched tents and built makeshift shelters from giant reeds known as carrizo cane. Many bathed and washed clothing in the river.

It is unclear how such a large number amassed so quickly, though many Haitians have been assembling in camps on the Mexican side of the border to wait while deciding whether to attempt entry into the U.S.

The number of Haitian arrivals began to reach unsustainable levels for the Border Patrol in Del Rio about two-and-a-half weeks ago, prompting the agency's acting sector chief, Robert Garcia, to ask headquarters for help, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Since then, DHS has transferred Haitians in buses and vans to other Border Patrol facilities in Texas, specifically El Paso, Laredo and Rio Grande Valley. They are mostly processed outside of the pandemic-related authority, meaning they can claim asylum and remain in the U.S. while their claims are considered. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement makes custody decision but families can generally not be held more than 20 days under court order.

A Border Patrol bus moves migrants on Sunday from their camp near the International Bridge to an airport where they will be flown out of the country

Haitian migrants set up make-shift camp along the Rio Grande after crossing into the U.S. from Mexico on Friday in Del Rio, Texas. Thousands of Haitian migrants have assembled under and around a bridge in Del Rio presenting the Biden administration with a fresh and immediate challenge as it tries to manage large numbers of asylum-seekers in the U.S.

A dust storm moves across the area as Haitian migrants use a dam to cross into the U.S. from Mexico on Saturday

National Guardsmen stands watch on Saturday over a fence near the International bridge where thousands of Haitian migrants have created a makeshift camp

The International bridge remains closed over the weekend. Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano said Saturday evening there were 14,534 immigrants at the camp under the bridge

DHS announcing its plan on Saturday signals a shift to use of pandemic-related authority for immediate expulsion to Haiti without an opportunity to claim asylum, the official said.

The flight plan, while potentially massive in scale, hinges on how Haitians respond. They might have to decide whether to stay put at the risk of being sent back to an impoverished homeland wracked by poverty and political instability or return to Mexico. Unaccompanied children are exempt from fast-track expulsions.

DHS said, 'our borders are not open, and people should not make the dangerous journey.'

DHS announcing its plan on Saturday signals a shift to use of pandemic-related authority for immediate expulsion to Haiti without an opportunity to claim asylum, the official said

'Individuals and families are subject to border restrictions, including expulsion,' the agency wrote. 'Irregular migration poses a significant threat to the health and welfare of border communities and to the lives of migrants themselves, and should not be attempted.'

U.S. authorities are being severely tested after Democratic President Joe Biden quickly dismantled Trump administration policies that Biden considered cruel or inhumane, most notably one requiring asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while waiting for U.S. immigration court hearings.

A pandemic-related order to immediately expel migrants without giving them the opportunity to seek asylum that was introduced in March 2020 remains in effect, but unaccompanied children and many families have been exempt. During his first month in office, Biden chose to exempt children traveling alone on humanitarian grounds.

Texas Gov Greg Abbott (center) signs a bill on Friday that provides additional funding for security at the U.S.-Mexico border

Haitian migrants carry provisions as they use a dam to cross into the United States from Mexico

Haitian migrants carry provisions as they use a dam to cross into the U.S.

Nicole Phillips, legal director for advocacy group Haitian Bridge Alliance, said Saturday that the U.S. government should process migrants and allow them to apply for asylum, not rush to expel them.

'It really is a humanitarian crisis,' Phillips said. 'There needs to be a lot of help there now.'

Mexico's immigration agency said in a statement Saturday that Mexico has opened a 'permanent dialogue' with Haitian government representatives 'to address the situation of irregular migratory flows during their entry and transit through Mexico, as well as their assisted return.'

Mexico's immigration agency said in a statement Saturday that Mexico has opened a 'permanent dialogue' with Haitian government representatives 'to address the situation of irregular migratory flows during their entry and transit through Mexico, as well as their assisted return'

The agency didn't specify if it was referring to the Haitians in Ciudad Acuna or to the thousands of others in Tapachula, at the Guatemalan border, and the agency didn't immediately reply to a request for further details.

In August, U.S. authorities stopped migrants nearly 209,000 times at the border, which was close to a 20-year high even though many of the stops involved repeat crossers because there are no legal consequences for being expelled under the pandemic authority.

Alejandro Mayorkas, head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), told reporters on Sunday that the flights to Haiti had started earlier in the day and would continue daily.

In August, U.S. authorities stopped migrants nearly 209,000 times at the border, which was close to a 20-year high

DHS previously said it was accelerating repatriations to Haiti and sending more border agents to Del Rey, where conditions under the bridge have grown increasingly squalid.

But in his brief remarks, Mayorkas stressed that the Haitian government had 'communicated quite clearly to us its ability to receive the flights' and said the U.S. government is providing funding to Haiti to help. He did not specify the amount.

On Saturday, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry said 'arrangements have already been made' to receive those who were being returned to the Caribbean nation.

'We have no choice at this point but to increase repatriation flights,' said Mayorkas, adding that the flights would take migrants either to Haiti or 'possibly other countries.'

Alejandro Mayorkas, head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), told reporters on Sunday that the flights to Haiti had started earlier in the day and would continue daily

A Haitian immigration official, who was not authorized to speak to media, said the country was not prepared for an influx of possibly thousands of returning migrants.

A sweeping U.S. public health order known as Title 42, issued under the Trump administration at the beginning of the pandemic, allows most migrants to be quickly expelled without a chance to claim asylum.

President Joe Biden has kept that rule in place, although he exempted unaccompanied minors and his administration has not been expelling most families. Biden had promised a more humane immigration approach than that of his predecessor.

A U.S. judge ruled last week the policy could not be applied to families, but the ruling does not go into effect for two weeks and the Biden administration has appealed.

Typically, migrants can turn themselves in at the border and claim asylum, triggering a long court process. But the Trump administration whittled away at protections, arguing many asylum seekers did not qualify
Two Delaware women who stole a Make America Great Again hat from a seven-year-old outside the 2020 Democratic National Convention, have been sentenced to probation.

In a viral clip, Olivia Winslow and Camryn Amy were seen ripping apart a Trump poster and verbally and physically attacking Trump supporters who were protesting Joe Biden's victory as the Democratic nominee for president.

Winslow and Amy, both 21 at the time, were each sentenced Friday on misdemeanor charges of theft, child endangerment and hate crimes. Neither will serve time in jail.

Judge Francis Jones went along with prosecutors recommendation in sentencing the women to multiple counts of conditional probation.

If they attend required anger management counseling and complete 40 hours of community service, the probation will be lifted.

Camryn Amy (left) and Olivia Winslow (right), both 21, have pleaded guilty to charges of theft, child endangerment and hate crimes after stealing a 'Make America Great Again' hat from a child and punching the man trying to get it back at a Democratic National Convention in Wilmington, Delaware, last year

Seven-year-old Riley Wigton and his Trump-supporting mother Abbey, 27, attended the convention to peacefully protest Biden's victory as the Democratic nominee for president

Prosecution cited that the incident had been prompted by Amy and Winslow's drinking and anger issues, The News Journal reported.

Amy, who had been driving under the influence, will have to complete standard alcohol classes in order to get her license back. She also has a history of harassment, often in front of a child, for which Jones sentenced her to house arrest.

'We have all had moments of pettiness and immaturity,' said Thomas Foley, Winslow's attorney.

He said that his client has 'learned a great deal' and 'paid a tough price.' Winslow will start anger management classes on Tuesday.

Winslow and Amy have both received hate mail and death threats since Students for Trump tweeted the video.

An adult male victim of the incident said the harassment the women received has been 'punishment enough,' according to a submitted statement.

'I wish things did not get so out of hand from the start,' he wrote. 'I hope they can use this to move forward.'

In a viral clip, Olivia Winslow and Camryn Amy were seen ripping apart a Trump poster and verbally and physically attacking Trump supporters

Jones said he took the victims wishes into account in sentencing, including his agreement to drop charges of assault, attempted assault and conspiracy in the plea deal.

Amy and Winslow, both of Wilmington, offered apologies after their sentencing.

'I'm ashamed of my actions that day,' Winslow said.

Seven-year-old Riley Wigton and his Trump-supporter mom Abbey, 27, who said they attended the convention to peacefully protest Biden as the Democratic nominee for president, were waiting outside a restaurant at the time when they were 'attacked.'

Referring to the signs, the mother asks in the video tweeted by Students For Trump, ''Are you destroying my property?'

'Yes, we are,' Winslow says.

The footage then shows the red MAGA hat on the floor - how it got there is not captured on video - and Amy says, 'get it Liv, get it'.

In the beginning of the video Winslow is seen picking the cap up off the floor and throwing it

Winslow throws the hat as Riley runs after it. 'That's somebody else's hat,' the boy says, as he seems to start to cry.

'Your mom f***ing likes Trump' Winslow says to Riley.

Amy picks up the hat again and continues to walk toward her car.

A frightened, crying Riley says: 'Mom, call 9-1-1.'

Riley's mother Abbey released a statement of what happened before she started recording the video and claimed she was punched in the face and hit with the women's purses several times

Ex-President Trump saw the viral video and sent a gift package to Riley, which included a new, signed MAGA hat, a mug, a water bottle, presidential bags and more paraphernalia

Then a man comes into frame demanding that Amy give him the hat. Amy shouts 'don't touch me,' and punches the man.

Other charges including assault, attempted assault and conspiracy were dropped as part of a plea deal struck on Monday, Delaware Online reported.

The women's attorneys said they think probation is the 'appropriate sentence' and declined to comment further.

Trump saw the viral video at the time and sent a gift package to Riley, which included a new, signed MAGA hat, a mug, a water bottle, presidential bags and other swag.

Riley's mother, Abbey, released a statement about what happened leading up to what was captured in the video.

The day after the incident, Trump's eldest son Donald Trump Jr tweeted the video and said what happened was 'sick'. He also called on for help identifying the women in the video.

The two offenders also were caught on video in their car before the confrontation when a local reporter asked them why they supported Biden.

At the end of the clip Winslow is seen throwing her coffee cup at the reporter.
A suspect believed to be the man caught on camera shoving a woman down a New York subway station escalator has been caught by cops.

Police arrested Bradley K. Hill, 32, on Friday and charged him with assault.

He was filmed with police Friday night, wearing a smart dark suit, opened necked shirt, Nike face mask and freshly-buzzed hair.

Police say on the afternoon of September 9 Hill kicked a woman down the escalator of the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station in Brooklyn, New York.

Scroll Down For Video:

Bradley Hill, (center) was photographed on his perp walk with a fresh haircut on Friday.

New York City police say the 32-year-old woman was attacked after she confronted a man for shoving past her on the escalator at the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center Station at 7.15pm

Footage of the incident shows the 32-year-old drop kicking a woman in the chest after walking past her on the escalator.

She is captured tumbling down while he calmly walks away.

Police said the unidentified victim, also 32, asked Hill to say 'excuse me' after he pushed his way past her on the ride up to the street, she told ABC 7 News earlier this week.

Police say Hill responded 'I did' and suddenly kicked her in the chest.

'He just kicked me out of nowhere,' she said. 'And I just came tumbling down the escalator, past everyone, all the way to the bottom floor.'

The victim suffered cuts and bruises to her back, arms, legs, right knee, right thigh and left ankle but refused medical attention, police said.

The NYPD found Hill (pictured) after an eight-day search and charged him with assault and attempted assault

She told ABC 7 that the incident has left her traumatized.

''Say excuse me,' that's the New York way,' and that was it,' she said. 'And then out of nowhere, he felt the need to have to kick me down the stairs. You know, as if I had the audacity to address him and tell him and say, 'Excuse me,' at that moment. He felt like he just had to kick me down.'

He was charged with assault and attempted assault. As of Sunday afternoon, Hill is still in custody, Detective Francis Sammon told MailOnline.

Hill lives at 38 6th Avenue in Brooklyn, according to information he filed with the NYPD upon his arrest. The apartment complex has its own yoga studio, and one bedroom apartments there are priced at over $2,000.

This is the latest violent incident on a New York City subway train.

On September 5 a New York father and his young daughter were spat on and threatened with a knife by a male passenger after asking him to stop smoking marijuana on the train.

A video released by the NYPD revealed the incident which was captured on a cellphone on a Manhattan D-Bound train in the Bronx earlier this month.

The footage captured the alleged pothead sitting in his seat as he was seen spitting on the 35-year-old father and his four-year-old daughter, who were seated on the other side of the doors a few feet away from the man.

According to the NYPD, there were 2.19 felony crimes reported per one million riders for the month of August relating to murder, rape, robbery, grand larceny, felony assault and burglary, according to The New York Post.

The August statistic was an increase as compared to 1.78 in July and 1.77 in June.

Cameras were installed on Monday as an effort to monitor subway crime and keep people on public transportation safe.

'The number of arrests have dramatically increased. Part of that is directly attributable to cameras,' Warren said.

'You are not anonymous in the subway right now if you are out there trying to prey on our riders.'
Australia's peak medical group has belatedly backed the national plan out of the Covid pandemic after months of criticising it.

The Australian Medical Association gave cautious support for lockdowns to end at 70 per cent vaccination, and borders opening at 80 per cent.

But it warned against reopening based purely on vaccination rates and suggested Covid-riddled Sydney and Melbourne may need to move slower.

Even states and areas with no Covid cases may need to impose stricter health measures as a precaution when borders reopen and lockdowns end.

Australia's planned route out of lockdown has been backed by doctors, but they still warn against big cities being too hasty while they're in the midst of Covid outbreaks. (Pictured, a group of women enjoy a glass of champagne at Sydney's Bondi Beach)

They fear that opening up too much, too soon will lead to overloaded hospitals and a health system unable to cope with an increasing spread of the virus.

'We need to do everything we can to avoid our hospitals collapsing from opening up too early,' AMA president Dr Omar Khorshid said.

'We need planning, not just around ICU beds, but around staffing and how the primary health sector, including GPs, can support critical Covid care.

'We don't want to see the healthcare system become the handbrake on the economy and our ability to open up.'

The AMA also called for mandatory vaccination for all health workers, and legal protection for employers wanting to mandate vaccination for their employees.

The national reopening plan - approved by the federal government and all states and territories - is based on modelling by the Doherty Institute.

AMA president Dr Omar Khorshid (pictured right with Prime Minister Scott Morrison) warned against re-opening based purely on vaccination rates alone and said Covid-riddled Sydney and Melbourne may need to move more slowly

The AMA fears that opening up too much, too soon will lead to overloaded hospitals and a health system unable to cope with an increasing spread of the virus. (Pictured, a Covid patient in ICU receives treatment at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital)

About 71.2 per cent of the adult population have received their first dose nationally, and 50.6 per cent of adults are fully vaccinated.

The outbreak in NSW appears to have peaked after a week of case numbers stabilising around 1100-1300 per day while the Victorian outbreak has wobbled around the 500-mark for the last three days,

The Doherty Institute updated its modelling on Friday to account for the high case numbers in Melbourne and Sydney and recommended continuing 'medium' safety measures during the reopening process.

But the AMA claimed even the revised modelling did not take into consideration the effect on the hospital system, which will be 'overwhelmed' for a few weeks in late October and early November.

They fear that the focus has been on the public being able to return to pubs and restaurants without considering the wider implications.

The AMA wants a pledge for increased government funding to cope with the additional demand on the health system from both Covid and the backlog that Covid has created,

The outbreak in NSW appears to have peaked after a week of case numbers stabilising around 1100-1300 per day while the Victorian outbreak has wobbled around the 500-mark for the last three days. (Pictured, Victorian premier Dan Andrews)

The AMA have also called for mandatory vaccination for all health workers, and legal protection for employers wanting to mandate vaccination for their employees. (Pictured, an anti-vaxxer protester)

'The health system needs to be much better prepared to deal with the growing burden of Covid-19, as well as delivering non-Covid-19 related care,' Dr Khorshid said.

The AMA wants more detailed advice on what public health measures will be eased or modified as each vaccination target is achieved.

But they also want to see the action plan proposed after reopening if infection numbers are likely to overwhelm testing, contact tracing and quarantine capacity.

They also want the Doherty modelling reviewed and updated on a regular basis and details on vaccination targets including children for the final phase of reopening.

Dr Khorshid said governments needed to be realistic, careful and test each change and the impact of measures before moving to the next phase, given there were more than 1,000 new cases a day.

'There's a lot more at stake here than just our ability to go back to our normal lives and go out for dinner,' he said.
Footage has emerged of a Melbourne protester surrendering to police before being tackled to ground and surrounded by up to a dozen officers.

The incident was among dozens of ugly scenes when anti-lockdown demonstrators clashed with police in Melbourne on Saturday, resulting in 235 arrests.

Ten officers were injured during violent confrontations with protestors, sparking widespread anger on a day Victoria recorded 535 new Covid-19 cases.

More footage has since surfaced of a man being tackled to the ground following a wild police chase on foot during the protests in inner-city Richmond.

The man is seen running with dozens of police officers chasing after im on Saturday

The 30 second clip begins with the man running away from dozens of police officers in hot pursuit as several shocked passers-by watch on.

He eventually surrenders by putting his hands in the air as two officers catch up to him in a laneway.

He's quickly surrounded by officers who tackle him to the ground and detain him.

Voice For Victoria slammed the forceful arrest when it shared the extraordinary footage late Saturday night.

'Tax dollars hard at work today. Serve and protect,' the footage was captioned.

'Should protesters be violent? No. Should cops be violent? Also no. It's really not that hard.

'Anyone abusing a side from the protest and not calling for this isn't helping anything.'

The man surrenders by putting his arms in the air as police catch up to him

The footage angered many online viewers who accused police of abusing their powers.

'If I was a cop and someone would raise they hands up, I could never hit them and punch them like that. This is abuse of power. This isnt right,' one commented.

Another woman added: 'How is that many cops chasing and tackling an unarmed person for protesting their free rights ok?'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Victoria Police for comment, which was unable to provide more details.

Police made 235 arrests on Saturday, most for breaching health directions while some were charged with assault, riotous behaviour and weapons and drug offences.

Those arrested will be fined $5,452 each, with 193 infringements handed out so far.

Police officers suffered injuries including a broken elbow and broken nose, a broken finger and torn muscles. Six officers were taken to hospital.

Police tackle the man to the ground and surround him following the wild chase in Richmond

Commander Mark Galliott said bottles and stones were thrown at officers while an authorised vehicle was severely damaged.

'Angry aggressive young males (were) there to fight the police, not to protest about freedoms,' he told the media late on Saturday.

Victoria recorded 507 new cases and one death on Sunday as Premier Daniel Andrews prepare to unveil the roadmap out of lockdown once 70 per cent of eligible Victorians are fully vaccinated.

Melbourne remains in strict lockdown and has been since the start of August - as it nears an unpopular world record.

Buenos Aires, in Argentina, currently holds the record after the city endured 234 days under lockdown. Melbourne - which has gone through six lockdowns - is expected to hit 235 days on September 23.
Advertisement

Border Patrol has begun removing 14,800 migrants from a squalid camp set up underneath a Texas frontier bridge with the help of hundreds of cops and soldiers.

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show buses leaving the site and heading towards San Antonio, Texas, accompanied by CBP cars.

Other pictures show one of the migrants being treated for an injury after being caught in the crush and police convoys arriving to provide extra security.

The removal operation began at 1pm local time when access to the migrant camp was shut down and hundreds of Texas Highway Patrol cars began arriving.

Crews from the Del Rio Fire Department were also seen pulling up, as was a convoy of CBP trucks  among them one that was towing a trailer with horses inside.

One of the local sheriffs told DailyMail.com that the heavy police presence was to deter would-be migrants angry about being deported back to Haiti.

He said: Border Patrol are delivering the news to the Haitians that theyre going to be deported.

Cops are seen at a US border crossing in Del Rio, Texas, Saturday as CBP agents prepared to remove thousands of migrants - many of them from Haiti - before deporting them home

Buses like this one were used to collect the migrants, with police present to maintain calm after the Biden administration announced it would be deporting people from Haiti back to their home country

This bus was flanked by a police escort, with up to 15,000 migrants staying under a bridge in Del Rio, despite the squalid conditions they faced

A second bus was seen at the gates of the border facility Saturday as officials prepared to move migrants gathered there

A row of Texas State Troopers' SUVs were present at the border area for Saturday's removal operation

A woman was seen being given medical attention as border patrol agents prepared to remove her

She was lifted onto a stretcher, before being put into am ambulance

Many of those seen by DailyMail.com on Saturday did not have shoes, and this woman appears to have suffered an injury to her right foot

The Del Rio International Bridge was closed off on Saturday after it became overrun with migrants crossing into the US from Mexico

Theyre breaking the news about the flights  theyre letting them know now. Thats why all these guys are here.

As he spoke, a police chopper could be seen circling overhead and a stream of white buses began leaving, escorted by law enforcement.

One elderly refugee appeared to have been hurt in the crush and was seen being treated by medics on the side of the road.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, 400 CBP officers are on the scene to process the migrants and added that 2,000 have already been removed.

A source at Del Rio International Airport said some of the 2,000 have already been deported through the airport, with flights departing at 6am and 2.15pm on Saturday.

The source added that many of the migrants were traveling without shoes.

The removal operation began hours after the Biden administration announced it planned to speed up deportation flights to Haiti  eventually increasing them to eight per day.

Flights into the country had been temporarily paused following last months earthquake which killed 2,248 people and destroyed 136,000 buildings.

Some of the flights are scheduled to leave from San Antonio, 150 miles from Del Rio, while at least two per day will take off from Del Rio International Airport.

The international bridge between Del Rio and neighboring Ciudad Acuna has been closed since Friday in a bid to try to stop the Haitian migrants flooding into the town.

Locals said they were frustrated by the situation, with one local business owner telling DailyMail.com that he could be forced to close if the situation continues.

Sergio Garza, 56, has owned Border One Shop  a gas station and cafe that sits on the approach to the Del Rio International Bridge  for 12 years.

He said he has 12 staff members who live in Ciudad Acuna who have been unable to come to work because of the standoff at the bridge while sales of gas alone have dropped from 2,300 gallons on Friday to just 200 gallons on Saturday.

Garza, who is a dual Mexican and American citizen, said he understands why the Haitian refugees want to come to the US but said they should do it legally and not hurt small businesses like his along the way.

Local business owner Sergio Garza says the closure of the bridge has badly affected his business

Garza, a dual US-Mexican citizen, says he has sympathy for migrants, but added that they should follow the proper procedure to enter the United States

He said: It has hit us every hard. We have 12 employees who live in Acuna who come and go everyday but the government allows them because they are US citizens.

They work here, make a living and provide for their families. Well they didnt show up today for work today and I guess theyre not going to show up until they reopen the bridge.

My wife and I, were now doing the work of 12. It is affecting us. Its going to hit our business.

Yesterday, before they shut down the bridge, we sold 2,300 gallons of gas and today we sold 200 gallons. Were taking a big hit.

The sudden appearance of the squalid migrant camp has sparked outrage among Texas politicians with Governor Greg Abbott hitting out at the Biden Administration on Friday.

In a statement, he said: 'Six hours after U.S. Customs and Border Protection requested help from Texas to close ports of entry and secure the border, the Biden Administration has now flip-flopped to a different strategy that abandons border security and instead makes it easier for people to cross illegally and for cartels to exploit the border.

'The Biden Administration is in complete disarray and is handling the border crisis as badly as the evacuation from Afghanistan.

I have directed the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to maintain their presence at and around ports of entry to deter crossings.

A dust storm hit a dam close to the Del Rio Bridge as CBP officers began moving migrants on Saturday

A woman was carried by a man on her shoulders as they crossed into the US from Mexico Saturday

A little girl is pictured being carried by a man who also held onto his shoes as he crossed the river

Others carried boxes containing their possessions on their head, as the US southern border was hit by an unprecedented number of illegal crossings

This satellite image shows migrants crossing a dam on the Rio Grande river that links the US to Mexico

Garza says he blames the Biden Administration and the Mexican government for his plight, telling DailyMail.com: To me, its the lack of solid decisions from both governments  the US and Mexican.

Those people that are migrants, theyre not vaccinated so its a health problem. That has to be blamed on the Mexican government because theyre coming through the southern border of Mexico.

I understand that people want to have a better life but they have to do it the right way, the legal way. Immigration laws have to be enforced.

Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, called on Abbott to seize control of the border from the federal government.

Speaking to Fox News, he said: 'Texas ought to start disregarding this president and start taking it to our own hands, in Texas, the need to secure the border of the United States for the welfare of the people.

'We need to go forward and secure the border -- the governor, the state of Texas needs to own this and seal the border.

U.S. authorities encountered more than 195,000 migrants at the Mexican border in August, according to government data released on Wednesday.

Many of them are Haitians desperate to escape their impoverished country which has been hit by a series of catastrophic natural disasters in recent years.

Haiti is also being wracked by political instability caused by the assassination of its former president Jovenel Moise in June.

The island's prime minister Ariel Henry has since named as a suspect in the murder investigation.

[ends]
A cellphone photo taken by an 18-year-old on Friday looks a 'heck' of a lot like missing Gabby Petito's fiance Brian Laundrie, who has also since disappeared according to police.

Zachary Randazzo took the picture around 5pm about two blocks from Laundrie's parent's home on Targee Avenue in North Port, Florida.

It shows a bald, clean-shaven man walking down the sidewalk in flip-flops with headphones in while wearing sunglasses.

Randazzo told DailyMail.com he was driving with his grandmother to where the 23-year-old lived to 'see what was going on' when he snapped the photo.

'We knew there was supposed to be a demonstration or protest outside the home at 5pm and we wanted to see what that was all about,' he said.

A cellphone photo taken by Zachary Randazzo, 18, Friday looks a 'heck' of a lot like missing Gabby Petito's fiance Brian Laundrie, according to police. It showed a bald, clean-shaven man walking down the sidewalk in flip-flops with headphones in

However, although blurred, the man in Randazzo's photo appears to have a tattoo on his left arm - although recent photos of Laundrie (pictured) show that he has no such inking

His family told police they haven't seen Laundrie since Tuesday, when he told them he was headed to the nature reserve. Police have since been on a manhunt for Laundrie in the nearby Sarasota County wildlife refuge, T Mabry Carlton Reserve

Randazzo explained that when he and his grandmother turned down the street they 'were shocked (because) what looked like his clone was walking down the street'.

'We then watched him as he turned down the next street over and we drove past him again to get a second look,' he added.

Randazzo then drove around the street a third time, and took the photo. 'After taking it and pulling up a picture of him online and looking at them side-by-side we were thinking, "Wow this looks just like him, how can it not be him?"'

He noted he and his grandmother thought the two photos were 'identical' and this unidentified man walking down the street 'looked like his clone'. The next time he circled the block, the man resembling Laundrie was gone.

Although blurred, the man in Randazzo's photo appears to have a tattoo on his left arm - but recent photos of Laundrie show that he has no such inking.

Laundrie has stayed completely silent about his girlfriend's disappearance since he came home on September 1 - days earlier than expected - without Petito

Petito was last seen on August 24 leaving a hotel with Laundrie in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the couple's cross-country campervan trip

Cops have been made aware of the photo and are investigating, as reported by the Post, although they too noted the pedestrian's tattoo. 'Other than that, sure as heck looks like him,' Josh Taylor, the spokesman for the North Port Police Department, said.

The photo was taken about an hour and a half before the Laundries' family attorney reported the 23-year-old missing and investigators from the North Port Police Department showed up at the family's home, according to the New York Post.

His family told police they haven't seen Laundrie since Tuesday, when he told them he was headed to the nature reserve. Police have since been on a manhunt for Laundrie in the nearby Sarasota County wildlife refuge, T Mabry Carlton Reserve.

Laundrie has stayed completely silent about his girlfriend's disappearance since he came home on September 1 - days earlier than expected - without Petito.

Petito was last seen in public on August 24 when she and Laundrie checked out of a Fairfield Inn hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.

On August 30 the 22-year-old's mother Nicole Schmidt received a curious text from her daughter that read: 'No service in Yosemite.'

Police have officially named Brian Laundrie a 'person of interest' in their inquiry into her mystery disappearance as he refuses to cooperate, although they say there is no evidence any crime has been committed

A map shows the last known movements of Petito and Laundrie along their cross-country road trip which began July 2

Policed released a photo of the Ford van that was seized from the Laundrie property on September 11, the day Petito's family reported her middding

The mother refused to disclose the contents of her daughter's texts but told DailyMail.com: 'That text was NOT from Gabby I know it!'

She believes Laundrie may have sent the message from her phone possibly to mislead her family and investigators as to her whereabouts.

Schmidt has also angrily hit out at Laundrie's disappearance insisting that he isn't missing, but is actually 'hiding' instead.

If the couple were in fact together in Yosemite on August 30, that would mean Brian drove over 3,000 miles within two days to arrive in Florida on September 1.

Police have officially named Brian Laundrie a 'person of interest' in their inquiry into her mystery disappearance as he refuses to cooperate, although they say there is no evidence any crime has been committed.

Cops in North Port, Florida, said: 'Brian Laundrie is a person of interest in this case. As of now, Brian has not made himself available to be interviewed by investigators or has provided any helpful details.'

Brian's family refused to let authorities speak to their son when the 2012 Ford van was seized from their property late on September 11.

Most recently, Brian Laundrie's sister broke the Laundrie family silence about the disappearance of her brother's girlfriend and said her and her family 'obviously want Gabby to be found safe'.

'All I want is for her to come home safe and sound and this to be just a big misunderstanding,' she said in an interview with ABC News.

Brian Laundrie's sister Cassie Laundrie (pictured) has broken her silence about the disappearance of her brother's girlfriend and said her and her family 'obviously want Gabby to be found safe' just after Brian was named a 'person of interest' in her vanishing

Brian's family refused to let authorities speak to their son when the 2012 Ford van was seized from their property late on September 11

Cassie's interview came the same day the Petito family penned an emotional letter begging the Laundries to help them find their missing daughter and suggesting that the family might be withholding information about where she is.

The heartbreaking letter was read aloud by family attorney Richard Stafford in a press conference held in Petito's hometown of Long Island on Thursday.

'We understand you are going through a difficult time and your instinct to protect your son is strong.

'We ask you to put yourselves in our shoes. We haven't been able to sleep or eat and our lives are falling apart,' the Petitos wrote.

They added: 'As a parent, how can you let us go through this pain and not help us? As a parent, how could you put Gabby's younger brothers and sisters through this?'

The letter also confirmed reports that the young couple were engaged to be married and suggested the Laundries were 'so happy' that the two were planning to spend their lives together.

During the press conference Stafford would not provide further details about Petito's suspicious final text message to her family and refused to comment on the body camera footage from the August 12 incident.

In the newly-released bodycam video, an emotional Petito is seen with tears streaming down her face telling officers the couple 'have been fighting all morning' and admitting that she slapped him.

New bodycam footage emerged Wednesday showing police being called to an incident involving the couple in Moab, Utah, on August 12 - 13 days before Petito was last heard from. A tearful Petito is seen in the back of the police car

Laundrie is seen with scratches on his face which he tells an officer were caused when Petito 'was trying to get the keys from me' and 'hit me with her phone'

Petito said she suffers from OCD and anxiety, with both her and Laundrie saying she was stressed because of the YouTube blog they were working on to document the doomed cross-country trip.

Laundrie was seen with scratches on his face and arm which he tells an officer were caused when Petito 'was trying to get the keys from me' and 'hit me with her phone'.

When an officer asks Petito if her boyfriend hit her, she replies 'I guess' and makes a grabbing motion on her chin. Laundrie admits he 'pushed her' during the altercation.

The cops determine Petito was 'the primary aggressor' and said they were going to separate the couple for the night.

At the press conference Stafford revealed the couple's cross country road trip included plans to visit Oregon on October 2, meaning Laundrie's premature return to his family's Florida home on September 1 would have seemed odd or unexpected.

'The family is devastated. Every day that this goes on, they get more and more desperate. They're at the point that this desperation as turned into anger,' the family lawyer added.

'They know that the Laundries know where their daughter is. And they will not tell them. That's infuriating.'

Attorney Richard Stafford on Thursday read out an emotional letter from Petito's family begging the Laundries to cooperate, saying 'we believe you know the location of where Brian left Gabby'

The letter also confirmed reports that the young couple were engaged to be married and suggested the Laundries were 'so happy' that the two were planning to spend their lives together
Personal finance guru Alan Steel, a prominent anti-vaxxer, has died after a month-long battle with Covid-19.

The 74-year-old's death last Wednesday came after he was hospitalised with the virus. Hours before he was placed on a ventilator he had told friends to 'keep their fingers crossed'.

Mr Steel had frequently retweeted anti-vaccine views on Twitter since the start of the pandemic.

Days before he fell ill he had reposted misinformation about Covid and the vaccine to 3,753 followers.

Personal finance guru Alan Steel, a prominent anti-vaxxer, has died after a month-long battle with Covid-19. The 74-year-old's death last Wednesday came after he was hospitalised with the virus. Hours before he was placed on a ventilator he had told friends to 'keep their fingers crossed'

The Covid sceptic criticised Boris Johnson's wife Carrie for urging pregnant women to get the jab. Sharing an article about Ms Johnson's advice, he wrote: 'FFS.'

He linked other posts to a report into vaccine deaths by a conspiracy theorist website, as well as telling friends to listen to videos on how 'it's not a pandemic of the unvaccinated'. Mr Steel was also against masks and lockdowns.

In the financial services sector, he was best known for being first to expose the problems at Equitable Life, where the insurer's policyholders lost billions of pounds in savings.

Hailed as a crusader within the industry, he launched Alan Steel Asset Management in his hometown of Linlithgow in West Lothian in 1975. At a rented desk in a rented room, he told interviewers that a landline was his only companion.

The Scot  nicknamed 'Golden Balls of Steel'  quickly won a reputation in the industry, with his firm managing more than 1 billion worth of client assets.

As a self-confessed 'natural contrarian', Steel was a regular commentator in the press and became known among his peers for his appreciation of Spanish red wine.

Covid sceptic Mr Steel criticised Boris Johnson's wife Carrie for urging pregnant women to get the jab. Sharing an article about Ms Johnson's advice, he wrote: 'FFS'

When asked what his life was like outside financial services, he said: 'Family, music, my moothie [harmonica], Ibiza, red wine and Oliphant's pies.'

In a poignant message last month he posted on Twitter: 'You may wonder why I've been so quiet. For the best part of two weeks I fought a losing battle with Covid.

'Been on oxygen in hospital since. Moving to intensive care today. This is one nasty illness. Fingers crossed I make it through.'

It is understood that Mr Steel initially responded well to treatment before his condition deteriorated.

Steve Forbes, managing director of Alan Steel Asset Management, yesterday said: 'He was a one-off and a genius, of that there is certainly no doubt, but he was also a great visionary.

'He is now with his beloved and wise Grannie McKay and will have a new audience for his multitude of jokes and stories. I also know the hole that exists in our lives just now as a result of his passing will be filled with joyous memories in time.'

Close friend John Allison added: 'Alan always remained totally true to his working-class upbringing, but unknown to most, he was also a significant financial benefactor and behind the scenes, he gave great financial support to many local institutions and events.

'The financial services industry is traditionally very light on characters and legends  Alan Steel may sadly prove to be the last of them.'

Mr Steel is survived by his wife Fran, son Malcolm, and daughter Catherine.
Pro-Trump Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik was blasted as 'low' by her hometown newspaper's editorial after she paid for Facebook ads pushing the 'great replacement' theory.

In Stefanik's ads, which appeared on Facebook Wednesday, Joe Biden was seen wearing his trademark aviator sunglasses, with scores of migrants pictured in their reflection walking toward him.

The image was a riff on a Time magazine cover that saw Putin reflected in Biden's shades. Stefanik's ad text said 'Democrats are planning their most aggressive move yet: a PERMANANT ELECTION INSURRECTION.'

'Their plan to grant amnesty to 11 MILLION illegal immigrants will overthrow our current electorate and create a permanent liberal majority in Washington,' the ad continues on to say.

The Times Union editorial - titled 'How low, Ms. Stefanik?' - sunk its teeth into the advertisement.

'Quite a choice of words, of course, considering that the country is still suffering the aftershocks of the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington by supporters of Mr. Trump who tried to overturn Democrat Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election.'

Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik's ad - pictured here - was ripped by her hometown paper's op-ed as 'low'

Stefanik's ad appears to be a spoof on this June cover of Time magazine ahead of Biden' meeting with Putin

Rep. Elise Stefanik - pictured here on July 29 - was ripped by her hometown paper for her 'low' advertisements against immigrants

The op-ed ripped the advertisements as 'fear-based political tactics' and didn't mince words in the last paragraph.

'If theres anything that needs replacing in this country  and in the Republican party  its the hateful rhetoric that Ms. Stefanik and far too many of her colleagues so shamelessly spew.'

The great replacement theory claims white people are intentionally being replaced in the U.S. by migrants.

It has a long history in the country that included periods when Catholics, Jews or Muslims were hailed as the 'replacements' who were out to change the country's 'culture.'

The theory also triggered scares that Irish, Italian, Asian or eastern European immigrants would take the white, Protestant people's jobs.

The third-ranking house Republican's ads echoed Donald Trump's attacks on Muslim and Mexican immigrants while seemingly mocking Time magazine's June cover of an aviator-clad Joe Biden with Vladimir Putin in the reflection ahead of the Biden-Putin meetup.

The Times Union op-ed included contributions immigrants are making in the U.S. and argued that their work is integral a healthy American economy.

'Today, according to the American Immigration Council, they make up over a third of the farming, fishing, and forestry workforce, and one-fourth of those working in computer and math sciences,' the op-ed said.

'Over four million immigrants work in the health care and social service industry. In many cases, they are doing jobs American citizens dont want to do.'

Stefanik has represented New York's 21st Congressional District, which is mostly rural and includes all of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington counties, and parts of Herkimer and Saratoga counties, since 2015.

The district includes most of the Adirondack Mountains and the Thousand Islands region. It borders Vermont to the east and Canada to the north. It also includes Fort Drum of the U.S. Army.

Stefanik is pitured here on July 27 to discus the Jan. 6th Committee

The ads come at a time when the country encountered more than 195,000 migrants at the Mexican border in August, according to government data released on Wednesday.

The Biden administration has begun preparing deportation flights to Haiti in order to curb the number of undocumented migrants flooding into Del Rio, Texas, after nearly 14,000 immigrants began camping in the area as thousands continue to arrive.

Department of Homeland Security officials are planning as many as eight flights per day to Haiti, starting on Sunday, about a week since President Joe Biden cancelled repatriation flights to Haiti.

Haiti - which is recovering from a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people and damaged more than 100,000 homes - is prepared to only accept at least three flights a day, but Biden's administration will push for the eight, The Washington Post reported.
Working in a London hospital, you get used to dealing with the after-effects of gang fights. But you dont expect to see them.

Of the many horrible things you might witness as a junior doctor in the capital, among the worst must be watching a teenage gang trying to break into the ward you work on, hoping to finish off a victim, punching your colleagues out of the way to get to him.

Where I work, theres a code red every day. Thats what we call the arrival of a stabbing victim. The patient is almost always a teenager. We should provide a safe refuge. But just a few weeks into working in a London hospital, I had witnessed two stabbings.

A few weeks ago, a boy came in with knife wounds and was taken to have a CT scan to assess the damage. But his attackers were not satisfied with wounding him  they wanted him dead. After turning up at the hospital, the whole gang rushed to the CT scanners.

The nurse and radiographer tried to stand in their way  my colleagues tend to be extremely brave  but they were attacked and knocked to the ground. At this point, security arrived: the gang fled, successfully escaping.

Working in a London hospital, you get used to dealing with the after-effects of gang fights. But you dont expect to see them

If youve been to a hospital recently, youll know that you can pretty much walk in and around as you like. There are far, far too many people to check.

There are numerous restricted and locked areas, and we have permanent security guards posted on the highest risk areas for gang violence  but most entrances are completely open at all hours.

You cant get into other wards without buzzing and being let in, but anyone can get into A&E.

The injured boy came in on a Saturday morning, when the hospital was quite empty. Later that day, someone walking around on the first floor suddenly heard loud shouting and yelling. One of my friends was working in a ward adjacent to A&E, and saw a man run up and start banging on the door, closely followed by a group of young men.

The gang had returned, found a target, and were chasing him down the corridor, knives out. All the wards were locked, and the man was trying his best to get away, hammering on all the doors  but no one was opening up.

None of the staff wanted men with knives running around their wards  and, frankly, probably didnt want to be in harms way themselves. Were not paid danger money. My friend felt guilty for not opening the door, but what was she supposed to do: put herself and all the patients in her ward at risk?

Usually when there is a gang-related incident, there are stabbings on both sides. Hospitals go to great lengths to ensure members of rival gangs are taken to separate trauma centres. But sometimes a mistake is made  or both victims are too unwell to reach another hospital  and they end up in the same place. Either way, if gangs are determined to take their feuds into hospitals, there is not much we can do.

Gangs come up with all sorts of ways to try and access victims who have survived. Sometimes, they pretend to be family members. The hospital has started to set code words that genuine relatives can use to identify themselves when they come and visit. But on one occasion, a hostile gang created fake ID badges.

They managed to get hold of their targets location and just called on the intercom. They were buzzed in, and at least a couple got onto the ward. Occasionally, gang members whove been stabbed are personally guarded by the police during their admissions. I know of at least one who was discharged straight into witness protection.

Of the many horrible things you might witness as a junior doctor in the capital, among the worst must be watching a teenage gang trying to break into the ward you work on, hoping to finish off a victim, punching your colleagues out of the way to get to him

There was blood all over the floors of the corridor when the gang left that Saturday. Their victim, the man whod been banging on doors, was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit. He was at  in terms of treatment quality  one of the best hospitals he could hope for.

The major trauma team often includes ex-military doctors. There will be up to five different surgeons working to save one victim simultaneously. This, of course, places a great strain on the health service, but the upside is that London surgeons have become experts  the best in the world  at treating stab wounds. People survive horrendous attacks that would have proved fatal a few years ago.

Some are not meant to kill, though; gangs sometimes go in for bagging, which is when they stab the victim in the rectum, so that they need a colostomy bag for the rest of their life. This is meant to be the most humiliating punishment.

At another hospital I worked at, a couple of stab victims came in almost at the same time, one a 16-year-old boy with a deep wound to the leg. How did this happen, I asked, and he said he was just messing around with a knife in his kitchen and had thrown it in the air, after which it had landed in his leg.

Naively, I was inclined to believe him  especially because his mum was there. But I then went to discuss the case with my consultant, who said: You dont believe him, surely? Ask the mum what kind of knife it was. Neither could describe it, of course. I did find it slightly ironic that the boy turned out to be terrified of needles, grabbing at my arm as I tried to inject some local anaesthetic with something less than half a millimetre in diameter.

He then asked me: what would be the most dangerous place to be stabbed in the leg? Is there any spot which would kill someone? Somehow, I doubted his wound had awakened a yearning to undertake an anatomy degree, so I feigned ignorance and responded vaguely.

Later, his mum kicked up a massive fuss about her son not being seen straight away by doctors. He had a six-hour wait; it was a deep cut, but the risk of infection from kitchen knives is small. Of course, if it hadnt been a kitchen knife, but rather a knife used in street fights, then there was a much higher risk of infection. In the boys defence, he was quite understanding when I told him I would have to report the incident to the police, and said he could see how it looked. Still, he rigidly stuck to his knife throwing story.

Gangs come up with all sorts of ways to try and access victims who have survived. Sometimes, they pretend to be family members

After a stabbing victim arrives, you often see the victims of the revenge attacks coming in the very same day. This boy had arrived at 10pm and later on that night another few boys with knife wounds were brought in; some were in a worse condition and were sent to a major trauma centre with life-threatening injuries. We assumed the incident was a response to the earlier violence.

What feels odd, to me, is that so many people  children  are being stabbed in London hospitals and yet almost no one outside the hospital seems aware of it. Unless someone happens to tip off a reporter, these incidents seem to get swallowed in the general mass of crime stories and injuries. Perhaps it will only get reported if  maybe I should say when  someone is murdered in a hospital.

I suspect this is part of a general increase in knife crime, although its entirely possible its been like this for a while.

After all, even if last years 132 London murders made it the worst for almost a decade, things were far worse in the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2003 there were 204 murders  and there were almost two million fewer Londoners then  although, with better treatment now available, some of those would have survived in 2021.

Perhaps wards have always been stormed by teenagers acting out rivalries in the most brutal possible ways. The grim determination with which our staff grin and bear it suggests they have become used to it. But even if thats the case, the danger we face shouldnt be secret  in the same way that the poor pay, hours, conditions and career prospects of junior doctors, relative to their peers, should also be public information.

The security guards we have are pretty impressive and fearless, but theirs is a massive job  do we really want to ask Joseph and his buddy Emmanuel to stand up, unarmed, just the two of them, against 12 teenagers with 12in kitchen knives who have stabbed before and are here to do it again, all for 18,000 a year?

It would make me feel safer if there were a few more Emmanuels. But the very nature of hospitals makes it hard to have a strict policy on who comes in and out. We know the risks, and have constant security coverage on the major trauma ward.

When the victim is treated and cleaned up, we try to ensure they dont turn up again. We liaise with charities that talk to youths who have been stabbed, and with charities that employ ex-gang members who try to help them out of the lifestyle. These organisations offer training days for hospital staff: we learn how to speak to gang members, and which gangs work in which areas.

But after that, its a tick-box exercise. I have to refer the victims to social services, but mostly I wonder why I bother.

The boys dont want me to, and it takes so much of my time. Just filling in the forms takes an hour, and remember: stabbings happen every single day.

Obviously, we have to report them to the police. But they often seem to accept these incidents as a fact of life in London. So do the boys, their general attitude being: Yeah, I got stabbed and Im fine. Their mothers are a different matter, and I suspect the last boy I treated got a big talking to when he got home.

But will it make any difference? Probably not. Many victims will be back again  in either the hospital ward or the mortuary.

Im not sure what else we can do, other than pass on these horror stories  because how can we fix a problem that most people dont even realise exists?
The Lancet medical journal has bowed to pressure over its heavily-criticised coverage of the disputed origins of the Covid pandemic by publishing an 'alternative view' from 16 scientists  calling for an 'objective, open and transparent debate' about whether the virus leaked from a Chinese laboratory.

It was revealed earlier this year that Peter Daszak  a British scientist with long-standing links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology  had secretly orchestrated a landmark statement in The Lancet in February 2020 which attacked 'conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin'.

The now-infamous letter, signed by 27 leading public health experts, said they stood together to 'strongly condemn' the theories which they said 'do nothing but create fear, rumours, and prejudice'.

In the article, the authors argue that 'there is no direct support for the natural origin of SARS-CoV-2, and a laboratory-related accident is plausible'. The inspection personnels are researching the viral nucleic acid at the pathogen detection laboratory

They also lavished praise on Chinese scientists who they said had 'worked diligently and effectively to rapidly identify the pathogen behind this outbreak and share their results transparently with the global health community'.

Now, The Lancet has agreed to publish an alternative commentary which discusses the possibility that laboratory research might have played a role in the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

It also directly confronts the efforts of science journals to stifle debate by labelling such theories as 'misinformation'.

In the article, the authors argue that 'there is no direct support for the natural origin of SARS-CoV-2, and a laboratory-related accident is plausible'.

They add that the February 2020 statement 'imparted a silencing effect on the wider scientific debate'.

And they say scientists, 'need to evaluate all hypotheses on a rational basis, and to weigh their likelihood based on facts and evidence, devoid of speculation concerning possible political impacts'.

Science itself, they go on, should 'embrace alternative hypotheses, contradictory arguments, verification, refutability, and controversy' and rather than congratulating China on its supposed 'transparency', they call on the secretive superpower to open up.

China fiercely resisted a full and unrestricted probe into the origins of the outbreak by the World Health Organisation, resulting in what is widely considered to be a neutered investigation.

The subsequent report, published in March, concluded the SARS-CoV-2 virus probably passed to humans from a bat via another unidentified species.

It all but dismissed the theories that the virus was engineered in a laboratory, or was a natural virus that escaped from a lab.

But the report was criticised by 14 nations including the UK, US and Australia, while even the head of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, admitted it was 'not extensive enough'.

The Mail on Sunday has repeatedly drawn attention to The Lancet's role in obscuring the origins of the virus and its early spread.

It was revealed earlier this year that Peter Daszak  a British scientist with long-standing links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology  had secretly orchestrated a landmark statement in The Lancet. Pictured, Peter Daszak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, 2020

The new commentary, published in The Lancet on Friday, said: 'The world will remain mired in dispute without the full engagement of China, including open access to primary data, documents, and relevant stored material to enable a thorough, transparent and objective search for all relevant evidence.'

One of the signatories, Professor Nikolai Petrovsky of Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, told The Mail on Sunday: 'It might seem small, but after 18 months of complete denial, the very act of [The] Lancet agreeing to publish this letter acknowledging the origins of Covid-19 remains an open verdict, is a very big deal.

'For a leading medical journal like Lancet to agree to finally open its doors to a letter from scientists highlighting the ongoing uncertain origins of Covid-19, indicates how far we have come in 18 months in requesting an open scientific debate on the topic, but also indicates just how far we still have to go'.
Boris Johnson will fly to America today to warn US President Joe Biden that time is running out to reach agreement on new green policies before an historic global summit on climate change in Glasgow in November.

The Prime Minister will host a meeting on climate change at the United Nations tomorrow and address the UN General Assembly before making his first visit to the White House since President Biden took office for discussions on tackling Covid, the new US-UK-Australia submarine alliance and the security situation in Afghanistan.

Mr Johnson's manoeuvres come less than six weeks before the COP26 climate meeting in Glasgow, which he hopes will cement his status as a global leader by securing agreement on limiting global warming to 1.5C by ending coal power, shifting to electric vehicles and halting deforestation.

Boris Johnson will fly to America today to warn US President Joe Biden that time is running out to reach agreement on new green policies before an historic global summit on climate change in Glasgow in November

A total of 100 world leaders are now confirmed to attend the UN summit in November,

The sense of urgency increased further last month when the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that the Earth's average global temperature will reach 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels around 2030, a decade earlier than projected three years ago.

It has coincided with a series of extreme weather events around the world in recent years, including hurricanes, heatwaves and destructively torrential rain.

Government sources said that the Prime Minister hoped to 'galvanise' the international community ahead of the summit and set out 'concrete steps' to 'support developing countries to mitigate the impact of climate change and adapt to its consequences'.

Government sources said that the Prime Minister hoped to 'galvanise' the international community ahead of the summit and set out 'concrete steps' to 'support developing countries to mitigate the impact of climate change and adapt to its consequences'

Speaking before he flew out to the US, Mr Johnson said: 'World leaders have a small window of time left to deliver on their climate commitments ahead of COP26.

'My message to those I meet this week will be clear: future generations will judge us based on what we achieve in the coming months. This week, as world leaders arrive in New York for the biggest diplomatic event of the year, I will be pushing them to take concrete action on coal, climate, cars and trees so we can make a success of COP26 and keep our climate goals within reach.

'We need to continue to make a case for a sustainable recovery from coronavirus rooted in green growth.

'And we have a responsibility to ensure the benefits of that growth extend to all, no matter where they are born.'

Mr Johnson will also meet Vice President Kamala Harris and senior members of the US Congress to discuss the situation in Afghanistan following the recent withdrawal of US and UK troops from the country.
A woman has been found dead with serious head injuries in a cabin deep in an isolated forest and her partner taken for questioning.

Police made the grim discovery in the cabin on Pole Dump Forest Road in Bulga Forest, 380km north of Sydney on the mid-north coast, about 11.30am on Saturday.

Attending officers spoke to a 38-year-old man at the scene who is believed to be known to the deceased woman.

A 34-year-old woman has been found dead in a cabin in Bulga Forest, 100km west of Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast (stock image)

The area has established as a crime scene with an investigation to commence into the circumstances of the 34-year-old woman's death.

Police said officers are investigating a suspected domestic violence incident and the death of the woman is being treated as suspicious.

There were initial reports of injuries to the woman's head, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

A secondary crime scene has been set up around 3km west of the cabin on Old Blue Knob Road in Bulga Forest in relation to a silver Holden Rodeo utility.

Officers will investigate the vehicle found parked on the side of the roadway.

The 38-year-old man is assisting officers from the Manning and Great Lakes Police District in their inquiries at the Taree Police Station.

As of Sunday morning, no charges have been laid.

Police have appealed to anyone who may have been at either location at the time or the proceeding day, or may have dashcam footage to come forward.
Michael Gove has dramatically expanded his Whitehall empire after emerging as one of the big winners in Boris Johnson's Cabinet reshuffle.

Mr Gove was given the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

His department has been renamed the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities - underlining its central role in delivering the Government's agenda.

At the same time former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane has been appointed head of a new levelling up taskforce formed jointly by Mr Gove and the Prime Minister.

In addition, Downing Street said Mr Gove was being given the title of Minister for Intergovernmental Relations with responsibility for UK governance and elections and co-ordinating with the devolved administrations.

Michael Gove has dramatically expanded his Whitehall empire after emerging as one of the big winners in Boris Johnson's Cabinet reshuffle

Announcing the appointments, Mr Johnson said: 'This Government is committed to uniting and levelling up every part of the UK and I am determined that as we build back better from the pandemic we are geared up with the teams and expertise to deliver on that promise.

'Andy is uniquely qualified to lead our efforts to raise living standards, spread opportunity, improve our public services and restore people's sense of pride in their communities.

'I look forward to working with him, and with my new ministerial team, to deliver the opportunities this country needs.'

Mr Gove said he was 'thrilled' to be taking on the Levelling Up agenda, which he described as 'the defining mission of this Government'.

At the same time former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane has been appointed head of a new levelling up taskforce formed jointly by Mr Gove and the Prime Minister

'With a superb team of ministers and officials in a new department, our relentless focus will be on delivering for those overlooked families and undervalued communities across the United Kingdom,' he said.

'We have a unique opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives.'

Mr Haldane, who is joining the Cabinet Office on a six month secondment from the Royal Society of Arts, where he is chief executive, said: 'Levelling up the UK is one of the signature challenges of our time.

'It has also been a personal passion throughout my professional career so I am delighted and honoured to be making a contribution to this crucial objective.'
Boris Johnson came under fire last night over the Governments more casual approach to Britains national security.

MPs and peers issued the criticism as they warned that the Whitehall machine was unable to cope with more than one major crisis at a time.

Parliaments joint committee on the national security strategy cited the fall of Afghanistan as proof that the system of dealing with risks was already inadequate to the task.

Boris Johnson came under fire last night over the Governments more casual approach to Britains national security

In a highly critical report, the committee said the lack of preparation for the withdrawal of international forces from the war-torn country could only be described as a systemic failure.

But it raised fears that the Governments readiness for future security crises would only worsen because of new reforms to Whitehalls National Security Council.

The NSC was established in 2010 by David Cameron, with weekly meetings bringing together senior Ministers and defence and intelligence chiefs chaired by the Prime Minister.

Parliaments joint committee on the national security strategy cited the fall of Afghanistan as proof that the system of dealing with risks was already inadequate to the task. A soldier is pictured above outside Kabul airport last month

But changes already in train would in future result in Mr Johnson chairing only around half its meetings.

The committee said it was the PMs presence that lends credibility to the NSC.

It added: Yet under the new system, the PM will spend roughly 65 per cent less time in NSC. It said this was a retrograde step that suggests a more casual approach to national security.

Last night, Labour defence spokesman John Healey said: Rather than learning the lessons from Afghanistan or Covid, the PMs response is to reduce the number of hours he puts into keeping Brits safe.
A father who found his three daughters dead at home in New Zealand - as his wife stands accused of murdering them - had helped plan their relocation from South Africa for two years, according to friends.

Orthopaedic surgeon Graham Dickason and his wife, Lauren, a fellow doctor, also had the 'prettiest and neatest house', said a woman who used to work with them at Pretoria East Hospital.

Mr Dickason found the bodies of two-year-old twins Karla and Maya and their older sister Liane, six, at their home in Timaru shortly before 10pm on Thursday when he returned home after attending a work function at Timaru Hospital.

'They were a perfect normal family, they had the prettiest and neatest house in the estate, there was nothing strange, even when they spoke to each other it was calm and kind,' the hospital colleague told Stuff.

The woman, who used to work with the Dickasons in the operating theatre, added: 'He is what you would call a genuine nice guy... she was more of an introvert; quiet, but very humble. It wasn't strange that she didn't speak much, it was just her nature.'

The tragedy came one week after the family moved to neighbourhood after two weeks in Covid quarantine.

Neighbours speculated stress after being quarantined 'for so long' could have left Mrs Dickason unable to cope.

Graham and Lauren Dickason (pictured with their children) had just moved to New Zealand from Pretoria, South Africa and recently finished their 14-day hotel quarantine. The couple had planned their relocation from South Africa for two years, according to friends

The Dickasons had the 'prettiest and neatest house', said a woman who used to work with the pair at Pretoria East Hospital - where Mrs Dickason, a fellow doctor, assisted her husband in the operating theatre. (Above, two-year-old twins Karla and Maya and their older sister Liane, six)

Yesterday, church-going Mrs Dickason, 40, stood silently while appearing in the dock at Timaru District Court after being accused of murder.

She looked drawn and distressed as she entered no plea and was remanded to a secure mental health unit until her next appearance, at Timaru High Court on October 5.

The couple, married for 15 years, had only been released from 14 days enforced Covid quarantine in a hotel following their life-changing flight from South Africa to start a new life days before the alleged murders.

Neighbours in Timaru described distressed wailing shortly after Mr Dickason arrived home on Thursday night and watched as he was consoled by another doctor who lived next door.

His wife was taken to hospital after police arrived minutes later.

The children's father Graham Dickason, who is an orthopaedic surgeon, had returned to their Timaru home at around 10pm on Thursday where he discovered the children's bodies. Pictured: Graham and Lauren

Mr Dickason was heard by neighbours screaming 'is this really happening?' when he arrived home.

'The first noise we heard was somebody sobbing, and then we heard a loud thud like someone just slammed a door,' the neighbour Jade Whaley told Stuff.

'We could see someone through our fence wandering behind the house and wailing.'

Another resident, Karen Cowper, described hearing a man crying and saying 'is this really happening?'.

'We asked him if he was okay. He did not respond to us and was screaming and crying hysterically,' Ms Cowper said.

A former neighbour in South Africa, who did not want to be named, said the couple were very 'grateful' for their children.

'They absolutely adored those children. They were so grateful for having them because they struggled to get pregnant and when they finally got the children, they loved them,' the neighbour said.

'Something just doesn't add up. I don't know if it's the stress from New Zealand, moving there, being quarantined for so long and everything - just not coping with that going on.

Churchgoing doctor Lauren Dickason, who struggled for years to get pregnant, appeared in court last night charged with murdering her three young daughters. Above: Mrs Dickason with husband Graham, two-year-old twins Karla and Maya and their older sister Liane, six

Many details were suppressed under New Zealand law and no cause of death for any of the three girls has emerged. Above: Mrs Dickason's children

Just four months ago, Mrs Dickason had paid a loving public tribute to her husband on Facebook, writing: 'Happy 15th wedding anniversary ... What an adventure,' she wrote

'So I think whatever happened is not normal, it wasn't normal circumstances,' the neighbour said.

The girls' grandmother said the family was struggling to comprehend what had happened.

'It hasn't actually sunk in yet. We're in a terrible state of shock. We are devastated,' she told Stuff.

But the couple's long-standing nanny in Pretoria Mendy Sibanyoni said there was nothing in their background to suggest a troubled family.

Both parents had 'loved their kids like nobody's business,' said Mrs Sebanyoni, who Mrs Dickason had described in a Facebook as an 'angel'.

Just four months ago, Mrs Dickason had paid a loving public tribute to her husband on Facebook, writing: 'Happy 15th wedding anniversary ... What an adventure,' she wrote.

'We have truly created a beautiful family and had many good times together. May the next years be more blessed, more happy and may the kids let us sleep.'

Through her lawyer, she initially applied for name suppression but withdrew the application after media objections.

Many details were suppressed under New Zealand law and no cause of death for any of the three girls has emerged.

A photograph posted on social media on August 30 (pictured) showing the three girls happily clutching little kiwi cuddly toys with excited smiles as they arrived in the country

Judge Dominic Dravitzki ordered a report under New Zealand's Crimes Act to ascertain Mrs Dickason's state of mind at the time of the killings.

She was led from the cells wearing a light grey hoodie and black trousers to make a brief appearance to hear the charges for the first time last night.

Mrs Dickason did not speak during the hearing but nodded briefly when listening to her solicitor Kelly Beazley.

'I'm torn apart. Part off me is gone,' Mrs Sebanyoni told South African media. 'And it's like those kids, they are my kids too because I raised them. They were such nice children.

'I don't know what to do about this because the only question that I've got now is, what happened? What went wrong?

'I never saw any fight in that family or anything. We treated each other as family. I was family too. There was nothing wrong.'

Mrs Sebanyoni, who had tried unsuccessfully to contact Mr Dickason in New Zealand, said the three girls were all polite and well-mannered.

'They listened when you told them not to do that, and when they wanted something they would ask,' she said.

'We used to play outside and take a walk on the streets. When I come in they used to be excited that Mendy is here. They would say goodbye to their mother and 'we are going to play with Mendy.'

A former neighbour said the couple had struggled to conceive their children and were dedicated and loving parents. Pictured: Police tape protects the scene on Queen Street in Timaru, New Zealand's South Island

Mrs Dickason was described as 'very humble' and 'the nicest person', by a former neighbour in Pretoria.

'I cannot comprehend what happened  she is a medical doctor and she wasn't arrogant or anything like that.

'She was very humble,' former colleague and neighbour, Natasja le Roux, told the Sunday Times in South Africa.

'She was really just a nice person, she and her husband.'

According to information on her Facebook page, Mrs Dickason went to Pretoria High School for Girls before reading medicine at Cape Town University.

She graduated in 2004. In 2007 she became a GP at Pretoria East Hospital Orthopaedic Theatre.

The former neighbour said the couple had struggled to conceive their children and were dedicated and loving parents.

'They waited years for those children because she had troubles with fertility and stuff, so it really is a big shock,' Mrs le Roux said.

In South Africa, the girls' grandmother said the family was struggling to comprehend what had happened. Pictured: The twins, Maya and Karla and sister, Liane

The only sign of distress in Mrs Dickason's life came in a Facebook post in March which referred to mental illness suffered by Hollywood stars Demi Lovato, Robin Williams and Carrie Fisher.

Underlined in red was a section which read: 'Unfortunately we live in a world where if you break a bone everyone comes to sign the cast but if you tell people you're depressed they run the other way.'

A photograph posted on social media on August 30 shows the three girls happily clutching little kiwi cuddly toys with beaming smiles as they arrived in the country.

Canterbury Police District Commander Superintendent John Price said the family appeared to have few contacts in New Zealand.

Earlier this month the mother took to social media asking for help as they prepared for the move.

She had asked for advice about buying furniture in Timaru and wanted to know which schools would be best for her children.

Detective Inspector Scott Anderson said NZ Police was 'speaking with people from the address and no-one else is being sought at this time'.

The deaths are the second tragedy in as many months to befall the South Island community.

Last month, five teenage boys were killed in a one-car crash in which only the 19-year-old driver survived.
An Iowa teacher shared how she circumvents her state's ban on teaching critical race theory by telling students what she can't teach them - then encouraging their questions about the subject.

Petra Lange, who described herself as 'a secondary educator at a predominantly white high school in a suburban district' and an adjunct professor at Simpson college, first told students: 'We need to take a look at HF-802.'

'I literally put the law in front of them,' she said at the online forum titled UnBan Anti-Racism Education In Iowa. The HF-802 law was signed into effect by Iowa Gov Kim Reynolds on June 8, 2021 and bans public schools from teaching mandatory lessons on 'divisive topics' such as critical race theory.

Petra Lange (left) appeared on a youth-led forum discussing anti-racism and proudly shared how she circumvented the state's ban on teaching critical race theory (CRT) by explaining to students what's illegal for her to teach and encouraging them to ask questions

Lange, whose LinkedIn bio says she works at DMPS Central Academy, tells her students: 'I need to just let you know there are now concepts that are illegal for me to teach you about, according to the state of Iowa.'

Lange describes herself as 'a secondary educator at a predominantly white high school in a suburban district' and an adjunct professor at Simpson college

She explained how she went through the 10 defined concepts that make up the law with her students 'and they immediately - by the time we're on the second or third one - were like, "Is it illegal for me to ask questions?"'

Lange, who teaches a course called Gender And Race Culture, then told her students they could ask as many questions as they'd like in an apparent loophole that allows her to inform them about CRT without breaking the law.

'My courses are inquiry-based which means I do my best to put students' questions at the center of the curriculum and then work to answer those questions,' the teacher said.

'I've had to work around HF-802 in really interesting ways,' she added.

Through encouraging her students to submit questions on Post-Its the teacher said she was able to have 'fascinating discussions,' such as when one student asked if America was systemically racist.

She said she would not have been able to talk about that kind of topic had the student not asked such a pointed question, adding: 'I actually have a hard time grasping how a concept can be illegal.'

The teacher went on to say the law could actually have a silver lining because 'it represents systemic oppression'.

'I don't even necessarily have to say it because they can see it,' she noted.

Through encouraging her students to submit questions on Post-Its, Lange said she was able to have 'fascinating discussions,' such as when one student asked if America was systemically racist. She said she would not have been able to talk about that kind of topic had the student not asked such a pointed question, adding: 'I actually have a hard time grasping how a concept can be illegal'

HF-802 was signed into law by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in June. Among the teaching now banned from being taught, or imparted during mandatory training are that: One race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex; the United States of America and the State of Iowa are fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist.

It also bans teachings that an individual, solely because of the individuals race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously, and that an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of the individuals race or sex.

While Lange and other teachers in Iowa are slamming the HF-802 law, a school board in Pennsylvania has clashed with its students and parents over its 'ban' on 'anti-racist' books.

Critical race theory teaches that racism is present in all aspects of American life, and that people need to be made aware of it to understand the every day difficulties faced by black people and other minorities because of their skin color.

Supporters say it helps right historic wrongs, and makes white people aware of how much harder life can be for minority groups because of their skin color.

Its detractors say the theory is too divisive - especially for school age children - and that it encourages discord by painting people as either victim or oppressor depending on their skin color.

Last year, Central York School District's all-white board banned 40 books, including I Am Rosa Parks and Malala Yousafzai's autobiography, as well documentaries like I Am Not Your Negro and multimedia resources like CNN's Sesame Street town hall on racism.

'That resource list has some bad ideas in some books that I definitely not want in our district,' said Vickie Guth, the treasurer of the board.

Some parents backed the decision, saying they feared the racial focus of the books would harm their kids.

'I don't want my daughter growing up feeling guilty because she's white,' said a Central York parent.

But students were furious and have protested the ban, which they say is disruptive to their education and stopped them from learning inclusively.

'I don't think that a board that lacks diversity is the appropriate authority to determine what qualifies as appropriate material to address race in this community,' one parent agreed.

This week parents, students and board members at the 82 per cent white school district had an online meeting to discuss the issue but little progress was made and the district has refused to overturn the ban until they have reviewed all the resource list media.

All of the books and articles in the list have been authored by people of color or are about race, but the board said that the decision was based on the 'content of the resources, not the author or topic'.

The move has left many teachers facing a daily battle, caught in between their students and their employers.
The Australian government is prepared to lease nuclear submarines from the US while its own fleet is being built, Defence Minister Peter Dutton says.

Last week, Australia entered into a surprise regional security pact with the US and the UK, known as AUKUS, which includes building US nuclear submarines but these will not be ready until the late 2030s.

Asked on Sky News' Sunday Agenda program whether the government would consider leasing nuclear submarines in the interim, Mr Dutton said: 'The short answer is yes'.

'There is all of that discussion to take place in the next 12 to 18 months,' he said.

Defence minister Peter Dutton (pictured) has confirmed the government will consider leasing nuclear submarines while new ones are built

'The talk that you can just buy a nuclear-powered submarine off the shelf, of course, is just not accurate or correct.'

He said the Chinese are pumping out submarines, frigates and aircraft carriers at a record rate and so the rest of the world has stepped up its own production.

'That unfortunately is the dynamic we are operating in at the moment,' he said.

However, Australia's decision has caused a stir in the region, and backlash from the French.

The scrapping of the $90 billion diesel submarine deal between Australia and France has prompted the European nation to recall its Australian ambassador.

The deal scraps a 90 billion Australian dollar ($66 billion) contract with French majority state-owned Naval Group, signed in 2016, to build 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines

Mr Dutton understands why the French are upset, but said the government had to act in Australia's national interest.

'Given the changing circumstances in the Indo-Pacific, not just now but over the coming years, we had to make a decision that was in our national interest, and that's exactly what we have done,' he said.

But he said suggestions that concerns over the French model had not been flagged by the Australian government, 'just defy frankly what is on the public record and certainly what was said publicly over a long period of time'.

If Australia had chosen a French nuclear model, it would have involved setting up a nuclear industry in Australia as they need to be refuelled every seven to 10 years.

Australia has entered a security pact with the US and UK which includes building nuclear submarines (pictured)

The technology used by Britain and the US means the reactor does not need to be refuelled for the life of the submarine - about 35 years.

'Therefore, we don't need a domestic industry around nuclear,' Mr Dutton said.

'That is a game changer for the Labor party and we wanted to make sure that this was a bi-partisan effort.'

While Labor backs the government's decision, one of its frontbenchers, Ed Husic, said it is typical of the coalition that as soon as events start to unravel, they try to shift responsibility to someone else.

'They never accept responsibility,' Mr Husic said.
A new drug trial to treat a form of breast cancer has been hailed as 'groundbreaking'.

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Enhertu demonstrated a 72 per cent reduction in the risk of disease progression or death in women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer compared to a different medicine.

The results were presented in a Presidential Symposium at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2021.

AstraZeneca said that despite initial treatment with trastuzumab and a taxane, people with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer will often experience disease progression

The trial involving around 500 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America found there was 'a strong trend towards improved overall survival' with Enhertu.

But it was pointed out that this analysis is 'not yet mature and is not statistically significant'.

AstraZeneca said that despite initial treatment with trastuzumab and a taxane, people with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer will often experience disease progression.

The company said nearly all patients treated with Enhertu were alive at one year (94.1 per cent) compared to 85.9 per cent of patients treated with trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1).

Susan Galbraith, executive vice president, Oncology R&D, said: 'Today's results are ground-breaking.'

She said Enhertu tripled progression-free survival as assessed by investigators, and provided a disease control rate exceeding 95 per cent compared to 77 per cent for trastuzumab emtansine.

'These unprecedented data represent a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, and illustrate the potential for Enhertu to transform more patient lives in earlier treatment settings,' she added.

Javier Cortes, from the International Breast Cancer Centre in Barcelona, said patients with previously treated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer will typically experience disease progression in less than a year with available HER2-directed treatments.

The trial involving around 500 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America found there was 'a strong trend towards improved overall survival'. Pictured, a woman undergoing a mammogram

He said the the 'high and consistent benefit' seen across efficacy endpoints and key subgroups of patients receiving Enhertu is 'remarkable and supports the potential of Enhertu to become the new standard of care for those who have previously been treated for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer'.

Ken Takeshita, global head of R&D at Daiichi Sankyo, said: 'These landmark data will form the basis of our discussions with global health authorities to potentially bring Enhertu to patients with previously treated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer as a more effective treatment option as soon as possible.'
Alabama was hit by flash floods deep enough for locals to swim and surf in the streets, but the heavy rains and flood waters are feared to have claimed at least one life.

A man's SUV was sucked into a drainage ditch in Tuscaloosa Saturday afternoon, and is now feared dead.

Someone saw the man and his car disappear underwater, and immediately dialed 911. First responders found what was left of the red SUV and pulled the wreckage from the water, but there was no sign of its 40-year-old driver.

He has not been named by local officials while search and rescue efforts are ongoing.

Tuscaloosa Fire Chief Randy Smith said almost half the department has been searching for the driver in a mile and half radius from where the truck was located, but so far no luck.

Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue team pulling the red SUV from the flood waters

The red SUV was located and recovered, but the driver remains missing and is feared to be dead

The search and rescue mission was suspended Saturday and will continue Sunday morning, Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue said Saturday night.

'We've had crews walk the tracks, we had crews with police and fire walking through the woods, it's just gotten to the point where it's starting to get dark and starting to get more hazardous too so we are suspending the search until we can do it a little bit better,' Chief Smith told WBRC.

Heavy rains caused flash flooding in the area around the University of Alabama campus that were so deep that locals were seen swimming and surfing in the streets, which William ONeal captured on videos and posted on Twitter.

Locals seen surfing and swimming in flood waters in Alabama Saturday afternoon

Some people - like this man - went swimming, with the water deep enough for him to do the breast stroke

Tuscaloosa police said they received 105 calls between 12:30pm and 6pm Saturday, most of which were weather-related, AL.com reported.

The Emergency Management Agency said in Twitter statements that several Alabama counties are under water and impassable Saturday night.

The National Weather Service said storms are expected to continue Sunday and between 2.5 and three inches of water have already fallen.

Abandoned cars are seen in pictures on social media still abandoned in flood waters that have risen at or above the doors.

'This activity is expected to be slow-moving and heavy at times,' the National Weather Service said in its most recent statement Saturday night.

'There is potential for an additional one to three inches of rain with locally higher amounts. This rain falling onto already wet ground will result in a risk of flash flooding.'
A scandal hit Virginia school board is now facing calls to ditch a member who claimed a moment of silence to mark the anniversary of the terror attacks would cause harm to minorities who faced persecution as a result of the terror attack.

On the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks members of the Fairfax County School Board entertained a resolution for a moment of silence. It was intended to honor the first responders who risked their lives to save countless lives, as well as the the nearly 3,000 victims who died and those who were injured as a result of the terrorist attacks carried out that day.

But outspoken board member Abrar Omeish, who has previously sparked outrage for alleged anti-Semitic comments and encouraging high schoolers to remember 'jihad', voted against the resolution, saying it was not 'anti-racist' and failed to address 'state-sponsored traumas.'

Scroll Down For Video:

The Fairfax County School Board has been called to ditch board member Abrar Omeish (pictured) after she claimed that a 9/11 moment of silence 'causes harm'

Omeish's speech caused a parent to have an outburst and storm out as she yelled at the board 'Its a sham, its a show, enjoy it!'

'I vote against this today, because our omission of these realities causes harm. We're levitating a traumatic event without sufficient cultural competence,' she said.

'The token phrasing around 9/11 is 'Never Forget.' As a nation we remember a jarring event, no doubt, but we chose to forget, as this resolution does, the fear, the ostracization, and the collective blame felt by Arab Americans, American Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus and all brown or other individuals that have been mistaken for Muslims since that day over the past two decades.' she added.

'Why are we forgetting the experience of these families, their traumas?' Omeish asked.

She later added: 'I hope we can include these components in our broader anti-racist, [and] anti-bias work.

He speech saw a rebuke issued by fellow board member Dr Ricardy Anderson, who accused Omeish of trying to derail a motion that had previously been discussed.

And while Omeish voted against the motion, it was ultimately passed thanks to votes from all other members of the board.

It also sparked fury with a parent in attendance.

'I'd expect that no parent can speak up to this, we are restricted about how..' she said before she was interrupted by board member Stella Pekarsky who asked her to 'please sit down and stay quiet.'

Omeish, (pictured) who is the sole Muslim member on the Virginia school board, is no stranger to controversy

The Fairfax County School Board was entertaining a resolution for a moment of silence to honor the victims of 9/11 on the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks

The woman screamed inaudibly and was met with applause from other parents seated in the auditorium.

She was captured grabbing her purse and yelling 'Its a sham, its a show, enjoy it!' as she walked out of the auditorium.

Omeish's comments even led to a call from a local paper to censure and remove her from the school board.

'As Fairfax County School Board Members, you must immediately issue a public statement separating yourselves from the hateful and callous rhetoric of your colleague and hold Ms. Omeish accountable for her words and actions, once and for all,' the Fairfax County Times said in an op-ed.

On Saturday, it emerged that 16 local education groups have also signed a letter addressed to the paper calling on Omeish to quit.

Campaigner Asra Nomani - who is also Muslim - led condemnation of Omeish, and tweeted: '16 groups send a @fairfaxtimes letter to @fpcpsnews School Board: A Call to Censure and Remove Abrar Omeish. They cite her hateful + culturally repugnant rhetoric. She voted "No" to honor 9/11 victims + launched into a self-absorbed tirade.'

Omeish, who is the sole Muslim member on the Virginia school board, is no stranger to controversy.

This summer she called on graduating high school students to remember 'jihad' at their commencement as she warned they were entering a world of, 'racism, extreme versions of individualism and capitalism, [and] white supremacy.'

In English, she told them that: 'The world sees the accolade, the diploma, the fruit of all your years yet be reminded of the detail of your struggle.'

But when she repeated the speech in Arabic, she told students to remember their 'jihad' - a word meaning both 'struggle' and, specifically, holy war waged on behalf of Islam.

Omeish, who was 24 when she won her place on the board in November 2019, making her one of Virginia's youngest elected officials, has touted various progressive initiatives at the school.

She has promoted a Black History Month assembly that ensured, she said, 'that we confront our history and answer honestly about the ills of our past.'

Others included the school's first-time recognition of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, and the school's Equity Club, which she said had become a standard in the Fairfax School District.

She also sparked controversy recently for her tweet attacking Israel.

On May 13, she posted: 'Hurts my heart to celebrate while Israel kills Palestinians & desecrates the Holy Land right now.

'Apartheid & colonization were wrong yesterday and will be today, here and there.'

The tweet sparked such strong backlash that the Fairfax County Republican Committee called on Omeish to resign.

Instead, she refused and hit out at her 'haters' calling them a 'different breed' of cheerleader.

'No matter how many haters emerge, I'm sure you've encountered them yourselves, and believe me they're a sign you're unsettling the status quo towards justice,' she said.

'Just consider them your cheerleaders of another breed. When they try to bury you, remind them you are a seed.'

Fairfax itself has hit the headlines amid clashes over the teaching of critical race theory, with parents including Nomani also claiming that the school is dumbing down its curriculum in a bit to achieve equity - equality of outcomes - for students.
Millions of people trapped in a soul-crushing ultra-hard lockdown across western Sydney's Covid hotspots will finally be freed.

Twelve local councils with the vast majority of NSW's cases were for the past two months subjected to far more restrictions than the rest of the state.

Locals were locked inside their council area unless they were an authorised worker with a permit, subject to a 9pm to 5am curfew, only allowed out for one hour a day for exercise.

For Monday, these restrictions will disappear and they will be under the same lockdown conditions as the rest of Sydney.

Sydneysiders are urged to not be complacent as more restrictions were eased on Sunday (pictured woman enjoying the Sydney sunshine)

These include unlimited outdoor exercise and recreation, picnics outside for five vaccinated friends, and being able to go to weddings anywhere in Sydney.

Only the permit system for authorised workers will continue.

Outdoor pools across NSW will also reopen from September 27, in time for the second week of the school holidays, provided councils have a stringent Covid safety plan approved by NSW Health. Natural pools are already permitted to be open.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian felt more comfortable removing the east-west divide with a dramatic fall in new cases to just 1,083.

However, the state also recorded 13 deaths, marking the deadliest day of the pandemic.

The premier welcomed the signs the curve could be flattening but warned now wasn't the time to be complacent.

'There is not long to go, we're talking weeks before we get about 70 per cent double dose and I don't want anyone to let their guard down, this is not the time to kick back and it's over,' she said on Sunday.

'Some areas are showing decline, but other areas are still growing, and it's really important for us not to get complacent.

'If we stay the course, if we stick to the rules, we will be able to really start opening up at 70 per cent in a safe way and ensure that all of us in NSW move forward together.'

NSW recorded 1083 cases and 13 deaths on Sunday as more eased restrictions were announced

Fully vaccinated Sydneysiders caught up with friends for the first time in weeks with picnics in Centennial Park on Sunday

Ms Berejiklian paid tribute to the hotspot communities in Sydney's west and south-west which have endured the harshest restrictions in recent months, including a night curfew which was scrapped last week.

'They have led the way in our vaccination rates, they have shown us the way, and what it means to be resilient and strong,' she said.

'I can only imagine what it meant for families, and what it has meant for households to have to endure those restrictions for such a long period of time.

'But I hope that today's announcement demonstrates our absolute willingness to provide ease, support, and optimism when we can.'

Almost 80 per cent of eligible NSW residents have received their first Covid jab while 51.9 per cent now fully vaccinated and one step closer to Freedom Day when the state hits the 70 per cent double dose milestone.

'The health experts advise that in some of those areas of concern, we have seen a decline, the curve is starting to change, but what is always concerning us is that any super spreader event, anyone being too complacent actually can things very quickly,' Ms Berejiklian said.

'You cannot muck around with Delta, it comes back ferociously, but given the trends, given the risks posed to other parts of Sydney.

'Given that in fact other parts of Sydney we are seeing some number of cases increasing in those areas of concern, the health advice to us was that it is safe.'

Fully vaccinated residents in west and south-western Sydney can enjoy outdoor gatherings from Monday (pictured, shopper in Bankstown on Saturday)

Centennial Park was packed with Sydneysiders exercising and catching up for picnics as daily Covid cases dropped below 1,100

The premier warned NSW remains in a 'precarious' situation and case numbers will increase when lockdown restrictions are lifted, scheduled to be mid October.

'At 70 per cent vaccination, there is still a threat. We cannot have a hospitals system overrun,' she said.

'We don't know yet whether we have passed those peaks but the signs are encouraging,' she said.

'We are anticipating our worst weeks in ICU and hospitals be in October we are bracing for that and know that our health system is bracing for that and staff are ready for that.'

Some restrictions may remain in hotspots even after the city reopens.

'Our intention is that we all moved together, move forward together,' Ms Berejiklian said.

'But if there are still pockets of high cases, fully vaccinated adults will be able to do - have a meal at a restaurant or cafe, but it might be in the local community.'

Vaccinated residents in Covid hotspots will be enjoy picnics in groups of five from Monday

Vaccinated Sydneysiders gathered outdoors for the first time in weeks on Saturday

Ms Berejiklian praised the Covid hotspots on their high vaccination rates but defended the tough restrictions imposed on them, stressing it was for the communities' best interests.

'Some of the hardest days in my job is when you take away people's freedoms, subject them to horrific situations,' she said.

'But you have to do that based on the advice on what is best for the community.

'It's too early to say to what extent we have been successful or otherwise, but I do know that we have prevented thousands of hospitalisations and potentially thousands of deaths and that is what our intention was, until we got high rates of vaccination.

'Moving forward, that remains a big concern. We do want to prevent cases ending up in hospital or worse and that is why high rates of vaccination are critical, but so is opening up safely.'

Ms Berejiklian has begun the conversation with other state and territory leaders about reopening its borders to NSW and hopes Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will be the first once Victoria reaches the 70 per cent double dose mark.

'I remember when NSW first spoke about living with Covid-19 and not be able to have zero cases, it was quite confronting and shocking for people,' she said.

Residents in Covid-19 hotspots will enjoy the same eased restrictions as the rest of Sydney from Monday (pictured, woman exercising in Coogee)

'But I think now that weeks are progressed and people appreciate what that means that other leaders are starting to also think about what life with Covid-19 looks like, even if you don't have any covert cases, eventually it will come.'

'Other states, you have close to zero cases, they see life differently.

'All I say to all my colleagues is that even when you get 80 per cent double dose and start opening up, you will get Covid-19 in your community.

'So please accept that and get ready for that. It could be, even then, because numbers might be higher than we have ever seen.

Ms Berejiklian warned NSW residents, and all Australians, to brace for huge numbers of cases - but that mass vaccination would make them manageable.

'In fact, the Doherty report predicts that the case numbers that we will see are likely to be the highest we have seen in Australia. But the benefit will be that people be protected with the vaccine,' she said.

'These are confronting concepts because until the Delta variant in Australia, and we were protected, but for the outbreak in Victoria having been able to deal with other strains of Covid.'

Ms Berejiklian said the Delta variant changed everything about dealing with coronavirus in Australia, and was why the lockdown would drag on for almost four months.

'Delta has changed all that. Delta has turned on its head how we deal with Covid and how we will live with Covid for those reasons,' she said.

'I ask all leaders to watch what is happening in NSW, watch what is happening in Victoria. There was a lot of debate about NSW not having done the right thing or Victoria not having done the right thing.

'But at the end of the day, Delta cuts through anything. It doesn't understand borders, it doesn't understand restrictions. Delta is a formidable, contagious, deadly disease, and we need to learn to live with it.'

Eased restrictions in hotspot LGAs From 12.01am Monday (September 20), the following restrictions will ease for those who live in the listed LGAs of concern: Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield, and some suburbs of Penrith.  No limit on the duration of outdoor exercise and recreation (previously a two-hour limit);  Outdoor gatherings of up to five fully vaccinated people (not including children aged 12 and under) will be allowed in a person's LGA or within 5km of home (previously only fully vaccinated household members could gather outdoors, or up to two fully vaccinated people from different households);  Shopping, exercise and outdoor recreation can be done 5km from home or within your LGA (previously only 5km from home);  Attend a small wedding (maximum 11 people) in Greater Sydney as a guest (previously only allowed in their LGA); and  A person's single's bubble buddy can live in Greater Sydney (previously must have resided within 5km of a person's home). A person from a LGA of concern can also now be a buddy for someone in Greater Sydney. Authorised worker conditions and travel permit requirements remain in place in the LGAs of concern. Advertisement

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned residents to not let their guard down, despite declining Covid cases

Nine of the 13 deaths recorded on Sunday weren't vaccinated.

Five were from western Sydney, two were from south western Sydney, two were from northern Sydney, two people were from Sydney's inner city, one was from southern Sydney and one was from Dubbo in central-west NSW

The youngest, a man aged in his 40s was one of two fatalities who died at his home.

Two fatalities were aged in their 50s, another two in the 60s, five in their 70s, and three in their 80s.

Of the 1,238 with cases in hospital, 234 are in intensive care with more than half on a ventilator.

When asked whether the state had reached or surpassed its 'peak' in case numbers, NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty said he did not want to 'jump the gun'.

'Cases overall have been going up, they have stabilised and appear to be dropping in some areas where we have had rapidly increasing vaccination uptake as well as good compliance,' he said.

'But in other areas of the state, particularly in the Illawarra and the Central Coast we have seen inconsistency across the board.'
Three Texas women who were seen in a video allegedly attacking a NYC restaurant hostess after their vaccination cards were questioned said they were racially profiled and called the n-word.

The trio, who are black, are now claiming their unnamed 24 year-old hostess, who is Asian, was actually the aggressor, and have called for her to be fired.

They spoke out two days after Thursday's incident at popular Upper West Side restaurant Carmines. Restaurant staff jumped in to defend their coworker, who was left with bruises and scratches, with footage of the brawl making headlines across the United States.

Since then, lawyers for the women and the restaurant exchanged words, and Hawk Newsome, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter NY, said they plan to hold a protest on Monday.

Texas civil rights lawyer Justin Moore told Daily News, 'This hostess clearly has some anger management issues and unfortunately her aggression and her violence led to something that three Black women are being punished for.'

A lawyer for Carmine's denied the Texas women's accusation.

'Any claim that they were racially profiled is a complete fabrication, disingenuous, and outright irresponsible,' the lawyer, Carolyn Richmond, told The Daily News.

Three women from Texas punched and beat a host at the Carmine's Restaurant, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan after she asked for their proof of vaccination to dine indoors

Carmine's staff, right, assisted by another person, jumped in to separate one of the attackers from the 24-year-old host

One of Carmine's managers, left, confronted the women who attacked her employee. The women complained that they were not being allowed inside

The three black Texas women - Kaeita Rankin, 44, her niece Tyonnie Keshay Rankin and Sally Rechelle Lewis, 49, - were arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief.

They were given desk appearance tickets and ordered to appear in court on October 5.

The hostess 'refused service to these women and got hostile with them,' Moore said in a statement on Friday.

'The injuries that she received were incurred by her being physically restrained by other staff at Carmines after she was called out for racial discrimination, which she took offense to.'

The civil rights lawyer said the women were leaving when someone - it's unclear who - called them the n-word and claimed the hostess was the aggressor by 'lunging' at Rankin.

'The hostess is apparently poorly trained to deal with patrols and has obvious issues with black women and has a disregard for women of color,' Moore said.

Carmine's, which has two locations in New York City as well as outposts in spots including Las Vegas, is known for large servings of pasta and other Italian dishes.

The restaurant has been following the city's rule requiring proof of vaccination for indoor restaurant dining, which has been in effect since August 17 but is only just being enforced as of this week.

Bank, the CEO of the restaurant group of which Carmine's is a part, said the host who was assaulted had offered the women a seat outdoors after they did not produce satisfactory proof of vaccination.

'We follow the laws,' Bank said at a news conference outside the restaurant. 'I respect the vaccine mandate. We have an option, if youre not vaccinated, sit outside.'

He said Thursday's altercation started with a verbal dispute and escalated quickly.

'It's ridiculous that she's sitting here saying, "Please don't assault me." It's just surreal,' Bank said.

He said there would be security at the restaurant's host stand Friday.

'Of course we're going to have security tonight,' Bank said. 'We want everyone to feel safe. Is it necessary? I don't know, but after last night for sure we're going to have it.'

The restaurant had put up signs at the end of August informing customers of its policy

It is unclear how strictly the requirement that restaurants check vaccination status is being enforced in New York City.

An Inside Edition investigation found that 11 of the 15 restaurants they randomly checked were not enforcing the city's policy on Thursday.

When producers visited an eatery on the Upper East Side, they were seated indoors right away  with no questions asked.

At another popular East Side restaurant called Burger-Fi, the restaurant allowed a producer to order and eat indoors without showing any proof of vaccination - despite the restaurant having signs which read 'show me your vax.'

Producers returned the following day and spoke to a manager.

'We did have a producer come by last night who was able to sit inside, and he said he wasn't asked for proof of vaccine card or anything,' said Inside Edition's Ann Mercogliano.

During a recent investigation, it was discovered that 11 out of 15 New York City restaurants were not enforcing the city's proof-of-vaccine mandate despite the city's aggressive step to curb a surge in COVID-19 cases

At another popular East Side restaurant called Burger-Fi, the restaurant allowed a producer to order and eat indoors without showing any proof of vaccination - despite the restaurant having signs which read 'show me your vax.'

Of the fifteen restaurants INIDE EDITION producers visited, 11 did not enforce proof of vaccination and a matching form of ID for restaurant indoor dining

'I'm shocked. I'm really shocked right now, because I know that I've been asking everyone,' the manager responded.

But not every restaurant violated New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's proof-of-vaccine mandate.

At SoHo's Mercer Kitchen, staff members did everything by the book.

When a hostess asked the investigative producer for proof-of-vaccine at the door, he told the hostess he was vaccinated, but didn't have his card on him.

'Unfortunately,' said the hostess. 'If we don't have proof, we can't seat you inside. It's New York law.'

The Associated Press has also sent out a request for information about the number of citations that have been issued was sent to the office of Mayor Bill de Blasio.

At least 60 per cent of all eligible New York City resident are fully vaccinated, according to the NYC Department of Health.

As enforcement of New York City's vaccine mandate loomed Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was reluctant to fine businesses that do not follow vaccine checks for patrons

Enforcement of the policy comes as nearly 60 percent of city residents have been vaccinated

Another incident involving masking and vaccine mandates for indoor diners broke in California on Thursday when a drunken woman attacked a restaurant worker for not wearing a mask.

The woman, branded a 'Karen,' was herself maskless when she attacked a restaurant supervisor and demanded she wear a mask and let her check her vaccination card.

A male staff member attempts to intervene but the woman walked round the counter, grabbed a handful of mints from the counter and threw them at the woman.

Karen seemed to be intoxicated as she slurred her words and stumbled around the restaurant, telling the woman 'you don't f***ing deserve your f***ing job.'

She then asked the unmasked worker if she's been vaccinated, shouting at her that she 'has a mandate and a responsibility to have your f***ing mask on'.

Karen then hit another staff member and grappled with her after she tried to intervene

This is the moment an allegedly drunk woman attacks a California restaurant worker for not wearing a mask

Karen repeatedly demanded to see the woman's vaccine card as she stomped around the restaurant pointing at the woman.

Karen demanded that the supervisor wear a mask and when no one responded to her commands, Karen grabbed a bottle of cleaning spray off the counter and sprayed it in the worker's face.
AFL legend and Footy Show larrikin Billy Brownless is hanging up his TV boots after 27 years on the series, which ultimately cost him his wife and best mate.

The former Geelong star, 54, has been a mainstay on the show since joining the Thursday edition in 1994 and then also becoming part of the Sunday show in 1998.

In 2015, the father-of-four split with wife Nicky after 18 years of marriage, only to find out a year later she was in a relationship with show co-host Garry Lyon.



'You think she'll come back and all that, but she didn't. So that was a real kick in the guts,' he admitted on I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here in 2020.

AFL legend and Footy Show larrikin Billy Brownless is hanging up his TV boots after a staggering 27 years on the series, which ultimately cost him his wife and best mate. (Vrownless is pictured here with wife Nicky and former co-host and AFL rival Garry Lyon)

'Then about a year later, she's shacked up with one of my good mates. We're not best mates [now]. There's no Christmas cards or anything.

'One day, I suppose, we'll sit down and have a beer. One day. Time heals.'

Former Melbourne Demons hero Lyon left the Footy Show in the wake of the scandal.

Last Christmas however, the three took a huge step towards mending the rift when Brownless spent Christmas with Lyon and his ex-wife and their children.

'It's been four or five years, I've come around and everyone is in a good spot to be honest. Garry and Nicky are - that's fine - and the kids are,' he said at the time.

Last Christmas however the three took a huge step towards mending the rift when Brownless spent Christmas with Lyon and his ex-wife and their children, as seen here.

Brownless, pictured here with daughters Luc and Ruby, has confirmed this season on The Footy Show will be his last after telling TV bosses at Nine he would not be returning next year

Now Brownless has confirmed this season on The Footy Show will be his last after telling TV bosses at Nine he would not be returning next year.

His final two shows will be next weekend's The Footy Show Grand Final Eve: My Room Telethon on Friday and the Sunday Footy Show Grand Final Wrap.

'It has been a fantastic ride,' Brownless, 54, told the Herald Sun. 'It's sad day, I've had good fun. Getting a bit older - I have just had enough, to be honest.'

Brownless joined the show 'in the good old days', he said, alongside Eddie McGuire, Sam Newman and Trevor Marmalade, who have all since also left.

He insisted he still loved the show and the new-look panel, hailing the chemistry between the team, but he said was keen to have more free time again.

Brownless joined the show 'in the good old days', he said, alongside Eddie McGuire, Sam Newman and Trevor Marmalade, who have all since also left. (Pictured, Brownless, left, in drag in a sketch on the shwo with Newman)

Brownless (pictured) insisted he still loved the show and the new-look panel, hailing the chemistry between the team, but he said was keen to have more free time again

Brownless, who will continue to work on Triple M, said he had discussed quitting last year with Nine director of Sport, Brent Williams.

'He said, 'Give it another year and see how you go', so I don't think my decision was a great surprise to him,' Brownless said.

'It's a sad day because we are all family, we're good friends. Living in Geelong, you have to be up pretty early to be there for an 8.30am [Footy Show] meeting.

'I have been part of the Footy Show world for 27 years. The time has come to hang up the boots and microphone and to have Sundays off.

'I haven't been sacked though - matter of time though, I suppose! Probably get out before I do get pushed...'
Relatives of the Afghan family killed by the US drone strike that took the lives of an innocent aid worker and nine other people, including seven children, say they want compensation, and resettlement in the US or another safe country.

Zemari Ahmadi, 43, died in the blast and was his family's only breadwinner. He worked for the US-based aid group Nutrition and Education International, and US officials acknowledge he did not appear to be connected to ISIS-K terrorists.

His fatal mistake, it appeared, was driving a white 1996 Toyota Corolla similar to one intelligence sources claimed was being driven by a known terrorist.

Ahmadi's 24-year-old stepson Samim Ahmadi told The Washington Post that 'the situation in Afghanistan is not good'. He added: 'Whether in America or another country, we want peace and comfort for our remaining years.

'Everyone makes mistakes. The Americans cannot bring back our loved ones, but they can take us out of here.'

Relatives of the Afghan family killed by the US drone strike that took the lives of an innocent aid worker and seven children want compensation and resettlement in the US or another safe country. Ahmadi's brother Emal (pictured), 32, said: 'We didn't have any money to bury our relatives. We had to borrow funds'

Zemari Ahmadi (pictured), 43, was an aid worker who was his family's sole supporter before he was killed in the US drone strike, which also took the lives of seven children and two adult family members

A damaged vehicle at the site of the US airstrike in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan

Relatives and neighbors of the Ahmadi family gathered around the incinerated husk of Ahmadi's car

Ahmadi's brother Emal, 32, who was just feet away from the remains of the car after the blast, said: 'We didn't have any money to bury our relatives. We had to borrow funds.'

And while he said he is 'happy' the Pentagon has acknowledged the miscalculations that led to his brother's death, 'forgiveness' is too strong a word, as reported by The Post.

Family members said before the August 29 drone strike Ahmadi and his brother had applications processing for special visas to enter the US because of their work with American companies.

The fatal blast heightened the surviving family's urgency to leave, according to The Post and Ajmal Ahmadi, another brother, said his family is 'worried' and 'feels under threat because we are so exposed to the public by the media'.

'Everyone got to know that we have worked for foreigners, served in the Afghan army as well as the Afghan intelligence agency,' he added.

The Taliban is known to take a grim view of Afghans with ties to the United States.

The Ahmadis also said the Americans responsible for the tragic mistake - the commander who oversaw the strike, the drone operator or anyone else who had visuals on the ground - need to be taken to court.

Emal said: 'The US government must punish those who launched the drone strike. They knew and saw there were children on the ground. Can anyone bring them back?'

In the wake of a suicide attack that killed 13 US troops at the Kabul airport who cannot be brought back, US officials had intelligence that such a vehicle was involved in planning another attack, Marine Gen Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, said at a briefing on Friday afternoon.

A detailed timeline released by the Pentagon on Friday showed that on the morning of August 29, Ahmadi left the compound near the Kabul airport where he lived with his children, two brothers and nieces and nephews.

On his way to work Ahmadi picked up a coworker to carpool before stopping at the home of NEI's director at 8.52am to pick up a laptop.

The director's home had been under intense surveillance by MQ-9 Reaper drones and McKenzie continues to insist that solid intelligence links the home to ISIS-K.

Drone footage showed the fireball from the courtyard, which the Pentagon believed was proof of explosives in the car. They now say that a nearby propane tank was likely ignited by the missile

PICTURED: The 10 victims mistakenly killed by a US drone strike which was targeting ISIS-K in Afghanistan

However, a New York Times reporter visited the NEI director at his home and met with members of his family, who said they had been living there for 40 years.

'We have nothing to do with terrorism or ISIS,' said the director, who also has a US resettlement case. 'We love America. We want to go there.'

Seeing the white Corolla that matched intelligence reports visiting the supposedly suspicious home, US officials latched on to the vehicle and tracked its every move. Everything they saw seemed to feed into their false theory that they were tracking a terrorist.

At 9.05am Ahmadi picked up a second co-worker not far from the director's home and the three of them rode together to the NEI offices a few miles south.

At 9.35am Ahmadi and his two co-workers arrived at the offices of NEI, a California-based non-profit that promotes the cultivation of soy crops in Afghanistan. The Pentagon believed the offices to be another 'suspicious compound'.

Drone surveillance captured Ahmadi and his colleagues unloading 'bags and jugs' once they arrived at the office, likely referring to empty water jugs that Ahmadi filled at work to bring home to his family.

A few hours later, at 11.22am, Ahmadi and some co-workers left the offices and drove to the 10th District Police station, which was controlled by the Taliban, to request permission to distribute food to displaced Afghans in a park.

McKenzie said that at around the same time US forces received a 'sensitive intelligence collection indicating that an ISIS-K cell leader in Kabul was dropping off supplies,' and apparently jumped to conclusions connecting the information to Ahmadi.

Ahmadi and his colleagues arrived at the police station at 12.11pm and stayed for about an hour, leaving to return to the NEI office at 1.27pm.

Ahmadi spent the afternoon at the non-profit offices and as he prepared to go home for the day, filled up several large jugs with water from a hose to take home, as water service in his neighborhood had been cut.

'It was a mistake and I offer my sincere apology,' Head of US Central Command Gen Frank McKenzie said

Witnesses helped him load the jugs, and surveillance video shows that they were filled with water. But the Pentagon believed it was witnessing bombs being loaded for an imminent attack.

At 3.47pm Ahmadi departed the office with three coworkers, giving them a ride home. They later told the Times that it was a normal commute, filled with laughing banter and jokes.

The one difference from normal was that Ahmadi did not turn on his car radio to listen to pop music as he usually did for fear of running afoul of the Taliban's harsh restrictions.

At 4.11pm Ahmadi dropped off his first colleague then made two additional stops to drop off the others. The Pentagon noticed with alarm that the final drop-off, at 4.39pm, was just blocks away from the supposed 'ISIS-K compound' where surveillance on the car was first initiated.

At 4.51pm Ahmadi arrived home and began backing his car into the gated courtyard. A gaggle of children, nieces and nephews ran outside to greet him.

Ahmadi's home is nearly two miles from Kabul airport, where US forces were holed up attempting an evacuation, and where a suicide attack had killed hundreds of Afghans and 13 Americans on August 26.

'We were very concerned that the vehicle could move quickly and be at the airport boundary in a matter of moments,' McKenzie said.

As the children greeted Ahmadi, his adult cousin Naser walked outside to help him bring the water jugs inside. US forces immediately assessed Naser to be a 'co-conspirator' and launched the strike, claiming that they did not see children in the area.

A Hellfire missile detonated inside the Corolla at 4.53pm. Killed were Ahmadi and three of his children, Zamir, 20, Faisal, 16, and Farzad, 10; Ahmadi's cousin Naser, 30; three of Ahmadi's nephews, Arwin, seven, Benyamin, six, and Hayat, two; and two three-year-old girls, Malika and Somaya.

The Pentagon initially claimed that a secondary explosion proved that the Corolla was carrying explosive materials. McKenzie admitted on Friday that the missile likely ignited a propane tank near the car, which created a large fireball spotted on drone surveillance.

McKenzie claimed that upon review of the drone footage, 'a few partially obscured forms were briefly visible moving in the compound'.

'The strike was a tragic mistake,' McKenzie said.

Emal Ahmadi shows a photo of his family member who was killed during a US drone strike on their home

Ramal Ahmadi (center) was supported by family members at the mass funeral of the 10 victims killed in the drone strike

McKenzie apologized for the error and said the United States is considering making reparation payments to the family of the victims.

'I am now convinced that as many as 10 civilians, including up to seven children, were tragically killed in that strike,' McKenzie said. 'Moreover, we now assess that it is unlikely that the vehicle and those who died were associated with ISIS-K or were a direct threat to US forces,' he added.

McKenzie said that the order to carry out the strike was given by the commander of the over-the-horizon strike team, who has not been named publicly.

For days after the August 29 strike, Pentagon officials asserted that it had been conducted correctly, despite immediate reports from the ground that as many as seven children had been killed.

'This was a righteous strike,' said Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark A Milley, claiming that Ahmadi was an 'ISIS facilitator'

Biden left DC shortly before the Pentagon briefing on Friday, heading to Delaware to spend the weekend in seclusion

'This was a righteous strike,' said Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark A Milley, insisting that Ahmadi was an 'ISIS facilitator'.

Days after the attack President Joe Biden gave a speech in which he marked the withdrawal of American troops in Afghanistan by the August 31 deadline. He touted America's ability to strike terrorists and targets without boots on the ground.

But he failed to mention the high civilian casualty rate from the August 29 drone strike, and he failed to mention that children had been killed.

'We struck ISIS-K remotely, days after they murdered 13 of our service members and dozen of innocent Afghans. And to ISIS-K, we are not done with you yet,' he said in his speech.

On Friday, Biden left DC before the Pentagon briefing to spend the weekend at his home in Delaware. He has not yet publicly addressed the disastrous intelligence failure.
The 37-year-old fashion designer behind Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's controversial 'Tax the Rich' dress she wore at the Met Gala has been accused of avoiding paying taxes her business owes, and has debts in multiple states.

Aurora James said the dress sent a 'powerful message' but her own delinquent tax bills appear to show she didn't take it to heart. The successful designer's debts are mostly owed by an LLC she formed in 2011 - Cultural Brokerage Agency - to serve as the parent company of her fashion brand, Brother Vellies.

According to the New York Post, as Beyonce, Rihanna and Meghan Markle became fan favorites of James's luxury brand, the company racked up three open tax warrants in New York state for for failing to withhold income taxes from employees paychecks totaling $14,798.

The Department of Taxation and Finance told The Post the outstanding payments were from 2018 and 2019 but the LLC has been hit with a total of 15 warrants since 2015.

In the two years before the pandemic the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also placed six federal liens - the government's legal claim against your property when you fail to pay a tax debt - on the LLC amounting to $103,220. According to the post the liens noted that the company failed to send employee payroll taxes.

Aurora James (left), 37, said the controversial dress she designed for Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (right) to attend the Met Gala in sent a 'powerful message' but her own delinquent tax bills show she didn't take it to heart

As Beyonce, Rihanna and Meghan Markle became fan favorites of James's luxury brand Brother Vellies the company racked up three open tax warrants in New York state for for failing to withhold income taxes from employees paychecks totaling $14,798

The IRS declined The Post's request for comment.

However, the Canadian has proved she has no problem taking money from taxpayers as her company received $41,666 in pandemic relief aid, according to The Post.

Maybe that's why AOC labeled James a 'working class' designer in an interview with Vogue as they made waves on The Met's red carpet.

AOC, the 31-year-old socialist firebrand, was has been slammed for wearing the socialist slogan-emblazoned dress to a $35,000-a-ticket event, although she was handed a free ticket to the glitzy gala.

Despite James' tax worries, the designer was still able to buy $1.6million Hollywood Hills home in September 2020 - which The Post reported she currently owes $2,504 in property taxes on.

The 7,095-square-foot property boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a master-bedroom fireplace and backyard hot tub.

Cultural Brokerage Agency's issues are said to run deeper, with the firm also accused of failing to pay benefits its workers are entitled to.

In October 2019 the Worker's Compensation Board hit the company with a $17,000 fine for not carrying worker's-comp insurance - which is paid out when an employee is hurt at work and has to take off as a result - from March 2017 to February 2018.

David Cenedella, a Baruch College taxation lecturer explained: 'Just because they take it out of your paycheck doesnt mean theyre sending it to the government.

'Its certainly not something you want. I would not say your average business out there has this. Something went wrong.'

AOC labeled James a 'working class' designer at the Met Gala but oddly enough, James bought a $1.6million Hollywood Hills home in September 2020

She reportedly still owes $2,504 in property taxes on the property

The 7,095-square-foot property boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a master-bedroom fireplace and backyard hot tub

An ex-employee said James would ask her to do things outside of anyone's job description, like schedule her gynecological appointments, and a former intern called the boss 'quite cold'

But that hasn't phased James, who hasn't made a single payment on the $62,722 she owes the board, a spokesperson told The Post.

Ex-employees have likened Brother Veillies to a sweatshop relying heavily on unpaid interns working full-time jobs.

A former worker, who got fired, told The Post: 'I experienced a lot of harassment when I worked for her. Aurora would ask me to do things that were not in anyones job description, like scheduling her gynecological appointments.

'The work environment was so hostile that I was afraid to ask for my check.'

An intern who also worked for James called her 'quite cold'.

'She never gives recognition or acknowledgement to her team,' he said.

According to records she also doesn't pay her rent. In August 2020 James's landlord filed papers to evict Brother Vellies from their location at 71 Franklin Street in Brooklyn, New York, and demanded more than $25,000 plus interest for staying beyond the end of her lease, The Post reported.

The case was settled but the details of the settlement weren't immediately clear.

Two years prior, in February 2018, James was sued for more than $5,000 in unpaid rent at her shop's previous New York City address at 209 West 38th Street.

James has yet to comment on the allegations surrounding her finances.
Geelong and two regional areas of Victoria have been forced back into lockdown on the same day Daniel Andrews presented the roadmap to freedom.

The city just south of Melbourne joined Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire in a seven-day lockdown from 11.59pm on Sunday after a sudden spike in cases.

Restrictions in the three areas will be the same as those in Ballarat and Melbourne, excluding the curfew.

Caseloads in Geelong and Mitchell Shire have seen a sharp rise with 17 and 15 active cases respectively to Saturday.

A further two new cases in Geelong, two on the Surf Coast and seven new cases in Mitchell Shire were confirmed in Sunday's numbers.

Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire in country Victoria are going back into lockdown from 11.59pm on Sunday after a sudden spike in cases spooked health officials. (Pictured Victoria state Premier Dan Andrews speaking at his daily Covid briefing on Sunday)

'If you're in Geelong, Surf Coast or Mitchell Shire, follow the restrictions, get tested if you have symptoms, and get vaccinated if you haven't already,' Premier Dan Andrews said.

'Regional communities have overcome outbreaks before  and this will be no different.'

Under the lockdown restrictions, residents won't be able to leave home other than for necessary goods and services, caregiving or compassionate reasons including medical care and getting a Covid-19 test.

Authorised work or permitted education, exercise and outdoor social interaction in limited groups, and getting a Covid-19 vaccine are also permitted.

Caseloads in Greater Geelong and Mitchell Shire have seen a sharp rise with 17 and 15 active cases respectively to Saturday and two more on the Surf Coast (pictured) on Sunday

Under the lockdown restrictions, residents won't be able to leave home other than for very specific reasons. (Pictured, two people walk a dog in Melbourne on Saturday)

Residents can also leave home to visit their intimate partner or single social bubble buddy.

Shopping, exercise and outdoor social interaction will be limited to 10km from home. Masks will be mandatory indoors and outdoors, and there will still be no visitors allowed to the home.

Residents have four hours a day for exercise and outdoor social interaction, and can meet with one other person, or up to four others from two households if all present have received two vaccine doses. Dependents can also join in.

Restrictions in the three areas will be the same as those in Ballarat (pictured) and metropolitan Melbourne, excluding the curfew

Health minister Martin Foley (pictured) announced the new restrictions on Sunday but said regional Victorians knew what to expect and what do

'Regional Victorians know what the show is here,' Victorian health minister Martin Foley said.

'They've overcome emerging outbreaks before. We've seen it in Shepparton several times. We've seen it in Mildura, we've seen it in Colac.

'I hope we're seeing that right now in Ballarat, which is doing an extraordinary job. And I'm sure we will see it in Geelong, in the Surf Coast and Mitchell Shire.

'The most important message - so as to make it short and sharp and make sure that it's no more than seven days, and with a bit of luck, less than seven days - is to get test and to get vaccinated.'

The new lockdown came as Premier Daniel Andrews finally unveiled his roadmap out of lockdown as the state recorded 507 new cases of Covid-19 and one death.

The new lockdown came as Premier Daniel Andrews finally unveiled his roadmap out of lockdown as the state recorded 507 new cases of Covid-19 and one death. (Pictured a woman getting a rapid Covid antigen test in Victoria)

Victorians will finally be released from the current strict restrictions on October 26 to coincide with when the state hits 70 per cent double-dose vaccination.

There will no longer be any restrictions on leaving home, the 9pm-5am curfew will be scrapped and the travel distance extended to 25km.

Students in Year 12 will return to on-site learning as early as the first week of October with all students to return to classrooms at least part time.

Mr Andrews promised Christmas Day would be as normal as possible with 30 visitors to be allowed inside homes once 80 per cent of the population is fully-vaccinated.

Victorians can enjoy outdoor recreation like tennis and basketball from as early as next week with the government to ease restrictions on outdoor activities.

Mr Andrews said they state would be carefully balancing the easing of restrictions with the pressure on the Victorian health system. (Pictured, two women on the seafront in Geelong)

The changes will take affect when 80 per cent of the population has had a single dose of a Covid vaccine, earmarked for September 26.

Personal training will resume for up to five fully vaccinated people outdoors and the travel limit will be extended from 10km to 15km.

More freedoms will be returned once 70 per cent of Victoria's population is double vaccinated with lockdown to be lifted and the 9pm-5am curfew scrapped.

'We are fast approaching those milestones,' Mr Andrews said on Sunday. 'At that point we have got to open the place up.

'Because remaining closed forever, has its own cost, in every sense of that word. So this is a very difficult balancing act.'

All school children will be allowed to return for on-site learning for a few days a week with childcare to open for children of fully-vaccinated parents.

The travel limit for Melbourne residents will be extended to 25km.

Healthcare workers will be required to have had one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by October 15, with other industries to receive dates for a mandated jab.

Mr Andrews promised Christmas Day would be as normal as possible with 30 visitors to be allowed inside homes once 80 per cent of the population is fully-vaccinated. (Pictured picnickers in Sydney enjoying their new freedom on Sunday)

The Victorian Government is also working towards making it mandatory to be vaccinated to enter some venues.

Mr Andrews said they state would be carefully balancing the easing of restrictions with the pressure on the Victorian health system.

'We will monitor every hour of every day how many people are in hospital, how much pressure is there on our health system,' he said.

'Are we able to continue to provide the best care to everyone who needs it?

'There is going to be some very difficult days, and perhaps longer in our health system.

'We will monitor very closely what the impact of this inevitable, this absolutely essential, opening up.

'We will monitor that impact on you, on your patients, on our health system.'
A California mom dragged her eight year-old daughter behind her SUV after the little girl tried to stop her driving drunk, police say.

Erin Garcia, 44, is accused of getting into her car drunk around 11.30pm; her daughter followed, concerned that her mother was too inebriated to drive.

'The child grabbed the passenger's door handle and told Garcia to stop,' the statement from the Placentia Police Department said.

'Garcia looked at the child and proceeded to drive away,' it added, noting that she dragged her daughter alongside the car for about 300 feet, before stopping when an onlooker intervened.

Erin Garcia, 44, was arrested Thursday night for a DUI after dragging her eight-year-old daughter and an adult bystander who tried to stop her from drunk-driving - then she kicked the cops putting her in handcuffs

The woman then dragged the bystander, too, before driving away from the scene, according to a police press release.

Officers responded to Garcia's mother's house on Orchid Drive in Laguna Niguel shortly after. When they arrived at 11.37pm they found the young girl with 'abrasions to her legs and feet,' the statement said.

The two victims were taken to a nearby hospital and the girl 'was accompanied by her grandmother,' the statement noted.

Video footage showed Garcia, wearing a floral skirt and cut up t-shirt, being arrested. She was taken over to the grass where the cops lay her down and put her in handcuffs

She appeared worse for wear, with her head hanging, and was also filmed stumbling as she was led towards a police SUV

Garcia was eventually taken to Orange County Jail on three charges - assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment and battery against a police officer.

Meanwhile, Garcia was 'hiding in some bushes in the backyard' and as officers tried to take her into custody, she resisted and kicked the cops.

In a video posted by ABC7 Garcia is seen being arrested. One officer can be heard saying: 'Ma'am, I can't feel my thumb.'

Garcia, wearing a floral skirt and cut up t-shirt, was then taken over to the grass where the cops lay her down and put her in handcuffs.

She appeared worse for wear, with her head hanging, and was also filmed stumbling as she was led towards a police SUV.

Garcia was eventually taken to Orange County Jail on three charges - assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment and battery against a police officer.
Two Jersey City police officers have been hailed as heroes after they caught a one month-old baby hurled off a second-story balcony by a 'deranged' man.

The shocking incident happened on Rose Avenue in Jersey City around 9.30am Saturday.

Officers Joseph Casey and Eduardo Matute responded to a call about a man reportedly threatening an infant, according to the Jersey City Times.

Casey and Matute tried to negotiate with the man, who was dangling the infant over the edge of a balcony.

They quickly set up a perimeter, and tried to negotiate with the man to put the baby down safely. But he hurled the infant off the outdoor platform, and the cops were able to catch the infant who was not hurt.

The man who threw the baby has been arrested and his charges are pending.

Although there were no apparent injuries, city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said the baby was taken to the hospital to be evaluated as a precautionary measure.

Officers Joseph Casey and Eduardo Matute (pictured) caught a one month-old baby after a crazed man threw him off a second-floor balcony Saturday morning

The deranged man was 'dangling a baby over a balcony' on Rose Avenue in Jersey City (pictured). The cops 'set up a perimeter to negotiate' how they would catch the baby

Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association President Joe Cossolini called the officers 'real life super heroes'.

'We are celebrating a beautiful life today instead of reading a tragic story because of the quick thinking, bravery and team work exhibited by all of the officers who responded today,' he added.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop later posted a picture to Instagram showing Matute cradling the infant at a nearby hospital.

Matute was smiling down at the one-month-old, who was wrapped in a white blanket and sleeping soundly.

The baby's gender has not been released, and it is unclear what relationship the child had to the man who dropped the infant off the balcony.

Cops have not reported a motive for the near-tragedy, other than a comment about the man suffering a mental health episode.

'The officers at the scene reacted quickly and were able to catch the baby. Thankfully the baby wasnt harmed physically,' the caption read.

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez also tweeted her thanks to the officers involved 'for their heroics and for bringing a safe conclusion to this dangerous situation'.
An Australian mother is facing execution in the US over the mysterious death of her husband's daughter which she compares to the infamous Lindy Chamberlain case.

Sanaa Cunningham, 7, had more than 60 scars, 100 cuts and bruises, and several ulcers and abscesses when she died at Phoenix Children's Hospital in 2017.

Lisa-Marie Cunningham, 47, from Adelaide, and US-born husband Germayne, 42, are accused of neglecting and abusing the child and face the death penalty if convicted.

But Cunningham claims she is the victim of a miscarriage of justice and has been set up by authorities so they could avoid a costly civil lawsuit over the girl's death.

She claimed her case echoes Lindy Chamberlain's, who was jailed for the murder of her daughter in the 1980s.

Australian mother Lisa-mrie Cunngham (pictured) faces execution over the mysterious death of her husband's daughter which she's compared to the infamous Lindy Chamberlain case.

Azaria Chamberlain was two months old when she snatched by a dingo from the family's campsite near Uluru in 1980.

Despite Chamberlain's insistence that a 'dingo took my baby', she was convicted of murder and jailed for three years until new evidence cleared her name in 1987.

Now Cunningham claims she is also being persecuted by the justice system and will be wrongly executed over Sanaa's death.

She claims she was only following flawed medical advice while trying to raise Sanaa, who suffered from severe schizophrenia and other mental and behavioural issues.

'My daughter was not killed by anyone,' she told the Herald Sun. 'Just because someone in a position of power says a crime occurred, doesn't mean it did.

'My case is not based on the occurrence of a crime. It's based on the state's response [to] discovering they would be sued civilly for the wrongful death of Sanaa.

'[Like] Chamberlain's case on the murder of her child, a death turned into a murder.'

'This is a terrible place, people are treated terribly. People die here for exactly the same reasons the state claimed my child died.'

Azaria Chamberlain, seen here with mother Lindy, was two months old when she snatched by a dingo from the family's campsite near Uluru in 1980.

Tragic Sanaa Cunningham, 7, (pictured) had more than 60 scars, 100 cuts and bruises and countless ulcers and abscesses when she died at Phoenix Children's Hospital in 2017

Cunningham said she knew capital punishment was 'encouraged' in the US, but thought it was only for murder cases.

She has two children from her first marriage including Sanaa, as does her husband, and the couple have a further two children of their own.

The prosecution allege the couple restrained Sanaa by tying her down so she couldn't expel fluid from her lungs, leading to her death.

They claim to have found incriminating texts between the couple from, including one from December 2016 describing how the girl was zip-tied to a water container to let other children sleep.

Cunningham claimed the texts were forged and were not on her phone on the day Sanaa died, months later.

A post-mortem found Sanaa's death was 'undetermined' rather than homicide.

Lisa-Marie Cunningham, 47, from Adelaide, (pictured right) and US-born husband Germayne, 42, (left) are accused of neglecting and abusing the child and face the death penalty if convicted

Lisa-Marie Cunningham (pictured with Sanaa right and another child) insist she and her husband were overwhelmed by looking after the child and did all they could to protect her and the rest of the family

Cunningham's defence insists the couple were overwhelmed by looking after the child and did all they could to protect her and the rest of the family.

A psychiatrist reportedly prescribed a powerful anti-psychotic drug for the girl but it made her 'catatonic' and the couple took her off it two days before her death.

Now Cunningham - a former prison officer - has pleaded her innocence from her cell in Maricopa County Jail in Arizona where she has awaited trial for three years.

Cunningham vowed to fight to prove her innocence and will refuse to take any lenient sentence deal, but the case will still not be heard until next year at least.

If convicted, Cunningham would be the first woman to be executed in Arizona since the 1930s, and the first Australian woman ever to be executed in the USA.
Christian Porter has resigned from cabinet over revelations he accepted money from a blind trust to pay for his civil lawsuit against the ABC.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Mr Porter stood down as Minister for Industry, Science and Technology and would return to the backbench.

The former attorney-general tendered his resignation on Sunday afternoon because he couldn't give enough information about who the anonymous donors were in order to avoid perceptions of a conflict of interest.

The scandal triggered a media storm in recent days sparking uproar right across the political spectrum and in the community.

Labor opposition called his willingness to accept money from an unknown source an 'outrageous abuse of his office'.

Mr Porter has since released a 1,600-word-long statement on his resignation, claiming he was subject to a 'trial by media,' adding that he intends to remain in politics and contest the next election.

Christian Porter (pictured in parliament) has resigned from cabinet over revelations he accepted money from a blind trust to pay for his lawsuit against the ABC

The Prime Minister said Mr Porter's departure from the front bench was about 'upholding standards' as he was not able to provide further information that would 'rule out a perceived conflict.'

'As a result of him acknowledging that, he has taken the appropriate course of action to uphold those standards by tendering his resignation as a minister this afternoon, and I have accepted his resignation,' Mr Morrison told reporters on Sunday.

'His actions have been about upholding the standards.'

'We believe they are incredibly important, and it is not just about actual conflicts, it's about the standards for ministers to have an obligation to avoid any perception of conflicts of interest that is ultimately what has led the Minister to make that decision this afternoon.

'Mr Porter, by taking the decision he has done today, that is the appropriate decision in these circumstances, that reinforces our government's commitment to those standards.'

But the opposition say simply resigning from the front bench is not sufficient, particularly when there's no suggestion he plans to pay back any of the money.

'Mr Porters decision to step down is driven by what is politically saleable,' deputy leader of the Labor Party Tanya Plibersek said on Twitter.

'There should have been independent investigations, including by a federal anti-corruption commission.'

Christian Porter (pictured with wife Jennifer before they separated) has vowed to recontest his seat

Mr Porter's lengthy statement said he was 'not willing to put pressure on the Trust to provide further information' on the mysterious donors, claiming it would make them 'targets of the social media mob'.

'I am not prepared to seek to break the confidentiality of those people who contributed to my legal fees under what are well-known and regular legal structures, including the confidentiality attached to the Trust contribution,' Mr Porter said.

'Ultimately, I decided that if I have to make a choice between seeking to pressure the trust to break individuals' confidentiality in order to remain in Cabinet, or alternatively forego my Cabinet position, there is only one choice I could, in all conscience, make.'

When details of the fiasco became known, shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus took the federal government to task on the issue in parliament, demanding to know who had footed his legal bills and what they may have wanted in return.

'If Mr Porter genuinely doesn't know who his donors are he shouldn't accept their money,' the Labor politician said.

'Apparently, Mr Porter doesn't care.'

Mr Porter's financial mess came when he sued the ABC over a story that revealed a 'senior cabinet minister' was accused of raping a teenage girl.

The embattled Western Australian Liberal Party politician outed himself as the minister days later in February and vehemently denied the allegations that dated back to 1988 when he was 17.

The woman in 2019 came forward to police and accused Mr Porter of sexually assaulting her when she was 16.

However, she chose not to go forward with the case and took her own life days after informing police of her decision.

The matter was closed in March 2021 when police found there was not enough evidence to proceed.

The ousted Attorney-General filed a case against ABC journalist Louise Milligan (pictured at the March 4 Justice rally)

Christian Porter addresses media in Perth, Wednesday, March 3, 2021 to out himself as the politician accused of the 1988 rape

Mr Porter, who vehemently denies the allegations, then sued the public broadcaster for defamation, arguing it was easy to identify him as the minister involved.

Following the fallout from the alleged scandal, Mr Morrison removed Mr Porter as attorney-general in a 'cabinet reshuffle' shifting him into the less high-profile Industry, Science and Technology portfolio.

The 50-year-old described the heavy toll the accusations have had on him, sounding off the media in his resignation statement.

'Facing a false allegation is an experience that places your family, friends and staff under enormous and cruel pressure,' he wrote.

'It has resulted in constant abuse and ongoing threats. For me personally, the physical threats of violence, the experience of being spat at and publicly abused for something I didn't do has been nearly beyond comprehension in a civilised country. '

Mr Porter added he understands the concerns and questions raised about where the money came from but said he believes he provided the information required under the Members' Register of Interests.

Christian Porter (pictured with wife, Jen and daughter Florence) waves to the media after voting on May 18, 2019

'I also considered that the additional disclosures I provided under the Ministerial Standards were in accordance with its additional requirements,' he said.

'However, after discussing the matter with the Prime Minister I accept that any uncertainty on this point provides a very unhelpful distraction for the government in its work. '

Angus Taylor will take over Mr Porter's role as acting science and technology minister.

Mr Porter sued the ABC in the Federal Court and the parties settled in June with the broadcaster agreeing to place an editor's note alongside the story.

The note said the ABC regretted that some readers had misinterpreted the piece as an accusation of guilt against Mr Porter over the alleged incident.

The ABC forked out $680,000 in taxpayer funds defending Christian Porter's defamation lawsuit and then paid his lawyer a further $100,000 in mediation costs.

ABC managing director David Anderson later told a parliamentary hearing in Canberra revealed that Mr Porter twice offered to settle the action - both before and after the broadcaster presented its defence.

ABC journalist Louise Milligan (above) reported of the existence of allegations on against an unnamed Cabinet minister in February. Mr Porter later outed himself as the minister allegedly responsible, in order to deny the claim, saying it 'just didn't happen'

Keep up the money, please: ABC plea to government The ABC has appealed to the Coalition government for special funding tied to local and outer-suburban news to be made permanent. The enhanced news-gathering initiative is set to run out next financial year after $14.8 million has been allocated to the program. Last month's budget forecast an end to the indexation freeze, which has ripped $84 million from the ABC's coffers. But if the scheme, which started under the Rudd government is 2013, is scrapped the national broadcast still faces a funding shortfall of more than $10 million in 2022/23. ABC managing director David Anderson said the money supported about 70 jobs and ensured local stories were elevated to a national level. 'We'll be advocating for that to be extended and certainly rolled into our base,' he told a Senate hearing in Canberra on Monday. Advertisement

Mr Anderson said there was a difference between the two settlement offers but refused to detail the change.

'I don't want to sabotage any possible mediation in the future by revealing what was in these without-prejudice offers that came before us,' he said.

Mr Porter accused the broadcaster of a humiliating back down after the agreement was reached, prompting the ABC to release another statement rejecting his claim it regretted the story.

'I, on behalf of the ABC, am not humiliated and we do not regret the article,' Mr Anderson told the hearing.

The ABC managing director said both settlement offers were rejected before the mediation which resolved the case started.

'Both parties could see a way forward that would certainly minimise cost,' Mr Anderson said.

'Had we gone through to trial it would have been extensive costs, it would have been a long trial and if the two parties could find terms it could agree on then it was worth pursuing.'

Mr Anderson also said he was concerned about Four Corners executive producer Sally Neighbour's 'factually inaccurate' and now-deleted tweet about the settlement.

Ms Neighbour initially announced the move by posting: 'BREAKING NOW! Christian Porter is dropping his defamation case against the ABC. No money was paid. We stand by our stories. #4Corners #auspol.'

Some 15 minutes later, she posted an amended version, which removed the assertion that no money had been paid, instead saying 'no damages were paid'.

Mr Anderson said Ms Neighbour corrected the statement after he contacted ABC News boss Gavin Morris.

'On this occasion, I felt that needed to be corrected as fast as possible,' Mr Anderson said.

ABC managing director David Anderson disclosed the previously secret sum to a parliamentary inquiry

The ABC added an editor's note to the end of Louise Milligan's February 26 article as part of the settlement - but it will not take the report down or pay Mr Porter damages

The court document is presently redacted

While Mr Porter has dropped his defamation claim, the fight over whether an ABC defence document will be made public continues.

Mr Porter and the ABC agreed that a redacted, 27 page document could be purged from the court file as part of their settlement.

Mr Porter's lawyer has described the document as 'scandalous'.

But Federal Court Justice Jayne Jagot said she was concerned by the proposed order, saying it was essentially a permanent suppression order,

Media outlets will oppose the order, the court heard, and Justice Jagot said: 'It's not a matter for simply the parties to agree.'
Prince Andrew could be leaving Balmoral to see his pregnant daughter Beatrice after she was apparently admitted to a London hospital on Friday - as lawyers try to serve Virginia Giuffre's sex abuse lawsuit on him.

The Queen's granddaughter, 33, is expecting her first baby with Italian husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 38, who she wed in a surprise Covid-safe ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints last year.

Her father Andrew, who has been in hiding for some time on the 50,000-acre royal estate in Aberdeenshire, is now likely to make the 500-mile trip back to London to see Beatrice, according to The Sun.

A Balmoral insider told the paper: 'Prince Andrew obviously hasn't wanted to leave Balmoral when lawyers are still trying to serve the lawsuit papers but his daughter comes first and he will want to be there for her.

'He could end up staying on the estate and waiting for Beatrice to come to him once she's given birth. But I'm sure he will want to go to her.'

The duke has appeared to play a game of cat and mouse with the legal team acting for Ms Giuffre, formerly Roberts - moving between his home in Windsor and the Balmoral estate to keep out of their way.

Lawyers for Ms Guiffre, a victim of paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, said they had delivered papers notifying him about the civil court sex case to his 30-room mansion at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.

They claimed that the documents were left with police guards at his Windsor home and emailed to his lawyers - and even released a photograph showing that papers notifying him about the case were posted to his home. Andrew disputes that they have been properly served.

However, royal aides fear the duke's 'wall of silence' strategy towards the sex abuse lawsuit is increasingly damaging the monarchy, with insiders admitting the prince is 'stressed' and 'worried' as the pressure to respond to the bombshell allegations mounts.

It comes as the High Court last week gave Andrew's legal team seven days to challenge its decision to begin notifying him about the civil sex case in New York against him.

Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice at Royal Ascot on June 18, 2019

Prince Andrew could be set to leave Balmoral to see his heavily pregnant daughter Beatrice after she was apparently admitted to a London hospital on Friday

Andrew, Virginia Roberts, then 17, and Ghislaine Maxwell pictured in London in 2001

Timeline of another dramatic month in the Prince Andrew case August 9 : Virginia Giuffre files a civil case in New York claiming Prince Andrew sexually abused her aged 17

: Virginia Giuffre files a civil case in New York claiming Prince Andrew sexually abused her aged 17 August 10 : Andrew arrives at Balmoral with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and is joined by Eugenie the next day

: Andrew arrives at Balmoral with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and is joined by Eugenie the next day August 10 : US lawyers were allegedly trying to hold him up on his horse to serve him papers before he left.

August 12: Dame Cressida Dick says she has told Met Police detectives to review the claims against Andrew

August 13: Ms Giuffre's lawyer says Andrew will be served papers in person under the Hague Convention

August 14: Epstein's telecoms specialist says he will swear on oath that he saw Andrew groping Ms Giuffre

August 15: Andrew's friends say he is 'cheerful and relaxed' over the case in and will remain silent

August 16: A source close to the US probe into Jeffrey Epstein says they view Andrew as a 'person of interest'

September 7 : Andrew leaves Royal Lodge in Windsor and travels nearly 500 miles to Balmoral in Scotland

: Andrew leaves Royal Lodge in Windsor and travels nearly 500 miles to Balmoral in Scotland September 10: A court document filed by Virginia Roberts' legal team says Andrew was served with the paperwork on August 27.

A court document filed by Virginia Roberts' legal team says Andrew was served with the paperwork on August 27. September 13 : First telephone conference in the case is scheduled at Manhattan Federal Court in New York

: First telephone conference in the case is scheduled at Manhattan Federal Court in New York December 8 : Deadline for Andrew to be served with court papers in person under the Hague Convention Advertisement

A royal source told the Telegraph: 'There is growing disquiet over the advice being given to the Duke by his London legal team in the face of this potentially highly damaging lawsuit which also has wider reputational implications for the institution of the monarchy.

'The legal team's wall of silence and policy of evasion only adds to the impression [that] the Duke has something to hide and there is widespread concern that things have been allowed to get to this point.'

Andrew hired Gary Bloxsome, a UK criminal defence solicitor, in early 2020, just weeks after his car-crash Newsnight interview, in which he failed to show any empathy for Epstein's victims or regret over their friendship.

The pair are understood to have been introduced by a mutual friend, and Mr Bloxsome's initial brief was to fend off an FBI inquiry into his friendship with Epstein.

The Telegraph reports that the decision not to fully engage with the legal process saw US prosecutors publicly humiliate the duke, announcing on camera that he had provided 'zero co-operation'.

Mr Bloxsome appears to have adopted a strategy of non-engagement in the face of the allegations, presumably convinced that the repeated requests for Andrew's contribution would eventually fade.

The court in London accepted on Wednesday a request by Ms Giuffre's lawyers to formally contact the duke about the legal proceedings launched in the US.

Andrew's team are said to be contesting the court's decision, over the lawsuit by Ms Giuffre who alleges the Queen's son sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager.

Ms Giuffre is seeking unspecified damages but there is speculation the sum could be in the millions of dollars.

She claims she was trafficked by Andrew's former friend and sex offender Epstein to have sex with the duke when she was aged 17 and a minor under US law.

The judge in the case, US district judge Lewis Kaplan, has ruled that Ms Giuffre's legal team can try delivering the papers to Andrew's LA-based lawyer, regardless of whether the duke authorised him to accept it.

Ms Giuffre's lawyers have said the service of the papers 'is not intended to be a game of hide and seek behind palace walls.'

Andrew, who is currently at Balmoral with the Queen, has repeatedly denied the allegations.

The High Court said in a statement: 'Lawyers for Prince Andrew have indicated that they may seek to challenge the decision of the High Court to recognise the validity of the Hague Convention request for service made by Ms Giuffre's lawyers.

'The High Court has directed that any challenge must be made by close of business on September 24.'

Prince Andrew is seen with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson leaving Windsor on September 7

The picture shows a large white envelope with the head of his mother the Queen on a first class stamp being put into a Royal Mail postbox last week on September 9

Judge in Prince Andrew sex abuse says papers can be served on his LA lawyers in huge blow for 'worried' royal after Virginia Giuffre's lawyers say it 'is not a game of hide and seek behind palace walls' A US judge has dealt another blow to Prince Andrew 's bid to dodge being served sex abuse legal papers by saying they can be given to his LA based lawyers instead. He said Virginia Giuffre's plan to deliver them to his US lawyer was 'reasonably calculated to bring the papers served to the defendant's attention'. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan it did not matter whether the Duke of York 'authorised' the lawyer to accept them. The lawyer, Andrew Brettler, had no immediate comment and Ms Giuffre's lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Mr Kaplan ruled barely six hours after Ms Giuffre formally requested his intervention, with her lawyers saying 'service is not intended to be a game of hide and seek behind palace walls.' Earlier the Prince had challenged a High Court ruling that he can be served with papers in his US sex case. In what was being seen as another delaying tactic by the duke, his legal team said it would look to overturn the decision on a legal technicality. It comes as the Prince's mood has reportedly changed over the past few days and he has become 'worried' and is 'not his usual blase self'. Advertisement

The issue of whether or not Andrew has been notified about the case - known as service of proceedings - was contested during the first pre-trial hearing of the civil case on Monday in New York.

David Boies, representing Ms Giuffre, said papers had been 'delivered to the last known address of the defendant' and documents had also been sent 'by Royal Mail'.

Andrew B Brettler, the duke's attorney, said the royal's team contested the validity of service to date, adding he has not been properly served under either UK or international law.

Under the Hague Service Convention, a treaty that governs requests between countries for evidence in civil or commercial matters, Ms Giuffre's legal team can ask the High Court in London to formally notify Andrew about her civil action.

Court papers filed in New York show Andrew's lawyers want to argue over the definition of a 'judicial officer', in a possible indication of how he plans to concede no ground in the civil case against him.

In the court claim filed under her married name, Ms Giuffre alleges she was trafficked to the duke by Epstein and is claiming damages for rape, sexual assault and battery.

Andrew's high-powered legal team claim that Ms Giuffre's attorneys do not have the authority to approach the High Court, which this week said it would serve the case papers on the prince if the two sides failed to agree it themselves.

Andrew's side have argued that Mr Boies is not a 'judicial, consular or diplomatic officer' of the US.

The London court originally agreed with the duke before changing its decision following representations by his opponents, Boies Schiller Flexner (BSF), who cited US law.

But Mr Bloxsome, acting for Andrew, wrote to Senior Master Barbara Fontaine within hours on Wednesday, saying: 'We contend that your original decision of 14 September 2021 to reject BSF's direct request was correct, and your subsequent decision of 15 September 2021 is wrong.

'We ask that the original decision be restored, and the reasons communicated promptly to BSF.'

The judge said she would not 'determine this disputed issue by email' and ordered Andrew to file a proper legal application, which could result in an appeal being heard in court.

However Andrew's argument may prove moot anyway after Mr Boies petitioned the New York court to directly contact its London counterpart. In his bid, Mr Boies wrote: 'Ms Giuffre requests that the court exercise its discretion to order alternate service pursuant.'

The paperwork has already been left with police guards at Andrew's Windsor home, Royal Lodge, and emailed to his lawyers but he disputes that they have properly been served upon him.

Her side accused him of trying to dodge the case by arguing against service while at the same time looking to build up his defence by asking for a copy of the deal.

Queen Elizabeth II with her son Prince Andrew on the Buckingham Palace balcony in June 2019

In the court papers, they wrote: 'Prince Andrew is both actively evading service of Ms Giuffre's claims... while at the same time attempting to avail himself of discovery in order to aid his defence.'

Andrew also plans to argue that a financial settlement Ms Giuffre signed with Epstein in 2009 precludes her from bringing a legal action against him.

But the duke's hopes of getting the Epstein deal unsealed quickly suffered a blow when a judge ruled it would stay under wraps for now.

Last month, Ms Giuffre agreed to drop a claim for sexual assault against US lawyer Alan Dershowitz as a result of the settlement. Mr Dershowitz has strenuously denied her claims.

He has since lodged a request to have the original agreement unsealed, as he believes it may help to get the case against Andrew also thrown out.

But Judge Loretta A Preska, a senior US district judge, denied his application, saying that Dershowitz's claim had 'no basis'.
New Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has waded into the growing row with France over a nuclear submarine deal with Australia, telling Paris bluntly that 'freedoms need to be defended'.

She lashed out amid an astonishing diplomatic spat triggered by the Aukus deal that will see the US and UK supply Canberra with atomic subs, replacing an agreement to acquire French diesel-electric underwater vessels.

The new arrangement is seen as a marker by the Western allies against Chinese aggression towards its Indo-Pacific neighbours, upgrading Australia's defensive capabilities.

France last night intensified the diplomatic war by dismissing Boris Johnson as an opportunist and a mere 'vassal' of the United States. It also accused Australia of 'treason' by backing out of a deal worth 56 billion euros.

Europe Minister Clement Beaune suggested that Brexit had seen the UK swap Europe for 'a return into the American lap'.

But Ms Truss, who only replaced Dominic Raab as the UK's top diplomat last week, defended the agreement.

Writing in the Telegraph she said it showed Britain's readiness to be 'hard-headed' in defence of its interests.

She said Britain would always be a 'fierce champion' of freedom and free enterprise around the world.

'But freedoms need to be defended, so we are also building strong security ties around the world,' she wrote.

'That is why last week the Prime Minister announced, alongside our friends President Biden and Prime Minister Morrison, the creation of a new security partnership called Aukus.

'It shows our readiness to be hard-headed in defending our interests and challenging unfair practices and malign acts.'

Meanwhile, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison today defended the Aukus deal. He said the deal with Paris for 12 Attack Class submarines had been superseded by events.

Writing in the Telegraph Ms Truss (pictured today) said it showed Britain's readiness to be 'hard-headed' in defence of its interests.

Boris Johnson heading to the United States this afternoon. Amid the ongoing row he will told talk with Joe Biden during a visit to the White House

he lashed out amid an astonishing diplomatic spat triggered by the Aukus deal, that will see the US and UK supply Canberra with atomic subs, replacing a deal to acquire French diesel-electric underwater vessels.

France last night intensified the diplomatic war by dismissing Boris Johnson as an opportunist and a mere 'vassal' of the United States.

The pact does not make the design of Australia's new submarines clear, but they will be based on previous US and UK designs. Pictured above is a cross-section of Britain's Astute-class nuclear attack subs, which is likely to mirror the new vessels

Minister of silly talk? Former French ambassador accuses UK of having a 'Monty Python Government' A former French ambassador has accused the UK of having a 'Monty Python Government' amid the row over Australian submarines. Gerard Aroud, who was Paris's man in the US from 2014 to 2019, hit out at plans the the return of imperial measurements after Brexit. UK Ministers have announced a major review of all the EU laws which were kept on the UK statute book after Brexit. The legislation made in Brussels will be 'improved or repealed' if it is judged not to benefit the British people. The shake-up will include a review of EU restrictions on selling goods in pounds and ounces in what could pave the way for a return to using more imperial units. Mr Aroud, who also represented France at the UN and in Israel, tweeted that the change was 'so silly that it is funny' because so few countries still use imperial measurements. Addressing his remarks on Sky News today, he said: 'Well, you know, when you are announcing that you are going back to imperial measures, as in Myanmar and the US, frankly its amazing. 'It is really for me, it is extremely funny. Again, I am not a diplomat anymore, I was an ambassador but I have retired and am using the freedom of retirement to say what I believe.' Advertisement

'The capability that the Attack Class submarines were going to provide was not what Australia needed to protect our sovereign interests,' he said.

'They would have had every reason to know that we have deep and grave concerns that the capability being delivered by the Attack class submarine was not going to meet our strategic interests and we have made very clear that we would be making a decision based on our strategic national interest.'

President Emmanuel Macron triggered a diplomatic storm by recalling his ambassadors to the US and Australia over the deal, dubbed by the French media as an 'Indo-Pacific Trafalgar'.

Mr Macron was outraged by the announcement last week of the Aukus alliance, which will see Australia given the technology to build nuclear-powered submarines to counter China's influence in the contested South China Sea.

The deal  which the French were told about only a few hours in advance  scuppered a separate multibillion-dollar agreement over submarines that Paris had signed with Canberra.

Cabinet minister Alok Sharma rejected the French 'vassal' allegation today, telling Times Radio: 'Well, I don't see us having vassal status to anyone. What we have here is a deal amongst three close allies.

'This is about the Indo Pacific and indeed, when it comes to France we have other alliances which link us very closely with them in terms of security.'

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that the 'exceptional decision' to recall France's ambassadors had been made by Mr Macron because of the 'exceptional gravity' of the situation.

Mr Le Drian aid his country was fully justified in recalling its Ambassadors from Washington and Canberra. But when asked on the France 2 radio station why the ambassador to London had not been recalled, Mr Le Drian suggested there was no need.

France was familiar with Britain's 'permanent opportunism' said Mr Le Drian and said Mr Johnson was a 'fifth wheel on the carriage'  meaning he was a 'spare wheel' in the deal.

Such language will put huge strain on relations between Britain and France  which are already under severe stress over such issues as migrant boats arriving in England from the Calais area.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was dubbed the opportunist 'fifth wheel on the carriage' by a furious Paris who are still reeling at the new submarine pact between the UK, US and Australia

In his furious attack on all three members of the new AUKUS pact  America, Australia and Britain  French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (left) said all had acted disgracefully. French Ambassador to the US Philippe Etienne (right) has been recalled amid a diplomatic row over a new US-UK-Australia alliance

Mr Le Drian said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had told him about the ripping up of the submarines contract just an hour before the new Aukus deal was announced on live TV in Australia on Wednesday.

'That's why I say there has been duplicity, contempt and lies and when you have an ally of the stature of France, you don't treat them like this,' said Mr Le Drian.

Asked if there had been a failure of French intelligence in failing to find out about the Aukus deal in advance, Mr Le Drian said: 'The project initiated by the US and Australia was decided by a small group and I'm not sure US and Australian ministers knew about it.

'When we see the US president with the Australian prime minister announcing a new agreement, along with Boris Johnson, the breach of trust is profound. In a real alliance you talk to each other, you don't hide things, you respect the other party and that is why this is a real crisis.'

Europe Minister Clement Beaune suggested it was because the UK was the 'junior partner' which had accepted the 'vassalisation' of the US

Lord Peter Ricketts, Britain's former Ambassador to France, said the country sees Britain as 'accomplices' in the deal but that may not stop further repercussions.

In the French media, US President Joe Biden took most of the blame. 'Submarines: Biden torpedoes the Contract of the Century between France and Australia,' ran the headline in Le Figaro, adding that it was the equivalent of an 'Indo-Pacific Trafalgar'.

Aides to Mr Le Drian later said he had meant that Britain was the 'fifth wheel' in the new Aukus security pact, and not Mr Johnson in particular.

Mr Le Drian also used the live broadcast to say that the row had turned into a full-blown 'crisis'.

America and the UK are to help Australia build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines as part of an unprecedented alliance known as the AUKUS pact to combat China's naval dominance and will likely be the similar design as this Astute class submarine HMS Ambush (pictured)

Australia will acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines and a host of other advanced military technology from the UK and US after singing an historic deal aimed at countering China's growing power

Australia's defence minister has today admitted that war with China is possible in the South China Sea (pictured) with Taiwan (top) as the likely flashpoint. China claims control over the whole of the sea, which other nations dispute

He said: 'The fact that, for the first time in the history of relations between the United States and France, we are recalling our ambassador for consultations is a grave political act that shows the intensity of the crisis today between our two countries and also with Australia.'

Mr Le Drian said his boss, Emmanuel Macron, had not yet confronted President Biden about the submarine issue.
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has condemned threats made to a Labour MP after she was forced to pull out from her party conference amid threats from trans rights activists.

In what is being described as an 'unprecedented intervention', Sir Lindsay says politicians should be able to appear publicly 'without fear of harm'.

It comes after Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield revealed she would miss the upcoming Labour Party conference following threats from transgender rights activists.

Ms Duffield, who won her seat in 2017 from the Conservatives, claims she has been branded transphobic for 'knowing that only women have a cervix'.

The 50-year-old MP has also previously waded into the debate about access to female-only spaces.

She told the Sunday Times today that she has been the victim of threats and 'misogynistic attacks' online, including being branded a 'bimbo'.

As a result, she will not attend this year's Labour party conference, which begins in Brighton on Saturday.

Now Sir Lindsay has waded into the safety row, saying MPs should be able to attend their party conferences 'without threats of intimidation'.

House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle (pictured left) has condemned threats made to a Labour MP after she was forced to pull out from her party conference amid threats from trans rights activists. It comes after Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield (pictured right) revealed she would miss the upcoming Labour Party conference following threats from transgender activists

Speaking yesterday during a conference, he said: 'Parliamentarians, who have been elected to speak up for their constituents, should be able to attend their own party conference without fear of harm.

'Too many people have been targeted for their opinion or the office they hold. In order to protect democracy, we need to ensure those participating can do so without threats of intimidation.'

Sir Lindsay's comments were made during a conference of the heads of parliament from the G7 nations. The conference was being held in Chorley, Lancashire.

The group met to discuss threats aimed at elected politicians. The murder of MP Jo Cox by far-right extremist Thomas Mair in 2016 and the attack on America's Capitol building earlier this year were among the topics discussed.

According to the Sunday Times, those attending the conference are set to sign a pledge later today aiming to improve the safety of politicians and crack down on social media trolling.

Meanwhile, Ms Duffield, a mother-of-two, told the paper that the online attacks on her were coming 'mostly from men' and 'very woke women'.

She said: 'There are some women who get involved and want to be seen to be very woke ... but mostly it is men, and the same men that have trolled me ever since I got elected.'

'So it looks like, feels like and smells like misogyny, and this is just the latest cause they have latched on to ... The fact that I am blonde  they call me a bimbo.

'The fact that I don't like antisemitism. There is always something, but it is always the same people who attack me.'

She said that while the people behind the online trolling were 'loud', she told the Sunday Times that she did not expect to be physically attacked.

However she said that the decision to not to attend the conference was primarily down to her not wanting to make her security an issue and that she did not want to be 'the centre of attention'.

The incident comes after Luciana Berger, then a Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, was given police protection at the 2019 following antisemitic abuse.

According to the Sunday Times, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) has contacted Ms Duffield to check on her welfare

Ms Berger, who has Jewish heritage, faced antisemitic abuse after strongly criticising then leader Jeremy Corbyn.

She later left the party to join Change UK, before quitting to join the Liberal Democrats, for whom she unsuccessfully challenged for the Finchley and Golders Green in 2019.

According to the Sunday Times, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has contacted Ms Duffield to check on her welfare.

Meanwhile Jess Phillips, the shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, has also shared her support, telling the Sunday Times: 'I am supportive of any woman who feels they face a security threat.'

LGBT+ Labour, the Labour Campaign for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Rights, also condemned the abuse.

In a statement to MailOnline, the group said: 'LGBT+ Labour totally condemns the abuse and physical threats Rosie has faced.

'We have made clear our political disagreements with Rosie on policy affecting trans people, but political disagreement should never result in abuse or physical threats. LGBT+ Labour has never conducted itself in this way and would never encourage anyone else to. It is utterly unacceptable.

'Women in politics are subject to appalling levels of abuse and we are clear it has no place in our party or society.'
A man who raped two men he met on Grindr and 'posed a significant risk to men across London' has been jailed for 14 years.

Aaron Goodey, 23, met the men on the dating app before raping them in their homes.

The court was told he then took the victims to a cashpoint and forced them to withdraw cash while threatening further violence.

Both attacks happened in the Enfield area, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Aaron Goodey, 23, from Enfield, has been jailed for 14 years after raping two men he met on the dating app Grindr. After attacking his victims, he took them to a cashpoint and forced them to withdraw money while threatening them with further violence, a court heard

He was found guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of robbery and one count of blackmail.

The court heard Goodey was arrested in July 2020 following an investigation into two incidents where men were raped by a man they had met on Grindr.

Further police enquiries resulted in Goodey being linked to a third offence that occurred in Lambeth in January 2020 where a man was assaulted and forced to withdraw money by a man who he had met for consensual sex.

Police said forensic evidence taken from the victim of the first offence led scientists to identify Goodey as a potential suspect.

Officers carried out further enquiries, including reviewing CCTV footage and phone work, which linked him to the three incidents.

Goodey was arrested and interviewed about the attacks. He denied any involvement, but police said the evidence collected by scientists and officers was 'overwhelming' and led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising charges against him.

Goodey, from Enfield, was jailed at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday.

Wood Green Crown Court (pictured, stock image) heard Goodey was arrested in July 2020 following an investigation into two incidents where men were raped by a man they had met on Grindr. Further police enquiries resulted in Goodey being linked to a third offence that occurred in Lambeth in January 2020 where a man was assaulted and forced to withdraw money by a man who he had met for consensual sex

Detective Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, from the local policing team in Enfield, said: 'Aaron Goodey is a dangerous sexual attacker and posed a significant risk to men across London.

'He gained access to the victim's houses before subjecting them to significant sexual attacks, while using and threatening further violence, to extort money.

'This sentence sends a clear message that sexual violence towards any person will not be tolerated in London and I acknowledge the bravery shown by the victims in this case who provided crucial evidence to ensure Goodey cannot offend again.

'I would urge anyone who had been the victim of such an offence to contact police immediately on 101. Any reports will be dealt with sensitively and your identity will be kept confidential. Always call 999 in an emergency.'
Alok Sharma attempted to calm fears of food shortages caused by a fuel crisis today, insisting there was no 'immediate concern' and that the public could be 'confident' there was no threat to Christmas dinners.

The Cop26 president said ministers 'don't see any risks going into the winter' from a spike in global gas prices that prompted the closure of two industrial sites vital to the food and drink industry.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng will tomorrow hold an emergency summit with energy bosses after the closure of fertiliser plants in Teesside and Cheshire.

A by-product of the fertiliser production process is the creation of carbon dioxide. It is used in fizzy soft drinks and beer, as well as by the meat industry to stun animals before slaughter, in food packaging to extend shelf life and to keep deliveries chilled.

If supplies of CO2 run short, it raises the prospect of meat disappearing from supermarket shelves within weeks, with the British Meat Processors Association saying it only has two weeks' capacity.

'The clear message that is coming out of this is that there is no immediate concern in terms of supply, we don't see any risks going into the winter,' Mr Sharma told Sky News's Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme.

'People should be confident that the supplies will be there and that we will be protecting them in terms of price rises. But of course we are not complacent about this.'

It came as supermarkets began putting out their Christmas goods three months early amid fears that turkey dinners could be cancelled due to shortages.

The Cop26 president said ministers 'don't see any risks going into the winter' from a spike in global gas prices that prompted the closure of two industrial sites vital to the food and drink industry.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng (pictured) will tomorrow hold an emergency summit with energy bosses to thrash out a plan to fix the fuel crisis, which has sparked fears of major food shortages

How natural gas prices are affecting meat industry The problems facing meat producers are a by-product of rising natural gas prices, even though the substance is not even used by the industry directly. Their problem is carbon dioxide. This gas is used both in abattoirs as part of the stunning process and, as 'dry ice' to keep food chilled/frozen and fresh on its way to consumers. But the industry sources its CO2 from two fertiliser plants in in Teesside and Cheshire, where it is created as a by-product of manufacturing soil food and sold off. As well as the meat industry it is also used to make fizzy drinks fizzy - including beer. These two plants use natural gas in their main fertiliser business. What the price spike has done is made this business uneconomical - the fertiliser is too expensive to produce. So their owner , US firm CF Industries, closed them down last week. But they between them produce around 60 per cent of Britain's industrial CO2. What this means is that as supplies dwindle in the coming weeks, producers could be unable to get their produce to supermarkets in a condition fit to sell because it cannot be refrigerated. A similar CO2 shortage in 2018 forced some suppliers to cap beer sales during the Russia World Cup. Wholesaler Booker, which sells to bars, restaurants and traders, capped sales to five cases of soft drinks or cider and ten cases of beer. It also affected Heineken and the Wetherspoons chain after gas production was scaled back to allow maintenance work to take place. Advertisement

In a literal twist on the phrase 'it's Christmas come early', shoppers have spotted a surprising number of shelves stocked with festive products.

Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer and Co-Op have already started putting out Christmas items in their stores.

Typically, Christmas items begin appearing after supermarkets have shifted their Halloween stock.

But with Halloween still more than a month away, shoppers have questioned why supermarkets are now selling Christmas items.

Some shoppers have even suggested it is being used as a creative way to cover-up empty shelves.

The two fertiliser plants closed last week are run by the US firm CF Industries and produce around 60 per cent of Britain's CO2.

They were shut when a spike in energy costs  caused by low supplies and storage levels of gas  caused its operating costs to rocket.

British Meat Processors Association boss Nick Allen told the Sun: 'Everyone is outraged these fertiliser plants can shut down without warning and take something so essential to the supply chain off-stream just like that.'

Ranjit Singh Boparan, the owner of Bernard Matthews and 2 Sisters Food Group, warned the supply of Christmas turkeys was at risk, adding: 'The CO2 issue is a massive body blow and puts us at breaking point.' Ocado, the online grocer, told customers this weekend that it had a 'limited stock' of frozen items due to a national shortage of dry ice  solid CO2.

Shadow economic secretary to the Treasury Pat McFadden said: 'This really must act as a spur to avoid situations like this where suddenly we're very exposed when there's an international price spike.'

He told Sky News's Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme: 'In the short term what the Business Secretary must do is ensure continuity of supply, that's a basic duty of Government for both domestic consumers and for businesses.

'We've seen other ramifications of this over the last 24/48 hours, for example on food supplies, with CO2 being a necessary by-product, and in the long-term what this has shown is the need to get on with the transition to net-zero and the vulnerability of the reliance on fossil fuel markets, especially international ones.

'This should act as a spur to get on with the transition to net-zero, more renewable and sustainable supplies because the effect of all this will be rising prices for consumers just when they're being hit with other things too.'

As well as the food and drink industries, CO2 from the plants is used by hospitals and the nuclear power industry.

Four more small energy firms could go bust amid the UK's rocketing energy prices One million customers could be set for a new energy supplier as four small firms could go bust as early as next week amid skyrocketing energy prices. The rising cost of supplying energy has left the four firms unable to power their customer's homes. The four suppliers have requested larger businesses to prepare for a takeover of their supply, reports the BBC. Earlier this week, People's Energy, based in Edinburgh, and Utility Point from Dorset announced they had ceased trading. More than 570,000 customers and 1,000 businesses will have been affected by the change. At the start of 2021, there were 70 suppliers providing energy to homes across the UK - although experts anticipate this number dropping to 10 by 2022. Industry group Oil & Gas UK warned wholesale prices for gas have risen 250 per cent since January - with a 70pc boom since August. Advertisement

A by-product of the fertiliser production process is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is used in fizzy drinks and beer, as well as by the meat industry to stun animals before slaughter, in food packaging to extend shelf life and keep deliveries chilled. If supplies of CO2 run short, it raises the prospect of meat disappearing from supermarket shelves within weeks.

Ocado, the online grocer, told customers this weekend that it had a 'limited stock' of frozen items due to a national shortage of dry ice  solid CO2.

Andrew Opie, of the British Retail Consortium, yesterday said: 'This could not come at a worse time, with the shortfall of 90,000 HGV drivers already putting severe pressure on food production and distribution.'

Ahead of tomorrow's summit, Mr Kwarteng spent yesterday calling energy firms individually.

Last night, in a bid to ease anxieties, he said: 'I was reassured that security of supply was not a cause for immediate concern within the industry. The UK benefits from having a diverse range of gas supply sources, with sufficient capacity to more than meet demand.'

Mr Kwarteng and Greg Hands, the new Energy Minister, will tomorrow ask 20 of Britain's biggest energy companies to help stop bills soaring over the winter. Firms invited to the 90-minute roundtable include National Grid, energy suppliers Centrica, Ovo and Bulb, and regulator Ofgem.

One energy boss said Ministers could cut bills by around 150 per year if they axed the 'green taxes' on electricity, which make up around 23 per cent of their total.

Another industry source said the energy price cap could be reviewed more frequently, up from twice a year currently. The cap is announced two months in advance, potentially leaving smaller suppliers unable to cover the cost of energy they have committed to supply. Five small suppliers have gone bust since August.

A lack of CO2 means that those working in the meat industry are unable to stun their animals before slaughtering them - as well as increasing the shelf life of packaged foods (stock image)

One energy boss said Ministers could cut bills by around 150 per year if they axed the 'green taxes' on electricity, which make up around 23 per cent of their total.

Another industry source said the energy price cap could be reviewed more frequently, up from twice a year currently. The cap is announced two months in advance, potentially leaving smaller suppliers unable to cover the cost of energy they have committed to supply. Five small suppliers have gone bust since August.

The spike in gas prices has been caused by factors including low reserves after last year's cold winter, reduced supply from Russia, rising EU carbon prices, and low solar and wind energy output this month.

Last Friday, more than 40 MEPs accused Russian energy giant Gazprom of hiking gas prices to undermine Britain and the EU's recovery from the pandemic.

But Mr Kwarteng said Britain is not dependent on Russian oil and gas, adding: 'Our largest source of energy is from domestic production and the majority of imports come from reliable suppliers such as Norway. We do not expect supply emergencies this winter.'

A by-product of the fertiliser production process is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is used in fizzy drinks and beer, as well as by the meat industry to stun animals before slaughter, in food packaging to extend shelf life and keep deliveries chilled. If supplies of CO2 run short, it raises the prospect of meat disappearing from supermarket shelves within weeks.

Ocado, the online grocer, told customers this weekend that it had a 'limited stock' of frozen items due to a national shortage of dry ice  solid CO2.

The two fertiliser plants closed last week are run by the US firm CF Industries and produce around 60 per cent of Britain's CO2.

They were shut when a spike in energy costs  caused by low supplies and storage levels of gas  caused its operating costs to rocket.
Advertisement

Hundreds of skinny dippers gathered in Northumberland today to celebrate the arrival of the autumn equinox.

More than 800 men and women of all ages stripped down in Druridge Bay to enjoy a naked frolic in the North Sea at sunrise for the ninth annual North East Skinny Dip (NEDS) this morning.

Before the dip, participants gathered in groups on the beach and were entertained by a fire-eating dancer.

Members of the local coastguard rescue team stood by as a precaution as the skinny dippers entered the water but no medical issues arose during the dip.

The dip, which has become an annual event since it launched in 2012, takes donations and raises money for the mental health charity MIND.

Participants in the annual North East Skinny Dip walk the beach in Druridge Bay, Britain, September 19, 2021

More than 800 men and women of all ages stripped down in Druridge Bay to enjoy a naked frolic in the North Sea at sunrise for the ninth annual North East Skinny Dip (NEDS) this morning

Before the dip, participants gathered in groups on the beach and were entertained by a fire-eating dancer

The event takes place each year to mark the autumn equinox - which this year will arrive on Wednesday.

In 2019 more than 700 people attended, but 2020's event did not go ahead due to coronavirus restrictions.

Organiser Jax Higginson, 43, took part herself and said she has raised over 80,000 for MIND since the event started.

Jax said: 'Everything was spectacular and it all went swimmingly. We had at least 820 dippers although the final number is yet to be announced.

'Everybody just rocks up, does their thing and takes the risk and creates a really unique experience.

'We actually had more pledgers than participants which is really nice, we're going to have a big fundraising year and I think we're going to hit 20,000 for MIND this year.

The dip, which has become an annual event since it launched in 2012, takes donations and raises money for the mental health charity MIND

The event takes place each year to mark the autumn equinox - which this year will arrive on Wednesday

Organiser Jax Higginson, 43, took part herself and said she has raised over 80,000 for MIND since the event started

The event takes place annually on the final Sunday before Autumn Equinox, which occurs this year on Wednesday

'Since 2012 we've raised over 80,000 for mental health which is a big number.'

The event takes place annually on the final Sunday before Autumn Equinox, which occurs this year on Wednesday.

Jax, an artist from Sunderland, added: 'There's a few reasons for doing it when we do - one because we like to celebrate the transition from summer to winter and appreciating the summer we've had and welcoming the winter.

'The other reason is because the water is warmer, you don't want to leave it too long.'

Like many other charity events, the group have had to wait two years to take part again as a result of the pandemic but she believed today was worth the wait.

The 43-year-old artist added: 'We couldn't meet last year and you could really feel that on the beach this morning, people were really excited to be back and connecting with other humans.

'There were lots of newbies and lots of regulars, all very happy dippers.

'It was really mild today, sometimes it's freezing and people can't stay in the water too long but everybody has commented on how warm the water was and there was a lot of laughing.

'It's wonderful that it's accessible and people with wheelchairs and less able people are also here as well lots of families and children - I appreciate that and I'm very happy about it.'
Mark McGowan has taken another shot at his New South Wales counterpart, alleging the state is not following the national cabinet's plan for opening up the country.

The outspoken Western Australia premier says Gladys Berejiklian's easing of restrictions across Sydney is 'outside the national plan' and that NSW is 'going alone' as it powers towards 70 per cent double dose vaccination.

'I note New South Wales is going to some easing of restrictions at 70 per cent. I just want to make the point that that is not in accordance with the national plan agreed to by all the states,' Mr McGowan said.

'I don't think the Sydney press gallery understands this, that is not in accordance with the national plan, as agreed to and announced by all the states.'

Mark McGowan has taken another shot at his New South Wales counterpart, alleging the state is not following the national cabinet's plan for opening up the country (Pictured: Sydneysiders enjoying the sun at the beach in Double Bay on Sunday)

The outspoken Western Australia premier says Gladys Berejiklian's easing of restrictions across Sydney is 'outside the national plan' and that NSW is 'going alone'

Mr McGowan singled out NSW for easing a number of restrictions across the state, including allowing people from different households to gather outdoors if they're all double vaccinated (pictured, picnics in Sydney on Sunday as part of a gradual easing of restrictions)

Millions of people trapped in a soul-crushing ultra-hard lockdown across western Sydney's Covid hotspots will be freed as the 12 LGAs of concern will enjoy the same easing of restrictions as the rest of NSW.

Locals were locked inside their council area unless they were an authorised worker with a permit, subject to a 9pm to 5am curfew, only allowed out for one hour a day for exercise.

From Monday these restrictions will disappear and they will be under the same lockdown conditions as the rest of Sydney.

Premier Berejiklian felt more comfortable removing the east-west divide with a dramatic fall in new cases to just 1,083.

However, the state also recorded 13 deaths, marking the deadliest day of the pandemic.

Mr McGowan singled out NSW for easing a number of restrictions across the state, including allowing people from different households to gather outdoors if they're all double vaccinated.

Pictures of Sydneysiders enjoying beaches last weekend enraged the WA premier, with Mr McGowan singling out people at Bondi and Coogee for flocking to the ocean despite more than 1,000 daily cases still being recorded.

'The reason I say that is the agreement was when states got to 70 per cent two dose vaccination, when a single state got there, there had to be a majority of the states got there as well before they did anything,' he said Sunday.

'If they're going alone, that is outside the national plan.'

Pictures of Sydneysiders enjoying beaches last weekend enraged the WA premier, with Mr McGowan singling out people at Bondi and Coogee for flocking to the ocean despite more than 1,000 daily cases still being recorded (pictured, Sydneysiders enjoying the sun on Sunday)

Sydneysiders flocked to Centennial Park on the weekend to have picnics with members of other households after an easing of restrictions

He also took a shot at Scott Morrison and the federal government for criticising WA for not opening borders to other states including NSW when they reach 80 per cent jabs.

Mr McGowan says the figure is not good enough and they want to see cases low or they risk seeing the Delta variant enter.

'What is increasingly becoming the case, if New South Wales is doing that, the national plan needs to be flexible and take account of individual state circumstances,' he said.

'So in our case, obviously we don't have COVID and we don't want COVID. We want to get to high levels of vaccination - very high - before such time as we open borders to New South Wales and Victoria, or overseas.

Eased restrictions in hotspot LGAs From 12.01am Monday (September 20), the following restrictions will ease for those who live in the listed LGAs of concern: Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield, and some suburbs of Penrith.  No limit on the duration of outdoor exercise and recreation (previously a two-hour limit);  Outdoor gatherings of up to five fully vaccinated people (not including children aged 12 and under) will be allowed in a person's LGA or within 5km of home (previously only fully vaccinated household members could gather outdoors, or up to two fully vaccinated people from different households);  Shopping, exercise and outdoor recreation can be done 5km from home or within your LGA (previously only 5km from home);  Attend a small wedding (maximum 11 people) in Greater Sydney as a guest (previously only allowed in their LGA); and  A person's single's bubble buddy can live in Greater Sydney (previously must have resided within 5km of a person's home). A person from a LGA of concern can also now be a buddy for someone in Greater Sydney. Authorised worker conditions and travel permit requirements remain in place in the LGAs of concern. Advertisement

'If there's going to be flexibility for New South Wales, there needs to be flexibility for other states as well.'

Western Australia and Queensland are the states with the lowest rates of vaccination in Australia, with 41.8 per cent and 41.7 per cent fully vaccinated.

When asked about those numbers, Mr McGowan reiterated his desire for closed borders by saying he would 'fully understand' if NSW didn't want WA residents entering despite low numbers of vaccines.

'I would hope they would fully understand that we don't want to deliberately infect ourselves before such time as we have very, very high levels of explanation,' he said.
Female employees in the Kabul city government have been told to stay home, with work only allowed for those who cannot be replaced by men the interim mayor of Afghanistan's capital said Sunday.

The decision to prevent most female city workers from returning to their jobs is another sign that the Taliban, who overran Kabul last month, are enforcing their harsh interpretation of Islam despite their initial promises they had softened their stances.

In their previous rule in the 1990s, the Taliban had barred girls and women from schools, jobs and public life, but spokesmen in recent weeks went on a PR offensive, declaring they are 'not the same' as the Taliban of 20 years ago.

The latest restriction implemented against women by the new Taliban rulers suggests this is not the case, and comes just two days after the new hard-line government excluded girls from returning to secondary school and replaced Afghanistan's women's ministry with an all-male 'vice and virtue' department.

The stay at home order prompted another female-led protest outside the ministry after several demonstrations broke out following the banning of girls from secondary school on Friday.

Women were forcibly restrained during protests that were sparked just over a week ago when the Taliban announced an all-male government cabinet.

Afghan women march to demand their rights under the Taliban rule during a demonstration near the former Women's Affairs Ministry building in Kabul after female government employees were told to stay home

An Afghan woman passes by the building of former Ministry of Women Affairs which is now replaced with the conservative 'Ministry of Vice and Virtue' implemented by the Taliban this weekend

Afghan women activists gathered to protest against Taliban restrictions, but female protesters have been beaten and whipped previously by Taliban soldiers

In their previous rule in the 1990s, the Taliban had barred girls and women from schools, jobs and public life, but spokesmen in recent weeks went on a PR offensive, declaring they are 'not the same' as the Taliban of 20 years ago

In recent days, the new Taliban government issued several decrees rolling back the rights of girls and women.

It told female middle and high school students that they could not return to school for the time being, while boys in those grades resumed studies this weekend.

Female university students were informed that although they could continue their course, studies would take place in gender-segregated settings from now on, and that they must abide by a strict Islamic dress code.

Under the US-backed government deposed by the Taliban, university studies had for the most part allowed men and women to study together without restrictions.

On Friday, the Taliban shut down the Women's Affairs Ministry, replacing it with a ministry for the 'propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice' tasked with enforcing Islamic law.

On Sunday, just over a dozen women staged a protest outside the ministry, holding up signs calling for the participation of women in public life. 'A society in which women are not active is a dead society,' one sign read.

The interim mayor of Afghanistan's capital said Sunday that many female city employees have been ordered to stay home by the country's new Taliban rulers

Girls were excluded from returning to secondary school in Afghanistan on Saturday, after the country's new Taliban rulers ordered only boys and male teachers back to the classroom

The protest lasted for about 10 minutes. After a short verbal confrontation with a man, the women got into cars and left, as Taliban in two cars observed from nearby.

Over the past months, Taliban fighters had broken up several women's protests by force.

Elsewhere, about 30 women, many of them young, held a news conference in a basement of a home tucked away in a Kabul neighbourhood.

Marzia Ahmadi, a rights activist and government employee now forced to sit at home, said they would demand the Taliban re-open public spaces to women.

'Its our right,' she said. 'We want to talk to them. We want to tell them that we have the same rights as they have.'

Most of the participants said they would try to leave the country if they had an opportunity.

On Sunday, interim Kabul Mayor Hamdullah Namony gave his first news conference since being appointed by the Taliban.

He said that before the Taliban takeover last month, just under one-third of close to 3,000 city employees were women, and that they had worked in all departments.

Namony said the female employees have been ordered to stay home, pending a further decision. He said exceptions were made for women who could not be replaced by men, including some in the design and engineering departments and the attendants of public toilets for women.

Namony did not say how many female employees were forced to stay home: 'There are some areas that men cant do it, we have to ask our female staff to fulfill their duties, there is no alternative for it,' he said.

Women march to demand their rights under the Taliban rule during a demonstration near the former Women's Affairs Ministry building in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. The interim mayor of Afghanistan's capital said Sunday that many female city employees have been ordered to stay home by the country's new Taliban rulers. (AP Photo)

Though some women have welcomed the Taliban rule, many others oppose the harsh implementation of Sharia law

Namony also said the new government has begun removing security barriers in Kabul, a city that has endured frequent bombing and shooting attacks over the years. Such barriers - erected near ministries, embassies and private homes of politicians and warlords - had been commonplace in Kabul for years.

Perhaps the toughest challenge faced by the new Taliban rulers is the accelerated economic downturn.

Even before the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan was plagued by major problems, including large-scale poverty, drought and heavy reliance on foreign aid for the state budget.

In a sign of growing desperation, street markets have sprung up in Kabul where residents are selling their belongings. Some of the sellers are Afghans hoping to leave the country, while others are forced to offer their meagre belongings in hopes of getting money for the next meal.

'Our people need help, they need jobs, they need immediate help, they are not selling their household belongings for choice here,' said Kabul resident Zahid Ismail Khan, who was watching the activity in one of the impromptu markets.

'For a short-term people might try to find a way to live, but they would have no other choice to turn to begging in a longer term,' he said.

The decision to prevent most female city workers from returning to their jobs is another sign that the Taliban, who overran Kabul last month, are enforcing their harsh interpretation of Islam despite their initial promises they had softened their stances

Meanwhile, witnesses said an explosion targeted a Taliban vehicle in the eastern provincial city of Jalalabad

Hospital officials said five people were killed in the second such deadly blast in as many days in the Islamic State stronghold of Jalalabad

Meanwhile, witnesses said an explosion targeted a Taliban vehicle in the eastern provincial city of Jalalabad, and hospital officials said five people were killed in the second such deadly blast in as many days in the Islamic State stronghold.

The Taliban and IS extremists are enemies and fought each other even before the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan last month.

Hospital officials in Jalalabad said they received the bodies of five people killed in the explosion.

Among the dead were two civilians, including a child, and three others who according to witnesses were in a targeted border police vehicle and were believed to be Taliban.

The Taliban were not immediately available for comment about possible casualties among their ranks.

On Saturday, three explosions targeted Taliban vehicles in Jalalabad, killing three people and wounding 20, witnesses said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

With the Taliban facing major economic and security problems as they attempt to govern, a growing challenge by IS militants would further stretch their resources.
Supermarkets are putting out their Christmas goods three months early amid fears that turkey dinners could be cancelled due to shortages.

In a literal twist on the phrase 'it's Christmas come early', shoppers have spotted a surprising number of shelves stocked with festive products.

Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer and Co-Op have already started putting out Christmas items in their stores.

Typically, Christmas items begin appearing after supermarkets have shifted their Halloween stock.

But with Halloween still more than a month away, shoppers have questioned why supermarkets are now selling Christmas items.

Some shoppers have even suggested it is being used as a creative way to cover-up empty shelves.

It comes as today the owner of the UK's biggest poultry supplier said Christmas dinners could be 'cancelled' this year due to a shortage of CO2 used in the supply chain.

However Alok Sharma this morning attempted to calm fears of food shortages caused by a fuel crisis, insisting there was no 'immediate concern' and that the public could be 'confident' there was no threat to Christmas dinners.

Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer (pictured: Christmas items on sale at Marks and Spencer in Bristol) and Co-Op have already started putting out Christmas items on their shelves

Sainsbury's and Coop stores have been pictured with shelves full to the brim with mince pies, advent calendars and festive chocolates

Tesco's South Queensferry branch in Edinburgh was today pictured displaying a sign that read: 'Stock up early'

Christmas magazines for sale at Co-Op Food store, in Bestwood Park, Nottingham

Christmas Percy Pig cakes are being sold at Marks and Spencer in Broadmead Shopping Quarter in Bristol

Some shoppers have even suggested it is being used as a creative way to cover-up empty shelves

An empty shelf at an Asda supermarket on September 19, 2021 in London

Gaps in supermarket shelves have appeared more frequently as a shortage of lorry drivers disrupted supply chains

Alok Sharma this morning attempted to calm fears of food shortages caused by a fuel crisis

How CO2 gas prices are affecting meat industry The problems facing meat producers are a by-product of rising natural gas prices, even though the substance is not even used by the industry directly. Their problem is carbon dioxide. This gas is used both in abattoirs as part of the stunning process and, as 'dry ice' to keep food chilled/frozen and fresh on its way to consumers. But the industry sources its CO2 from two fertiliser plants in in Teesside and Cheshire, where it is created as a by-product of manufacturing soil food and sold off. As well as the meat industry it is also used to make fizzy drinks fizzy - including beer. These two plants use natural gas in their main fertiliser business. What the price spike has done is made this business uneconomical - the fertiliser is too expensive to produce. So their owner , US firm CF Industries, closed them down last week. But they between them produce around 60 per cent of Britain's industrial CO2. What this means is that as supplies dwindle in the coming weeks, producers could be unable to get their produce to supermarkets in a condition fit to sell because it cannot be refrigerated. Advertisement

Meanwhile, Sainsbury's and Coop stores have been pictured with shelves full to the brim with mince pies, advent calendars and festive chocolates.

Tesco's South Queensferry branch in Edinburgh was today pictured displaying a sign that read: 'Stock up early.'

Some shoppers have taken to social media highlighting the early arrival of Christmas puddings and mince pies.

Posting a picture of Christmas puddings, one said: 'Penzance Tesco last Sunday.

'I reckon they've put out the Christmas stock early to cover the gaps on the shelves from other short deliveries.'

A second said: 'Our local Tesco started selling Christmas stuff already. Stack up early, they say. Maybe a clever way of hiding the empty shelves?

'Can't remember seeing it before Halloween. Personally I'm not quite ready for this.'

A third said: 'Stock up early says Tesco.

'Has anyone got the willpower to buy lots of Christmas goodies and leave them untouched until late December?'

A Tesco spokesperson said: 'It's a few weeks until customers are able to choose from our full range of Christmas products.

'However, we know some of our customers like to start their shopping well in advance, so, as we do every year, we have started selling a small selection of festively-themed products in some of our stores.'

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: 'Each year we stock some festive products in advance of the main Christmas period.

'This is because some customers like to buy gifts and longer life items in plenty of time, or treat themselves early.'

A spokesperson for the Co-op said: 'We know that many customers like to buy Christmas products early, so to satisfy demand and taste buds, we've started to stock our shelves now.'

Christmas puddings on display at Mark & Spencers, Broadmead Shopping Quarter, Bristol

Christmas mince pies stocked at Tesco, South Queensferry. Usually Christmas items are not put on display until later in the year

Christmas Rudolph figures for sale at Co-Op Food store, Bestwood Park, Nottingham

It comes as Alok Sharma today attempted to calm fears of food shortages caused by a fuel crisis today, insisting there was no 'immediate concern' and that the public could be 'confident' there was no threat to Christmas dinners.

The Cop26 president said ministers 'don't see any risks going into the winter' from a spike in global gas prices that prompted the closure of two industrial sites vital to the food and drink industry.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng will tomorrow hold an emergency summit with energy bosses after the closure of fertiliser plants in Teesside and Cheshire.

A by-product of the fertiliser production process is the creation of carbon dioxide.

It is used in fizzy soft drinks and beer, as well as by the meat industry to stun animals before slaughter, in food packaging to extend shelf life and to keep deliveries chilled.

If supplies of CO2 run short, it raises the prospect of meat disappearing from supermarket shelves within weeks.

The British Meat Processors Association says it only has two weeks' capacity.

'The clear message that is coming out of this is that there is no immediate concern in terms of supply, we don't see any risks going into the winter,' Mr Sharma told Sky News's Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme.

'People should be confident that the supplies will be there and that we will be protecting them in terms of price rises. But of course we are not complacent about this.'

The Cop26 president said ministers 'don't see any risks going into the winter' from a spike in global gas prices that prompted the closure of two industrial sites vital to the food and drink industry.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng (pictured) will tomorrow hold an emergency summit with energy bosses to thrash out a plan to fix the fuel crisis, which has sparked fears of major food shortages

The two fertiliser plants closed last week are run by the US firm CF Industries and produce around 60 per cent of Britain's CO2.

They were shut when a spike in energy costs  caused by low supplies and storage levels of gas  caused its operating costs to rocket.

British Meat Processors Association boss Nick Allen told the Sun: 'Everyone is outraged these fertiliser plants can shut down without warning and take something so essential to the supply chain off-stream just like that.'

Four more small energy firms could go bust amid the UK's rocketing energy prices One million customers could be set for a new energy supplier as four small firms could go bust as early as next week amid skyrocketing energy prices. The rising cost of supplying energy has left the four firms unable to power their customer's homes. The four suppliers have requested larger businesses to prepare for a takeover of their supply, reports the BBC. Earlier this week, People's Energy, based in Edinburgh, and Utility Point from Dorset announced they had ceased trading. More than 570,000 customers and 1,000 businesses will have been affected by the change. At the start of 2021, there were 70 suppliers providing energy to homes across the UK - although experts anticipate this number dropping to 10 by 2022. Industry group Oil & Gas UK warned wholesale prices for gas have risen 250 per cent since January - with a 70pc boom since August. Advertisement

Ranjit Singh Boparan, the owner of Bernard Matthews and 2 Sisters Food Group, warned the supply of Christmas turkeys was at risk, adding: 'The CO2 issue is a massive body blow and puts us at breaking point.' Ocado, the online grocer, told customers this weekend that it had a 'limited stock' of frozen items due to a national shortage of dry ice  solid CO2.

Shadow economic secretary to the Treasury Pat McFadden said: 'This really must act as a spur to avoid situations like this where suddenly we're very exposed when there's an international price spike.'

He told Sky News's Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme: 'In the short term what the Business Secretary must do is ensure continuity of supply, that's a basic duty of Government for both domestic consumers and for businesses.

'We've seen other ramifications of this over the last 24/48 hours, for example on food supplies, with CO2 being a necessary by-product, and in the long-term what this has shown is the need to get on with the transition to net-zero and the vulnerability of the reliance on fossil fuel markets, especially international ones.

'This should act as a spur to get on with the transition to net-zero, more renewable and sustainable supplies because the effect of all this will be rising prices for consumers just when they're being hit with other things too.'

As well as the food and drink industries, CO2 from the plants is used by hospitals and the nuclear power industry.

A by-product of the fertiliser production process is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is used in fizzy drinks and beer, as well as by the meat industry to stun animals before slaughter, in food packaging to extend shelf life and keep deliveries chilled. If supplies of CO2 run short, it raises the prospect of meat disappearing from supermarket shelves within weeks.

Ocado, the online grocer, told customers this weekend that it had a 'limited stock' of frozen items due to a national shortage of dry ice  solid CO2.

Andrew Opie, of the British Retail Consortium, yesterday said: 'This could not come at a worse time, with the shortfall of 90,000 HGV drivers already putting severe pressure on food production and distribution.'

Ahead of tomorrow's summit, Mr Kwarteng spent yesterday calling energy firms individually.

Last night, in a bid to ease anxieties, he said: 'I was reassured that security of supply was not a cause for immediate concern within the industry. The UK benefits from having a diverse range of gas supply sources, with sufficient capacity to more than meet demand.'

Mr Kwarteng and Greg Hands, the new Energy Minister, will tomorrow ask 20 of Britain's biggest energy companies to help stop bills soaring over the winter. Firms invited to the 90-minute roundtable include National Grid, energy suppliers Centrica, Ovo and Bulb, and regulator Ofgem.

One energy boss said Ministers could cut bills by around 150 per year if they axed the 'green taxes' on electricity, which make up around 23 per cent of their total.

Another industry source said the energy price cap could be reviewed more frequently, up from twice a year currently. The cap is announced two months in advance, potentially leaving smaller suppliers unable to cover the cost of energy they have committed to supply. Five small suppliers have gone bust since August.

A lack of CO2 means that those working in the meat industry are unable to stun their animals before slaughtering them - as well as increasing the shelf life of packaged foods (stock image)

One energy boss said Ministers could cut bills by around 150 per year if they axed the 'green taxes' on electricity, which make up around 23 per cent of their total.

Another industry source said the energy price cap could be reviewed more frequently, up from twice a year currently. The cap is announced two months in advance, potentially leaving smaller suppliers unable to cover the cost of energy they have committed to supply. Five small suppliers have gone bust since August.

The spike in gas prices has been caused by factors including low reserves after last year's cold winter, reduced supply from Russia, rising EU carbon prices, and low solar and wind energy output this month.

Last Friday, more than 40 MEPs accused Russian energy giant Gazprom of hiking gas prices to undermine Britain and the EU's recovery from the pandemic.

But Mr Kwarteng said Britain is not dependent on Russian oil and gas, adding: 'Our largest source of energy is from domestic production and the majority of imports come from reliable suppliers such as Norway. We do not expect supply emergencies this winter.'

A by-product of the fertiliser production process is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is used in fizzy drinks and beer, as well as by the meat industry to stun animals before slaughter, in food packaging to extend shelf life and keep deliveries chilled. If supplies of CO2 run short, it raises the prospect of meat disappearing from supermarket shelves within weeks.

Ocado, the online grocer, told customers this weekend that it had a 'limited stock' of frozen items due to a national shortage of dry ice  solid CO2.

The two fertiliser plants closed last week are run by the US firm CF Industries and produce around 60 per cent of Britain's CO2.

They were shut when a spike in energy costs  caused by low supplies and storage levels of gas  caused its operating costs to rocket.
Joe Biden will speak with his French counterpart this week regarding a diplomatic crisis triggered by Australia canceling its submarine purchase from Paris.

A spokesperson for French President Emmanuel Macron said that Biden requested to hold talks as France seeks 'clarification' on the canceled order.

'President Biden asked to speak to the President of the Republic and there will be a telephone discussion in the next few days between President Macron and President Biden,' Gabriel Attal told news channel BFM TV.

France said on Friday it was recalling its ambassadors from Washington and Australia's capital city of Canberra over a trilateral security deal also involving Britain that ultimately sank the multi-billion dollar order for French submarines.

President Joe Biden (left) will speak with French President Emmanuel Macron (right) this week amid a trilateral diplomatic crisis surrounding Australia canceling a submarine purchase from France

The scrapping of the contract, struck in 2016, has caused fury in Paris, which claims not to have been consulted by its allies.

The Australian government, however, says it had made clear its concerns for months.

After the initial 'shock' of the cancelation, Attal claims that discussions need to take place over contract clauses, notably compensation for the French side.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday stood by his country's decision on acquiring new submarines.

'I don't regret the decision to put Australia's national interest first,' Morrison said. 'This is an issue that had been raised by me directly some months ago and we continued to talk those issues through, including by defense ministers and others.'

The failed deal has resulted in the French government cancelling events celebrating French-American relations and recalling its ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki claimed that Australia decided to abandon the 2016 deal it had struck with France for diesel-electric submarines and instead seek to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

Australia will acquire at least eight nuclear submarines in the trilateral deal between Canberra, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
Australia had 'deep and grave concerns' that the submarines it ordered from France would not meet its strategic needs before cancelling a 48billion defence deal in favour of the Anglo-US agreement last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed.

Seeking to explain the sudden U-turn that triggered fury in Paris and an astonishing diplomatic spat among the Western nations, Mr Morrison said on Sunday that though he understood France's disappointment at the decision, 'Australia's national interest comes first'.

The Prime Minister has not specifically referred to Beijing's massive military buildup in the Indo-Pacific, but there is no doubt that the new naval alliance revealed last week is a marker by the Western allies against Chinese aggression towards its neighbours.

'We had deep and grave concerns that the capability being delivered by the Attack-class submarine was not going to meet our strategic interests and we had made very clear that we would be making a decision based on our strategic national interest,' Mr Morrison told a press conference.

Under the Aukus deal, Washington and London will supply Canberra with at least eight atomic submarines, replacing an Australian agreement to acquire French diesel-electric underwater vessels.

France last night intensified the diplomatic war by dismissing British premier Boris Johnson as an opportunist and a mere 'vassal' of the United States. It also accused Australia of 'treason' by backing out of its deal with the Pacific nation, worth around 48billion.

Speaking to the France 2 TV channel on Saturday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the decision to scrap the deal that had been in the works since 2016 amounted to a 'crisis'.

He also criticised the UK for its role in the deal, saying: 'Great Britain, there is no need, we know their permanent opportunism, so there is no need to bring our ambassador to explain it to us. In fact, in this matter, Great Britain is a bit of a fifth wheel.'

However, new Foreign Secretary Liz Truss waded into the row by telling Paris bluntly that 'freedoms need to be defended' and saying the deal shows Britain's 'readiness to be hard-headed in defending our interests and challenging unfair practices and malign acts'.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to media during a press conference at Kirribilli House in Sydney

France intensified the diplomatic war by dismissing British premier Boris Johnson as an opportunist and a mere 'vassal' of the United States. Britain's newly appointed Britain's Foreign Secretary Liz Truss waded into the row by telling Paris bluntly that 'freedoms need to be defended' and saying the deal shows Britain's 'readiness to be hard-headed in defending our interests and challenging unfair practices and malign acts'

Australia's defence minister has admitted that war with China is possible in the South China Sea (pictured) with Taiwan (top) as the likely flashpoint. China claims control over the whole of the sea, which other nations dispute

Australia will acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines and a host of other advanced military technology from the UK and US after singing an historic deal aimed at countering China's growing power

'The capability that the Attack Class submarines were going to provide was not what Australia needed to protect our sovereign interests,' he said.

'They would have had every reason to know that we have deep and grave concerns that the capability being delivered by the Attack class submarine was not going to meet our strategic interests and we have made very clear that we would be making a decision based on our strategic national interest.'

President Emmanuel Macron triggered a diplomatic storm by recalling his ambassadors to the US and Australia over the deal, dubbed by the French media as an 'Indo-Pacific Trafalgar'.

Mr Macron was outraged by the announcement last week of the Aukus alliance, which will see Australia given the technology to build nuclear-powered submarines to counter China's influence in the contested South China Sea.

The deal - which the French were told about only a few hours in advance - scuppered a separate multibillion-dollar agreement over submarines that Paris had signed with Canberra.

Cabinet minister Alok Sharma rejected the French 'vassal' allegation, telling Times Radio: 'Well, I don't see us having vassal status to anyone. What we have here is a deal amongst three close allies.

'This is about the Indo Pacific and indeed, when it comes to France we have other alliances which link us very closely with them in terms of security.'

The pact does not make the design of Australia's new submarines clear, but they will be based on previous US and UK designs. Pictured above is a cross-section of Britain's Astute-class nuclear attack subs, which is likely to mirror the new vessels

In his furious attack on all three members of the new AUKUS pact  America, Australia and Britain  French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (left) said all had acted disgracefully. French Ambassador to the US Philippe Etienne (right) has been recalled amid a diplomatic row over a new US-UK-Australia alliance

Europe Minister Clement Beaune suggested it was because the UK was the 'junior partner' which had accepted the 'vassalisation' of the US

Mr Le Drian said Mr Morrison had told him about the ripping up of the submarines contract just an hour before the new Aukus deal was announced on live TV in Australia on Wednesday.

Asked if there had been a failure of French intelligence in failing to find out about the Aukus deal in advance, Mr Le Drian said: 'The project initiated by the US and Australia was decided by a small group and I'm not sure US and Australian ministers knew about it.

'When we see the US president with the Australian prime minister announcing a new agreement, along with Boris Johnson, the breach of trust is profound. In a real alliance you talk to each other, you don't hide things, you respect the other party and that is why this is a real crisis.'

Lord Peter Ricketts, Britain's former Ambassador to France, said the country sees Britain as 'accomplices' in the deal but that may not stop further repercussions.

In the French media, US President Joe Biden took most of the blame. 'Submarines: Biden torpedoes the Contract of the Century between France and Australia,' ran the headline in Le Figaro, adding that it was the equivalent of an 'Indo-Pacific Trafalgar'.

Aides to Mr Le Drian later said he had meant that Britain was the 'fifth wheel' in the new Aukus security pact, and not Mr Johnson in particular.

Mr Le Drian also used the live broadcast to say that the row had turned into a full-blown 'crisis'.

He said: 'The fact that, for the first time in the history of relations between the United States and France, we are recalling our ambassador for consultations is a grave political act that shows the intensity of the crisis today between our two countries and also with Australia.'

Mr Le Drian said his boss, Emmanuel Macron, had not yet confronted President Biden about the submarine issue.
Michael Gove has been handed a muscular new ministerial brief that will see him juggle levelling up, the Grenfell cladding crisis and diplomatic relations with Nicola Sturgeon after Boris Johnson's reshuffle, it was revealed today.

The Housing and Communities secretary, both a former ally and nemesis of the Prime Minister has been put in charge of the Government's levelling up agenda to reward former Labour-voting Red Wall areas of the North and Midlands for voting Tory in 2019.

His Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is to be renamed the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities - underlining its central role in delivering on a key strand of Mr Johnson's Covid rebuilding.

But at the same time he has been ordered to succeed where his predecessor Robert Jenrick failed, the Sunday Times reported.

Rule changes brought in after the fire in 2017 that left 72 people dead have seen many homeowners unable to sell homes with flammable cladding due to the cost of replacing it.

The added responsibility shows that while Mr Gove, who ran against Mr Johnson to be Tory leader in 2016 and 2019, has been handed a powerful new Cabinet role by his former Vote Leave ally, he has also been handed tough projects to deliver on.

Downing Street said Mr Gove was also being given the title of Minister for Intergovernmental Relations with responsibility for UK governance and elections and co-ordinating with the devolved administrations.

Michael Gove has dramatically expanded his Whitehall empire after emerging as one of the big winners in Boris Johnson's Cabinet reshuffle

Downing Street said Mr Gove was being given the title of Minister for Intergovernmental Relations with responsibility for UK governance and elections and co-ordinating with the devolved administrations of Nicola Sturgeon in Scotland, Mark Drakeford in Wales, and Jeffrey Donaldson in Northern Ireland

Rule changes brought in after the Grenfell fire in 2017 that left 72 people dead have seen many homeowners unable to sell homes with flammable cladding due to the cost of replacing it.

At the same time former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane has been appointed head of a new levelling up taskforce formed jointly by Mr Gove and the Prime Minister

PM would be 'punished' by voters if he called 'cynical' early election, says says ex-comms chief Cain Boris Johnson is unlikely to call a general election before 2024 and would be 'punished' by voters if he did, a former aide said today. Lee Cain, who was the PM's director of communications until quitting No10 alongside Dominic Cummings, said that the Covid crisis meant there was a shopping list of things to be done before the next election. The public last went to the polls in 2019, months before the pandemic struck and there has been speculation that the PM could call another one a year early, in 2023. But Mr Cain told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme today: 'I don't think an early election is likely. We have lost two years to Covid already so you already have limited time for delivery and I think this administration will be focused very much on the deliver in every moment they can get. 'I think also we have had an awful lot of elections - we have had the (EU) referendum and two generals (elections in 2017 and 2019). 'The public are broadly bored of that, they just want to just see a government just get on and deliver the things they have talked about  'If a government was seen to cynically go back to the polls early for political advantage they would be punished.' Advertisement

A source told the Sunday Times: 'He's got cladding, which desperately needs fixing because it is ruining thousands of people's lives. Having arguably our best delivery minister in a new, bigger, more muscular department is really significant.'

Mr Gove's new more powerful department was unveiled last night. At the same time it was revealed former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane has been appointed head of a new levelling up taskforce formed jointly by Mr Gove and the Prime Minister.

Announcing the appointments, Mr Johnson said: 'This Government is committed to uniting and levelling up every part of the UK and I am determined that as we build back better from the pandemic we are geared up with the teams and expertise to deliver on that promise.

'Andy is uniquely qualified to lead our efforts to raise living standards, spread opportunity, improve our public services and restore people's sense of pride in their communities.

'I look forward to working with him, and with my new ministerial team, to deliver the opportunities this country needs.'

According to the Sunday Times, Mr Johnson told a Cabinet meetign on Friday he was 'thinking about delivery' when he chose the new look team, adding: 'I've probably seen as many delivery rooms as anybody apart from Jacob (Rees-Mogg, a father-of-six),' Johnson joked.

A source told the paper, using the same analogy, that this meant Mr Gove was now the 'midwife'.

Mr Gove said he was 'thrilled' to be taking on the Levelling Up agenda, which he described as 'the defining mission of this Government'.

'With a superb team of ministers and officials in a new department, our relentless focus will be on delivering for those overlooked families and undervalued communities across the United Kingdom,' he said.

'We have a unique opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives.'

Mr Haldane, who is joining the Cabinet Office on a six month secondment from the Royal Society of Arts, where he is chief executive, said: 'Levelling up the UK is one of the signature challenges of our time.

'It has also been a personal passion throughout my professional career so I am delighted and honoured to be making a contribution to this crucial objective.'

This all comes on top of Mr Gove's existing responsibility to save Christmas.

Before the reshuffle he was made head of the National Economic Recovery Taskforce, in charge of resolving problems with the UK's food supply chains amid warnings from business chiefs of shortages at Christmas.

The Prime Minister has reportedly tasked him with 'fixing' ongoing issues caused by a lack of HGV drivers and food processing staff.

Mr Johnson is said to have told his Cabinet last week that he had put Mr Gove in charge of a new taskforce as he joked he 'doesn't want to have to cancel Christmas again'.

A source told the Sunday People today: 'It's basically the Committee to Save Christmas. It's a race against time now.

'We've heard from everyone prices are going to go up and there are products that will not be there unless we get a grip.

'No one has mentioned turkeys yet, but traditional Christmas veg and certain must-have toys won't be available.'
A San Antonio doctor says he performed an illegal abortion in protest of Texas new law that bans the procedure after the sixth week of pregnancy because he had a duty of care to his patient.

Alan Braid, an OB/GYN physician, said he did the procedure while treating a woman at his clinic on the morning of September 6 - five days after the restrictive new law known as SB8 went into effect.

The woman was in her first trimester when the fetus was aborted, Braid wrote in The Washington Post, but the procedure was done beyond the six-week limit that is stated by law.

The law relies on private citizens for enforcement, rewarding them with at least $10,000 plus legal fees for bringing a successful civil lawsuit against anyone who provides an abortion in violation of the act or who 'aids and abets' such an abortion.

These bounty-hunting plaintiffs face no penalties for an unsuccessful suit. But for abortion-provider defendants, it's a very different scheme.

A woman carries a sign calling for access to abortion at a rally at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on September 11, 2021

If they win, they get no compensation.

If they lose, even if it's on just a single, minor claim, they or their lawyers are on the hook for their opponents' attorneys' fees and costs.

The law does not allow for exceptions in cases of rape or incest.

Legal experts say that the fee-shifting mechanism alone will likely dissuade attorneys from singing on to represent abortion-providing defendants in such lawsuits.

As of Sunday morning, it is unclear if any anti-abortion group or individual in Texas has filed a lawsuit against Braid.

In the Post opinion piece, Braid wrote that he is being represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights. His clinics are also plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit aimed at stopping SB8.

Texas lawmakers recently passed several pieces of conservative legislation, including SB8, which prohibits abortions in Texas after a fetal heartbeat is detected on an ultrasound, usually between the fifth and sixth weeks of pregnancy

Braid wrote that he was willing to risk legal exposure. He said that the new Texas law reminded him of when abortion was still illegal in this country before the Supreme Courts landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.

'For me, it is 1972 all over again,' Braid wrote in the Post, referencing the year in which he started his obstetrics and gynecology residency in San Antonio.

He wrote that he remembered that year as one in which abortion was 'effectively illegal in Texas' and that he witnessed three teenagers die from performing illegal abortions.

'At the hospital that year, I saw three teenagers die from illegal abortions,' he wrote.

'One I will never forget. When she came into the ER, her vaginal cavity was packed with rags.

'She died a few days later from massive organ failure, caused by a septic infection.'

Braid wrote that the similarities between that era and the new 'fetal heartbeat' law that was allowed to go into effect by the Supreme Court earlier this month motivated him to act in defiance of the statute.

'And that is why, on the morning of September 6, I provided an abortion to a woman who, though still in her first trimester, was beyond the states new limit,' he wrote.

'I acted because I had a duty of care to this patient, as I do for all patients, and because she has a fundamental right to receive this care.'

Braid added: 'I fully understood that there could be legal consequences - but I wanted to make sure that Texas didn't get away with its bid to prevent this blatantly unconstitutional law from being tested.'

The law relies on private citizens for enforcement, rewarding them with at least $10,000 plus legal fees for bringing a successful civil lawsuit against anyone who provides an abortion in violation of the act or who 'aids and abets' such an abortion. The image above shows an abortion rights rally in Austin, Texas on September 11

'I understand that by providing an abortion beyond the new legal limit, I am taking a personal risk, but it's something I believe in strongly,' Braid wrote.

'I have daughters, granddaughters and nieces. I believe abortion is an essential part of health care.

'I have spent the past 50 years treating and helping patients.

'I can't just sit back and watch us return to 1972.'

Federal judge denies DOJ request to temporarily block enforcement of Texas' controversial abortion ban

A federal judge on Thursday denied the Department of Justice's request to temporarily block the enforcement of the controversial Texas abortion ban.

In a one-page decision, United States District Judge Robert Pitman denied the DOJ's request to grant a temporary restraining order that would have blocked Texas from enforcing the newly passed law that bans all abortions in the state past six weeks while court proceedings unfolded, Newsweek reported.

Pitman, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, ruled that the October 1 hearing to consider blocking the abortion ban will not be rescheduled to a sooner date, which means the ban will remain in place for the next two weeks.

'This case presents complex, important questions of law that merit a full opportunity for the parties to present their positions to the Court,' Pitman wrote in his decision on Thursday. 'Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the United States' Opposed Motion for Expedited Briefing Schedule... is DENIED.'

Pitman ruled that the October 1 hearing to consider blocking the abortion ban will not be rescheduled to a sooner date, leaving the ban in place for two weeks

U.S District Judge Robert Pitman (right) denied the DOJ's request. Attorney General Merrick Garland (left) blasted the law at a press conference last week in the Justice Department's first legal action against the legislation

Steve Vladeck, professor at the University of Texas School of Law, said that Pitman was 'going by the book' with his decision, Newsweek reported.

'The Court of Appeals already cut off his effort to hold a similar hearing in the challenge to SB 8 brought by Texas abortion providers,' Vladeck said on CNN. 'By not issuing a temporary restraining order here, he's effectively preventing Texas from asking the Court of Appeals to also block this hearing before it happens.'

The DOJ argued in a filing, submitted in a district court in Austin on Tuesday, that the Texas law was enacted 'to prevent women from exercising their constitutional rights.'

'This relief is necessary to protect the constitutional rights of women in Texas and the sovereign interest of the United States,' the statement added.

The DOJ said Tuesday that if the restraining order is granted, not only should the law not be enforced but also anyone who tries to enforce SB 8 must be informed they no longer have the authority the law offered them while the matter is being litigated.

The Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision earlier this month denied an emergency request to block the bill from taking effect while its most controversial provisions get litigated, but did not rule on the constitutionality of it.

'In reaching this conclusion, we stress that we do not purport to resolve definitively any jurisdictional or substantive claim in the applicants' lawsuit. In particular, this order is not based on any conclusion about the constitutionality of Texas's law, and in no way limits other procedurally proper challenges to the Texas law, including in Texas state courts,' the court said in the unsigned order.

Leen Garza (pictured) participates in a protest with others against the six-week abortion ban at the Capitol in Austin, Texas earlier this month

Furious abortion rights groups have said many women at six weeks do not even know they are pregnant

Governor Greg Abbott, a key advocate of the law who signed it in May, promised to 'eliminate all rape' since the legislation did not provide for an exception for victims of the crime.

'Let's make something very clear - rape is a crime, and Texas will work tirelessly to make sure that we eliminate all rapists from the streets of Texas.'

The White House has already said the Justice Department and other agencies are looking for what actions they can take to counter the law.

'There are possibilities within the existing law to have the Justice Department look and see whether there are things that can be done that can limit the independent action of individuals in enforcing in a federal system a state law,' President Biden said.

Furious abortion rights groups have said many women at six weeks do not even know they are pregnant.

Attorney General Merrick Garland blasted the law at a press conference last week in the Justice Department's first legal action against the legislation.

'The statute deputizes all private citizens without any showing of personal connection or injury to serve as bounty hunters,' Garland added.

The DOJ action marked the second major lawsuit the Biden administration has filed this year trying to block a move by a Republican-controlled state government.

The Justice Department sued Georgia in June, challenging the state's sweeping new voting law.
A mother-of-three was found dead just hours after a mental health team allegedly failed to visit her at home for an emergency appointment.

Natasha Adams, 25, a mother of three young boys, was discovered hanged at her flat in Solihull, West Midlands, on August 12.

The day before, she had attended the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and is understood to have sought help from the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust, which is based there.

Her family claims the trust arranged for someone from the mental health team to visit her flat the following day but nobody showed up.

Natasha Adams, 25, a mother of three young boys, was discovered hanged at her flat in Solihull, on August 12

The Solihull and Birmingham Mental Health Hospital Trust, which operates the Care Home Team, sent its condolences to Natasha's family and said 'a full and thorough investigation is underway'.

Natasha's mother Marie said someone was eventually sent out to see her daughter at 11am the next day (Friday, August 13) by which time she had already been found dead.

Marie told Birmingham Live her daughter had gone to hospital with 'severe anxiety' after deciding to drive back to Birmingham while on a family holiday to Scotland with her parents and three children.

She said Natasha attended the hospital late on the Wednesday, and was discharged approximately three hours later after being told someone from the mental health crisis team would visit her the following morning.

However, according to Marie, nobody arrived until 11am on the Friday, hours after she died.

The Solihull and Birmingham Mental Health Hospital Trust, which operates the Care Home Team, said: 'Our thoughts are with Natashas family at this sad and difficult time.

'A full and thorough investigation is underway. Natashas family will be involved and will have the opportunity to have any questions and concerns addressed as part of that process.

'Until that investigation is completed, and the coroners inquest is held, we cannot comment further. Our sympathies are with all of her friends and family at this sad time.'

Marie said Natasha's mental health problems dated back to her school days, which her mother believes were 'triggered' by bullying and heart surgery she underwent while at school.

After leaving school two years early she went to Solihull College where, pregnant with her eldest child, she qualified as a level three hairdresser.

Marie said she worked for a hairdresser 'for a while and loved it'.

However, her mental health problems continued into adulthood, according to Marie, before she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020.

The mother-of-three had attended the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and is understood to have sought help from the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust

Marie said her daughter 'always put a smile on her face when she saw people' and even sat, for 13 hours, with a young woman who was feeling suicidal. That woman said if it wasn't for Natasha, 'she wouldn't be here with her children', Marie said.

Describing Natasha as her 'best friend' and her 'rock', Marie told Birmingham Live: 'I break when everybody's asleep. I just feel like my whole heart is being ripped out of my chest.'

Natasha's three sons - aged one to seven - are now being cared for by Marie and her husband Steve.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital which Natasha visited before her death, told MailOnline: 'The Trust offers its heartfelt condolences to the family of Natasha at a horrendously difficult time for them.

'We will engage with Natasha's family, and the Coroner, in their investigation of Natashas tragic death.'

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.
Prostate cancer patients could be cured in just one week instead of a month with targeted high-dose radiotherapy sessions.

Doctors at the London Royal Marsden hospital are this week set to treat the first patient as part of a trial looking into whether it is safe to give radiotherapy in two large doses instead of lots of smaller doses.

Earlier this month researchers from the hospital's NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research found that the typical amount of radiation to treat prostate cancer  delivered in small doses over about 20 sessions in a month  could be safely given in just five big doses in just one or two weeks.

The trial's leader and consultant clinical oncologist at the Royal Marsden and the Institute of Cancer Research in London (ICR), Dr Alison Tree, told The Times that working age men could 'come in, get cured, get on with their normal lives and forget about their cancer completely'.

There are nearly 50,000 diagnoses of prostate cancer each year, making it the most common form of cancer among British men.

Reducing the number of sessions needed to treat the cancer from 20 to just two would save the NHS millions of pounds and enable radiotherapy units to treat more patients.

Dr Tree said: 'When I started training 15 years ago we were doing very basic radiotherapy, where you'd treat big, square areas of the body.

Doctors at the London Royal Marsden hospital are this week set to treat the first patient as part of a trial looking into whether it is safe to give radiotherapy in two large doses instead of lots of smaller doses (stock image)

'Of course, cancer is never square  and that meant you would [irradiate] a lot of healthy tissue accidentally, because that was the best we could do.

'We are so much more precise that we don't hit much of the healthy tissue now.'

She had earlier said the new technique had shown 'very promising results' with few side effects, adding: 'Our aim was to understand whether we could safely increase the dose of targeted radiation per day, allowing us to reduce the number of treatments required.

One option for patients is surgery to remove the prostate, but it leaves many men with erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

Another treatment is radiotherapy, which involves blasting the prostate with X-ray beams that can destroy tumour cells  but there are trade-offs.

The radiation can affect the bowel and rectum, which sit next to the prostate, damaging the nerves and muscles that control when men go to the toilet. This can cause bowel incontinence.

To reduce the severity of side effects, NHS guidance recommends radiotherapy is spread across at least 20 doses, while many doctors choose to extend this to 32 even smaller doses.

But this could soon be cut to just five trips in as few as seven days if the new technique, called stereotactic body radiotherapy, is adopted. It allows clinicians to target tumours with 'sub-millimetre' precision.

Because it is so accurate, much higher doses of radiation can be administered without the worry that they will also damage the surrounding organs.

Results from a two-year global study to research stereotactic body radiotherapy found 99 per cent of patients who underwent the high-intensity treatment were free of severe side effects, while 90 per cent experienced only minor symptoms, such as issues when urinating.

Nearly 900 patients were recruited for the trial, funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Half were treated with the new technique while the others received standard radiotherapy.

Crucially, the new treatment was shown to be equally effective at destroying cancer cells and reducing the risk of the disease returning  nine in ten patients on both arms of the trial whose cancer was classed as intermediate risk or lower did not require further treatment.

Dr Tree said: 'I think there's a good argument for adopting it across the NHS.'
The BBC has come under fire after it was revealed that an anti-nuclear campaigner was hired to help make the submarine drama Vigil.

The series' producers hired Scottish National Party councillor for Glasgow Feargal Dalton, who opposes the Trident system, to act as a script consultant and to provide advice on nuclear submarines.

The six-part series, starring Suranne Jones, follows the mysterious disappearance of a Scottish fishing trawler and a death on-board the submarine HMS Vigil.

The BBC said it 'consulted a range of advisers and experts to make Vigil' and that Mr Dalton had 'no editorial impact'.

Scottish National Party councillor for Glasgow Feargal Dalton, an anti-nuclear campaigner, was hired by the producers of BBC drama Vigil to offer 'factual insight from his long career as a member of the Royal Navys Submarine Service'

Vigil, which stars Suranne Jones (pictured), follows the mysterious disappearance of a Scottish fishing trawler and a death on-board the submarine HMS Vigil

Mr Dalton spent 17 years in the Royal Navy, during which time he became a lieutenant commander of a Trident-missile submarine.

However, as a councillor for Glasgow, he has spoken publicly against Trident missiles being carried by Navy submarines and is also a supporter of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).

Jackie Baillie, the deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party, said the BBC should have employed someone who was 'not so obviously biased'.

She told The Telegraph: 'Feargal Dalton has long campaigned against the Trident nuclear deterrent. The BBC should have employed an expert who, unlike Mr Dalton, is not so obviously biased against nuclear submarines and has a long standing association with CND.'

Vigil sees the police brought into conflict with the Navy and British security service, as Jones' DCI Amy Silva and DS Kirsten Longacre (played by Rose Leslie) lead an investigation on land and at sea into a conspiracy that goes to the very heart of Britain's national security

Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the portrayal of the Navy in Vigil is 'a long way from reality'

Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats, told the paper 'it would be strange' if an anti-nuclear campaigner gave advice about 'technical and on-board issues'.

He said the portrayal of the Navy in Vigil is 'a long way from reality'.

Mr Dalton has been approached for comment.

Stewart McDonald, SNP MP for Glasgow South, defended Mr Dalton's appointment, adding: 'My friend and colleague, Feargal Dalton, a veteran of the Royal Navy submarine service - has more wisdom than the two politicians who apparently think he shouldnt be employed because they dont like his politics.

'Entitled and disgraceful stuff from Jackie Baillie & Lord Campbell.'

Vigil sees the police brought into conflict with the Navy and British security service, as Jones' DCI Amy Silva and DS Kirsten Longacre (played by Rose Leslie) lead an investigation on land and at sea into a conspiracy that goes to the very heart of Britain's national security.

Mr Dalton reportedly drove his wife, SNP MP Carol Monaghan, to CND rallies while he was serving in the Royal Navy.

After his retirement from the Armed Forces in 2010, he became Glasgow City Council's representative on Nuclear Free Local Authorities.

In an interview with The Guardian in 2016, Mr Dalton said he was sceptical of the independent nuclear deterrent, adding: 'I knew for 15 years that Trident was about keeping Britain as a permanent member of the UN security council and most of the men I served with knew it too.

'We had an acute sense of, "If we mess this up, the UK will lose its place at the big boys table".'

A BBC spokesman said: 'The World Productions team consulted a range of advisers and experts to make Vigil, including Mr Dalton who had no editorial input but offered factual insight from his long career as a member of the Royal Navys Submarine Service.'

The BBC's latest drama has also been criticised by Royal Navy veterans who claimed, among other things, there was too much space onboard HMS Vigil, the uniforms were wrong, and that a body would be stored in a freezer, not a torpedo tube.

Former Navy captain Ryan Ramsey, who has served on nuclear submarine HMS Turbulent, says while it is a crime drama and not a documentary, it's important to point out that the BBC's new thriller Vigil does have some inaccuracies that do not reflect real life onboard a nuclear sub

Former Navy captain Ryan Ramsey, who has served as commanding officer on nuclear submarine HMS Turbulent between 2008 and 2011, said that because so little is known by the general public about submarine life, those in the know were hoping for some realism.

He told MailOnline: 'It's important to remember it's a crime drama and not a documentary but the reaction from the military community has been almost bipolar.

'Some have taken the view that yes, it's a drama so you know there are going to be inaccuracies but pointing out that it's not a realistic portrayal of life onboard is important.

'Others have just completely lost their minds over it and found it really quite frustrating.'

Vigil continues on BBC One tonight at 9pm.
A ringleader of the M25-blocking eco-group Insulate Britain does not have insulation in his own home, according to reports.

Eco-warrior Liam Norton's south-west London home is single-glazed, has no cavity wall insulation and uses gas central heating, reports the Sun.

Mr Norton, an electrician, is one of the leading figures in Insulate Britain - an Extinction Rebellion off-shoot campaigning the Government to reduce home heating emissions to zero.

The group infuriated motorists three times last week by blocking the M25 in a bid to put pressure on the Government to pay for all social housing to be fully insulated.

Mr Norton's property is owned by a housing association.

Mr Norton told the Sun: 'This is a good example of one of Britain's leaky homes and why we need the Government to get on with the job.'

MailOnline contacted Insulate Britain for a comment, but has so far not received a response.

Eco-warrior Liam Norton's south-west London home is single-glazed, has no cavity wall insulation and uses gas central heating, reports the Sun

Mr Norton, an electrician, is one of the leading figures in Insulate Britain - an Extinction Rebellion off-shoot campaigning the Government to reduce home heating emissions to zero. The group infuriated motorists three times last week by blocking the M25 in a bid to put pressure on the Government to pay for all social housing to be fully insulated

Mastermind behind Insulate Britain's M25 blockade vows to humiliate Boris Johnson at the UN climate conference The mastermind of the Insulate Britain group that has blocked the M25 three times this week is vowing to humiliate Boris Johnson at the UN climate conference. Roger Hallam is prepared for hundreds of activists to end up behind bars during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow in November. The co-founder of Extinction Rebellion told his supporters: 'The whole world's going to be looking at Johnson and saying "You're Mr Green and you've got 200 people in prison because they want you to insulate some houses?" It's not going to look good.' He laid out his masterplan for 'sacrifice and disruption' in a video released in July as he toured the UK looking for up to 300 activists prepared to go to jail. Roger Hallam is prepared for hundreds of activists to end up behind bars during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow in November 'The activists will block other motorways,' he said yesterday. 'They will block roads. They will go on hunger strike. 'They will do all the things that have happened before in British history. If the Government doesn't take a lead, then there will be massive social unrest.' Mr Hallam set up his splinter group when he caused a rift within Extinction Rebellion over comments he made about the Holocaust. He told a German newspaper it 'was just another f***ery in human history'  but later said the remark was taken out of context from 'three seconds' of argument. Sources close to Mr Hallam, an organic farmer who lost his business because of severe weather, said he would 'keep escalating' his demonstrations to 'grab the headlines' from other activists. Advertisement

Last week the group infuriated motorists by blocking the M25 on three separate days as part of a protest.

Members of the group sat, and some even glued themselves to the road, causing huge delays for drivers

As many as 80 activists from the Insulate Britain group brought the motorway to a half on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while also shutting down the M3 and M11.

Police chiefs came under intense pressure for the way they tackled the protests and Priti Patel summoned Met Commissioner Cressida Dick and other force bosses responsible for the M25 after they failed to drag away protesters 'immediately'.

Shocking video emerged showing an officer stopping traffic to allow protesters onto the motorway earlier this week, with the Met saying he was trying to keep the activists 'safe'.

The anger at the police's handling of the situation was increased after photos emerged showing some protesters attending all three demonstrations, despite being previously arrested.

Now, senior officers from Hertfordshire, Surrey, Kent, Essex and the Met are considering charging the activists with more serious crimes to ensure they are deterred from further protests.

Conspiracy to cause public nuisance, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, is thought to be one of the punishments considered.

One police source told the Telegraph: 'The disruption involved massively outweighs the offence and the protesters are well aware of that. Most of those involved have been arrested on suspicion of blocking the highway, which is a relatively minor offence.

'Even if these cases reach the charging threshold for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and it goes to court, the sentences available on conviction are very small. As we saw with some of the Extinction Rebellion protesters, they walk away with conditional discharges, which ends up encouraging others to take similar action.'

It comes after the Home Secretary held an emergency Zoom call with police chiefs after protesters from Insulate Britain shut down the UK's busiest road during rush hour every 48 hours this week and made officers 'look like idiots', one Tory MP said.

The enviro-zealots even warned officers they would do it again after being released without bail conditions on Monday and Wednesday - with Hertfordshire Police defending the decision not to charge them claiming they still need time to 'gather evidence and build a case' despite arresting dozens of them in the middle of the M25.

Surrey Police's Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, Kent Police's Chief Constable Alan Pughsley, Hertfordshire Constabulary's Chief Constable Charlie Hall and Essex's Ben-Julian Harrington are all in the firing line over their soft-touch response to the crippling protests.

A spokesman for the Association of British Drivers said: 'The police have failed to do their duty. It's time for Chief Constables to decide whose side they're on. The actions of these people is an absolute bl**dy disgrace.

An Insulate Britain activist is dragged off the M25 at Brentwood, Essex as they managed more protests on Friday

'They should be locked away. I'm appalled about why they have been released on bail with no restrictions. Not only have police not arrested these people for proper offences - they've not charged them with anything at all'.

A source close to the Home Secretary told MailOnline that at a Friday summit with police chiefs she reiterated her message that 'these people are breaking the law and must be removed immediately'.

The insider did not go into what was discussed about the M25 - and how they would break the cycle of protests - for 'operational reasons'. But said: 'The British public does not expect the police to be standing by while protesters disrupt people's daily lives.'

Tory MP for South Thanet, Craig Mackinlay MP, said: 'I am surprised that the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has not advised her officers to make use of one of numerous possible legal provisions to prevent, remove, arrest and charge the activists within Insulate Britain, Extinction Rebellion and other anarchist groups causing mayhem to the law-abiding public simply trying to go about their normal activities and costing millions in lost business and valuable police time.'

One Tory backbencher told MailOnline: 'Priti's tough talking isn't enough. These protesters are making the police look like idiots and the buck stops with the Home Secretary and her chief constables'.

Ms Patel is under growing pressure with some drivers taking to social media demanding she 'sorts this mess out' or resigns. Others said Boris Johnson should sack her if police continue to 'fail to keep roads open'.

Priti Patel had ordered police to take 'decisive action' against the 'selfish' eco-protesters and described the 'guerrilla tactics' of Insulate Britain as 'completely unacceptable'.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from the trust earlier this year

It comes amid pressure from countries to remove the Queen as the head of state

The chief executive Christopher Kelly said her appointment will keep it relevant

Naomi Campbell's appointment as ambassador for the Queen's Commonwealth Trust will keep the institution relevant amid pressure from countries to remove the monarch as head of state, according to the trust's boss.

Christopher Kelly, the chief executive of the charity, said the appointment of celebrities from more diverse backgrounds and women of colour will help the Commonwealth remain relevant.

The model, 51, has been announced as The Queen's Commonwealth Trust (QCT) Platinum Jubilee Global Ambassador, where she will be involved with championing the work of young leaders backed by the trust.

Her appointment comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had to relinquish their roles as president and vice-president of the QCT, which was only founded in 2018, when they decided to 'step back' as senior royals.

Christopher Kelly, chief executive of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust, said Naomi Campbell's (pictured) appointment as ambassador will strengthen the association

Mr Kelly said Ms Campbell could be a 'positive' asset for the wider Commonwealth as well as the trust itself, The Telegraph reported.

He told the publication: 'It will be very positive to have someone who not only transcends different countries and nationalities because she is a global superstar but who is also a British woman with Caribbean roots, who has got to the very top.'

Mr Kelly said he believes it 'positive thing' that Britain have people of colour across the 'top echelons' of the business, political and social spheres 'in a way that many other countries don't'.

Mr Kelly said Ms Campbell, whom Nelson Mandela has referred to as his 'honorary granddaughter', was in a position to represent a modern picture of the Commonwealth.

He added: 'We were looking for the right iconic person and actually the idea of race didn't come into that, but it's a really powerful thing.'

The chief executive said the trust also intends to raise the profile of other black and Asian role models within the association.

His comments come amid fears that the Commonwealth will be seen as irrelevant amid pressure from countries to remove the Queen as the head of state.

Last year, Barbados announced its intention to remove the Queen as its head of state and become a republic by November 2021.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had to relinquish their roles as president and vice-president of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust when they decided to 'step back' as senior royals

A speech written by Prime Minister Mia Mottley quoted the Caribbean island nation's first premier Errol Barrow's warning against 'loitering on colonial premises'.

In 1998, a Barbados constitutional review commission recommended republican status, and in 2015 Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said 'we have to move from a monarchical system to a republican form of government in the very near future'.

Most Caribbean countries have kept formal links with the monarchy after achieving independence.

Barbados would join Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and Guyana if it proceeds with its plan to become a republic.

When she was unveiled as Global Ambassador at the Hotel Cafe Royal in London, Ms Campbell, who is of a Jamaican heritage, said she hopes the Commonwealth will remain united

She said: 'I always grew up hearing about the Commonwealth and never thought I would ever be anything to do with the Commonwealth, but I know how proud my grandmother and my great aunts and uncles were of being part of the Commonwealth, being a Jamaican.'

Ms Campbell is a known advocate of international charities supporting young people, particularly in Africa, and this has been recognised by the QCT.

Aligning with her views, the charity is passionate about supporting and uplifting young leaders around the world who are improving lives and creating opportunities in their communities.

The Streatham native set up her personal charity Fashion For Relief in 2005 and hosts a runway show in its name during London Fashion Week every year.

It is dedicated to fighting poverty, sickness and distress and has so far raised millions, thanks to its annual show and donations from the world's most reputable fashion houses.

The model, 51, has been announced as The Queen's Commonwealth Trust Platinum Jubilee Global Ambassador, where she will be involved with championing the work of young leaders

Her appointment as ambassador comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'stepped back' as senior roles along with their roles as president and vice-president of the trust.

Earlier this year, the QCT said it was 'lucky' to have had the couple's support when they announced that they were stepping back and moving to California.

The trust said in a statement: 'The Queen's Commonwealth Trust exists to support young people around the world who are delivering practical help to those who need it most.

'We have been very lucky to have had the keen support and encouragement of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in our formative years.

'They have enabled us to make fast progress and have helped us to take the organisation to readiness for its next phase. We are glad that they remain in our circle of supporters.'

It added: 'Our focus, as always, is on the young people we work alongside. We will be pressing on with vigour to help them reach even more people with the essential services they provide.'

'They have enabled us to make fast progress and have helped us to take the organisation to readiness for its next phase.

'We are glad that they remain in our circle of supporters. Our focus, as always, is on the young people we work alongside. We will be pressing on with vigour to help them reach even more people with the essential services they provide.'

Mr Kelly said: 'We are delighted that Naomi has agreed to support QCT as our first Global Ambassador at what is a pivotal moment for QCT and the young leaders we support, like Bukky.

'Naomi brings a shared passion for improving the lives of people all over the world, a cause we aim to accelerate through the QCT Platinum Jubilee Fund for Young Leaders.

'Through the Platinum Jubilee year and celebratory events around the Commonwealth in 2022, we aim to bring to life the rich narrative of Her Majesty The Queen's own commitment to young leaders and the Commonwealth.

'Naomi will help us to shine a spotlight on their service, innovation and achievements.'
Unwell pets are being given painful and unnecessary treatments by owners who refuse to let their animals die, a campaigning group of vets has warned.

EthicsFirst, a group of veterinary professionals, said dogs and cats are now able to receive complicated treatments, often covered by insurance, such as chemotherapy and heart surgery without giving consent.

But the campaigning group voiced concerns that vets are helping owners give their unwell pets 'overtreatment and unproven interventions' when euthanasia is a kinder option.

EthicsFirst urged for there to be more debate about the ethics of giving animals painful and unnecessary treatment when they are unable to give consent, The Times reported.

EthicsFirst, a group of veterinary professionals, said dogs and cats are able to receive complicated treatments, often covered by insurance and can prolong pain (stock image)

The group argued that vets are helping pet owners to prolong animals' agony and said there is a viewpoint among some vets that euthanasia is a failure and should only be a last resort.

A number of vets are also concerned that some in the profession are influenced by financial gain or a need to never to give up on the animal, which can lead to unnecessary treatments.

Last year, Professor Sarah Wolfensohn, of Surrey University's school of veterinary medicine, wrote a paper arguing that owners are influenced by animals' 'cuteness' when making vital decisions about treatment.

The paper, entitled 'Too Cute to Kill? The Need for Objective Measurements of Quality of Life', said: 'I think what we've done is go down the route of treating animals like mini humans when they get ill or old.

'Yes, they are part of the family, but a dog has its normal behaviour that it wants to engage in: running around, playing ball, that sort of thing.'

Speaking about her own experience, Wolfensohn said she had to put down her 12-year-old labrador Bentham after he lost the use of his hind legs to arthritis.

EthicsFirst urged for there to be more debate about the ethics of giving animals painful and unnecessary treatment when they are unable to give consent (stock image)

She argued that putting him down was the 'kindest thing', saying some younger vets believe that euthanasia means they have 'got it wrong', when it can be a 'perfectly good treatment' to end an animal's suffering.

Meanwhile Dr Kathy Murphy, a veterinary surgeon and director of the comparative biology centre at Newcastle University, said she was worried that pet owners are not aware of the pain involved in some treatments.

She argued that pet owners are sometimes told by vets that their animal will die if they don't try certain treatments, making it the most attractive owners for the owners.

She added: 'My concern is how well informed those owners are, because in reality some of these procedures may have a 10 per cent or 25 per cent chance of being successful but a 100 per cent chance that your pet is going to suffer and be in pain as well as the chance of postoperative complications.'

It comes after medical experts said horse owners should consider difficult end of life options if their beloved animals show signs of deteriorating mental health.

Euthanasia could be considered for bereaved horses whose mental wellbeing suffers after the loss of their closest companion.

Experts conducted a study in which horses' psychological health was examined in respect of an end of life treatment in 30 different scenarios.

Out of the 160-person panel, just 11 backed the decision to put down a horse for reasons other than physical injury.

And the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) appears to have backed such calls in the most 'serious cases' involving horses' emotional welfare.

The survey was commissioned by the UK-based Equine Behaviour and Training Association - which is described as a group of 'dedicated and experienced horse-owners, behaviorists and academics'.

It comes after medical experts said horse owners should consider difficult end of life options if their beloved animals show signs of deteriorating mental health (file image)

Dr Catherine Bell, who represents the EBTA and led the survey, explained there were certain scenarios in which horses facing welfare concerns should be considered for euthanasia.

'We're not suggesting the minute your horse looks a bit miserable you should be putting him or her down,' she explained to equestrian magazine Horse & Hound.

'But if your horse has looked miserable for a long time, even if there is no physical reason, this is something that should be looked at.

'It's not always a catastrophic physical factor that makes the decision obvious.'

The Telegraph reported that the findings of the study, Attitudes of the Equestrian Public towards Equine End-of-Life Decisions, may breach official RSPCA regulations, which state animals should not be put down unless in their 'best interest'.

A spokesperson for the charity told MailOnline: 'In some very serious, although thankfully very few cases, vets and behaviour experts may determine that an animal's wellbeing is so seriously impacted by their mental health or that their behavioural needs are so severe that, despite best efforts, it's impossible to ensure them a good quality of life free from fear, stress and suffering.'

The British Horse Society said euthanasia is an option that can be considered by owners following illness, accidents, old age or the discovery of pre-existing medical conditions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has still not committed to attending the Cop26 international climate change talks in Glasgow, the British minister chairing the conference has said.

Cop 26 president Alok Sharma was unable to confirm China would even be sending a delegation to the gathering in November - although he insisted he was 'very, very hopeful' they would.

The agreement of China, as the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, is seen as crucial if the talks are to succeed in slowing global warming.

However, Beijing has been infuriated by the new defence pact by the UK, US and Australia - widely viewed as a move to counter China's increasing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.

The foreign ministry in Beijing said it was 'extremely irresponsible' after the three allies announced plans to collaborate on developing a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian navy.

Mr Sharma, who is flying out to New York with Boris Johnson for the United Nations General Assembly, said he would not expect Mr Xi to say whether he was going to Glasgow until nearer the time.

Pressed on the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show, he was unable to say for certain that there would even be a Chinese delegation at the talks.

Cop26 president Alok Sharma was unable to confirm China would even be sending a delegation to the gathering in November - although he insisted he was 'very, very hopeful' they would.

The agreement of China, as the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, is seen as crucial if the talks are to succeed in slowing global warming.

'On the issue of whether Xi Jinping is going to come, that is not yet confirmed. Normally these things come a bit closer to summits. I am very, very hopeful that we will have a delegation from China that is coming,' he said.

'President Xi Jinping would come for the world leaders' conference which is the first two days of Cop. But, of course, we want China there as part of the negotiations.

'I do feel that they will come for that. I certainly expect that China will send a negotiating team to Glasgow.'

Mr Sharma, who was recently in Beijing for talks ahead of the summit, acknowledged China would have to be a key part of any agreement.

He told Sky News's Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme: 'There is no doubt that China is going to be part of the key to all of this. They are the biggest emitter in the world.

'They have said to me they want the Cop26 to be a success. The ball is in their court. We want them to come forward and make it a success together with the rest of the world.'

Mr Sharma said he was confident the talks would be able to go ahead as planned in Glasgow, despite rising Covid levels in Scotland.

He said that a range of safety measures were being put in place, including providing vaccines for accredited delegates who would otherwise be unable to access the jab in their own countries.

'I am confident that we are going to have a physical Cop26. We are planning for that,' he told the BBC.

'What's vitally important is that the people who are coming are safe but also the people of Glasgow are safe. I am confident that we will have a safe event.'
An Idaho school principal with seven children died on Wednesday after a two-week battle with COVID.

Javier Castaneda, 48, was principal and superintendent of Heritage Community Charter School in Caldwell, Idaho, a town about 30 miles from Boise.

He was survived by his wife Maria and their seven children.

His vaccination status is currently unknown and the school he worked at was said to be mask optional, according to the Associated Press.

Idaho principal Javier Castaneda, 48, of Heritage Community Charter School died on Wednesday after contracting COVID-19

A GoFundMe Page was created for Castaneda and his family which included his wife Maria and their seven children

Castaneda began showing symptoms on September 4 and was then hospitalized two days later at West Valley Medical Center.

He was put on a ventilator on September 10. He died five days later.

'Hundreds of his friends, family, and community members have reached out and we are so grateful for their love and support in this trying time,' Kristopher Wieland, Maria Castanedas brother, told the Idaho Press.

'Many have shared stories of how he has impacted their life.'

'One (person) commented that Dr. Castaneda was always out in front of the school to greet students and parents as they came to school each day,' Wieland told the Idaho Press.

'One time, the school reached their fundraising goal, and Dr. Castaneda had to stay on top of the roof for the day and greeted the kids from there with a blow horn.

'Another talked about her child winning the chance to be Principal of the Day and enjoyed spending the day with Dr. Castaneda.'

A memorial service was held for Castaneda on Saturday by Heritage Community Charter School

A letter was released by the Heritage Community Charter School Board announcing Castaneda's death and offering counseling resources for grieving students

A letter from the school announced Castaneda's death and offered counseling services for grieving students.

'It is with shock and deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Javier Castaneda,' the letter read.

'We know that this announcement will be very difficult for you and your children. It is difficult for us to comprehend this loss and will be even more difficult for our students.

'The board is committed to providing counseling resources and other support for your children as we move forward from this tragedy, especially when students return next Monday.

'In the meantime, we will be providing you resources and information about how to talk to and comfort your child during this difficult time.'

A memorial service was held for Castaneda by the school on Saturday with flowers and messages written for their former principal.

The banner in front of the school read: 'You touched our lives.'

A GoFundMe Page has also been created for the family and has raised over $15,000 so far.

The page provided details about his family.

His oldest daughter was set to be married in a few weeks, his second oldest daughter is pregnant, and their son serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The family expresses gratitude to the love and support they have received from the community.

Another memorial service will be held on September 25 at Mallard Park in Caldwell.

Idaho currently has about 242,000 cases and 2,637 deaths.

The state also has a 40.7% vaccination rate with 727,000 people being fully vaccinated and 1.55 million doses being given.

According to Our World and Data, the U.S. has 42 million cases and 674,000 deaths. 55.2% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated accounting for 181 million people.
Advertisement

The parents of Gabby Petito have shared a video which appears to show the girl's camper van at a camp site in Wyoming - just hours before the FBI confirmed that they have found a body there.

The FBI announced Sunday afternoon that a body matching Gabby's description near Spread Creek Campground, where the Gabby and boyfriend Brian Laundrie had stopped during their stay at Grand Teton National Park.

Additionally, Florida authorities have resumed the search for Brian Laundrie - the person-of-intertest in the disappearance of Petito, his fiance - at an alligator-infested Florida park after he fled his parents' home, as cops are granted tracking access to the couple's cellphones.





He has refused to cooperate with police and on Tuesday, he disappeared from his family's Florida home.

Petito, who last spoke to her family on August 25, was reported missing on September 11 after Laundrie returned to home from their trip alone.

On Sunday morning, Petito's parents shared a video on their 'Find Gabby' Facebook page from YouTuber 'Red, White & Bethune' that caught a Ford Transit Van with Florida plates that the posters believe to be the vehicle that Petito and Laundrie had used to travel the country.

The video was taken on August 27 at around 6.30 pm at the Spread Creek Campground in Wyoming, where police were searching for the missing girl.

'We have this video, so does the FBI,' wrote the family on the Sunday morning post. 'We believe this is the van for multiple reasons.'

Petito's parents shared a video on their 'Find Gabby' Facebook page early this morning from YouTuber Red, White & Bethune', that caught a Ford Transit Connect Van with Florida plates that the posters believe to be the vehicle that Petito and Laundrie had used to travel the country. The video was taken on August 27 at around 6.30 pm at the Spread Creek Campground, where police were searching for the missing girl, and where a body was found Sunday afternoon

North Port Police and the FBI confirmed they are searching for Laundrie (pictured with Petito), who was reportedly last seen by his family Tuesday and was wearing a hiking bag

Gabby Petito's mom Nicole Schmidt (pictured this week at a press conference) has slammed her boyfriend Brian Laundrie saying 'he's not missing, he's hiding' after the person of interest in her daughter's disappearance vanished

'Its a very important piece of information as it pretty much starts the timeline,' Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, told MailOnline. 'This new video of the actual van being seen on the 27th appears legit. That was the last location the van might have been seen. Its a huge piece of the puzzle.'

'Its essential and there might be more videos out there that people havent even realized they have yet,' she added. If people were recording videos or just taking pictures, they need to start looking through their stuff.'

On August 25th or 26th, the couple chatted with the owner of a shop called 'Rustic Row' in Victor, Utah for about 20 minutes, East Idaho News reported on Friday.

'They told me they were traveling from Florida. They had just been to Teton Park and they said they were interested in going to Yellowstone and I told them they could go to the west entrance,' the owner, who was not identified, told the outlet.

'They seemed happy and when they left, she hollered back from the door that they were engaged and then I said congratulations.'

The shop owner said that she contacted the FBI after seeing reports of Petito's disappearance on the news.

Gabbys mother told MailOnline that she is 'not entertaining' a TikTok video thats been widely circulated in which a young woman describes picking up a man she believed to be Brian on the 29th.

'The timeline seems way off. Maybe she thought it was him, but I just know the timeline is off. The van left there the night of the 27th or early on the 28th. The van was in Florida on the first. Its not possible for it to have been there on the 29th.'

Wisconsin TikToker Miranda Baker said she and her boyfriend were at Grand Teton National Park in Colter Bay, Wyoming, on August 29 when Laundrie approached the couple and asked them for a ride at 5.30pm.

'He approached us asking for a ride because he needed to go to Jackson and we were going to Jackson that night. So I said, ya know, 'hop in' and he hopped in the back of my Jeep,' Baker explained. 'So that was kind of weird.'

She noted Laundrie, 23, was wearing 'a backpack, a long sleeve, pants and hiking boots' and said that before he got in the car he offered to pay the couple $200 to give him a 10-mile ride.

Florida authorities have resumed the search for Brian Laundrie - the person-of-intertest in the disappearance of his fiance Gabby Petito - at the alligator-infested Florida Carlton Reserve

A search party of about 50 officers gathered Saturday to search the Carlton Reserves for Brian Laundrie, the boyfriend of the missing 'van-life girl' Gabby Petito

A map shows the last known movements of Petito and Laundrie along their cross-country road trip which began July 2

His parents told investigators on Friday that their son told them on September 14, when they last saw him, that he was headed to his frequent hiking spot Myakkahatchee Creek Environment Park, which is tied to the 25,000 acre Carlton Reserve.

Today, a team of 50 police officers from six different agencies 'used to dealing with [the] elements' of sprawling, alligator-infested Carlton Reserve, will search for Laundrie. The swathe of officers are using bloodhounds, drones and 4x4 vehicles in their search, said North Port Police information chief Josh Taylor.

Taylor told the New York Post that an experienced outdoorsman could hide out in the area for 'months.'

They did not find anything yesterday, although police said they took some of Laundrie's clothing from his parents' home to provide a scent for search dogs.

A cellphone photo taken by Zachary Randazzo, 18, Friday looks a 'heck' of a lot like missing Gabby Petito's fiance Brian Laundrie, according to police. It showed a bald, clean-shaven man walking down the sidewalk in flip-flops with headphones in

'We have had drones in the air, we have got bloodhounds, K9s, four by four vehicles. It's very wet, it's muddy. There are a few unpaved dirt roads. It's a place that people hike. There are mountain bike trails out here. The Myakkahatchee Creek runs down into the city.'

Asked if he believed there were concerns for Laundrie's safety, Taylor said: 'Sure, I think that's fair to say. There is an enormous amount of pressure I'm sure on him to provide answers on what's going on here.'

He could not confirm if Laundrie owns a gun.

Meanwhile, police in Wyoming will resume their search of the Spread Creek Campsite just east of Grand Teton National Park, where Petito's parents said they believe she was on August 25, when they last spoke with her via phone. Gabby had listed the campground on an account she had created last July with thedyrt.com.

Petito, the 22-year-old 'van-life' girl, has been missing since August 24. Laundrie returned home to Florida on September 1 and had refused to cooperate with authorities trying find her.

Yesterday, as police combed the two locations, protestors amassed outside Laundrie's family home in North Port, chanting 'where is Gabby?' throughout the day.

Just two blocks away, an 18-year-old driving to the protest with his grandmother photographed a man who looked a 'heck' of a lot like Laundrie about two blocks from the home, just an hour and a half before the Laundries' family attorney reported the 23-year-old missing and investigators from the North Port Police Department showed up at the family's home, according to the New York Post.

Zachary Randazzo explained that when he and his grandmother turned down the street they 'were shocked (because) what looked like his clone was walking down the street'.

'We then watched him as he turned down the next street over and we drove past him again to get a second look,' he added.

Randazzo then drove around the street a third time, and took the photo. 'After taking it and pulling up a picture of him online and looking at them side-by-side we were thinking, '"Wow this looks just like him, how can it not be him?"'

Petito's parents shared a video on their 'Find Gabby' Facebook page early this morning from YouTuber Red, White & Bethune', that caught a Ford Transit Connect Van with Florida plates that the posters believe to be the vehicle that Petito and Laundrie had used to travel the country. The video was taken on August 27 at around 6.30 pm at the Spread Creek Campground, where police are currently searching for the missing girl.

'We have this video, so does the FBI,' wrote the family on the Sunday morning post. 'We believe this is the van for multiple reasons.'

The Denver FBI is the lead agency on the search and set up a mini base camp several hundred feet up the blocked off road away from the main highway

Some were heard yelling: 'Bring Gabby home!' with one man on a megaphone shouting 'Where's Gabby, Brian?'

Officials also searched an area on the east side of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on Saturday for Petito, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. As a result, Spread Creek campground was closed around 7 am, and the area will remain closed to the public for the next few days.

The Denver FBI is the lead agency on the search and set up a mini base camp several hundred feet up the blocked off road away from the main highway.

DailyMail.com observed search and rescue vehicles carry kayaks and rafts along with off road quads enter into the dispersed campground early on Saturday - at 4PM DailyMail.com about 25 search vehicles left the campground. A source told DailyMail.com, the search was called off for the day because of inclement weather.

Officers combed the forest as the search began on Saturday, September 18

On Saturday, Laundrie vanished and more than 50 law enforcement officers are now using bloodhounds, drones and 4x4 vehicles are searching for her boyfriend Brian Laundrie in a vast and swampy Florida woodland reserve

In Florida, North Port Police, FBI agents and other agencies are on the hunt for Laundrie at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environment Park, in Florida's Carlton Reserve

North Port Officers and FBI agents are searching throughout the Carlton Reserves

Petito's stepfather, Jim Schmidt, was out in Wyoming on Wednesday as Grand Teton Park Rangers prepared to look for the missing woman

Earlier on Saturday, a Grand Teton Park Ranger told DailyMail.com, 'there is a group of park rangers that is searching for Gabby Petito in the backcountry of the park.

This is the park's elite search and rescue unit.

'I believe there may also be a search going on in a remote area of Yellowstone National Park.'

Authorities believe that Petito's last known location was in or around the Grand Teton National Park.

The park itself spans more than 310,000 acres and 485 square miles the backcountry consists of several hundred square miles on the west side of the park, it's a hike- in area only.

Petito's stepfather, Jim Schmidt, told DailyMail.com, that they are confident she made it to the area but aren't sure where she may have ended up camping.

'Members of search unit at the park can be air lifted to various remote areas for a search,' added the ranger. 'They don't tell us specifics they sort of do what they do.'

DailyMail.com located an account on thedyrt.com for Gabby and Brian V. that was last updated on July 14, 2021.

On the list are several dispersed campsites in the Grand Teton/Jackson area which are often free for stays up to 14 days in some place.

DailyMail.com went to several of these campsites which were in remote areas near the park- off the grid.

Police began the search at the Grand Teton National Park on Friday

As a result of the search, Spread Creek campground is closed as National Park Rangers and the Teton County Sheriff search the area, and the area will remain closed to the public for the next few days

The park covers more than 310,000 acres of land in the Wyoming wilderness

Cellular phone service was spotty. In one dispersed campsite, Dailymail.com arrived minutes after a grizzly was observed at the side of the road digging up an animal it had previously buried.

Grizzly bears aren't the only predators Petito would face out in the wilderness, there are red foxes, coyotes, bobcats and cougars that roam the park.

In Florida, North Port police tweeted a photo of the search parties massing in the park, with at least 30 people present.

Laundrie's family says he entered the area earlier this week.

The T. Mabry Carlton Reserve covers nearly 25,000 acres and is 15 miles from the Laundrie home in North Port. It has 80 miles of equestrian, hiking and biking trails.

North Port Police communications chief Josh Taylor told Dailymail.com, 'That reserve covers a massive, swampland.'

Police, FBI and the green-clad local Sarasota Sheriff's Department deputies were moving around in ATV vehicles as the search for Laundrie intensified today.

One particular area of interest with searchers is the 160-acre Myakkahatchee Creek Environment Park, which connects to the massive Carlton Reserve, and is filled with hiking trails amid the expanse of swamp and dense woodland.

One Sheriff's deputy was seen moving along a pathway into thick undergrowth carrying a machete. Officers remained tight lipped about the search when asked.

Other law enforcement were moving around the location on the perimeter of the environment park in the back of pick-up trucks

Laundrie's family did not tell authorities he was missing for three days.

Police said the Laundrie family called the FBI Friday night to talk about their son's disappearance, describing their frustration that this was the first time they had been willing to speak with investigators in detail amid the search for Petito.

On Thursday, new bodycam footage emerged showing police being called to an incident involving the young couple in Moab, Utah, on August 12 - 13 days before Petito was last heard from

Petito's mother has slammed her boyfriend Brian Laundrie saying 'he's not missing, he's hiding' after his attorney said the man now named a person of interest in her daughter's disappearance hasn't been seen since Tuesday.

Petito's mom Nichole Schmidt reacted angrily to the news that Laundrie had vanished and suggested he is on the run, following a fraught week where she has issued several public pleas asking him and his family to cooperate with investigators.

'He's not missing, he's hiding!' she told DailyMail.com. 'Gabby is missing!'

North Port Police and the FBI confirmed they are searching for Laundrie, whose family say they last saw him Tuesday wearing a hiking bag.

Police are seen with evidence bags at the home of Brian Laundrie Friday - the boyfriend of missing 'van-life' woman Gabby Petito

Cops arrive Friday and enter the home after Laundrie's parents informed investigators their son had vanished

Two cops were seen searching a car which has been parked on the driveway of the home

'We understand the community's frustration, we are frustrated too,' police said Friday.

'For six days, the North Port Police Department and the FBI have been pleading with the family to contact investigators regarding Brian's Fiance Gabby Petito.

'Friday is the first time they have spoken with investigators in detail.'

North Port Police said the department and the FBI are currently working a multiple missing person investigation.

They issued a description of Laundrie as a' white male, 5'8 160lbs, brown eyes, short brown hair, trimmed facial hair, last seen wearing a hiking bag with a waist strap.'

Laundrie's attorney told ABC 7 News Friday afternoon the 23-year-old had gone missing and that investigators were trying to locate both him and Petito - who was last seen on August 24 during the couple's cross-country trip in a campervan.

Police were seen at Laundrie family home in North Port, Florida, on Friday with evidence bags.

His attorney said they were removing items from the house in order to assist with the search for Laundrie.

'Be advised, the whereabouts of Brian Laundrie are currently unknown,' he told ABC7.

'The FBI is currently at the Laundrie residence removing property to assist in locating Brian. As of now, the FBI is looking for both Gabby and Brian.'

Police reiterated Friday that although Laundrie is a person of interest in Petito's disappearance, he is not wanted for any crime.

Video surfaced of four police officers entering home on Friday afternoon after being let in by an unidentified family member.

After more than two and a half hours at the home, all four officers left in their black Dodge Caravan with none of the Laundrie family members in tow.

Police arrive with evidence bags at the North Port, Florida home of Brian Laundrie on Friday

One cop is seen searching the trunk of the vehicle as part of their probe into Petito's disappearance

At one point one of the officers exited the home and retrieved what appeared to be an evidence bag from his police cruiser before returning inside

As they arrived protestors outside the home were heard yelling: 'Bring Gabby home!'

A man on a megaphone shouted 'Where's Gabby, Brian?' repeatedly, joined by others who crowded the Laundrie's front yard recording the police entering the home.

'We're out here, Laundrie family, we're out here, we'll be out here everyday!' the man on the megaphone yelled towards the home.

At one point, one of the officers exited the home and retrieved what appeared to be an evidence bag from his police cruiser before returning inside

North Port police tweeted they were called to the home 'at the request' of the family, but that they are 'not speaking' to Brian.

About an hour after first entering the home, two officers came out and opened up a silver convertible Ford Mustang in the driveway which is understood to belong to the family. It has been there most of this week.

They opened the trunk and also delved inside the vehicle after opening the driver side door for a very quick search before the officers went back in the house.

In an attempt to calm the rowdy group in front of the home, North Port police deputy chief Chris Morales stepped on to the lawn and addressed the crowd, saying: 'This is not helping. Please keep it down. I ask you to have courtesy for the neighbors.'

About an hour after first entering the home, two officers came out and opened up a silver convertible Ford Mustang in the driveway which is understood to belong to the family

Protestors gathered outside the Laundrie home with banners Friday demanding justice for Petito

People crowded the Laundrie's front yard calling on Laundrie to 'prove your innocence'

He added: 'Please respect the peace. You guys can be here but respect the peace,' he added, but was drowned down at one point by chants of 'where's the respect of Gabby?'

Police officially named Laundrie a 'person of interest' in their inquiry into Petito's mystery disappearance this week as he refuses to cooperate with investigators and has lawyered up.

On Friday, Utah authorities said they determined there is no connection between Gabby's missing person cases and the double murder of a newlywed couple found dead just outside Moab, Fox News reported.

Petito passed through Moab with Laudrie before he drove back to Florida without her.

'It has been determined that the Gabby Petito missing person case is not related to the double-homicide case involving Crystal Turner and Kylen Schulte,' Grand County Sheriff Steven White said in a statement Friday afternoon.

Petito was last seen on August 24 leaving a hotel with Laundrie in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the couple's cross-country campervan trip which they started in early July.

The following day she made her final call to her mom, telling her she and Laundrie had traveled to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. She was reported missing by her family on September 11 after they hadn't heard from her in 13 days.

Meanwhile, Laundrie returned to the couple's home in North Port, Florida, on September 1 with the van but without Petito, police said.

He repeatedly ignored Petito's family's requests for help and refused to speak to cops.

Laundrie's attorney Steven P. Bertolino addressed his decision to stay silent in a statement earlier this week, saying his client isn't speaking to police or the public 'on the advice of counsel' because 'intimate partners are often the first person law enforcement focus their attention on in cases like this.'

Meanwhile, Petito's family issued several public pleas for the Laundries to work with authorities in their efforts to bring their daughter home.

On Thursday, new bodycam footage emerged showing police being called to an incident involving the young couple in Moab, Utah, on August 12 - 13 days before Petito was last heard from.

Laundrie is seen with scratches on his face which he tells an officer were caused when Petito 'was trying to get the keys from me' and 'hit me with her phone'

In the video, an emotional Petito is seen with tears streaming down her face telling officers the couple 'have been fighting all morning' and admitting that she slapped him.

Petito says she suffers from OCD and anxiety, with both her and Laundrie saying she was stressed because of the YouTube blog they were working on to document the doomed cross-country trip.

Laundrie is seen with scratches on his face and arm which he tells an officer were caused when Petito 'was trying to get the keys from me' and 'hit me with her phone'.

When an officer asks Petito if her boyfriend hit her, she replies 'I guess' and makes a grabbing motion on her chin. Laundrie admits he 'pushed her' during the altercation.

The cops determine Petito was 'the primary aggressor' and say they are separating the couple for the night.

The incident report says officers were called near the Moonflower Community Co-op in Moab on August 12 around 4:30pm for a 'possible domestic violence' incident involving the couple.

The report, released by the Moab Police Department on Wednesday, documented that the couple admitted they had been going through 'issues' over the last couple days.

22-year-old Gabby Petito, who has not been heard from since August 30 while she was on a cross-country trip with her 23-year-old fiance (couple pictured kissing)

According to Petito's best friend, while Laundrie presents himself as a sweet and caring guy, he is actually jealous and controlling.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Rose Davis said Laundrie allegedly went so far as to hide Gabby's ID once so that she couldn't meet up with her at a bar, trigging a violent episode similar to the one police investigated weeks before her disappearance.

'Brian took her ID just so she wouldn't be able to come out with me,' she told DailyMail.com on Friday.

'He's got these jealousy issues and he struggles from what Gabby called these 'episodes,' where he would hear things and hear voices and wouldn't sleep.

'Gabby had to stay at my house a bunch of times because she just needed a breather and didn't want to go home to him.'

TikTok user claims she picked up missing 'van-life girl' Gabby Petito's boyfriend Brian Laundrie as he hiked ALONE five days after she was last seen in public and one day before sending her final text

A TikToker from Wisconsin has claimed she picked up Brian Laundrie, the person of interest in Gabby Petito's disappearance, as he was hitchhiking alone five days after his girlfriend went missing and one day before she last texted her mother.

In the video posted to the social media site Miranda Baker said she and her boyfriend were at Grand Teton National Park in Colter Bay, Wyoming, on August 29 when Laundrie approached the couple and asked them for a ride at 5.30pm.

'He approached us asking for a ride because he needed to go to Jackson and we were going to Jackson that night. So I said, ya know, 'hop in' and he hopped in the back of my Jeep,' Baker explained.

She noted Laundrie, 23, was wearing 'a backpack, a long sleeve, pants and hiking boots' and said that before he got in the car he offered to pay the couple $200 to give him a 10-mile ride.

'So that was kind of weird,' she said. Baker spoke hours before

'He approached us asking for a ride because he needed to go to Jackson and we were going to Jackson that night. So I said, ya know, 'hop in' and he hopped in the back of my Jeep,' Baker explained. She called the entire interaction with Brian Laundrie 'a weird situation'

Baker supposedly picked up Laundrie (right), the person of interest in Gabby Petito's (left) disappearance, as he was hitchhiking alone five days after his girlfriend went missing and one day before she last texted her mother

Bake noted Laundrie, 23, was wearing 'a backpack, a long sleeve, pants and hiking boots' and said that before he got in the car he offered to pay the couple $200 to give him a 10-mile ride

Baker explained that her, her boyfriend and Laundrie 'then proceeded to make small talk' and found out he had been camping for multiple days without his fiancee.

'He did say he had a fiancee and that she was working on their social media page back at their van,' Baker said.

In a later video she added that Laundrie supposedly told her he and Petito, 22, were not camping on a regulated campsite through the national park. 'They were camping basically out in the middle of nowhere along Snake River,' she said.

Baker recounted the alleged story Laundrie told her and her boyfriend: 'This is key information. He said that he had hiked for days along Snake River but looking at his backpack, it wasn't full.

'And he said all he had was a tarp to sleep on. And, if you'd think you're going camping for days on end you'd want food and a tent and he had none of that.'

She added: 'He had scruff but he didn't look dirty for someone who was camping for multiple days. He didn't look dirty, he didn't smell dirty, so that part was kind of weird.'

Then, when Baker told Laundrie they were driving to Jackson Hole he supposedly 'freaked out' and asked them to pull over and said: 'Nope, I need to get out right now.'

Petito set out on a cross-country trip July 2 with her boyfriend in the couple's 2012 Ford Transit Connect van. Brian posted this photo of the couple on Instagram on July 16

Baker said they pulled over at the Jackson Dam in Grand Teton National Park, which she noted was not very far from where they originally picked Laundrie up.

He allegedly hurried out of the car and told the couple he would find someone else to hitchhike with.

'We dropped him off at 6.09pm on August 29,' Baker said, adding that she hopes her videos would find someone who could also help solve the case and find Petito.

She called the entire interaction with Laundrie 'a weird situation'.

In her latest video she addressed skeptics and said that the story she detailed in the previous videos posted to TikTok she also told detectives and the FBI. 'I am actively in contact with these people,' she said.

Her allegations come five days after Petito was last seen in public - on August 24 - when she and Laundrie checked out of a Fairfield Inn hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.

On August 29 Baker only saw Laundrie. One day later Petito's mother Nicole Schmidt received a curious text from her daughter that read: 'No service in Yosemite.'

The mother refused to disclose the contents of her daughter's texts but told DailyMail.com: 'That text was NOT from Gabby I know it!'

She believes Laundrie may have sent the message from her phone possibly to mislead her family and investigators as to her whereabouts.

Laundrie was named a person of interest and is refusing to cooperate with cop. The couple with their campervan

Attorney Richard Stafford on Thursday read out an emotional letter from Petito's family begging the Laundries to cooperate, saying 'we believe you know the location of where Brian left Gabby'

Laundrie returned home to Florida from the couple's road trip alone on September 1 - two days after hitchhiking with Baker and 10 days before Petito's family reported her missing.

If the couple were in fact together in Yosemite on August 30, that would mean Brian drove over 3,000 miles within two days to arrive in Florida on September 1.

Now police have officially named Brian Laundrie a 'person of interest' in their inquiry into her mystery disappearance as he refuses to cooperate, although they say there is no evidence any crime has been committed.

Cops in North Port, Florida, said: 'Brian Laundrie is a person of interest in this case. As of now, Brian has not made himself available to be interviewed by investigators or has provided any helpful details.'

Brian's family refused to let authorities speak to their son when the 2012 Ford van was seized from their property late on September 11.

Most recently, Brian Laundrie's sister broke the Laundrie family silence about the disappearance of her brother's girlfriend and said her and her family 'obviously want Gabby to be found safe'.

'All I want is for her to come home safe and sound and this to be just a big misunderstanding,' she said in an interview with ABC News.
Ministers have increased the risk of importing dangerous new Covid variants by 'abandoning' the testing system for global travel, a SAGE psychologist advising the Government has claimed.

Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the subcommittee advising on behaviour, said officials could have improved the system which saw 'absurd rates' charged for PCR tests by doing such testing through the NHS.

The traffic light system is to be replaced from October 4 by a single 'red list' of destinations, and those who are fully double-jabbed won't need a pre-departure test before returning from non-red list destinations.

From the end of October, they will also be able to replace the day two PCR test with a cheaper lateral flow test.

Speaking to Sky News's Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme, Prof Reicher said the system around PCR tests has been 'dysfunctional' with 'all the different companies charging absurd rates and not providing a service'.

He said the Government has responded to this 'not by improving the system but by abandoning it entirely', and added that, domestically, there remains 'huge uncertainty' about the effect on virus cases of the return of schools, universities, workplaces and people spending more time indoors in the autumn weather.

On travel, he told Sky News: 'I think it would have been far preferable to keep PCR tests but to improve the system and to do them through the NHS.

Ministers have increased the risk of importing dangerous new Covid variants by 'abandoning' the testing system for global travel, a SAGE psychologist advising the Government has claimed (stock image)

Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the subcommittee advising on behaviour, said officials could have improved the system which saw 'absurd rates' charged for PCR tests by doing such testing through the NHS

Ministers announced they are replacing the current international travel traffic light scheme with a simplified 'go and no-go' system as they also scrapped pre-departure tests for fully-vaccinated travellers returning to England

What are the new travel rules from October 4 and how do they compare to the current traffic light system? As of October 4, the Government's travel traffic light system is being replaced with a simplified two-tier 'go/no-go' scheme. There will be a 'red list' of banned countries and a 'rest of the world' list for everywhere else. Travel to and from nations in the 'rest of the world' list will be easier but there will be different rules depending on vaccination status. This is how the new system will work: Travel from the 'rest of the world' if you are fully vaccinated Travellers must book and pay for a day two coronavirus test to be taken after arriving back in England. They do not need to take a pre-departure test before coming back to the country or take a day eight test. There is no quarantine requirement  assuming the day two test is negative. Travel from the 'rest of the world' if you are not fully vaccinated Travellers must take a pre-departure coronavirus test before coming back to England. They must also book and pay for a day two and day eight test. After arriving in England they must quarantine at home for 10 days. Travel from red list countries Normal travel from these countries remains banned and only UK nationals can return from them. Travellers must take a pre-departure test. They must also book and pay for a Government-backed quarantine hotel package. The stay in hotel quarantine will cost more than 2,000 and will involve two tests. The 'red list' rules apply regardless of vaccination status. WHAT IS CURRENTLY IN PLACE? RED: Travel to the UK from a red list country is banned for non-UK nationals. Britons returning to the UK must take a pre-departure test and book a ten-day stay in hotel quarantine including tests at a cost of 1,750. Countries include Brazil, Turkey, Bangladesh and South Africa. AMBER: A pre-departure test is required before heading to Britain while non-vaccinated people have to quarantine for ten days at home and book tests on day two and day 8. They can also pay for a day 5 test under the 'test to release' scheme. The fully-vaccinated do not have to isolate but they do have to book a day 2 test. Countries include Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece. GREEN WATCHLIST: This is a category for countries which are at risk of losing their green status (see below). Countries include Barbados, Croatia and Israel. GREEN : Returning travellers must take a pre-departure test and book a day two test as well. Quarantine is not required for anyone unless the test is positive. Countries include Bulgaria, Canada , Iceland and Malta. Advertisement

'I think it (the relaxation) is increasing risk. I think it does limit, in fact it stops our ability to trace different variants, and increases the probability of infected people coming into the country.

'I think it has increased the risk, quite frankly, and I think we should have improved the system rather than by and large abandoning it.'

Lawrence Young, professor of molecular oncology at the University of Warwick, said: 'Letting our guard down runs the risk of bringing a new variant into the country, such as the Mu variant first identified in Colombia, which could reduce the effectiveness of current vaccines.'

Another scientist said while easing the rules will 'inevitably increase the risk' of infections, high rates in the UK mean travellers could be as likely to catch Covid on a trip to Torquay as one to Turkey.

Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, said: 'Given the fact that community transmission within the UK is still running at a high level, it seems churlish to put high barriers in the way of international travel when the risks of catching Covid at home are relatively high.'

Under the changed travel system for England, unvaccinated passengers from non-red list countries will have to take a pre-departure test, and a PCR test on days two and eight after returning.

However, travellers who have a valid vaccination certificate from 17 additional countries and territories, including Japan and Singapore, will be treated as if they had been jabbed in the UK.

Meanwhile, eight countries, including Turkey, Pakistan and the Maldives, are being removed from the red list with effect from 4am on Wednesday.

Travellers from Egypt, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh and Kenya will also no longer be required to hotel quarantine from that date.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the measures were intended to strike the 'right balance', simplifying the system while managing the public health risk 'as No.1 priority'.

The unvaccinated face even tougher rules under the new regime in a bid by ministers to encourage more people to get jabbed.

Even when returning from countries on the 'go' list, they will have to isolate at home for ten days and take PCR tests on days two and eight.

They will still have the option of taking an extra post-arrival PCR test on the fifth day to be released from self-isolation early.

Reacting, Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: 'By reducing the number of red-list destinations and scrapping PCR testing, ministers have paved the way for people to get away this October half-term and into the winter following 18 months of uncertainty.'

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow, added: 'This simplification of the travel rules is very welcome for businesses and families across the country but the decision to require fully vaccinated passengers to take more costly private lateral flow tests is an unnecessary barrier to travel, which keeps the UK out of step with the rest of the EU.'

The shake-up will apply to England only, with Scotland last night saying it would not follow suit.

The Scottish Government has said it will drop the traffic light system but will not follow England when it comes to testing requirements and PCR tests will still be required.

The Welsh Government said it will consider the UK Government's proposed changes, but health minister Eluned Morgan has warned they could 'weaken the line of defence on importing infection'.

In Northern Ireland, the traffic light system will change from October 4, with a single 'red list' of destinations, while proposed changes to pre-departure and post-arrival testing will be discussed by Stormont ministers next week.

Meanwhile, booster jab invites are being sent out to more than a million people to 'strengthen the wall of defence' against coronavirus created by the vaccines.

People will receive texts from Monday, while letters will be sent to those who are eligible later in the week, NHS England said. Some 1.5million people will be contacted and encouraged to use the national booking service.

Britain's Covid outbreak is continuing to flat line despite the return to schools with new daily infections increasing week-on-week for the first time in ten days, according to official statistics

NHS England said the vaccination of children aged 12 to 15 will also begin 'shortly'. Those eligible for boosters include anyone aged 50 and over, people living and working in care homes for the elderly, and frontline health and social care workers.

All those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and anyone aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group for Covid (who were included in priority groups one to nine during the initial vaccine rollout) will also be eligible for a jab.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has said people should receive their booster dose at least six months after they received their second coronavirus jab.

While there is a preference that people should get the Pfizer jab as a third dose, regardless of which jab they were initially given, the JCVI said half doses of the Moderna jab could be used as an alternative.

There are also booster campaigns in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: 'It is excellent that getting your booster jab has now become even easier thanks to the opening of the National Booking Service to those eligible.

'Booster doses are an important way of keeping the virus under control for the long term and will protect the most vulnerable through the winter months.

'I urge everyone who receives a letter or text to get their jab as soon as possible so we can strengthen the wall of defence across the country that each vaccine brings.'
SpaceX founder and multibillionaire Elon Musk has promised to donate $50 million to SpaceX's Inspiration4 fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

On Saturday, the Inspiration4 crew shared new pictures on Twitter showing Jared Isaacman, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Chris Sembroski after their capsule parachuted into the Atlantic Ocean just before sunset.

'#Inspiration4's mission doesn't end here  help us reach our $200 million fundraising goal for @StJude,' the tweet read.

Musk responded shortly, writing: 'Count me in for $50M.'

SpaceX founder and multibillionaire Elon Musk (pictured) has promised to donate $50 million to SpaceX's Inspiration4 fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Musk paid undisclosed millions for the trip to show that ordinary people could blast into orbit by themselves, and were the first to orbit Earth without a professional astronaut.

The all-amateur crew that encompassed Inspiration4 was created primarily to raise awareness and support for the pediatric cancer center, which successfully treated Arceneaux for bone cancer when she was a child.

Musk paid undisclosed millions for the trip to show that ordinary people could blast into orbit by themselves, and were the first to orbit Earth without a professional astronaut.

Isaacman, 38, an entrepreneur and accomplished pilot, aimed to raise $200 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and donated $100 million himself.

Joining him on the flight were Arceneaux, 29, a St. Jude physician assistant who was treated at the Memphis, Tennessee hospital for bone cancer, and contest winners Chris Sembroski, 42, a data engineer in Everett, Washington, and Sian Proctor, 51, a college educator, scientist and artist from Tempe, Arizona.

The all-amateur crew that encompassed Inspiration4 was created primarily to raise awareness and support for the pediatric cancer center of the hospital

On Saturday, the Inspiration4 crew completed their mission after Jared Isaacman, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Chris Sembroski's papsule parachuted into the Atlantic Ocean just before sunset.

The Inspiraitonal4's capsule is retrieved from the Atlantic Ocean Saturday off the coast of Florida

For the last seat, Isaacman held a competition for clients of his Allentown, Pennsylvania payment-processing business, Shift4 Payments.

'Best ride of my life!' Proctor tweeted a few hours after splashdown.

Strangers until March, the four spent six months training and preparing for potential emergencies during the flight - but there was no need to step in, officials said after their return.

During the trip dubbed Inspiration4, the crew had time to chat with St. Jude patients, conduct medical tests on themselves, ring the closing bell for the New York Stock Exchange and do some drawing and ukulele playing.

SpaceXs fully automated Dragon capsule reached an unusually high altitude of 363 miles after Wednesday night's liftoff.

Surpassing the International Space Station by 100 miles, the passengers savored views of Earth through a big bubble-shaped window added to the top of the capsule.

The four streaked back through the atmosphere early Saturday evening, the first space travelers to end their flight in the Atlantic since Apollo 9 in 1969. SpaceXs two previous crew splashdowns - carrying astronauts for NASA - were in the Gulf of Mexico.

Chris Sembroski, one of four passengers aboard the SpaceX capsule, reacts after emerging from the capsule Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, after it was recovered following its splashdown in the Atlantic off the Florida coast.

SpaceX passengers aboard a SpaceX capsule react as the capsule parachutes into the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.

Within a few minutes, a pair of SpaceX boats pulled up alongside the bobbing capsule. When the capsule's hatch was opened on the recovery ship, Arceneaux was the first one out, flashing a big smile and thumbs up.

Aside from trouble with a toilet fan and a bad temperature sensor in an engine, the flight went exceedingly well, officials said. Some of the four passengers experienced motion sickness when they reached orbit - just as some astronauts do.

'It was a very clean mission from start to finish,' said Benji Reed, a SpaceX senior director.

Reed anticipates as many as six private flights a year for SpaceX, sandwiched between astronaut launches for NASA. Four SpaceX flights are already booked to carry paying customers to the space station, accompanied by former NASA astronauts.

The first is targeted for early next year with three businessmen paying $55 million apiece. Russia also plans to take up an actor and film director for filming next month and a Japanese tycoon in December.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Friday she is worried the General Assembly gathering could turn into a COVID superspreader event

The White House is concerned that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York, which kicked off last week, could be a COVID-19 superspreader event.

'We are concerned about the U.N. event being a superspreader event, and that we need to take all measures to ensure that it does not become a superspreader event,' President Joe Biden's Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during a press conference Friday.

World leaders began descending on New York City last week for the annual meeting, and Thomas-Greenfield notes they aren't necessarily abiding by local vaccine requirements and other coronavirus-related restrictions.

President Joe Biden will head north on Monday to deliver remarks in-person to his international counterparts. He is expected to appear with a smaller-than-usual White House entourage.

Last year's UNGA meeting, held at the height of the pandemic, forced world leaders to go virtual. This year, however, the meeting is being held in hybrid formatting, allowing heads of state to appear in person or by video message.

Thomas-Greenfield said she sent a note urging diplomats and world leaders to send in videos to be played throughout the two-week event.

More than 100 presidents, prime ministers and other leaders are expected to give in-person speeches.

New York City has some of the most restrictive COVID-19 rules currently, after Mayor Bill de Blasio imposed earlier this summer a mandate that people need to be vaccinated  and show proof of vaccination  to enjoy indoor activities like dining, concerts, movies and convention centers.

UNGA is held indoors at the U.N. General Assembly Hall, which qualified as a convention center, according to a September 9 letter from de Blasio's Office for International Affairs.

New York City's health commissioner informed the General Assembly president-elect Abdulla Shahid that UNGA would be covered by a local law requiring proof of vaccination for indoor venues.

Already indicative of clashes is Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, who says he is not vaccinated but has antibodies from a COVID-19 infection last year. He announced he will attend UNGA in person while defying the New York City vaccine requirement.

President Joe Biden will speak at UNGA on Monday at the gathering hall in New York City

There are already concerns over world leaders and diplomats not following NYC vaccination protocols, which requires people to be vaccinated for indoor events  including at convention centers

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called the requirement 'discriminatory' and said he was 'surprised and disappointed' by the idea of requiring proof of vaccination to enter the General Assembly Hall.

Nebenzia claimed the rule is contrary to the 1947 agreement between the U.S. and the U.N. that establishes the world body's international status.

After pushback on the requirement, Shahid walked back in a new letter on Thursday: 'I would like to advise delegations that the honour system related to vaccinations  remains in place.'

Secretary General's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Friday that the honor system means 'by swiping a badge to enter the General Assembly Hall, delegates attest that they are fully vaccinated, that they have not tested positive for COVID19 in the last 10 days [and] have no symptoms.'

De Blasio announced New York City will open a pop-up testing and vaccination site at U.N. headquarters where attendees can get free COVID-19 tests and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The 2021 UNGA gathering kicked off last week and will conclude Tuesday.

Case rates of COVID-19 have been spiking in the U.S. as the Delta variant surges and more breakthrough cases emerge in vaccinated people
Celebrity favourite paradise Byron Bay is set to face a huge wave of Covid cases by Christmas, doctors fear, as the area remains largely unvaccinated with many still in denial about the pandemic.

Fragments of Covid-19 were found in the Byron sewage systems over the weekend, as Lismore, a town south-west of the area, was plunged into lockdown on Thursday.

The Byron Bay region is bracing for an outbreak, after a parent and child returning from Sydney brought the virus to Lismore, where it has since spread.

The Byron Bay region is set to be hit with a wave of Covid cases by Christmas (pictured, 'freedom' protestors on Saturday in Byron Bay)

Local paediatrician Chris Ingall said to the Daily Telegraph the region has pockets of people who won't vaccinate, predicting the virus will hit hard in those areas.

Medical professionals are bracing for the counterculture paradise to be hit with a huge number of positive cases.

'The opening up of the state is inevitable and we are going to be awash with Covid by Christmas, maybe before then,' Dr Ingall said.

Only a third of Lismore's population are fully-vaccinated, and 62 per cent have received a first dose.

While Lismore is generally accepting of the impacts of the virus, the greater area includes anti-vax capitals such as Mullumbimby and Nimbin.

As fully-vaccinated travellers flock to the region once lockdown is lifted, the area which is has large groups of people opposed to the virus will be hit hard (pictured, protestors on Saturday n Byron Bay)

Once the state opens, Dr Ingall is worried that the virus will sweep through the region by asymptomatic vaccinated travellers.

While vaccines are incredibly effective at stopping deaths and hospitalisations, the fully-vaccinated can still carry the virus and spread it to others.

The neighbouring Byron Shire has an even lower vaccination percentage, leaving it even more susceptible once lockdown is removed in NSW.

Only 31 per cent of residents are fully-vaccinated and 55 per cent have had a single dose.

While some are claiming lack of supply is responsible for the low vaccination rates, medical professionals are claiming anti-vaxxers in the area were making fake appointments, meaning precious vaccines were being thrown out.

Byron Shire Mayor, Adam Lyon, claimed the region only received 300 doses a week.

The asymptomatic travellers will spread the virus without restriction, infecting unvaccinated populations in Byron Bay, doctors fear (pictured, Byron Bay protestors on Saturday)

Graffiti is littered across the main road, painting anti-vaccination slogans and Covid denying ramblings.

'A lot of people who see themselves as the cool kids  the punks  they just don't like being told what to do by anyone ever,' local lawyer Mark Swivel said.

Mr Swivel, who is running for mayor, also claimed the Covid deniers would rather flip the bird to establishment than take one for the team and get the jab.

The warning comes after an anti-lockdown protest in Byron Bay on Saturday.

Between 200 and 300 people faced off against police in the sleepy beach town on the Far North Coast of NSW - despite not being in lockdown.

The early signs of the protest were fairly peaceful, with locals spotted waving a series of bizarre slogans.

Despite not being in lockdown, up to 300 protestors in Byron Bay took part in a anti-lockdown march on Saturday (pictured, a bikini clad protestor)

Some held 'Freedom from Lockdown' signs and repeatedly chanted 'freedom' - despite the fact stay-at-home orders in the Byron Shire were lifted on September 11.

A large police presence and members of the Public Order and Riot Squad initially outnumbered protesters when they first gathered outside Byron Bay Court House on Saturday morning.

Soon after, the group's numbers increased, with Tweed Byron Police District Chief Inspector Matt Kehoe issuing a direction to disperse.

When the series of protestors ignored the direction, officers made several arrests outside the local court house and again when the protestors moved to Apex Park at Main Beach.

Local police at Byron Bay did make a few arrests (pictured), but the protest was deemed largely peaceful by authorities

NSW Police have since confirmed 11 people were arrested and 28 people were issued fines in the popular holiday destination.

While most believe the Byron Bay region to be a relaxed suburb of counterculture and hippie attitudes, locals claim that is not the case.

Gone are the days of old Byron types, as influencers flock to the area and mansions are erected consistently.

'The anti-authoritarian steak in this community traditionally unites everybody but this is a test of our capacity to live with the paradox of personal choice and common good,' Mr Swivel said.

He also said the vaccine is the ultimate 'team sport' and could be the most significant unification of the community in his lifetime, as he believes in unity across species.

Locals were spotted holding a number of anti-lockdown signs - despite the lockdown in Byron Bay being formally lifted on September 11

Despite not being in lockdown, Byron Bay locals were out in force in Saturday (pictured a man holding a 'Freedom to Choose' sign)

On Sunday, NSW recorded a drop in cases with 1,083 infections, but recorded 13 deaths, the deadliest day of the pandemic so far.

It is also not clear if the infection curve is finally going down, with lower numbers of cases often recorded on Sundays, as less people are keen to get tested before a weekend in case they have to isolate.

It comes as Sydney's west will be released from super strict lockdown measures on Monday.

Twelve local councils with the vast majority of NSW's cases were for the past two months subjected to far more restrictions than the rest of the state.

Locals were locked inside their council area unless they were an authorised worker with a permit, subject to a 9pm to 5am curfew, only allowed out for one hour a day for exercise.

From Monday, these restrictions will disappear and they will be under the same lockdown conditions as the rest of Sydney.

Sydneysiders are urged to not be complacent as more restrictions were eased on Sunday (pictured woman enjoying the Sydney sunshine on Sunday)

These include unlimited outdoor exercise and recreation, picnics outside for five vaccinated friends, and being able to go to weddings anywhere in Sydney.

The permit system for authorised workers will continue.

Outdoor pools across NSW will also reopen from September 27, in time for the second week of the school holidays, provided councils have a stringent Covid safety plan approved by NSW Health. Natural pools are already permitted to be open.

The premier welcomed the signs the curve could be flattening but warned now wasn't the time to be complacent.

'There is not long to go, we're talking weeks before we get about 70 per cent double dose and I don't want anyone to let their guard down, this is not the time to kick back and it's over,' she said on Sunday.

'Some areas are showing decline, but other areas are still growing, and it's really important for us not to get complacent.

'If we stay the course, if we stick to the rules, we will be able to really start opening up at 70 per cent in a safe way and ensure that all of us in NSW move forward together.'

Ms Berejiklian paid tribute to the hotspot communities in Sydney's west and south-west which have endured the harshest restrictions in recent months, including a night curfew which was scrapped last week.

NSW recorded 1083 cases and 13 deaths on Sunday as more eased restrictions were announced

Fully vaccinated Sydneysiders caught up with friends for the first time in weeks with picnics in Centennial Park on Sunday

'They have led the way in our vaccination rates, they have shown us the way, and what it means to be resilient and strong,' she said.

'I can only imagine what it meant for families, and what it has meant for households to have to endure those restrictions for such a long period of time.

'But I hope that today's announcement demonstrates our absolute willingness to provide ease, support, and optimism when we can.'

Almost 80 per cent of eligible NSW residents have received their first Covid jab, while 51.9 per cent are fully vaccinated and one step closer to Freedom Day when the state hits the 70 per cent double dose milestone.
The main party backing Vladimir Putin secured a landslide victory in parliamentary elections this morning amid a torrent of allegations about vote-rigging.

With two-thirds of ballots counted, the pro-Kremlin United Russia party had retained its parliamentary majority with nearly 48 per cent of the vote, while the Communist party sits in a clear second with 21 percent.

The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia currently sits in third, with the Fair Russia and New People parties sharing just under 13 per cent of the vote.

At a celebratory rally at United Russia's headquarters broadcast on state television, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a close ally of the Russian leader, shouted: 'Putin! Putin! Putin!' to a flag-waving crowd that echoed his chant.

Despite the ease of the victory, the results show an approximate 10-point drop in the fortunes of the pro-Putin party since the last election in 2016, when they secured more than half of votes.

A malaise over years of faltering living standards and allegations of corruption from jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny have drained some support, compounded by a tactical voting campaign organised by Navalny's allies.

The results came after shocking videos were revealed allegedly showing illegal rigging in favour of the main pro-Putin party which pundits expect to win a clear majority.

In Vladivostok, a camera behind a plant showed an official apparently marking many previously blank ballot papers.

In Belovo, Kemerovo region, a hidden figure behind a woman in yellow repeatedly stuffs ballots into a polling box.

In Bryansk region, two women are seen packing ballots into a box, as laughter is heard in the polling station.

In Pyotr Dubrava, Samara region at polling station 706 an election official is seen filling in papers before walking over to place them in a ballot box

In Belovo, Kemerovo region, a hidden figure behind a woman I yellow repeatedly stuffs ballots into a polling box

In Pyotr Dubrava, Samara region at polling station 706 an election official is seen filling in papers before walking over to place them in a ballot box.

Most of the 'abuse' went ahead in full view of CCTV cameras.

All these cases are highlighted by opposition sites as evidence of rigging in the key parliamentary election.

There were reports of voters being bribed in TransBaikal - where one said he was offered 150 roubles (1.50) for his vote as well as Yakutia and Novosibirsk.

Elsewhere there were claims of people driving around polling stations to vote multiple times.

At a polling station in Yakutia, some 30 per cent of ballot papers had not arrived, prompting fears they were illegally completed, to be added to piles of votes at the count.

In three regions, local election commission chiefs were fired during the poll after 'extra ballots were discovered' at polling stations, said Central Election Commission head, Ella Pamfilova.

Chechen women wearing Chechen national costumes leave a polling booth at a polling station during the Parliamentary elections in Grozny, Russia, Sunday

A woman casts her ballot at a polling station during parliamentary elections at the Russian embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania

The regions were Bryansk, Kemerovo and the republic of Adygea, she said.

'At the moment, eight cases of ballot stuffing have been confirmed,' she said.

But the moves were seen as a token initiative unlikely to convince the opposition that the poll was fair.

Last night a retired doctor called Irina, 61, was quoted by The Times as saying: 'I vote so that at least my vote can be registered, and so no one can steal that vote from me. These elections are even worse than previous ones. Theyve purged the field.'

Recent months have seen the banning or jailing of key Putin foes, and their parties, such as campaigner Alexei Navalny, now jailed.

Some have been labelled 'extremist' or 'foreign agents'.

Despite this, Navalny repeatedly posted messages during the election calling for tactical voting against pro-Putin candidates.

The popular Telegram messenger had removed Navalny's 'Smart Voting' bot, while the opposition claimed Western web giants had been cowed by the Kremlin in removing Google Docs and YouTube videos containing lists of the recommended candidates.

Yet several opposition parties expected to slightly gain regularly back the Kremlin on key issues.

Putin has remained on self-isolation during the three days of polling after a reported outbreak of Covid-19 in his entourage.

Turnout reached 40.49 per cent by 2:50pm today, the final day of voting, said officials.

The impact of online voting - more widely available tha in previous elections - was not clear.

One opposition activist reported: 'Total [ballot] stuffing continues in St. Petersburg.

'Criminals are not ashamed of anything and shove packs (of votes) right under the camera of the observers.

'They know perfectly well that they will not be punished, rather they will get promoted.'

Earlier huge queues of 'state employees' including soldiers were seen at polling stations around the country amid claims they had been ordered to vote at specific locations to sway the result.

In a week when Russia has seen non-stop war games close to its western frontiers, it seemed like the latest military exercise: Operation Get Out The Vote.

In St Petersburg, a woman was detained after carrying a bag to a voting place stuffed with 100-plus ballot papers.
Advertisement

Former Full House actress, Lori Loughlin, and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have dropped $13million on a gated Palm Desert, California, oasis, following their release from prison for their involvement in the college-admissions scandal.

Loughlin, who was released from prison in December, with her husband following in April, appear to be celebrating their newfound freedom with the purchase of their vacation getaway in the La Quinta community.

The five-bedroom, 5.5 bathroom home, situated in the guard-gated exclusive Madison Club, comes lavished with several amenities, including a wine cellar, movie theater, two pools, two spas, a wet bar and an outdoor projector-theater.

Former Full House actress, Lori Loughlin, and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have dropped $13million on a gated Palm Desert, California, oasis, following their release from prison for their involvement in the college-admissions scandal.

The open dining and living room area is perfect for watching L.A sunsets

The home comes equipped with several outdoor fireplaces, perfect for entertaining guests on chilly evenings

Opulent swimming pools encompass the outdoor area, in addition to an outdoor projector for watching films

The home comes lavished with several amenities, including a wine cellar, movie theater, two pools, outdoor fireplaces, two spas, a wet bar and an outdoor projector-theater

Former 'Full House' actress, Lori Loughlin, (right) and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, (left) have dropped $13 million on a gated Palm Desert, California, oasis

Built in 2019, the home was formally owned by Assurance co-founder Michael Rowell and his wife, Alexis, who purchased it for only $9.5 million.

A few of their neighbors include Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Nike's Phil Knight, Cindy Crawford and Scooter Braun.

The purchase comes a year after Loughlin and Giannulli bought a $9.5 million modern farmhouse in the Hidden Hills area of Los Angeles.

A federal judge in Boston recently granted Loughlin 'expedited' permission to travel to Canada to possibly rekindle her career. The request was necessary as she remains on probation.

The five-bedroom, 5.5 bathroom home is situated in the guard-gated exclusive Madison Club in the La Quinta community

Built in 2019, the home was formally owned by Assurance co-founder Michael Rowell and his wife, Alexis, who purchased it for only $9.5 million

An large dining area opens out onto the terrace, as an intricate chandelier hangs from the ceiling

Also featured in the amenities is a chic, oversized wine cellar

Loughlin was unable to travel due to her prison sentence and ensuing community service commitments stemming from her involvement in the 'Operation Varsity Blues' scheme, which involved wealthy parents paying large sums of money to get their kids into elite universities.

'Ms. Loughlin anticipates she will be traveling for about one week' and is 'being offered a filming production project' if granted permission, her initial request sent by a probation official stated.

It emerged in 2019 that Lori and Giannulli bribed their daughters Olivia and Isabella's way into University Of Southern California.

Lori and her fashion designer husband paid $500,000 to falsely pass the girls off as potential college rowers on USC's rowing team.

Although they initially claimed to be innocent, Mossimo pled guilty last May to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services and mail fraud, while Lori pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud.

Giannulli was sentenced to five months, while Loughlin served two months behind bars.
Six children were found living in a horrific 'Victorian slum' where they were surrounded by dog poo, mouse droppings and used nappies, a court has heard.

Shocking photographs show the extent of the squalid conditions the children were forced to live in, with the scenes in the house being likened to a 'Victorian slum'.

Stomach-churning pictures of the house in Wirral, Merseyside, showed mountains of rubbish piled up in the kitchen, the sink and bathtub filled with discarded cans and bottles, and clothes thrown across the floors.

The parents, who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions put in place to protect the identity of the children, both admitted children cruelty at Liverpool Crown Court and will be sentenced in November.

A judge has demanded answers on the children's welfare and what action was taken to protect them, after it emerged social services were made aware of the conditions 10 years ago.

Shocking photographs show the extent of the squalid conditions that six children in Wirral, Merseyside, were forced to live in, with the conditions being likened to a 'Victorian slum'

A statement from one of the children read in court said the house was 'an absolute dump' and 'not fit to be lived in', saying it had been like this 'for a long time' and 'no one should be living there'.

The victim said there was no running water, rubbish everywhere and 'dog poo all over the place', which was 'disgusting'.

The victim added: 'I would say both my parents are to blame for these conditions. We just need help.'

Liverpool Crown Court heard police were called to an argument between the couple and entered the property earlier this year, where they were confronted with the 'disgusting' scene.

Trevor Parry-Jones, prosecuting, said: 'What they were confronted with could only be described as a scene of unutterable squalor, more reminiscent of the Victorian slum era than the 21st century.'

The children were forced to survive surrounded by dog poo, mouse droppings, a rodent infestation and used nappies, with the mother saying the bathroom hadn't been used 'in years'.

Mr Parry-Jones said rubbish was 'strewn' throughout the house, the children's bunk beds and bedrooms were 'disgusting', and 'dog faeces abounded' on both floors.

He said: 'The bathroom was unusable, the toilet filthy, not having been cleaned for some considerable time, and there was a rodent infestation.'

The parents, who cannot be named, both admitted children cruelty and will be sentenced in November. Pictured: Used cans and rubbish left in the bathroom sink

The stomach-churning pictures showed mountains of rubbish piled up in the kitchen, the sink and bathtub filled with discarded cans, and clothes (pictured) thrown across the floors

Officers called for help, evacuated the children and asked another patrol to bring food, clean clothing and new nappies. Both parents were arrested and interviewed.

The father accepted conditions in the house were 'very bad' and the children 'could have got hurt', but claimed he had cleaned up about a month previously.

The mother, who like her partner claimed she worked 'very long hours', confessed they only ate only takeaway food and said the 'vile' conditions were made worse by their large pet dog.

Photos shown in court included one of a bedroom with discarded tins, plastic trays and wrappers strewn across the floor, while a second picture showed a bottle of bleach and dog faeces on the floor.

The children's school uniforms were stored in a room with old plastic bottles, bags full of rubbish and Pot Noodle containers on the floor.

Mr Parry-Jones said police officers found 'soiled' nappies 'discarded' around the house, while the bathroom was described as 'filthy and disgusting' and had been used as a 'refuse tip'.

The court heard the entrance hallway was full of rubbish and the kitchen was 'trashed', with a washing machine door missing and the floor covered in the remains of takeaways and mouse droppings.

The living room had no carpet and the floor was covered in waste, as were the stairs, causing a trip and 'fire risk', while dangerous plug sockets had 'burned out'.

Mr Parry-Jones said the children's bedrooms were 'filthy' and a dead rodent was found in one drawer.

He said neither of the parents, who both had previous convictions, had sought assistance, despite knowing the house was 'dangerous', 'insanitary' and 'a real health risk'.

A judge has demanded answers on the children's welfare after it emerged social services were first made aware of the conditions 10 years ago. Pictured: Toilet in the house

The children were forced to survive surrounded by mouse droppings, and a rodent infestation (pictured in bathtub), with the mother saying the bathroom hadn't been used 'in years'

He said the children were taken into 'interim care', but said the authorities had already been involved and there were concerns raised 'for many years'.

The court heard checks were first made in 2010 about the state of the house, and when police attended in 2013, they described it as 'unhygienic and dirty', which was 'conveyed to the authorities'.

The charity Catch 22 described the house as 'very poor' in 2015 and when police visited the house in 2017, as some of the children were not attending school, they said it was 'not dirty but poor'.

Two visits in 2018 saw police express 'concern to social services about the living conditions', with officers describing the house as 'in poor condition, there was a layer of dirt, no washing facilities, rubbish and mouse droppings and the bath is full of used sanitary products'.

Mr Parry-Jones said: 'As a result of the police passing that information on, a child social care worker attended and didn't assess the conditions as bad.'

But the disturbance this year brought officers back to the house, with Mr Parry-Jones saying: 'The people who have caused this are not those in authority - the cause of this is by the direct inaction or passive actions of both defendants.

'There is effectively no escape from that.'

Judge Andrew Menary, QC, said he hadn't been provided with any evidence about the impact on the children and needed information about the condition of each child when they were taken into care.

Mr Parry-Jones said: 'The inference is the children have been brought up in absolutely appalling conditions and it must have had an impact upon them.'

He said it wasn't clear 'how they do schoolwork, how they do anything, how they survive'.

Police were called to an argument between the couple and entered the home earlier this year, where they were confronted with the 'disgusting' scene. Pictured: Rodent found in a drawer

Jude Menary demanded answers as to why nothing was done sooner and ordered welfare reports on all six of the children, including information about whether they had suffered physical or psychological harm.

He said: 'It might be surprising social services hadn't taken action. It might be a symptom of the phenomena where social services place the bar too low in their expectation of parenting skills. I just don't know what the position is.'

Christopher McMaster, defending the mother, said at one stage social services working with Catch 22 had offered them support.

He said: 'I'm told by my lay client that assisted a lot, but the funding was cut and the support was taken away.'

Frank Dillon, defending the father, accepted the way the conditions in the house had been described.

However, he said: 'The other side of that coin is how can statutory systems, which are supposed to intervene in these circumstances, so fail these children?'

He said the defence required 'chapter and verse' about the involvement of the authorities because while his client accepted his responsibility, 'chances were missed'.

Judge Menary said: 'It's surprising if social services paid a visit to this house for a fleeting moment, they wouldn't have concluded something was seriously wrong.'

The parents, who, both admitted children cruelty at Liverpool Crown Court, will be sentenced in November.
Anthony Fauci said Sunday that the priority in the U.S. coronavirus response is not 'getting boosters,' but making sure that those who still have not been vaccinated get the jab and approving jabs for kids under 12-years-old.

'Our highest priority still, is getting the unvaccinated vaccinated, and there should be no confusion about that,' Dr. Fauci told NBC News' Meet the Press host Chuck Todd.

'The highest priority is not getting boosters,' he said. 'We think it's important to get boosters to people, but the overwhelming highest priority is to vaccinate the unvaccinated.'

The clarification came after Todd asked the nation's top immunologist about the prioritization of boosters shots and whether it's a 'luxury'.

Fauci also said children between 5-11 will likely be able to get vaccines by the fall, which is over the course of the next three months.

'Sometime in the next few weeks, as we get into October, we'll be able to see the vaccines for children get enough data to be presented for safety and immunogenicity,' Fauci told ABC News' This Week  echoing similar estimates from other health officials.

The official first day of fall is this week and ends in November.

The Food and Drug Administration's advisory committee voted last week to recommend against the Pfizer booster shot for the general public. Shortly after, however, it did approve the shot for elderly Americans and those with pre-existing conditions.

'I don't think a booster is a luxury,' Fauci told NBC.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday that 'the highest priority is not getting boosters' but getting COVID shots to unvaccinated Americans

Vaccinations rates severely decline in the spring and summer

He also explained in an interview Sunday morning on CNN's State of the Union that while he is old enough to receive the booster  at 80-years-old  he has not yet gotten it.

'I am 80 and I'm an elderly person,' he told host Jake Tapper. 'I will certainly get a booster.'

Fauci, who heads President Joe Biden's coronavirus response task force, said that he doesn't think the FDA made a mistake by not yet advising booster shots.

'They did that in the proper, deliberative process and they came up with a recommendation, which I think is a good recommendation,' Fauci said.

He noted that the populations for whom a booster shot is recommended by the FDA is a 'good chuck'.

Other than those over 65, the FDA said the Pfizer booster is recommended for adults with underlying conditions and those 18 and older who are at a higher risk of exposure  like those in the healthcare industry.

'They're going to continue to look at this, literally, in real time,' Fauci added in his interview with CNN. 'More data will be coming in on both safety for younger individuals, efficacy.'

'So the story is not over yet. I think people need to understand that. This is not the end of the story.'

Case rates of COVID-19 have been spiking in the U.S. as the Delta variant surges and more breakthrough cases emerge in vaccinated people

Deaths have also been on the rise as cases spike, reaching event some daily rates at the height of the pandemic in the winter

Biden found himself ahead of the science on this one, saying last month the administration would deliver on a booster shot to enhance the vaccine's efficiency.

'The plan is for every adult to get a booster shot eight months after you got your second shot,' Biden said on August 18. 'Just remember as a simple rule: Eight months after your second shot, get a booster shot.'

He noted at the time that his administration would be ready to begin the program on September 20.

Some of the nation's top medical advisers are now warning the White House not to rush it  especially as the advisory board rejected Biden's plan to give COVID-19 booster shots across the board.

'Viewed from a global perspective, this is a squandering of a scarce global resource, as a consequence of which people will die,' Dr. Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said, according to ABC News. 'I feel completely comfortable saying this.'

'It created enormous pressure on the agency to go along with what the White House wanted,' Lurie added. 'That's what we're trying to get beyond after the Trump era.'

Dr. Paul Offit of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, who serves on the FDA advisory board, told reporters after the meeting last week that while the Biden administration had planned for boosters for the general population, 'that's not this.'

'This is: 'We're going to test the water one foot at a time,' he said.
Ed Davey insisted the Liberal Democrats believed in free speech today as he was grilled over the party's decision to bar a member from running for Parliament over her views on transgender women.

Ahead of his party conference speech this afternoon the party leader was quizzed over the action taken against mother-of-two Natalie Bird earlier this year.

The 40-year-old was blocked from standing in Wakefield, Yorkshire, and banned from the party office for 10 years after a complaint about her wearing a T-shirt reading, 'Woman: Adult, Human, Female'.

She is now taking legal action under the Equalities Act against the Lib Dems, claiming she was 'hounded' by trans activists who accused her of 'disseminating transphobic material over a prolonged time'.

Grilled on the case on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme today he was asked what was wrong about the phrase 'woman, adult, human female'.

'The phrase actually doesn't really encapsulate the debate, to be honest,' he said.

'That's what's the problem with it. The issue that we have been really is that a trans woman is a woman and a trans man is a man. And that is the issue that we're fighting on. We believe trans rights are human rights.'

He later added: 'We absolutely believe in free speech, but we also believe that we need to protect human rights and we need to believe in equality.'

Ahead of his party conference speech this afternoon the party leader was quizzed over the action taken against mother-of-two Natalie Bird earlier this year.

The 40-year-old was blocked from standing in Wakefield, Yorkshire, and banned from the party office for 10 years after a complaint about her wearing a T-shirt reading, 'Woman: Adult, Human, Female'.

Ms Bird, 40, was banned from the party office for 10 years after a complaint about her wearing a T-shirt saying 'Woman: Adult, Human, Female'. Ms Bird previously faced allegations of transphobia in 2018 when trans woman Zoe O'Connell (left) allegedly complained about her suggesting women refuges should be segregated based on biological sex rather than chosen gender

Ms Bird, who escaped an abusive partner, told the Telegraph in June she was the victim of a 'sinister' witch hunt, adding: 'Within day to day life I've got trans friends, and if you've got somebody who wants to be treated as a woman socially, I believe everybody should do that, be polite and give them their preferred name.

'But that does not automatically mean that you become a woman.'

She previously faced allegations of transphobia in 2018 when trans woman Zoe O'Connell allegedly complained about her suggesting women refuges should be segregated based on biological sex rather than chosen gender.

A disciplinary hearing found no evidence of transphobia at the time but she lost her position as chairwoman of the Radical Association after a vote of no confidence.

The furore came as House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle condemned threats made to a Labour MP after she was forced to pull out from her party conference amid threats from trans rights activists.

Sir Lindsay said politicians should be able to appear publicly 'without fear of harm' after Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield revealed she would miss the upcoming Labour event in Brighton.

Ms Duffield, who won her seat in 2017 from the Conservatives, claims she has been branded transphobic for 'knowing that only women have a cervix'.

The 50-year-old MP has also previously waded into the debate about access to female-only spaces.

She told the Sunday Times today that she has been the victim of threats and 'misogynistic attacks' online, including being branded a 'bimbo'.

House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle (pictured left) has condemned threats made to a Labour MP after she was forced to pull out from her party conference amid threats from trans rights activists. It comes after Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield (pictured right) revealed she would miss the upcoming Labour Party conference following threats from transgender activists

As a result, she will not attend this year's Labour party conference, which begins in Brighton on Saturday.

Now Sir Lindsay has waded into the safety row, saying MPs should be able to attend their party conferences 'without threats of intimidation'.

Sir Ed used his conference speech in Canary Wharf today to issue a rallying cry to his party to drive Boris Johnson from No 10 saying he was not 'worthy' to be Prime Minister.

In his keynote address to his party's annual conference, Sir Ed said the Tories could only be ousted from power if the Lib Dems take seats from them at the next general election.

He launched a bitter personal attack on Mr Johnson accusing him of a 'total lack of shame or decency', saying the Conservative Party had become an 'ugly, ugly sight' under his leadership.

Sir Ed also used his speech to call for a 15 billion Covid catch-up plan for education with vouchers worth 200-a-year issued directly to parents to spend on their children's learning.

In his first live address since becoming leader last year, Sir Ed said the Lib Dems' win in the recent Chesham and Amersham by-election, where they overturned a 16,000 Conservative majority, showed they could take seats in the so-called Tory 'blue wall' across southern England.

Speaking to around 150 activists in London's Canary Wharf, he said part of the reason for their victory was a 'groundswell of frustration and discontent' among voters who felt ignored and taken for granted by the Tories.

'They just don't feel that Boris Johnson represents them,' he said.

'Or shares their values. They're not convinced the Prime Minister is competent, or worse still, decent,' he said.

'Wherever you look in this shocking Government, the truth is, that over the last few years Boris Johnson has remade the Conservative Party in his own image.

'And it is an ugly, ugly sight. His casual disregard for facts or truth. His trail of broken promises from ''No border in the Irish Sea'' to ''No tax rise''.

'And his total lack of shame or decency. Boris Johnson is not a Prime Minister worthy of our great United Kingdom.'
A 22-year-old man died on Sunday morning after gunfire erupted at a Bronx park the night before, injuring three other victims, including an 11-year-old boy.

The young victim - who is currently unidentified- was shot in the torso at Claremont Park between Teller Avenue and East 172nd Street on Saturday night, according to The New York Post.

He was pronounced deceased at BronxCare Health System.

Gunshots were heard after a fight broke out at around 11.15pm, according to NYPD.

The department also reported that three unidentified male suspects ran to a white Nissan with Texas plates after the shots were fired.

The other victims shot included an 11-year-old boy who was shot in the shoulder, a 24-year-old woman who was shot twice in the torso, and another 22-year-old man who was shot in the leg.

A 22-year-old victim was shot and killed after three suspects opened fire on him and three others at a Saturday night party in Claremont Park

The other victims were injured in the shooting with two of the male victims in stable condition and a female victim in critical condition

The three suspects left the party after gunshots were heard at around 11.15pm and were seen getting into a white Nissan with Texas plates

The other shooting victims were taken to Lincoln Hospital with the two male victims found in stable condition and the female victim in critical condition.

Bronx man Eddie Alvarez told the New York Post that around 200 to 250 people were in the park at the time of the shooting.

'I saw the gun being pointed at the crowd,' Alvarez said. 'I thought I was hit. He was shooting as he was leaving the park. He was shooting at everybody.'

'It didnt look like it was a personal altercation between two individuals.

'It looked like he was trying to get whoever he could get.  His evil intention was there.'

Another woman, identified as Amy, was walking by the park with her 12 and six year old children when the gunshots were heard.

'I was scared for my kids,' she told The Post. 'My kids were screaming mommy.

'Everyone was all over the place,' she said. 'It was crazy  [Im] never again coming to events like this, especially staying late.'

'It is really troubling to see an 11-year-old child being shot, and I want to encourage our family members  lets continue to put our children in safe spaces,' mayoral candidate Eric Adams said at a press conference.

'It is really disturbing to know that during some form of celebration someone would bring a gun and cause that level of violence.'

The three injured victims were taken to Lincoln Hospital after the shooting

The party was said to have between 200 to 250 people in attendance

Police are still investigating the incident and no arrests have been made as of yet

The shooting is still under investigation and no arrests have been made yet.

This incident comes only a week after a shooting occurred in Harlem where 31-year-old Shanice Young, a pregnant woman, was shot by her ex-boyfriend Justin Soriano.

Soriano, 40, was arrested on Thursday after gunning down Young when she was returning from a baby shower a few days earlier.

According to the NYPD, he had 17 prior arrests including gun and drug possession, selling drugs and resisting arrest.

Young and her baby, which was due in five days, died in the hospital.

'Our hope here is that this apprehension begins the process of closure for the family and just as important for the community for this terrible, terrible crime,' NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said during a Thursday afternoon press conference.

According to the NYPD, there has been a decrease in shooting victims but an increase in shooting incidents from last year.

There was a 0.1% decrease with 1,342 shooting victims in 2020 and 1,341 victims in 2021.

A 2.6% increase was found in incidents with 1,089 in 2020 and 1,117 in 2021.

The department also reports a 5.9% increase of felony assault cases and 3.7% increase for rape cases since last year.

There has been a decrease in other areas with a 4.4% decline in murder cases and 1.4% decline for robbery as well.

In addition, there has been a 0.9% decrease in overall crimes.
A man has died and a woman was seriously injured in an accident involving two powered paragliders in the Scottish Highlands.

Emergency services were called out to the incident, which happened south of Unapool in Wester Ross, on Saturday.

Police and ambulance both attended the scene, while the fire service sent two pumps and a special resource vehicle from Inverness.

Emergency services were called out to the incident, which happened south of Unapool in Wester Ross, on Saturday

Police confirmed the death of one of the pilots of a paramotor.

'Police Scotland can confirm that a 54-year-old man has died and a woman has been seriously injured following a collision involving two paramotors yesterday afternoon,' said a Police Scotland spokesperson.

'Police were informed about the incident near Loch Na Gainmhich by the A894 shortly before 4.45pm and enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing. The next of kin of those involved have been informed.'

The woman's injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

A fire service spokesman said: 'We were called at around 5.54pm to assist police and ambulance with an aircraft accident involving two gliders near the A894 south of Unapool.

'We sent two pumps, along with a special appliance resource from Inverness.

'Two causalities have been reported, one male and one female.'
First couple Joe and Jill Biden took a leisurely bike ride during their weekend in Rehoboth on Sunday as a new poll emerged showing more than half of Americans believe the country is less united under this administration.

A Fox News poll released on Sunday shows that 54 per cent of registered voters think that the country has become more divided since Biden took office on January 20, 2021 and 37 per cent say the country has become 'more united.'

Only 7 per cent of 1,002 respondents believe there has been no change from when Donald Trump was in the White House and after Biden took over  and 3 per cent say they don't know.

Only 37 per cent of registered voters feel that President Joe Biden has made the country 'more united'

The Fox News poll shows 54 per cent of registered voters feel the country has become 'less united' since Biden took office on January 20, 2021

President Biden and first lady Jill Biden were spotted on a bike ride together in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on Sunday morning

Biden used the word 'unity' eight times in his inauguration speech and vowed to bring the country together and close the divisions in society that Democrats claim were created by Trump when he was president.

The question in the poll comes as Biden faces a slew of criticism on several fronts, like his handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, the raging southern border crisis and his failure to get booster shots approved by mid-September like previously promised.

Instead of facing any of those issues head on, the president headed to his beach home in Rehoboth, Delaware over the weekend.

He was spotted Sunday morning on a bike ride with first lady Jill Biden.

Biden will head to New York City on Monday to deliver remarks at the United Nations General Assembly meeting.

While American voters are not impressed with Biden's follow through on unity, a simple majority feel he cares about 'people like you.' That number, however, is slipping from 56 per cent in October 2020 to 51 per cent now.

This shift, according to the Fox survey, is mostly attributed to a 15-point dip among independent voters.

When it comes to different issues, Biden ranks most high for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic with an approval of 55 per cent to 44 per cent disapproval  a largely unchanged figure from the same poll question in August.

Onlookers stopped to watch and record the first couple as they rode their bikes on a trail near their beach home in Rehoboth

The poll was taken September 12-15, which was before a Food and Drug Administration advisory board rejected recommendation for the Pfizer booster shot for the general public, thwarting Biden's promise to get it approved by September 20.

Instead, they only recommended the booster for those 65 and older and Americans with a higher chance of contracting the disease  like preexisting conditions or a more risky work environment.

Biden's most dismal numbers come from the Afghanistan withdrawal, which left 13 U.S. service members dead and hundreds of Americans stranded. The poll shows only 36 per cent of voters approval of the total and rush U.S. troop withdrawal while 60 per cent disapprove.

Voters are generally split on his handling of the economy, with 50 per cent approval and 49 per cent disapproval.
Jamel Martinez (pictured) allegedly set fire to his family apartment's kitchen in Manhattan Saturday afternoon, and after firefighters arrived jumped from the roof of the building to his death

An 18-year-old suffering from mental illness died after plunging to his death from a Manhattan apartment building he allegedly set on fire.

Jamel Martinez reportedly started the blaze in the kitchen of his family's 10th story apartment at the New York City Housing Authority's East River Houses complex Saturday afternoon before jumping off the roof of the building, police told the New York Post.

Martinez had been released from Bellevue Hospital roughly a month ago after a struggle with depression, his father James White, told the outlet.

Roughly 80 firefighters responded to a call of a fire at the East 105th Street apartments at around 4.30pm, according to the Citizen App, and by around 5pm reported one person injured on the scene - later confirmed to be Martinez - who was soon pronounced dead.

By around 5.20pm, the fire was under control, the FDNY reported.

He said that amid the pressure of graduating high school and a struggle with drugs he believed his son was not ready to return to life on the outside.

'This is my son who did this. This is my son,' White, 53, who was on the scene of the fire Saturday afternoon, told the outlet.

'He wasn't supposed to leave Bellevue Hospital. I told Bellevue Hospital not to release him, take him to a program where he could get his mind right.'

Martinez' family was not home at the time of the blaze, police sources told the New York Daily News.

He fled after firefighters arrived at the apartment, although it is not clear if he went directly to the roof.

Martinez reportedly hit a car after jumping from the building, and was pronounced dead on the scene. His father said he had been struggling with mental health issues lately

New York City firefighters responded to the blaze at the NYCHA's East River Houses complex (pictured) around 4.30pm

White said his son had been struggling for some time with mental health issues, noting that he had been in the news recently after his family reported him missing.

Police issued a missing person's report for Martinez on May 23, according to the Norwood News, but it is not clear when he was found.

'He went through something where his mind just relapsed. He ran away from home,' White said.

'He needed helppeople do not take this mental thing seriously,' he said.

The fire began on the 10th story of the building, and was extinguished within roughly an hour

A neighbor, who was asleep with her daughter when the fire broke out, said the 10th floor became engulfed in smoke during the blaze.

'All of a sudden, we couldn't see,' she told the Daily News. 'There was smoke everywhere.'

Firefighters told them to stay put while they battled the fire, but they were able to escape without injury as soon as they could.

'We got up and we ran because the apartment was filling up with smoke,' she told the outlet. 'We couldn't breathe. We just ran.'

She said she was acquainted with Martinez.

'He was a sweet kid. Respectable, decent, loving and caring. Just a beautiful kid,'

Witnesses said Martinez landed on top of a car.

Roughly 80 firefighters responded to the blaze, and Martinez was the only reported injury

'I feel terrible,' Rosemary Negron, 60, a resident of the building told the Post. 'It was a kid. I don't know what happened to him where he would do something like that.'

Another witness, a 12-year-old boy, said he heard a loud bang when he saw Martinez hit the car.

'His mother was crying,' the boy told the outlet. 'I feel really sad.'

White said his son was interested in computers and technology before his struggle with depression.

'He was a good kid,' he told the Post. 'He was a nice, warm sweet kid.'
Former Gauley Bridge Police Chief Larry Allen Clay allegedly paid Twenty-eight-year-old Kristen Naylor-Legg $100 to rape her 17-year-old daughter

A woman from West Virginia pleaded guilty to child sex trafficking charges after admitting she received $100 in exchange for allowing a police chief to rape her stepdaughter while he was on duty.

Twenty-eight-year-old Kristen Naylor-Legg pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor.

She reportedly arranged at least two encounters between her 17-year-old stepdaughter and former Gauley Bridge Police Chief Larry Allen Clay, Jr in 2020.

In the first instance, Naylor-Legg was paid $100. The second time, she was promised $50 but never received the money.

According to the teen, her stepmother was having an affair with Clay, and when he showed interest in the minor, Naylor-Legg started taking pictures of her and offering them to Clay in exchange of money.

'Chief Clay expressed to Mrs. Naylor-Legg that he would pay plaintiff to touch herself in a sexual way while he and Mrs. Naylor-Legg had sexual intercourse,' the complain reads.

The teen said she was threatened with being kicked out of the house if she refused to have sex with Clay.

'Naylor-Legg told plaintiff that she needed to have sexual intercourse with Chief Clay in exchange for money because the family needed the funds to keep the utilities on in their home,' the complaint states.

According to the prosecution, Naylor-Legg was heavily involved in the acts, even offering towels to her stepdaughter once she had been raped by Clay.

In the second incident, Clay raped the minor at the former Gauley Bridge High School, now a community center in Gauley to which police has access and told her he didn't need to use protection because he was 'fixed'

During the first incident, Naylor-Legg drove the 17-year-old to a remote location on Cain Branch Road, just outside of the City of Gauley Bridge, where Clay was parked in his police car. She then reportedly witnessed how Clay forced the teen to perform oral sex on him and raped her outside of his police car

Naylor-Legg, who was initially charged in March 24, will also have to register as a sex offender.

An investigation was opened after the teen reported the abuse to law enforcement.

During the first incident, Naylor-Legg drove the 17-year-old to a remote location on Cain Branch Road, just outside of the City of Gauley Bridge, where Clay was parked in his police car. She then reportedly witnessed how Clay forced the teen to perform oral sex on him and raped her outside of his police car, the West Virginia Record reported.

In the second incident, Clay raped the minor at the former Gauley Bridge High School, now a community center in Gauley to which police has access and told her he didn't need to use protection because he was 'fixed.'

The minor is now suing Clay and the city of Gauley Bridge.

'Chief Clay's heinous conduct in this case is one of the worst examples of police misconduct and abuse of power imaginable,' attorney Russell A. Williams told the West Virginia Record.

'We look forward to holding him accountable for his unconscionable violation of our client's rights and breaching our collective public trust in law enforcement.'

Naylor-Legg allegedly arranged for the 17-year-old to have intercourse with another member of the police department but the unnamed man denied to do so when he found out she was a minor.

Clay is set to go to trial on November 9 after pleading not guilty on conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor via coercion and sex trafficking of a minor via coercion.
Sajid Javid said doses were an 'important way of keeping the virus under control'

Covid booster jab invitations to be sent to 1.5million people in England today

Invitations for Covid-19 booster jabs will be sent to 1.5million people in England today as the Government prepares to top-up immunity in frontline workers and vulnerable Britons.

Text messages urging people to arrange a third jab through the National Booking Service will be sent today while letters will be sent to those who are eligible later in the week.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the booster doses would help 'strengthen the wall of defence across the country' and were an 'important way of keeping the virus under control' ahead of the winter months.

Mr Javid said: 'It is excellent that getting your booster jab has now become even easier thanks to the opening of the National Booking Service to those eligible.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the booster doses would help 'strengthen the wall of defence across the country'

'Booster doses are an important way of keeping the virus under control for the long term and will protect the most vulnerable through the winter months.

'I urge everyone who receives a letter or text to get their jab as soon as possible so we can strengthen the wall of defence across the country that each vaccine brings.'

Third doses will be rolled out to the top nine priority groups during the initial drive and those eligible include anyone aged 50 and over, people living and working in care homes for the elderly, and frontline health and social care workers.

All those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and anyone aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group for Covid (who were included in priority groups one to nine during the initial vaccine rollout) will also be eligible for a jab.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has said people should receive their booster dose at least six months after they received their second coronavirus jab.

While there is a preference that people should get the Pfizer jab as a third dose, regardless of which jab they were initially given, the JCVI said half doses of the Moderna jab could be used as an alternative.

There are also booster campaigns in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Eligible people will be contacted by the NHS to arrange an appointment, with 4.5million people in priority groups to be invited over the next month

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for the Covid vaccination programme, said: 'The NHS Covid vaccination programme has already prevented 24 million cases and saved more than 112,000 lives.

'As we head into winter we should not drop our guard, so I would urge everyone to come forward and get a booster vaccination when then they are invited.

'Getting a top-up vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from this cruel virus.'

The booster rollout is the first phase of the Government's winter plan to avoid another lockdown.

Third doses will be rolled out to the top nine priority groups during the initial drive

Booster shots are set to be rolled out in descending order from group one  elderly residents in care homes  to nine

Britain recorded another 29,612 coronavirus cases today - a 1.5 per cent increase from last Sunday's 29,173. The death figure stayed exactly the same - 56 for both today and last Sunday

If hospitalisations rise quickly, ministers have warned they could be forced to reintroduce face masks and work from home guidance.

This week a study by Israel's health ministry found over-60s given a booster Covid jab were 20 times less likely to fall severely ill with Covid than those vaccinated with two doses.

The research looked at more than 1.1million Israelis who had been double-jabbed for at least five months.

It found that people given a booster jab were 19.5 times less likely to be hospitalised with Covid than those who were still relying on protection from two doses and 11.3 less likely to test positive for the virus.

Both findings apply to the Pfizer vaccine, which Israel has relied on solely for its coronavirus immunisation programmes.

It comes as Britain recorded another 29,612 coronavirus cases yesterday - a 1.5 per cent increase from last Sunday's 29,173.

The death figure stayed exactly the same - 56 for both yesterday and last Sunday.

But Government figures for the total number of cases over the last seven days reveals a 17.7 per cent drop in cases - with the figure for this week standing at 207,368, a decrease of 44,643 from the previous week.

There were 1,003 deaths in total over the last seven days however, representing an increase of 32 (3.3%) when compared to the week prior.
A former White House intelligence official said the US needs to be held accountable for the drone strike in Afghanistan that killed ten civilians, including seven children.

Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under the Bush and Obama administration stated that although he believes it was a genuine mistake, the US 'absolutely' needs to take responsibility for the attack.

Mullen was interviewed by ABC's Martha Raddatz, who asked him his stance on the issue after Head of US Central Command Gen. Frank McKenzie publicly apologized and recognized the mistake made by US intelligence that killed aid worker Zemari Ahmadi and nine family members who had no connection to ISIS-K.

'Tragic, tragic mistake and just, my heart goes out to the family members who were so deeply affected.

'I thought what general McKenzie did was right- admit and apologize and look-and he also spoke later of reparations,' Mullen said.

Mullen brought up reparations hinted in McKenzie's public apology, and a review of the military's inquiry into the attack ordered by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under the Bush and Obama administration said that the Pentagon was right in apologizing and offering reparations to the family of victims of the botched drone strike in Afghanistan

Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen tells @MarthaRaddatz that Gen. Kenneth McKenzie's acknowledgement that the Aug. 29 drone strike near the Kabul airport was "a mistake" was the correct response. https://t.co/2n5suvGtED pic.twitter.com/I8JfgXyIZP  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) September 19, 2021

When asked if he thought there should be accountability, Mullen did not hesitate.

'Absolutely. I think there should. This was obviously an incredibly complex, fast-moving situation. We lost those 13 military members a couple of days before that,'

'There was clear intelligence that additional strikes were on the way, so it was in that environment in which this strike actually took place.'

'As sad as it was, and it was almost like you had an individual in a truck who was loading big water bottles. All of which sort of fitted. We just got caught up in the specifics of it,' he concluded.

'I offer my profound condolences to the family and friends of those who were killed,' McKenzie said in an apology in which the Pentagon took responsibility for the drone attack

The Pentagon admitted on Friday that the August 29 drone strike on a supposed ISIS-K operative instead killed an aid worker and 9 members of his family.

A drone had observed men loading what were thought to be explosives into a vehicle, but were actually jugs of water.

Head of US Central Command Gen. Frank McKenzie admitted the strike was a 'terrible mistake' while addressing reporters Friday and said it was 'unlikely that the vehicle and those who died were associated with ISIS-K or a direct threat to U.S. forces.'

'It was a mistake and I offer my sincere apology,' McKenzie said.

The deadly drone strike set off a large secondary explosion, which officials originally claimed was evidence the car was indeed carrying explosives, but an investigation determined was likely a propane tank located in the driveway.

PICTURED: The 10 victims mistakenly killed by a US drone strike which was targeting ISIS-K in Afghanistan

Head of US Central Command Gen. Frank McKenzie showed this picture to members of the press

'I offer my profound condolences to the family and friends of those who were killed,' McKenzie continued.

'The strike was taken in the earnest belief that it would prevent an imminent threat to our forces and evacuees at the airport.

'But it was a mistake and I offer my sincere apology, as the combatant commander, responsible for this strike and this tragic outcome.'

Mullen said the Biden administration should also be held accountable for the death of the 13 US service members.

'I also think there should be accountability there as well. I hope there is,' he added.

However, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff contended there was nothing abnormal in the conversations between Gen Mark Milley and Chinese official after the Capital riot.

'Having communications with counterparts around the world is routine, and even having them now with China.'

'There was a time when we had no communications with China, or we'd have a problem with China, they'd cut off all mil-to-mil connections. And so, actually, I'm encouraged at the fact that the line of communication is there,' Mullen said.

Ahmadi had been getting water jugs out of his car to bring home to his family. As he pulled into the driveway of the home he shared with his family and three of his brothers' families, several of his children and his brothers' children ran out to greet him
Advertisement

A French tightrope walker has crossed the Seine in Paris from the Eiffel Tower on a tightrope suspended an incredible 200ft above the ground.

French highliner Nathan Paulin, 27, left crowds gobsmacked as he walked 600 metres across a line stretched across the river between the Eiffel Tower and the Chaillot Theatre.

Nail-biting photographs show the tightrope walker performing the breathtaking feat 200ft above ground as part of the 38th European Heritage Days and the launch of the Cultural Olympiad in Paris on Sunday.

These pictures offer a unique view into the world of the high-adrenaline sport, which sees brave men and women with nerves of steel balance on the special webbing which moves and bounces as the bold, balancing walkers traverse along it.

French highliner Nathan Paulin, 27, left crowds gobsmacked as he walked 600 metres across a line stretched across the river between the Eiffel Tower and the Chaillot Theatre

Nail-biting photographs show the tightrope walker performing the breathtaking feat as part of the 38th European Heritage Days and the launch of the Cultural Olympiad in Paris on Sunday

These pictures (above) offer a unique view into the world of the high-adrenaline sport, which sees brave men and women with nerves of steel balance on the special webbing which moves and bounces as the bold, balancing walkers traverse along it

As he walked 600metres across the tightrope, Mr Paulin left his fans on edge as he dangled from the bottom of the rope, only holding on with one hand - but on closer inspection it could be seen he was attached by a safety line

Attached by a strap to a safety lanyard, Mr Paulin, a holder of several world records, slowly progressed barefoot on the line suspended 200ft above ground as amazed crowds watched from below

The daredevil stopped for a few breaks, sitting or lying on the rope, as he completed the dangerous feat. Pictured: Fans watch the breathtaking feat from the ground

From the first floor of the Eiffel Tower to the Theatre National de Chaillot, the performance is the longest highline crossing in an urban environment. Pictured: Mr Paulin balances as he walks across the tightrope

French slackliner Nathan Paulin performs on the second time on a 70-meter-high slackline between the Eiffel Tower and the Chaillot Theater across the Seine River

The acrobat said obtaining the necessary authorisations had been a difficulty as well as 'the stress linked to the audience, the fact that there are a lot of people'

Attached by a strap to a safety lanyard, Mr Paulin, a holder of several world records, slowly progressed barefoot on the line suspended 200ft above ground as amazed crowds watched from below.

The daredevil stopped for a few breaks, sitting or lying on the rope, as he completed the dangerous feat.

As he walked 600metres across the tightrope, Mr Paulin left his fans on edge as he bravely held an umbrella in the air all while balancing on the thin line.

People's hearts were in their mouths as he dangled from the bottom of the rope, seemingly only holding on with one hand - but on closer inspection his safety line could be seen still attached to the rope.

'It wasn't easy walking 600 metres, concentrating, with everything around, the pressure ... but it was still beautiful,' he said after the performance on Saturday.

The acrobat said obtaining the necessary authorisations had been a difficulty as well as 'the stress linked to the audience, the fact that there are a lot of people'.

Mr Paulin performed the feat to celebrate France's annual Heritage Day, when people are invited to visit historic buildings and monuments that are usually closed to the public.

As he walked 600metres across the tightrope, Mr Paulin left his fans on edge as he bravely held an umbrella in the air all while balancing on the thin line

Mr Paulin performed the feat (pictured) to celebrate France's annual Heritage Day, when people are invited to visit historic buildings and monuments that are usually closed to the public

French slackliner Nathan Paulin performs on the second time on a 70-meter-high slackline between the Eiffel Tower and the Chaillot Theater across the Seine River in Paris on Sunday

His daredevil task was certainly not for the fainthearted as he was seen dangling by one arm on the rope, attached to the tightrope by a safety belt while he rested

People gather to look at French highliner Nathan Paulin performing, for the second time, on a 70-metre-high slackline spanning 670 metres between the Eiffel Tower and the Theatre National de Chaillot

He said his motivation was 'mainly to do something beautiful and to share it and also to bring a new perspective on heritage, it is to make heritage come alive'

French slackliner Nathan Paulin performs for the second time on a 70-meter-high slackline between the Eiffel Tower and the Chaillot Theater across the Seine River

Mr Paulin had already crossed the River Seine on a tightrope, on Heritage Day in 2017 (pictured during his second walk on Sunday)

The French slackliner impressively completed the feat of walking 600 metres across the tightrope while he was barefoot

French acrobat Nathan Paulin attempts to walk a high wire from the Eiffel Tower across the Seine River, in Paris, as part of events around France for National Heritage Days

He also dangled from the bottom of the rope, seemingly only holding on with one hand - but on closer inspection he could be seen attached to the rope by a safety line as he rested

He said his motivation was 'mainly to do something beautiful and to share it and also to bring a new perspective on heritage, it is to make heritage come alive'.

From the first floor of the Eiffel Tower to the Theatre National de Chaillot, the performance is the longest highline crossing in an urban environment.

Mr Paulin had already crossed the River Seine on a tightrope, on Heritage Day in 2017.

In 2015, the highline walker crossed a line 800ft above the ground between two cliffs in eastern France.

He managed to maintain his composure as he walked between the two cliffs at the European Marmotte Highline Project in Lans-en-Vercors near Grenoble which saw the world's best and bravest highline walkers gather.

Mr Paulin previously held the world record for the longest highline walk, traversing 403 metres at Gorges de la Jonte in Cevennes National Park on June 26 at the Natural Games.

Mr Paulin has held the world record holder for both highline walking and slackline walking, in which competitors often use the line's bounce to perform tricks while walking on a line a little closer to the ground.

In 2015, he proved his balancing credentials by walking 610 metres above sand dunes in Mongolia and has been all over the world walking challenging gorges and chasms.

In 2015, the highline walker crossed a line 800ft above the ground between two cliffs in eastern France. Pictured: Mr Paulin performs on a tightrope suspended 200ft above ground in Paris on Sunday

xFrench highliner Nathan Paulin hangs as he performs, for the second time, on a 70-metre-high slackline spanning 670 metres between the Eiffel Tower and the Theatre National de Chaillot, as part of the launch of the Cultural Olympiad in Paris

Mr Paulin (pictured during the feat on Sunday) previously held the world record for the longest highline walk, traversing 403 metres at Gorges de la Jonte in Cevennes National Park on June 26 at the Natural Games

Mr Paulin (pictured walking in Paris on Sunday) has held the world record holder for both highline walking and slackline walking, in which competitors often use the line's bounce to perform tricks while walking on a line a little closer to the ground

French acrobat Nathan Paulin hangs as he attempts to walk a high wire from the Eiffel Tower across the Seine River, in Paris
Maura Irwin, 77, from New Cross, southeast London, suffered a 'slow' death after medics failed to notice they accidentally put a feeding tube into her lung for 10 hours,

A retired ambulance worker suffered a 'slow and painful' death after medics failed to notice they accidentally put a feeding tube into her lung for more than 10 hours, an inquest has heard.

Maura Irwin, 77, from New Cross, southeast London, had the nasal feeding tube misplaced into her lung after suffering a stroke in February 2018, which then filled up and killed her, an inquest heard.

Her daughter Kathryn Scully, from Lincoln, said her family were forced to watch her 'slow and painful death' as a result of the 'betrayal' by NHS staff.

A coroner said Ms Irwin died from injury caused by the 'undetected misplaced nasrogastric tube', adding that the failure to check the tube contributed to her death.

Ms Irwin, who worked for the NHS ambulance service for 25 years, was admitted to Kings College Hospital in February 2018 after suffering a debilitating stroke.

The feeding tube was wrongly misplaced into her lung two days after she was admitted and caused her death three weeks later.

Mrs Scully, 59, from, told the inquest: 'Mum was a wonderful, independent and passionate woman who was loved deeply by her family.

'There isn't a day that goes by that we don't miss her.

'Mum loved her job with the NHS where she worked for 25 years, staying way beyond retirement age to care for others, but she was cruelly let down by the service with the ultimate betrayal.

Ms Irwin (pictured), who worked for the NHS ambulance service for 25 years, had the tube misplaced into her lung after suffering a stroke in February 2018, an inquest heard

'Medics misplaced the nasal feeding tube into her lung resulting in food filling up her lung and drowning her.

'It was like watching somebody getting smothered and being powerless to stop it.

'As a family we had to witness her dying a slow and painful death as she could not breath properly and was in agony.

'No patient in the care of any medics nor family should ever have to experience such a horrendous ordeal.'

Recording a narrative verdict, Coroner Andrew Harris said Ms Irwin's death was from 'unintended consequences of necessary medical treatment and subsequent omissions in care'.

He concluded: 'She died from injury caused by feeding through an undetected misplaced nasrogastric tube for more than ten hours.

Her daughter Kathryn Scully, from Lincoln, said her family were forced to watch Ms Irwin's (pictured) 'slow and painful death' as a result of the 'betrayal' by NHS staff

'The failure to check the position of the tube after the second desaturation or ensure she received timely medical assessment then contributed to her death.

The trust has apologised for Ms Irwin's death, but Mrs Scully, represented by London law firm Osbornes Law, said her family is 'tired' of the NHS saying they are sorry as 'those words don't mean anything without actions'.

She added: 'There was a catalogue of failings in mum's care and we want to know that the trust made the necessary changes to make sure what happened to mum never happens to anybody else.'

Nicholas Leahy, a specialist medical negligence solicitor from Osbornes Law, said: 'Maura gave 25 years of her working life to the NHS but in her time of need they failed her.

A coroner said Ms Irwin (pictured) died from injury caused by the 'undetected misplaced nasrogastric tube', adding that the failure to check the tube contributed to her death

'The trust identified 18 separate actions that would be implemented after Maura's death, but her family now need to know what has been done to make sure another person does not die in the same painful way as her.

'Only then will they feel that her avoidable death wasn't in vain.

'The coroner found that feeding through the misplaced nasogastric tube together with the failure to identify this for over ten hours directly contributed to Maura's death.

'The trust must work hard to ensure that the omissions in care which were identified in this case must never happen again.'

A Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The care provided to Mrs Irwin was far below our expected standards, and we offer our heartfelt apologies to her family.

'We have learnt lessons from what happened, and implemented all of the actions arising from the investigation. We also continue to monitor our NG tube practices to minimise the likelihood of this happening to other patients.'

In 2019, a spokesperson told i newspaper: 'We sincerely apologise to Mrs Irwin's family for the incident at King's, which fell short of the standards we set ourselves.

'Following the incident we carried out a full investigation which identified areas of improvement to our practices to enhance the safety of patients in our care.

'We have implemented a number of changes and have met with Mrs Irwin's family to share our findings with them.'
Advertisement

A military training jet crashed into a residential area of Lake Worth, Texas, on Sunday morning, leaving three homes damaged and two pilots injured after they ejected from the plane - with one in critical condition after landing on power lines.

The pilots, an instructor and a student, were using the aircraft as part of a military training course near Corpus Christi International Airport. The instructor pilot was in stable condition after being ejected in the neighborhood.

A witness told CBS11 that the student pilot was engulfed in flames before he hit the powerlines.

Video footage posted to Facebook showed the parachute wrapped around the overhead cables.

Debris damaged three Lake Worth homes with the plane being found in one of the backyards.

The aircraft was a Navy T-45C Goshawk jet trainer aircraft that was assigned from Training Air Wing 2 at Naval Air Station in Kingsville, according to a statement from Chief of Naval Air Training.

Scroll down for video

Traces of thick black smoke rising from the crash was seen behind residential homes in Lake Worth, Texas

One of the pilots was reported to be in a critical condition after landing on power lines. A witness posted video footage to Facebook showing the parachute wrapped around the overhead cables

Smoke from the crash is seen from the 4000 blocks between Tejas Trail and Dakota Trail

The names of the pilots have not yet been released and the cause of the crash is currently unknown.

Police Chief J.T. Manoushagian said one pilots parachute got tangled in power lines.

One of the pilots was flown to a hospital in Dallas and was in critical condition, the Fort Worth Fire Department said in a statement. The other was driven to a hospital in Fort Worth.

Officials said the pilots were conducting a routine training flight that originated from the Corpus Christi International Airport, about 350 miles south of Lake Worth along the Gulf Coast.

The Fort Worth Fire Department and Lake Worth Police Department arrived at the scene as locals reported seeing the pilots in parachutes before the aircraft crashed down between the 4000 blocks of Tejas Trail and Dakota Trail.

The neighborhood affected by the crash is near the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, a location in which a lot of planes take off and land.

Two pilots, an instructor and a student, were ejected from the aircraft while on a training course that originated from Corpus Christi International Airport

The plane involved was a T-45C Goshawk jet training aircraft similar to this (file image)

A GoFundMe page was organized for one of the families whose homes were affected by the crash

Wreckage from the aircraft was found in three of the homes in which residents were evacuated out by Red Cross members.

None of the residents were seriously injured.

'This incident could have been much worse knowing this plane went down in a residential area here in Lake Worth,' Lake Worth Fire Chief Ryan Arthur said.

Electrical outages have also been reported within the area with the power possibly being out for the next few days.

A video posted by Chasity Benne on Facebook captured smoke rising from the crash and a parachute caught on a powerline.

'My hands are shaking,' Benne said as she seen driving near the scene of the crash.

Leftover debris from the aircraft was seen on a residential neighborhood in Lake Worth

First responders, such as the Lake Worth Police Department and the Fort Worth Fire Department, arrived at the scene of the crash
Alex Murdaugh renounced his right to represent the estate of his slain 22-year-old son, Paul, just eight days before he botched an attempt on his own life so that his surviving son, Buster, would receive a $10million life insurance payout.

On August 27 Murdaugh, 53, signed away his right to personally represent the estate of his son, who was found shot in the head alongside Murdaugh's wife Maggie, 52, in June, to his brother Randolph Murdaugh IV, per court documents obtained by South Carolina's The State.

Maggie Murdaugh's estate remains closed, according to the documents.

Murdaugh dialed 9-1-1 on June 7 and told dispatchers that he came home to find his wife and son shot dead at their Colleton County property in Islandton.

At Murdaugh's bond hearing on Thursday, his lawyer Dick Harpootlian claimed that the double murder put his client 'over the edge.'

Paul and Maggie (together left) were shot dead on June 7. Before Alex Murdaugh (center) allegedly orchestrated a separate shooting to kill himself with the help of a hitman to deliver a $10 million life insurance payout to his other son Buster (right), he waived the right to oversee his deceased son's estate, according to court documents

Alex Murdaugh at his bond hearing at the Hampton County Jail in Varnville,SC (Christopher Oquendo for DailyMail.com)

Harpootlian described his client's 20-year opioid addiction while he fell from grace and current ruinous financial state following the murder of his wife and son.

On September 4 Murdaugh was allegedly shot by his 61-year-old drug supplier, Curtis Edward Smith, while changing a tire. Smith told authorities he was hired by the prominent lawyer to kill him so that his son Buster would received a $10million insurance police.

Murdaugh didn't think the insurance company would pay any money if he died by suicide.

In a moment of drama, Harpootlian appeared to play to the press, who crowded the courtroom this Thursday, as he gestured to his gaunt client and said: 'If anyone wants to see the fact of what opioid addiction does, youre looking at it.

The attorney also pointed to his clients previous blemishless character and appealed to the judges sympathies saying: He has fallen from grace. But before any of this falling happened his wife and son were brutally murdered and that has had an extraordinary effect on him.

'We ask you to allow him to go and heal himself. His financial situation is ruinous.

Harpootlian continued: This is a 20-year-addition. Something hes struggled with for years.

Hitman Cirtus Eddie Smith (left), who disgraced South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh (right) paid to kill him in a failed suicide-for-hire plot was his primary oxycodone supplier. Smith told the New York Post on Saturday that he was 'set up,' and that Murdaugh shot himself

Murdaugh shooting suspect Curtis Edward Smith, 61, is seen at his bond hearing Thursday morning at Hampton County Detention Center where his bail was set at $55,000. He claims he was 'set up' - 'The gun kind of went off above his head and I got scared to death and I ran to my truck and took off,' he told the Post

Smith snarled at photographers as he was escorted to Hampton County jail Thursday. He is accused of shooting Murdaugh and disposing of the gun as part of the plot

On Saturday, accused hitman Smith told the New York Post that he had been 'set up' - he didn't conspire with Murdaugh about the assisted suicide attempt, and Murdaugh shot himself accidentally.

Smith didn't question it and got into his silver Chevy pickup and 'went over there.'

He said when he got to the rural stretch of Old Salkehatchie Road, he found Murdaugh in his car. When the lawyer got out, he was waving around a gun.

Smith said he wrestled with him to get the gun before it went off and he ran.

'The gun kind of went off above his head and I got scared to death and I ran to my truck and took off,' he told the Post.

Shortly after 4pm Thursday, Murdaugh shuffled into the courtroom at Hampton County Detention Center and sat beside his attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin while wearing prison scrubs and shackles on his hands and feet.

He cast his eyes down and his mouth worked constantly and nervously behind his mask as he sat before the judge for three charges of insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a false report.

Murdaugh remained masked throughout the proceedings and the gunshot wound Harpootlian earlier insisted he had sustained was conspicuously absent.

In fact, his appearance seemed to bear out South Carolina Law Enforcements categorization of his injury as superficial as the only trace of an injury was a small swirl in his hair.

Harpootlian once again claimed that there had been an entry and exist wound and maybe a fractured skull and minor brain bleed resulted from the roadside shooting that Murdaugh has now admitted to orchestrating on September 4.

Bond was set at $10,000 for the insurance fraud and $5,000 each for conspiracy and filing a false police report totally $20,000  a fraction of the $55,000 bond set for his hitman, Smith.

Craig Waters for the Attorney Generals office asked for Murdaugh to surrender his passport, which sat before him on the table. Waters also asked him to waive extradition, which he did, as he is attending an out of state rehab center.

He also requested a bond of $100,000 and for Murdaugh to wear a GPS tracker stating: Sometimes those who have everything and then suffer a potential fall from grace are actually more cause for concern than a hardened criminal.

But Judge Tanji Alexander was not persuaded by this, granting a much lower bond and declining to insist on Murdaugh wearing an ankle monitor.

When asked how Murdaughs surviving son Buster was doing Harpootlian said he was holding up'.

He added that the potential beneficiary of Murdaughs $10million life insurance policy was a trooper'.

The high-powered South Carolina attorney, 53, was filmed being driven to the jail in a pewter-colored SUV accompanied by a police escort. He emerged from the vehicle sporting bright red sneakers, gray trousers and a light-colored shirt

Murdaugh was filmed being driven to Hampton County jail in a pewter-colored SUV accompanied by a police escort Thursday morning after he agreed to surrender to authorities.

He emerged from the vehicle sporting bright red sneakers, gray trousers and a light-colored shirt.

He was booked at the Hampton County Detention Center ahead of the bond hearing that afternoon. He is scheduled to reappear in court on October 25.

The legal scion, whose family has ruled the county's justice system for almost a century, now finds himself on the other side of the criminal justice system after investigators made the shocking allegation Tuesday that he orchestrated his own shooting with alleged accomplice Smith earlier this month.

The claim that Murdaugh paid the hitman to shoot him in the head and kill him so that his surviving son could collect a life insurance payment came after a catastrophic few months where his other son and wife were murdered and he was exposed for allegedly embezzling millions from his law firm to pay for his drug addiction.

This marks just the latest twist in the Murdaugh family saga, which gained national attention when Murdaugh's wife Maggie and son Paul were shot dead at the family's hunting lodge on June 7.

Three months on, their deaths still remain a mystery with no arrests made and no suspects or persons of interest named.

Questions have swirled that the motive could be tied to one of three mysterious past deaths connected to the Murdaugh family - two of which police have opened investigations into. On Wednesday, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) launched a criminal investigation into the 2018 'trip-and-fall' death of the family housekeeper Gloria Satterfield and the subsequent handling of her estate.

Satterfield, 57, had been the Murdaugh housekeeper and nanny for around 25 years when she suffered a fatal brain injury following a mystery fall inside the Murdaugh family home. She died several weeks later on February 26, 2018.

SLED said that hit had opened a criminal investigation inter Satterfield's death based on a request from the Hampton County Coroner, as well as 'information gathered during the course of our other ongoing investigations involving Alex Murdaugh.'

Murdaugh settled a wrongful death claim with the housekeepers family for $500,000 in 2018.

However Satterfield's family sued Murdaugh, Wednesday claiming he had not paid out 'one single dime' of the settlement.

Meanwhile, at the time of his murder, Paul was awaiting trial for the 2019 death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach, who was killed as a passenger in a boat he crashed while allegedly heavily intoxicated.

Police have also investigated the family for possible ties to the 2015 death of gay teen Stephen Smith, which was ruled a hit-and-run, though no suspects have ever been named or charged.

SLED has also reopened the investigation into Smith's death in the wake of Paul and Maggie's murders.

SLED confirmed in a press release Thursday morning Murdaugh had been arrested and charged 'in connection to the shooting incident on Sept. 4 in which he conspired with Smith to assist him in committing suicide for the explicit purpose of allowing a beneficiary to collect life insurance.'

SLED Chief Mark Keel said in a statement 'that SLED agents will continue working to bring justice to anyone involved with any criminal act associated with these ongoing investigations,' calling the arrests 'only the first step in that process'.
Advertisement

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was spotted in Los Angeles having dinner with his girlfriend, Good Day LA anchor, Lauren Sanchez.

Bezos, 57, and Sanchez, 51, were seen leaving Jon & Vinny's restaurant in Brentwood Saturday evening, after dining at the restaurant for two hours. The modern Italian eatery is a hit with the celebrity crowd, including Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, as well as Jay-Z and Beyonce.

Despite its popularity, it appears that billionaire Bezos, who is worth more than $200billion, won't be breaking the bank as thee menu is surprisingly reasonable, with pizzas starting at $13 and pastas beginning at $14.

The rumored-to-be-engaged couple were photographed waiting outside the restaurant, engaging in conversation with individuals nearby.

It is unclear if Bezos and Sanchez knew the bystanders they were photographed speaking to.

The couple began dating in January 2019  just as Bezos announced he and his wife, MacKenzie Bezos, were divorcing.

At the time, Sanchez was also in the process of undergoing her own divorce from Hollywood talent mogul Patrick Whitesell.

Sanchez and Bezos reportedly met through her ex-husband, but reconnected at an Amazon Studios party for the film 'Manchester by the Sea' in 2016, according to Brad Stone's book 'Amazon Unbound.'

She was later invited to Amazon's annual MARS conference in Palm Springs in March 2018. Bezos hired Sanchez's company that July to film footage for his rocket company, Blue Origin.

Bezos, 57, and Sanchez, 51, were seen leaving Jon & Vinny's Italian restaurant in Brentwood Saturday evening, after dining at the restaurant for two hours

The rumored-to-be-engaged couple were photographed waiting outside the restaurant, engaging in conversation with individuals nearby

It is unclear if Bezos and Sanchez knew the bystanders they were photographed speaking to

The couple began dating in January 2019  just as Bezos announced he and his wife, MacKenzie Bezos, were divorcing

Sanchez has been photographed twice with a ring on her engagement finger since she started dating Bezos, although the couple have never publicly confirmed that they are engaged.

The couple were last seen in public in August, arriving in Los Angeles aboard a $65 million private jet.

Their dinner date comes a few hours after Bezos' longtime rival, SpaceX founder Elon Musk, successfully welcomed back four civilians he sent into orbit in the first trip of its kind.

Musk paid undisclosed millions for the Inspiration4 trip to show that ordinary people could blast into orbit by themselves, and were the first to orbit Earth without a professional astronaut - a fact that no doubt made Bezos envious.

On Thursday, Bezos tweeted out a congratulatory message to Musk for successfully launching the Inspiration4 crew into space.

Elon Musk, front center, poses with the all-amateur crew before departure to Launch Complex 39A for a launch into space, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, at Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Florida

Inspiration4, passengers aboard a SpaceX capsule, from left to right, Hayley Arceneaux, Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor and Chris Sembroski pose after the capsule was recovered following its splashdown in the Atlantic off the Florida coast on Saturday

'Congratulations to @ElonMusk and the @SpaceX team on their successful Inspiration4 launch last night. Another step towards a future where space is accessible to all of us,' Bezos's tweet read.

Musk surprisingly replied with a simple: 'Thank you.'

Elon and Musk are two of the richest men, with both owning private rocket companies: Bezos with Blue Origin and Musk with SpaceX.

Its been reported that Bezos's companies fell behind Musk's SpaceX in the space race to send individuals to the moon, in addition to launching satellite-based broadband services.

The clash between Bezos and Musk has been playing out in the courts, the Federal Communications Commission and the halls of Congress in what The Washington Post refers to as 'the greatest business rivalries in a generation.'

Last month, Blue Origin, Bezos' space flight company, filed a lawsuit against NASA, claiming a $2.9 billion lunar lander contract was unfairly awarded to rival Elon Musk's SpaceX earlier this year.

The suit, filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims on Monday, is sealed, but according to another filing, it 'challenges NASAs unlawful and improper evaluation of proposals.'

The company said its suit was 'an attempt to remedy the flaws in the acquisition process found in NASAs Human Landing System.'

Blue Origin was originally in competition with SpaceX and a third firm called Dynetics for what was expected to be two NASA contracts.

After Congress trimmed the space agency's budget, NASA announced in April 2021 that SpaceX's Human Landing System (HLS) would be the sole contractor.

SpaceX's $2.91 billion contract was reportedly much lower than Blue Origin's $5.99 billion bid.

Bezos jetted off to space on July 20 aboard a New Shepard rocket with his brother Mark Bezos, as well as Dutch 18-year-old Oliver Daemen, who became the youngest person in space, and former NASA trainee Wally Funk, 82, who became the oldest.

The Blue Origin founder reached 13 miles higher than billionaire rival Sir Richard Branson who flew to space during his own manned test flight on July 11.
Boris Johnson has desperately tried to calm a diplomatic war of words with Paris over the new security pact between the UK, US and Australia, insisting Britain's 'love of France is ineradicable'.

Speaking as he flew to New York to attend the UN General Assembly, the Prime Minister said the UK and France have a 'very friendly relationship', which he described as being of 'huge importance'.

Mr Johnson said the AUKUS pact is 'not meant to be exclusionary' and France should not 'worry' about it.

The deal will see the UK and the US help Australia secure its first ever fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

But it has angered Paris because Canberra already had a deal with France to build a fleet of diesel-electric submarines which has now been torn up.

France accused Australia of a 'stab in the back' and the row has now escalated further, with Paris demanding compensation over the scrapping of the contract.

Meanwhile, France's armed forces minister, Florence Parly, has reportedly cancelled a meeting with Defence Secretary Ben Wallace amid the fallout from the deal.

Boris Johnson has desperately tried to calm a diplomatic war of words with Paris over the new security pact between the UK, US and Australia, insisting Britain's 'love of France is ineradicable'

France's armed forces minister Florence Parly took the decision to drop the bilateral meeting with defence secretary Ben Wallace

The AUKUS pact will see Australia secure its first ever fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Rankin is pictured near Darwin, Australia on September 5

The UK is now in damage limitation mode as it seeks to assuage French anger over the defence pact.

Mr Johnson was asked during the flight to New York whether he was US President Joe Biden's 'lap dog'.

He replied: 'We are very, very proud of our relationship with France and it is of huge importance to this country.

'It is a very friendly relationship - an entente cordial - that goes back a century or more and it absolutely vital for us.

'Our love of France is ineradicable and what I would say is this AUKUS is not in any way meant to be zero sum.

'It is not meant to be exclusionary, it is not something I don't think anyone needs to worry about and particularly not our French friends.'

The AUKUS deal will see the three nations share military technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyber defence, quantum computing and long-range strike capabilities.

But it is the submarine element of the deal that has prompted the furious reaction from France.

Canberra has ripped up a deal with Paris worth an estimated 30billion that was struck in 2016 to provide 12 diesel-electric submarines.

The decision to walk away from the contract has triggered a diplomatic storm, with President Emmanuel Macron recalling his ambassadors to the US and Australia over the deal - dubbed by the French media as an 'Indo-Pacific Trafalgar'.

Gabriel Attal, a spokesman for the French Government, told French TV BFM yesterday that Paris expected compensation to be paid.

He reportedly said: "Obviously there will be a need for compensation. This is the work that will be done now because we need clarification.

'We need to exchange with our partners to see how they intend to leave this contract since there are clauses which have been signed, there is a whole procedure which has been foreseen.'

The pact has placed a new strain on the relationship between the UK and France after a series of rows in recent years over Brexit and a number of other issues.

Sources said a scheduled meeting between Ms Parly and Mr Wallace has now been cancelled.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Biden will speak by telephone in the coming days to discuss the crisis, the French government's spokesman said yesterday.

France said it was not consulted on the AUKUS pact while Australia has insisted it has made clear to Paris for months its concerns over the old contract.

The new deal will see America and Britain help Australia to build its first ever nuclear-powered submarine fleet, comprising at least eight vessels.

Mr Johnson, Mr Biden and Australia's PM Scott Morrison were careful not to mention China when they announced the new deal.

This week Ben Wallace insisted Britain did not 'go fishing' for the pact to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia with the US

French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian accused the Australians of a betrayal because the alliance meant they scrapped a multi-billion deal for France to provide subs

Scott Morrison meeting with Boris Johnson and Joe Biden at the G7 summit in Cornwall back in June, where the trio put pen to paper on a new military alliance that will give Australia its first nuclear-powered submarines

But the new alliance has been viewed as a clear attempt to counter Beijing's growing aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in the South China Sea.

China wasted little time responding to the deal, with foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian denouncing the 'exclusionary bloc' which he said 'seriously undermines regional peace and stability and intensifies the arms race.'

Paris was also quick to react, with foreign minister Yves Le-Drian describing AUKUS and the scrapping of the French submarine deal as a 'stab in the back'.

Mr Le Drian told France-Info radio: 'It was really a stab in the back. We built a relationship of trust with Australia, and this trust was betrayed.'

But Mr Wallace last week insisted Britain did not 'go fishing' for the pact, telling BBC Breakfast: 'I understand France's disappointment.

'They had a contract with the Australians for diesel-electrics from 2016 and the Australians have taken this decision that they want to make a change.

'We didn't go fishing for that, but as a close ally when the Australians approached us of course we would consider it. I understand France's frustration about it.'

Mr Johnson last week told MPs that the UK's military relationship with France is 'rock solid' and insisted 'we stand shoulder to shoulder with the French' despite the row.

The PM said the new security partnership between London, Washington and Canberra is expected to deliver a much-needed jobs boost to manufacturers involved in the UK's submarine programme, like BAE Systems in Barrow.

Britain and America are to help Australia build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines as part of an unprecedented alliance known as AUKUS. Pictured: a British Astute-class nuclear sub which is likely to mirror the Australian design

A cross-section of Britain's Astute-class nuclear attack subs, which is likely to mirror the new vessels

Once regarded as 'England's Chicago', Barrow became a Victorian powerhouse as it evolved in the 19th Century from a hamlet into the biggest iron and steel producer in the world.

Nearly 9,000 people are employed at the massive shipyard now owned by BAE Systems, where Britain's four Vanguard class submarines - which carry the nation's nuclear deterrent - were built, and where the new Dreadnought class submarine to replace Vanguard is being constructed.

Mr Johnson suggested Barrow and Derby, where Rolls Royce builds nuclear reactors for the Royal Navy's submarines, could benefit from the security deal and it could generate work for 'decades and decades'.

The PM met with Mr Morrison and Mr Biden at the G7 summit in Cornwall in June.

Downing Street confirmed that the three leaders discussed the submarine deal at the meeting.

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman added: 'I wouldn't say there was one single meeting that did it, this has been something that has been an undertaking of several months, it's a culmination of that work.'
A slip of a hoodie captured on CCTV could be the breakthrough police need to arrest the killers responsible for the gangland execution of Mejid Hamzy in broad daylight.

Detectives have released new vision of two hooded men fleeing from the scene moments after Hamzy, 44, the brother of Brothers for Life founder Bassam Hamzy, was shot outside his Condell Park home in Sydney's south-west on October 19 last year.

The CCTV captured the face and distinct blond hair of one the men briefly exposed after his hoodie fell off while fleeing the scene through the reserve before getting into two luxury cars.

Police believe at least one of the men captured was also involved in the murder of former Comanchero bikie Fares Abounader, shot dead in nearby Panania two months earlier.

Dashcam vision shows a white Subaru parked outside Abounader's Wall Avenue home prior to the August 29 shooting before being captured on CCTV turning onto Horsley Road.

Mejid Hamzy (pictured) was shot dead outside his Condell Park home last October

Separate dashcam vision from Henry Lawson Drive  near Webster Street and Kelso Park at East Hills, captures two men in dark-coloured clothing in the hours before Hamzy was shot dead.

CCTV then captures two men running through Colechin Reserve at Yagoona just after the murder which police believe are same two men captured on dashcam vision hours earlier.

Detectives are examining several lines of inquiry that indicate the two killings could be linked.

'As part of ongoing inquiries, police conducted an extensive canvass of each crime scene and the surrounding streets, where investigators obtained significant dashcam and CCTV vision,' Criminal Groups Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor said.

'Investigators are now exploring apparent similarities between the two incidents.

CCTV captured two men fleeing through a reserve shortly after Mejid Hamzy was shot dead outside his Condell Park home

'Of note are locations of the sightings of the men on Henry Lawson Drive and the vehicle in Horsley Road. These locations are close in proximity to one another, being only several hundred metres apart.

'The vision we have gathered indicates the offenders have reason to be there, that they know the area, or that they live or frequent the location.

He noted further similarities in the way these murders were committed and renewed pleas for anyone with information to come forward.

'Both these murders were calculated, deliberate and brazen attacks, and in the case of Mr Abounader, occurred in front of his family members, who are still seeking answers more than a year since his death,' Det Supt Taylor said.

'As our investigations deepen, we urge the community to take a close look at the individuals and vehicles depicted in the CCTV vision.

Police have released dashcam vision of a white Subaru parked outside former Comanchero Fares Abounader's Panania home shortly before he was shot dead

Police believe that they were carried out by men possibly linked to a syndicate involved with contract killers.

'They are cowardly acts committed by cowardly men,' Det Supt Taylor told the Daily Telegraph.

'Killing fathers in suburban streets at their homes with their families inside.'

Investigations under Strike Force Manifold and Strike Force Courier continue.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
Victoria's roadmap out of lockdown has been described as a 'roadblock' by business groups, who say it is too conservative when compared with NSW's.

Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday unveiled the state's roadmap out of lockdown.

It details some small changes to Melbourne's restrictions when 80 per cent of Victorians aged over 16 have received a single vaccine dose, including an increase of the 10-kilometre travel limit to 15km.

But lockdown will remain in place until 70 per cent of Victorians are double vaccinated, which is forecast for October 26.

Victoria's roadmap out of lockdown has been described as a 'roadblock' by business groups

At that stage, the city's curfew will be lifted, the travel limit will increase to 25km and hospitality can open outdoors with a limit of 50 fully vaccinated people.

Fully vaccinated people will also be able to get a haircut and gather outdoors in groups of 10.

Once Victoria reaches its 80 per cent double-dose target, forecast for November 5, the travel limit is scrapped altogether, retail, gyms and beauty services can reopen for the fully vaccinated and hospitality can resume indoors.

Home gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed, while at Christmas the figure is expected to increase to 30.

The reopening of schools will not be tied to vaccination coverage, with Year 12 students going back to class on October 6 and a staggered return of other years starting with Prep to Grade 2s on October 18.

Mr Andrews said the plan was 'cautious' and would prevent the state's hospital system from being overrun.

But the opposition and business groups have described it as conservative, given Sydney is on track to enjoy far more freedoms about a fortnight earlier than Melbourne, despite having recorded more COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths.

Business groups and the opposition have questioned why Sydney is on track to enjoy far more freedoms than Melbourne (pictured) despite having less Covid-19 cases and deaths

'Victorian businesses wanted a pathway to prosperity, but instead we got a roadmap with roadblocks,' Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said in a statement.

'It is extremely tough to look over the border and see our NSW neighbours get back to relatively normal life while we continue to be locked down in a holding pattern.'

The Australian Hotels Association Victorian president David Canny said he was 'gutted' and called for consistency between states.

The Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said the road map was 'disappointing' and would cost the industry $6 billion.

On Sunday, Victoria recorded 507 new COVID-19 cases and the death of a man in his 90s, bringing the toll from the latest outbreak to 11.

Greater Geelong, the Surf Coast and Mitchell Shire also entered a seven-day lockdown due to a rise in infections.
Those in Sydney's hardest hit suburbs are set for their first taste of freedom in months, with recreation rules relaxing as vaccination rates continue to climb.

Reporting 1083 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases on Sunday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked residents in a dozen LGAs of concern for their resilience before offering them the extra freedoms granted to the rest of the city a week earlier.

'The opportunity for us to ease the restrictions in the areas of concern, or equalise them in line with the rest of Sydney, is due in large part to the high rates of vaccination,' Ms Berejiklian said.

'We have seen some of those communities go from rates of around 19 or 20 per cent up to nearly 90 per cent and that is extremely encouraging.'

Fully vaccinated adults in the 12 government areas will from Monday be able to exercise outdoors with no time limits, and gather in groups of five for outdoor recreation within five kilometres from home.

Recreation rules in Sydney's locked-down west (sisters in Bankstown, above) and south-west will relax from today as vaccination rates continue to climb

Children under 12 are not included in the gathering limit.

Conditions for authorised workers and travel permit requirements will remain in place in the LGAs of concern, however.

Monday is also the deadline for authorised workers to have been inoculated with at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose to be permitted to leave their LGA for work, unless they have a medical exemption.

Despite the relaxation of some restrictions, Ms Berejiklian warned the state's situation remains 'precarious', as NSW reported 13 deaths on Sunday  an outbreak record.

'We are anticipating our worst weeks in ICU and hospitals will be in October,' she said.

Of the 13 people who died with COVID-19 in the latest reporting period, one was in their 40s, two in their 50s, two in their 60s, five in their 70s, and three in their 80s.

There are 1238 COVID-19 cases in hospital, with 234 people in intensive care, 123 of whom require ventilation.
Advertisement

A scientist dubbed the human swan for flying around Britain in a motorised paraglider has been seriously injured in a horror mid-air crash in which another flier died.

Sacha Dench plummeted from the sky during her 3,000-mile journey after colliding with a member of her support crew.

Dan Burton, 54, who was in a separate paramotor, died and Miss Dench, 43, remains in hospital after suffering serious injuries.

The biologist  a relative of Dame Judi Dench  gained her nickname after raising awareness of the plight of Bewicks swans by flying from the Russian Arctic to the UK.

She also set a world record in 2016 by being the first woman to cross the Channel by paramotor.

Miss Dench and Mr Burton were trying to complete a circumnavigation of the country as part of the Round Britain Climate Challenge and were in the final stages when disaster struck.

Scientist and paraglider Sacha Dench (pictured) plummeted from the sky on a 3,000-mile journey and record attempt around the UK after colliding with Dan Burton, a member of her support crew who died during the crash in the Scottish Highlands

Pictured: Paraglider pilot Dan Burton, 54, who was killed in a crash near Unapool in the Scottish Highlands this weekend

They aimed to fly around the country in wind and green electricity powered paramotors ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November.

A final photo taken by Mr Burton and shared on his Facebook at around 8am on Saturday shows clouds rolling in over hills near the village of Tongue in the Scottish Highlands.

At around 4.45pm, emergency services raced to the scene of the accident near Lochinver but Mr Burton could not be saved. Miss Denchs condition is not thought to be life-threatening.

Originally from Australia and now living in Bristol, she is the chief executive of Conservation Without Borders, which is running the expedition. Last night the charity said: In the last stages of the Round Britain Climate Challenge, a major incident occurred involving the lead and support paramotors.

Paramotorist Sacha Dench in flight as she passes the Kelpies near Falkirk as she arrives back into Scotland as part of a world record breaking challenge aimed at raising awareness about the effects of climate change (pictured on September 3)

Famous fan: Sacha Dench pictured with celebrity supporter Joanna Lumley who has supported her circumnavigation attempt

We are very sorry to have to confirm that Dan Burton, the support paramotorist, has died.

Sacha Dench is seriously injured and is being treated in hospital. It added that both were highly experienced paramotorists and as a result of the accident the challenge has been halted.

Miss Dench is known for global expeditions with migratory species but has turned her focus to climate change after losing her family home in Sydney to bushfires last year.

Dame Judi and Sir Ranulph Fiennes have backed previous missions, including a flight over the Atlas mountains. For her latest challenge, Miss Dench was flying a specially adapted machine which enabled her to take off and land anywhere to recharge.

Sacha Dench at the Kelpies near Falkirk as she arrives back into Scotland as part of the world record breaking challenge

The location of the crash has become popular with paragliders. Hugh Morrison, councillor for North, West and Central Sutherland, said: We are seeing more paragliders in recent years, especially in and around Durness.

It is shocking and upsetting this has happened.

The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association said it would be undertaking a formal investigation into the accident.

A spokesman said: We cannot speculate on the causes of the incident. The investigation report will be published in due course.

The BHPA can confirm that both pilots were BHPA members and they were qualified to fly powered paragliders.

A Police Scotland spokesman last night confirmed Mr Burtons death in a collision involving two paramotors.
Family doctors must carry out more appointments face to face, the Daily Mail demands today.

A string of deaths has heightened fears that cancers and other illnesses are being missed because of the rise of phone and video consultations.

Before the pandemic around 80 per cent of GP appointments were in person. But the figure was just 57 per cent in July despite life returning to normal.

In some regions, just 45 per cent of consultations are face to face  even though most adults are now double jabbed. A senior coroner warned this month that not seeing a doctor in person may have contributed to the deaths of five people across Manchester.

The Daily Mail's campaign for more face-to-face consultations was backed last night by politicians, charities and families.

Lisa King, who lost her husband Peter after a GP denied him an in-person appointment, said: 'I hope this Daily Mail campaign can make a difference because I never want another wife, husband, son or daughter to have to go through what me and my two sons are going through.'

Arun Ghosh, 42, a GP partner in Liverpool, says virtual consultations are no replacement for a 'hand on the tummy or listening to someone's breathing'.

In today's Mail he writes: 'Many GPs, especially locum and salaried doctors, who are not partners in a GP surgery, now prefer remote appointments.'

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid last night welcomed the Mail's move.

He said: 'I am committed to ensuring everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, can choose to see their GP face to face and I am grateful to the Daily Mail for launching this campaign.'

The low level of face-to-face appointments comes despite official NHS guidance telling surgeries to offer in-person consultations if patients wanted them, unless there were good clinical reasons, such as Covid symptoms.

Many family doctors argue that phone or video appointments via Skype or Zoom allow them to handle more patients in a typical day.

Doctors' leaders also argue a long-standing GP recruitment crisis has made it harder to see everyone in person.

But others believe the pendulum has swung too far and that it is vital to get back to pre-pandemic levels of face-to-face appointments so that fewer serious conditions are missed.

Many elderly people, not only in Hightown, are unable navigate so-called Zoom medicine. Another option is to travel to Formby, more than three miles away, where the parent surgery is located in Chapel Lane [File photo]

THE MAIL'S FIVE-POINT MANIFESTO FOR GPs A guarantee that face-to-face GP appointments are the default  and anyone who wants to see their family doctor in person should be able to do so The Government should act to ensure a greater proportion of GP appointments are 'in person'  providing incentives or penalties for local surgeries if necessary End of the postcode lottery so everyone has the same chance of seeing their doctor face to face Urgent action to ensure the Government delivers on its election promise to recruit 6,000 more GPs and provide 50million more appointments a year If necessary, pharmacists or nurses based at GP practices should receive extra training so they can ease burden on doctors and help with face-to-face cases Advertisement

And campaigners say it is often the vulnerable or elderly who lose out by not being able to see their family GP as they normally would.

The Mail is demanding action from ministers and the medical authorities to ensure the proportion of appointments carried out face to face is radically improved.

This newspaper is also calling for action to ensure there is no postcode lottery in the system and for the Government to deliver on its pledge to recruit 6,000 more GPs.

Dennis Reed of Silver Voices, a campaign group for the over-60s, is pressing for patients to have a legal right to 'face-to-face GP appointments'.

His petition on an official government website has more than 16,000 signatures, and a survey of more than 500 elderly people by his group in May found 71 per cent had struggled to obtain an in-person appointment with a GP.

Mr Reed said: 'Primary care is not a welcoming service any more. If you can get through to your GP surgery on the phone, you'll be interrogated by a receptionist and have to jump through so many hoops to get an appointment.'

Caroline Abrahams, of the charity Age UK, called for increased resources for GP practices to enable them to carry out more in-person consultations.

And Gavin Terry, of the Alzheimer's Society, said: 'Virtual GP appointments cannot become the norm for everyone with dementia, as many people experience communication issues, and their true condition might not be picked up.'

Alison Cook, who works for Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said that most asthma sufferers have told them they prefer face-to-face care.

An NHS spokesman said last night: 'Every GP practice must provide face-to-face as well as telephone and online appointments.'

Pandemic caused a plunge in numbers who saw a GP... and this year is set to be worse than last

By SHAUN WOOLLER, Health Correspondent, for the Daily Mail

Family doctors are seeing fewer patients in person than they did last year, despite the hugely successful vaccine rollout, better Covid treatments and a more stable supply of PPE.

Shocking NHS figures reveal that patients were in the same room as their medic for just 54.8 per cent of consultations between January and July. That compares with 59.2 per cent last year, 80 per cent in 2019 and 82 per cent in 2018.

Overall, GPs are allowing 3.4 million fewer face-to-face consultations per month compared with before the pandemic [File photo]

Q & A Q: Why are there fewer face-to-face appointments? A: In March 2020, as the pandemic began, NHS England wrote to GPs to tell them to adopt a system of 'total triage'. Patients were to be assessed on the phone or online to establish if they needed an in-person appointment. The pandemic accelerated a move to more remote care that ministers had hoped to bring in gradually. Q: What are the benefits of remote consultations? A: They help to reduce the spread of Covid by limiting contact. Triage allows GP practices to filter out patients who could be dealt with by pharmacists, nurses or physiotherapists, leaving doctors more time to see people who really need their expertise. Some queries can be answered quickly over the phone and some illnesses or conditions can be diagnosed from photographs or by video. Some people prefer this because it saves the time of travelling to a surgery, which could mean taking time off work or having to arrange childcare. Some GPs like doing remote consultations as they are able to do them from home, rather than travel to their surgery. Q: What are the downsides? A: Campaigners warn it is now so difficult to see a GP face to face that some people have given up trying to get an appointment altogether. It can often be hard to get through on the phone. Patients can feel uncomfortable being quizzed by a receptionist and those who are lucky enough to secure even a remote consultation may not have a smartphone or computer necessary for a video call or to send a photo. Some feel uncomfortable talking about medical issues remotely and value the relationship they build with a doctor in the same room. Without physical examinations, doctors risk missing vital tell-tale symptoms. Coroners warn it is difficult to give the same level of care during a remote consultation and problems are being missed  with fatal consequences. Patients unable to secure a GP appointment are instead visiting A&E and piling pressure on already busy hospitals. Q: Are GP surgeries back to normal after lockdown? A: No. GP surgeries are seeing a lower number and lower proportion of patients face to face this year than last  despite the hugely successful vaccine rollout, better Covid treatments and a more stable supply of personal protective equipment. NHS England wrote to surgeries in May telling them remote consultations could continue but they should be offered 'alongside a clear offer of appointments in person'. It added: 'Patients' input into this choice should be sought and practices should respect preferences for face-to-face care.' Rates have crept up only marginally and remain almost a third lower than pre-pandemic levels. In some parts of the country, still fewer than half of appointments are face to face. Q: What other issues explain the crisis? A: Doctors' leaders cite 'years of neglect' of general practice by successive governments, which means there are too few GPs to meet demand. The British population is ageing and more people are living with multiple, complex illnesses that place a bigger strain on primary care. The Conservative Party's 2019 election manifesto pledged to increase GP numbers by 6,000 by 2024/25. The Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association say this is essential. Q: What will happen next? A: Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said it is 'high time' for GPs to start to operate in the way they were doing before the pandemic and he has vowed to 'do a lot more about it'. GPs have pledged to offer a mix of face-to-face and remote consultations. Campaign group Silver Voices, which represents the over-60s, has launched a petition calling for a legal right to in-person appointments. Advertisement

The rest are conducted by telephone or video. However, this category also includes consultations at a patient's home, which are extremely rare.

The figures also reveal that the figure for face-to-face appointments fell below 50 per cent during the lockdowns. GPs are on course to see 80 million fewer people face-to-face this year than in 2019, raising fears that more life-threatening conditions will be missed.

NHS England told surgeries in May to ensure they were offering face-to-face appointments to any patient who requests one.

But rates have crept up only marginally since, from 55.6 per cent that month to 57.2 per cent in July  still almost a third lower than pre-pandemic levels.

And the figures expose a postcode lottery of care, with just two local health areas  known as clinical commissioning groups  offering more than seven in ten appointments face to face.

NHS Castle Point and Rochford CCG topped the list with a rate of 72.6 per cent in July. But 13 CCGs are failing to offer even half of their appointments in person, with NHS South Sefton at the bottom of the league table on 44.9 per cent.

Dennis Reed, the director of Silver Voices, a campaign group for the over-60s, is leading calls for patients to be given a legal right to 'timely face-to-face GP appointments'. His petition on the official Government website has more than 16,000 signatures and will be considered for a debate in Parliament if it reaches 100,000. A survey of more than 500 elderly people by the campaign group in May found 71 per cent had struggled to obtain a face-to-face appointment.

Mr Reed said: 'If you can get through to your GP surgery on the phone you'll be interrogated by a receptionist and have to jump through so many hoops to get an appointment. Many elderly people find this so daunting that they have just given up trying and are suffering at home. It's very worrying and stressful for them.'

Mr Reed added: 'We are worried that serious conditions are going undiagnosed, people are getting sicker and dying as a result. Ministers must get a grip on this now.'

Face-to-face GP appointments hit a low of 46.8 per cent in April 2020, the first full month after the first lockdown.

They remained below 50 per cent until August that year and have been above that level ever since.

But they are yet to return above 60 per cent in any month.

Lucy Watson, chairman of the Patients Association, said its helpline received regular calls from 'frustrated' and 'distressed' patients who can not see their GP face to face, and numerous health charities have warned of the harms of remote consultations.

Diabetes UK said it was 'vital that those who weren't able to access remote appointments were able to request face-to-face support'. Asthma UK said: 'While some people with asthma may prefer phone and video doctors' appointments because they can be more convenient, the majority have told us that they prefer face-to-face care. Some aspects of asthma care are currently more effective if delivered in person  for example, checking that someone is using their inhaler properly.'

And the Stroke Association said: 'Some stroke survivors, particularly those with speech and communication difficulties like aphasia, have found online appointments challenging and felt it negatively affected the care they received. It is vital that stroke survivors have choices about how they access services in future, so they can receive the personalised support that best suits them.' Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said family doctors shared patients' 'frustrations' with primary care.

He insists GPs have offered face-to-face appointments when needed but admits some have at times felt like they were working in a call centre, 'which isn't the job they signed up for'. He added that the real problem was a chronic shortage of GPs, which limited the total number of appointments available.

Professor Marshall said the move to 'mainly' remote consultations was in line with government guidelines, adding: 'This was necessary for infection control and to keep patients  and GP teams  as safe as possible. Face-to-face appointments and physical examinations have continued throughout, wherever clinically appropriate and safe to do so.'

Dr Richard Vautrey, chairman of the BMA's GP committee, said patients were seen in person when it is safe and clinically appropriate. He added that it had been necessary to cut back numbers to protect the public during the pandemic and the need to limit the spread of coronavirus remained.

'Patients don't want to come into the surgery with one illness, only to leave having caught Covid-19 as well. To protect our patients, we had to limit the number of people coming through our doors.'

Three anguished accounts of grief and pain that health chiefs MUST hear

by LIZ HULL for the Daily Mail

CASE ONE: We were fobbed off and now my mother is dead

The daughter of a woman who died of lung cancer months after being refused an appointment with her GP said: 'Nobody will ever know if she could have been saved.'

Marina Sendall's mother, Ellie Krzywy, 62, was 'fobbed off' by her GP surgery, which did not want doctors to see patients face to face during the pandemic.

Despite telling her family doctor she had a persistent cough and felt breathless in two phone consultations, Mrs Krzywy was not sent for an X-ray but was instead prescribed antibiotics for a chest infection.

Marina Sendall's (L) mother, Ellie Krzywy, 62 (R), was 'fobbed off' by her GP surgery, which did not want doctors to see patients face to face during the pandemic. Despite telling her family doctor she had a persistent cough and felt breathless in two phone consultations, Mrs Krzywy was not sent for an X-ray but was instead prescribed antibiotics for a chest infection

Eventually, the cleaner's condition became so bad that Mrs Sendall decided to take her to A&E herself. Doctors there X-rayed her chest and  after seeing something suspicious  referred her for more tests.

A week later, in August 2020, they delivered the devastating news that Mrs Krzywy had terminal lung cancer and only six months to live. She survived for longer before dying in May. Heartbroken Mrs Sendall, 34, told the Mail the GP who refused to see her mother had 'robbed' the family of precious time together.

The retail administrator said: 'Covid was used as an excuse not to see her. It was impossible for my mum to get an appointment. She told them she had the cough for a few months but they still prescribed antibiotics over the phone. She should have been sent for an X-ray sooner.

'My mum had an aggressive form of cancer. Who knows if she could have survived? No doctor can tell us that  but she would have had more time.

'Instead the day she was diagnosed she had to start treatment straight away otherwise she would have had weeks [to live]. We would still have been waiting for the GP had I not taken her to A&E.'

In August 2020, they delivered the devastating news that Mrs Krzywy had terminal lung cancer and only six months to live. She survived for longer before dying in May. Heartbroken Mrs Sendall, 34, told the Mail the GP who refused to see her mother had 'robbed' the family of precious time together.

Mother-of-three Mrs Sendall added of the diagnosis: 'We cried for four days straight after hearing the news  it was awful.

'To hear she'd been suffering all those weeks with cancer was terrible. The Daily Mail campaign can only be a good thing.

'Sadly, there are plenty of stories like my mum's out there.

'Somebody has to force the Government to do something. The past year has been a nightmare.

'I was very close to my mum and I never thought I could survive losing her, but I've got three children myself so I've had to keep going for them.'

Distraught Mrs Krzywy, of Gloucester, had told of her 'disappointment' at not being able to get an appointment with her GP. She said at the time: 'I felt completely helpless. I'm in shock that I have so little time left.'

CASE TWO: My husband should never have died

A heartbroken widow hailed the Mail's campaign yesterday and vowed: 'If that doesn't move them into action then they've got hearts of stone.'

Lisa King, 55, sobbed as she told how she lost her beloved husband Peter after his GP denied him a face-to-face appointment. She said the 62-year-old retired taxi driver's death had been 'tragic and avoidablejust completely unnecessary'.

Mrs King insisted: 'It should never have happened. Every night I cry myself to sleep and when I unfortunately wake up  I say unfortunately because I just want to be with him  I weep again. If it wasn't for the fact we have children, I wouldn't be here now  that's how broken I am.'

Mr King, of Brentwood, Essex, complained of pain in his stomach in July last year. His wife emailed their GP asking for a face-to-face appointment because she was worried it was cancer.

Lisa King, 55, sobbed as she told how she lost her beloved husband Peter after his GP denied him a face-to-face appointment. She said the 62-year-old retired taxi driver's death had been 'tragic and avoidablejust completely unnecessary'

After a phone appointment, Mr King's GP said he had acid reflux and prescribed medication, telling him to call back in a week if it had not improved.

Mr King was taken to hospital six days later and doctors removed a gallstone in his bile duct. It is thought the delay in treatment and going into hospital saw Mr King's iron levels rise and damage his heart.

He had a heart attack four weeks after leaving hospital and died last October.

Mrs King said: 'You can't diagnose something like that over the phone. He passed away and it was all a result of not seeing his GP.

'Our family has been torn apart by the incompetence and neglect. On September 30, 2020, Peter and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary. Nine days later, I was a widow at 55 and our two sons aged 21 and 19 will forever miss asking their dad for fatherly advice and sharing their experiences with him.'

She added: 'No one goes to a GP because they have nothing better to do. They need treatment  there's something wrong...Patients are losing trust in their doctors. They need to regain the public's trust by seeing people face to face.

'It seems as though GPs can do what they like. They can ignore patients, ignore the Health Secretary, the British Medical Association...They are a law unto themselves.

'I hope this Daily Mail campaign can make a difference because I never want another wife, husband, son or daughter to have to go through what me and my two sons are going through.

'Let them read Peter's story. And if that doesn't move them into action then they've got hearts of stone.'

CASE THREE: My head feels like someone is stamping on me

A woman had to undergo emergency surgery  after trying to get a face-to-face appointment with her doctor for more than a year.

Painter and decorator Katie Lee, 30, of Hartlepool, suffers from high pressure in her brain. She said since the pandemic started 'it's been impossible to get anyone to see me'. She added: I've been in terrible pain at times  as if my head is in a vice and someone is stamping on me.

'I've tried getting through to my GP over and over but they don't seem interested and kept putting me through to the hospital.

'The pressure was becoming worse and worse. My vision was going. A simple eye examination could have shown something was seriously wrong.'

Katie Lee, 30, a painter and decorator is recovering in the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough after emergency surgery. She says: 'I've been trying to get a face to face appointment with a doctor or a consultant for over a year but have been fobbed off with phone calls or online forms.'

She eventually saw a GP and later found out 'I was only a cough or a sneeze away from having a stroke'.

Miss Lee said after the surgery 'I can see again  but I feel like I've been hit by a bus'.

She called the GP service a 'nightmare', saying: 'Every appointment has been over the phone and it's not good enough.'

Why it's crucial we save this life-saving human touch

by DR ARUN GHOSH

Dr Arun Ghosh

THERE is a case from the pandemic that will always stay with me of a man given appointments remotely. He was 24 and suffering from lower-back pain after exercising.

He was given a telephone assessment, and a colleague gave him ibuprofen and told him to rest. When the pain continued, again he booked in for a telephone call, and this time he was referred to a physiotherapist.

This young man had myeloma  a type of bone marrow cancer  which was eventually picked up late because he hadn't actually been physically examined for almost six months.

I often think if he had been examined in person sooner, the doctor might have seen this was more than a simple back injury. Technology can work well for younger patients who need something straightforward, such as emergency contraception.

But my concern is that it really isn't a replacement for a hand on the tummy or listening to someone's breathing. As a junior doctor, you are taught to take a history of the patient's symptoms, do a good examination, and then come up with a diagnosis.

On the phone, you can only really take someone's history, and they may not think to tell you the most important symptoms  plus they only have a few minutes to tell you about it, as these appointments are generally shorter than face-to-face ones.

Even with video consultations, I often think afterwards, could I really be confident I had seen an infected insect bite, or was it a blood clot? Many GPs, especially locum doctors, now prefer remote appointments. They get paid to sit in their own home, which makes it easier to deal with family commitments.

But there are good reasons for face-to-face appointments. In a surgery a doctor can see from a patient's medical records that someone hasn't had their flu jab, or their child hasn't had their vaccinations.

I also worry about the domestic abuse cases, where anxious women would repeatedly come in with children who had minor illnesses. We would ask questions about how they were coping, and then discover what was happening at home. But that is much harder to do on the phone or online, when they are speaking from home.

With phone appointments, there is also a risk that calls won't be answered. And there is the importance of trust, now that most patients aren't able to see the one family doctor they have had for years.

If a patient doesn't feel the GP is really paying attention  often they can hear you typing as they talk  they may not provide all the information on their symptoms.

I want to embrace technology, but as a doctor who has been doing this for 20 years, I think face-to-face appointments are very important, particularly when it comes to mental health. Just seeing a patient in person, and reassuring them with a physical examination, can remove a burden they have been carrying for weeks.

Dr Arun Ghosh, 42, is a GP partner at Ghosh Medical, a private GP service run in Liverpool and across the North West.

DR MAX PEMBERTON: GPs who won't see patients are hurting the NHS

At the age of 16, I started working for the NHS as an occupational therapy assistant. I later trained as a doctor because I was so proud of the NHS and the ideologies underpinning it. I have always thought of it as one of this country's greatest achievements and over the 25 years I have worked in it, I have vociferously defended it.

This makes what I'm about to say all the more sad. I used to love the NHS but, increasingly, I feel my relationship with it is on the rocks.

I've never been so naive as to think the NHS is perfect. Far from it. Of course it has its faults. But I always argued that it was an equitable and cheap way of delivering healthcare.

Yet I  and many others  are starting to question who the NHS is for. Increasingly, it seems to be less and less about patients.

At the start of the pandemic we rightly rallied round, protected the NHS from being overwhelmed and applauded the staff on the front line.

But 18 months later, the goodwill the NHS built up is quickly being squandered.

Despite it now having had two years to prepare, we are still being told the NHS is at risk of collapse if there is another Covid wave; and we face the possibility of yet more lockdowns. What has the NHS been doing all this time if not getting itself prepared?

Dr Max (pictured) said rather than spending our time wishing away the years until we retire, perhaps the answer is to focus our energies on finding a job we don't want to retire from

But surely most galling of all is that so many GPs are still refusing to see patients face to face. It has become a national crisis. Yet still many of my GP colleagues refuse to accept there is a problem.

They insist that, despite all the evidence, they still provide an adequate service. Move along. Nothing to see here.

Do they take us for fools? They are in denial. Seeing a doctor in person has become nigh-on impossible lately. This after Greater Manchester's senior coroner reported that lack of face-to-face assessment had contributed to at least five deaths and warned of more to come.

Statistics released last week also suggest a lack of in-person appointments may have led to an 88 per cent spike in stillbirths in England during the pandemic.

Just this week my mum called me in a dither about my auntie, who had an infection but had been unable to see a GP. She ended up seeing a pharmacist privately who prescribed antibiotics but was only allowed to give a few days' worth  the rest needed to be prescribed by a GP.

Yet the surgery informed her she still couldn't see a GP until long after the course of antibiotics ran out. Utter chaos.

Like many others, my aunt had to resort to seeing a private GP, despite not really being able to afford it. My mum was beside herself with worry in case something similar happened to her, and wanted to know what she should do. I felt profound shame in the NHS when I had to say she should go private.

My mum, a staunch socialist, was horrified: 'Is this really what we've come to in this country?' she texted me afterwards.

Then, just days later, a man who works in my local dry cleaner's texted me in desperation, asking what he should do because his wife was unwell but couldn't get hold of a doctor.

Don't tell me this is all just a coincidence. It is getting ludicrous. There was the atrocious case last week of a woman being unable to get an appointment for her son to see a GP, so in despair she paid for a private GP . . . only to find that the private GP was in fact the NHS GP she couldn't get an appointment with.

People will only tolerate so many stories like this before there is a mutiny.

Nye Bevan, the father of the NHS, set out his idea for the Health Service in a book entitled In Place Of Fear  because that's what he believed the NHS was.

Before it, people were scared of falling ill because it could bring financial ruin on a family. What a noble cause to address.

People are scared once more but now it is because they feel the NHS isn't there for them. They are scared they won't get the help when they need it, won't know where to turn and, increasingly, will have to pay for medical help. And it's not just GPs. Hospital services that effectively shut up shop at the start of the pandemic have been woefully slow in starting up again.

Waiting lists for life-changing operations such as hip replacements are spiralling out of control  and the only solution seems to be to go to the Government, cap in hand, and ask for more money. The whole thing just feels so disheartening.

This isn't about bashing the NHS for the sake of it. It's about it being exposed as an antiquated, creaking system that can't adapt fast enough to the demands being placed on it.

It's about an institution based on a hotchpotch of short-term solutions that have been imposed by politicians in a haphazard way on an anachronistic model over the years that is now at death's door.

It's about a society that for years has had high expectations and a sense of entitlement but whose citizens don't appreciate the cost of what they receive.

It's about watching something I loved slowly die  and wishing the end would come sooner, because it's agonising watching the death throes.

CAMILLA CAVENDISH: Backbone of the NHS... so why DO so many GPs avoid patients?

When Brian Mottram died from Covid-19 pneumonitis last November, he had been prescribed antibiotics by a GP over the phone. In Tameside, where Mr Mottram lived, the GP clinics had a policy of predominantly using telephone consultations rather than face-to-face or video appointments. As a result, no one realised what was wrong with him until he died.

A senior coroner has said that remote GP appointments may have been a factor in Mr Mottram's death and that of four others in Greater Manchester.

The coroner's report has bust open the anguish that has been simmering ever since the start of the pandemic: where have all the GPs gone?

Paramedics, pharmacists, ambulance drivers and care workers have dealt with people face to face throughout the pandemic. Nurses and hospital doctors have worked tirelessly on the wards. Yet many patients feel their GPs have become invisible. Despite the heroic efforts of some GPs, the service that ought to be the backbone of the NHS is crumbling.

Many patients feel their GPs have become invisible, writes Camilla Cavendish

Before the pandemic, around eight in ten patients saw their GP face to face. Now it's under six in ten, with big variations around the country. But even these figures mask the fact that many people I know have not been able to get a GP appointment of any kind.

Earlier this year, a friend of mine noticed something worrying on her shoulder. A mole she'd had for years had started bleeding. Not only did it look awful: Google made it clear it could be cancerous. 'See your GP if you notice a change in a mole,' urges the NHS website. But that turned out to be impossible.

After dialling and re-dialling her GP for days, she finally got through to a brusque receptionist who asked: 'Why are you bothering us with this?' An astonishing comment. No, she couldn't have an appointment this week. Or next week. Or it seemed, ever. Her anxiety mounting, she managed to get them to agree that she could send in a photo. The GP would look at it and call her, she was told. She never heard back. 'I've given up,' she says now. 'It hasn't got any worse, so I'm just hoping for the best.'

I hope the GP did look at the photograph, and decided that it wasn't a problem. Remote consultation is convenient for doctors, and should in theory be more efficient. It also works well for patients with busy lives and relatively straightforward conditions.

Private services like Babylon Health have taken off in recent years because they let busy urban professionals get medical advice on video when they want it.

But with more complex conditions, talking to someone online is no substitute for examining them. One GP friend of mine is certain she saved a child's life from meningitis, a few years ago, when she spotted a tiny rash behind the ear. It was a pin prick she thinks she would never have seen on video.

I could see manifest benefits for hard-pressed doctors in being able to switch to Zoom, writes Camilla Cavendish

Others tell me that listening to a heartbeat, testing reflexes, poking the abdomen, can provide clues that nothing else can. Especially if a doctor is examining someone they've seen over many years, they will notice if someone has lost weight, or is looking different.

As Professor Martin Marshall of the Royal College of GPs has put it: 'The biggest challenge is when patients have complex health needs: as being in the same room as a patient, often who you have built up a relationship with over time, is incredibly useful and difficult to replicate remotely.' GPs are also trained to pick up non-verbal cues: a child's silent distress or a woman's attempt to hide her bruises. We patients may struggle to say what's bothering us.

'Sometimes it's only in the last 30 seconds, when the patient is putting their jacket back on, that they'll say what they really came for,' another GP tells me.

So when senior NHS executives started telling me excitedly last year that technology was going to revolutionise GP consultations, I felt worried. I could see manifest benefits for hard-pressed doctors in being able to switch to Zoom.

But equally it seemed vital to me that patients who wanted to see their GP could still do so.

I also wondered just how much more efficient the new system would be. Many surgeries are forcing patients to have a phone consultation first, before the doctor will decide whether to see them in person. But that can end up meaning two appointments for the same issue.

For years, getting an appointment has increasingly felt like breaking into Fort Knox.

If we reach the waiting room, we are assailed by signs warning us not to bring more than one ailment to each consultation. The doctor barely glances at us, so fixated are they on typing on their screen, and we rarely see the same doctor twice.

Continuity of care  having a GP who has known you and your kids for years, and who may therefore have deeper insights  is a thing of the past. When one of my favourite GPs took early retirement five years ago, it was because he was so frustrated by this lack of continuity, coupled with bureaucracy that meant he spent hours form-filling.

The result is a tragedy: a service that feels more and more like a job, not a vocation. The trouble started back in 2004, when the Government let GPs abandon out-of-hours care with no loss of salary. The days of GPs like my father-in-law, who would go to see patients at night and weekends, were over. From then on, we discovered that if we got ill at night or at a weekend, we were no longer the GP's responsibility.

Remote consultation is accentuating the feeling some patients now have that their doctors see them as an irritant to be avoided. This is unfair to those GPs who are working incredibly hard, but it is undermining the doctor-patient relationship. At the start of the pandemic, patients were told to stay away from surgeries.

Eighteen months later, this is in danger of becoming a new normal, not least because GPs themselves seem to be so nervous about getting ill. A survey of 1,000 GPs in Pulse magazine has found 61 per cent saying they are 'concerned' about their own health.

Almost every GP I meet is unhappy and stressed. Almost every patient is anxious and furious. NHS England should urgently hire more GPs, relieve them of paperwork and support them with better administrators. But we also need to properly restore face-to-face consultations. Otherwise we will see more anguish, more anxiety, and more deaths that might have been avoided.
Advertisement

A 1920s-era Florida mansion situated on a pink-sand beach and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean has gone on sale for $28.5 million - a full $18.5 million more than its Boston-based hedge fund manager owner bought it for just two years ago.

The 12,500-square-foot Mediterranean style home was put on the market last week, according to Mansion Global, after Michael Rashes, a principal at Bracebridge Capital, and his wife, Dena, bought it for $10.5 million in May 2019.

It includes seven bedrooms, 10 full bathrooms and four half baths, with three guest villas overlooking the water in the Palm Beach County town of Gulf Stream.

'There's about 202 feet of ocean frontage, which is about double the size of many other estates,' Candace Friis, of the Corcoran Group, told Mansion Global.

She said the Rashes were not spending as much time in Florida as they used to, and decided to downsize.

A Mediterranean-style waterfront property in Florida has hit the market for $28.5 million

It was bought in May 2019 by Michael Rashes, a principal at Bracebridge Capital, and his wife, Dena, for $10.5 million

The property, on 1.26 acres of land in Palm Beach County, sits right on top of a pink-sand beach

A view of the exterior of the house from the Atlantic Ocean

Candace Friis, of the Corcoran Group, said the Rashes decided to sell the luxurious home to downsize

Much of the home is made up of imported materials, like limestone floors

The home has a large, private driveway and a four-car garage

There are now only about 750 homes in the Gulf Stream community

The house is surrounded by more than 200 feet of waterfront frontage

The house was first built in 1926, but was recently renovated by the architectural firm Bridges and Marsh, according to its listing.

Materials from around the world provide the house with its Mediterranean, spa-like ambience, with limestone floor, cypress cathedral ceilings, imported marble and wall murals from Spain, Friis told Mansion Global.

It also includes high-impact windows and doors made by the German company Tischler and Sohn.

The house has cypress cathedral ceilings. Here is a view of a living room inside the luxurious house

The staircase is decorated with imported tiles, adding to the Mediterranean aesthetic

The original 1926 oceanfront estate was rebuilt by the architectural firm Bridges and Marsh

Murals painted on the wall are imported from Spain

There are several terraces, like the one seen here, throughout the home

It has seven bedrooms, like the one seen here, that fit a full queen size bed

A patio extends off of the large, primary bedroom

A view of one of the seven bedrooms, with slanted high-impact windows

The house also has 10 full bathrooms and four half baths, with limestone details

Homeowners and renters could also bask in the warm Florida weather at a courtyard in the center of the complex, where a tiled fountain sits surrounded by trees, before having a meal at the home's eat in kitchen.

The mansion also features a rooftop terrace, an office with ocean views and a primary bedroom suite with a private patio.

'When you're on the upper-level terraces, you fee like you could be anywhere in the world,' Friis said. 'The house has a quiet, gentle nature that I love.'

And to add to the experience - there is a new carriage house, a guest cottage, a mirrored fitness center with a ballet barre, a media room, a pool inside its own pool house and a four-car garage.

'The estate offers a rare opportunity for a buyer or investor to own a sliver of paradise,' its listing says.

A tiled fountain sits in the center of a courtyard at the estate

The house also features doors made by the German company Tischler and Sohn

There is a large chef's eat-in kitchen inside the house

The dining room provides a rustic atmosphere

Homeowners and renters could enjoy the views of the ocean while eating inside the kitchen

Patios on the upper floors overlook the Atlantic Ocean

There is a new mirrored fitness center inside the spacious home

There is also a new media center, featuring comfortable seats

Residents could also cool off while enjoying the outside, under a covered patio

The outdoor area provides residents with a nice place to drink their morning coffee while looking out at the ocean

The home also has its own pool, inside a separate pool house

The estate is just steps away from the pink-sand beach

The home, on 1.26 acres, was one of the original houses built in the Gulf Stream community, which grew as a hub for polo.

A special bell would ring when there was a win on the polo field, Friis said, alerting residents to 'come for cocktails.'

Now, the private community has only about 750 homes, with a private police force and no commercial activity, giving it a 'secluded and elegant' feel, she said.
An Australian father-of-two sentenced to death in Thailand after being accused of smuggling ice for the Hells Angels has returned home after he was acquitted of the crime last week.

Perth man Luke Cook, 37, and his Thai wife Kanyarat Wechapitak, 43, were both freed after the Supreme Court in Bangkok quashed their sentences.

Mr Cook, a former FIFO worker who had owned a hotel and bar in Pattaya, returned to Sydney on Sunday where he will undertake two weeks hotel quarantine before he is able to see his two sons.

Perth man Luke Cook's arrest in December 2017. He stood accused of taking a yacht into international waters off the Thailand coast to collect drugs from a Chinese trawler on behalf of the Hells Angels

Mr Cook (left) and wife Kanyarat Wechapitak after their arrests in Bangkok in December 2017

Mr Cook, a former FIFO worker who had owned a hotel and bar in Pattaya, returned to Sydney on Sunday where he will undertake two weeks hotel quarantine before he is able to see his two sons

Mr Cook pictured with his family. 'Luke is a family man who loves his kids,' a family friend told the media at the time of his arrest

The court decision ended a long-running saga in which Mr Cook and his wife were arrested in December 2017 and charged with attempting to smuggle half a tonne of crystal methamphetamine, worth around $300million into Thailand and on to Australia in June 2015.

Mr Cook stood accused of taking a yacht into international waters off the Thailand coast to collect drugs from a Chinese trawler on behalf of the Hells Angels.

After spotting a patrol boat, police alleged he threw a 50.4kg package of the drug overboard.

The parcels later washed up on a Pattaya beach but no DNA or other evidence linked Mr Cook to the packages.

He and his wife were sentenced to death for the crime in 2018.

'Luke is a family man who loves his kids,' a family friend told the media at the time.

'When this first happened, he did everything he could to try and get them out of the country.'

'He is innocent. He would never do something like this.'

Mr Cook pictured as Thai authorities raided the family home in the tourist hot spot of Pattaya in 2017

Mr Cook had owned a hotel and bar in Pattaya before he was arrested and sentenced to death by a Thai court

The Thai prosecution claimed high-ranking Hells Angels member, Wayne Schneider, paid Mr Cook $US10 million to receive and store the drugs before smuggling them to Australia.

Schneider's body was found naked and mutilated in Thailand in 2015.

In his appeal Mr Cook's defence lawyers said another Australian FIFO worker, Douglas Shoebridge had framed Mr Cook for the smuggling crime.

Mr Shoebridge had testified at trial that Mr Cook confessed to him about the smuggling attempt.

He said he'd been hired as a diver by Mr Cook to search for gold, but the Perth man later told him it was to look for the drugs thrown overboard.

The reliability of Shoebridge's testimony was thrown into doubt, however, after a NSW inquest into the death of Schneider.

That inquest heard that cars used to kidnap Schneider were rented by Shoebridges partner Siriphan Saimart, and that Shoebridge had given Siriphan 100,000 Thai baht ($A4130) to rent a house in Pattaya where Schneider was tortured and killed.

Mr Cook was acquitted after the Thai authorities claimed Wayne Schneider (left) paid him $US10 million to receive and store the drugs before smuggling them to Australia. Cook later pleaded guilty to helping convicted murderer Antonio Bagnato (right) escape to Cambodia

Sydney man Antonio Bagnato was sentenced to death for Schneiders murder in 2017, but later acquitted and re-sentenced for assault.

Mr Cook was later accused of helped Bagnato escape to Cambodia following Schneider's death, to which he pleaded guilty.

He told the court Bagnato had produced a gun at Mr Cook's Jolly's Piss Stop Bar in Pattaya and demanded he be driven to the border.

Mr Cook insisted he know about nothing about Schneider's murder.

In a Facebook post from March year Mr Cook made a desperate plea for this story to be heard.

'I am not asking you to feel sorry for me, I just ask you to consider the facts as they happened,' he wrote.

'I was not involved in any way in the importation of drugs.'
Scientists have issued a dramatic warning koalas could become extinct with just 30,000 left in the wild.

New figures from the Australian Koala Foundation - which has been monitoring koala numbers for about a decade - reveal populations have plunged by 30 per cent in just three years.

The most recent population estimate is that the country is home to between 32,000 and 58,000 koalas, down from between 46,000 and 82,000 in 2018.

That's just a fraction of the eight million koalas in Australia when European settlement began.

Adelaide wildlife rescuer Simon Adamczyk is seen with koala rescued at a burning forest near near Cape Borda on Kangaroo Island (pictured) southwest of Adelaide on January 7, 2020

The furry marsupial's numbers have plunged in every federal electorate but most noticeably in those in Queensland where just 6,500 could be left in the entire state.

'There used to be five electorates with more than 5000 animals and now there's only two and it's shocking that it's happened in just three years,' the non-profit's chair Deborah Tabart told news.com.au.

The animals are found in the southeast part of Australia from mid-north Queensland through NSW, Victoria and to South Australia.

The data shows the animals are now extinct in the Riverina electorate - directly in the centre of the koalas habitat, while South Australia is estimated to have under a thousand of the animals.

The Australian Koala Foundation said numbers of the marsupials in the Australian wild have plunged by 30 per cent in just three years

The numbers show the koala is now extinct in 47 electorates and only one, in the South Australian electorate of Mayo, has more than 5000 koalas.

Flinders University's Professor of ecology Corey Bradshaw said the situation for the species is dire.

'When they go extinct is up for debate, but whether they will go extinct is not really up for debate anymore.' Professor Bradshaw said.

'Habitats have been cleared... fragmented by roads and development. [There's] genetic problems and diseases... dogs and cars. Add bushfires, and there's not a lot of long term hope for that species in particular,' he said.

Land clearing and bushfires are widespread threats to the marsupials' habitat (pictured: a bushfire rips the the Australian landscape in February 2021)

Currently the animals are listed as 'vulnerable' under the Australian Government's Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in Queensland and NSW.

The Australian Koala Foundation wants Victoria and South Australia included, the listing upgraded to 'critically endangered' and separate legislation to protect the Australian icon.

'We need a Koala Protection Act now,' Ms Tabart said.
Advertisement

The FBI announced that a body has been found in the search for missing van-life girl Gabby Petito, with the coroner saying an autopsy set for Tuesday to confirm the identity and find out how she died.

The body was found at the Spread Creek campground in Bridger-Teton National Forest on the eastern edge of the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on Sunday afternoon.

Petito, 22, was reported missing on September 11 after being last seen on August 24. Her fiance Brian Laundrie returned home to Florida on September 1 without her, and refused to cooperate with authorities and was reported missing himself on Friday.

The FBI said the body found in the national park is 'consistent with a description' of Petito, but said a full forensic identification has yet to be completed. A cause of death will be determined at the autopsy.

Charles Jones, supervisory senior resident agent for FBI Denver, delivered the tragic news Sunday evening. It remains unclear how investigators were able to locate her body in such amount of short time.

After the FBI's announcement, Petito's father, Joseph, shared a tribute to his daughter on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with a photo of her adorned with a pair of angel wings, and the caption: 'she touched the world.'

Jones told reporters: 'As every parent can imagine this is an incredibly difficult time for the family, and friends, our thoughts and prayers are with them. We ask that you all respect their privacy as they mourn the loss of their daughter.'

Richard Benson, an attorney for the Petito and Schmidt family on her mother's side, thanked law enforcement and search and rescue teams for their efforts in finding the girl.

'Your tireless work and determination helped bring Gabby home to her parents,' he said in a statement. 'The family and I will be forever grateful.'

Missing van-life girl Gabby Petito's father, Joseph, shared a tribute to his daughter on social media Sunday with a photo of her adorned with angel wings (pictured) and the caption: 'she touched the world' as authorities confirmed that remains matching her description had been found in Wyoming

The Teton County Coroner was seen leaving the campsite Sunday afternoon with what is believed to be Petito's remains

FBI officials announced Sunday evening that they had found remains consistent with the description of Petito (left). The announcement came as authorities resumed their search for fiance Brian Laundrie (right) in Florida. Laundrie is currently a person of interest in Petito's disappearance

Petito's parents shared a video on their 'Find Gabby' Facebook page early Sunday morning from YouTuber Red, White & Bethune', that caught a Ford Transit Connect Van with Florida plates that the posters believe to be the vehicle that Petito and Laundrie had used to travel the country. The video was taken on August 27 at around 6.30 pm at the Spread Creek Campground, where police were searching for the missing girl, and where the remains were found Sunday

Timeline of missing Gabby Petito's case July 1: Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie left Blue Point, New York for a cross-country road trip

Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie left Blue Point, New York for a cross-country road trip August 12: Police in Moab, Utah respond to a domestic incident involving the couple

Police in Moab, Utah respond to a domestic incident involving the couple Aug. 21: Petito's father, Joseph Petito, has his last FaceTime video call with his daughter who was in Salt Lake City, Utah

Petito's father, Joseph Petito, has his last FaceTime video call with his daughter who was in Salt Lake City, Utah Aug. 24: Petito is last seen at a hotel in Salt Lake City with Laundrie

Petito is last seen at a hotel in Salt Lake City with Laundrie Aug. 25: Petito makes final call to her mother, Nicole Schmidt, saying she was in Grand Teton National Park

Petito makes final call to her mother, Nicole Schmidt, saying she was in Grand Teton National Park Aug. 25 or 26: The couple chats with the owner of a shop called 'Rustic Row' in Victor, Utah for about 20 minutes

The couple chats with the owner of a shop called 'Rustic Row' in Victor, Utah for about 20 minutes Aug. 27: Video of Petito's van was taken by blogger Jenn Bethune, of Red White & Bethune, around 6.30 pm at the Spread Creek Campground

Video of Petito's van was taken by blogger Jenn Bethune, of Red White & Bethune, around 6.30 pm at the Spread Creek Campground Aug. 29: The day that Wisconsin TikToker Miranda Baker claimed that she and her boyfriend were approached by Laundrie at Grand Teton National Park and asked them for a ride at 5.30pm; Schmidt says she is not entertaining this claim and believes it possibly factual

The day that Wisconsin TikToker Miranda Baker claimed that she and her boyfriend were approached by Laundrie at Grand Teton National Park and asked them for a ride at 5.30pm; Schmidt says she is not entertaining this claim and believes it possibly factual Aug. 30: Schmidt receives the last text from Petito: 'No service in Yosemite'

Schmidt receives the last text from Petito: 'No service in Yosemite' Sept. 1: Laundrie returns to his parents' home in North Port, Florida in a van without Petito

Laundrie returns to his parents' home in North Port, Florida in a van without Petito Sept. 11: Schmidt reports Petito missing to authorities in New York; Petito and Laundrie's van was impounded by police in Florida that same day

Schmidt reports Petito missing to authorities in New York; Petito and Laundrie's van was impounded by police in Florida that same day Sept. 12: Grand Teton National Park rangers search for Petito

Grand Teton National Park rangers search for Petito Sept. 14: Laundrie issues a statement about Petito's disappearance through his lawyer; Also on this day, Laundrie allegedly left his parents' home for a hike

Laundrie issues a statement about Petito's disappearance through his lawyer; Also on this day, Laundrie allegedly left his parents' home for a hike Sept. 15: Laundrie is officially named a person of interest in Petito's case

Laundrie is officially named a person of interest in Petito's case Sept. 17: Laundrie family attorney confirms his whereabouts are unknown

Laundrie family attorney confirms his whereabouts are unknown Sept. 18: North Port police and the FBI start searching the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County for missing Brian Laundrie

North Port police and the FBI start searching the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County for missing Brian Laundrie Sept. 19: Bethune realizes she has video of Petito's van around 12am and submits the FBI with the footage 10 minutes later; Officials announce a body was found near Grand Teton National Park that matched Petitos description in the afternoon Advertisement

After Sunday's announcement, the Laundrie family attorney released a statement, saying, 'The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking. The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family.'

North Port police also released a statement.

'Saddened and heartbroken to learn that Gabby has been found deceased,' they said. 'Our focus from the start, along with the FBI, and national partners, has been to bring her home. We will continue to work with the FBI in the search for more answers.'

Florida authorities called off the second day of their search for Laundrie - who has been named as a person-of-interest in Petito's disappearance.

Law enforcement have been searching at an alligator-infested Florida refuge after he fled his parents' home last week. He has refused to cooperate with police, and on Tuesday he disappeared from his family's North Port, Florida home.

His parents said Laundrie went for a hike and never returned home. However, they didn't tell officials he was missing until three days later.

Now, investigators are facing criticism for their handling of the case with many saying authorities let him 'slip through their fingers' because they didn't monitor him.

'They should've immediately placed him under surveillance,' Ed Gavin, an expert in missing person cases told the New York Post. 'Immediately.'

'They should've been all over him. The fact that they let him out of their sight, that's a no-no. Time is of the essence with these investigations.'

When asked why they didn't immediately call Laundrie out for questioning, North Port Police Department spokesman Josh Taylor told Fox News: 'The North Port Police Department has no authority to execute a possible federal search warrant on our own.

'I don't see how anyone without all the facts in this case can come up with a reasonable conclusion and opinion on the matter.'

He added: 'There is no information that a crime took place here in North Port. That is our jurisdiction.'

Missing persons experts also stressed that while there was likely not enough evidence to bring Laundrie in for questioning or to obtain a search warrant, investigators made several 'missteps' throughout the process.

'You always have to try to build a case and if it means surveillance to see where he's going or what he's doing  then you do that,' a retired New York City police officer commented. 'You don't need a search warrant to surveil somebody.'

Former veteran FBI agent Oliver Farache offered his opinion on the case topo, arguing that police should've asked for permission to look through Petito's communications with her family.

'I think what I would do if I was running the investigation is ask for permission to [look at Schmidt's phone] because you don't want to alienate the family, you want to do it in as cooperative a way as possible,' Farache said.

'You want to look at the phone, see if anything was deleted, see exactly what kind of conversation they were having and looking at the whole thing, not just the last few days. And the history of the texts that mom exchanged and dad as well will give you a clue into the missing person's mental state as well.'

However, Taylor lashed out at the critics saying that the are investigating Laundrie as a missing person: 'These guys are full of s**t. We have a missing person case and we don't have anyone to talk to and we don't have any evidence of a crime on a case that's outside our jurisdiction.'

'This guy goes for a hike in a 25,000-acre nature reserve. How are we following him? I'm up for anybody's idea.'

Meanwhile, demonstrators have been gathering outside the Laundrie family's home.

Late Friday night authorities were called to the residence as protestors were heard shouting 'where's Gabby' repeatedly.

The pair had been travelling on a cross-country trip together since July 2, when they left New York. Petito was reported missing on September 11

Police show up at the scene of a protest outside of the Laundrie home after residents call the police on protesters that kept shouting "Where's Gabby" around 11pm Friday night

Police officers appear to be securing the area outside of the Laundrie family's North Port home on Friday

Police under fire from missing persons experts for alleged 'missteps' in Petito investigation Many experts argue that authorities let person-of-interest Brian Laundrie (pictured) 'slip through their fingers' because they didn't monitor him. Outside investigators are criticizing law enforcement officers working on the Petito case for their handling of the investigation. Many experts argue that authorities let person-of-interest Brian Laundrie 'slip through their fingers' because they didn't monitor him. 'They should've immediately placed him under surveillance. Immediately,' Ed Gavin, an expert in missing person cases argued. His claims were echoed by a retired New York City cop who stressed that while there was likely not enough evidence to bring Laundrie in for questioning or to obtain a search warrant, they could've surveilled him. 'You always have to try to build a case and if it means surveillance to see where he's going or what he's doing  then you do that. You don't need a search warrant to surveil somebody,' the officer said. North Port Police Department spokesman Josh Taylor responded to the criticism, saying their department 'has no authority to execute a possible federal search warrant on our own'. He also stressed that his department is looking for Laundrie under a missing persons investigation, not as a suspect in Petito's case. 'There is no information that a crime took place here in North Port. That is our jurisdiction,' said Taylor. Advertisement

Petito, who last spoke to her family on August 25, was reported missing on September 11 after Laundrie returned home alone from a cross-country trip the couple were taking.

Police had been searching Spread Creek Campground, where the pair were parking their van during their stay at Grand Teton National Park, according to Petito's thedyrt.com account.

The Teton County Coroner could be seen leaving the campground Sunday afternoon with what was believed to be be Petito's remains.

Jones said the campground, where the remains were found, would remain closed for the foreseeable future as officials continued their investigation.

A short while after the body was found, a rainbow appeared in the same area of Grand Teton National Park.

On Sunday morning, Petito's parents shared a video on their 'Find Gabby' Facebook page from YouTuber 'Red, White & Bethune' that caught a Ford Transit Van with Florida plates that the posters believe to be the vehicle that Petito and Laundrie had used to travel the country.

The video was taken on August 27 at around 6.30 pm at the Spread Creek Campground.

'We have this video, so does the FBI,' wrote the family on the Sunday morning post. 'We believe this is the van for multiple reasons.'

'It's a very important piece of information as it pretty much starts the timeline,' Petito's mother, Nicole Schmidt, told MailOnline. 'This new video of the actual van being seen on the 27th appears legit. That was the last location the van might have been seen. It's a huge piece of the puzzle.'

'It's essential and there might be more videos out there that people haven't even realized they have yet,' she added. 'If people were recording videos or just taking pictures, they need to start looking through their stuff.'

Jenn Bethune, who runs the 'Red, White & Bethune' channel, told MailOnline she discovered the video on Sunday, Sept. 19 around 12am and submitted the footage to the FBI ten minutes after finding it.

She also said that she was amazed by Schmidt's resilience in the face of the tragedy.

'Even though it's not the best outcome, I'm happy that Gabby is home,' she told DailyMail.com. 'Nicole is absolutely amazing. Her strength is so apparent.'

On August 25th or 26th, the couple chatted with the owner of a shop called 'Rustic Row' in Victor, Utah for about 20 minutes, East Idaho News reported on Friday.

'They told me they were traveling from Florida. They had just been to Teton Park and they said they were interested in going to Yellowstone and I told them they could go to the west entrance,' the owner, who was not identified, told the outlet.

'They seemed happy and when they left, she hollered back from the door that they were engaged and then I said congratulations.'

The shop owner said that she contacted the FBI after seeing reports of Petito's disappearance on the news.

A rainbow appears over Spread Creek camping area where a body believed to be Petito was found Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, after a two-day search of the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming

Members of the Teton County search and rescue team could be seen combing Spread Creek River and its tributaries for much of Saturday and Sunday in a bid to find Petito

Petito and Laundrie had been parking their van at the Spread Creek Campground according to her thedyrt.com account

Petito's mother, Nicole Schmidt, (pictured last week at a press conference) has slammed Laundrie saying 'he's not missing, he's hiding' after Laundrie, who is a person of interest in her daughter's disappearance, vanished

After Sunday's announcement, Richard Benson, an attorney for Schmidt and Petito families said that they would release a more formalized statement in the future

Petito's mother told MailOnline that she is 'not entertaining' a TikTok video that's been widely circulated in which a young woman describes picking up a man she believed to be Brian on the 29th.

'The timeline seems way off. Maybe she thought it was him, but I just know the timeline is off. The van left there the night of the 27th or early on the 28th. The van was in Florida on the first. It's not possible for it to have been there on the 29th.'

Wisconsin TikToker Miranda Baker said she and her boyfriend were at Grand Teton National Park in Colter Bay, Wyoming, on August 29 when Laundrie approached the couple and asked them for a ride at 5.30pm.

'He approached us asking for a ride because he needed to go to Jackson and we were going to Jackson that night. So I said, ya know, 'hop in' and he hopped in the back of my Jeep,' Baker explained. 'So that was kind of weird.'

She noted Laundrie, 23, was wearing 'a backpack, a long sleeve, pants and hiking boots' and said that before he got in the car he offered to pay the couple $200 to give him a 10-mile ride.

Meanwhile Florida authorities called off the second day of their search for Laundrie at the alligator-infested Florida Carlton Reserve on Saturday, where he is believed to be hiding out

A search party of about 50 officers had gathered Saturday to search the Carlton Reserves for Laundrie

Officers combed the forest as the search for Laundrie began on Saturday, September 18

His parents told investigators on Friday that their son told them on September 14 (Tuesday), when they last saw him, that he was headed to his frequent hiking spot Myakkahatchee Creek Environment Park, which is tied to the 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve.

Laundrie's attorney Steven P. Bertolino said the family went out to the reserve on Wednesday to look for him and found a note from the North Port Police Department on Brian's mustang saying that it needed to be moved.

The family left the car overnight 'so he could drive back,' Bertolino said, but when he didn't come home Thursday, they retrieved the car, which was seen in the driveway on Friday.

On Sunday, a team of 50 police officers from six different agencies 'used to dealing with [the] elements' of sprawling, alligator-infested Carlton Reserve, will search for Laundrie. The swathe of officers are using bloodhounds, drones and 4x4 vehicles in their search, said North Port Police information chief Josh Taylor.

Taylor told the New York Post that an experienced outdoorsman could hide out in the area for 'months.'

They did not find anything Saturday, although police said they took some of Laundrie's clothing from his parents' home to provide a scent for search dogs.

A cellphone photo taken by Zachary Randazzo, 18, Friday looks a 'heck' of a lot like missing Gabby Petito's fiance Brian Laundrie, according to police. It showed a bald, clean-shaven man walking down the sidewalk in flip-flops with headphones in

'We have had drones in the air, we have got bloodhounds, K9s, four by four vehicles. It's very wet, it's muddy. There are a few unpaved dirt roads. It's a place that people hike. There are mountain bike trails out here. The Myakkahatchee Creek runs down into the city.'

Asked if he believed there were concerns for Laundrie's safety, Taylor said: 'Sure, I think that's fair to say. There is an enormous amount of pressure I'm sure on him to provide answers on what's going on here.'

He could not confirm if Laundrie owns a gun.

On Saturday, as police combed the two locations, protestors amassed outside Laundrie's family home in North Port, chanting 'where is Gabby?' throughout the day.

Just two blocks away, an 18-year-old driving to the protest with his grandmother photographed a man who looked a 'heck' of a lot like Laundrie about two blocks from the home, just an hour and a half before the Laundries' family attorney reported the 23-year-old missing and investigators from the North Port Police Department showed up at the family's home, according to the New York Post.

Zachary Randazzo explained that when he and his grandmother turned down the street they 'were shocked (because) what looked like his clone was walking down the street'.

'We then watched him as he turned down the next street over and we drove past him again to get a second look,' he added.

Randazzo then drove around the street a third time, and took the photo. 'After taking it and pulling up a picture of him online and looking at them side-by-side we were thinking, ''Wow this looks just like him, how can it not be him?''

Petito's parents shared a video on their 'Find Gabby' Facebook page early Sunday morning from YouTuber Red, White & Bethune', that caught a Ford Transit Connect Van with Florida plates that the posters believe to be the vehicle that Petito and Laundrie had used to travel the country. The video was taken on August 27 at around 6.30 pm at the Spread Creek Campground, where police were searching for the missing girl.

'We have this video, so does the FBI,' wrote the family. 'We believe this is the van for multiple reasons.'

In Florida, North Port Police, FBI agents and other agencies are on the hunt for Laundrie at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environment Park, in Florida's Carlton Reserve

North Port Officers and FBI agents are searching throughout the Carlton Reserves

Some were heard yelling: 'Bring Gabby home!' with one man on a megaphone shouting 'Where's Gabby, Brian?'

Officials began their search for Petito in an area on the east side of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on Saturday and Spread Creek campground was closed around 7 am.

The Denver FBI is the lead agency in the investigation, and set up a mini base camp several hundred feet up the blocked off road away from the main highway.

DailyMail.com observed search and rescue vehicles carry kayaks and rafts along with off road quads enter into the dispersed campground early on Saturday - at 4PM DailyMail.com about 25 search vehicles left the campground.

A source told DailyMail.com, the search was called off for the day because of inclement weather.

The Denver FBI is the lead agency on the search and set up a mini base camp several hundred feet up the blocked off road away from the main highway. The remains matching Petito's description were found at the campground on Sunday

Authorities believe that Petito's last known location was in or around the Grand Teton National Park.

The park itself spans more than 310,000 acres and 485 square miles the backcountry consists of several hundred square miles on the west side of the park, it's a hike- in area only.

DailyMail.com went to several of these campsites which were in remote areas near the park- off the grid.

Cellular phone service was spotty. In one dispersed campsite, Dailymail.com arrived minutes after a grizzly was observed at the side of the road digging up an animal it had previously buried.

Grizzly bears aren't the only predators Petito would face out in the wilderness, there are red foxes, coyotes, bobcats and cougars that roam the park.

Police began the search at the Grand Teton National Park on Friday

As a result of the search, Spread Creek campground is closed as National Park Rangers and the Teton County Sheriff search the area, and the area will remain closed to the public for the next few days

The park covers more than 310,000 acres of land in the Wyoming wilderness

In Florida, North Port police tweeted a photo of the search parties massing in the park, with at least 30 people present.

Laundrie's family says he entered the area earlier this week.

The T. Mabry Carlton Reserve covers nearly 25,000 acres and is 15 miles from the Laundrie home in North Port. It has 80 miles of equestrian, hiking and biking trails.

North Port Police communications chief Josh Taylor told Dailymail.com, 'That reserve covers a massive, swampland.'

Police, FBI and the green-clad local Sarasota Sheriff's Department deputies were moving around in ATV vehicles as the search for Laundrie intensified today.

One particular area of interest with searchers is the 160-acre Myakkahatchee Creek Environment Park, which connects to the massive Carlton Reserve, and is filled with hiking trails amid the expanse of swamp and dense woodland.

One Sheriff's deputy was seen moving along a pathway into thick undergrowth carrying a machete. Officers remained tight lipped about the search when asked.

Other law enforcement were moving around the location on the perimeter of the environment park in the back of pick-up trucks

Laundrie's family did not tell authorities he was missing for three days.

Police said the Laundrie family called the FBI Friday night to talk about their son's disappearance, describing their frustration that this was the first time they had been willing to speak with investigators in detail amid the search for Petito.

On Thursday, new bodycam footage emerged showing police being called to an incident involving the young couple in Moab, Utah, on August 12 - 13 days before Petito was last heard from

Petito's mother has slammed Laundrie saying 'he's not missing, he's hiding' after his attorney said the man now named as a person of interest in her daughter's disappearance hasn't been seen since Tuesday.

Petito's mom Nichole Schmidt reacted angrily to the news that Laundrie had vanished and suggested he is on the run, following a fraught week where she has issued several public pleas asking him and his family to cooperate with investigators.

North Port Police and the FBI confirmed they are searching for Laundrie, whose family say they last saw him Tuesday wearing a hiking bag.

Police are seen with evidence bags at the home of Brian Laundrie Friday - the fiance of missing 'van-life' woman Gabby Petito

Cops arrive Friday and enter the home after Laundrie's parents informed investigators their son had vanished

Two cops were seen searching a car which has been parked on the driveway of the home

On Friday, North Port police said in a statement, 'We understand the community's frustration, we are frustrated too.

'For six days, the North Port Police Department and the FBI have been pleading with the family to contact investigators regarding Brian's Fiance Gabby Petito.

'Friday is the first time they have spoken with investigators in detail.'

They issued a description of Laundrie as a' white male, 5'8 160lbs, brown eyes, short brown hair, trimmed facial hair, last seen wearing a hiking bag with a waist strap.'

Laundrie's attorney told ABC 7 News Friday afternoon the 23-year-old had gone missing and that investigators were trying to locate both him and Petito - who was last seen on August 24 during the couple's cross-country trip in a campervan.

Police were seen at Laundrie family home in North Port, Florida, on Friday with evidence bags.

Video surfaced of four police officers entering home on Friday afternoon after being let in by an unidentified family member.

After more than two and a half hours at the home, all four officers left in their black Dodge Caravan with none of the Laundrie family members in tow.

Police arrive with evidence bags at the North Port, Florida home of Brian Laundrie on Friday

One cop is seen searching the trunk of the vehicle as part of their probe into Petito's disappearance

At one point one of the officers exited the home and retrieved what appeared to be an evidence bag from his police cruiser before returning inside

As they arrived protestors outside the home were heard yelling: 'Bring Gabby home!'

A man on a megaphone repeatedly shouted 'Where's Gabby, Brian?' repeatedly and was joined by others who crowded Laundrie's front yard and recorded police entering the home.

'We're out here, Laundrie family, we're out here, we'll be out here everyday!' the man on the megaphone yelled towards the home.

Police searched the Mustang on Friday. They opened the trunk and also delved inside the vehicle after opening the driver side door for a very quick search before the officers went back in the house.

In an attempt to calm the rowdy group in front of the home, North Port police deputy chief Chris Morales stepped on to the lawn and addressed the crowd, saying: 'This is not helping. Please keep it down. I ask you to have courtesy for the neighbors.'

He added: 'Please respect the peace. You guys can be here but respect the peace,' he added, but was drowned down at one point by chants of 'where's the respect of Gabby?'

About an hour after first entering the home, two officers came out and opened up a silver convertible Ford Mustang in the driveway which is understood to belong to the family

Protestors gathered outside the Laundrie home with banners Friday demanding justice for Petito

People crowded the Laundrie's front yard calling on Laundrie to 'prove your innocence'

Petito was last seen on August 24 leaving a hotel with Laundrie in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the couple's cross-country campervan trip which they started in early July.

The following day she made her final call to her mom, telling her she and Laundrie had traveled to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. She was reported missing by her family on September 11 after they hadn't heard from her in 13 days.

Meanwhile, Laundrie returned to the couple's home in North Port, Florida, on September 1 with the van but without Petito, police said.

He repeatedly ignored Petito's family's requests for help and refused to speak to cops.

Bertolino addressed his decision to stay silent in a statement earlier this week, saying his client isn't speaking to police or the public 'on the advice of counsel' because 'intimate partners are often the first person law enforcement focus their attention on in cases like this.'

Meanwhile, Petito's family issued several public pleas for the Laundries to work with authorities in their efforts to bring their daughter home.

On Thursday, new bodycam footage emerged showing police being called to an incident involving the young couple in Moab, Utah, on August 12 - 13 days before Petito was last heard from.

Laundrie is seen with scratches on his face which he tells an officer were caused when Petito 'was trying to get the keys from me' and 'hit me with her phone'

In the video, an emotional Petito is seen with tears streaming down her face telling officers the couple 'have been fighting all morning' and admitting that she slapped him.

Petito says she suffers from OCD and anxiety, with both her and Laundrie saying she was stressed because of the YouTube blog they were working on to document the doomed cross-country trip.

Laundrie is seen with scratches on his face and arm which he tells an officer were caused when Petito 'was trying to get the keys from me' and 'hit me with her phone'.

When an officer asks Petito if her boyfriend hit her, she replies 'I guess' and makes a grabbing motion on her chin. Laundrie admits he 'pushed her' during the altercation.

The cops determine Petito was 'the primary aggressor' and say they are separating the couple for the night.

The incident report says officers were called near the Moonflower Community Co-op in Moab on August 12 around 4:30pm for a 'possible domestic violence' incident involving the couple.

The report, released by the Moab Police Department on Wednesday, documented that the couple admitted they had been going through 'issues' over the last couple days.

22-year-old Gabby Petito had not been heard from since August 30 while she was on a cross-country trip with her 23-year-old fiance (couple pictured kissing)

According to Petito's best friend, while Laundrie presents himself as a sweet and caring guy, he is actually jealous and controlling.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Rose Davis said Laundrie allegedly went so far as to hide Petito's ID once so that she couldn't meet up with her at a bar, trigging a violent episode similar to the one police investigated weeks before her disappearance.

'Brian took her ID just so she wouldn't be able to come out with me,' she told DailyMail.com on Friday.

'He's got these jealousy issues and he struggles from what Gabby called these 'episodes,' where he would hear things and hear voices and wouldn't sleep.

'Gabby had to stay at my house a bunch of times because she just needed a breather and didn't want to go home to him.'
As children become more immersed in the digital world of iPads and other electronic devices, there's one book that can still get them turning pages.

The Guinness World Records has released its 2022 edition, the 67th book since the records first started in 1955.

Published annually in more than 100 countries and over 25 languages, Guinness World Records endures as a favourite of kids and adults alike because anyone anywhere can attempt one of the 53,000 records in the organisation's database.

Australian Guinness World Records adjudicator Pete Fairbairn pictured at the world's longest banana split record of 8.04km, set in Innisfail, north Queensland in March 2017

Mr Fairbairn also supervised the attempt at the world's largest Zumba class in the Philippines in May 2018

The world's tallest man at 251cm, Sultan Kosen of Turkey, with the world's shortest woman, 63cm-Jyoti Amge from India

That's the view of Pete Fairbairn, an Australian who is one of only 50 adjudicators of official Guinness World Records around the globe.

'Kids as theyre growing up and become more conscious of the world around them, they see things in Guinness World Records which really opens their minds and broadens their horizons to what the human body and humankind are capable of,' Fairbairn said.

'Every single one of us can have a crack at something in the Guinness World Records database and become the best in the world at it.

'Thats at the core of the enduring love of the World Records.'

Mr Fairbairn has travelled the world in his role as an adjudicator, though the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic means he has done a lot more online 'digital adjudications' of record attempts in the past 18 months.

Anthony Kelly from Armidale, NSW, who holds more than 50 Guinness World Records, including most targets hit with a blowgun in a minute while blindfolded in the new edition

World's longest banana split record of 8.04km, set in Innisfail, north Queensland in March 2017

His favourite Australian record in the new edition was achieved by Anthony Kelly, an Armidale, NSW resident who holds more than 50 other Guinness World Records.

'I've adjudicated a few of Anthony's attempts over the journey,' Mr Fairbairn said. 'Hes a ninja. He hit 11 targets with a blowgun in a minute while blindfolded.

Another Australian favourite is Graeme Denton aka Marty McBubble, who created the worlds tallest freestanding soap bubble measuring 10.750m in Adelaide in September 2020.

Other notable Australian records in the new edition include Australian Ninja reality star Olivia Vivian, who on January 8 this year set the record for farthest distance across monkey bars in one minute when she swung for a distance of 54.50m in Perth.

Olympic hurdles champion Sally Pearson still holds the fastest 100m egg-and-spoon race, which she set in Sydney in 2013 by running the distance in 16.59 seconds.

Australian schoolgirl Roxanne Downs holds the record for youngest magazine editor, after she became editor of It GiRL magazine in 2017 while aged eight. She now juggles schoolwork with editorial work and has seen It GiRL's circulation rise under her editorship.

Olympic hurdles champion Sally Pearson still holds the fastest 100m egg-and-spoon race, which she set in Sydney in 2013 by running the distance in 16.59 seconds

Australian schoolgirl Roxanne Downs holds the record for youngest magazine editor, after she became editor of It GiRL magazine in 2017 while aged eight

The Brisbane resident said the most memorable records he has adjudicated include the world's longest banana split record of 8.04km, set in Innisfail, north Queensland in March 2017.

'One of the reasons Ill never forget it was because it was about 45 degrees and the World Records adjudicator uniform has a nice thick blazer, business shirt and tie I went through about four shirt changes because I was soaking.'

In May 2018 he travelled to a regional part of the Philippines to supervise a local community's attempt at the world's largest Zumba class.

'There were over 20,000 people and buses had come from all over the region, young, old, kids, the army,' Mr Fairbairn recalls.

'And then there was this torrential downpour. It just turned into a huge mudpile. I left my nice RM Williams boots there, they didnt make it back, they were destroyed.'

Mr Fairbairn said like many people he'd been a fan of the famous records book since he was a child, with his family picking up copies of the book at garage sales 'since before I was born'.

The Guinness Book of Records were created in 1954 when brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter were commissioned to create the first book by the boss of Guinness Breweries, Sir Hugh Beaver.

The idea for the book had come to Beaver while he was on a game shoot. He'd missed a shot and become involved in an argument over whether the golden plover or red grouse was the fastest game bird in Europe.

Unable to find a reference book to settle the argument, the idea for the Guinness Book of Records was born.

The latest edition of the Guinness Book of World Records is the famous publication's 67th

Importantly, anyone can attempt one of the world records without the need of an adjudicator by filming their feat and sending it to the London headquarters of the concept.

'The records celebrate the truest, most phenomenal physical feats but also more fun and creative attempts that dont discriminate against anybody, regardless of age, location, gender,' he said.

'You can be in the middle of the Australian Outback and as long you have the guidelines for the record, you can attempt it and send it off to be accepted.

'Its a really compelling reason as to why it has stood the test of time.'

Guinness Book of World Records is on sale now.
Advertisement

The middle-aged couple sauntered hand-in-hand through the centre of Zurich on a warm, late-August evening. The twilight was illuminated by the 11th Century Fraumunster church while cafe terraces hummed with people enjoying plates of air-dried beef and icy cocktails.

As the couple passed me they left a trail of wet footprints in their wake  despite being one of the busiest streets in Switzerlands largest city, the only thing the man was wearing was a pair of damp Speedos while the woman sported a black swimming costume.

But no one  except me  batted an eyelid. Even at 9pm, the temperature by the banks of the River Limmat hovered around 30C (86F), and for locals a dip in the river or lake in the middle of town is nothing unusual at all.

Splash out: The jetties of the Utoquai badi, which is divided into women/men/mixed sections

The ace up Zurichs sleeve is its badis, or lake-side open-air swimming pools, some of which are more like nightclubs, featuring bars and DJs. Their humble 19th Century origins, though, were to give locals a place to scrub up when the washing facilities at home mainly consisted of a rag and bucket.

And autumn is a perfect time to explore them, with the summer tourists gone.

The one in which I like to start the day is Seebad Enge (seebadenge.ch; entry 6.60) because it catches the morning sun. I have a refreshing dip in the lake with the Alps in the background followed by a breakfast bowl of fruit and yogurt and a freshly brewed coffee.

Then you can swim back to one of the floating pontoons for some sunbathing or, like many others, bag a table near the entrance and power up your laptop to use the badi as an al fresco office. Enge also has a sauna for chillier days and activities that range from massage and yoga to bootcamp workouts and stand-up paddleboarding.

In the evenings, Frauenbad at Stadthausquai turns into a bar that is open to all - as long as everyone takes their shoes off

An equally chic alternative is Seebad Utoquai (entry 6.60), a bathing club built on a series of wooden jetties over the lake, that first opened its doors in 1890.

Its divided into women/men/mixed sections and its busy all day, from 7am when suited bankers strip off for a pre-office dip. Details can be found at stadt-zuerich.ch.

Later on, smart ladies and gentlemen who lunch come to top up their vitamin D, spreading out thick towels so as not to get splinters from the floor planks while catching up with the papers.

The terrace bar at La Reserve Eden au Lac Hotel is a lovely spot for sundowns, says The Mail on Sunday's Will Hide

On a warm day Id save Utoquai for the afternoon, so you can pop over the road afterwards to the Philippe Starck-redesigned La Reserve Eden au Lac Hotel (lareserve-zurich.com) for sundowners.

Take the lift up to the top floor and head right to the terrace bar, where a Summer Fizz of vodka, lemon, basil and watermelon will set you back 17, or turn left to the terrace of La Muna, a Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant with dishes such as creamy spicy tuna tartare and dragon roll sushi (mains cost about 25).

A more egalitarian experience is to be found in the River Limmat itself where, at the Upper and Lower sections, youngsters congregate to plop into the water from the path, or, if theyre braver, to jump off bridges and float down on the swift currents.

Head for heights: Enjoy panoramic views over Zurich from the top of the Uetliberg mountain

TRAVEL FACTS Will Hide was a guest of the Swiss Tourist Board (myswitzerland.com) and 25 Hours Hotel Langstrasse (25hours-hotels.com) where room-only doubles start from 165. Some badis close from October: details at zuerich.com. Swissair (swiss.com) flies to Zurich from Heathrow (from 84 return) and Manchester from (from 128 return). Advertisement

At the end you might bounce rather forcefully into the sluice gates, which can be a bit painful on the shins, but its just a quick walk back down to the terrace of the cool Panama Bar (panamabar.ch) to watch the world go by over a plate of calamari (10) or a juicy burger and chips (17).

If you want to experience all this al fresco fun without taking the plunge, wait till evening. One of my favourite things to do on a balmy autumn evening is to slip off my shoes at the usually women-only Frauenbad at Stadthausquai, which admits men after 8pm when it transforms into the dreamy Barfuss Bar (barfussbar.ch).

Barfuss  barefoot in German  is the rule. Leave shoes at the entrance and sidle up to the bar for an Aperol spritz and then sit with your feet dangling in the lake as you take in the gorgeous views over to the old town and, depending on the evening, listen to a local DJ. A 15-minute walk away you can do much the same at the equally cool Rimini Bar (rimini-ch), which until 6.30pm is the men-only Mannerbad Schanzengraben badi.

If youre starting to think you have to have webbed feet to enjoy Zurich, fear not. Head to platform 22 of the main railway station and a little red train will take you on a 20-minute ride almost to the top of the citys own mountain, the 2,800ft Uetliberg (one-way tickets, 3.70). Once up there you can enjoy panoramic views over the city.

Then you can either hop on the train to come back down again, or walk through the woods for two hours to Felsenegg and take the cable car. You probably wont see anyone hiking in swimming costumes but, in Zurich, never say never.
Jamie Foxx shared a heartbreaking and emotional tribute to Michael K. Williams, which comes just under two weeks after he was found dead from an apparent drug overdose inside his Brooklyn, New York apartment at the age of 54.

In the Instagram post, the Academy Award-winning actor let it be known that he needed those days to 'gather my thoughts and emotions' to 'do right by you with my words' following his sudden and tragic death.

Hundreds of people, including family, friends and celebrities paid their final respects at his funeral on Wednesday, which was held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where his mother has been living over the last couple of decades.

RIP: Jamie Foxx said he needed to 'gather my thoughts and emotions' before sharing a heartbreaking and emotional tribute to Michael K. Williams

In his post, Foxx shared how he had just 'broke bread' with Williams not too long ago, and that talked about everything from art to acting, and his beloved mother.

'You spoke of your mother in such a powerful and endearing way about how she was your biggest fan,' he shared, before turning his attention to his admiration of Williams' talents as an actor.

'I was always in awe of your performances' and 'how you could be so grounded.'

He then pointed out one night in particular when the two of them were in New York and they attended their friend, Oswald Boteng's [Ozwald Boateng] fashion show.

Tragic: Williams, 54, was found dead from an apparent drug overdose inside his Brooklyn, New York home on September 6; he is pictured in February 2020

'The clothes were epic The music was tailor-made But the night belonged to you,' Foxx said in a set up to Williams' grand entrance at the show.

'And we saw this beautiful chiseled black man and then we realized it was you.'

Foxx continued on, sharing how he and his friends jumped out of their seats and applauded how Williams 'poured into the suit flawlessly' and cheered him on 'because we knew you were special.'

Foxx would go on to praise his 'fearlessness', 'mystique ', and 'pure raw talent' that was before them, calling the moment and night 'soul stirring', 'angelic' and 'glorious'.

He ended the tribute by writing: 'it took me a minute to gather my thoughts and emotions I wanted to do right by you with my words I wanted to let you know that you are beloved RIP MKW.'

Friends and colleagues: In his post, Foxx shared how he had just 'broke bread' with Williams not too long ago, and that talked about everything from art to acting, and his beloved mother; The actor is pictured in a scene from The Wire, which is considered his breakout role

Acclaimed actor: Along with The Wire, Williams has also received high praise from fans and critics for his performance in Boardwalk Empire

The funeral service for Williams on Wednesday was streamed on Facebook. Among the stars and high profile people in attendance included Queen Latifah, the co-creator of The Wire David Simon, and The Wire co-stars Felicia Pearson (Snoop), Andre Royo (Bubbles) and Jamie Hector (Marlo).

Williams's portrayal of Omar Little in The Wire, which is considered his breakout role, has garnered high praise through the years for its depiction of a gay Black man with a reputation as a ruthless criminal in the streets of Baltimore, as reported by People.

More recently, the New York City native received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series for his role as Montrose Freeman in horror drama series Lovecraft Country.

The awards will be given out at 2021 Primetime Emmy Award ceremony on Sunday, September 19.

In all, Williams was nominated for five Emmys over his career, which also included recognition for his work on Bessie, The Night Of, Vice and When They See Us.
She's never been afraid to poke fun at the Kardashians.

So it was only a matter of time before Australia's favourite Instagram comedian Celeste Barber, 39, took aim at Kim Kardashian's 2021 Met Gala look.

Kim, 40, made a dramatic entrances at the star-studded event last week, arriving in an all-black ensemble courtesy of Balenciaga.

Who wore it better? Celeste Barber, 39, (right) hilariously parodied Kim Kardashian's (left) Met Gala look on Saturday by recreating star's head-to-toe Balenciaga ensemble on Instagram

Hilariously parodying Kim's meme-worthy look on Saturday, Celeste uploaded a photo of herself posing with a black turtleneck jumper pulled over her head.

She completed her all-black look with stockings and gloves, while hilariously tucking a garbage bag into the back of her underwear to imitate the train of Kim's outfit.

'Yes, Kimberly youre a real visionary thank you for all your tirelesswork?' Celeste wrote in the caption, adding the hashtags: '#celestechallengeaccepted #celestebarber #funny #kimkardashian.'

Iconic: Kim, 40, made a dramatic entrances at the star-studded event last week, arriving in an all-black ensemble courtesy of Balenciaga

Not quite as glamorous: Hilariously parodying Kim's meme-worthy look on Saturday, Celeste uploaded a photo of herself posing with a black turtleneck jumper pulled over her head

It comes days after Celeste parodied a famous video taken at the 2016 Met Gala afterparty.

The original clip showed A-list stars such as Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner posing up a storm in a light-flashing corridor for Vogue at the event.

In contrast to the ultra-glam footage, Celeste was seen wildly posing in her upstairs corridor at home, while a pal turned the lights on and off to create a similar effect.

Hilarious: On Tuesday, Celeste shared a hilarious parody on Instagram mocking a famous video taken at the 2016 Met Gala afterparty

She stripped down to a latex silver catsuit and heels, and accessorised with an excessive amount of necklaces.

Celeste strutted down the corridor with confidence, and hilariously span around the room to get the perfect angle - just as the A-listers had done before her.

'Welcome to the corridor of ego and headaches aka the Met Gala after party. Sound on,' she captioned the footage.

Inspiration: Celeste's look was inspired by Kim Kardashian's at the 2016 Met Gala (pictured with ex-husband Kanye West)
She made her mark on the music scene as the cellist and vocalist for Clean Bandit.

And Grace Chatto also proved she's also got style up her sleeve as she headed out for a Selfridges event at London Fashion Week on Saturday night.

The musician, 35, showcased her impressive curves in an abstract print burgundy and blue wrap dress, which highlighted her ample assets and miniscule waist.

Stylish: Grace Chatto, 35, also proved she's got style up her sleeve as she headed out for a Selfridges event at London Fashion Week on Saturday night

The Rather Be hitmaker looked incredible in the skin-tight dress, which featured a turtle neck and asymmetric cut out across her bust and shoulder for the Future Of Fashion: Dinner On The Catwalk with TikTok and Clearpay event.

She paired her thigh-skimming ensemble with a pair of sleek black court heels, elongating her already toned pins.

The beauty styled her Barbie-pink locks in a long side ponytail for the event which took place at The Old Selfridges Hotel, while she opted for a natural, dewy palette of makeup.

Impressive: The musician showcased her impressive curves in an abstract print burgundy and light blue wrap dress, which highlighted her ample assets and miniscule waist

Pairing: She paired her thigh-skimming ensemble with a pair of sleek black court heels, elongating her already toned pins

Beautiful: The beauty styled her Barbie-pink locks in a long side ponytail for the event which took place at The Old Selfridges Hotel, while she opted for a natural, dewy palette of makeup

The star was in good company as she headed out, being joined by the DJ Fat Tony who hit the decks at the after-party.

The music man took a stylish turn at the fashion show event, looking dashing in a camo biker jacket and black slacks.

The star beamed as he made his way into the venue, sporting a pair of crisp white low-top trainers while he carried what appeared to be a man-bag.

Say cheese! Inside the event, Grace was seen posing with Maria Lisogorskaya

Stylish: The music man took a stylish turn at the fashion show event, looking dashing in a camo biker jacket and black slacks

The DJ is no stranger to the harder side of the party scene, previously revealing he pulled some of his teeth out with a screwdriver at the height of his years-long drug addiction.

Tony struggled with a cocaine and crack dependency for years while working as a top DJ in London where he would sometimes earn 100,000 per night.

The drugs affected his perception of reality and at one point he said he became 'so psychotic' that he believed there were creatures inside his gums he wanted to remove.

Beaming: The star beamed as he made his way into the venue, sporting a pair of crisp white low-top trainers while he carried what appeared to be a man-bag

Speaking to new! magazine, he said: 'It got to the stage where I'd pull my teeth out of my mouth with my bare fingers or pry them out with a screwdriver. My whole face was numb from the drugs so it didn't hurt.'

Tony discovered drugs when he was 18 and would convince himself that he couldn't DJ unless he was high, sometimes going four or five nights straight without sleeping.

His addiction hurt his relationship with ex-boyfriend James, who eventually helped him to quit when he found him passed out on the floor of a nightclub and said: 'What's happened to you?'

Party scene: The DJ is no stranger to the harder side of the party scene, previously revealing he pulled some of his teeth out with a screwdriver at the height of his years-long drug addiction

Tony had an epiphany and he soon quit drugs cold turkey, spending six months in rehab to beat the addiction.

While he is clean now, the DJ admitted it wasn't an easy road to recovery as he replaced his drug addiction with a sex addiction.

He said: 'It wasn't a smooth path, I replaced drugs with a sex addition and was sleeping with up to eight blokes a day. But I treated that addiction too, although things didn't work out with James.'

Tony is now in a seven-year long relationship with his partner David and told how he also helped his close friend Boy George get clean.
The Creative Coalition's 7th Annual Television Humanitarian Awards were held, in person this year, at the home of Academy Award-nominated producer Lawrence Bender.

The Emmy Award week event celebrates the charitable work of honorees, as well as 2021 Emmy Award nominees, and their support of various nonprofit organizations and causes.

Among this year's star-studded honorees: Justin Hartley, who had his new wife Sofia Pernas by his side, Alex Borstein, Yvette Nicole Brown, Padma Lakshmi, Mj Rodriguez and Brittany Snow.

Emmy week event: Justin Hartley and his new wife Sofia Pernas attended The Creative Coalition's 7th Annual Television Humanitarian Awards on Saturday in Los Angeles

Hartley, 44, hit the red carpet looking handsome in brown slacks, a brown and blue plaid blazer over a dress shirt, and perfectly matched brown dress shoes.

The This Is Us actor would strike a number of poses by himself, and then he snuggled up next to Pernas and showed off their obvious chemistry.

At the event, Hartley was recognized for his work with Operation Therapy, which is an organization that provides PTSD therapy services for the veteran community with safe, healthy and fully trained animals without kennels.

'I have been an animal lover all of my life, and as a dog owner understand the importance of having companionship and support,' Justin Hartley told TVMusic Network.

'Service animals can be expensive and critical for veterans  so when I learned about Operation Therapy and their mission, I had to jump on board.'

Handsome: Hartley, 44, hit the red carpet in brown slacks, a brown and blue plaid blazer over a dress shirt, and perfectly matched brown dress shoes

Stylin': The Blood & Treasure actress stepped out in simple but stylish navy blue dress that had sheer fabric along the bottom portion, and a spaghetti-strap design

Honoree: Hartley was recognized for his work with Operation Therapy, which is an organization that provides PTSD therapy services for the veteran community with safe, healthy and fully trained animals without kennels

The Blood & Treasure actress stepped out in simple but stylish navy blue dress that had sheer fabric along the bottom portion, and a spaghetti-strap design that helped showcase her lean figure.

She rounded out the look with animal print heels, and her brown tresses styled long in the back, but pulled back off her face in the front, with the exception of some loose stands around the frame of her face.

The couple are newlyweds, having only just tied-the-knot in May just months after Hartley finalized his divorce from Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause in February 2021.

Honorees: Hartley posed alongside Jessalyn Gilsig, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alex Borstein, Will Sasso, Brittany Snow and Jessica Stroup at the outdoor charity event

Unique: Alex Borstein, 50, showed off her personal style in a black jumpsuit that was designed with a baggy look to the legs, but cinched-in at the waist

Honoree: Yvette Nicole Brown looked fashionable in a brown-patterned dress, that came complete with puffy sleeves along the shoulder region, and matching heels

Borstein, 50, showed off her unique style in a black jumpsuit that was designed with a baggy look to the legs, but cinched-in at the waist

The actress and comedian also light red shoes and her long tresses dyed in a striking turquoise colored hair with major bangs.

Borstein was recognized for her work with the National Hemophilia Foundation.

Opting for a more traditional style, Brown looked fashionable in a brown-patterned dress, that came complete with puffy sleeves along the shoulder region, and matching heels.

The Community star, 50, who had her long curly locks pulled up into a top ponytail, received the Your Voice Carries Weight Award for her advocacy in obesity awareness

Honoree: Brittany Snow was the picture of autumn fashion in a brown and rustic suit, which included flared pants and a blazer over a brown-patterned turtleneck

Host: Marc Malkin played host for the charity event in a fitted light blue suit

Leggy: Jessalyn Gilsig was one of the presenters during the event in a black shirt dress

Stylish: Jessica Stroup, who served as a presenter to Snow, went with a shoulder-less beige dress and matching open-toe heels

Snow, 35, was the picture of autumn fashion in a brown and rustic suit, which included flared pants and a blazer over a brown-patterned turtleneck.

The actress was honored for her work with September Letters.

Variety Senior Editor and host of the Just For Variety podcast, Marc Malkin, played host the charity event, while decked out in a fitted light blue suit that was matched with a white dress shirt, red-patterned bowtie and brown leather shoes.

Jessalyn Gilsig kept it simple but stylish in a black shirt dress, was cinched in at the wist with a matching belt and open-toe heels.

The Nip/Tuck star, 49, was also on hand to serve as a presenter for Brown during the event.

Breaking cool: Giancarlo Esposito, 63, oozed cool on the red carpet in a blue suit and a black hat that would have been the envy of leading me on yesteryear

Looking sharp! Harry Hamlin looked casual-cool in black pants and matching blazer

Jessica Stroup, who served as a presenter to Snow, went with a shoulder-less beige dress and matching open-toe heels

The 90210 actress, 34, rounded out her ensemble with a large necklace and her dark brown tresses pulled back into a ponytail.

Giancarlo Esposito, 63, oozed cool when he struck a number of poses on the red carpet in a blue suit and a black hat that would have been the envy of leading me on yesteryear.

The Breaking Bad star also donned a matching tie, white dress shirt, thick-frame glasses and black leather dress shoes.

Floral: Actress Katherine McNamara looked summer ready in a black floral dress and matching open-toe heels

Bold: Actress Azie Tesfai looked lovely in a green dress that had a country flare to it

The father of models Amelia and Delilah Hamlin, Harry Hamlin, 69, showed off his style in black pants, shirt and black-patterned blazer.

Actress Katherine McNamara looked summer ready in a black floral dress and matching open-toe heels.

Actress Azie Tesfai looked lovely in a green dress that had a country flare to it.

Musician KT Tunstall was the picture of spring in an all-white ensemble consisting of pants, shirt and shoes.

All proceeds from the special charity event benefit The Creative Coalitions year-round work to protect and advance the arts.

Spring like: Musician KT Tunstall was the picture of spring in an all-white ensemble consisting of pants, shirt and shoes
It has been almost exactly one year since Buddy Valastro severely injured his hand in a freak accident.

But nowadays the Cake Boss star is nearly fully recovered.

Speaking on the Rachael Ray Show, the TLC star, 44, was happy to report he was 'about 95% healed'.

On the mend! Buddy Valastro revealed he is 'about 95% healed' a year after a freak accident injured his hand

'Which if that's as good as it's going to get Rachael, I'll take it,' Buddy added.

'Its definitely been an amazing ride,' he continued. 'The fact that I'm able to still do what I love, like doing that last season of Buddy vs. Duff, it was amazing because of the fact that I could still do it.'

Buddy injured his right hand at his home bowling alley in September 20, 2020, after a pinsetter malfunctioned, trapping his hand inside the unit as he tried to release the bowling pin from the cage mechanism.

A one-and-a-half inch metal rod pierced his hand three times between his ring finger and his middle finger.

'I'll take it': Buddy was more than happy with all the progress he had made in his recovery

Horrific: Buddy injured his right hand at his home bowling alley in September 2020, after a pinsetter malfunctioned, trapping his hand inside the unit as he tried to release the bowling pin from the cage mechanism

Ouch: His sons Buddy Jr., then 16, and Marco, then 13, had to use a saw to free their father from the machine and he was hospitalized for treatment

His sons Buddy Jr., then 16, and Marco, then 13, had to use a saw to free their father from the machine and he was hospitalized for treatment.

The TLC star has undergone numerous surgeries since then, and in July revealed he had yet to regain full use of his middle finger since the accident.

'I can't move it over to the left,' the Cake Boss star explained while co-hosting ET. 'I have a large gap right there, but I have the strength. I can't lift my middle finger all the way up.'

Long road to recovery: Valastro said in July that he still doesn't have full use of the middle finger on his right hand after suffering a devastating injury at his home

The New Jersey native shared that he will have a sixth surgery in September to try and regain full use of the finger.

Buddy acknowledged that it's been 'a long, long journey' to recovery after suffering the potentially career-ending injury.

He explained that he hadn't been sure if he would be able to make another season of his cake decorating show because of his injury.

Hospitalized: Valastro's hand was pierced three times with a metal rod after it got trapped in a pinsetter at his home bowling alley in September 2020 (pictured November 2020)

Career-threatening injury: The Cake Boss star revealed he will undergo a sixth surgery in September

'I knew I could do a lot more with my hand, but doing fine details or doing some crazy piping or different molding and shaping, you don't really know until you are in it,' he shared.

'But I could tell you and you could see it on the show, we have done some of the best cakes we have ever did. So thank god that we did and thank god for my surgeons.

He also shared that the support he received from his family was amazing and helped him to keep going when he wondered if he'd ever be able to work again.'

'I knew I could do a lot more with my hand, but doing fine details or doing some crazy piping or different molding and shaping, you don't really know until you are in it,' he shared Wednesday

'They definitely stepped up to the plate,' Valastro said of his wife Lisa and their four children.

'In times of crisis, you don't know what people's reactions are going to be. 'How are we going to do this?' 'What are we going to do?' We all came together and I am so proud of my boys and thankful to my whole family,' he shared.

Back in November last year, Buddy had remained optimistic as he struggled to regain the use of his right hand.

He told ET at the time: 'I still have my hand right. I could've lost fingers and could've went through my wrist and been a lot worse. So, I'm taking it day by day and cake by cake.'
Eric Bana recently admitteed he felt a duty to stick by his fellow Australians by refusing to leave Melbourne until the pandemic is over.

And on Friday, the 53-year-old Hollywood heavyweight attempted to blend into the crowd as he stepped out in his Victorian hometown to pick up a bag of coffee beans.

The Hulk star appeared relaxed, dressed in a brown zip jacket worn over a navy blue T-shirt and jeans.

Here to stay! Eric Bana, 53, cut a casual figure as he picked up a bag of coffee beans in Melbourne on Friday

He took safety precautions against COVID-19 by wearing a face mask.

The sighting came just days after Eric admitted he has turned down offers for roles in Hollywood to ride out the pandemic in Melbourne.

Speaking to the ABC, he said: 'This might sound weird, but I just kind ofI don't want to leave. Just in terms of what the city has gone through.'

Spotted: The Hulk star appeared relaxed, dressed in a brown zip jacket worn over a navy blue T-shirt and jeans

Casual: He slung a pair of sunglasses over his T-shirt collar and balanced the bag of coffee with one hand

The former Full Frontal star even said that he had turned down job offers overseas to stay Down Under.

'But in terms of having the opportunity to go and do other things, it just doesn't feel like the right time  It just doesn't feel right to escape.

'It sort of feels like we've gotten this far, you know, and you feel like you're part of the tribe and I just want to be here until it's all over, and feel that sense of joy that everyone else will feel, at the same time.'

Staying put: Eric recently revealed that he is refusing to leave his hometown of Melbourne until the pandemic is over. Speaking to the ABC, the actor said he feels that it's his duty to stick by his fellow Australians during these difficult times

Wow: The former Full Frontal star even said that he had turned down job offers overseas to stay Down Under

Eric recently recorded the Audible podcast drama The Orchard in Melbourne.

The podcast promises a 'visceral and terrifying journey with a riveting and unexpected conclusion'.

Audible has described the series as 'a supernatural murder mystery that blends a foreboding private school, a haunting conspiracy, and unnerving teenagers'.

Eric will be joined in the series by other well-known Austrian actors and actresses.

Loyal: 'It just doesn't feel like the right time  It just doesn't feel right to escape,' he explained

Magda Szubanski (Kath & Kim and Babe), Gary Sweet (Police Rescue and Bloom) and Olivia Deeble (Home and Away and Secret Society of Second Born Royals) are also involved.

Eric voices police detective and struggling single parent, Adam Durwood, who is assigned to investigate the body of a teenage boy found on the grounds of the exclusive Nevermoor girls school.

At the centre of the mystery is a coven of three beguiling and manipulative teenage girls who seem to know much more than they should and are slowly drawing Adam into a web he cant see.

When Adams daughter, Lily, is secretly befriended by the three girls of Nevermoor things begin to unravel.
Sofia Richie was pictured stepping out with her boyfriend, Elliott Grange, and a group of her friends during a lunch date in Beverly Hills on Saturday.

The 23-year-old social media personality was seen cutting a casual-yet-stylish figure while she spent time with her pals outside of the noted celebrity hangout.

The model and her current partner have been romantically connected ever since January when they were initially spotted in each other's company.

Group activity: Sofia Richie was seen stepping out with her friends and boyfriend Elliot Grainge while heading to Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills on Saturday

Richie wore a dark brown t-shirt underneath a near-matching and reflective button-up shirt as she stepped out with her pals.

The daughter of Lionel Richie tucked her top into a pair of slightly loose-fitting blue jeans and wore a set of sandals.

The fashion industry figure accessorized with two necklaces and a pair of black sunglasses, and she carried a light orange purse with her during the group's outing.

Her beautiful blonde locks remained free-flowing and fell onto her chest and backside as she spent time outside of the restaurant.

Taking it easy: The social media personality tucked a dark brown t-shirt into a pair of slightly loose-fitting blue jeans during her time in public

Comfortable clothing: Grainge was dressed in a zip-up hoodie and a stark white t-shirt as he spent time with his girlfriend and their pals

Grainge kept it equally casual, as he wore a zip-up hoodie and beige pants, as well as a stark white t-shirt.

The couple was initially connected earlier this year, and they have since been spotted spending time with each other in public on numerous occasions.

Prior to becoming involved with her current partner, the runway regular was romantically linked to Scott Disick.

The model and her former boyfriend, 38, were initially spotted spending time together on a yacht in the south of France during his 34th birthday weekend in 2017.

Former couple: Richie was previously in a high-profile relationship with Scott Disick, to whom she was first linked in 2017; they are seen in 2019

It was later confirmed that the two were officially dating that September, and the couple went Instagram official that same month.

The pair remained together for nearly a year before they separated for the first time in June of 2018 after Disick was reportedly unfaithful to his girlfriend at a party.

However, they quickly reconciled, and Richie went on to become more familiar with her boyfriend's children, much to the concern of his former partner, Kourtney Kardashian.

The couple remained together for an extended period of time before they separated for a second time in May of 2020, and although they attempted to salvage their romance over the next few months, they went their separate ways that August.

Going their separate ways: Richie and Disick separated several times over the length of their relationship, and they split up for good last August; they are pictured in 2019

Following her split from Disick, the model began seeing Grainge, and an insider previously spoke to Us Weekly and noted that the two had been acquaintances before beginning their relationship.

'They started out as friends before they became a couple, and are now getting serious,' they said.

The source went on to express that Richie and her current boyfriend had established a strong personal connection after spending an extended amount of time with each other.

'Their relationship took off and they have been getting closer and closer and spend practically every day together,' they said.

Solid connection: An insider previously revealed that Richie and Grainge 'started out as friends before they became a couple'; they are pictured in July

Although the model's loved ones were previously wary of Disick, the insider expressed that they were very supportive of her relationship with Grainge.

They remarked that Richie's boyfriend was 'super sweet and a really cool guy  her friends and family approve!'

The source concluded by expressing that Richie was attracted to her current boyfriend partially as a result of his reluctance to become a celebrity.

'She loves that he's low-key and isn't someone who craves the spotlight. They like to be homebodies but also enjoy going out together,' they said.
Jennifer Aniston is currently out on the promotional trail talking about the second season of her hit series The Morning Show.

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Aniston, who plays news anchor Alex Levy on the drama, took a walk down memory lane and revealed one of jobs she had before she was able to make a living as an actress.

'I was a bike messenger for a day in New York City,' Aniston, who moved from Los Angeles to New York City as a child, confessed during the remote interview.

Confession: Jennifer Aniston, 52, was beaming with laughter when she revealed she was a bike messenger for one day when she lived in New York City before her breakout role on Friends

'I worked at an advertising agency after school. My mom actually worked there,' the 52-year-old explained.

'So to make extra money, I would do odd jobs. And one day their bike messenger just didn't show up.'

Aniston went on to talk about the job, with the staff asking her if she could ride a bike, which she said she could.

However, she would end up being totally unprepared to have to navigate around the bustling and oftentimes chaotic streets of Manhattan.

Before she was a star: Aniston made the revelation about being a bike messenger during a remote appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Dangerous: The actress would end up being totally unprepared to have to navigate around the bustling and oftentimes chaotic streets of Manhattan

Surprise: Fallon laughed when he learned that the actress worked as a bike messenger

'Now mind you, in Central Park I can ride a bike, I mean, with soft areas to land,' she shared, adding, 'But so I just boldly said yes and they gave me this bag, and they put all these cylinders in this bag.'

The Friends star went on to insinuate just how dangerous her one day as a bike messenger would be.

'In my brain, I don't know how I survived the day, because it was  to be on Fifth Avenue with traffic, and all that I was holding,' she recalled.

'I think I might have gotten into a cab just to finish the day.'

Survival of the fittest: 'In my brain, I don't know how I survived the day, because it was  to be on Fifth Avenue with traffic,' the actress recalled of the dangerous day on the job

Not having it: Aniston said her one day as a messenger ended with her making deliveries by cab, and that she still doesn't know what happened to the bike

Already with a big smile on his face, Fallon started laughing at the cab reference and shot back to Aniston: 'You made sure [the packages] got there, that's all that matters.'

'I don't know what happened to the bike,' Aniston responded, before admitting, 'It's all a blur.'

The Morning Show, which also also stars Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell, Billy Crudup and Mark Duplass, was inspired by Brian Stelter's book Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV.

Season two of the hit series premiered on Apple TV+ on September 17.
Their romance is moving fast, with the couple already moving in together just weeks after The Bachelor finale aired.

But Holly Kingston had to face the sad reality of dating a pilot on Sunday, when she posted a video of her man driving away from their North Bondi apartment en route to his next flight.

Despite being in the middle of a sun-drenched weekend with his ladylove, the 32-year-old was forced to head back to work as a Jetstar pilot.

The long goodbye: The Bachelor winner Holly Kingston faced the sad reality of dating a pilot no Sunday as her beau Jimmy Nicholson leaves for a flight in the middle of their romantic weekend

Set to the song Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver, the video posted to Holly's Instagram Stories showed a smiling Nicholson reversing his vehicle out of the couple's driveway.

She captioned the post, 'My guy back doing what he loves!'

Just hours before leaving, Jimmy had uploaded an Instagram photo of himself enjoying some quality time at the beach with Holly.

High flyer: The 32-year-old was heading back to work as a Jetstar pilot

'Day for it! girlfriendsofinstagram,' the reality star wrote as he showed off his abs in swim trunks

Holly also shared a photo of herself and Jimmy posing together by the water to her own page on Sunday morning, writing in the caption: 'Now that youre not whisking me off to Uluru a coffee and a dip will have to suffice'.

It comes shortly after the newly minted Bachelor couple announced they'd just settled into their new apartment in North Bondi.

Making the most of their time together: Just hours before leaving, Jimmy had uploaded an Instagram photo of himself enjoying some quality time at the beach with Holly

Romantic: 'Day for it! girlfriendsofinstagram,' the reality star wrote as he showed off his abs in swim trunks

Luxury: Lovebirds: Meanwhile the newly minted Bachelor couple announced this month they'd just settled into their new apartment in North Bondi (pictured)

Details about the sale have been revealed, with realestate.com.au reporting the pilot paid $1.42million for the two-bedroom, one-bathroom flat.

However, the website claims Holly 'is not in on the deal', which suggests Jimmy bought the home himself and she is simply living with him.

The couple documented their relationship milestone on Friday, with Jimmy sharing a photo of the pair outside the property as he held a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne.
The Bachelor's Jimmy Nicholson has returned to his job as a pilot after he was temporarily stood down due to the global pandemic.

And on Saturday, the 32-year-old Bachelor was all smiles as he was spotted checking his mail box at his Bondi pad after completing his first shift in over a year.

Jimmy appeared in good spirits after finding no bills waiting for him before he swiftly made his way into his apartment.

Flying high! The Bachelor's Jimmy Nicholson, 32, (pictured) has returned to his job as a pilot after he was temporarily stood down due to the global pandemic

Jimmy looked suave dressed in his aviation uniform which consisted of a white button up shirt complemented with a tie and black pants.

He had his sunglasses handy, keeping them in his top upper pocket.

Back in May, Daily Mail Australia revealed that Jimmy decided to put his free time to good use by signing up to become a volunteer Surf Lifesaver at Coogee Beach.

Excited: The handsome Bachelor was all smiles as he was spotted checking his mail box at his Bondi pad after completing his first shift in over a year

Dressed to impress! Jimmy looked suave dressed in his aviation uniform which consisted of a white button up shirt complemented with a tie and black pants

The Bondi-based hunk and several of his pilot friends enlisted to become surf life savers, just four months before he was announced as the 2021 Bachelor.

Back in April 2020, Jimmy shared a photograph of him sitting in the plane's cockpit, along with the caption: 'Thanks to Corona I wont be doing this anytime soon.'

But now, Jimmy appears to be picking up regular shifts, and returned to work for another shift on Sunday.

The long goodbye: Winner Holly Kingston faced the sad reality of dating a pilot no Sunday as her beau left for a another flight in the middle of their romantic weekend

On Sunday, Jimmy reposted a video shared by Bachelor winner Holly Kingston.

Set to the song Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver, the video posted to Holly's Instagram Stories showed a smiling Nicholson reversing his vehicle out of the couple's driveway.

She captioned the post, 'My guy back doing what he loves!'

Making the most of their time together: Just hours before leaving, Jimmy had uploaded an Instagram photo of himself enjoying some quality time at the beach with Holly
Michael Imperioli played Christopher Moltisanti, a young wide guy gangster for six seasons alongside the late actor James Gandolfini in The Sopranos.

And on Saturday Imperioli took to his Instagram page and shared a heartfelt and emotional tribute to the Sopranos leading man on what would have been his 60th birthday.

'Dear Jim, Today marks 60 years since you came into this world,' he began in the caption of a photo of the two actors that he posted while on a trip to Italy.

Heartfelt: Michael Imperioli paid tribute to late actor James Gandolfini on what would have been his 60 birthday on Saturday, September 18

'As fate would have it, I am in Rome, the city where you left this world,' he continued, in a reference to Gandolfini's death following a heart attack on June 19, 2013.

'I will think of you today as I wander these ancient streets. I will remember the laughs most of all. Today I am reminded how fortunate I am to have acted beside you more than I ever did (or ever will, most likely) with anyone else.'

He ended the tribute by how it was 'a privilege' to work on the six seasons of The Sopranos (1999-2007).

'Thank you for the friendship, generosity and kindness. Love always, Michael. #thesopranos #jamesgandolfini'

Iconic: Imperioli played Christopher Moltisanti, a young wide guy gangster for six seasons alongside Gandolfini in The Sopranos from 1999 to 2007

High praise: 'I am reminded how fortunate I am to have acted beside you more than I ever did (or ever will, most likely) with anyone else,' Imperioli said of Gandolfini while on holiday in Italy

Gandolfini had been in Rome, Italy doing some sightseeing with his family before heading to Sicily a few days later to receive an award at the Taormina Film Fest.

After spending the day walking the streets in the sweltering summer heat, Gandolfini's son Michael, then 14, discovered him unconscious on the bathroom floor of his hotel room.

He was pronounced dead 20 minutes after arriving at a local hospital. Hw was just 51-years-old.

Michael Gandolfini is playing a younger version of his father's character Tony Soprano in the upcoming movie, The Many Saints of Newark, which will be released on October 1.

The crime drama film was co-written by The Sopranos creator David Chase, and is considered a prequel to the iconic HBO series.
Kendall Jenner put on a very cheeky display as she enjoyed a getaway with her boyfriend Devin Booker.

The reality star, 25, posted a photo of herself rocking a thong bikini as she gazed at a stream of blue-green water on Saturday.

The model looked stunning flashing her catwalk body as she enjoyed a lush trip to paradise in photos posted to her Instagram Stories.

Dropping jaws! Kendall Jenner put on a cheeky display as she enjoyed a getaway with her boyfriend Devin Booker

Subsequent photos showed the model kicking back by the river with her toned legs on display.

In a third shot, her shirtless boyfriend Devin Booker floated on the water with a glassed beverage in hand.

There was no mention of where they were.

The setting was worlds away from where Kendall was earlier this week, when the reality star attended the Met Gala in New York City.

Life is good! Jenner put her long legs on display as she relaxed by the river

Fun in the sun! Devin Booker soaked up the sun in the water

Kendall obviously had the time of her life at the bash, which saw her spend some quality time with her mother Kris Jenner.

In a photo posted by friend-to-the stars Derek Blasberg, Kendall played the doting daughter to her famous mother on fashion's biggest night.

In the photo, Kendall knelt before her mother Kris, tying her shoe in her swanky eveningwear.

Kendall was wearing the barely-there Givenchy gown she turned heads with on the night of the Gala, not worried about getting it dusty as she knelt on the ground to help her mum, 65.

'Whatever Kris needs, she gets!' Jenner knelt before her martini-sipping mum Kris in her Met Gala gown to tie her shoe in a candid snap from the prestigious event shared to Instagram on Wednesday

Kris was seen laughing and sipping on a martini as her daughter tied her gold shoe.

Derek captioned the image: '@krisjenner asking @kendalljenner to tie her shoes while drinking a martini at the #metgala is peak mom goals (and Im taking notes)'

Kris replied: 'Whatever Kris needs, she gets!'

Kendall seemed more than happy to oblige, laughing for the camera as the snap was taken.

'Look what I spotted!' Kris also took to Instagram herself to pose a snap sat on the bar at Larsen's Steakhouse on her return to West Hollywood

Sheer wonder: During last night's Met Gala, Kendall took her cues from Old Hollywood

Snapped! Kendall was spotted, still in New York, the day before, accosted by fans - one of whom asked her to autograph a bottle of the tequila

Kris also took to Instagram herself to pose a snap sat on the bar at Larsen's Steakhouse on her return to West Hollywood.

Having jetted back to the west coast from the Gala in New York, Kris had clocked Kendall's brand of tequila stocked behind the bar.

'Look what I spotted at @larsens_steakhouse_wh!!! @drink818 @kendalljenner!' she posted, sat atop the bar brandishing two large bottles of the drink.

Kendall was spotted, still in New York, the day before, accosted by fans - one of whom asked her to autograph a bottle of the tequila.
Hayley Love is around 30 weeks pregnant with her first child.

And the Farmer Wants A Wife star showed off her bump on Sunday, as she shared her moisturising routine.

The 25-year-old posted multiple Instagram Stories in which she applied cream to her belly and rubbed it in.

Bumping along: Hayley Love (pictured) is around 30 weeks pregnant with her first child. The the Farmer Wants A Wife star showed off her bump on Sunday, as she shared her moisturising routine with fans

She then used a face cloth to gently wipe it off once the substance had time to soak in.

Hayley recently made headlines when she revealed she's expecting a child with co-star and ex-boyfriend Will Dwyer.

She told fans in a recent Instagram post that she will have to adapt to her new life as a 'single mum'.

Routine: The 25-year-old posted multiple Instagram Stories in which she applied cream to her belly and rubbed it in. She then used a face cloth to gently wipe it off once the substance had time to soak in

Hayley recently revealed she and Will were no longer together.

She was originally matched with farmer Matt Trewin on the Channel Seven show, but he broke up with her shortly before the finale.

Hayley and Will had a short-lived romance after the FWAW finale was filmed in December - and after he'd split from his winner, Jaimee.

Expecting: Hayley recently made headlines when she revealed she's expecting a child with co-star and ex-boyfriend Will Dwyer (pictured)

She went on to briefly date Will and became pregnant with his child, but they broke up after she told him she was expecting.

Will recently released a statement finally addressing Hayley's pregnancy news.

In it, he vowed to be 'the best dad I can be... when the time comes'.
He is newly single after his ex-girlfriend Amelia Hamlin called off their relationship earlier this month.

And Scott Disick enjoyed a family day out as he attended the opening of The Sugar Factory Las Vegas alongside his children Mason, 11, Penelope, nine, and Reign, six.

The reality star, 38, who shares his kids with his ex Kourtney Kardashian, cut a casual figure in a white jumper and dark green trousers.

Outing: Scott Disick enjoyed a family day out as he attended the opening of The Sugar Factory Las Vegas alongside his children Mason, 11, Penelope, nine, and Reign, six

Scott also sported a pair of white trainers for the outing while he wore his hair slicked back.

Penelope was dressed in a light pink patterned dress while Mason and Reign both sported black T-shirts and jeans.

It emerged earlier this month that Amelia split from Keeping Up With the Kardashians star Scott.

The pair were first romantically linked in October last year but an insider told Us Weekly: 'Amelia was the one who ended things.'

Family: The reality star, 38, who shares his kids with his ex Kourtney Kardashian, cut a casual figure in a white jumper and dark green trousers

Outfit: Scott also sported a pair of white trainers for the outing while he wore his hair slicked back

However, a source told TMZ that Scott is the one who made the call to split as he did not see a long-term future with Amelia as she is 18 years his junior, and didn't want to keep 'wasting time.'

An insider told E! News that the couple 'needed a break from one another, that was clear,' before adding: 'They are in different places and trying to figure out if it's time to move on and if they are really done.'

Meanwhile on August 30, Scott sent Kourtney Kardashian's ex Younes Benjima a direct message about her PDA-packed behaviour with boyfriend Travis Barker.

'Yo is this chick ok!??? Broo like what is this. In the middle of Italy,' the Talentless designer wrote as he sent a photo of Kourtney kissing and straddling the Blink-182 drummer on an inflatable boat.-

Better times: Amelia and Scott (pictured) were said to be 'having issues' before their reported split earlier this month. They were first romantically linked in October last year

Making headlines: Meanwhile on August 30, Scott sent Kourtney Kardashian's ex Younes Benjima a direct message about her PDA-packed behaviour with boyfriend Travis Barker

Younes  who dated the POOSH founder from 2016 to 2018  leaked the message on Instagram and had words to say about Scott.

'Keep the same energy you had about me publicly, privately,' the model wrote as he shared a grab of the story, after responding to Scott: 'Doesn't matter to me as long as she's happy PS: I ain't your bro.'

After the message was leaked, a source told ET that Amelia was 'annoyed' by the situation but that they were 'still together'.
Angelina Jolie stepped out in a typically chic outfit as she went grocery shopping with her daughter Zahara on Saturday.

The actress, 46, donned a camel coloured coat with a cinched-in waist while she elevated her height with matching slip on heels.

She was in line with Covid restrictions as she donned a black disposable face mask, while her 16-year-old daughter wore a white one.

Fashion forward: Angelina Jolie, 46, steps out in a typically chic outfit as she goes grocery shopping with her daughter Zahara, 16, on Saturday

Zahara looked stylish in a red dress paired with white trainers as she helped her mother stock up on essentials .

The outing comes shortly after Angelia was in Washington D.C. advocating for the reauthorisation of the Violence Against Women Act and meeting with gymnasts testifying in a hearing in the FBI's botched probe into Larry Nassar's sexual abuse.

The trip has been making headlines in the US, with the actress meeting with Larry Nassar victims and an officer who defended the Capitol from rioters on January 6.

She posted a photo of herself posing with gymnasts and Nassar abuse victims Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, Maggie Nichols, and Jessica Howard amid a Senate hearing into the FBI's botched probe into Nassar's sexual abuse.

Looking good: The actress donned a camel coloured jacket with a cinched-in waist while she elevated her height with matching slip on heels as she wore a black face mask

'I was honored to meet with some of the brave US gymnasts who appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday,' Angelina began in the post's caption. 'Im in awe of their courage and commitment to preventing future failures to investigate abuse.

'As Aly Raisman said in her testimony, "Over 100 victims could have been spared the abuse. All we needed was one adult to do the right thing." Sending support and respect to them, and to all who are reliving this trauma so that system reforms can occur.

'I was on Capitol Hill this week, engaging with Senators on the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization and FBI reforms, including better protections for abused children, non-biased forensic evidence collection, trauma care, and judicial training.'
She's the former Minister for Foreign Affairs who has since become a fashion icon.

And Julie Bishop looked sensational as she posed for photos on the Brownlow Medal red carpet in Perth on Sunday night, alongside her dapper beau David Panton, 60.

The 65-year-old highlighted her incredible figure in a body-hugging black and nude optical illusion frock, which she teamed with platform heels and statement bling.

Brownlow Medal 2021: Julie Bishop, 65, stunned in a body-hugging optical illusion black and nude frock alongside her dapper beau David Panton, 60, at the ceremony in Perth on Sunday night (both pictured)

Julie styled her shoulder-length blonde tresses into a voluminous half-up do, and her makeup was ultra glamorous, consisting of kohl eyeliner and a glossy nude lipstick.

The former politician appeared in great spirits as she warmly embraced her longtime beau David, who works as a property developer.

David cut a suave figure in a crisp white dress shirt, a black velour suit jacket, coordinating trousers, dress shoes and a silk bow tie.

Power couple: The former politician appeared in great spirits as she warmly embraced her longtime beau David, who works as a property developer. David donned a crisp white dress shirt, a black velour suit jacket, coordinating trousers, dress shoes and a silk bow tie

Gorgeous: Julie styled her shoulder-length blonde tresses into a voluminous half-up do, and her makeup was ultra glamorous, consisting of kohl eyeliner and a glossy nude lipstick

Throughout her career, Julie's fashion-forward ensembles have often attracted just as many headlines as her political endeavours.

In a previous interview with News.com.au, Julie described her style as 'classic'.

'[It] hasn't changed a great deal over the years in the sense that I dress in a pretty classic way,' she said.

Referencing Giorgio Armani in Sydney, Julie revealed: 'I have a favourite designer and I often contact them, they'll send me photographs of things and I'll choose it.'

Reputation: Throughout her career, Julie's fashion-forward ensembles have often attracted just as many headlines as her political endeavours. Pictured in February 2019

Stance: Julie previously described her style as 'classic' in an interview with News.com.au: '[It] hasn't changed a great deal over the years in the sense that I dress in a pretty classic way'

Julie also said that she's been collecting 'investment pieces' over the years, but tries to 'live within' her means.

She also revealed the surprising fashion advice she was given by American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour in June last year, in an interview with The Sun-Herald.

Julie, who is known for her crisp blazers and designer heels, said that after meeting the British-American journalist, 71, in 2019, she now can't live without sneakers.

Comfortable flats: Julie, who is known for her polished appearance, said in an interview with The Sun-Herald in June last year, that after meeting British-American journalist Anna Wintour (right), 71, in 2019, she now can't live without sneakers

Advice: 'When Anna Wintour was here for last year's Australian Open and was asked about future trends, she said wearing sneakers. I've taken her at her word,' Julie told The Sun-Herald at the time

Comfy, but make it fashion: Julie lives in 'Armani, Louis Vuitton and Isabel Marant sneakers' amid the coronavirus pandemic, whereas previously it was 'Aquazzura black stiletto pumps'

'When Anna Wintour was here for last year's Australian Open and was asked about future trends, she said wearing sneakers. I've taken her at her word,' she responded.

Julie said she lives in 'Armani, Louis Vuitton and Isabel Marant sneakers' amid the coronavirus pandemic, whereas previously it was 'Aquazzura black stiletto pumps'.

Elsewhere in the interview, the former deputy leader of the Liberal Party revealed Amal Clooney to be her style muse, describing her as 'classic' and 'sophisticated'.

'We had lunch one day in London and she wore a beautiful tweed suit; I also saw her in New York where we both wore simple black dresses. Her clothes always seem appropriate for the occasion,' she said.
Lisa Faulkner has shared a glimpse at her relationship with her stepchildren.

The actress-turned-TV cook, 49, married MasterChef judge John Torode, 56, two years ago, and share five children between them: Lisa's adopted daughter Billie, 15, and John's grown-up sons Casper and Marselle, and teenagers from another relationship, Jonah, 17, and Lulu, 15.

'Our kids have the best food life you can imagine,' Lisa told The Sun. 'Whatever they ask for tea, they get. They will be like, 'Can we have Korean fried chicken?', 'Could you make chicken Milanese, or tacos?'

Stepmother: Lisa Faulkner has shared a glimpse at her relationship with her stepchildren

'Anything they want gets made because John and I both love cooking. And if we don't know how to make it, we'll find out. But John knows pretty much everything anyway.

'The kids don't know how lucky they are when it comes to food. My stepkids call me 'the feeder' and 'pushover Lisa'.'

Lisa was previously married to fellow actor Chris Coghill, who she co-parents Billie with.

She met John on Celebrity MasterChef 2010 and is now a regular returning guest judge on the continuing series - the current run coming to a close on Friday, with Kadeena Cox, MBE crowned 2021 champion.

Blended family: The actress-turned-TV cook, 49, married MasterChef judge John Torode, 56, two years ago [pictured on their show John & Lisa's Weekend Kitchen]

Pre-Lisa: John is pictured with now ex-wife Jessica and their son and daughter in London in 2010

The Paralympic sprinter reigned victorious against Joe Swash and Megan McKenna in the finale, after four heat weeks, one week of semi-finals and an impressive final week.

The Gold medallist, who has Multiple Sclerosis, said: 'I gave everything I could today. I am absolutely buzzing. This smile is not disappearing from my face for a while...

'I am just proud of myself for doing it. I didn't change who I was, I learnt along the way but I was still Kadeena right to the end. It has just been a great journey and one that I am never going to forget.'

The pair share five children between them: Lisa's adopted daughter Billie, 15, and John's grown-up sons Casper and Marselle, and teenagers from another relationship, Jonah, 17, and Lulu, 15 [pictured 2019]

Woo! Kadeena Cox, MBE was crowned champion on Friday as she reigned victorious on BBC One's Celebrity MasterChef 2021

On her win, judge John said: 'So many times during this year's competition I forgot Kadeena had Multiple Sclerosis and was not only battling for the trophy but had her own personal battle going on. She just never let up, she didn't stop!...

'For me she is a true inspiration. Her food is special, not just because it is technically brilliant but also because it has heart, it's got soul and it's got love.'

Co-judge Greg Wallace added: 'What a lovely, lovely final. Today from Kadeena we got very special dishes. It's not just the quality of Kadeena's cooking, it's the originality of the ideas. There is a reason she has a bedroom full of medals, she is a serious competitor.'

In the final episode, Kadeena, alongside other finalists Megan and Joe, had two hours to present a flawless three-course meal, cooked to the very highest standards to impress the judges.

Celebration: The Gold medallist, who has Multiple Sclerosis, said: 'I gave everything I could today. I am absolutely buzzing. This smile is not disappearing from my face for a while'

Win: In the final episode, Kadeena, alongside other finalists Megan and Joe, had two hours to present a flawless three-course meal, cooked to the very highest standards to impress the judges

Her winning menu kicked off with a starter of torched salmon marinated in lime juice with caviar, tempura prawn topped with a crab meat mayonnaise, asparagus salad and a Bloody Mary granite.

She followed on with a main course of French trimmed rack of lamb, Caribbean curried goat pie, roasted carrots, spinach, silver skin onions and a lamb curry sauce.

To finish she dished up a Choux au Craquelin filled with mascarpone whipped cream with hazelnut praline crumb and tempered chocolate.

The final followed a week of intense pressure where the stars were immersed in a culinary tradition that's been part of British culture for over 600 years  the pie.

Star: Kadeena of Team Great Britain is pictured at the National Lottery's ParalympicsGB Homecoming on Sunday

Working at the Holborn Dining Rooms Pie Room with chef Calum Franklin they had to produce a pie fit for the dining room of experts.

They then went back to the MasterChef kitchen, where the final five created one exceptional dish inspired by the flavours of the sweet shop.

Finally, they faced the formidable Chef's Table which was hosted by legendary chef Tom Kerridge in the MasterChef kitchen.

The finalists delivered food of an exceptional standard to impress some of the best chefs in the country  Michel Roux Jr. (2 Michelin stars), Lisa Goodwin-Allen (1 Michelin star), Paul Ainsworth (1 Michelin star) and Aktar Islam (1 Michelin star).
Sharon Stone sure has kept her curves in check, which is impressive considering she is 63.

And the Casino actress proved once again time does not change her looks as she shared photos where she was in a black one-piece swimsuit this weekend.

The author was seen sunbathing on a rock by the coast as she said in her caption, 'Self-Care Matters.' The post got over 26K likes in two hours.

Haute star: Sharon Stone sure has kept her curves in check, which is impressive considering she is 63

She puts the O in WOW: And the Casino actress proved once again time does not change her looks as she shared photos where she was in a black one-piece swimsuit this weekend

And she also shared, 'Body, mind & spirit' in an image where she was looking at the camera with her hands behind her head.

This comes after the blonde bombshell made a splash at the Met Gala in a skintight black gown as she partied with Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.

Earlier this summer the Basic Instinct actress told WSJ. Magazine how she manages to look great even though she has a thriving career and three sons.

The siren said some of her tricks include a fruit breakfast, swimming laps in her pool, sleeping eight hours a nights, doing lunges, and taking baths filled with arnica and Dead Sea salts.

For her 'self': The author was seen sunbathing on a rock by the coast as she said in her caption, 'Self-Care Matters.' The post got over 26K likes in two hours

SS stuns: And she also shared, 'Body, mind & spirit' in an image where she was looking at the camera with her hands behind her head

And she got very specific about her routines.

'My favorite breakfast is watermelon with feta cheese and mint, with olive oil and salt and pepper,' said the Sliver star. 'And then I usually have a piece of gluten-free sourdough toast with that and an herbal tea.'

And the cover girl still works out plenty.

'During Covid I started devising different things that I just did for myself. I think squats are really important. If you do squats every day, that really does get your whole body together,' added the Ratched star.

Amazing: Stone arrives for the 2021 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York

New pals: With Kendall Jenner, left, and Gigi Hadid, right, at the Met Gala

'I was a martial artist when I was young. I haven't practiced in decades, but I still like to do my punches.'

Often she just heads to her swimming pool in the back yard of the Beverly Hills mansion she purchased decades ago.

'I really like to swim, and I find that [the] butterfly is a really great overall workout for me, and a stroke that really works for my body overall. I like to plank, and I have [young sons] so we do planking contests to see who can plank the longest. They can plank for half an hour.'



And baths help her heal.

She sure knows how to turn it on: The looker seen in a yellow bikini this summer with her dog

'Last night I was getting a really bad muscle ache, body ache, headache, and I took a bath in Dead Sea salts and arnica. And that was really, really, really helpful. So I sort of use herbs and teas as medicine. If my stomach's upset, I drink lemon and ginger teas and peppermint teas and these kinds of gentle herb things. I'm very gentle with myself and the things that I use.'

And the Total Recall actress sleeps plenty.

'Now I need eight,' said the ex wife of Phil Bronstein.

'Many years ago, I did a film about lucid dreaming [2007's When A Man Falls], which was really intriguing and wonderful. I started really studying and practicing the art of lucid dreaming and lucid dreaming as a form of meditation. So I super love sleeping, and I love this opportunity to work on lucid dreaming.

Still a pinup: The Basic Instinct actress told WSJ . Magazine how she manages to look great even though she has a thriving career and three sons

Her secrets: The siren said some of her tricks include a fruit breakfast, swimming laps in her pool, sleeping eight hours a nights, doing lunges, and taking baths filled with arnica and Dead Sea salts

No flaws: 'My favorite breakfast is watermelon with feta cheese and mint, with olive oil and salt and pepper,' said the Sliver star. 'And then I usually have a piece of gluten-free sourdough toast with that and an herbal tea'

As far as dressing, the author of The Beauty Of Living Twice chooses her clothes carefully.

'I also think we're not all built the same, so we have to figure out what works for our body type or proportionand what works with our personality. I don't really like to be uncomfortable, so I'm not one of those people that you're often going to see in a bustier, uncomfortable shoesgear that's really hard to wear. I like clothes that are simple and clean and structurally, architecturally interesting. I like hippie kind of clothes.'

Also in her interview she said having a reputation for being 'difficult' has damaged her career.

The actress has been outspoken on various issues over the years, and Sharon thinks that her willingness to discuss contentious things in public has undermined her earning potential.

She told WSJ Magazine: 'I'm just excited to see where I belong in the world, to see where my journey is going.

Swim time: mansion she purchased decades ago. 'I really like to swim, and I find that [the] butterfly is a really great overall workout for me, and a stroke that really works for my body overall. I like to plank, and I have [young sons] so we do planking contests to see who can plank the longest. They can plank for half an hour'

Now with clothes on: Sharon Stone at the NYC Eyes Of Tammy Faye premiere earlier this week

'I think that when I was saying all these things - that now Kamala Harris, our fabulous vice president, and Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton are now avidly discussing - about women's rights, [it] made my film career quite difficult.

'People found me to be 'difficult' because I was asking for those things and expecting to get those things that I felt were correct and appropriate for myself and other women.'

Sharon also thinks that attitudes are evolving, and ultimately, she believes it might make things easier for women like herself in the film business.

The Hollywood star said: 'That hurt me and my standing with my colleagues in the business. What I [am waiting] to see at this point is now that [gender equality] is becoming the standard fare, [will] I be accepted back into my film community because I had that great thing that President Obama talked about, which was audacity?

'I was willing to bash my own head on the glass ceiling. I'm going to have to see if this wounded warrior can be accepted back into her industry or if I will have to move along somewhere else.'
Lindsey Buckingham has claimed Stevie Nicks is still in love with him.

The 71-year-old guitarist has previously suggested he was fired from Fleetwood Mac in 2018 after Nicks, 73, gave the rest of the band an ultimatum when he asked to delay an upcoming tour to promote his solo music - allegations she has always denied.

And now he is convinced she never actually got over him after their relationship hit the rocks whilst they were promoting their album Rumours in 1976 following four years of dating.

He thinks she still likes him: Lindsey Buckingham has claimed Stevie Nicks is still in love with him. He is seen in 2018. left, and she in 2019, right

The best album: Speaking to The Times newspaper, Buckingham said: 'There were a number of years where I wasn't over her. It is possible that she has never been completely over me either. 'The way we had to get through Rumours is part of the legacy and heroics of the whole thing,' he said

Speaking to The Times newspaper, Buckingham said: 'There were a number of years where I wasn't over her. It is possible that she has never been completely over me either.

'The way we had to get through Rumours is part of the legacy and heroics of the whole thing,' he said.

Rumours was recorded in Sausalito, California in 1976 and went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time.

'We didn't have time to heal or move on in the traditional sense. I think  and she was the one who moved away from me back then  that we both had to compartmentalize our feelings.'

The way they were: Fleetwood Mac band mates Stevie (left) and Lindsey when they were boyfriend and girlfriend posing for an album cover in 1970

The pals: (From L) Mike Campbell, John McVie, Nicks, Christine McVie and Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac pose in the press room during the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction

He added: 'That is not a healthy thing to do because those little compartments can remain sealed up for years until things start seeping out when you don't realize.

'I met the love of my life late and that gave me a whole other take on the world. Stevie did not have children. She went down a different route and has placed more importance on her professional life,' he shared.

'How that played out in the last three, four, five years . . . It's hard for me to know what her mentality is towards me, but I know what mine is to her because I've been married for 21 years and I have three children and it's the best thing that ever happened to me.'

Better days: L-R: Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie in 1975

She said he does not remember it all just so: Nicks recently denied that she had Buckingham fired and claimed his version of events was not true. She said: 'His version of events is factually inaccurate and while I've never spoken publicly on the matter, certainly it feels the time has come to shine a light on the truth'

Nicks recently denied that she had Buckingham fired and claimed his version of events was not true.

She said: 'His version of events is factually inaccurate and while I've never spoken publicly on the matter, certainly it feels the time has come to shine a light on the truth. To be exceedingly clear, I did not have him fired, I did not ask for him to be fired, I did not demand he be fired.

'Frankly, I fired myself. I proactively removed myself from the band and a situation I considered to be toxic to my wellbeing. I was done.;

She added, 'If the band went on without me, so be it. And after many lengthy group discussions, Fleetwood Mac, a band whose legacy is rooted in evolution and change, found a new path forward with two hugely talented new members.'

His wife: He is married to Kristen Messner and they are working on their relationship after she filed for divorce; at the 2012 American Country Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in 2012

Also this week Buckingham said he is 'working on' his marriage to Kristen Messner, three months after she filed for divorce from the Fleetwood Mac rocker.

'Relationships in the long term can be challenging, and they have their ups and downs,' Buckingham told People on Wednesday. 'Youve got to take that ride and be willing to take it.'

The veteran rocker said he thinks 'a lot of relationships were somewhat tested by the lockdown,' and that 'over the last year Kristen felt she needed some time to herself, and I have been completely supportive of that.'
He recently invited Machine Gun Kelly to his next fight after the two had an altercation at the MTV Video Music Awards last Sunday.

And Conor McGregor seemed to be drinking to forget nearly one week on from the drama, as he was seen knocking back shots at a party in West Hollywood on Saturday night.

The 33-year-old UFC star was spotted throwing down liquor whilst surrounded by an an entourage at Harriet's Rooftop Club in California for Miami nightclub mogul Marc Roberts' 62nd birthday party.

Bottoms up! Conor McGregor, 33, seemed to be drinking to forget nearly one week on from the drama, as he was seen knocking back shots at a party in West Hollywood on Saturday night

Nonetheless, the mixed martial artist looked dapper in a white tuxedo shirt and black dress-trousers at the booze-filled event.

He looked smart in his suit-and-tie ensemble, also donning a luxe gold watch for the high-class function.

His pals appeared to be cheering along and drinking with the boxer - smiling and laughing as they encouraged Conor.

Cheery night: The UFC star was spotted throwing down liquor whilst surrounded by an an entourage at Harriet's Rooftop Club in California for Miami nightclub mogul Marc Roberts' 62nd birthday party

His boozed-up antics come as that Conor insisted had no hard feelings regarding the incident with Machine Gun Kelly.

The star was spotted in New York City by comedian and journalist Adam Glyn, who asked the athlete numerous questions about his time in the metropolis.

McGregor began the conversation by noting that he was in a positive mood both at the time and during the impromptu interview.

No hard feelings: His boozed-up antics come as that Conor insisted had no hard feelings regarding the incident with Machine Gun Kelly. Pictured at the MTV VMAs last week

He said, 'Ill tell you what it is. Im free here in New York City, you know what I mean? Im back in New York. I got to go to the Barclays Center. I got to present an award. I was just going to have a good time, you know what I mean?'

When Glyn pressed him about the incident with Kelly, Conor dismissed the idea that there was any bad blood and that it was 'all love' between them.

McGregor went on to express that the Bloody Valentine rapper and his fans should attend his forthcoming matches as a sign of good faith.

Incident: When Glyn pressed him about the incident with Kelly, Conor dismissed the idea that there was any bad blood and that it was 'all love' between them

'Its all good. Come to the next fight. Come watch me perform any time. Ill perform, no problem. Everyone is more than welcome to come to my fights, to the shows,' he said.

Glyn went on to ask if the pair had any residual hard feelings, although the fighter pointed out that he was personally unfamiliar with the performer.

'[Theres] no beef. I dont even know the guy. I dont know him. Who is he? Youre telling me hes been at the fights. Megan has been at the fights [for] years,' he stated.

'No beef': '[Theres] no beef. I dont even know the guy. I dont know him. Who is he? Youre telling me hes been at the fights. Megan has been at the fights [for] years,' he stated

McGregor also expressed that he had previously met Machine Gun Kelly's girlfriend, Megan Fox, and reiterated that the pair were on good terms.

'I know Megan. I dont know the guy. Theres no problem. Come to the fights. Theres no problem,' he said.

The rapper reportedly asked for his security to be 'ramped up' after the fighter appeared to throw a punch at him at the awards ceremony.

Squaring up: The MMA fighter branded the musician a 'little vanilla boy rapper' after they were squared up on the red carpet with their respective partners by their sides

The MMA fighter branded the musician a 'little vanilla boy rapper' after they were squared up on the red carpet with their respective partners by their sides just before the start of the show.

According to Metro.co.uk, Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker, did not want to meet Conor because he is not a fan of some of his previous comments, which weren't specified.

A source said: 'Machine Gun Kelly isn't a fan of some things Conor has said and done in the past so thought it was a bad look to be photographed with him.

Not a fan: According to Metro.co.uk , Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker, did not want to meet Conor because he is not a fan of some of his previous comments

'It's the VMAs so part of the reason you go is to mix with other celebs but some of Conor's comments on sensitive issues have never sat right with him.'

The insider that Kelly 'told organizers to make sure their paths never crossed after the fall out'.

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Machine Gun Kelly for comment.
Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber flaunted her bikini body in vacation snaps she shared Sunday from a recent trip to Jamaica.

The 24-year-old IMG Model didn't let a downpour of rain ruin her fun, or her cocktail, while showcasing her impressively fit figure tip-toeing on a dock.

Hailey - who boasts 49.8M social media followers - enjoyed paddleboarding while visiting the Caribbean country.

Rain on me: Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber flaunted her bikini body in vacation snaps she shared Sunday from a recent trip to Jamaica

Bieber relies on frequent sessions with trainer Kevin Mejia and Forma Pilates instructor Liana Levi in order to maintain her slim 5ft7in frame.

In one shot, the Arizona-born beauty perched on a patio while clad in shredded Thrifts + Threads pants and a black scarf halter top.

In a red-lit image, Hailey rocks a bucket hat, two-tone bikini top, and Daisy Dukes.

Whatever! The 24-year-old IMG Model didn't let a downpour of rain ruin her fun, or her cocktail, while showcasing her impressively fit figure tip-toeing on a dock

Weee! Hailey enjoyed paddleboarding while visiting the Caribbean country.

In shape: Bieber relies on frequent sessions with trainer Kevin Mejia and Forma Pilates instructor Liana Levi in order to maintain her slim 5ft7in frame

Island glam: In one shot, the Arizona-born beauty perched on a patio while clad in shredded Thrifts + Threads pants and a black scarf halter top

Bieber's Instagram slideshow received the approval of KUWTK alum Kim Kardashian, Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld, and YouTube head of fashion & beauty Derek Blasberg.

That same day, the Who's in my Bathroom vlogger Instastoried a mirror selfie from her walk-in closet captioned: 'Loves a cozy Sunday.'

There was only one picture from Jamaica of Hailey's husband - Grammy winner Justin Bieber - embracing her at Island Gully Falls in the hills of Ocho Rios.

Red light special: In a red-lit image, Hailey rocks a bucket hat, two-tone bikini top, and Daisy Dukes

'That a** tho!' Bieber's Instagram slideshow received the approval of KUWTK alum Kim Kardashian, Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld, and YouTube head of fashion & beauty Derek Blasberg

That same day, the Who's in my Bathroom vlogger Instastoried a mirror selfie from her walk-in closet captioned: 'Loves a cozy Sunday'

Double date! Hailey and her husband - Grammy winner Justin Bieber - were on a group vacation with Kendall Jenner (L) and her NBA beau Devin Booker (R)

Bieber defended the 27-year-old Canadian crooner's seemingly aggressive behavior towards her while appearing on 4D with Demi Lovato last Friday.

'There's one big fat narrative that goes around that's like, "Justin is not nice to her, and that he mistreats her." And I'm just like, it's so far from the truth, and it's the complete and utter opposite,' the Superga brand ambassador said of Justin.

'I really am lucky to say I'm with someone who is extremely respectful of me, who makes me feel special every single day. So when I see the opposite of that, I'm just like, "Huh?"'

Yes, he was there! There was only one picture from Jamaica of the 27-year-old Canadian crooner embracing Hailey at Island Gully Falls in the hills of Ocho Rios

'It's so far from the truth!' Bieber defended Justin's seemingly aggressive behavior towards her while appearing on 4D with Demi Lovato (R) last Friday

The Superga brand ambassador said of him: 'I really am lucky to say I'm with someone who is extremely respectful of me, who makes me feel special every single day. So when I see the opposite of that, I'm just like, "Huh?"'

Bieber's worrying public displays include screaming at Hailey (pictured July 10), slamming a car door on her, 'karate chopping' her forehead, and once telling her via Instagram Live: 'If you weren't so hot, I would've got rid of you a long time ago'

Bieber's worrying public displays include screaming at Hailey, slamming a car door on her, 'karate chopping' her forehead, and once telling her via Instagram Live: 'If you weren't so hot, I would've got rid of you a long time ago.'

The married couple of two years - who met at his 2009 concert meet-and-greet - packed on the PDA last Tuesday while at Hudson Yards' Edge in Manhattan.

Hailey was there to dutifully support Justin's new documentary Our World, directed by Michael D. Ratner, which premieres October 8 on Amazon Prime Video.

Lip lock: The married couple of two years - who met at his 2009 concert meet-and-greet - packed on the PDA last Tuesday while at Hudson Yards' Edge in Manhattan
Kate Garraway said everything nurses do is 'utterly breath-taking' as she appeared at The Sun's Who Cares Wins Awards, which aired on Channel 4 this evening at 7.30pm.

Taking to the stage to present the award for Best Nurse, Kate first gave an update on husband Derek's health when awards host Davina McCall asked her: 'Kate, I would love to ask on behalf of all of us, how is Derek doing?'

Derek is recovering from Covid-19 and still requires round-the-clock care.

Grateful: Kate Garraway paid tribute to nurses and gave an update on husband Derek at the Who Cares Wins Awards on Sunday

Kate replied: 'He's had a good day today, we did some exercises together before I came out. A day at a time, but today's a good day. Thank you for asking, that's really kind of you.'

Ahead of presenting the award for Best Nurse, Kate, who was also a judge for The Sun's Who Cares Wins Awards, said: 'I'm here to talk about nurses. I mean, where do you begin, there is absolutely no doubt that everything nurses do every day is utterly breath-taking.

'But sometimes it's the little moments of thoughtfulness that make all the difference and it's one of those that's lead to tonight's recipient being nominated.'

Presenter: Taking to the stage to present the award for Best Nurse, Kate first gave an update on husband Derek's health

Fighter: Derek is recovering from Covid-19 and still requires round-the-clock care

The winner of The Sun's Who Cares Wins Award for Best Nurse was Jackie Brunton, a lead nurse in end of life and bereavement.

Elsewhere, David Beckham presented Dr Waheed Arian with the award for Best Doctor, Groundbreaking Discovery/Pioneer was awarded to the Oxford Covid-19 Vaccine team and The Caroline Flack Mental Health Hero Award was an accolade picked up by Charmaine George.

The Sun's star-studded Who Cares Wins Awards took place on Tuesday at London's Roundhouse.

It was attended by the Duke of Cambridge and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as celebrities including Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, Gary Lineker, Frankie Bridge, Steph McGovern and Kadeena Cox.

Recognition: The Sun's star-studded Who Cares Wins Awards took place on Tuesday at London's Roundhouse

Achievement: The winner of The Sun's Who Cares Wins Award for Best Nurse was Jackie Brunton, a lead nurse in end of life and bereavement

Beaming: The GMB star's heartfelt speech comes after she picked up the National Television Award for Authored Documentary at the O2 Arena in London for Finding Derek

Presented by Davina McCall, the awards celebrated and thanked the NHS and healthcare heroes, key workers and ordinary people who care for us.

Awards given out on the night, included Best Doctor, Best Nurse, 999 Hero and Ultimate Lifesaver.

The GMB star's heartfelt speech comes after she picked up the National Television Award for Authored Documentary at the O2 Arena in London for Finding Derek - her televised account of Derek's ongoing battle against COVID-19.

Finding Derek became ITV's most-watched factual programme in three years, after 4.5 million viewers tuned into the moving programme when it aired in March

The Suns Who Cares Wins Awards airs tonight at 7.30pm on Channel 4 and All 4.
Advertisement

Daisy Lowe joined Vogue royalty Anna Wintour and Edward Enninful at the ERDEM London Fashion Week show on Sunday evening - before heading off to two other events in a barely-there ensemble.

The model and media personality donned a black mini-dress covered in diamonds for the earlier event, which took place at The British Museum.

The dress featured a slight pleat at the high hemline, with semi-sheer puffed sleeves.

Mix and match: Daisy Lowe donned a black minidress covered in diamonds with a bejeweled headband at the ERDEM London Fashion Week show on Sunday... before changing into a VERY racy barely-there top and thigh-split skirt for the Richard Malone show

Daisy, 32, added a bejeweled headband and drop pearl earrings to the look.

She wore a gold necklace, pearl rings and cute black pumps for the ensemble.

Clutching a black purse, the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant contestant wore her raven locks loose, her fringe covering her eyes.

Make-up was porcelain, with a dash of blusher and a nude pop to her lips. She completed the look with a dark sweep of mascara.

Cheshire cat: The model and media personality donned a black mini-dress covered in diamonds for the event, which took place at The British Museum

Pose: The dress features a slight pleat at the high hemline, with semi-sheer puffed sleeves

She then joined her pal Alexa Chung for the Perfect magazine party, turning heads in a bold black top that fully exposed her cleavage, teamed with a thigh-split skirt and sweeping black coat.

Following an appearance there, she headed to the Richard Malone show, completing her trio of events.

The final soiree was held at the V&A Museum in West London and saw the likes of Jordan Stephens, Jade Thirlwall and Clara Amfo in attendance.

Back at the ERDEM show, Dame Anna sat in her usual spot on the FROW.

London gal: She wore a gold necklace, pearl rings and cute black pumps for the ensemble

Fashion forward: She was later seen with her friend Alexa Chung as they attended the Perfect Magazine Party in much skimpier ensembles

Racy: Daisy turned heads in a bold black top that fully exposed her cleavage, teamed with a thigh-split skirt and sweeping black coat

Leggy display: She strutted to the event in the head-turning number

On the FROW: Daisy joined Amy Jackson for the Richard Malone x Mulberry show

A laugh a minute: The ladies shared a joke as they lapped up the high-fashion event

She wore a blue dress, adorned with cream flowers and a statement emerald necklace.

She added black heeled ankle boots to the look and kept her shades firmly fixed over her eyes, as usual.

Edward sat beside Anna in a slate grey suit, white shirt and black loafers.

He wore a hat and shades - the look rather parred down from his usual extravagant get-up.

In good company: Editor-In-Chief of US Vogue Dame Anna Wintour and Editor-In-Chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful were in attendance

Queen of the FROW: Dame Anna sat in her usual spot on the FROW at the event. She wore a blue dress, adorned with cream flowers and a statement emerald necklace

Suited up: Kehlani attended the show in a striking red suit and tie ensemble

Commanding attention: Clara Amfo posed between two marble columns at the event

Watching on: [L-R] Joy Crookes, Jordan Stephens, Jade Thirlwall and Clara enjoying the show
Yolanda Hadid and her new beau showed up to her daughter Gigi's house wearing some very colorful outfits.

The former model, 57, and her man wore jeans adorned with sunflowers as they made their way to see her granddaughter, Khai.

Bella Hadid's mother wore an orange short-sleeve shirt and held a complimentary orange jacket. She also wore yellow shoes to match the sunflowers on her pants.

Flowery outfits: Gigi Hadid, 57, and her man wore jeans adorned with sunflowers as they made their way to see her granddaughter, Khai

Lots of love: The couple started dating in 2019 after meeting on Hadid's farm

The CEO of the Jingoli construction and development company wore a light blue button-down shirt.

The pair started dating in 2019.

According to People, the two met on Hadid's farm in Pennsylvania where the mother of three was recovering from Lyme disease in 2019.

'I really started focusing,' the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star said. 'I made a love spiral and wrote down exactly everything that was important to me in a man and he magically just rang the doorbell at the farm.'

'Magically just rang the doorbell': Jingoli showed up at Hadid's farm while she was recovering from Lyme disease

Not her first big relationship: Hadid has previously been married twice

Yolanda was previously married to Mohamed Hadid from 1994 to 2000 and musician David Foster from 2011 to 2017.

She has three children with her first husband Gigi, Bella and Anwar. All three followed their mother's footsteps into modeling.

However, it remains to be seen if Hadid's only granddaughter will go into the family business.

The modeling family business: All three of Hadid's children are models just like she once was

Gigi Hadid shares the child with former One Direction star Zayn Malik.

Gigi and Zayn started dating in 2015. They've had a rocky relationship in the past, breaking up and getting back together several times over the years.

The pair got back together officially in February 2020 and their baby was born just seven months later.
Alexa Chung ensured she caught the eye on Sunday evening as she attended the glamorous Perfect magazine party, hosted on behalf of London Fashion Week.

The presenter looked stunning in a thigh-skimming spotted minidress with peaked shoulders while making her way inside event venue NoMad London alongside close friend Daisy Lowe.

She added to her look with a pair of black stiletto heels, while a matching black handbag appeared to be her only visible accessory.

Looking good: Alexa Chung ensured she caught the eye on Sunday evening as she attended the glamorous Perfect magazine party, hosted on behalf of London Fashion Week

Linking arms with her friend, Daisy turned heads in a bold black top that fully exposed her cleavage, teamed with a thigh-split skirt and sweeping black coat.

The model was making an appearance at the event shortly after attending the ERDEM show, where she was joined by Anna Wintour and British Vogue editor Edward Enninful.

Other guests in attendance at the late night magazine party included actress Amy Jackson and socialite TigerLily Taylor - the daughter of Queen drummer Roger Taylor.

Here they come: The presenter looked stunning in a thigh-skimming spotted minidress with peaked shoulders while making her way inside the venue alongside close friend Daisy Lowe

Daisy turned heads in a bold black top that fully exposed her cleavage, teamed with a thigh-split skirt and sweeping black coat as she made her way in with Alexa

Striking: Alexa looked stunning in a thigh-skimming spotted minidress with peaked shoulders

Elsewhere Courtney Love debuted a much shorter hairdo, which she styled in loose curls to frame her face. She also appeared to be rocking a slender black headband.

In contrast to her signature grunge style, Love opted for a more sophisticated silhouette consisting of a unique brown blouse and a satin maxi skirt.

She layered up her look with a beige longline cardigan and added inches to her 5foot8inch frame with a pair of open-toed heels.

All change: Courtney Love debuted a much shorter hairdo, which she styled in loose curls to frame her face. She also appeared to be rocking a slender black headband

Missing out: Amelia Gray Hamlin showed her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick exactly what he's missing as she put on a very busty display in a sheer chainmail dress.

Magnetic: Iris Law (L) was a magnet for a bold ensemble once again at the Perfect Magazine party at London Fashion Week on Sunday, while Lottie Moss (R) looked a natural beauty as she highlighted her stunning curves in a white midi dress

Vintage glamour: The daughter of Jude Law and Sadie Frost flaunted her ample assets as she channelled vintage glamour in a lace midi dress for the coveted event

The Hole front woman enhanced her natural beauty with a minimal amount of makeup, including mascara and pink lipgloss.

Amelia Gray Hamlin showed her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick exactly what he's missing as she put on a very busty display in a sheer chainmail dress.

Meanwhile Iris Law, the model daughter of Jude Law and Sadie Frost, 20, flaunted her ample assets as she channelled vintage glamour in a lace midi dress at the coveted event.

Lottie Moss decided to try a more stripped-back look on Sunday for the Perfect Magazine party - nailing the 'no makeup' makeup look.

The 23-year-old model, who is the half sister of Kate Moss, looked a natural beauty while she highlighted her stunning curves in a white midi dress.

Hard to miss: Daisy put on a very leggy display after a busy night of fashion week parties

Party time: Other guests in attendance at the late night magazine party included actress Amy Jackson

High spirits: Tigerlily Taylor (L) - the daughter of Queen drummer Roger Taylor - also made her presence felt at the event on Sunday evening

Make way: Courtney Love (L) and Lena Dunham posed for photos after making their way inside Covent Garden venue NoMad (R)

In good company: Lena Dunham was joined by Christopher Kane at the event on Sunday

Seemingly absent was Alexa's hunky boyfriend Orson - who has been dating the designer for over two years.

Orson's father, the three-times-married Cosmo Fry, is a descendant of the infamous Fry's chocolate dynasty.

Alexa and Orson first sparked romance rumours in May 2019 when they were seen putting on an affectionate display at the All Point East Festival, it was then revealed that their relationship had begun two months prior.

A source told The Mail's Katie Hind at the time: 'They instantly hit it off. Now they're inseparable and he's practically living at her place.

'It's all moving very fast, but she's smitten.

'They're also not shy when it comes to public displays of affection and were recently seen getting very cosy at the festival. They are very much enjoying themselves.'

She's pleased: Courtney offered a beaming smile as she posed for photographers at the event

Say cheese: Romeo Beckham's model girlfriend Mia Regan (L) and Lady Eliza Spencer (R) also attended the Perfect Magazine party in Covent Garden
Phoebe Burgess has maintained a dignified silence since her ex-husband Sam admitted on SAS Australia to having an affair with another woman.

But friends of the former WAG are said to be 'skeptical' about some of the details in Sam's mea culpa, namely the 'timeline of events' as he described them during his interrogation.

While she hasn't said anything publicly herself, The Sydney Morning Herald cited 'sources close to Phoebe' as saying they weren't buying all of his apology.

Disputed details: Friends of Phoebe Burgess are said to be 'skeptical' about some of the details in her ex-husband Sam Burgess' confession on SAS Australia, namely the 'timeline of events'

Sam had confessed to several indiscretions during his grilling with the SAS directing staff, including that he'd slept with a woman from Melbourne behind Phoebe's back.

'I embarrassed my wife. I'd had an affair with a girl, a woman in Melbourne. That's true,' he said.

'I turned to drinking, taking drugs - I thought I could manage that. Then got pulled [up on a] DUI with drugs in my system, which was all over the press again, which stopped me seeing my kids again. I just checked myself into rehab.'

Admission: Sam had confessed to several indiscretions during his grilling with the SAS directing staff, including that he'd slept with a woman from Melbourne behind Phoebe's back

In 2018, Sam was embroiled in a sexting scandal which involved a Melbourne woman who claimed he'd cheated on his wife the year prior.

In the aftermath of the scandal, Phoebe, who was then pregnant with the couple's second child, pulled out of a public appearance but was otherwise supportive of her husband in the weeks that followed.

However, the strain was too much for the Burgesses who ended their marriage shortly after Christmas that year.

Dignified silence: While she hasn't said anything publicly herself, The Sydney Morning Herald cited 'sources close to Phoebe' as saying they weren't buying all of his apology

They briefly reconciled months later, but called it quits for good in October 2019.

After offloading their marital home in Sydney, Phoebe now lives a stone's throw away from her parents in the NSW Southern Highlands.

She reportedly received a sizable settlement in the couple's divorce.
Several jokes about Nadia Bartel's white-powder scandal were censored during Sportsbet's live coverage of the Brownlow Medal.

AFL legend and 2011 Brownlow medallist Dane Swan hosted his annual 'takeover' of Sportsbet's Twitter account during Sunday night's ceremony - but was gagged from making jokes about the embattled ex-wife of retired Geelong star Jimmy Bartel.

Nadia, a former star of the Melbourne WAG scene who regularly attended the Brownlow for years, has had a spectacular fall from grace in recent weeks after she was caught snorting white powder at an illegal party during lockdown.

As he fired off a slew of tweets mocking the AFL's night of nights, the Collingwood great, 37, told fans 'a lot' of jokes about Nadia had been rejected by Sportsbet's social media team.

Scroll down for video

Humiliation: Several jokes about Nadia Bartel's white-powder scandal were censored during Sportsbet's live coverage of the Brownlow Medal, hosted by former AFL player Dane Swan (left). Nadia is pictured right at the 2019 Brownlow Medal

'PSA: I'm getting a lot of Nadia gags knocked back tonight,' he tweeted.

While his tweets about Nadia didn't make the cut, Dane did manage to squeeze in plenty of jokes about the players and WAGs.

'Can vouch for winning a Brownlow makes you infinitely better looking. Guess nothing is changing for Clayton Oliver then,' he said of this year's winning player.

'When did Nat Fyfe join the John Butler Trio?' he added in another tweet.

Turning his attention to the players' performance, he tweeted of Geelong's Gary Rohan: '[He] got more votes in that round than kicks in the entire finals series.'

Loose unit: AFL legend and 2011 Brownlow medallist Dane Swan (pictured) hosted his annual 'takeover' of Sportsbet's Twitter account during Sunday night's ceremony - but was gagged from making jokes about the embattled ex-wife of Jimmy Bartel

Ouch: As he fired off a slew of tweets mocking the AFL's night of nights, the Collingwood great told fans 'a lot' of jokes about Nadia had been rejected by Sportsbet's social media team. Nadia is pictured with ex-husband Jimmy Bartel of the Geelong Cats at the 2010 Brownlow Medal

Censored: 'PSA: I'm getting a lot of Nadia gags knocked back tonight,' he tweeted

Dane also joked about the ceremony being held in Perth, penning several tweets about Western Australia being shut off from the rest of the nation during Covid.

'Big thanks to the country of WA for hosting AFL's night of nights,' he tweeted from his home in Melbourne.

Dane went on to complain about the length of the ceremony, while adding a witty reference to Victoria's Covid 'roadmap'.

Hilarious: While his gags about Nadia - who was caught snorting white powder at an illegal party during Melbourne's lockdown earlier this month - didn't make the cut, Dane (pictured with his Brownlow Medal in 2011) did squeeze in plenty of jokes about the players and WAGs

Barbed: In addition to taking swipes at the players and their spouses, he also referenced the Brownlow being held in Perth and Meatloaf's infamous performance at the 2011 Grand Final

'This night is dragging on so long, we're going to need [host] Hamish [McLachlan] to give us a roadmap to get out of it,' he wrote.

While many of his tweets were hilarious, it was the joke Dane didn't make that drew the most commentary in the Twittersphere.

His tweet about his 'Nadia gags [being] knocked back' received hundreds of likes and attracted dozens of cutting responses from fans.

'Snorted when I read this,' tweeted one follower, to which another replied: 'Was it off a Kmart plate?'

Scandal: Nadia (left), who was married to 2007 Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel (right) for five years until their separation in 2019, was caught attending an illegal party during Melbourne's Covid lockdown earlier this month

Nadia, who was married to 2007 Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel for five years until their separation in 2019, was caught attending an illegal party during Melbourne's Covid lockdown earlier this month.

She and three other women were each fined $5,452 after damning footage of the party was accidentally posted on Instagram by her friend Ellie Pearson.

But the most humiliating part of the scandal was seeing Nadia, once known for her impeccably clean-cut image, snorting a line of white powder off a $1.50 Kmart plate.

While she wasn't charged with drug offences because police couldn't prove what she was snorting, the video nonetheless caused irreparable damage to her brand and she was dropped by major sponsors.

Caught on camera: She and three other women were each fined $5,452 after damning footage of the party was accidentally posted on Instagram by her friend Ellie Pearson. Nadia, once known for her clean-cut image, was filmed snorting a line of white powder off a Kmart plate

Bad luck: While Nadia (left) wasn't charged with drug offences because police couldn't prove what she was snorting, the video nonetheless caused irreparable damage to her brand

Just 24 hours after the video leaked on September 2, Nadia issued a grovelling apology on Instagram, where she has 568,000 followers.

'Hi everyone, I have let you all down by my actions,' she wrote.

'I take full responsibility and I am committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure I make better choices in future.

'To my family and friends, my business partners and the public health workers trying to keep us all safe, I am embarrassed and remorseful.

'I am truly and deeply sorry. I hope I can earn your forgiveness and, in time, your trust.'
Georgia Fowler has welcomed her first child, a baby girl, with her boyfriend Nathan Dalah.

The New Zealand model, 29, announced the news via Instagram on Monday, posting two photos of the adorable newborn lying in her crib.

Revealing her daughter's name in the caption, Georgia wrote: 'Dylan Aman Dalah. 17.9.21. Welcome to the world. We love you so much.'

Congratulations! Georgia Fowler has welcomed her first child, a baby girl, with her boyfriend Nathan Dalah. The New Zealand model, 29, announced the news via Instagram on Monday, posting two photos of the adorable newborn lying in her crib

Georgia's army of celebrity pals quickly commented on the post, with footy WAG Rebecca Judd writing: 'Congratulations- shes a beauty.'

Activewear mogul Pip Edwards added: 'So so beautiful! Congratulations.'

Auckland-born Georgia announced she was expecting her first child with Fishbowl co-founder Nathan back in April.

Adorable: Revealing her daughter's name in the caption, Georgia wrote: 'Dylan Aman Dalah. 17.9.21. Welcome to the world. We love you so much'

Parents: Auckland-born Georgia (left) announced she was expecting her first child with Fishbowl co-founder Nathan (right) back in April

At the time, she shared the news by writing: 'We can't wait to meet you, little one.'

'It's been hard to keep this one quiet, but now it's pretty hard to hide,' she added.

'Nathan and I couldn't be happier to share our exciting news with you. We cannot wait to meet you little one and begin our next adventure together. The best is yet to come.'

Bumping along! Georgia had documented her pregnancy with bump updates on Instagram

She also shared a video of her sonogram, showing the active baby bouncing around in her stomach.

'Our little bouncing bean,' she captioned it.

Nathan also shared the news on his own Instagram account, and revealed they were having a daughter.

The couple confirmed their romance in February last year, and already share a puppy together called Chilli.
The Bock's Tanya Guccione lashed out at Ronnie and Georgia Caceres after the couple accused her of breaking the rules during Sunday night's episode.

Last week, the teams were tasked with creating a piece from shipwrecked items for their guest bedrooms.

Tanya and her husband, Vito, created a large fidget planter, which was too bulky for their kids' room so they were allowed to slightly tweak the piece.

Drama: The Block's Tanya Guccione (pictured) lashed out at Ronnie and Georgia Caceres after they accused her of breaking the rules on Sunday night

Georgia called a 'super casual and not serious' group meeting to discuss the rules, but things quickly became heated.

'We'll make ours a bookcase. We'll keep the pallet but get rid of the steering wheel section,' Tanya explained.

'The whole argument is we all knew we were creating something to go in our rooms from the beginning,' Mark McKie said.

'That's why I went with boring shelves,' Georgia added, referencing her and Ronnie's piece.

Challenge: Last week, the teams were tasked with creating a piece from shipwrecked items for their guest bedrooms. Tanya and her husband, Vito, created a large fidget planter (pictured), which was too bulky for their kids' room so they were allowed to slightly tweak the piece

A frustrated Georgia then stood on a chair and yelled: 'What's the rules? What are the rules?'

Tanya immediately stormed off and vented her frustrations about Ronnie and Georgia to the producers.

'He just talks so much rubbish... he's just a d**khead,' she said.

Tension: Georgia called a 'super casual' group meeting but things quickly became heated as she stood on a chair and started yelling: 'What's the rules? What are the rules?'

'Georgia's the same. She just loves getting up there.'

Elsewhere, a more composed Georgia said of Tanya: 'There's this entitlement to think that you can do whatever you want. It really blows my mind.

'This is not real life; this is The Block. We're in a competition. It's a reality TV series with rules in place and I'm just perplexed someone thinks they're above all of this.'
The saying goes that 'three's a crowd.'

Yet sisters Lady Kitty, Amelia and Eliza Spencer proved that their trio can pose up a storm as they arrived for the Perfect Magazine and NoMad London Fashion Week party on Sunday.

The blonde beauties aligned their fashion senses for the glamorous evening as they joined forces to celebrate Perfect Issue One, Joy, and the official launch of NoMad, London.

I got all my Spencer sisters with me! Lady Kitty (middle) Amelia (left) and Eliza (right) looked beautiful in black for the Perfect Magazine and NoMad London Fashion Week party on Sunday

The daughters of Charles Spencer and Victoria Lockwood looked incredible in all-black attire.

Twins Amelia and Eliza, 29, glowed alongside their equally stunning elder sister, 30, as the girls stopped for a photo opportunity.

Lady Kitty - a spokesperson for Dolce & Gabbana - wowed in a strapless ensemble and completed the look with velvet heels.

Sisters: The blonde beauties aligned their fashion senses for the glamorous evening

Three's not a crowd: Twins Amelia and Eliza, 29, glowed alongside their equally stunning elder sister, 30, as the girls stopped for a photo opportunity

Meanwhile, Amelia embraced a suit-style look, whilst her twin showcased her lithe frame in a blazer dress.

The sisters' family ties include being the nieces of the late Princess Diana, thus also being the first cousins of Prince William and Harry.

The Spencer family is one of a noble status and it holds multiple peerages.

Dazzling: Lady Kitty - a spokesperson for Dolce & Gabbana - wowed in a strapless ensemble

Perfect Magazine, one of the organisations being celebrated on Sunday, is described as a 'creative community' which creates multi-platform content for and with brands.

It aims to works with creators and influential voices to produce and promote work that is delivered in 'imaginative, forward-thinking ways'.

The company's Instagram profile has accumulated support and is almost at an impressive 100,000 followers.

London Fashion Week takes place twice a year, in February and September.

It is branded one of the Big Four fashion weeks, along with the events in New York, Milan and Paris.

The fashion catwalk shows and events exhibit over 250 designers to a global audience of influential media and retailers throughout the week.
Selena Gomez bared her midriff after enjoying lunch at Cactus Taqueria in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The 29-year-old 'Texican' pop star dressed down in a grey cropped sweatshirt, black quilted pants, and b&w-striped slides.

Selena was joined by a mystery friend for the Mexican meal.

Out and about: Selena Gomez bared her midriff after enjoying lunch at Cactus Taqueria in Los Angeles on Sunday

Gomez's street sighting came after she got a last-minute helix piercing in a TikTok posted by Girlpool indie rocker Harmony Tividad last Wednesday.

The Rare Beauty founder wore a slinky silk gown and a pink face mask to protect herself and others from the coronavirus as her upper ear cartilage was pierced.

Selena then took a selfie with the piercer rocking tattooed sleeves and a vintage Motley Crue T-shirt.

Gomez was also joined by TJ Duderstadt, who got his belly button pierced after failing to locate Build-A-Bear Workshop at the Glendale Galleria.

Casually clad: The 29-year-old 'Texican' pop star dressed down in a grey cropped sweatshirt, black quilted pants, and b&w-striped slides

Deep in discussion: Selena was joined by a mystery friend for the Mexican meal

The 999 songstress executive produces and stars as true crime podcaster Mabel Mora in the 11-episode series Only Murders in the Building, which streams Tuesdays on Hulu.

Selena spent special one-on-one time bonding with her castmate Aaron Dominguez, who plays 'Tie Dye Guy' aka Oscar in the who-done-it co-created by Steve Martin.

'It was very simple because she approached it in the way of like, "You know, the easiest way for this to translate on camera is if we just start hanging out and getting to know one another,"' the 27-year-old actor told Seventeen last Thursday.

'Building that friendship off-camera was pivotal; I got to know her and fully come into the work side of it while being in tune with the personal side as well. It was definitely a beautiful journey to share alongside her, because Selena's very sweet and welcoming. There was nothing that ever made the process difficult, everything was wonderful.'

'Babe, got something right here!' Gomez's street sighting came after she got a last-minute helix piercing in a TikTok posted by Girlpool indie rocker Harmony Tividad last Wednesday

Sitting pretty: The Rare Beauty founder wore a slinky silk gown and a pink face mask to protect herself and others from the coronavirus as her upper ear cartilage was pierced

Thanks! Selena then took a selfie with the piercer rocking tattooed sleeves and a vintage Motley Crue T-shirt

Up close and personal: Gomez was also joined by TJ Duderstadt (R), who got his belly button pierced after failing to locate Build-A-Bear Workshop at the Glendale Galleria

Last Tuesday, Gomez - who boasts 479M social media followers - announced the 'most-watched,' Upper West Side-set comedy was officially renewed for a second season.

The former Disney Channel star will also reprise her voiceover role as Mavis in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, which premieres October 1 on Amazon Prime Video.

Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska's animated four-quel also features Andy Samberg, Jim Gaffigan, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, and Fran Drescher.

Streams Tuesdays on Hulu! The 999 songstress executive produces and stars as true crime podcaster Mabel Mora in the 11-episode series Only Murders in the Building

'Selena's very sweet and welcoming': Selena spent special one-on-one time bonding with her castmate Aaron Dominguez (L), who plays 'Tie Dye Guy' aka Oscar in the who-done-it co-created by Steve Martin
HYDERABAD: TRS working president K.T. Rama Rao came down heavily on TPCC chief A. Revanth Reddy for calling him brand ambassador for drugs while addressing a public meeting in Gajwel on Friday.

Rama Rao dared Revanth Reddy to prove his charge that he was involved in the drugs case. "How am I connected with the drug case? I am ready to take drug analysis tests at any time. I am ready to give my blood and hair samples. Revanth should tell if Rahul Gandhi will undergo drug analysis tests along with me," asked Rama Rao.

In an informal interaction with the media personnel at Telangana Bhavan here, Rama Rao threatened to file sedition cases against those who were using abusive language against the Chief Minister and the TRS leaders.

He challenged Revanth Reddy to retain the deposit in the upcoming bypoll in Huzurabad Assembly constituency, let alone talking about the Congress coming to power in Telangana.

Stating that BJP's Etala Rajendar was not a bigger leader than the Congress's K. Jana Reddy, Rama Rao said, "A political novice from the TRS had defeated a big leader like Jana Reddy in Nagarjunasagar Assembly bypoll in April. The same will be repeated in Huzurabad where our first-time contestant Gellu Srinivas Yadav will defeat six-time MLA Rajendar. Revanth is talking about the Congress coming to power in Telangana. I challenge him to retain the deposit in Huzurabad for the Congress candidate first."

Rao said a fool had written a letter to the Enforcement Directorate on drugs issue and he need not respond to it.

Strongly condemning the demeaning and abusive language being used by the Opposition leaders against the leaders of the ruling party, Rao said, We will not spare anyone and expose them at an appropriate time. If they do not mend their ways, we will not hesitate to file sedition cases against them."

The minister lashed out at the BJP for trying to gain political mileage even out of September 17 by creating communal tensions. He said it was the communists who fought against Nizams during Telangana armed struggle and questioned if the BJP or Jan Sangh had even existed at that time. Rama Rao found fault with Union home minister Amit Shah for not uttering a single word in Nirmal public meeting on Friday on what the Centre sanctioned to Telangana in the last seven years.

He said though Amit Shah spoke at length during the BJP meeting, he did not utter a word about the Centre allocating any project to Telangana. He alleged that the Modi government did not approve pensions to the freedom fighters of Telangana armed struggle despite repeated requests by the state government. Referring to Shah's charge that the TRS was afraid of AIMIM, Rama Rao said it was the BJP which was scared of AIMIM in Telangana and everyone knew it.
Paddy was sown in 51.48 lakh acres across the state as of Saturday in the ongoing Kharif season. (PTI Photo)

HYDERABAD: The state government is being compelled to impose restrictions on paddy cultivation in the upcoming Rabi season after the Food Corporation of India (FCI) tweaked its rice procurement policy for public distribution system (PDS), according to official sources in the agriculture department.

Telangana is second only to Punjab as a major contributor of rice among all states to PDS.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is expected to hold a meeting on regulating paddy cultivation for Rabi soon as the ongoing Kharif will end on September 31. The government is clueless on what to do with the abundant rice stocks of nearly 40 lakh tonnes from the Rabi season lying in the rice mills.

Paddy was sown in 51.48 lakh acres across the state as of Saturday in the ongoing Kharif season. The harvest is expected from October which will further compound the state governments woes.

Meanwhile, the FCI has made it clear that it will henceforth not procure boiled rice from Telangana and it wants only raw rice. TS produces 90 per cent boiled rice and just 10 per cent raw rice. The state government procures paddy from farmers at the maximum support price (MSP) every season and sends the stock to rice mills for milling, which are later purchased by FCI for PDS distribution across the country.

The TS government takes nearly Rs 30,000 crore loans from various banks to procure paddy from farmers. It repays the loans after FCI purchases rice stock and reimburses the amount. As FCI refused to purchase rice stocks, the TS government will suffer huge losses since it will be forced to dispose of stocks at whatever price the traders seek.

In the recent Rabi, the state government procured 91.63 lakh tonnes of paddy from farmers. These stocks were sent for milling from which 62.75 lakh metric tonnes of boiled rice will be produced. But FCI has agreed to purchase only 24.75 lakh tonnes of boiled rice and for the ongoing kharif, FCI made it clear that it will not purchase any boiled rice but only raw rice.

Against this backdrop, the government wants to regulate paddy farming in the next Rabi and ask farmers to cultivate only 'sanna biyyam' (superfine quality rice), which is in demand in the market. The government wants to make it clear that it will only procure fine quality paddy from farmers for MSP from this rabi and those farmers who opt for traditional boiled rice have to do it at their own risk.
When Vijays film, Thalaiva (Leader), was all set to be released in theatres in 2013, with a tagline Time to Lead, it ran into trouble with the then AIADMK government banning its release.

Chennai: Some fans of film actor Vijay are likely to contest the rural local body elections in nine districts, to be held on October 6 and 9, perhaps with a view to paving the way for their hero to take the political plunge through the later elections in the State.

However, the fans with such political aspirations have been advised not to use the name of the fan club, Vijay Rasigar Mandram, though there seemed to have no bar on the carrying the photograph of Vijay in their propaganda material.

A meeting of office-bearers of Vijay Rasigar Mandram that met at Panaiyur in Chennai on Friday had discussed the issue in detail though no official communique on the proceedings was issued.

That Vijay has political aspirations has been revealed in many occasions in the past though nothing has been ever announced openly.

When Vijays film, Thalaiva (Leader), was all set to be released in theatres in 2013, with a tagline Time to Lead, it ran into trouble with the then AIADMK government banning its release.

Perhaps Vijay was following the footsteps of actor Vijaykanth, who, prior to his launching the Desiya Murpoku Dravidar Kazhagam (DMDK), had asked members of his fan club to contest the 2001 panchayat polls and also use his images.

The DMDK was started later in 2005 and it was the fan club that helped building the party infrastructure around the State. Even in this rural local body polls, the DMDK is going alone without any alliance with bigger parties.

Kamal Haasan, whose Makkal Neethi Maiam had already contested a Lok Sabha and an Assembly elections, is also facing the voters on its own strength.

With the PMK deciding to break free of the AIADMK-led alliance, the AIADMK held talks with party functionaries of Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu district. On Friday, the party honchos had met State leaders of BJP apparently to discuss the seat-sharing.

Meanwhile, the State Election Commission appointed IAS officers as observers for the local body polls. Each of the nine districts that are going to polls  Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Vellore, Tirupattur, Ranipet, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi  has been entrusted with an officer.

To supervise the casual election to fill up local body posts in the other 28 districts, a total of 11 officers have been appointed with some of them in charge of two districts and some three districts.
HYDERABAD: Led by the Congress, all Opposition parties in Telangana decided to fight unitedly against the anti-farmer policies of the BJP government at the Centre and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) government in the state. The Opposition parties also decided to launch a series of agitation programmes on subjects pertaining to tribal lands, land acquisitions and Dharani portal.

The decision was taken at an all-party meeting convened by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president and MP A. Revanth Reddy at Gandhi Bhavan on Sunday. The meeting was attended by CPI state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy, CPI (M) secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram, Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) president Prof. M. Kodandaram, CPI-ML Secretary S. Ranga Rao, Cheruku Sudhakar (Inti Party) and Govardhan (CPI-ML New Democracy).

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Revanth Reddy informed that an all-party maha dharna on farmers' issues would be organised at Indira Park on September 22. He urged the farmers and others to make the maha dharna a grand success.

Revanth Reddy said committees would be formed at Parliamentary-constituency level to ensure grand success of the proposed Bharat Bandh on September 27. He said all political parties would work together to make the Bharat Bandh more effective. Prominent leaders would lead the protest at national highways connecting Hyderabad. He said activists and leaders of all Opposition parties in every constituency should be on road on September 27 to register their protest. He also appealed to the people to participate in the Bharat Bandh.

The TPCC president said all-party delegations would submit joint representations to the district collectors on September 30 seeking redressal of problems being faced by the farmers. On October 5, agitation programmes would be held with regard to Podu lands in the 400 km connecting corridor. A 'Podu Rasta Roko' from Adilabad to Aswaraopet will also be organised.

Revanth Reddy said tribal communities had been doing cultivation on forest lands stretched across 20 Assembly constituencies for decades. However, those tribals were not issued any pattas for those lands. He blamed Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao for the rise in incidents of clashes between the tribals and forest department personnel. He said the TRS government had failed to resolve the disputes pertaining to forest lands despite giving several assurances.

Veerabhadram said the Opposition parties would continue their struggle till all demands were resolved. Chada Venkat Reddy said as many as 19 political parties at the national level joined hands under the leadership of Congress president Sonia Gandhi to launch joint agitation on farmers' issues. He said CPI workers would work actively along with other parties to ensure success of proposed agitation programmes.

Kodandaram appealed to the people to support the Opposition parties' maha dharna on September 22, Bharat Bandh on September 27 and other programmes. He said everyone must support the agitation to protect the rights of Podu farmers.

Rangarao said the Modi and the KCR governments neglected the problems being faced by common people. Therefore, agitation was the only way to pressurise the government to address the issues concerning farmers and other sections of society. The meeting was also attended by TPCC vice presidents Mallu Ravi, Vem Narender Reddy, Kisan Congress national vice president M. Kodanda Reddy, Prof P.L. Vishveshwar Rao, K. Rama and others.
A young Afghan girls stands next to her mother participating with other Afghan women against Pakistan and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: Pakistan has said that it has suffered most from the Afghanistan war stressing that it faced nearly "80,000 casualties" and over "USD 150 billion" in financial losses, local media reported.

Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, spokesperson for Pakistan's Foreign Office, on Saturday said that after Afghanistan, Pakistan has suffered most has been the biggest victim of decades of the Afghan conflict.

"Of all the countries of the world, Pakistan has suffered the most -- with over 80,000 casualties and more than 150 billion US dollars in economic losses," he said.

Earlier, the European Parliament in a resolution over Afghanistan's situation, alleged that Pakistan is "assisting the Taliban" in fighting the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) in the Panjshir Valley "by supplying its special forces and providing air support", according to The News International.

Ahmad expressed dissatisfaction over the remarks saying that Islamabad played a crucial role in the Doha peace process and subsequent intra-Afghan negotiations.

However, Afghans and the previous Kabul government had blamed Pakistan for its proxy war in Afghanistan.

In August, Afghans all across the world had staged protests against Pakistan and called for a UN sanction against Islamabad.
CriticaLog India Pvt. Ltd., a provider of critical logistics solutions, is set to raise around Rs 150 crore in Series-A funding from new investors to fund its expansion.

The seven-year-old start-up company has so far raised only seed funding from Switzerland-based LoGon Investments.

CriticaLog provides critical solutions across life, digital goods, engineering, e-com, luxury, automobiles, and energy while providing shipping services, special handling services. With expertise in delivering critical, luxury, and high-value items for several Fortune 500 companies, CriticaLog is now foraying into the B2C segment. It plans to help MSME customers deliver their goods across the country.

We are present all across the country. We will use our logistics strength to help MSMEs go online, Sujoy Guha, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, CriticaLog, told DH.

The company is setting up a separate business division to help offline businesses go online and deliver their goods across the country, he said.

We are in talks with investors to raise around Rs 150 crore to fund our expansion plans. We wish to close the deal in the next two to three months, Guha said.

CriticaLog has built a niche delivery model and tech-enabled systems such as Track & Trace software, GPS vehicle locator and movement monitoring, hand-held units for remote data entry and RFID. It is now looking to strengthen its IT systems further. In the last seven years, it has acquired over 700 clients, including many Fortune 500 companies. Wipro, HCL, Bosch, Louis Vuitton, and Raymond Weil are some of its clients. Recently, CriticaLog also delivered raw materials for pharmaceutical companies and Covid-19 vaccines across the country and even to worn-torn Syria, where no other logistics provider dared to go.

As part of its expansion, CriticaLog plans to service MSME customers to deliver their goods like art, artefacts, IT & ITeS equipment, computers, laptops, and servers, among many others. It plans to hire dedicated delivery staff separately for the last mile.

To begin with, we will be hiring at least 300 people and add thousands as we go forward to deliver goods across Tier-1 to Tier-4 cities and towns in the country, Guha said.

The company is in advanced discussion with the investment bankers to prepare the information memorandum (IM) ahead of reaching out to potential investors.

CriticaLog is also planning to expand its reach in overseas markets. It has already tested the market by delivering temperature-controlled large consignments in Syria, the US, Europe, North America and Asia.

We are entering into Express cargo delivery across several countries. We will get into cross-border offline to online business, Guha said and added that 80% of its customers are MNCs and are getting service in the country.

It plans to deliver engineering goods, high-end precision spare parts for top German and Japanese companies.

With Rs 70 crore in fiscal 2021, CriticaLog aims to double its revenues to Rs 150 crore by March 2022. Over the next five years, it plans to achieve an annual growth rate of 40%.

Check the latest DH videos here:
Two persons waylaid and assaulted a Hindu man for giving a lift to his female Muslim colleague on Friday night. The accused abused the woman, forced her off the bike and also abused her husband over the phone.

The incident happened near Dairy Circle on Hosur Road. The Suddaguntepalya police registered a case following a complaint by the woman and arrested the two accused. All names have been withheld.

Police took up the matter after the video clips of the incident went viral on social media. "Two youths from the Muslim community have been arrested and their mobile phones have been seized. Further investigation is ongoing," a police officer said, refusing to divulge more information in view of a high court order.

Police registered a case under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including section 34 for the act done with common intention, promoting enmity on grounds of religion (153-A), outraging the modesty of a woman (IPC 354), assault (IPC 323) and criminal intimidation (IPC 596).

Police sources said the woman and the man work in a company near Richmond Circle and he was dropping her home after work. The accused chased them and waylaid their bike before assaulting the man.

One of the video clips shows the accused threatening the man. "If you ever take a woman clad in burqua on your bike again...," the accused is heard saying before assaulting him repeatedly.

The accused force the woman to give the number of her husband and call him. The husband is overheard trying to explain that he knows that she was getting help from a friend to reach home. The accused then forced her to get off the bike and into an autorickshaw.

As the issue took a communal turn on social media, some pointed out that it hits at the heart of the cosmopolitan spirit of the city and a few noted the harassment of the woman. In some of the clips, the woman is seen trying to question the accused over their behaviour but is forced into silence with a warning against travelling with non-Muslim.

DCP for South East Division Joshi Srinath Mahadev, City Police Commissioner Kamal Panth and even Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai tweeted about the incident.

In connection with the case of assault on a bike rider travelling alongwith a woman of different faith,@BlrCityPolice has acted swiftly, identified & secured 2 accused persons. A case is registered & legal action is initiated. My Govt. deals with such incidents with an iron hand.  Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) September 19, 2021

"In connection with the case of assault on a bike rider travelling along with a woman of a different faith, @BlrCityPolice has acted swiftly, identified & secured 2 accused persons. A case is registered & legal action is initiated. My Govt. deals with such incidents with an iron hand," Bommai tweeted.

Check out DH's latest videos
A day after his wife, two daughters and a son were found hanging in an apparent suicide pact, the editor of a Kannada newspaper blamed his deceased spouse for the whole tragedy.

In an eight-page police complaint on Saturday, Hallegere Shankar stated that his wife, Bharathi, 51, was the root cause of endless disputes in the family. He alleged that she didnt allow their daughters to live with their husbands, thereby wrecking their marital lives.

On Friday evening, Shankars wife, daughters Sinchana, 34, Sindhurani, 31, and son Madhusagar, 25, were found hanging in the familys home in Thigalarapalya, off Magadi Road. Sindhuranis nine-month-old baby boy was found dead on a bed, apparently starved to death. Sinchanas two-and-a-half-year-old daughter was rescued from a state of near-starvation.

Police suspect that the three women killed themselves on September 13 and Madhusagar ended his life two days later because his body was not as decomposed as the other three corpses.

Also read: 5 including 9-month-old found dead in Bengaluru house; toddler survives

In the complaint, Shankar made several allegations against his family members but laid the most blame on his deceased wife.

He stated that she often egged their daughters to stay away from their husbands. Whenever the daughters complained of petty issues in their marital lives, Bharathi supported them instead of counselling them. Both Sinchana and Sindhurani had been living with their parents for the past one and a half years. Twenty days ago, Sindhurani allegedly consumed some pills and later filed a police complaint against her husband, Srikanth. Sinchana had similar fights with her husband Praveen Kumar.

There were financial disputes, too.

Madhusagar wanted to open a bar in Ittamadu and had spent lakhs on setting up the business. He got the excise licence and had asked for his fathers signature on some papers. Shankar refused, resulting in another fight.

On September 12, Shankar had a heated argument with his family over two issues. He had asked his wife and son to give him Rs 10 lakh for building an ashram. They said no. All the money was in his wifes custody, and she gave it to him whenever needed.

The same day, Bharathi and Sindhurani quarrelled with Shankar over holding the sacramental ear-piercing ceremony for the infant. Fed up with these issues, Shankar left home in a huff and returned on Friday evening only to discover the deaths.

After his father left home, Madhusagar tried calling him and texted him, promising to pay Rs 10 lakh but Shankar chose not to respond.

Infant starved to death: Docs

All the five bodies were handed over to the family on Saturday after the post mortem at Victoria Hospital. The last rites were performed at the Sumanahalli crematorium.

While police are waiting for autopsy reports, a senior officer quoted doctors as saying that the nine-month-old baby had starved to death.

Daughters had IAS/IPS dreams

Shankars deceased daughters, Sinchana and Sindhurani, had been preparing for UPSC exams and aspired to get into IAS/IPS, police sources say.

Sinchana was an MBA graduate while Sindhurani had studied engineering. Their brother, Madhusagar, also an engineer, worked for a nationalised bank.

Police question all

Police are checking the text messages and phone calls of the four deceased persons and questioning the relatives to verify Shankars allegations.

Investigators questioned Shankars sons-in-law, Kumar and Srikanth, about when and why their wives left them and what they had done to bring them back.

Surviving child stable

Sinchana and Kumars daughter, rescued from a state of near-starvation, is recovering in a hospital. Kumar was horrified to learn that the child went without food for days. Madhusagar, who the police believe took his life two days later, had fed something to the child. The child may not have eaten anything after he also ended his life.

Check out the latest DH videos:
A dispute over a five-acre plot of land near the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has claimed the scalp of two police inspectors in nine months. In both cases, the inspectors were reportedly caught taking bribes from the landowner.

The land in question is located in Shettigere village near the toll plaza on the way to the airport in northern Bengaluru. Its worth crores of rupees at current market prices.

On Saturday, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) announced that it had caught Chikkajala police inspector Raghavendra S R taking a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from the landowner. The inspectors friend, also named Raghavendra, was arrested for being his partner in crime, the ACB added.

The landowner had approached the inspector for help in evicting trespassers from the property. The trespassers were none other than people he had fought with in court over land ownership. While the court ruled in his favour, the other side allegedly trespassed on the land in early September and damaged the boards. The landowner met the inspector and requested him to take the necessary action.

While the police opened a case of trespass, damaging the boards and theft, the inspector allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 10 lakh to resolve the issue. The landowner reportedly paid him Rs 8 lakh in two instalments but the inspector insisted that he pay another Rs 2 lakh. The landowner complained to the ACB against the inspector two days ago.

The ACB registered a case and asked the landowner to pay the inspector Rs 2 lakh. When the landowner went to him with the money, the inspector asked him to pay it to his friend Raghavendra.

ACB officers caught the inspectors friend when he allegedly accepted the money. The inspector was arrested subsequently.

Raghavendra is the second inspector to walk into the ACBs trap over the land dispute bribery. In January, the corruption watchdog had caught a revenue inspector and a head constable for taking bribes from the landowner. The arrests led the ACB to the-then inspector of the Chikkajala police station, Yeshwanth. The police top brass subsequently suspended Yeshwanth and posted Raghavendra in his place.

"Dont complain against me to the ACB," Raghavendra is said to have told the landowner after demanding the bribe. Promising to resolve the issue, the inspector said to the landowner that he trusted that he wouldnt trap him like he had his predecessor, said a senior ACB officer.

Social service and politics

Inspector Raghavendra is said to be very active in social service in Pavagada taluk, Tumakuru district, and goes there almost every week. He has established a trust there and recently introduced a mobile digital vehicle to help people apply for various government services, get printouts, photocopies and other documents. Many people in Pavagada believe he will enter politics soon.

In a Facebook post around 6.30 pm on Saturday, the inspector wrote: I will come out clean. I wont get affected by your conspiracies. People who love me and my fans need not worry.

Check out the latest DH videos:
France would have known Australia had deep and grave concerns that a submarine fleet the French were building would not meet Australian needs, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Sunday after the contract's cancellation set off a diplomatic crisis.

France accused Australia of concealing its intentions to back out of the 90 billion Australian dollar ($66 billion) contract for French majority state-owned Naval Group to build 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines.

President Joe Biden revealed last week a new alliance including Australia and Britain that would deliver an Australian fleet of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.

Morrison blamed the switch on a deteriorating strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific. He has not specifically referred to China's massive military buildup, which has gained pace in recent years.

The capability that the Attack class submarines were going to provide was not what Australia needed to protect our sovereign interests, Morrison said.

They would have had every reason to know that we have deep and grave concerns that the capability being delivered by the Attack class submarine was not going to meet our strategic interests and we have made very clear that we would be making a decision based on our strategic national interest, he added, referring to the French government.

France responded to the contract cancellation, which Morrison has said will cost his government at least $1.7 billion, by recalling its ambassadors from Australia and the United States.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Saturday denounced what he called the duplicity, disdain and lies surrounding the sudden end of the contract and said France was now questioning the strength of the alliance.

China has denounced the sharing of such US and British nuclear technology as irresponsible.

France won the contract in 2016 over offers from Germany and Japan. The Shortfin Barracuda was to be a nuclear submarine design adapted to be powered by diesel on the surface and battery underwater.

Japan was particularly disappointed because then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott had promised the close defense ally the contract before he was deposed by his own party in 2015.

The government has talked down media reports of ructions between the partners in the French submarine project and delays on the original delivery date of 2027.

There have been concerns of a defense capability gap emerging that the aging Australia-made Collins class conventional submarines could not fill.

Australia's first nuclear submarines are not expected to be delivered until close to 2040.

Defense Minister Peter Dutton said his government was prepared to lease nuclear submarines from the United States while Australia's fleet was being built.

Dutton and Foreign Minister Marise Payne are in the United States for annual meetings with their US counterparts and their first with the Biden administration.

Morrison flies to the United States on Monday for a meeting with Biden and the leaders of India and Japan that make up the Quad security forum.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has not ruled out seeking re-election to parliament within the next two years, he told Reuters in an interview, despite a corruption conviction that would block him from running.

Najib's graft-tainted party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), clinched the premiership last month after it was ousted from power three years ago over a multi-billion dollar scandal. Opponents had expressed fears that party leaders facing criminal charges could secure leniency once back in control.

Najib, who served as premier for nine years until 2018, was found guilty of corruption last year and sentenced to 12 years in jail over one of many cases over the misappropriation of money from now-defunct state fund 1MDB. He has denied wrongdoing and has appealed the verdict, while calling for a probe of his prosecution which he says was politically motivated.

He is still a member of parliament but the constitution bars him from contesting elections unless he gets a pardon or a reprieve from the country's monarch.

Speaking to Reuters on Saturday, Najib challenged his disqualification, saying: "It is subject to interpretation."

"It depends on interpretation in terms of the law, the constitution and whatever happens in court proceedings," Najib said.

Asked if he would contest the next elections due by 2023, he said: "Any politician who would want to play a role would want a seat in parliament."

He declined to specify, however, how he could get around the constitutional barriers.

Public Trust

UMNO, which held power for more than 60 years until outrage over the 1MDB scandal and the opulence displayed by Najib's family helped to dislodge it, is eager to regain public trust under Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's nascent government, which must also address factional infighting.

Najib has pursued a public relations campaign to shed his image as an elite and to portray himself as a man of the people. He remains a popular figure on social media, where his critique of past governments has earned him praise.

Najib said in the interview that he has discussed with Ismail Sabri a possible role for him in government. Media reports have said he could be made an economic adviser.

The former premier would not say if he would accept a position, saying his priority was on clearing his name.

He also said UMNO's return to power guarantees "temporary political stability" and that he would not call for early elections, like he had with Ismail Sabri's predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin. Muhyiddin's government collapsed when Najib and some UMNO lawmakers withdrew their support.

Malaysia has seen political instability since the 2018 polls, with two coalitions collapsing because of infighting.

Constitutional barriers

A future Najib candidacy would face a constitutional provision that any person sentenced to imprisonment for more than one year or fined more than 2,000 ringgit ($480) is disqualified from contesting a parliamentary election.

Constitutional lawyer New Sin Yew said Najib can run only if he succeeds in his appeal, receives a royal pardon, or if the king uses his discretion to remove the disqualification despite the conviction remaining in place.

Malaysian and US authorities say more than $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB, some of which went into Najib's bank accounts. The US Department of Justice has described the scandal as "kleptocracy at its worst."

Najib, who faces more than 40 charges of abuse of power, money laundering and other offences mostly linked to 1MDB, said he can prove his innocence even as many entities and individuals around the world have admitted guilt or paid hefty penalties and settlements over the scandal.

Malaysian prosecutors have said Najib, who co-founded 1MDB in 2009, played a central role.

Since his election defeat, the United States has returned to Malaysia more than $1 billion in funds it recouped from assets bought with stolen 1MDB money.

Najib said the charges against him were politically motivated and he is pushing for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into former Attorney General Tommy Thomas of the post-UMNO government, who first brought the cases against him in 2018.

"I've been insisting on it. The RCI is to establish that it will be a fair and just trial for everyone, not just for me," he said.

Thomas did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

Najib said he had discussed the proposal with Ismail Sabri, who has so far not agreed to it, and he had also discussed it with Muhyiddin, who rejected it.

Spokespersons for Ismail Sabri and Muhyiddin did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Check out DH's latest videos:
Every night in yet another house in Afghanistan's capital, a US green card-holding couple from California take turns sleeping, with one always awake to watch over their three young children so they can flee if they hear the footsteps of the Taliban.

They've moved seven times in two weeks, relying on relatives to take them in and feed them. Their days are an uncomfortable mix of fear and boredom, restricted to a couple of rooms where they read, watch TV and play The Telephone Game in which they whisper secrets and pass them on, a diversion for the children that has the added benefit of keeping them quiet.

All of it goes on during the agonizing wait for a call from anybody who can help them get out. A US State Department official contacted them several days ago to tell them they were being assigned a case worker, but they haven't heard a word since. They tried and failed to get on a flight and now are talking to an international rescue organization.

"We are scared and keep hiding ourselves more and more," the mother said in a text message to The Associated Press. "Whenever we feel breathless, I pray."

Through messages, emails and phone conversations with loved ones and rescue groups, AP has pieced together what day-to-day life has been like for some of those left behind after the US military's chaotic withdrawal -- that includes US citizens, permanent US resident green-card holders and visa applicants who aided U.S. troops during the 20-year war.

Also read: Afghan survivors of errant US drone strike seek probe

Those contacted by AP -- who are not being identified for their own safety -- described a fearful, furtive existence of hiding in houses for weeks, keeping the lights off at night, moving from place to place, and donning baggy clothing and burqas to avoid detection if they absolutely must venture out.

All say they are scared the ruling Taliban will find them, throw them in jail, perhaps even kill them because they are Americans or had worked for the U.S. government. And they are concerned that the Biden administration's promised efforts to get them out have stalled.

When the phone rang in an apartment in Kabul a few weeks ago, the US green card holder who answered -- a truck driver from Texas visiting family -- was hopeful it was the US State Department finally responding to his pleas to get him and his parents on a flight out.

Instead, it was the Taliban.

"We won't hurt you. Let's meet. Nothing will happen," the caller said, according to the truck driver's brother, who lives with him in Texas and spoke to him afterwards. The call included a few ominous words: "We know where you are."

That was enough to send the man fleeing from the Kabul apartment where he had been staying with his mother, his two teenage brothers and his father, who was in particular danger because he had worked for years for a US contractor overseeing security guards.

"They are hopeless," said the brother in Texas. "They think, 'We're stuck in the apartment and no one is here to help us.' They've been left behind."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified to Congress this past week that the US government had urged U.S. citizens and green cards holders to leave Afghanistan since March, even offering to pay for their flights.

Blinken said the US does not track green card holders in Afghanistan but he estimated several thousand remain in the country, along with about 100 US citizens. He said the U.S. government was still working to get them out.

As of Friday, at least 64 American citizens and 31 green card holders have been evacuated since the US military left last month, according to the State Department. More were possibly aboard a flight from Mazar-e-Sharif on Friday, but the administration did not release figures.

That is hardly encouraging to another green card holder from Texas, a grandmother who recently watched from a rooftop as militants pulled up in a half-dozen police cars and Humvees to take over the house across the street.

"The Taliban. The Taliban," she whispered into the phone to her American son in a Dallas suburb, a conversation the woman recounted to the AP. "The women and kids are screaming. They're dragging the men to the cars."

She and her husband, who came to Kabul several months ago to visit relatives, are now terrified that the Taliban will not only uncover their American ties but those of their son back in Texas, who had worked for a US military contractor for years.

Her son says he called US embassy officials in Kabul several times before it shut down, filled out all the necessary paperwork, and even enlisted the help of a veteran's group and members of Congress. He doesn't know what more he can do.

"What will we do if they knock on the door?" the 57-year-old mother asked on one of her daily calls. "What will we do?"

"Nothing is going to happen," replied the son. Asked in a recent interview if he believed that, the son shot back, exasperated, "What else am I supposed to tell her?"

The Taliban government has promised to let Americans and Afghans with proper travel documents leave the country and to not retaliate against those who helped the US.

But UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said there is evidence they are not keeping their word. She warned on Monday that the country had entered a "new and perilous phase".

AP reporters in Afghanistan are not aware of any US citizens or green card holders being picked up or arrested by the Taliban. But they have confirmed that several Afghans who worked for the previous government and military were taken in for questioning recently and released. (

Check out the latest DH videos:
The interim mayor of Afghanistan's capital says many female city employees have been ordered to stay home by the country's new Taliban rulers. Stay tuned for more updates.
The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) of the World Health Organization (WHO) would be meeting in October to make its recommendations on Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin on Emergency Use Listing.

Bharat Biotech is expected to give a presentation on the vaccines safety and efficacy data of clinical trials (phase 1-3 trial results and post marketing) and risk management plans and other implementation considerations, according to the SAGE draft agenda.

SAGE is authorised with advising WHO on overall global policies and strategies, ranging from vaccines and technology, research and development, to delivery of immunization and its linkages with other health interventions.

Hanna Nohynek, member of SAGE, will be presenting a draft recommendation for the vaccine and the session will make its recommendations. The session will thoroughly discuss the clinical data on Covaxin from phase 1, 2, 3 trials and post marketing studies on safety, immunogenicity, efficacy and effectiveness, besides update on global, regional and country level plans for vaccine safety monitoring, the agenda said.

Also Read | Eight months into vaccination, Covaxin production is yet to pick up

Bharat Biotech recently said it has submitted all the data pertaining to Covaxin to the WHO for EUL and is awaiting feedback from the global health watchdog. The WHO is currently reviewing the data submitted by the vaccine maker and the date for a decision on the jab is yet "to be confirmed," according to the update available on the WHO website.

In an update on its website, the WHO said it began rolling data of the vaccine on July 6. Rolling data allows the WHO to start its review right away, as information continues to come in, to accelerate the overall review process.

Covaxin is one of the six vaccines that have received emergency use authorisation from India's drug regulator and is being used in the nationwide inoculation programme, along with Covishield and Sputnik V.

Check out latest DH videos here
For a week before the Friday's high of 2.5 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccinations, Karnataka gave about two lakh shots on an average each day, but enhanced the campaign by 15 times to vaccinate nearly 31 lakh to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modis 71st birthday.

Karnataka was not alone in creating the huge vaccination spike on the Prime Ministers birthday. Other BJP-ruled states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Assam too upped their performance to set the world record. Bihar, helmed by BJPs long term ally and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar also jumped on the bandwagon.

A back of the envelope calculation showed Karnataka had administered nearly two lakh shots on an average between September 10-16, but gave 31 lakh jabs on the Modi birthday  a jump of 15 times.

Read | Wish PM celebrated birthday daily: Cong on vaccination

Similarly, Gujarats vaccination campaign rose by 8 times as compared to the previous seven day average; Madhya Pradeshs by 6.5 times, Bihars by 5 times, Assams by 4 times and Uttar Pradeshs by 3.5 times.

Bihar, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat - these five states did more than 55% of Friday's vaccinations when compared with their last 7-day averages. The Friday figures are more than 5 times larger than their previous seven-day avg. All for the sake of a birthday, tweeted health economist Rijo John, a guest faculty at the Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode.

From 25.1 million yesterday the vaccination is down to a humble 8.2 million on Saturday. It is now back to the 7-day average prevailed at the end of August. Modi ji needs to celebrate birthdays more often to ensure speedy vaccination for Indians, he added.

The Union Health Ministry planned to vaccinate the entire adult population of 94.47 crore individuals by December, 2021.

In the last seven days, most of the non-BJP states barring Tamil Nadu distributed the Covid-19 vaccines more evenly. In Rajasthan (3.5 times), Maharashtra (2.2), Delhi (1.2) and Kerala (1.3), the Friday rise was marginally higher whereas in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the seven-day average was more than what they achieved on Friday.

The only parallel for the saffron party is Tamil Nadu, which made a huge surge in Covid-19 vaccination on September 12 preceded and followed by much lower level of inoculation. The DMK government conducted a special vaccination drive on Sept 12 and inoculated more than 24 lakh individuals (as per Co-WIN). A similar camp is planned on Sunday.

Watch latest videos by DH here:
The Supreme Court has observed deferments by courts cause unnecessary burden on it as it granted interim protection from arrest to a man whose anticipatory bail application is pending before the Allahabad High Court for the past seven months.

A bench of justices S K Kaul and M M Sundresh granted the relief while noting that the Allahabad High Court has not taken any view on the anticipatory bail application pending before it.

"We do believe that such deferments are only causing unnecessary burden on this Court rather than being dealt with at the appropriate level.

"The petitioner was never arrested during the investigation, however, he joined and cooperated with the investigation. In such a scenario, on the charge-sheet being filed, there is no need to arrest the petitioner and produce him before the Court in view of the legal position now enunciated by us," the bench said.

The top court made the observation while hearing a plea by an accused seeking anticipatory bail in a criminal case.

In pursuance to cognisance taken by the Special CBI Court Ghaziabad against the petitioner, a summons was issued against him.

On receiving the summons, the petitioner applied for anticipatory bail on January 16, 2021, which was declined on January 28.

The petitioner then filed an application for anticipatory bail before the High Court on February 3, 2021.

The top court noted that the order-sheet shows that various proceedings have been held before the High Court, counter filed by the CBI, yet no view has been taken by the Court on the anticipatory bail application necessitating the petitioner to approach the highest court.

"We, thus, grant interim protection to the petitioner against arrest till the next date of hearing before the Trial Court and stay the operation of the Order dated August 3, 2021, directing process under Section 82 (Proclamation for person absconding) of the CrPC on the petitioner appearing before the Trial Court he will be dealt with in accordance with the law," the bench said.

Check out the latest DH videos here:
Latehar, Sep 18 (PTI) Eight people, including seven girls, drowned at two places in Jharkhand's Latehar district on Saturday during 'Karma Puja' festivities, a senior official said. The incidents took place at Bukru village under Shregada and another village under Shibla Panchayat in the district when they had gone to a pond for immersion after Karma Puja, a major festival in Jharkhand, Deputy Commissioner Abu Imran said.

The Deputy Development Commissioner of the district, Shekhar Verma has been asked to hold an inquiry into the drowning of the seven girls aged between 12 and 20 years at Bukru, Imran said.

President Ram Nath Kovind expressed deep pain over the incident.

I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of many girls in a painful accident during Karam Dali immersion in Latehar, Jharkhand. In this hour of grief, I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members, he tweeted.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said: "Shocked to hear about the death of seven girls due to drowning during 'Karam Dali' (branch of Karam tree) immersion at Sheregada of Latehar district. May God grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families to bear the loss. Commissioner, Palamu Range, Jatashankar Choudhary said the bodies of the girls, who drowned while trying to save each other, were sent to the Latehar district hospital. As soon as the news about the tragedy spread, the festivities gave way to mourning, and wails of distraught family members could be heard at many homes outside which sullen crowds collected. According to officials, a group of 10 girls from the village had gone to the pond with 'Karam Dali' for immersion when two of them started drowning and shouted for help. In an effort to save each other, seven of them drowned in the deep pond while three other girls are undergoing treatment. Officials said after hearing their desperate cries, villagers rushed to their rescue. "Four girls died on the spot while three others breathed their last on way to Balumath CHC," they said. District officials also rushed to the scene. Those dead included three sisters - Rekha Kumar (18), Reena Kumari (16) and Lakshmi Kumari (12), daughters of Aklu Ganjhu. The others were identified as - Sushma Kumari (12) daughter of Charan Ganjhu, Pinky Kumari (18) daughter of Jagan Ganjhu, Sunita Kumari (20) daugher of Fifa Ganjhu, Basanti Kumari (12) daughter of Laldeo Ganjhu and Suraj (10) son of Yashwant Vishwakarma. Meanwhile, agitated villagers in Bukru blocked the Balumath-Chatra Road-National Highway 98, alleging that the incident occured due to widening of the pond for excavation. The blockade could only be lifted late in the evening after a senior official assured them of a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the seven girls. Karma is a major festival in Jharkhand related to worship of mother nature and is celebrated with great enthusiasm, mostly by tribals.

Check out latest videos from DH:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that the state government will preserve the heritage of the 18th century Dimasa Kachari kingdom and develop its last capital at Khaspur, located 25 km from Silchar town in Cachar district.

At the beginning of the Dimasa rule, Dimapur used to be the capital of the kingdom, which was later shifted to Malibang, now in Dima Hasao district of Assam.

During a visit to Khaspur during the day, Sarma said the state government will take up a project on 100 bighas (25 acres) of land to preserve the heritage of the Dimasa Kachari kingdom and to make Khaspur into an attractive tourist destination, an official statement said here.

The Department of Indigenous Faith and Culture of the state government will initiate steps for the preservation of the heritage of the kingdom, the chief minister said. The sun gate, lion gate, main gate, the kings temple, Rani Chandrabha Hasnu Park, named after a Kachari queen, are among the relics dotting the place.

Moreover, the state government would take steps to strengthen the Barman Dimasa Kachari Development Council in a bid to fast-track the development of the community, the chief minister added.

Sarma visited monuments of the kingdom at Khaspur that bear testimony to the unique architecture of the Dimasa Kacharis, the statement said. Later in the day, he unveiled a statue of Gobinda Chandra Narayana Hasnu, the last of the Dimasa Kachari kings, at Silchar Circuit House premises. The statue has been installed under the aegis of Barman Dimasa Kachari Development Council, which drew praise from the chief minister.

The Dimasa Kachari kingdom had come into existence in the 18th century as a result of a matrimonial tie between the Koch royal family and the Dimasa rulers. The kingdom was annexed by the British a couple of years after the end of Gobinda Chandra Narayana Hasnus rule around 1830.

The chief minister also visited Bhuban Tirtha, in the same district, and offered prayer at the ancient temple atop a hill and sought blessings for the people of the state. Attending a meeting there, the chief minister said the state government would develop Bhuban Tirtha as an important pilgrimage site having all amenities for pilgrims with active cooperation of the local people, the statement added.

Check out the latest DH videos:
With loud chants of Ganpati bappa morayapudchaya varshi laukar yah and bursts of gulal, Maharashtra bid adieu to Lord Ganesha on Sunday amid tight security arrangements in the wake of a terror threat.

Large crowds thronged the streets of the Mumbai metropolitan region and neighbouring districts of Pune and Nashik. With the threat of the third wave looming large, the Maharashtra government and local bodies had announced a series of measures that were not strictly observed in many places on Sunday.

Huge crowds were seen on roads of Byculla-Tardeo-Lalbaug-Parel area known for grand celebrations with idols like those of Ganesh Gully, Lalbaugcha Raja, Chintamani Ganesh and so on. From the terrace and balconies, people offered flowers to Lord Ganpati.

Though processions was banned, people came out in large numbers for the darshan of the pot-bellied elephant-headed Ganesha, the god of intellect, wisdom and prosperity.

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation has made special arrangements in Girgaum Chowpatty, one of the biggest and most crowded immersion sites.

Until we meet again next year...Let's all pray and follow guidelines so that we can welcome Bappa to a Covid-free Mumbai next year!, the BMC said in its Twitter handle.

During visarjan, keep the memories of Bappa close & mask even closer, the Mumbai Police tweeted.

In the wake of the terror threat with the busting of Pakistan-ISI-backed terror by Delhi Police, security was beefed up in the Mumbai metropolitan region comprising twin districts of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban and neighbouring areas of Palghar, Thane and Raigad and the local train network.

Check out DH's latest videos
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government and the Opposition BJP on Sunday entered into yet another phase of collision course after senior leader Kirit Somaiya was debarred from entering Kolhapur district and was briefly detained in his Mumbai residence.

Late in the night, after a tiff with police at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Somaiya boarded the Mahalaxmi Express and headed for Kolhapur. The issue snowballed into a major controversy with the BJP all out to target the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress dispensation.

"This is the government of Uddhav Thackeray and chalis chor," he said, lashing out at the government. A former MP, Somaiya, a chartered accountant with a doctorate, has been targeting MVA leaders for an alleged scam. Last week, he had named state Rural Development Minister Hasan Mushrif, who is a senior NCP leader and hails from Kolhapur, accusing him of money laundering and of being involved in a scam of Rs 127 crore.

He also complained against Mushrif and his family members to the Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate. On Sunday morning, Somaiya said that he would be visiting Kolhapur on Monday and announced his schedule on Twitter.

Read | Court summons BJP leader Kirit Somaiya in defamation case

He also said that he would expose scams of the Thackeray family and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. After Kolhapur district collector Rahul Rekhawar issued orders banning entry of Somaiya, the Mulund police station, under which the former MPs residence falls, sent a posse of policemen.

Leader of Opposition in Assembly Devendra Fadnavis and his counterpart in Council Pravin Darekar went into a huddle to discuss the future strategy. As soon as news of Somaiyas detention spread, senior leaders including Darekar rushed for his help.

Thackeray Sarkar Dadagiri, notice is for Kolhapur district no entry, but not allowing me to move out from my house. Not allowed to go for Ganesh Visarjan, Mulund Police wants to arrest me, but no warrant, no order...it's totally illegal, he tweeted.

Thackeray Sarkar Dadagiri, Notice is for Kolhapur District NO ENTRY, but not allowing Me to move out from My House. Not allowing to go for Ganesh VisarjanMulund Police wants to ARREST Me, but No Warrant, No Order...it's total illegal @Dev_Fadnavis @BJP4India @ChDadaPatil  Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) September 19, 2021

Somaiya told police that he wanted to go for Ganesh Visarjan and was later allowed to move out of his house. I have taken darshans of Lord Ganesha and I would now take darshans of Ambe Mata in Kolhapur, he said at Girgaum Chowpatty immersion site and headed to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

As a posse of policemen stopped him, there were heated arguments, during which he said, "The orders are valid in Kolhapur...how can you stop me here...who has given you the right? Who had asked you to come? What authority do you have?" After almost 30 minutes of verbal dual, Somaiya boarded the train.

Meanwhile, when senior NCP leader Jayant Patil was asked about the developments, he said that he was not aware of the details. Meanwhile, Fadnavis said, We strongly condemn the action against Kirit Somaiya and we would continue to protest against the MVA government.

Check out DH's latest videos
After the Punjab operation, all eyes are now on Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh which have also been facing similar problem and issues. In Rajasthan, the Congress leader Sachin Pilot wants his position to be restored and given top post in the state and in Chhattisgarh T.S. Singhdeo wants the formula of rotational Chief Minister be honoured.

In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has been evading the high command's decision to adjust Sachin Pilot camp and in Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel rallied more than 50 MLAs to Delhi to show his strength. The Congress leadership is miffed with state of affairs in both the states with Chief Ministers defying Congress leadership decisions.

Read | 'Sidhu anti-national', will fight against any move to make him CM: Amarinder

With Punjab operation, the Congress has given tough message to the other Chief Ministers as well.

Congress General Secretary In charge of Rajasthan Ajay Maken on Thursday had said that roadmap is ready for cabinet expansion and organisational rejig in the state. "If Ashok Gehlot had not fallen ill we would have done cabinet expansion and the roadmap is ready for appointment at board corporations and district presidents," Maken had said at a press conference in Delhi on Thursday.

The Congress leader said that Gehlot is still unwell and doing his work from home and as he gets well this will be done. When asked about Sachin Pilot, he said, "At the state level, we are discussing all issues but if something is given at the AICC level its beyond my purview."

Read | Amarinder Singh-Rahul Gandhi feud not new, turns full circle

In the same way in Chhattisgarh the supporters of Singhdeo has been pushing for change of guard since incumbent Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel completed 2.5 years in office, suspense still looms on the issue of rotational chief minister as there is no clarity from the top leadership of the Congress party.

Singhdeo who is pushing on the formula of rotational chief minister is maintaining a line that everything is in the purview of the party leadership and whatever decision will be taken by them will be accepted.

Check out latest videos from DH:
Hectic talks on Sunday were going on to finalise the name of new leader of the Punjab Congress Legislature Party (CLP), a day after Amarinder Singh resigned as the chief minister.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Punjab affairs in-charge Harish Rawat and party's central observers Ajay Maken and Harish Chaudhary are camping at a hotel here, holding discussions and taking feedback.

Former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, the party's current state unit president Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa are the frontrunners for the post of the CLP leader, who will be the new chief minister.

Read | I never hanker for any post: Randhawa on being among Punjab CM 'probables'

According to sources, the central observers were also in touch with the party leadership in Delhi.

The sources said the party may also go in for two deputy chief ministers in order to balance the caste equations.

If the party goes for a Hindu face as the CLP leader, then a Sikh and a Dalit can be made deputy CMs, they said.

Meanwhile, the party legislators said they will accept whatever the party leadership decides on the CLP leader.

A Punjab CLP meeting, which was slated for 11 am on Sunday, was deferred as consensus was yet to be made on the name of the new CLP leader. Earlier, several legislators have gone to the residences of Jakhar and Randhawa to meet them.

Read | Hope hard-earned peace won't be damaged, Amarinder Singh writes to Sonia Gandhi

Randhawa, a minister in the outgoing cabinet of Amarinder Singh whose name is doing the rounds, asserted that he has never hankered after posts.

When asked that his name was among the frontrunners, Randhawa told the reporters that he or his family "never hankers for any post".

"A chief minister remains (in the post) only till the time his party and people of the state stand by him," he said, in an apparent dig at Amarinder Singh.

Punjab Congress legislators on Saturday authorised party president Sonia Gandhi to pick a new CLP leader, who will be the next chief minister of the state.

Congress veteran Amarinder Singh had put in his papers after speaking to the party president and shortly before a crucial meeting of the CLP here on Saturday evening, with less than five months to go for the Assembly polls after a bruising power struggle with state party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Check out latest videos from DH:
Congress leader Ambika Soni, who was called in a late night meeting with Rahul Gandhi, has declined to become the chief minister of Punjab. Sources close to her said she has instead suggested that a Sikh occupy the post.

After the refusal, the Congress, which wanted Ambika to become the CM after Amarinder Singh resigned, is now considering other names, including Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Ravneet Singh Bittu. Earlier, the party had decided to appoint Sunil Jhakhar as the Chief Minister, but now the party leadership is having second thoughts on his name.

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi held a meeting late in the night in which party leader Ambika Soni, General Secretary Organisation K.C. Venugopal were present. The meeting ended post midnight on Sunday.

Also Read | Who are the leaders in contention for Punjab CM post?

Sources said discussion on a new chief minister was held and also strategy to pacify Amarinder Singh was discussed. Since Ambika Soni hails from Punjab, the party leadership wanted her to become the Chief Minister till elections are held.

Sources said the party wants to project a non-Sikh face ahead of the polls to counter the AAP which is gaining ground in the state.

They added that the party wanted a Sikh, Navjot Singh Sidhu, as the state Congress chief and a non-Sikh CM candidate combination in the polls.

Check out latest DH videos here
Congress has taken a bold gamble by appointing Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi as Punjab chief minister, and the echo of the gamble could be heard even in Uttar Pradesh, where Dalits are politically more assertive and drifted away from Congress to BSP long ago.

However, whether Channi, the first Dalit CM in Punjab after its reorganisation in 1966, could be a sure shot passport for Congress in Punjab is a million-dollar question, despite the state having 33 per cent Dalit population, the highest in the country, owing to the divided nature of Dalit voting pattern there and the highly hierarchical nature of politics in Punjab, where most of the Chief Ministers so far have been from the dominant Jat Sikh community.

Prominent Dalit leader Kanshi Ram hailed from Punjab, but his Dalit empowerment politics worked more in Uttar Pradesh than in his home state.

Read more: #MeToo shadow over Punjab CM-designate Charanjit Singh Channi

Shiromani Akali Dal and BSP have forged an alliance in Punjab after a gap of 27 years for the 2022 Assembly polls. Mayawati's party will fight 20 of the 117 Assembly seats in Punjab, leaving the rest for SAD. The SAD-BSP alliance had contested the 1996 Lok Sabha polls together and won 11 out of 13 seats in Punjab. The partnership ended after the former allied with Congress.

While Congress leaders in Punjab merely repeated one after another that they are fine with the decision taken by the high command, the last-minute change from Jat Sikh leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa to Channi, who started his political career from the post of a councillor has baffled many.

Proximity to Sidhu and perception of not being a long term challenger seems to have worked for Channi. Party sources said Sidhu was not keen on Randhawa's appointment even as the latter was a strong critic of the outgoing Chief Minister. Captain Amarinder Singh, Sidhu and Randhawa all belong to the dominant Jat Sikh community and clearly having a senior leader from the same community as CM four months before the polls must not have been a very palatable idea to Sidhu, whose sustained campaign led to the exit of the Singh on Saturday.

After the announcement, a visibly startled Randhawa said that the high command has taken a decision and anyone's name can come.

"I thank the MLAs for supporting me. Those who have never seen power are the ones who get disappointed. I have seen absolute power during my father's tenure. I have been the most powerful minister and I still am," he said, calling Channi his "younger brother" and welcoming the high command's decision.

While doubts persist whether Channi, belonging to the Ramdasia Sikh community and a three-term MLA, will be able to salvage the Congress party at this time of crisis, the party may use his elevation to burnish its pro-Dalit credentials beyond Punjab and project the transition of power in the state from a Maharaja (Captain Amarinder Singh) to a low profile Dalit leader with a humble origin.

In UP, the Congress is trying to revive its Dalit-Brahmin-Muslim alliance and Rahul Gandhi's 'Dine with Dalit' programmes in 2010-11 were a big attempt in wooing back Dalits.

"The decision proves who is more pro Dalit," said Punjab Congress leader Manpreet Singh Badal.

Amarinder Singh, who after his resignation had made a pitch for strong leadership in Punjab and slammed Sidhu for his alleged "links with Pakistan", tweeted "My best wishes to Charanjit Singh Channi. I hope hes able to keep the border state of Punjab safe and protect our people from the growing security threat from across the border."

After Singh's "anti-national" allegation against Sidhu, BJP on Sunday dared Congress leadership to take cognizance of the allegations and take action.

BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya tweeted, "Congresss CM pick Charanjit Channi faces action in a 3-year-old #MeToo case. He had allegedly sent an inappropriate text to a woman IAS officer in 2018. It was covered up but the case resurfaced when Punjab Women's Commission sent notice. Well done, Rahul."

More controversy is likely to unfold in the run-up to assembly polls, while questions remain whether the Congress high command handled the issue deftly as the change has left Amarinder Singh angry and looking for options, while the role of the chief minister has gone to someone who has never been in the limelight of state politics.

Check out the latest DH videos here:
Congress on Sunday announced Charanjit Singh Channi as the chief minister of Punjab, capping two days of furious political developments after it decided to oust Amarinder Singh in the poll-bound state.

Channi, 48, will be the first Dalit Sikh chief minister of Punjab where scheduled castes form more than 33 per cent of the electorate and are being aggressively wooed by Akali Dal as well as the BJP ahead of the assembly elections, expected in February.

A three-term MLA from Chamkaur Sahib constituency in Malwa region of Punjab, Channi belongs to the Ramdasia Sikh community, and was the minister for Technical Education and Industrial Training in the outgoing government. He was also the Leader of the Opposition from December 2015 to November 2016, when all opposition members resigned over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal issue.

Read: Congress explores Dalit dynamics by appointing Charanjit Singh Channi as Punjab chief minister

AICC General Secretary Harish Rawat made the announcement of Channis election as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Punjab, putting an end to speculation on chief ministerial probables where names of state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, veteran leader Ambika Soni, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Sunil Jakhar were tossed up.

Soon after his election as CLP leader, Channi along with Sidhu and other senior Congress leaders called on Governor Banwarilal Purohit to stake claim to form the government.

The oath taking ceremony is at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Channi told reporters outside Raj Bhawan in Chandigarh and refused to answer any other questions.

Outgoing chief minister Amarinder Singh, who had declared that he would oppose Sidhu from becoming the chief minister, congratulated Channi on his election to the top executive post in the state.

The chances of Randhawa, a frontrunner for the chief ministers post, were nixed by Sidhu, who was against a fellow Jat Sikh being appointed to the top post.

Congress sought to portray itself as a pro-Dalit party through Channis appointment as the chief minister.

Since Independence, there has been no Dalit chief minister in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. Congress has proved itself to be a pro-Dalit party by appointing the first Dalit Chief Minister in North India, Manpreet Singh Badal, the Finance Minister in the outgoing government, said.

Earlier, the Congress had to defer the meeting of the CLP scheduled for Sunday morning as there was no consensus on Amarinder Singhs successor.

Veteran leader Ambika Soni turned down the offer to become chief minister citing ill-health and endorsed the candidature of a Sikh leader.

The final decision was announced after a meeting of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her predecessor Rahul Gandhi in the national capital.

Check latest DH videos here:
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday junked the allegations of Sangh Swayam Sevaks interfering with administration saying that meeting political leaders or discussing various issues with them does not amount to "participation in power".

He asserted that this allegation is the creation of media.

The participation of the Sangh in power is misleading and of the media origin, Bhagwat was quoted as saying during a dialogue with intellectuals in Udaipur.

Read more: Modi's personality cult diminishing BJP-RSS

He said if RSS Swayam Sevaks meet political leaders to discuss various issues with them, it should not be seen as participation in power.

Other governments including those of communists have also been taking cooperation of Sangh volunteers in many works, Bhagwat was quoted as saying in an RSS release.

Bhagwat made the observations while addressing an intellectuals' conference and responding to their queries. Bhagwat said the Sangh Swayam Sevaks work with the objective of nation-building through the character building of people.

Referring to the Sangh founder K B Hedgewar, Bhagwat said he used to say that the organisation of Hindu society can solve all problems of the country.

The Hindu ideology is that of peace and truth. We are not Hindus, such a campaign is being run with the aim of weakening the country and society. Where the Hindu population has decreased, problems have arisen, he said.

Bhagwat said the selfless service of Sangh volunteers during the Covid pandemic is an example of Hindutva.

The Sangh does not hanker for any praise or name, he said, adding the word 'Hindu' was publicly avoided till the 80s and the Sangh worked in such adverse situations.

Sangh is an organisation of credible and trustworthy people of the society whose words and deeds do not differ, he asserted.

In response to a question on RSS workers' plight in Kerala and West Bengal, he said what the society suffers from, the Swayam Sevaks too suffer from. He said the volunteers, however, are not going to panic and run away.

On the question of discrimination-free society and reservation, Bhagwat said "in the Sanghs Shahkas, people are taught to be non-discriminatory. We are Hindus, this is what is taught in Sakhas. Therefore, there is no atmosphere of such discrimination in the Sangh. The volunteer tries to implement this ideal in personal life as well, he said.

He said the Sanghs purpose is to organise the entire Hindu society.

Bhagwat said the Sangh should be understood from within, not from outside. The Sangh is doing good work in the interest of the country, society and religion, he said.

Check out the latest DH videos:
Seizing on outgoing Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's charge of anti-national against state Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, the BJP on Sunday said Singh has voiced an issue which the country had been grappling with and asked the opposition party if it will take cognizance of the allegations and take action.

Senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar termed Singh's charges "extremely serious" and asked why Congress president Sonia Gandhi and its two other main leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have kept silence.

"Such an extremely serious allegation has been levelled by the chief minister against the party president, and the Congress is silent. What does it mean? We demand that the Congress should speak up and make its stand clear," he told reporters.

Read more: 'Sidhu anti-national', will fight against any move to make him CM: Amarinder

"We want to ask if the Congress will take cognizance of such extremely serious allegations and take action," Javadekar added.

Hours after quitting as Punjab CM, Singh had on Saturday launched a no-holds-barred attack against Sidhu, calling him "anti-national", "dangerous" and a "total disaster".

He had mentioned Sidhu's praise for Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and him hugging its army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa during a trip to the neighbouring country to slam his bete noire.

Javadekar said the country had seen this and had been grappling with this issue.

Check out the latest DH videos:
Despite turbulence, Jammu and Kashmir continues to be a safe destination for foreign tourists as only one minor offence has been recorded against the travelers in the last five years.

A National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) report reveals that no case of crime against foreigners emerged in J&K during 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. There was no case of violence, sexual assault, rape, forgery, theft and cheating reported from Jammu and Kashmir against the foreigners who visited the region in these years, it says.

The data shows that most of the foreigners, who visited J&K, had stayed only in the Kashmir division. However, on the contrary there have been 22 cases registered against foreigners, who have committed crimes in J&K in the last three years, the NCRB data reveals.

The NCRB report also reveals there was no crime against solo women travelers in Kashmir during the period.

Also Read | Indian citizens no longer need Inner Line Permit to visit protected areas in Ladakh

Countries like Germany, UK, US and Canada had issued advisories against travelling to Jammu & Kashmir to their citizens soon after New Delhi on August 5, 2019 revoked J&Ks special status under Article 370 and announced bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two separate union territories.

Officials say that tourism in Kashmir has been badly hit by the negative travel advisories and it is high time to get them lifted so that foreigners will visit the picturesque region.

Kashmirs hospitality is known across the globe and since decades we have welcomed foreigners. But unfortunately in the recent past there have been some instances where the foreign governments imposed negative travel advisories to Kashmir which has hampered our business, said Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club.

He urged the government of India to take up the issue of lifting negative advisories keeping in view the ground situation and NCRB data which clearly reflect that Kashmir is a safe place to visit.

Check out latest DH videos here


Negating Rama and Krishna and fleeing to Italy in times of calamity are the nature of the people of a particular party, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday in an apparent dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The chief minister took the dig without naming Gandhi while addressing an enlightened class conference organised by the BJP. People of one party flee to Italy in the times of calamity. UP helped their family members become prime ministers but they go abroad and criticise the state and the country, said Adityanath.

They want everything from Uttar Pradesh but criticising and humiliating its people and making comments on gods and goddess are their tendency. Negating Ram and Krishna is part of their habit. This is what happens if someone is a Hindu by accident, the chief minister said. Referring to the 'bulldozer' jibe by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav,

Also read: In poll-bound UP, faltering Yogi falls back on polarisation

Adityanath said, There is only one remedy for those who illegally encroach upon the government land and the peoples property  bulldozers." Attacking the Samajwadi Party, the chief minister said "during the previous government, people of eastern Uttar Pradesh used to be submerged in floods and children and citizens used to suffer from encephalitis and dengue.

At that time, the people responsible (to manage it) were busy enjoying dances of film personalities in Saifai. I do not understand how people forget the interests of the nation and society. If the country is strong, everyone will be strong together, he said.

In his address, the chief minister termed the countrys interest above all, including ones personal interests. "Personal desires, method of worship, freedom of faith and religion are secondary before the 'rashtra dharma.' You all have to provide the right vision to the society and show the right path, it is for you to decide whether you want a government of riots and mafia or a Ram Rajya in Uttar Pradesh, he said.

Check out the latest DH videos:
The PDP will fight the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, party president Mehbooba Mufti said on Sunday, ruling out an alliance with its erstwhile coalition partner the BJP.

The former chief minister said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is far from normal which is evident from the twin attacks in Kulgam district in south Kashmir where a policeman and a non-local labourer were killed by militants on Friday.

PDP will fight the (assembly) elections. So far an alliance is concerned, the question is premature but one thing is absolutely clear that we will not go with that party (BJP), Mehbooba told reporters on the sidelines of a party function here.

Read more: BJP uses Taliban, Afghanistan, Pakistan to garner votes: Mehbooba Mufti

The BJP walked out of the PDP-led government in 2018, ending a three-year-old alliance with the party.

Mehbooba has made it clear time and again that she herself is not going to fight the assembly elections as her objective is to seek restoration of Article 370 of the Constitution which was abrogated by the BJP-led government in August 2019.

Their claim that everything is normal in Jammu and Kashmir is absolutely wrong. People are silent and silence does not mean that the situation has improved. They are feeling suffocated while they (BJP) are trying to portray that everything is alright, she said.

Referring to the one-day strike call given by Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry against for September 22 against alleged attempts to finish local trade by allowing big corporate chains to open their outlets, she said those who the BJP claimed were in support of the abrogation of Article 370 are going on a protest strike.

At least they are registering their protest but in Kashmir, the people cannot even do this. They are forced to open their shops if they resort to strike, the PDP leader said.

They are only concerned about the commission which they use to buy opposition MLAs to bring down an elected government, she alleged.

Asked about the removal of the national flag from a building at Kotranka in Rajouri district during her visit, she said, I do not have any information. Ask the police about this.

Police on Saturday said an FIR was lodged against unidentified persons for removing the national flag from a building in Kotranka during the intervening night of September 17 and 18.

In response to a question about the visit of 70 union ministers to different parts of Jammu and Kashmir and their remarks that Article 370 was a hurdle in the development of the Union Territory, Mehbooba said, It is nothing but a photo opportunity to portray that the situation is normal. But if the situation is normal, why are District Development Council (DDC) members kept in hotels and other buildings under security and not allowed to move freely.

They should go to Uttar Pradesh to campaign for the next assembly elections. They should go there to find out the reasons for dumping of bodies in the sacred river Ganga and the condition of the people, Mehbooba said.

About the slow pace of work on various projects in Jammu, She said, Nothing is happening in Jammu and Kashmir. Many of these projects were sanctioned during the previous government.

She said that the corruption in Jammu and Kashmir is at an all-time high with all government departments affected, while the poor people are facing starvation in the backdrop of rising prices of essential commodities and fuel.
Apparently unsure of the support of the Jats, who have been at the forefront of the ongoing farmers' agitation against the farm laws, the BJP has turned its focus on the sizable Gujjar community in western Uttar Pradesh.

In a bid to woo the community, the BJP has decided to organise programs to honour the 9th Century Hindu king Mihirbhoja, who hailed from the 'Gurjar-Pratihar' dynasty.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath would be unveiling a 12-feet statue of Mihirbhoja, which had been installed at degree college after the king at Dadri in Gautam Buddh Nagar district on Wednesday.

Adityanath would also be addressing a meeting of the Gujjar community at the college grounds after unveiling the statue.

Read more: Adityanath releases report card; says UP has seen complete transformation

Mihirbhoja is widely respected in the Gujjar community and there were many educational institutions after him in several western UP districts, including Baghpat, Shamli, Ghaziabad and others.

''Our government is committed to honour the Hindu kings, who fought the foreign invaders valiantly to protect Hinduism,'' said BJP lawmaker from Dadri Tejpal Nagar, a Gujjar.

He rejected assertions that there was any political motive behind the unveiling of the statue of Mihirbhoja.

However, Samajwadi Party (SP) termed the program as another 'electoral stunt' of the saffron party. ''BJP starts remembering the great personalities only when the polls are closer,'' said a senior SP leader.

Controversy however has erupted over calling Mihirbhoja a Gujjar king as the 'Rajputs' have claimed that he hailed from their community. The 'Karni Sena', an outfit of 'Rajputs' has warned of an agitation if Adityanath unveiled the statue.

Barely a few days back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of a university after the popular 'Jat' king Mahendra Pratap Singh at Aligarh.

Check out the latest DH videos here:
The death of hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Geelani on September 1 may have come at a time when separatists in Kashmir are at the receiving end of the BJP governments zero-tolerance policy against separatism. However, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan couldnt have come at a better time than this for Pakistan.

At the moment, the influence of the separatists in Kashmir has waned to its lowest ebb in the past three decades of militancy. Geelanis death has left a huge void that might not be easy to bridge in the near future. Nonagenarian Geelani, during his prolonged illness, had resigned from the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference last year which he led for almost 17 years.

A week after Geelanis death, the Hurriyat announced his protege Masarat Alam Bhat, as his successor, apparently at the behest of Pakistan. The 50-year-old staunch Pakistan supporter currently lodged in Tihar jail for terror funding has spent more than two decades of his life in jails. But it will take years for Bhat to reach the stature of Geelani. Under current circumstances, it looks very difficult for him to be released from jail.

Also Read | Hardline Hurriyat Conference announces Masrat Alam as Geelanis successor

Though Bhats appointment has a symbolic value, Pakistan has succeeded in its mission to replace a hawk with a hawk to lead the hardline separatists group so that moderates like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has always favoured talks with New Delhi, can be kept in a check. Bhats succession is a signal to the moderate separatists that Pakistan requires only hardliners with a strong anti-India stance.

Ever since the abrogation of Article 370, the moderate faction of Hurriyat led by Mirwaiz have toned down their rhetoric and maintained a stony silence.

They have not even carried out routine activities such as calling for a shutdown or protest.

But while the separatist politics in the Valley was on the decline since New Delhi stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy, a big geostrategic development in Afghanistan has put Pakistan in an advantageous position after the Taliban took over. In all likelihood, Pakistan will shift its focus back to Kashmir sooner than later. And with separatists feeling the heat in Kashmir, Pakistan would try to keep Kashmir on the boil and will try its best to resuscitate the separatist movement.

Also Read | Syed Ali Shah Geelani: A hawk among separatist leadership of Kashmir

While the Talibans rise in Afghanistan and ISI hobnobbing with them is certainly a concern, the security situation in Kashmir is fluid. Attacks on J&K police personnel and political workers by militants continue unabated.

In whispers, the Talibans victory and its impact are being discussed in anti-India constituencies in Kashmir to keep their morale high.

Syed Salahuddin, the chief of United Jihad Council (UJC), an umbrella of militant groups in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), called the Talibans victory extraordinary and historical in a voice message shared across social media. He reportedly said he expected the Taliban to aid Kashmiri militants.

Geelani, who was more an Islamist than a Kashmiri nationalist, was a staunch supporter of Kashmirs merger with Pakistan. His death may have brought down the curtain on a phase of hardline separatist politics in the Valley. But a sizeable population, especially youth, is inspired by the teacher-turned-MLA-turned-separatist. It is this population that Pakistan can cash in on.

Geelani, who was a vocal supporter of militancy, was believed to be the mastermind behind civilian unrests of 2008 and 2010 in the Valley. Bhat acted as his deputy during both the unrests.

Often referred to as a hawk and a hardliner, Geelani took a public stand against India and its occupation after a long tryst with electoral politics in the 70s and 80s. Bhats views are more or less the same.

Over the years, authorities in Kashmir feared that as and when Geelani dies, his funeral could trigger a huge crisis. However, as separatist organisations and their networks remain in disarray due to relentless crackdown, police managed a quiet burial of Geelanis body. His family was warned against making his funeral a political manifestation.

The real challenge now is to maintain the peace and not to harass common people. Much-awaited Assembly elections are likely to be held soon after the delimitation. Every few years, the cycle of violence repeats in Kashmir. It happened in 2008, 2010 and 2016. The summer of 2022 would be crucial as the government cant bask for long in the glory of maintaining law and order after Geelanis demise.

Check out latest DH videos here
Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said that small cars, mostly purchased by lower middle-class people, should also have an adequate number of airbags and wondered why auto makers are providing eight airbags only in big cars bought by rich people.

In an interview to PTI, the Road Transport and Highways Minister also emphasised that his appeal for more airbags in small economy cars was to ensure safety and prevent possible deaths in accidents.

His remarks come against the backdrop of the automobile industry raising concerns that high taxation and stricter safety and emission norms for vehicles have made their products expensive.

Also Read | Delhi-Mumbai Expressway to fetch monthly revenue of Rs 1,000 to 1,500 crore: Gadkari

Mostly, lower middle-class people buy small economy cars and "if their car won't have airbags and when accidents happen, then it may result in deaths. So, I appeal to all car manufacturers to provide a minimum of six airbags across all variants and segments of the vehicle," he said.

While acknowledging that additional airbags in small cars will increase their cost by at least Rs 3,000-4,000, Gadkari also said, "in our country, poor should also get protection (in case of road accidents)".

Known for expressing his views frankly, he said, "for rich people, you (auto makers) offer eight airbags, and for economy model cars (used by lower middle-class people), you will offer only two-three airbags. How come?"

Check out latest DH videos here
A catholic priest in Kerala on Sunday tendered an apology to the Eazhava community following a social media uproar over his recent statement targeting youths of the state's numerically strong section of the Hindu religion.

While handling a virtual class for catechism teachers of a Syro Malabar Church diocese, Fr Roy Kannanchira alleged that Eazhava youths had recently lured nine girls from a parish under the Syro-Malabar Church near Kottayam. His statement was recorded and leaked to the media allegedly by someone who attended the class.

Although the SNDP yogam, the outfit of the Eazhava community did not react to his remarks, it was widely condemned by the social media users in the state.

Read more: CPM's note, minister's remark backing bishop aggravate 'narcotic jihad' row in Kerala

"I have realized that my remarks have caused pain for my brothers of the Eazhava community," Kannanchira said and tendered an unconditional apology. The priest said he made the comments as he was talking about the instances in which men from other communities marry women belonging to the Catholic community without the permission of their parents.

He also claimed many priests were receiving complaints in this regard. Applying to end the controversy, Kannanchira said his word's should not become a cause to disrupt the secular fabric of the state.

Talking to the catechism teachers, the priest had said, "We are discussing love jihad and narcotic jihad but along with that our kids are being attracted to other communities also and we have received information that youths are being strategically trained for the purpose."

Such incidents are happening as religious teachers, parents and priests, who have set aside their lives for this purpose, have failed in their duty.

"This is a major crisis faced by the Catholic Church today," he had said. The priest's statement comes amid a raging row in the state over controversial 'love and narcotic jihad' jibe of Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt.
A nun in Kerala, who doesn't own a gun or a licence to carry arms, is among 13 farmers granted permission by the Kerala High Court to kill wild boars.

Sister Joffy of CMC convent at Chakkittapra in the rural parts of Kozhikode district in North Kerala sought permission to kill wild boars due to the massive crop destruction the animals caused to her crops.

But the nun doesn't know any techniques to kill boars. So, she is planning to ask the other 12 farmers to help her learn.

The nun had been cultivating types of tuber crops like tapioca but was getting no yield owing to the wild boars, causing big losses. Hence, she asked the convent to allow her to join the farmers' collective for approaching the Kerala High Court seeking permission.

The farmers in Kerala's forest areas have struggled with the menace of wild boars for a long time. The state forest department used to engage officials to kill wild board. Kerala has also been pressing the Centre to declare wild boars as vermin to initiate its culling.

A collective of farmers from Kerala had approached the court seeking permission to kill wild boars citing the extensive damage caused to crops.

Check out DH's latest videos
A senior US trade official privately criticised India's July decision to ban Mastercard Inc from issuing new cards, calling it a "draconian" move that caused "panic", according to US government emails seen by Reuters.

The documents show frustration within the US government after India's central bank banned new card issuance by American Express and Diners Club International in April, then took similar action against Mastercard in July.

The Reserve Bank of India accuses the companies of breaking local data-storage rules. The bans do not affect existing customers.

Read more: RBI prefers jump in bank credit to lower liquidity surplus

The ban on Mastercard - a top payment network in India alongside Visa - triggered a flurry of emails between US officials in Washington and India as they discussed next steps with Mastercard, including approaching the RBI, the government emails show.

"We've started hearing from stakeholders about some pretty draconian measures that the RBI has taken over the past couple days," Brendan A. Lynch, the deputy assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia, wrote on July 16, two days after the Mastercard announcement.

"It sounds like some others (Amex, Diners) may have been impacted by similar actions recently," wrote Lynch, asking his colleagues in India to get in touch with their central bank contacts "to see what's going on".

Lynch, spokespeople for the Office of the US Trade Representative and the US Embassy in New Delhi did not respond to requests for comment. The US government has not publicly commented on the Mastercard ban.

The RBI did not immediately respond.

A Mastercard spokesman told Reuters, "We've had very constructive engagements with the Indian and US governments over the past few weeks and appreciate the support of both." This includes discussions with the RBI, and Mastercard has "made good progress" as it looks to resolve the situation quickly, he said.

Mastercard counts India as a key growth market. In 2019 it said it was "bullish on India", a country where it has made major investment bets and built research and technology centres.

The Mastercard ban rattled the company and upset India's financial sector as Indian partner banks fear a hit to their income as they struggle to swiftly partner with new networks to offer cards.

The RBI acted against Mastercard because it was "found to be non-compliant" with the 2018 rules despite the "lapse of considerable time and adequate opportunities".

The rules, requiring foreign card networks to store Indian payments data locally for "unfettered supervisory access", were implemented after failed lobbying efforts of US firms also soured trade ties between New Delhi and Washington.

Mastercard has said it was "disappointed" with the decision. The company has told Reuters it had submitted an additional audit report to the RBI before the ban took effect on July 22.

The US government emails show there was hope things could be sorted out before that.

In one, Lynch told colleagues the understanding was that "the RBI has info they need and are hopeful that they will respond appropriately." But as the ban approached, "if the RBI doesn't change course, I'm sure the panic will resume," he wrote.

Days later, he wrote that Mastercard was continuing "to put on the full court press" in Washington.
Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday lauded farmers for not letting the country down during the Covid pandemic, and called for an integrated approach towards rural economy to ensure income security for them.

"Our objective should be the overall well-being of the rural society. We need to develop an integrated approach towards rural economy to ensure income security of our farmers," he said.

Releasing works of Sir Chhotu Ram at an event in Gurgaon, the vice president credited him with major agricultural reforms in undivided Punjab.

Read more: PM Modi launches 'Sansad TV'; VP Naidu warns of fake news, sensationalism

Improving the quality of life in rural areas will be a true tribute to revolutionary visionaries like him, Naidu added.

Naidu was addressing a gathering after releasing five volumes of Sir Chhotu Ram: Writings and Speeches brought out by the Haryana Academy of History and Culture.

He suggested that copies of the publication should be available in public libraries and Panchayat Ghar so that the people could read and learn about the life and work of the great leader.

Naidu reiterated the need to modernise agriculture and adopt best practices to make it more sustainable and remunerative.

"Building on our past experiences, we must regularly revisit and renew our strategies on agriculture and rural development, and introduce new technologies as part of our efforts to build a self-reliant India," he said in an official statement.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, and the country cannot progress if villages remain underdeveloped and backward, Naidu said.

He further said that many of our freedom fighters did not get the recognition they deserved, and called for efforts to spread awareness about their life and work.

Observing that the independence movement was not just a political movement, he said, it had a deep social and economic reformist agenda as well.

Naidu praised contributions of Sir Chhotu Ram for the cause of nation building.

"He worked tirelessly to bring reforms in the agriculture sector and to free farmers from the exploitation of money lenders," he said.

Mentioning that Sir Chhotu Ram was the first person to visualise the Bhakhra Nagal dam on Sutlej river, the vice president said he was a farmer's son and had deep understating of farmers' problems.

He also praised the legendary leader for his bold initiatives in the field of social reform and education.

Naidu recalled Sir Chhotu Ram's strong opposition to the partition of the country, saying he was a true nationalist who dreamt of a united and strong India.

Sir Chhotu Ram was a man of renaissance, and he ushered in new ideas in polity, society and rural economy, the vice president said.

Younger generations should take inspiration from great personalities like Chhotu Ram, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Ram Manohar Lohia and Chaudhary Charan Singh and strive to build an "Atmanirbhar Bharat", he said.

Complimenting former Union minister Birendra Singh, the grandson of Sir Chhotu Ram, Naidu urged all state governments to prepare similar compilations on prominent leaders.

He exhorted the youth to read books on great leaders such as Chhotu Ram, visit historical places such as their birthplaces and draw inspiration from their lives.

Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar, former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, and former Uttarakhand CM Vijay Bahuguna were among those who attended the event.

Check out the latest DH videos:
An Iranian boat with seven crew members and a huge consignment of heroin was apprehended in Indian waters off the Gujarat coast, in an operation carried out jointly by the state Anti-Terrorist Squad and the Coast Guard, officials said on Sunday.

The boat, seized during the operation conducted on Saturday night, carried an estimated 30 to 50 kg of the contraband, worth about Rs 150 to Rs 250 crore in the international markets, but the exact amount of the drug present in the vessel will be known after its rummaging, they said.

The seven crew members, all Iranian nationals, were apprehended, the officials said.

"On an intelligence based joint act, @IndianCoastGuard with ATS #Gujarat apprehended #Iranian boat in #Indian waters with 07 crew carrying #drugs. The boat is brought to the nearest port for further rummaging and investigations," a defence PRO of Gujarat said on their official Twitter handle.

Gujarat ATS DIG Himanshu Shukla told PTI that the operation was launched on the basis of an information that an attempt was being made to smuggle in heroin through the sea route.

"A joint operation was launched with the Indian Coast Guard, and the Iranian boat and its seven crew members were apprehended. We presume that somewhere between 30 and 50 kg of heroin, worth Rs 150 crore to Rs 250 crore, was loaded on the boat. The consignment may be more, as the exact amount can be known only after rummaging of the boat," Shukla said.

Check out latest DH videos here
The importance of aircraft carriers, search and rescue operations, replenishment at sea, weapons firing, submarine operations, action against asymmetric threat at sea are some of the major aspects that a team from the New Delhi-based National Defence College (NDC) witnessed in the Arabian Sea along the Western seaboard.

The 61st National Security Studies Course of the NDC, comprising 113 officers and led by Air Marshal D Choudhury, the Commandant, visited Goa, Karwar and Mumbai, last week and witnessed the capabilities of the blue-water three-dimensional force - as part of their study tour and familiarisation visit. It was a unique opportunity for them to witness the naval operations of the Western Naval Command, the sword arm of the Indian Navy.

The NDC team comprised officers from the Indian armed forces, Indian civil services and military and civilian officers from friendly foreign countries. The group, besides other warships and naval platforms, also boarded INS Vikramaditya.

The NDC is a globally renowned defence institute, concentrating upon security as a whole, rather than having limited scope to defence alone. It is the highest Institution of advanced studies, not just for the armed forces but also for civil services officers.

During the course of the visit, they met top Indian Navy officers including Rear Admiral K Swaminathan, Chief of Staff, WNC, Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Karwar Naval Area and Captain CR Praveen Nair, the Commanding Officer of INS Vikramaditya.

From September 13-15 in Mumbai, the officers visited Headquarters, Western Naval Command, Naval Dockyard, Mazagon Docks Ltd, Maritime Warfare Centre and were provided with a briefing on the role and responsibilities of these organisations.

They also embarked on warships of the Western Fleet for a demonstration of combat and rescue helicopter operations, actions against asymmetric threat by Fast Attack Crafts, submarine operations, replenishment at sea and weapon firing drills to get a first-hand experience of naval operations.

On September 16, the NDC team visited Goa and were briefed on the activities at Goa Naval Area. They were informed about different types of aircraft and were made to witness various air demonstrations viz. flypast, sling operations and trap-on by MiG-29K at Shore Based Testing Facility (SBTF). Thereafter, the officers visited the Naval Aviation Museum.

On September 17, the NDC team visited naval facilities at Karwar and were briefed about Project Seabird. They embarked on aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya for a guided tour and were also provided with capability demonstration at the ship lift facility at Naval Ship Repair Yard.

The NDC, which was founded in 1960, provides a forum for holistic studies on security for senior defence and Civil Services officers from India and a number of friendly foreign countries. Focused upon strategy, geopolitics and the higher direction of warfare, it seeks to provide decision-makers with the necessary skills and knowledge required in senior positions in national security and allied government organisations.
By Adam Minter

Space races are supposed to be won in engineering labs or up in orbit. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, the next one might be won in a courtroom or regulators office.

As Bezoss companies fall behind Elon Musks SpaceX in the race to return humans to the moon and launch satellite-based broadband services, theyre increasingly resorting to politics and legal filings to get ahead. Its not exactly a novel approach in Washington. But if Bezos prevails, it could do significant damage to Americas commercial space industry, just as its starting to get off the ground.

It may be hard to believe these days, but the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was once known for its speed and efficiency. In July 1962, NASA invited 11 companies to bid on the Lunar Exploration Module  or LEM  that would ferry astronauts to the moons surface for the first time. Shortly thereafter, it chose Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. (later Northrop Grumman Corp.) for the contract. Just seven years later, the module was on the lunar surface.

Since then, unfortunately, NASA's pace has slowed while costs have soared. In 2007, to cite only one example, the agency authorised a program to develop a new spacesuit for America's next round of lunar exploration. Fourteen years later, theres still no new suit. A recent audit predicted there wont be one for at least another four years. And the cost? About $500 million per suit. A major reason for this glacial pace is that the project was distributed among 27 separate contractors.

Back in 2019, Bezos himself offered a pretty good summary of the problem: To the degree that big NASA programs become seen as big jobs programs, in that they have to be distributed to the right states where the right senators live, and so on, that is going to change the objective.

Also read: SpaceX capsule with first all-civilian crew safely splashes down in Atlantic

During the same talk, Bezos predicted that if the LEM competition were held today, lawyers would line up next to the engineers. Today, there would be, you know, three protests, and the losers would sue the federal government because they didnt win. Its interesting, but the thing that slows things down is procurement. Its become the bigger bottleneck than the technology.

He was right! Last year, NASA selected three companies  Bezoss Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Dynetics Inc.  to compete for a lander contract for its next mission to the moon, scheduled to land in 2024. The agency was expected to select two candidates. In April, however, it announced it was only selecting one: SpaceX. Rather than concede defeat, Blue Origin filed a complaint with the Government Accountability Office. When that failed, it sued NASA. As the legal process dragged on, NASA had to halt work on the lunar lander and put its schedule at risk. (Blue Origin didnt respond to a request for comment.)

Yet Bezos wasnt done. On Aug. 25, Amazon.com Inc. (of which he is the founder and chairman) asked the Federal Communications Commission to dismiss SpaceXs updated plan for a constellation of internet-beaming satellites. SpaceX already has more than 1,700 in orbit, with plans for as many as 30,000 more. Not coincidentally, Amazon has its own plans for internet-broadcasting satellites. With little prospect of catching up in the short-term  none of its orbiters even has a launch date yet  Amazon sent a personal attack on Musk to the FCC last week, claiming that, at his companies, rules are for other people. (Amazon declined to comment on the record.)

It remains to be seen how receptive the regulators and courts will be to these pleas. But even if Bezos wins, NASA shouldnt look kindly on a come-from-behind strategy thats designed  at least in part  to slow innovation and exploration via lawyerly means. By almost any measure, SpaceX is far ahead in this race, launching rockets every few weeks and landing contracts to send landers to the moon.

Big companies with deep pockets will always be tempted to sue rather than compete. But Bezos, as one of the most accomplished entrepreneurs in American history, should understand that humanitys progress into space is best promoted by trusting engineers and scientists  not litigators. The new space race is just beginning. Itd be a pity to see it tethered to the launch pad by red tape.

Check out the latest DH videos:
The appointment of Rohit Chakrathirtha, a strong Hindutva ideologue, as the head of the committee to review textbooks by the Karnataka government has led to loud protests from academicians who see this as an attempt to saffronise education. The 15-member committee will look into certain contentious chapters in social sciences, languages and environmental science syllabus from classes I to X. The syllabus was recently revised by a panel headed by noted writer Baragur Ramachandrappa which comprised 27 subject committees and 172 members. While it is possible that certain errors might have crept in and may have to be corrected, revising the entire content smacks of a sinister design. The trigger for the review was a controversy surrounding a chapter Birth of New Religions in Class VI social studies textbook which had apparently hurt the sentiments of the Brahmin community. With the Brahmin Development Board raising certain objections, schools were instructed not to teach this chapter. What has raised eyebrows is that the brief of the new committee goes beyond this objectionable chapter.

History has to be told as it is and cannot be tampered with to suit certain ideologies or communities. Many repugnant social and religious practices, especially untouchability and discrimination that existed in the past, may bring us shame today and it would be wise to accept such uncomfortable facts and move on instead of trying to whitewash the dark pages of history. This is not the first time that an attempt has been made to distort history or even obliterate important personalities and events. There have been demands earlier to completely drop Tipu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali from textbooks. Though the atrocities committed by father and son cannot be denied, history is incomplete without a mention of Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali, who were among the first to check the British in their tracks, even before the freedom movement began. Though the then primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar had fortunately not acquiesced to this demand, the Chakrathirtha committee was set up by him though the formal orders were issued by his successor, B C Nagesh.

While Chakrathirtha has appealed to critics not to judge him before the report is submitted, any attempt by the BJP government to erase, twist or communalise history would be foolhardily and would definitely be resisted by all right-thinking people, especially academicians. History, with all its discomforting facts, should serve as a guiding light for the future, and it should be remembered that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
In his book, The Lotus and the Robot, British writer Arthur Koestler wrote: Rome was saved in A.D.408 by three thousand pounds of pepper imported from India as part of the ransom the Senate paid to Alaric the Goth.

It is amazing these tiny seeds loaded with potent antioxidants had the miraculous power of saving an empire!

Koestlers words let my mind wander back over six decades to remember Krishna Bhaktar, a merchant of pepper who lived in Mathamangalam, a village abutting on ours, Kaithaprom, in north Malabar.

He was around fifty, tall and hefty with a protruding belly. Bhaktar traded in a handful of spices but pepper was his mainstay which earned him the nickname, Pepper Bhaktar. He walked daily a few kilometres to reach the bus terminal from where he took a bus to the spice market in Payyannur. Since Kaithaprom was sandwiched between Mathamangalam and the bus terminal, Bhaktar had to leg it to the stop through our village.

Whether the price of pepper soared or not could be inferred from the expressions on Bhaktars face. If a cheery smile had stolen across his visage it was a sure sign that the price was up. Often a song accompanied the cheeriness  'Achutham Kesavam Rama Narayanam, Krishna Damodaram Vasudevambaje praising Lord Krishna for bringing good luck to him by substantially hiking the price of pepper in the spice market.

He would sing the song rhythmically and sonorously. During rains, Bhaktars voice rose steadily in pitch and heard over the clatter of rainfalls. His song that resonated across villages, was an appeal to pepper growers, my grandfather and his brothers and cousins among others, that time was propitious for disposing of their products which had already been harvested.

Whenever the price slumped, his countenance was bent down under the weight of dejection and he walked indolently as if all energy had drained out of him. And from a low-spirited Bhaktar no songs emanated. He was the lone merchant who traded in pepper in our village and the neighbouring ones. He earned pepper growers gratitude, for he obviated their need to travel to Payyannur.

Undoubtedly, Malabar pepper was a most coveted and sought-after commodity by the ancient Roman and Arab traders. Perhaps the great ancestors of Bhaktar and others of his ilk were instrumental in making pepper well-known merchandise. So, one can safely assume that they contributed the lions share of pepper that was paid as ransom to the uncouth Goth to save the historic city of Rome! Right?
By Pankaj Mishra,

The world changed on 9/11  this sentiment was expressed again during the recent commemorations of the World Trade Center attacks. But the world did not change on September 11, 2001. Nor did the mass-murderers of al-Qaeda ever possess the power to change the world.

This small band of fanatics certainly hated our freedoms, as President George W. Bush claimed in September 2001, our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other. The most vicious assaults on these freedoms, however, were launched by their supposed defenders  politicians, bureaucrats, lawyers and journalists  in the weeks, months and years after 9/11.

Thats when the world truly changed, leading to the traumatic present where the Taliban are back in power and the rest of us, whether in India or the United States, are besieged by what Bush last weekend called the violence that gathers within.

Also Read | 20 years after 9/11: Al-Qaeda is defeated  but jihadism is here to stay

In the US, racial injustice and white supremacism came to flourish on the scorched ground where a bonfire of laws was fed by successive administrations, pursuing an endless war on terror with the help of extrajudicial executions, torture, indefinite detentions and intrusive surveillance.

Much of our bleak world today, where once-celebrated democracies such as the United Kingdom, India and Israel are dominated by far-right personalities and movements, and Russia and China seem condemned to authoritarian rule, was also forged in the days after 9/11, when the global war on terror endowed violence and brutality with unprecedented global sanctions.

A younger generation today probably doesn't remember how quickly an insecure young Russian leader named Vladimir Putin moved in 2001 to link Russias long battle against separatists in Chechnya to Bushs war on terror. The first foreign leader to call the White House after 9/11, Putin accelerated his brutal suppression of the Chechens with support from Bush, who claimed to have looked into the Russian leaders soul and found him very straightforward and trustworthy. It was in the weeks and months after 9/11 that Putins autocracy was consolidated.

In Israel, right-wing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who had been complicit in the massacre of hundreds of civilians in Beirut in 1982 and had found his way back to power by undermining peace talks with the Palestinians, moved as fast as Putin to subsume decades-old Palestinian resistance to Israeli military occupation under the war on terror. Describing Yasser Arafat, leader of Palestinian Authority, as Israels Bin Laden, Sharon launched in March 2002, with the support of the Bush administration, Israels biggest military operation in Gaza and the West Bank since its original occupation of these territories in 1967  an assault that irreparably damaged fledgling Palestinian institutions.

Indias Hindu nationalist leaders claimed that India had suffered its own 9/11 in December 2001, when militants driving a car with a sticker that proclaimed India is a very bad country opened fire at the Indian parliament building in New Delhi. Putting the Indian army on high alert on the border with Pakistan, they introduced anti-terrorist legislation which put the onus on the accused to prove his or her innocence, laws which were later disproportionately deployed against Indias Muslim minority.

Also Read | UN chief lauds international community for unity, resolve for world without terrorism on 9/11 anniversary

It was in this toxic climate of jingoism and Islamophobia that more than 2,000 Muslims were massacred in Gujarat state, six months after 9/11, under the watch of Narendra Modi, now prime minister of India.

The most malign legacy of 9/11 was an extensive dissolution of norms and values as well as laws. It is hard to imagine Chinas large-scale detention of Uyghur Muslims without the superpower culture of impunity defiantly proclaimed by the still-open prison in Guantanamo Bay.

The ongoing descent of Britain, the original home of liberty, into a libertarians nightmare can be dated back to Prime Minister Tony Blairs involvement in the USled invasion and occupation of Muslim countries  what brought, as widely predicted, terrorism to the streets of London, a state crackdown on civil liberties and a virulent media culture of Muslim-baiting and xenophobia in general.

More damagingly, the mainstream intelligentsia in advanced democracies chose to participate in their self-mutilation. Those marveling today at how once-respectable media organisations, from the UKs Spectator to the Times of India, became eager hosts to far-right trolls and culture warriors must examine their post-9/11 record of warmongering and Islamophobia, of marginalising and stigmatising dissent.

No wonder the violence that gathers within today is fueled by a profound and universal collapse of public confidence in political elites and the media.

Never forget  the imperative resonates 20 years after the unconscionable attacks that killed thousands of men, women and children. But nor should we forget that, though terrorists brought down the Twin Towers on 9/11, the older and sturdier edifices of democratic institutions were devastated by those sworn to protect them.

Check out DH's latest videos:
By Dr Dickson Amugsi for The Conversation

Exclusive breastfeeding, the practice of giving only breast milk (no other food or water), is the ideal for an infants first six months. Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients an infant needs at this stage.

Research has illuminated the longer-term health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the mother and child. These benefits include reducing the risk of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence and certain noncommunicable diseases later in life and enhancing human capital in adulthood. Additionally, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure among mothers.

These are just a few of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. Overall, it makes more difference to a babys health and survival than any other intervention. Thats the reason why the World Health Organisation (WHO) includes it as a proven protective intervention in the Global Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea.

The WHO initially set a global target of 50 per cent prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding by 2025. Recently it was updated to at least 70 per cent prevalence by 2030. It means that every member country is expected to achieve an exclusive breastfeeding prevalence of at least 70 per cent by the end of 2030.

Previous research has shown that the proportion of exclusively breastfed children remains low in many lower and middle-income countries, however.

As part of the Global Burden of Disease study, my colleagues and I recently published our analysis of data covering two decades (2000-2018) from 94 low- and middle-income countries. We examined the trends and prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and projected the performance of countries in relation to WHO targets. This type of analysis can help countries formulate the necessary policies and interventions to promote breastfeeding practices.

Findings from our study

Total prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding increased (27 per cent to 39 per cent) across all countries during the study period (2000-2018). But we found significant variations between countries and within regions. This suggests intra-regional inequalities that need attention from leaders.

Countries included in the study made substantial progress. For example, 57 of the 94 countries had an aggregate exclusive breastfeeding practice level of less than 30 per cent in half of their basic administrative units (referred to in this study as provinces) in 2000. But by 2018, exclusive breastfeeding prevalence in some of these countries (8) rose closer to 50 per cent, with at least 45 per cent exclusive breastfeeding levels in most provinces. Similarly, 34 countries had at least one province recording more than a 45 per cent increase in exclusive breastfeeding prevalence by the end of 2018.

Of the African countries, Chad and Somalia had the highest rates of annualised decline in exclusive breastfeeding practices during the study period.

Progress towards the 70 per cent target

To estimate future prevalence, we assumed that current trends would continue. We first projected based on the initial target of 25 per cent by 2025, followed by the updated target of at least 70 per cent by 2030. In general, exclusive breastfeeding practices across the countries are expected to increase from 39 per cent in 2018 to 43 per cent by 2025. The practice level will increase to 45 per cent by the end of the new targeted period of 2030. Although this is positive progress, it falls short of the 70 per cent goal.

Our analysis projected six countries  Burundi, Cambodia, Lesotho, Peru, Rwanda and Sierra Leone  to meet 70 per cent of exclusive breastfeeding prevalence by 2030. Eighty-eight of 94 countries are unlikely to meet the global nutrition target on exclusive breastfeeding by 2030. Only three countries (Burundi, Lesotho and Rwanda) are predicted to meet this target in all their sub-national level units (provinces and districts).

Reasons for low rates of exclusive breastfeeding

Several reasons may account for the poor performance of countries towards the goal. They include but are not limited to:

-manipulative marketing or promotion of breast-milk substitutes

-lack of workplace support for optimal breastfeeding practices

-lack of attendance at antenatal care

-lack of skilled lactation support or breastfeeding counselling in health facilities

-societal or cultural beliefs favouring mixed feeding.

Way forward

Breastfeeding requires a lot of effort from mothers and support from wider networks, including their families, communities, workplaces, health systems and government leadership.

Advocacy at global, national and sub-national levels is critical and must be pursued by national and sub-national governments. For example, the global breastfeeding advocacy toolkit outlines seven key policy actions to increase breastfeeding practices. These include:

-increasing funding to support exclusive breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years

-fully adopting and monitoring the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes

-enacting workplace breastfeeding policies and paid family leave

-implementing the baby-friendly hospitals ten steps to successful breastfeeding

-improving access to skilled breastfeeding counselling in health facilities

-strengthening links between health facilities and communities to support breastfeeding

-strengthening monitoring systems to track progress.

These documented strategies can aid policy-makers in monitoring the success of breastfeeding policy and programme investments.

In conclusion, our study found that only six of the 94 low and middle income countries are on course to meet the WHO target of at least 70 per cent exclusive breastfeeding prevalence by 2030. That means that 94 per cent of the countries included in our study are unlikely to meet the target. This projected poor performance calls for deliberate efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding for better child health and well-being. Robust policy interventions may still make it possible for some of these low and middle income states to achieve the target by 2030.

(The author is from African Population and Health Research Center.)

Check out latest videos from DH:
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, could have spilled from animals to people multiple times, according to a preliminary analysis of viral genomes sampled from people infected in China and elsewhere early in the pandemic.

The findings, posted on the virological.org discussion forum and not yet peer reviewed, may challenge the hypothesis that SARS-COV-2 escaped from a laboratory, Nature reported.

The finding could be the "dagger into the heart" of the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 escaped from a lab, rather than originating from the wildlife trade, Robert Garry, a virologist at Tulane University in Louisiana, US, was quoted as saying.

But others say that more research is needed, especially given the limited genomic data from early in the pandemic.

Also Read | Indias Covid-19 death toll may be 4-11 times higher, economic cost is 30% of GDP: Study

The earliest viral sequences, taken from people infected in late 2019 and early 2020, are split into two broad lineages, known as A and B, which have key genetic differences.

Lineage B has become the dominant lineage globally and includes samples taken from people who visited the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan, which also sold wild animals. Lineage A spread within China, and includes samples from people linked to other markets in Wuhan.

"It is a very significant study. If you can show that A and B are two separate lineages and there were two spillovers, it all but eliminates the idea that it came from a lab," Garry said.

The findings are "consistent with there being at least two introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into the human population", added David Robertson, a virologist at the UK's University of Glasgow.

Also Read | Covid-19 vaccines effective at reducing severe illness, hospitalisation: Lancet study

The team analysed 1,716 SARS-CoV-2 genomes in the open database called GISAID that were collected before February 28, 2020, and identified 38 such "intermediate" genomes.

But when they looked at the sequences more closely, they found that many of these also contained mutations in other regions of their genomes. And they say that these mutations are definitively associated with either lineage A or lineage B -- which discredits the idea that the corresponding viral genomes date to an intermediate stage of evolution between the two lineages, the team said.

The team suggest that a laboratory or computer error probably occurred in sequencing one of the two mutations in these "intermediate" genomes.

However, the team countered that even if some of the genomes were sequenced correctly, other parts of the same genomes, or the locations from which the samples were collected, still clearly indicate that they belong to only one or the other lineage.

Check out latest DH videos here
In 2017, three years into an archaeological excavation at Keeladi, a nondescript village near Madurai that turned up over 5,800 artefacts, the Archaeological Survey of India inexplicably announced that there were "no significant findings."

The ASIs announcement, coupled with other decisions, like the transfer of Amarnath Ramakrishna  the Superintending Archaeologist who led the first two phases  to Assam led to a raging row in Tamil Nadu, which had begun to bask in the discovery of an early urban settlement having existed on the banks of Vaigai river.

The transfer of Ramakrishna, a native of Palani in Dindigul, was attributed to him going public with the preliminary findings of the digging: that the site dates back to the states literature-rich Sangam Era.

Tamil Nadu's political parties then accused the BJP of trying to conceal the findings of Keeladi and preventing the Tamil language and people from getting their due right in Indias history.

The saffron party was also accused of hobbling the excavations by not allocating enough funds to the ASI.

With an intervention from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court following a petition filed by a lawyer, the Union Government allowed the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) to resume the excavations in 2018, picking up where the ASI left off.

Since then, there has scarcely been a dull moment at Keeladi. The rich haul of artefacts  over 15,000 at last count, dating back at least 2,600 years (580 BCE)  unearthed over seven phases of digging, bear testimony to the vibrant urban life of the ancient settlement.

The findings are also seen as archaeological corroboration of events or places mentioned in Sangam literature; in fact, carbon dating of the six artefacts from the site is seen as evidence that the Sangam Era began three centuries earlier than thought, making Keeladi contemporaneous with the Gangetic Plains civilisation in north India.

Several capital cities, towns and sea ports from the Sangam Era such as Uraiyur, Karur, Kodumanal, Porunthal, Arikamedu, Poompuhar, Korkai, Alagankulam, Pattnam, and many more sites were excavated and established this link.

Carbon dating

The findings from the fourth phase encouraged the states archaeology department, then led by seasoned bureaucrat T Udhayachandran, to expand the Keeladi cluster by including Agaram and Konthagai, a nearby habitation and a burial site respectively.

In 2020, another site some 170 km further south called Sivagalai, on the banks of the Porunai (Thamirabarani) river near Adichanallur  where excavations began a century ago in 1903 - 04  also came under the TNSDAs radar. Excavations are now on in seven more places across Tamil Nadu.

The carbon analysis of paddy husks found in a burial urn dates the settlement in Sivagalai further back to 3,200 years (1155 BCE), making it older than the Keeladi.

Declaring the results in the state Assembly on September 9, Chief Minister M K Stalin emphatically declared that his government would prove that the history of the Indian subcontinent should be written from the Tamil landscape.

Stalin also spoke of plans to conduct studies at Vengi (Andhra Pradesh), Thalakadu (Karnataka), and Palur (Odisha), demonstrating his governments resolve to get to the roots of the ancient Tamil civilisation.

A museum will be set up to exhibit the findings of the excavation in Sivagalai, Stalin added. A museum in Keeladi, the foundation stone for which was laid by the previous AIADMK government that battled allegations of siding with the BJP in concealing Tamil history, is expected to be open by the end of 2021.

Keeladi is purely a Sangam Age site. We unearthed several pieces of evidence to show that it was a continuous urban settlement. The findings are just a beginning and as the digging continues, this site has the potential to throw up surprises. It is for historians to conduct further research on the findings, Ramakrishna, who has just been transferred back to Tamil Nadu, told DH.

Keeladis links with IVC

With the TNSDA finding similarities between Keeladi and the Indus Valley Civilisation, some experts believe the two river-based settlements in Tamil Nadu have the potential to rewrite Indias history. But they say the picture will only get clearer with further excavations and research.

The brick-built structure, terracotta toys, presence of inscribed pottery, and absence of religious markers in Keeladi have remarkable similarities to the material culture of IVC. I am not surprised by these findings. We have touched only the tip of an archaeological iceberg, Indology expert R Balakrishnan, a retired Odisha-cadre bureaucrat and author of the critically acclaimed Journey of a Civilization: Indus to Vaigai, told DH.

With the Porunai (Sivagalai) site now dated to 1155 BCE, some experts feel the gap that could establish a connection with the IVC (which existed between 3200 BCE to 1900 BCE) has shrunk to 700 years.

Though the gap is huge, Balakrishnan, Chief Advisor to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, believes that the temporal gap between IVC and Tamil antiquities are narrowing down with findings in Keeladi and Sivagalai.

Keeladis period might get pushed behind further

With just a small portion of the earmarked area being excavated so far, the chance of Keeladi and the Sangam Eras antiquity being pushed back further is a distinct possibility. Same goes for Sivagalai, where the digging at the habitation and burial sites is on-going.

Keeladi is a treasure trove and this is the oldest urban settlement to have been unearthed so far in Tamil Nadu. The site qualifies every criteria to be called an urban settlement with evidence of dying units, structural activities, industries like those making beads, iron and ceramic throwing up during the excavation. The inscriptions found point to high literacy levels among inhabitants of Keeladi thousands of years ago, Dr R Sivananthan, Commissioner of Archaeology, Tamil Nadu, told DH.

The findings from Keeladi have laid to rest the long-held conviction that the Tamil land had no ancient urban civilisation, Sivananthan said , adding that the unearthing of silver-punch marked coins with designs of sun, moon, and a bull has established trade links between the inhabitants here and present-day north India.

This means, for now, the Vaigai River Civilisation is contemporary with the Gangetic Plains Civilisation and much older than the Mauryan Empire, Sivananthan said.

The presence of ring wells that demonstrate the fluctuation in ground water and also behaviour of the Vaigai River and advanced water conservation technology used 2600 years ago, elaborate brick structures and potsherds with Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions also match references to the rich urban life celebrated in Sangam literature.

Along with references to numerous artefacts that have been unearthed, this ancient Tamil literary text also has names similar to that found scribbled onto potsherds.

A case study comparing dice found in Keeladi with the terracotta dice found in Lothal, along with a reference to the exact type of dice in Sangam literature will throw plenty of light, Balakrishnan added.

What K N Dikshit said

The theory positing a Dravidian link to the IVC is not new. Well-known epigraphist and former civil servant Iravatham Mahadevan opined that the IVC was inhabited by Dravidians who spoke a Dravidian language and that they migrated down south, though his views are widely contested due to the lack of enough evidence.

Way back in 1939, then ASI Director-General K N Dikshit wrote he believed that a thorough investigation in Tirunelveli district and the neighbouring regions will one day lead to the discovery of some site which would be contemporary with or even little later than the Indus civilisation.

Balakrishnan says Dikshits prediction was profound, as Keeladi has thrown up striking similarities with IVC not just in terms of long-distance trade links but much beyond, connected to the core ideologies and attitudes towards life.

I always take the position that the point at which IVC disappears from the scene and the points at which Sangam literature takes off are the same. I consider Sangam Literature to be the bridge that connects IVC and Tamil civilisation of the South, Balakrishnan said.

Require more evidence

K Rajan, Professor of History, Pondicherry University, in his defence of the links with IVC, told DH that narrowing of the gap between IVC, and Tamil culture is slowly emerging but still we search for more evidence.

Regarding the relation between IVC and Porunai or Vaigai valley, we have encountered many graffiti marks and most of them are morphologically near identical to IVC scripts and are suggestive of linguistic relationship. Other cultural items are yet to be encountered and future explorations and excavations may come with more concrete evidence, Prof Rajan added.

On Sivagalai, Prof Rajan said that the findings clearly suggest that rice cultivation was in existence as early as the 12th century BCE and unearthing of iron objects from them indirectly indicates that iron technology, a prerequisite for intensive agricultural activity, was already in place.

The high-level ritual performed in placing the urns in a grave, the size of the graveyard, a large number of grave goods such as ceramics, artefacts, iron objects and others are suggestive of specialised craftsmen living in a structured society to meet the demands of a large society, he said.

Adding to this, Prof Rajan pointed to the highest number of graffiti inscribed potsherds and Damili (Tamil-Brahmi) inscribed potsherds  more than 5,000 and 1,000 respectively  were found in Tamil Nadu during the archaeological excavations.

Harappan horse

However, Kurush F Dalal, an archaeologist and historian based out of Mumbai, said there are no similarities between Harappans and Keeladi, even objection to the usage of the word civilisation.

There are no similarities between Harappans and Keeladi. What Keeladi shows us is evidence of flourishing urbanisation, while the excavation in Sivagalai (Thamirabarani) is beautiful evidence of the Iron Age in Tamil Nadu. But they are not Tamil civilisations. We should stop abusing the word civilisation, he told DH.

These are fascinating discoveries that throw light on urbanisation at Keeladi and an early iron age at Sivagalai. It is fabulous but we have to stop riding this Harappan horse, Dalal said.

The archaeologist believes that Keeladi needs a lot of work and stressed transparency in writing and releasing reports on the findings from the site.

Dalals views were echoed by Ravi Korisettar, Senior Academic Fellow, Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi.

"It is an important early historic site, where Sangam period remains and later period remains have been unearthed. It does not reflect anything unique in terms of archaeological features such has been found in other parts of Southern India. It is just a late iron age, early historic period site. It also represents the expansion late Neolithic iron age culture into Southern India, especially the plains of Tamil Nadu,"

"These people made productive exploitation of mineral resources in Tamil Nadu, especially gem stones and other geological resources. But otherwise it is not anything unique in terms of Tamil civilization," Korisettar added.

Speaking about the IVC, he said There is no need to bring Indus Valley civilisation in this particular context. There is absolutely no relation between any part of Southern India and the province where Indus Valley civilization flourished. They were contemporary but not related.

There is no archaeological evidence to support the theory that Indus Valley civilisation people moved down south to Tamil Nadu. When the Indus valley civilisation prospered, early village settlements began to appear in this part of the Deccan and South India,

But Balakrishnan contests the view strongly and cites the huge archaeological apathy with reference to digging in down south for the lack of links being established with the IVC.

This, despite the leads provided by sites like Adichanallur from a century ago.

If you dont dig you wont find. It is obvious. Now you are digging and finding it, he said. If we conduct more excavations, the missing links will shrink further and eventually disappear, the bureaucrat-scholar asserted.

History is about people

Prof Rajan also opined that South Indian history has received less attention in Indian history irrespective of the occurrence of many inscriptions in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu besides numerous outstanding monuments.

The entire Indian history needs to be restructured based on the archaeological epigraphical evidences that is forthcoming to understand the history of the period for which written documents are not available, he said.

A case study of dice found in Keeladi compared with terracotta dice found in Lothal and reference to the exact type of dice in Sangam literature will throw plenty of light, Balakrishnan added.

He concluded by saying history is not just about empires, kings, and their wars, but essentially about people. I hope that focussed attention to the archaeology of Tamil Nadu will provide new and hitherto unknown contours for the peoples history of India, Balakrishnan said.
When someone bought a Chevrolet Cruze or a Ford Fiesta, it was based on trust in a solid American car with proven credentials. There was also a bit of a cult and fan following with models such as these.

But the mighty have now fallen. Four years after General Motors (GM) exited India, Ford has decided to close down its plants in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. The company blamed the accumulation of operating losses of more than $2 billion over the past 10 years and a $0.8-billion non-operating write-down of assets in 2019 for its decision.

While Fords business model  it did not have any vehicle under Rs 5 lakh category like its competitors Hyundai and Maruti in a highly price-sensitive market  might have also played a pivotal role in the decision, the government cannot completely wash its hands of the exit.

Industry observers say that some crucial demands by the automobile industry like concessional GST rate were not met by the government. Other concerns  such as higher road tax and ever-increasing fuel price  also compounded the problem.

"The Indian automobile OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) have constantly faced various regulatory changes in a short span of time, over many years now. These can be in the form of BS-4 standards adoption, BS-6 standards adoption, the sudden push for EV manufacturing, axle load norms, vehicle scrappage policy, etc. Frequent changes or instability in policies have been deterrents to OEMs to continue their operations in India," says industry analyst Vahishta Unwalla.

Fords exit is certainly a blow to Indias automobile industry, more so because it is one of the first global auto giants to have set shop here in the early 1990s after the countrys economy opened up.

Also read: Ford's India factory workers seek government help to safeguard jobs

India, the fifth largest car market in the world, has a lot of potential, but it is not an easy one to crack. This is something the other manufacturers have learnt the hard way and tailored their strategies and product portfolios so that they can be competitive and make business sense.

What is India then? It is a highly price-sensitive market in which a customer is most concerned about value for money. You need to tailor a car to suit the needs of the Indian market and make the customer see value in it. That is the reason why Kia, Hyundai and Maruti are doing well. Ford always largely retained the global models, but Indian customers did not see value in them.

Hyundai and Maruti are successful because they have small cars in their portfolio and this is the key to succeeding in India.

Ford used only about 20-25 per cent of their production capacity and it never really worked out for them. Perhaps, if the recently called off joint venture with Mahindra had worked, it would not have led to this sorry state for Ford.

Fords two best products  the EcoSport and the erstwhile hatchback Figo  had their cash counters ringing but that was not to be for too long. Poor product planning and failure to adapt to the market proved to be their undoing.

With General Motors, another American company, it was not a case very different from Ford India, even with the formers small car Spark, which had the potential to do well. Clearly, they failed to read the market just like Ford.

When it comes to Harley-Davidson, it is again a misreading of the Indian market. India is a booming superbike market but the volumes remain in the inexpensive, commuter bike categories.

Before exiting the market, the cheapest Harley-Davidson was the Street 750 at a price of about Rs 6 lakh before taxes, something that was out of reach for most Indians.

Impact on MSMEs

While the companies obviously stand to lose, it does not augur well for the ambitious Make in India initiative, as hundreds of Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Industries (MSMEs) thrived by manufacturing ancillary products for Ford. Industry sources say 4,000 MSMEs are likely to be affected due to Fords closure.

Not just direct job losses, there could be indirect ones too, as there are several micro industries entirely dependent on orders from Ford. There are around 500 small-scale industries that supply to three or four companies, leading to loss of order by up to 50 per cent due to Fords decision.

MSMEs that specialise in manufacturing auto ancillary products for the automobile industry began mushrooming in and around Chennai as motor companies made a beeline to the metropolis.

Also read: Ford wakes up badly burnt from its India dream

K E Raghunathan, convenor of Consortium of Indian Associations, told DH that MSMEs would take a direct hit due to Fords decision.

In any auto industry, if there is one direct employee, we will have close to three to four indirect employees and two gig workers. I am afraid because I believe this is just the beginning as many auto giants are facing innumerable problems, he said.

P B Ravikumar, president, Sipcot Pillaipakkam Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association, said a major chunk of the work at MSME units that supply to Ford may have been stopped.

Some MSMEs depend on their big clients. When they dont get orders from them, their repaying capability comes down drastically. The recovery from the loss will take at least two to three years, he said.

Raghunathan added that it was high time that the state government had an Exit Assessment Bureau to discuss with any enterprise in Tamil Nadu wanting to exit or wind up.

If Ford exits without finalising any buyer for its plant, we have no option but to seek the governments intervention. The government should ensure our job security, P Senthilkumar, general secretary of Chennai Ford Employees Union, told DH.

Nevertheless, government sources said it is not necessarily due to the fault of the Centre. Fords exit is unlikely to affect investor sentiment in India as the US-based firms decision is based on operational reasons and not on the business environment in the country, said an official in the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

The official, on condition of anonymity, said the government is in touch with the automobile industry. The government is open to dialogue and ready to extend any help for the sectors growth, said the official. For the past six years, more than $35 billion investments have come into India, including $4.4 billion in fresh investments by more than 10 companies.

In Fords case, the official said, the company has not sought any help from the government. But company officials said they continue to invest in India for research and development.

(With inputs from Ajith Athrady, Annapurna Singh and E T B Sivapriyan)
Dakshina Kannada administration has allowed the reopening of liquor stores on the Kerala border from September 21as the Covid positivity rate in the district declined.

The stores had been closed in the first week of August as Covid-19 cases in the district rose. The ban was to prevent tipplers from Kerala's Kasaragod district from visiting bars and wine shops.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V in his order said that the liquor shops in 19 villages within a 5-km from the border can function between 10 am and 6 pm. He said that people from Kerala entering liquor shops without RT-PCR negative certificates will face appropriate action. The staff and customers are mandated to adhere to Covid protocol and have to prevent crowding.

Check out DH's latest videos
The police on Sunday arrested Akhila Bharatha Hindu Mahasabha State General Secretary Dharmendra who had threatened Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, former chief minister B S Yediyurappa and Muzrai Minister Shashikala Jolle for "failing to prevent" demolition of temples across the state during a press conference in Mangaluru.

During a press meet, Dharmendra had said that Hindu Mahasabha had not hesitated to murder even Mahathma Gandhi when Hindus came under attack. "Thus, we will not spare the BJP government in the state if such attacks on temples continue.

Following the press meet on Saturday, Akhila Bharatha Hindu Mahasabha State President Dr Lohith Kumar Suvarna had filed a complaint against Dharmendra and others at Barke Police Station.

Read | Temple demolition: Hindu Mahasabha secy issues threat to CM, BSY

Lohith Kumar in his complaint had alleged that Dharmendra and Rajesh Pavitran were expelled from Hindu Mahasabha for their objectionable behaviour two years ago. They had proclaimed themselves as leaders of Hindu Mahasabha and had misused the letterhead of the organisation. A complaint was filed against six persons under various sections of the IPC, said City Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar.

The Commissioner said that two others who were accompanying Dharmendra have been detained. The police investigation is in progress.
Former chief minister B S Yediyurappa stated that Congress and JD(S) leaders have started consulting BJP leaders and asked them to embrace their party ahead of Assembly bye-elections, legislative council polls and Assembly polls.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the state executive committee meeting on Sunday. He asked party workers not to underestimate the Congress party as their leaders and workers have become active. They have their own strategies to win the polls. So, the workers must strive to strengthen the party at booth-level, he said.

Referring to the forthcoming assembly by-polls, he said that it was easy to win Lok Sabha polls using Modi's name, but not Assembly polls. The party's defeat in the assembly bye-elections will convey wrong a message. So, the bye-elections are not a cake-walk for BJP. The workers should not be under the notion that Modi wave will help it win the polls. "We need to work hard to win both the seats and teach a lesson to Congress party."

Also Read | I have started state-wide tour from Mysuru: Yediyurappa

Yediyurappa also exuded confidence that BJP will win the next Lok Sabha polls and Narendra Modi would become prime minister again. There is no second thought about it, he said.

Commenting on the demolition of temples, he said if necessary, the government would file an appeal in Supreme Court and try to convince that such an order is not fair. So, the workers need not be disappointed over the demolition of temple in Mysuru district. The government will take suitable steps to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

Terming the up-coming year as an year of elections, he said zilla panchayat, taluk panchayat polls, legislative council polls for 25 seats are slated to be held in the year to come. So, the party has to be strengthened at the grass root level. Besides, the SC, ST, backward class morchas must be strengthened and people of such communities must be brought to the party.

The Shikharipura MLA will tour the state for about a month to strengthen the party with the sole intention of winning more than 140 seats in the next Assembly polls. Modi's programmes must be taken out to households in Karnataka. "Without depending on others, we have to win more than 140 seats. Will Yediyurappa take out state wide tour alone?, he questioned and said MLAs, MLCs, office-bearers will accompany him."

Also Read | BSY's Karnataka tour will benefit BJP: Arun Singh

Recalling the past, he said former prime minister the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee had told in Bengaluru that his government had carried out good work but party worjerss did not highlight to voters hat it was conducted by the NDA coalition in the Centre. So, the party suffered defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, Vajapayee had said. Going by past experience, the workers must educate voters about pro-people schemes implemented by the Centre and state government.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, State BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel, BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh, Union Ministers A Narayanswamy, Shobha Karandlaje, Bhagwanth Khuba, MP G Siddeshwar, BJP National Vice-President D K Aruna, former chief ministers Jagadish Shettar, D V Sadananda Gowda, State BJP General Secretary Arun Kumar, District BJP President Veeresh Hanagawadi were present in the meeting.

Check out latest DH videos
Ten days after a Buddhist monk died of age-related issues, his body is still being preserved and worshipped by Bikkus to help ease the transition of the soul/spirit out of the body at the Tibetan camp here.

Geshe Phuntsok, a nonagenarian monk from the Shar Gaden Monastery here died on Sept 9. But the Bikkus, who believe that the spirit has not left the monk's body, have preserved the body in a room at the monastery and worshipping it. The senior monks visit the room on regular intervals to see if the soul has left the body.

"The monk from Khamchating in Tibet came to India in 1959. He preached Buddhism in Varanasi for 20 years before settling down at Mundgod camp. He used to guide Bikkus at the monastery here," Gen Khesang, a Bikku, told DH.

"Senior monks inspect the body at regular intervals. We believe that the soul has left the body if it starts emanating foul smell. Only then we perform the final rites...," the Bikku explained.

Check out the latest DH videos:
Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday cautioned his party colleagues against taking the opposition lightly in the upcoming elections.

"I have a suggestion to all of you. None of you should take the opposition lightly. They have their own calculation and strengths," Yediyurappa said at the BJP Core Committee meeting here.

The Lingayat strongman claimed that a few Congress leaders are in touch with some BJP leaders.

Read more: Karnataka govt to take corrective step in Mysuru temple demolition incident: CM Basavaraj Bommai

"You need to tread with confidence without giving chance to such incidents (defection). We have to make a sincere effort for the BJP to come back to power with 140 seats in the next assembly elections," Yediyurappa, who stepped down as the Chief Minister on July 26, said here.

He said the party can be strengthened by inducting into the BJP leaders from SC/ST and OBC communities. Further, he asked to include a team of 20 to 25 women and the BJP youth wing leaders at the booth level organisation.

Yediyurappa also appealed to the party functionaries to make the welfare programmes of the Centre and the state government reach every household. He also told the gathering that he would take up a state-wide tour shortly to strengthen the party base.

Yediyurappa reminded the core committee members that the BJP has to win both Hanagal and Sindagi assembly bypolls because its failure will send the wrong signals.

"No one here should assume that Hanagal and Sindagi are easy turfs," Yediyurappa said.

Speaking about the demolition of temple in Nanjangud in Mysuru recently, which drew widespread criticism, Yediyurappa said a decision has been taken not to allow destruction of any temples anywhere. He also said that the BJP government will file a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking "correction" in the judgment.

"Whatever has happened is now over. It will not be repeated. Those party workers who are upset should take note of this," Yediyurappa said.

BJP state chief Nalin Kumar Kateel and BJP national general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Arun Singh too addressed the gathering. In his address, Kateel took a dig at Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding his criticism of temple demolition in Nanjangud.

He said this is one instance which occurred without the knowledge of the government but the Congress government turned a blind eye to the attacks and murders of many BJP workers in Karnataka.

Senior party functionaries such as union ministers Pralhad Joshi, Shobha Karanjlaje and D V Sadananda Gowda, Karnataka ministers, former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, his son and BJP state vice-president B Y Vijayendra, BJP MLAs, MLCs, MPs and district level BJP functionaries are attending the event.

Check out the latest DH videos here:
Adipurush shoot resumes with Prabhas in Mumbai for the extravagant climax; Actor to begin film with Deepika in November

Prabhas starrer Adipurush is trending on Twitter in a big way as the shoot for the film has resumed in Mumbai yesterday. The film adapted from the epic Ramayan is directed by Om Raut and is now down for its biggest schedule yet according to reports. The schedule will apparently go on for 26 days and wrap up in the third week of October.

Fans certainly cant contain their excitement about this project where Prabhas is playing Lord Ram and will be facing off Saif Ali Khan who plays Lankesh. They will also be joined on sets by Sunny Singh who plays Lakshman and Kriti Sanon who plays Sita. The extravagant and action-packed climax scenes will apparently also be a part of this final ongoing schedule.

Adipurush is one of the biggest and most anticipated projects in 2022. After the schedule is done, there may only be a little patch work left for the actors while most of the shooting for the project is complete. Certain other reports also claim that the first look of the might also be revealed in October on Prabhas 42nd birthday. The film is expected to arrive in theatres on August 11, 2022.

#Adipurush

Look at that Godly Body Frame of #Prabhas.

Seems like The man has been busy shaping his body for the project. pic.twitter.com/OYtjZK93YC  Abhishek Parihar (@BlogDrive) September 19, 2021

#Prabhas resumes #Adipurush shoot in Mumbai yesterday .He will be shooting climax scenes in this schedule which will be continued till Oct 9th  Prabhas did Some Reharsals also for this Action scenes ..#RadheShyam  Prabhas  (@Fans__Hyderabad) September 19, 2021

Reports also suggest that after wrapping up Adipurush, Prabhas will begin to shoot for his film with Nag Ashwin in November which will take close to 12  13 months to complete. The film also stars Deepika Padukone in the lead and Amitabh Bachchan in a key role. The actor apparently wrapped up action sequences for Salaar last week.
Alia Bhatt's commercial calling out the practice of 'kanyadaan' sparks controversy, netizens say, 'understand the meaning first'

Alia Bhatts latest advertisement for an ethnic wedding fashion brand has sparked controversy for suggesting to do away with the kanyadaan ceremony, a Hindu wedding tradition. The actress dressed as a bride in the commercial makes a case for brides being given away at weddings by their parents and asks, main koi daan karne ki cheez hoon?

What was seemingly a progressive attempt by the brand, the Mohey commercial has now sparked a controversy for hurting religious sentiments. Twitterati rained fire on the Alia-led ad for questioning Hindu traditions in the name of woke culture and many even vouched to boycott the brand for targeting the religious beliefs of Hindus.

Many asked the makers of the commercial to understand the meaning of kanyadaan and also called the ad illogical and idiotic while also pointing out the brides are also given away in weddings of various other cultures.

Woke feminism by drugwood to reform Hinduism. But total silence on cult of Halala, TTT, Polygamy, Iddat, Child marriage that views women as property@aliaa08 is probably inspired by her women-empowerment champ daddy to give gyan on Kanya ka Maanpic.twitter.com/HwDUuvHlmN  Gems of Bollywood (@GemsOfBollywood) September 18, 2021

To all the people for whom #Kanyadaan exist only in Hindu marriage I would like to remind that "giving away a daughter" exist in Muslim and Christian communities too. But pseudo feminists like @aliaa08 won't mention that. #moheyhttps://t.co/6riYX0K2Ai  ANCHAL JAISWAL (@JaiswalAnchal) September 18, 2021

@Manyavar_ selling indian wedding clothes while criticizing indian rituals. Big claps for you.  Someone (@SurbhiY49523177) September 18, 2021

Ppl who don't knw the value & meaning of Kanyadan. Ppl who don't knw the value of & meaning of having a girl child will make such disgust ad like @Manyavar_Ethnic@Manyavar_ before coming wd such stupid ad first understand the value which the #bollywood ppl r lacking. #Kanyadaan  Kriti Pandey (@KritiPandey06) September 19, 2021

And #Aliabhatt has returned to dumbness with great fanfare and flourish. AIB bhi khatam ho gaya aur uska makeover bhi. Stardom is temporary, #WOKENESS is permanent. #Kanyadaanhttps://t.co/NtUuqERV0E  DJ Swaminarayan (@prashantpvm) September 19, 2021

It is such an illogical jibe on a beautiful hindu wedding ritual to begin with and you have to also watch @aliaa08 in it is added pain. Educate yourself on such sacred customs first idiots. @Manyavar_#mohey#Kanyadaan  puja  (@puja_n) September 19, 2021

I understand @aliaa08 is from #Bollywood & more of #Muslim Inclined family.

But #Mohey#Manyavar must have done the fact check about #KanyaDaan before spreading #Hinduphobia.#KanyaDaan meaning should be researched not as per the popular belief spread by #Bollywood.  Ankur Y Sharma (@AnnkurJhingan) September 19, 2021

Alias ad points out how women are told various things like apne ghar jana and being called paraya dhan and pitches the idea of kanyamaan instead of kanyadaanat weddings. Despite the backlash, Alias ad was also hailed by many on social media for questioning age-old and allegedly regressive traditions.
Deepika wants to know when Ranveer will get home as he holds a 'Ask Me Anything' session: "Khana garam kar lo baby..."

Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone gave their fans another sweet PDA moment on social media as the actress joined million of fans to ask her husband a question as he went online to hold a session of Ask Me Anything on Instagram for his fans.

When are you coming home? Deepika asked Ranveer while he was busy answering fan questions. Ranveer made a whole sweet moment of it as he responded, Khana Garam Kar Lo Baby, Main Abhi Buss Ponch Hi Rha Hoon (Heat the food up baby, Im just reaching) @deepikapadukone.

The actor also was asked by a user during the same Q&A to describe Deepika in one word and Ranveer definitely bagged the best husband trophy with his answer as he replied Queen.

Deepika wasnt the only celebrity to have crashed Ranveers AMA session. The actors good friend and Gunday co-star Arjun Kapoor also shot a question which the actor answered. Arjun asked, How are you so sexy baba." Ranveer tagged him and replied, Aap Ki Training @arjunkapoor.

On the work front, Ranveer is busy shooting Karan Johar helmed Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani with Alia Bhatt at the moment. The actor also has a few big ticket films awaiting release which include the much stalled Sooryavanshi and 83 as well as his lockdown outing with Rohit Shetty, Cirkus.

Besides these projects, Ranveer also has in his kitty a film with filmmaker Shankar which will be a remake of the Tamil film Anniyan and Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Baiju Bawra.
Ambassador McGauran presents credentials to President Caputova

News

Irelands new Ambassador, Mr. Dermot McGauran, presented his credentials to the President of the Slovak Republic, Her Excellency Ms. Zuzana Caputova at the Grassalkovich Palace on 9 September 2021. Accompanied by his wife, Estelle and the Embassys Deputy Head of Mission, Janet OSullivan, Ambassador McGauran handed over his letters of credence from the President of Ireland, His Excellency Michael D. Higgins to the President of the Slovak Republic. During their meeting, President Caputova and Ambassador McGauran discussed our excellent bilateral relations as well as a number of important international issues including climate change and the pandemic. The Ambassador looks forward to broadening and deepening Irelands engagement and connections with the Slovak Republic in the political, economic and cultural spheres.

 Previous Item | Next Item 
Jack McDonnell won the One Finance sponsored Dundalk Scratch Cup for the first time when he beat local favourite Caolan Rafferty last weekend on the first play-off hole after both had finished the 36 hole tournament on seven under.

The 26-year-old from Forest Little, who made his debut for Ireland in this weeks Home Internationals in England, fired a superb pitch into six feet to set up his birdie winning putt and deny Rafferty what would have been his fourth Dundalk Scratch Cup in six years.

Robert Moran from The Castle, who alongside McDonnell, Rafferty and Marc Boucher of Carton House was on the triumphant Irish squad this week finished two shots behind on five under alongside another local, Eoin Murphy, with Dundalk stalwart Aaron Grant completing the top five after coming home in four under.

McDonnell, playing alongside defending champion Jake Whelan (Grange), and starting off the 10th had six birdies over his opening nine holes with the only blemish being a bogey at the par three 17th, his eighth hole.

He did get back to six under with a birdie at the par five sixth but handed it back at the ninth, his last, when he bogeyed the par three.

His halfway total of 67, five under par, was enough to give him a two-shot lead over Rafferty and Co Louths Ciaran Treacy both whom came a cropper at the par three 17th which they double bogeyed after starting the hole on five under.

Rafferty, who started off the first tee, opened with two birdies and had two more back-to-back birdies at the two par fives on the front nine to turn in four under which became five under after a birdie on the par five 10th. He dropped a shot at 15 but got it back at 16 before his double bogey at 17 left him on 69.

After lunch, McDonnell began well with a birdie on his opening hole, the 10th, to go to six under and two holes later he moved to seven under with another birdie. But three successive bogeys from the 15th meant he turned in 37 and, at four under, was no longer leading.

Rafferty had gone on a charge and after picking up two shots over the front nine, an eagle on the 10th, after finding the rough off his drive, moved him to seven under and he extended that to eight under with a birdie at the short par four 14th after a brilliant approach shot.

Murphy and Moran were also on a charge with Murphy birdieing the 14th to move to six under but he handed it back at the next following a wayward drive.

With six holes to go McDonnell was in danger of being left adrift but he birdied the long par four fourth to get back to five under and then birdied the par five sixth and the par four eighth to make it to seven under.

The 17th, which had proved so calamitous for Rafferty in the first round, caught him out again and he dropped a shot around the same time as McDonnell was holing his short birdie putt on eight.

With both finishing on seven under it took a play-off to decide the outcome and McDonnell showed nerves of steel as he silenced the large home crowd with a brilliant birdie at the first tie hole.

I am delighted with that, said McDonnell afterwards. In the play-off it was like 60 Dundalk lads against me, but I didnt mind. I was delighted when I walked down there (after the drives) and I was behind him so I knew I could the pressure on with the wedge shot and I put that in close.

I played very comfortably, and I think getting the call for the Home Internationals lifted my spirits and gave me a confidence boost.
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
A Cork consultant medical oncologist has said that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted inequalities in the Irish healthcare system.

Consultant Medical Oncologist Prof Seamus OReilly said that particular strategies need to be looked at in order to tackle such inequalities that have been brought to the fore by the pandemic.

Speaking to The Echo, Prof OReilly said that screening programmes and treatment need to be made more accessible to the 13% of people in Ireland who are immigrants and to those who are disadvantaged.

He said that CervicalCheck has been very good with that through its programme for non-nationals to encourage non-Irish born people who live here to use their services.

Prof OReilly highlighted that the healthcare system currently allows for those with symptoms who have private insurance to seek medical advice and treatment at a private hospital but that those who do not have private insurance rely solely on the resourcing of public hospitals leading the disadvantaged to become more disadvantaged because theyre joining a queue.

I think we need to look to other countries as well to see how theyre doing things in the way that other screening programmes should look at CervicalCheck and how theyre addressing people with different ethnic backgrounds in terms of encouraging them to be involved in CervicalCheck - I think thats a fantastic initiative on their part, he said.

He said that Cancer Trials Ireland, which he is involved in, held a national cancer retreat back in May and looked at how things could be done better as a result of Covid.

Professor Seamus O'Reilly, Cork. Pic; Larry Cummins

I think the pandemic has exposed things but innovation is also accelerated by a crisis. In England, the Royal College of Surgeons has done this thing called a New Deal for Surgery that looks at how they can maximise their human capital so if youre a surgeon and retired then maybe you could come back and do two sessions a week for us or say youre on a career break or dont want to work full time so that way they are looking at all of the talent that is available to them.

It would be good to look at each area such as cancer screening and diagnostics and prevention to see what other people are doing and what we could be doing.

"And, for information sharing, for instance, Breast Check could learn from Cervical Check and vice versa, he said.
Two Cork students have scooped a top award at the EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS).

Cormac Thomas Harris and Alan Thomas OSullivan were awarded the EUCYS 2020 award for their statistical investigation into gender stereotyping in 5-7-year-olds.

The Cork students were among 158 promising young scientists aged 14 to 20, from 34 countries who took part in the EUCYS.

The competition gathers promising young scientists from all over Europe and beyond, to present their projects to a panel of international judges.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this years event brought together contestants from 2020 and 2021.

These students presented 114 different projects to an international jury of renowned scientists, chaired by Dr Attila Borics from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

The winning projects shared a total of 93,000 in prize money, as well as other prizes such as visits to some of the most innovative research organisations and companies in Europe.

Congratulating the winners, Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: The last year has shown us the importance of excellent research and innovation in overcoming crises that affect all of us. This competition celebrates a new generation of talents whose discoveries and innovations will be essential to shape the future we want to live in. I'm really proud of our youth's exceptional work.

Due to Covid-19 safety measures, students participated remotely in the two-day event from their homes.

A special virtual venue was set up where they could present their projects and debate with each other and the jury.

The event also featured a talk by Dr William D. Phillips, winner of the Nobel Prize in physics in 1997 and a roundtable discussion with recognised scientists on challenges that young scientists are facing today.
A motorist rammed a van three times from behind in his car following an altercation at the car park for Rocky Bay during Covid restrictions.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said the incident occurred after an altercation at the car park at Rocky Bay near Minane Bridge on May 19, 2020 at Ballyfoyle, Rocky Bay, County Cork.

Sgt. Lyons told Judge Olann Kelleher the car park was closed at the time due to Covid restrictions.

43-year-old John Fennell of 11 Rivervalley, Minane Bridge, County Cork, pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening behaviour, dangerous driving and failing to remain at the scene.

During the verbal altercation between the two parties the injured party took a photograph of the defendants Volkswagen car and went back to his van.

Mr Fennell approached the van and gave him the middle finger and said to f*** off back to England. He also banged on the side of the van with his fist.

The injured party drove away. Mr Fennell drove after him and came up behind him and rammed the van three times from behind. He then...drove off, Sgt. Lyons said.

The defendant later made an admission to gardai that he admitted getting into some kind of verbal dispute at the car park by Rocky Bay. In the course of his admissions he told gardai he had said to the other man to walk on, that this man took a photograph and that he (the defendant) gave him the finger and said something about him being English. He also admitted hitting the vehicle three times.

Defence solicitor, Pat Horan, said it was clear to gardai that the defendant was going through a manic episode and that while he was being interviewed, a garda went to the pharmacy to get medication for the accused. He suffers from depression. He is unlikely to come before the court again. He has written two letters of apology, Mr Horan said.

Mr Horan said the defendant had taken advice to demonstrate that he could see things from another persons point of view.

He has now stabilised. He is very sorry for what happened, the solicitor said.

Judge Kelleher fined him 200 on each of three dangerous driving charges in respect of ramming the van.

He fined him 100 for failing to remain at the scene and he took into consideration a charge of engaging in threatening words or behaviour.
Binance is apparently facing more pressure from regulators over possible abuses at its cryptocurrency exchange. Bloomberg sources said US officials have expanded their probe of Binance to include possible insider trading and market manipulation. The company hasn't been accused of wrongdoing, but Commodity Futures Trading Commission investigators have reportedly inquired with potential witnesses about issues like the location of Binance servers (and thus whether the US can pursue any cases).

The commission had previously launched an investigation into the sales of derivatives tied to cryptocurrencies. It's reportedly looking for internal Binance data that might show sales of those derivatives to American customers, breaking regulations that forbid those sales without registrations. The Internal Revenue Service and Justice Department are also probing possible money laundering on the exchange.

There are no guarantees of action. The CFTC and Justice Department have supposedly been investigating Binance for months, and any decisions might take a while longer.

Not surprisingly, Binance said it was above-board. A spokesperson told Bloomberg the exchange had a "zero-tolerance" approach to insider trades as well as ethical codes and security guidelines to prevent those actions. The company added that it fires offenders at a bare minimum. The CFTC has declined to comment.

The heightened scrutiny of Binance, if accurate, would come as part of a larger US crackdown on cryptocurrencies. Officials are concerned the lack of consumer protections (including regulation) might hurt customers who sign up for services expecting the same safeguards they have with conventional money. In this case, the focus is on accountability  insider trading could wreck valuable investments and erode trust in Binance and other crypto exchanges.
John Mulaney is now happily in a relationship and expecting a baby with girlfriend Olivia Munn, 41.

The 39-year-old "Saturday Night Live" star and wife of seven years Annamarie Tendler, 36, divorced in May.

Now, rumors suggest that Tendler hooked up with the internet's boyfriend, Timothee Chalamet, 25.

This all stemmed from blind submission to Instagram blind gossip page, DeuxMoi.

The post reads, "An artist and comedian's wife who just went through a very public separation and divorce recently hooked up with the man her ex made jokes about her being in love with."

The famous account takes blind submissions from the public that can be posted despite not being verified.

Please @deuxmoiworld for the love of god tell me this is Anna Marie Tendler and Timothee Chalamet pic.twitter.com/DzRWqIGBgX  do you read sutter cane (@westernvvitch) September 16, 2021

However, DeuxMoi did predict Munn's pregnancy before it was confirmed that she was expecting a bun in the often. The page also nailed a few celebrity relationships, so it's safe to assume they have insider knowledge.

Once the post went viral, many fans immediately assumed it referred to Annamarie Tendler because of John Mulaney's past comments about Timothee Chalamet.

In a Netflix special "Hilarity for Charity" released in 2018 where Mulaney had a part, he revealed in his skit, "My wife is in love with this Timothee Clamaet son of a b----h."

"it's a joke when she kids me about it, but it's not a joke."

During his opening monologue at the Independent Spirit Awards, Mulaney also mentioned the "Call Me By Your Name" actor.

He told the audience, "You know who's, like, in love with Timothee Chalamet? My wife."

"It hurts my feelings."

And what does Timothee Chalamet had to say to John Mulaney's jokes?

He acknowledged some of them online, which meant he knew that Mulaney's wife was really into him. They even got back and forth in the past over Tender's love for the French-American actor.

In April 2018, when a fan asked if he had seen the clip of Mulaney mentioning him at the Independent Spirit Awards, Chalamet responded on Twitter, "Yes I watched it from the gas station."

READ ALSO: Lisa Ling on 'The View' Season 25 -- Viewers Celebrate Her Temporary Return, Blast Meghan McCain

Do Timothee Chalamet and Annamarie Tendler Know Each Other?

It's unclear if the two know each other, but it is known that both Timothee Chalamet and Annamarie Tendler attended the same university - New York University.

Chalamet moved to NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study after his career took off and was still studying there until 2017.

Meanwhile, Tendler started her graduate program in costume studies at NYU Steinhardt in 2018.

Perhaps they were introduced by their colleagues.

READ MORE: 'The Good Doctor' Season 5 Spoilers, Release Date And Details About New Major Character Revealed
The death of a 20-year-old Texas A&M University student from COVID-19 earlier this month spurred fear, frustration and sadness on the College Station campus. In the days since the biomedical science major died, those same feelings have galvanized some students and faculty members to demand more stringent coronavirus precautions from university officials  even if that means defying Gov. Greg Abbotts ban on such mandates.

How many Aggies must die before Texas A&M University mandates vaccinations and masks for its students and faculty? physics professor Peter McIntyre said at a virtual faculty senate meeting last week.

School leaders, though, have said Abbotts bans on state agencies requiring mask-wearing or vaccinations have left them with few options.

The death of a student is always tragic, Texas A&M President M. Katherine Banks said at the faculty senate meeting. COVID remains a problem on our campus. But let me assure you, were doing all we can within state guidelines to allow us to be given the opportunity to protect as many students, faculty and staff as possible.

Although Abbott has forbidden state universities from mandating masks or vaccines, Banks encouraged people to wear them during her remarks at the faculty senate meeting.

All A&M faculty members, staff and students were required to be tested at least once in the three-week period that ended Sept. 11. According to the schools COVID-19 dashboard, there were 1,498 positive coronavirus tests detected during the last week of mandatory testing. That was a dramatic increase from the 774 people who tested positive two weeks earlier.

Across Texas, university and college students and faculty members worried about returning to campus without school leaders being able to mandate masks or vaccines even as the Centers for Disease Control advised fully vaccinated people to wear masks indoors to prevent the spread of the virus. In Texas, the number of infections and people hospitalized with the virus surged this summer as the school year approached.

Abbotts office did not respond to requests for comment.

Godofredo A. Vasquez /Staff photographer

Several universities offered students prizes to entice them to get vaccinated. At Texas A&M, getting the vaccine came with the possibility of winning free tuition and fees.

But after the 20-year-old student died and cases rose during the initial weeks of the fall semester, about 60 A&M students gathered last week at Academic Plaza to protest for more mandatory COVID-19 precautions, chanting, Wear your mask, and Mask mandates are a must, and A&M is unjust.

The Texas Tribune could not reach relatives of the student and is not naming the student.

Neo Koite, a junior studying wildlife and fisheries sciences, helped organize the protest. Koite said she has classes with almost 300 students and said only 20 of them typically wear masks.

No more people should have to die because of COVID. No student should have to seriously consider if they are next, Koite said. We should never have to sacrifice immunocompromised, vulnerable Aggies who give their time and energy into making this community into what it is.

Noor Mohamed, a freshman engineering student who also attended the protest, feels the same way. Mohamed said she heard of students who tested positive for COVID-19 and still attended class, which worried her and spurred her to participate in the protest.

There was a sense of urgency as we chanted, Not another Aggie, but togetherness as we mourned a fellow student and shared our worries for our own future amidst the pandemic, Mohamed said. They (Texas A&M) emphasize returning to normal, but that is impossible if certain measures are not taken, such as a mask mandate.

Texas A&M University has not publicly acknowledged the students death on its website or on social media. When asked for a comment, a spokesperson said in a statement that the university mourns the students death.

Her desire to become a psychiatric nurse was a true calling to serve those in greatest need, the statement read. We ask all Aggies to come forward and honor this Aggie .

According to KBTX-TV, university leaders said theyre doing everything they can and are highly encouraging people to wear masks and get vaccinated.

Were doing all we can and a little bit more, A&M Chief Operations Officer Greg Hartman told the station. People want to make sure their voices are heard. Were listening, and well continue to do everything we can.

Although some students and faculty members dont want any new protocols in place, other students like Koite and Mohamed would like to see online classes offered and more promotion of mask usage and the vaccine.

We are the people who must carry the torch for our loved ones who lost graduating college, watching their children grow old and milestones that they should have had a chance of experiencing, Koite said. I cant stomach thinking of who is next. I cant stomach the thought of ever getting used to death.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University has been a financial supporter of the Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Fearful of Donald Trump's actions in his final weeks as president, the United States' top military officer twice called his Chinese counterpart to assure him that the two nations would not suddenly go to war, a senior defense official said Tuesday after the conversations were described in excerpts from a forthcoming book.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley told Gen. Li Zuocheng of the Peoples Liberation Army that the United States would not strike. One call took place on Oct. 30, 2020, four days before the election that defeated Trump. The second call was on Jan. 8, 2021, just two days after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of the outgoing chief executive.

Trump said Milley should be tried for treason if the report was true.

Milley went so far as to promise Li that he would warn his counterpart in the event of a U.S. attack, according to the book Peril, written by Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the book. Details from the book, which is set to be released next week, were first reported by The Washington Post on Tuesday.

General Li, I want to assure you that the American government is stable and everything is going to be okay, Milley told him in the first call, according to the book. We are not going to attack or conduct any kinetic operations against you.

If were going to attack, Im going to call you ahead of time. Its not going to be a surprise," Milley reportedly said.

According to the defense official, Milleys message to Li on both occasions was one of reassurance. The official questioned suggestions that Milley told Li he would call him first, and instead said the chairman made the point that the United States was not going to suddenly attack China without any warning  whether it be through diplomatic, administrative or military channels.

Milley also spoke with a number of other chiefs of defense around the world in the days after the Jan. 6 riot, including military leaders from the United Kingdom, Russia and Pakistan. A readout of those calls in January referred to several other counterparts that he spoke to with similar messages of reassurance that the U.S. government was strong and in control.

The second call was meant to placate Chinese fears about the events of Jan. 6. But the book reports that Li wasnt as easily assuaged, even after Milley promised him: We are 100 percent steady. Everythings fine. But democracy can be sloppy sometimes.

Trump responded Tuesday with a sharply worded statement dismissing Milley as a Dumbass, and insisting he never considered attacking China.

Still, he said that if the report was true, I assume he would be tried for TREASON in that he would have been dealing with his Chinese counterpart behind the Presidents back and telling China that he would be giving them notification of an attack. Cant do that!

Actions should be taken immediately against Milley, Trump said.

Milley believed the president suffered a mental decline after the election, agreeing with a view shared by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a phone call they had Jan. 8, according to officials.

Pelosi had previously said she spoke to Milley that day about available precautions to prevent Trump from initiating military action or ordering a nuclear launch, and she told colleagues she was given unspecified assurances that there were longstanding safeguards in place.

Milley, according to the book, called the admiral overseeing the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, the military unit responsible for Asia and the Pacific region, and recommended postponing upcoming military exercises. He also asked senior officers to swear an oath that Milley had to be involved if Trump gave an order to launch nuclear weapons, according to the book.

Officials in January and on Tuesday confirmed that Milley spoke with Pelosi, which was made public by the House speaker at the time. The officials said the two talked about the existing, long-held safeguards in the process for a nuclear strike. One official said Tuesday that Milleys intent in speaking with his staff and commanders about the process was not a move to subvert the president or his power, but to reaffirm the procedures and ensure they were understood by everyone.

It's not clear what, if any, military exercises were actually postponed. But defense officials said it is more likely that the military postponed a planned operation, such as a freedom of navigation transit by a U.S. Navy ship in the Pacific region. The defense officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

Milley was appointed by Trump in 2018 and later drew the president's wrath when he expressed regret for participating in a June 2020 photo op with Trump after federal law enforcement cleared a park near the White House of peaceful protesters so Trump could stand at a nearby damaged church.

In response to the book, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., sent President Joe Biden a letter Tuesday urging him to fire Milley, saying the general worked to actively undermine the sitting Commander in Chief.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called the report deeply concerning, telling reporters at the Capitol, I think the first step is for General Milley to answer the question as to what exactly he said.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said he had no concerns that Milley might have exceeded his authority, telling reporters that Democratic lawmakers were circumspect in our language but many of us made it clear that we were counting on him to avoid the disaster which we knew could happen at any moment.

A spokesperson for the Joint Staff declined to comment.

Milley's second warning to Beijing came after Trump had fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper and filled several top positions with interim officeholders loyal to him.

The book also offers new insights into Trump's efforts to hold on to power despite losing the election to Biden.

Trump refused to concede and offered false claims that the election had been stolen. He repeatedly pressed his vice president, Mike Pence, to refuse to certify the election results at the Capitol on Jan. 6, the event that was later interrupted by the mob.

Pence, the book writes, called Dan Quayle, a former vice president and fellow Indiana Republican, to see if there was any way he could acquiesce to Trump's request. Quayle said absolutely not.

Mike, you have no flexibility on this. None. Zero. Forget it. Put it away, Quayle said, according to the book.

Pence ultimately agreed. He defied Trump to affirm Joe Biden's victory.

Trump was not pleased.

I dont want to be your friend anymore if you dont do this, Trump replied, according to the book, later telling his vice president: Youve betrayed us. I made you. You were nothing.

Peril describes Trumps relentless efforts to convince Attorney General William Barr that the election had been stolen. Barr is quoted as telling Trump, The Justice Department cant take sides, as you know, between you and the other candidate. According to the book, Barr had determined that allegations about rigged voting machines were not panning out. Barr also expressed disgust with Rudolph Giuliani and others insisting Trump had won, calling them a clown car.

___

Associated Press writers Hillel Italie in New York and Lisa Mascaro and Lolita Baldor contributed reporting.
DEL RIO, Texas (AP)  The U.S. flew Haitians camped in a Texas border town back to their homeland Sunday and tried blocking others from crossing the border from Mexico in a massive show of force that signaled the beginning of what could be one of America's swiftest, large-scale expulsions of migrants or refugees in decades.

More than 320 migrants arrived in Port-au-Prince on three flights, and Haiti said six flights were expected Tuesday. In all, U.S. authorities moved to expel many of the more 12,000 migrants camped around a bridge in Del Rio, Texas, after crossing from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico.

The U.S. plans to begin seven expulsion flights daily on Wednesday, four to Port-au-Prince and three to Cap-Haitien, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Flights will continue to depart from San Antonio but authorities may add El Paso, the official said.

The only obvious parallel for such an expulsion without an opportunity to seek asylum was in 1992 when the Coast Guard intercepted Haitian refugees at sea, said Yael Schacher, senior U.S. advocate at Refugees International whose doctoral studies focused on the history of U.S. asylum law.

Now Playing: The U.S. is flying Haitians camped in a Texas border town back to their homeland and trying to block others from crossing the border from Mexico. (Sept. 19) Video: Associated Press

Similarly large numbers of Mexicans have been sent home during peak years of immigration but over land and not so suddenly.

Central Americans have also crossed the border in comparable numbers without being subject to mass expulsion, although Mexico has agreed to accept them from the U.S. under pandemic-related authority in effect since March 2020. Mexico does not accept expelled Haitians or people of other nationalities outside of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Now Playing: Haitian migrants seeking to escape poverty, hunger and a feeling of hopelessness in their home country said they will not be deterred by U.S. plans to speedily send them back, as thousands of people remained encamped on the Texas border Saturday after crossing from Mexico. (Sept. 18) Video: Associated Press

When the border was closed Sunday, the migrants initially found other ways to cross nearby until they were confronted by federal and state law enforcement. An Associated Press reporter saw Haitian immigrants still crossing the river into the U.S. about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) east of the previous spot, but they were eventually stopped by Border Patrol agents on horseback and Texas law enforcement officials.

As they crossed, some Haitians carried boxes on their heads filled with food. Some removed their pants before getting into the river and carried them. Others were unconcerned about getting wet.

Agents yelled at the migrants who were crossing in the waist-deep river to get out of the water. The several hundred who had successfully crossed and were sitting along the river bank on the U.S. side were ordered to the Del Rio camp. Go now, agents yelled. Mexican authorities in an airboat told others trying to cross to go back into Mexico.

Migrant Charlie Jean had crossed back into Ciudad Acuna from the camps to get food for his wife and three daughters, ages 2, 5 and 12. He was waiting on the Mexican side for a restaurant to bring him an order of rice.

We need food for every day. I can go without, but my kids cant, said Jean, who had been living in Chile for five years before beginning the trek north to the U.S. It was unknown if he made it back across and to the camp.

Mexico said Sunday it would also begin deporting Haitians to their homeland. A government official said the flights would be from towns near the U.S. border and the border with Guatemala, where the largest group remains.

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating 2010 earthquake. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

Some of the migrants at the Del Rio camp said the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise make them afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

In Haiti, there is no security, said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived in Texas with his wife and two daughters. The country is in a political crisis.

Since Friday, 3,300 migrants have already been removed from the Del Rio camp to planes or detention centers, Border Patrol Chief Raul L. Ortiz said Sunday. He expected to have 3,000 of the approximately 12,600 remaining migrants moved within a day, and aimed for the rest to be gone within the week.

We are working around the clock to expeditiously move migrants out of the heat, elements and from underneath this bridge to our processing facilities in order to quickly process and remove individuals from the United States consistent with our laws and our policies, Ortiz said at news conference at the Del Rio bridge. The Texas city of about 35,000 people sits roughly 145 miles (230 kilometers) west of San Antonio.

Six flights were scheduled in Haiti on Tuesday  three in Port-au-Prince and three in the northern city of Cap-Haitien, said Jean Negot Bonheur Delva, Haiti's migration director.

The rapid expulsions were made possible by a pandemic-related authority adopted by former President Donald Trump in March 2020 that allows for migrants to be immediately removed from the country without an opportunity to seek asylum. President Joe Biden exempted unaccompanied children from the order but let the rest stand.

Any Haitians not expelled are subject to immigration laws, which include rights to seek asylum and other forms of humanitarian protection. Families are quickly released in the U.S. because the government cannot generally hold children.

Some people arriving on the first flight covered their heads as they walked into a large bus parked next to the plane. Dozens lined up to receive a plate of rice, beans, chicken and plantains as they wondered where they would sleep and how they would make money to support their families.

All were given $100 and tested for COVID-19, though authorities were not planning to put them into quarantine, said Marie-Lourde Jean-Charles with the Office of National Migration.

Gary Monplaisir, 26, said his parents and sister live in Port-au-Prince, but he wasnt sure if he would stay with them because to reach their house he, his wife and their 5-year-old daughter would cross a gang-controlled area called Martissant where killings are routine.

Im scared, he said. I dont have a plan.

He moved to Chile in 2017, just as he was about to earn an accounting degree, to work as a tow truck driver. He later paid for his wife and daughter to join him. They tried to reach the U.S. because he thought he could get a better-paying job and help his family in Haiti.

Were always looking for better opportunities, he said.

Some migrants said they were planning to leave Haiti again as soon as possible. Valeria Ternission, 29, said she and her husband want to travel with their 4-year-old son back to Chile, where she worked as a bakery's cashier.

I am truly worried, especially for the child, she said. I cant do anything here.

___

Lozano reported from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, Sanon from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and Spagat from San Diego. Associated Press writers Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Maria Verza in Mexico City also contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
The announced departure of San Antonio Independent School District Superintendent Pedro Martinez didnt exactly come as a shock to his board members.

But it presented them with a tall order: finding a successor with the same sense of mission.

Some of the things they admire most about Martinez  after six years of his intense and sometimes controversial efforts to transform the district  will be hard to replace, they conceded in interviews this week.

For one thing, board members are losing a friend, said Patti Radle, a trustee for about a decade who was board president for most of Martinezs tenure. But they also are losing a leader who understood the opportunities and challenges that come with the SAISD demographics, she said.

With more than 48,000 students in San Antonios urban core, the district is one of the largest in the region. Its also among the poorest, with 80 percent of its residents Hispanic and with a median household income of about $36,000 a year, according to 2015-2019 data compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics.

Martinez was hired in 2015 to reverse a steady shrinking of the districts enrollment, improve its anemic academic performance and rescue schools on the brink of shutdown after years of failing to meet state accountability standards.

Born in Mexico, raised in Chicago and crediting that citys public schools with pulling him out of poverty himself, Martinez knew this demographic well, spoke its language and saw potential where others saw only defeat, trustees have said.

At 51, he will soon become the CEO of Chicago Public Schools, an even larger national laboratory in the elusive search for ways to fix education amid U.S. urban poverty.

The board will discuss the appointment of an interim superintendent Monday and begin talking about what likely will be a national search for a permanent one. It might take until the spring at the earliest  the prime hiring season for this type of position  to attract better candidates.

But trustees already are thinking of the traits they want to see in candidates for the job. Whoever they pick will face ongoing problems  including, as with every school system in the United States, the need to repair the learning damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In SAISDs case, trustees said, the pandemic also damaged something intangible: momentum.

We were coming off the news of being one of the most transformational districts in the state of Texas as it relates to student academic performance before the pandemic, said Ed Garza, one of the boards longest-serving members. So I think we felt the impact of the pandemic more so than other districts.

On ExpressNews.com: The turnaround: Pedro Martinez takes on poverty, charters and the teachers union

In late 2019, months before the virus arrived, SAISD was still grappling with significant numbers of underperforming schools, but it had managed to go from a failing district in 2015 to earning a B, with an overall 83 score.

Enrollment had stabilized after 20 years of losses, even in the face of relentless charter competition. Middle-class parents who had abandoned SAISD schools now were putting their kids in its magnet programs  where the district had a lottery system to keep a balance with students from low-income households.

The progress and the innovation, Radle said, were made possible by Martinezs vision, the team he put together to achieve it and the boards support.

The board has played a very important part, I think, in the legacy of Pedro, because weve had long and good conversations with him about what we saw as needs, either for the district or for our individual single-member districts that we represent, and Pedro listened, Radle said.

Outside game

Josie Norris /The San Antonio Express-News

One practice that has lost unanimity of board support  and for years has fueled opposition to the superintendent by the SAISD teacher and employee union  was Martinezs willingness to use outside partners to run schools.

The district now has 11 partnerships with nonprofit groups to secure extra state funding under a 2017 law called Senate Bill 1882 that encourages such arrangements.

I was afraid that we were moving too fast without really thinking of the implications of what it meant to hand hiring, firing and curriculum decision to outside entities, said trustee Sarah Sorensen, who was elected this year with union support.

Garza believes those partnerships are at the core of why SAISD has seen success, and he hopes the future superintendent embraces them.

We know that we cannot do this alone, Garza said. We have to create powerful partnerships. I see that as continuing and continuing to grow because of all the challenges (the pandemic brought).

Working with outside partners is important but not necessarily a priority for the next superintendent, said Arthur Valdez, who has served on the board since 2013.

But Valdez said he admired Martinezs ability to recruit another kind of outside partner: the business community, which has really supported us. He pointed to grants from companies such as Valero and H-E-B.

Whoever leads the district in the future needs those communication skills, he said.

On ExpressNews.com: In chamber speech, San Antonio ISD superintendent pushes need for $1.25 billion bond

Some of the SB 1882 partnerships  and an earlier contract with an out-of-state charter network  were intended to save schools from closure. State law shuts down schools that repeatedly underperform but allows extra time with such changes.

Starting in 2020, however, the pandemic shut down the states accountability system. Despite some reforms, the ratings are still largely based on test scores, and when the system starts again, the performance of many SAISD schools will be an open question.

The narrative around transformation is based primarily around standardized testing. And we know as educators, that does not tell the whole story, said Alejandra Lopez, the president of the union, the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel.

Many of us who are in the front lines still see a lot of work to be done to ensure that our schools are meeting the needs, not just of our students, but their parents, their families and our communities at large, she said.

Lopez said the union has its own list of qualities it would like to see in a new superintendent, and she stressed the importance of a hiring process that includes everyone with a stake in the districts future.

Our union represents teachers and bus drivers, food service workers. What we are experiencing right now is a tremendous sense of stress and a very high workload, she said.

Departure amid unknowns

Josie Norris /The San Antonio Express-News

The stress and the workload exploded during the pandemic. The academic damage is significant, but its exact contours are unknown. And in states such as Texas, safety precautions in schools have become politicized.

Martinezs departure comes amid this uncertainty, which has been overshadowed by his recent high-profile maneuvering for classroom safety.

Trustees agree that the main focus of the interim superintendent and eventually Martinezs permanent replacement should be to make up the learning loss and regain the districts pre-pandemic momentum.

This will be hampered by a shortage of teachers, which is national in scope, some pointed out.

We have to remember that our workers working conditions are our students learning conditions, Sorensen said.

And that, in turn, makes mental health another top priority, not just that of students, but teachers and staff, Garza said.

We need to be able to offer support to our students after these bizarre virtual and other circumstances, he said.

On ExpressNews.com: Digital divide suddenly wider

With no report card from the Texas Education Agency, educators have relied on classroom data and some testing in the spring  full participation was not required  to calculate what students need.

Because many of them live in multigenerational households, with relatives who might be at higher risk for COVID-19, Martinez directed one of the areas most cautious and slow-paced returns to campus. Only about half the districts enrollment finished last school year in classrooms.

The majority of those who learned online didnt do well, and Martinez pushed for their return in the fall. But the pandemic came roaring back as Gov. Greg Abbott banned mask requirements. SAISD became the first of several local districts to defy the governors order.

Martinez also decided to do without state funding for a select group of students with health risks, so their teachers could be asked to instruct both online and in the classroom  something Texas will no longer pay for.

He also became the only school leader in the area to require vaccinations for district employees, a move most of his board recently reaffirmed against a lawsuit by the state.

Whoever leads SAISD must be willing to operate under that kind of political and legal pressure, Radle said. High on her long list of traits for the next superintendent is boldness in making the right decision and sticking to it.

The district needs someone who is extremely focused on the student, Radle said. Someone who listens to their teachers, who listens to their staff, who is not afraid to take advice from their staff.  And someone who is going to keep on course.

Martinez is able to recognize talent and give it a seat at the table, several current and former trustees said. Part of his legacy is already apparent: a strong team of administrators who can continue the districts work after his departure and who might attract good candidates to replace him.

We are in an incredibly strong position, Sorensen said. I think we are in a position where we can be choosy. We can take the time to find the right person for our community. We have a strong board. We dont always agree on everything, but we work together, and I think we respect where we are all coming from.

Required Reading: Get San Antonio education news sent directly to your inbox

Trustee Alicia Sebastian-Perry said it will be important to find a new leader who can balance the successful Martinez-era initiatives with the ability to innovate and make changes.

Myself and my colleagues have had numerous conversations about what good leadership looks like and I think Martinez has shown us a whole lot of what that is, Sebastian-Perry said. Its probably going to be not as hard for somebody to come in and kind of pick-up some of the charges that are already happening and have been beneficial to us, but then also come in with the high-level systems approach.

Part of the attraction for job candidates will be the SAISD trustees themselves, highly engaged and highly focused on working hand in hand with the superintendent, board president Christina Martinez predicted.

There are still unknowns with COVID, Martinez said. We want a superintendent that is doing whatever it takes to make sure that our schools stay open and our kids stay safe.

Danya.Perez@express-news.net; Claire.Bryan@express-news.net
Re: The Afghanistan lie, Your Turn, Tuesday:

The letter, written by Liam Harvie, was titled correctly. However, his content was incredibly incomplete.

The real Big Lie was why we were there in the first place and why we stayed for 20 years.

Terri Gorler

General a hero

I still have hope for America. This is because of the actions of Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and many other professionals, who courageously took their jobs and their oaths to the Constitution seriously and followed the law after the 2020 election.

We are a nation founded on the principal of law, not personalities.

William Schiller

Fund childrens court

It is disappointing the Bexar County Commissioners Court failed to fully fund a third childrens court at last weeks budget meeting.

Agreeing to fund a judge to preside over the new court but failing to fund the support staff and equipment necessary to operate the court is a hollow gesture. Unfortunately, its all too common in todays politics. A third court has been needed for years.

This is neither a new issue nor a new request. It always comes down to a lack of money. With that being the case, why would commissioners vote to approve a minuscule tax rate cut that amounts to saving the average homeowner enough money to buy a Happy Meal once a year, while taking away $1.74 million from the county budget that could be used to help those most in need?

Commissioners agreed to explore possible funding next month. If history is any indication, we shouldnt hold our breath.

Christine Hortick

Medicaid hypocrites

Re: I do feel like I am failing children, Front Page, Wednesday:

Buried deep in the story about Texas cruel and inept treatment of foster children with special needs is the statement that some of these children have been sent to states that have expanded Medicaid, something Texas has stupidly and stubbornly refused to do.

Do Texas Republicans have no shame?

Phil Holcomb

Abusers to account

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott: Since you say it is time to make sure we eliminate all rapists from the streets of Texas, then let us get on with this removal of all sexual predator bishops, priests, nuns, pastors, health care providers, teachers, janitors, mental health professionals, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, grandfathers, grandmothers, aunts and uncles.

However, in most cases of sexual abuse by those whom we trust, it takes decades to report, allowing most rapists to stay not on the streets but in our parishes and homes, and in all walks of our lives.

Clearly, your plan must include the elimination of the statute of limitations, or at least a look-back window, so that all abusers and the institutions who cover for them are held accountable in the court system.

Surely, this must be a part of your plan?

Patti Koo, chapter leader,

San Antonio-New Braunfels Survivors Network of those

Abused by Priests

State goes too far

With the new law banning abortion after six weeks, Texas is now prioritizing embryos over womens right to control their bodies. An embryo is not a fetus. A 6-week-old embryo is the size of a grain of rice and does not have a heartbeat but rather electrical activity in developing cardiac tissue.

Fertility procedures often result in multiple embryos, some of which are implanted while others are frozen or destroyed. Will doctors be prosecuted for destroying an embryo that, if it were in a uterus instead of a lab, would be controlled by the state of Texas?

The government overreach that conservative Republicans used to oppose is apparently now a highly selective superpower. I hope Republican voters, including those opposed to abortion, can see that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his minions have gone too far.

Susan Hull

Strike workaround

Some analysts have said the new Texas abortion law cannot be stayed or blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court, or any court, because the enforcement mechanism is not government action but lawsuits from private citizens. This supposedly makes the law court-proof because there is no identifiable defendant to be enjoined by the courts.

But it is for this exact reason that the law must be blocked and stayed. We cant allow states to pass laws that take away the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens, or else the 14th Amendment means nothing. And abortion in the first two trimesters is a constitutional right under Roe v. Wade, which has not been overturned.

If the Supreme Court cant block this law, then it cant block a law that empowers and encourages citizens to sue someone for voting, being Jewish, or owning a gun or criticizing a politician. It is the job of the courts, especially the U.S. Supreme Court, to protect constitutional rights. We cannot have, and must not permit, Constitution-proof laws in this country.

John Maxstadt, Laredo
MOOSE, Wyo. (AP)  Authorities say a body discovered Sunday in Wyoming is believed to be Gabrielle Gabby Petito, who disappeared while on a cross-country trek with a boyfriend who has been identified by authorities as a person of interest and is now being sought within a Florida nature preserve.

The FBI said the body was found by law enforcement agents who had spent the past two days searching campgrounds.

The cause of death has not yet been determined, said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Charles Jones.

Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified, Jones said. This is an incredibly difficult time for (Petitos) family and friends.

An attorney who has been acting as a spokesman for Petito's family asked in a statement that the family be given room to grieve.

Attorney Richard Benson Stafford indicated that the family would make a public statement at a later date, and he thanked officials with the FBI, Grand Teton Search and Rescue and other agencies that participated in the search for Petito.

The family and I will be forever grateful, Stafford said in a statement.

An undeveloped camping area on the east side of Grand Teton bordering national forest land will remain closed until further notice while the investigation continues, Jones said.

Jones said investigators are still seeking information from anyone who may have seen Petito or Brian Laundrie around the camp sites, the same area that was the subject of law enforcement search efforts over the weekend.

Petito and her boyfriend, Laundrie, left in July on a cross-country trek in a converted van to visit national parks in the U.S. West. Police said Laundrie was alone when he drove the van back to his parents home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1.

Laundrie has been identified as a person of interest in the case. He was last seen Tuesday by family members in Florida.

More than 50 law enforcement officers on Sunday started a second day of searching for Laundrie at the more than 24,000-acre (9,712-hectare) Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, Florida, a wildlife area with more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of trails, as well as campgrounds.

Petitos family filed a missing persons report Sept. 11 with police in Suffolk County, New York.

Petitos family had been pleading for the Laundrie family to tell them where their son last saw her. Petito and Laundrie were childhood sweethearts who met while growing up on Long Island, New York. His parents later moved to North Port, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) south of Sarasota.

The couples trek in the Ford Transit van began in July from Long Island. They intended to reach Oregon by the end of October, according to their social media accounts, but Petito vanished after her last known contact with family in late August from Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, authorities said.

Police video released by the Moab Police Department in Utah showed that an officer pulled the van over on Aug. 12 after it was seen speeding and hitting a curb near the entrance to Arches National Park. The body cam video showed an emotional Petito, who sat inside a police cruiser while officers also questioned Laundrie.

Moab police ultimately decided not file any charges and instead separated the couple for the night, with Laundrie checking into a motel and Petito remaining with the converted sleeper van.

___

This story has been corrected to show that it was a Ford Transit van.
BOZEMAN  Montana State Universitys Steer-A-Year program is seeking donations of young cattle and feed for the 2021-22 academic year.

A student program in MSUs College of Agriculture combining academic courses with hands-on, technical experience, Steer-A-Year exposes students to the variety of elements involved in raising cattle. Students spend the academic year feeding and managing steers, caring for them through the winter and spring, collecting data on feed efficiency and weight gain, and studying livestock marketing.

This program is a huge benefit to our students because it allows many of them the first hands-on experience raising cattle that theyve ever had, said Hannah DelCurto-Wyffels, the programs adviser and an instructor in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences. Through Steer-A-Year, they are able to gain a well-rounded and comprehensive knowledge of the cattle industry, which helps prepare them for future careers.

Donated steers are housed at the Bozeman Agriculture Research and Teaching Farm. After being cared for by the students through the academic year, the cattle are sold annually to MSUs Culinary Services, where the meat is served in both on-campus dining halls, Miller and Rendezvous.

Proceeds from those sales support travel and other costs for various student teams and clubs in the College of Agriculture, as well as funding trips for students to meet with commodity groups and industry professionals, such as the National Cattlemens Beef Association, the Montana Stockgrowers Association and the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, allowing for additional networking and learning opportunities.

Steer-A-Year students raised 36 steers during the 2020-21 academic year, all of which were purchased by Culinary Services.

In addition to benefitting our students, producers who donate steers to the program receive a lot of powerful information that they can use to benefit their operations, said Carl Yeoman, head of the Department of Animal and Range Sciences. Students caring for the cattle provide these producers regular reports on their donated animals growth and health, as well as detailed information about meat quality after the steers are harvested.

Awards are given annually to the producer who donated the best initial feeder steer, the steer with the top rate of gain, the steer with the best feed efficiency and the steer that produces the best carcass.

The relationships created through this program are invaluable, said DelCurto-Wyffels. Its such a joy to see our students interacting with producers across the state and to watch them learn from each other. The generosity of our supporters is truly what makes this program possible.

DelCurto-Wyffels said that before donation, calves should be weaned, castrated and dehorned and should weigh 500-800 pounds. The ideal pickup period for calves is the first two weeks of November. Those interested in donating steers or feed, providing financial support or learning more about the Steer-A-Year program can contact DelCurto-Wyffels at 406-994-3752 or hannah.delcurto@montana.edu.

From MSU News Service
We tend to remember it as something that affected new York, Washington and a remote field in Pennsylvania.

It also impacted small towns, such as Fairfield, Montana.

On Saturday, 9/11, I visited the grave of Sgt. Jimmy McHale. Jimmy died as the result of injuries sustained while serving in Iraq on July 30, 2008. He was a young man from Fairfield.

He was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which was part of the Global War on Terror that came about as the result of 9/11.

I went there on Saturday just to touch his marker and say thank you.

While reporting on his story in 2008, I was walking around town taking photos of the memorials to Sgt. McHale that had appeared all over town.

I spotted an Army Sergeant First Class (SFC), walking along a sidewalk, in uniform. He was a little older that most of the men we see in uniform - about my age. He was taking photos of every flag along the street. Now, bear in mind that the flags often fly in Fairfield, Montana. Lots of them.

I walked up and started talking with SFC Sestina. I asked why he was taking photos of the flags around town. He explained to me what our flag means to a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine. If you dont know, find a soldier or veteran and ask.

SFC Sestina explained to me that he had come to Fairfield to represent his son, who had served with Jimmy McHale in Iraq. His son, he told me, had said that Sgt. McHale would always talk about what a great place Fairfield, Montana is. He talked about the lifestyle here. And the people. And the scenery.

SFC Sestina said his son, and others who served with McHale, doubted if Fairfield was really that great.

SFC Sestina had been in town for a couple of days, and the next day he and his wife came by my office for a chat.

I asked the Sergeant First Class, Youve been in Fairfield for several days now. Your son asked you to come here to represent you at Jimmys funeral. Now that you have seen our community, what will you tell your son about Jimmys home town?

SFC Sestina said, I told my son that Fairfield is exactly how Jimmy said it was.

Before he headed out the door, I thanked SFC Sestina for his service, as well as for the service of his son. To my surprise, the Sgt. said to me, Thank you for your service. I appreciated the kind words, but I told him, Im just a small town newspaper publisher.

He replied, You fight the enemy over here. Well take care of the enemy over there.

Were all in that fight.
Pigs continue to back up on farms in large numbers, leaving producers fearing for the welfare of their animals, the National Pig Association (NPA) has warned.

The NPAs pig producer and allied industry representatives spelled out the need for collective supply chain action, backed by government support, to help alleviate a crisis that threatens to 'rip the heart out of the industry'.

During an impassioned meeting in Warwickshire earlier this week, producers set out how the current perfect storm of events was putting untold pressure on farms across the UK.

The NPA warned that the current crisis was the worst the sector had seen since the 'dark days' of the late 1990s and early 2000s, as pigs continue to back up on farms.

The backlogs are coming at a time of sustained record costs of production, underpinned by high cereal and protein prices, and falling pig prices due to the issues processors are facing and plummeting EU prices, making imports more competitive.

Producers have been losing, on average, around 25 on every pig they produce this year, according to the NPA.

I have never known it as bad as it is, said one northern producer representative at the meeting on Tuesday 14 September.

Generally, people are struggling to get pigs away  and they cant see where its going and how its going to improve. This is as bad a place as I can remember.

A southern representative who had spoken to a number of producers before the meeting added that 'everything is stocked to the gunnels'.

"People have started to use their contingency plans  pigs are outside on stubble, but we have only got a couple of weeks. It is bleak, really bleak  there is no space left.

A representative from one of the pig marketing groups warned: Everywhere you look, it is desperate. We are running out of space.

"There are people asking for money to pay feed bills, pay staff. There are people who dont know how to get through tomorrow.

The NPA said it already knew of producers with 22,000 sows who had left the industry, while many others were planning to reduce sow numbers.

The body's chief executive Zoe Davies said: "It is not just the current situation, but the raft of legislation coming down the line  the Farming Rules for Water are an additional headache and the final straw for some.

If things dont change soon, we will see a serious contraction of our industry that we may never recover from.

Processor representatives explained how between them they currently had thousands of vacancies across their sites they were unable to fill, despite efforts to recruit more people locally, make the roles more attractive and to bring in more workers from outside Europe.

There are no signs of the staffing issues easing, despite the end of the furlough scheme. Many EU workers have gone home due to a combination of new Brexit restrictions and Covid, and are unlikely to return.

Representatives from other allied sectors confirmed at the meeting that they were experiencing similar issues.

The meeting was primarily focused on finding solutions, whether in the form of government help, dipping into AHDB reserves or collective industry initiatives.

But so far, Ms Davies said the government had 'shown sympathy, but done nothing to help'. Defra ministers have already rejected NPA calls for Covid compensation for producers.

We will continue to raise awareness and press the government to act through all our available channels," Ms Davies added.

"However, I genuinely believe, whether the government is prepared to help or not, that the solution must lie within the supply chain."
Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-Category
Persistent rumours have been doing the rounds that actors Samantha Akkineni and Naga Chaitanya are heading for a divorce. Samantha is not one to react to rumours or trolls but that doesn't mean she doesn't get questions about the rumoured split. While leading Tirumala temple, Samantha was asked by a paparazzo about the rumours of her divorce with Naga Chaitanya. Gudiki vachanu, buddhi unda (I have come to a temple, dont you have any sense)? she said while pointing towards her head. The video of the exchange has gone viral on the internet.





Sam really proud of you!! Some people dont understand what to ask when .. Just loved that reply of yours !@Samanthaprabhu2

.

.#SamanthaAkkineni #SamanthaRuthPrabhu #Samantha pic.twitter.com/5RUO5bbhbz  Multi Fandom (@multifandom5928) September 18, 2021 Neither Naga Chaitanya nor Samantha have commented on the rumours. The couple have been married for four years now. When asked about why she dropped the Akkineni surname from her social media accounts and changed her name to 'S', the actress told a noted film portal: The thing is, even with trolling for The Family Man or this, I dont react to them. That is how I have always been. I dont react to this kind of noise and I dont intend on doing so as well."

Everybody wanted me to react to The Family Man issue. There were like 65000 tweets hammering me. I just thought no. I will speak when I have to speak and when I feel like saying something. I will not be bulldozed into saying something, she added.
Borg Warner 363/68 SXE Towing Heavy Review

Well after Sous tested the 363/68 towing 'heavy' with great success, my own curiosity got the best of me. I ordered a 363/68 back in April and was able to install it in the middle of July after waiting on backorders, a damaged turbo and poor customer service. Also, thanks to ESwift

However, having been down the turbo path before and having a solid understand of what drives the turbo (fuel makes heat, heat drives turbine, turbine drives compressor etc) I knew I needed to hold off with any reviews until I could get the trailer hooked up.



On Sept 1st, we left North Texas on a 2600 mile road trip up to Wisconsin and back. The 363/68/.91 did amazing. While I can't or wont compare it to the 364.5/74/.91 because last fall I did a gear swap from 3.73s to 4.30s in an effort to help overcome 35 inch tires, I can share the following details on how the 363/68 preformed:

With a load, the 363/68/.91 is an instant boost builder. 1400 - 1500 rpms, the turbo is lit and connected to the go peddle. Towing at 65MPH and 2000 RPM, EGTs ran 800-900 on the flats, slight to medium inclines would push EGTs to 1000 and 1100 if steep long enough. I found it extremely hard to pull any hills at 65 as the truck typically would continue to gain speed. More often than not, I was pulling hills at 70 and passing. For anyone wondering, I run the PHP 80HP TNAA4S2 tune.

There were a few instances I hit 1200 degrees but the EGT gauge just hit a wall no matter how hard I pushed the go peddle. We hit one hill I wasn't ready for and ended up just clicking OD off and ran 60 and 2500 RPMs. EGTs were a cool 1000 degrees. Typically boost on hills was 15-25 PSI. I saw 30PSI on one hill but was pushing it pretty good yet still could not break 1200.



Running around unloaded in Wisconsin where there are many more rolling hills then in Texas, I instantly saw the benefit of the 363/68/.91 as a daily driver. All in all, I was very impressed with the 363 towing in all situations. I was also very very happy with the swap to 4.30s which put my final gear ratio right between a stock 3.73 and stock 4.10 truck. My only annoyance was when getting on the highway, the truck would shift to 4th at roughly 52 MPH and RPMs would drop to 1600-1700. However, this again is where the 363 shines and would build boost instantly and pull strong to 65MPH with zero EGT issues.



I did not do any logging with Forscan but did see a nice 1.5 MPG bump in fuel mileage with the 4.30s vs the 3.73s. MPG netted out at 10 which I suspect is a little low due to two back to back days driving into 20 MPH head winds.



Below are a few pictures. The fifth wheel is 9,500 empty per the sticker. Add in water, fuel family packed 'stuff' and we are pushing 12K pounds.
Expanding its portfolio of solutions for the marine electrification industry, Leclanche is introducing a new ports and harbor infrastructure solution enabling hybrid and fully electric vessels to fast charge when returning to port.

Its first customer for the turnkey solution is Damen Shipyards Group, a globally operating company with more than 50 shipyards and related facilities, which has selected Leclanche to construct and provide two fast charge electric ferry stations, and supporting electrical storage systems, on Canadas Lake Ontario.

The agreement with Leclanches Stationary Solutions group provides the complete recharging infrastructure. The systems will be installed next year to support two eFerries Damen has built for the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. Both of the electric vessels are powered by Leclanches Marine Rack System (MRS), certified by Bureau Veritas, under prior contracts with Leclanches e-Marine group. (Earlier post.)

The Amherst Islander II (Damen 6819 E3) is fully electric with a 1.9 MWh capacity Leclanche Battery System and produces zero emissions. It will carry up to 42 cars and 300 passengers and speeds of up to twelve knots and connect the mainland port city of Millhaven, Ontario with Stella on Amherst Island.

The Wolfe Islander IV (Damen 9819 E3), a larger eFerry, will provide service between Kingston, on the mainland, and Wolfe Island and features a 4.6 MWh Leclanche Battery System. It can carry twice the number of passenger vehicles83plus 399 passengers. It too produces zero emissions and will sail at up to twelve knots per hourthe same speed as vessels powered by conventional propulsion systems.

The eFerries, have performed their sea trials successfully on the Black Sea in late April (Amherst Island II) and May (Wolfe Islander IV) respectively and are scheduled to be transported to Canada by a specialized semi-submersible vessel starting in August.





The Ontario ports and harbor systems are equipped with a 3.0 MWh Leclanche battery energy storage system (BESS) located in port-side structures (one each in Millhaven and Stella). The BESS, which will be charged by the harbor grid, is connected to the ferry charger via 1800 kW DC-DC converters.

These buffer stations will be protected by the industrys highest safety standard fire suppression system using piped-in water running alongside the battery racks and behind each battery module. The backs of each module have an opening allowing water spray to enter in the event of any thermal events.

Crossing time between ports will be just 20 minutes and Leclanche's high power, DC-to-DC fast charging system will enable the eFerries to recharge in 10 minutes at each portwell within the time it takes for the vessel to discharge passengers and vehicles and reload. The batteries have been designed to charge each vessel up to 7,850 times per year or more than 78,500 times over their projected 10-year lifespan, ensuring 21 hours of duty daily regardless of weather.
Toyota Motor Corporation is entering a vehicle equipped with a developmental hydrogen-powered engine (earlier post) at the five-hour-long Super Taikyu Series 2021 Powered by Hankook Round 5 Suzuka S-tai, which takes place this weekend. Just as in Round 3 and Round 4, the vehicle will be entered under the ORC ROOKIE Racing banner, and Toyota President Akio Toyoda will participate in the race as the driver Morizo.





In addition to developing the hydrogen engine further, Toyota is using the race events to focus on broader hydrogen industry and supply chain challenges. In the race at Fuji Speedway, Toyota tried using" hydrogen; in the race at Autopolis, Toyota tried to expand its options in the area of producing hydrogen; in the Suzuka race this time, Toyota is workingon the theme of transporting hydrogen.

Specifically, Toyota will use hydrogen produced from Australian lignite to power its vehicle in Round 5; this hydrogen will be transported to and within Japan by a partnership of three companies: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Iwatani Corporation, and Electric Power Development Co. (J-Power).

Toyota is also working to reduce CO 2 emissions generated when transporting hydrogen in Japan by using bio-fuel trucks and fuel cell electric trucks (FCETs).

Transporting hydrogen from overseas. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which will help Toyota in transporting hydrogen, began constructing hydrogen storage tanks for rocket fuel more than 30 years ago, and has continued to refine its hydrogen technologies since.

In 2016, it has established HySTRA, a technology research association with Iwatani, J-Power, and others, and plans to produce hydrogen economically from Australian lignite, which is abundant and inexpensive to mine, and to transport the hydrogen to Japan.

In FY2022, Toyota will conduct a trial of hydrogen transportation from Australia to Japan using the first liquefied hydrogen carrier, the Suiso Frontier, which was built by combining Kawasaki Heavy Industries hydrogen-related technologies and shipbuilding technologies. This trial is not only a transporting challenge, but also a storing challenge by turning hydrogen into a liquid. In the mid-2020s, Toyota will also build a large-scale liquefied hydrogen carrier capable of transporting 10,000 tons of hydrogen at a time, and by 2030, the company plans to transport 225,000 tons of hydrogen from Australia as a full-scale commercial supply chain.

Japan is expected to have a need for about 3 million tons of hydrogen in 2030, and about 20 million tons in 2050. As introduction increases, it is necessary to procure hydrogen on a large scale not only from Japan but also from overseas.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Iwatani, and J-Power, are trialing the air transportation of hydrogen from Australia to Japan, and will supply some of the hydrogen to Toyota for the Super Taikyu Series 2021 Round 5 Suzuka S-tai. Through the on-site use of this hydrogen at the race, the three companies and Toyota will share concrete future plans for both transporting and using hydrogen.

In addition, Toyota is considering the use of hydrogen transported by the Suiso Frontier in the Super Taikyu race in 2022. In the mid-2025s, Toyota plans to use hydrogen transported by a large liquefied hydrogen carrier to continue its efforts to help realize a hydrogen society.

Transporting hydrogen within Japan. In Super Taikyu Series 2021 Suzuka S-tai, two types of hydrogen will be used in the hydrogen-powered engine vehicle: lignite-derived hydrogen transported from Australia, and clean hydrogen produced by Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R) in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture.

The Australian hydrogen will be transported to the Suzuka Circuit by small fuel cell electric trucks (FCETs) of the Commercial Japan Partnership (CJPT), while the FH2R hydrogen will be transported by a bio-fuel truck of Toyota Transport.





Producing, transporting, and using hydrogen at Super Taikyu Series 2021 Round 5 Suzuka S-tai

Improvement of hydrogen-powered engine vehicles. With the aim of speeding up the development of the hydrogen-powered engine vehicle, Toyota participated in the Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours Race and the Super Taikyu Race in Autopolis, and in the month and a half since the race in Autopolis, has been working to improve the vehicle.

Specifically, Toyota has improved the power output to a level equivalent to that of a gasoline engine. As for the filling time, the company has made improvements so that the car can be filled from both sides of the vehicle, reducing the filling time from about three minutes in Autopolis to about two minutes this time.

Additionally, Toyota has introduced a new connected system at the development site, which enables the collection of a large amount of more accurate data at a higher speed. In addition to accelerating development with connected technology, Toyota would like to train the connected technology in the harsh environment of motorsports, and apply the lessons learned from this initiative to the making of better cars and development of services in the future.
GREENWICH  A major town project is slated to begin Tuesday to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety in Byram.

The $1.1 million improvement project will encompass Frontage Road, Delavan Avenue and Ritch Avenue in downtown Byram.

Curbing work is slated to begin Tuesday as the project launches. The impact on traffic will not likely be seen until next month, with more extensive roadwork scheduled to begin in the third week of October.

Ultimately, the road construction is expected to continue in the area until January, with a completion date for the entire project in spring 2022.

The area slated for improvements is near New Lebanon School, St. Pauls Church and the Byram Shubert Library as well as the business district. It is a busy area for both vehicular traffic and pedestrians.

The project will include expanding the current 4-foot-wide sidewalks to 5-feet, with some portions expanded to 8-feet to accommodate bicyclists, the town said. Crosswalks will be improved, and traffic-calming measures will be installed. That work will include widening the medians to narrow travel lanes, which is designed to reduce speeding and aggressive driving, according to the town.

The traffic signals where Delavan Avenue meets Frontage Road, Ritch Avenue and Byram Shore Road will also be modified to address traffic flow. A new mast arm and pedestrian signals will also be installed, and a left-turn only signal will be added on Delavan for drivers turning north onto Frontage Road.

New granite curbs, ADA-compliant ramps, a new bituminous concrete sidewalk and other improvements will also be installed over the next several months.

The Byram Neighborhood Association has long advocated for the improvements and made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen in July about the need to address pedestrian safety in the area.

Byram is the very definition of a close-knit community, Joe Kantorski, chair of the BNA, told the Board of Selectmen at the meeting. Its a walking community. Street safety and pedestrian safety are always on the top of mind. Irresponsible, dangerous driving threatens our safety and our quality of life  plain and simple.

The Byram Neighborhood Association welcomed the start of the project.

We are so excited and so thrilled, Kantorski said Friday. We have been waiting for years for this. Were very, very happening its happening. Were concerned at all times with traffic safety.

He urged the town to do even more improvements. We would still like some stop signs, but its really good for the neighborhood to see the town responding, Kantorski said.

With the potential for traffic disruption, the town is urging drivers to plan for extra time when traveling through Byram because there might be a lane closures or delays. Signs will be posted alerting drivers to potential disruptions.

According to the Department of Public Works, the project was devised after it identified an opportunity to make this area more pedestrian and bicyclist-friendly, along with incorporating traffic-calming measures.

The project has a budget of $1,086,272.99 and will be funded by the state of Connecticuts Local Transportation Capital Improvements Program, the DPW said. A. Vitti Excavators of Stamford will be the project contractors. Town Civil Engineer Sean Cardwell will oversee the work as the project manager.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
GREENWICH  The Asian population, ranked as the third largest group in town, surged by 18 percent over the last decade in Greenwich, with the most population growth recorded in three neighborhoods, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census.

My first thought is that I am happy that Greenwich is becoming more diverse, said Christine Kim, a Chinese-American woman who lives in Cos Cob. Our country is becoming more diverse racially, and in other ways, so its reasonable that Greenwich follows suit.

Kim, who moved to town in 1999, said she has made lifelong friends in Greenwich and reaped the benefits of living in an affluent town with access to stellar parks, a beach, libraries, a museum and more.

Several local residents and politicians who identify as Asian American discussed the census data in recent interviews and cited other reasons for the population growth. The towns top-notch schools, its close its proximity to New York City, and the good public transportation were mentioned by many, along with Greenwichs small-town peacefulness and coastal location.

In terms of diversity, the number of Greenwich residents who identified as Hispanic on the census rose by 36 percent from 2010 to 2020. Hispanics now make up about 13 percent of the towns residents, the second largest group behind those who identified as multiracial, according to the data.

Residents who identify as Asian American make up the next largest group, constituting about 7 percent of the towns 63,518 residents, according to the Census data.

The biggest increase in the Asian population in terms of numbers of residents as well as in percent change over the past 10 years occurred in three census tracts. Decennial 2020 data released by the U.S Census Bureau last month shows Greenwich has become more diverse from 2010 to 2020.

Census tract 10102, which includes part of backcountry and midcountry Greenwich, saw a 50.24 percent rise in the population that identifies as Asian American, with 106 more residents from 2010 to 2020 in that area, according to the data.

Census tract 10900, which includes part of Riverside and North Mianus, experienced a 43.93 percent increase, or 235 more residents, according to the data. Census tract 11000, which encompasses Old Greenwich, saw a 51.71 percent jump, or 121 more residents, according to the data.

Finding a home

Robert Reiner, 66, who lives in the backcountry, said it can be difficult to make theories about the census results and the growth in the Asian-American population at first glance.

One of the largest difficulties is understanding what it means to be Asian American or AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) because its such a broad community, said Reiner, who identifies as Japanese American.

Someone from Burma has a much different experience from someone from Korea, as an example, in terms of when they arrived in the country and education level and income level, he said.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

Reiner moved to Greenwich from New York City shortly after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. When the second plane hit the World Trade Center, he was working in the building across the street and the windows blew out.

He and his wife decided shortly after that to seek a calmer life. They had already spent many years looking for the perfect place to live, but always felt they would have to give up something important  a nice view, ample space or a good neighborhood, for example, he said.

When we came to Greenwich, we had lots of choices of good places we wanted to live, and backcountry has been really wonderful, said Reiner, who collects comic books that address social issues and censorship and said comic books helped him succeed.

Neither of his parents finished high school, he said, but he earned two masters degrees.

They helped me learn to read, Reiner said of comic books. I learned to draw from comic books, which made it possible for me to finance my education as a graphic designer and art director. So, I have a high reverence for the ability to tell stories through graphic means.

As Reiner and his wife approach retirement, they wonder about their next step. They have discussed moving abroad but have not found the right place, he said.

So, this is a good placeholder, he said of Greenwich, where we might actually spend the rest of our lives.

Asian lawmakers

In Greenwich, two legislators who represent the town in the state House also identify as Asian American.

State Rep. Kimberly Fiorello, R-149, said the reasons that many Asian Americans move to Greenwich are not unique.

In terms of understanding why people move here, I never presume that because we share a culture, we think alike, said Fiorello, who was born in Korea and now lives near the Greenwich Library.

So much of the decisions in moving to a town are related to peoples work, their school choices, their individual tastes for what towns they enjoy, she said. I think Asian Americans are like any other person who would move here.

State Rep. Harry Arora, R-151, said he studies immigration data frequently.

Why did I choose Greenwich or why did many of my friends choose Greenwich? said Arora, who identifies as Indian American and lives in midcountry.

These are people who are attracted by the opportunity as well as the openness, generally, of Fairfield County. Here in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, people will say those communities are closed. But for Indian Americans, we find these are good communities, good schools, open, and generally really good towns to be in, he said.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

Arora said he immigrated to the U.S. from India as a student 28 years ago.

A major wave of immigration from India occurred in the mid- to-late 1990s, he said, as U.S. companies recruited computer professionals to address Y2K concerns that threatened computer systems, Arora said.

Y2K started a trend of technology outsourcing from India. And while many Indian Americans are here because of the Y2K surge, and are in technology, there are many others who are pursuing other fields, he said.

As a result, many of the Indians who moved to the U.S. during that technology-related surge, had high education level, he added.

For this demographic, because they themselves are quite well educated ... they tend to gravitate to areas where the school districts are strong, Arora said.

Supporting other Asian Americans

Fiorello, who moved to Greenwich a decade ago from Scarsdale, N.Y., said she has found that some Connecticut residents have been thrilled to realize she is the first and only Korean American woman to serve in the state General Assembly.

After eight people, six of whom were Asian women, were killed by a gunman at three massage parlors in Atlanta in March, several Asian American residents of Connecticut were directed to reach out to Fiorello, who spoke to them in Korean.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

It was related to them experiencing feelings of being discriminated against, Fiorello said. I guess it does help people to feel like theres someone who can relate.

Like all the others interviewed, Fiorello said she was happy to see the increased diversity in town.

I think its wonderful that this area is growing, she said. To have a thriving economy, you need capital and you need people, and so its a very encouraging thing that people are coming to Greenwich, and Im thrilled and I welcome them and I look forward to representing those who are in my district.

tatiana.flowers@thehour.com @TATIANADFLOWERS
Gary Coronado / TNS

Robert Durst was found guilty Friday of killing his longtime friend who prosecutors said was about to come forward with information on his wifes disappearance.

A Los Angeles jury found Durst, 78, guilty of first-degree murder in the 2000 slaying of Susan Berman.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden goes before the United Nations this week eager to make the case for the world to act with haste against the coronavirus, climate change and human rights abuses. His pitch for greater global partnership comes at a moment when allies are becoming increasingly skeptical about how much U.S. foreign policy really has changed since Donald Trump left the White House.

Biden plans to limit his time at the U.N. General Assembly due to coronavirus concerns. He is scheduled to meet with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday and address the assembly on Tuesday before shifting the rest of the week's diplomacy to virtual and Washington settings.

At a virtual COVID-19 summit he is hosting Wednesday, leaders will be urged to step up vaccine-sharing commitments, address oxygen shortages around the globe and deal with other critical pandemic-related issues.

The president also has invited the prime ministers of Australia, India and Japan, part of a Pacific alliance, to Washington and is expected to meet with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the White House.

Through it all, Biden will be the subject of a quiet assessment by allies: Has he lived up to his campaign promise to be a better partner than Trump?

Biden's chief envoy to the United Nations, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, offered a harmonious answer in advance of all the diplomacy: We believe our priorities are not just American priorities, they are global priorities, she said Friday.

But over the past several months, Biden has found himself at odds with allies on a number of high-profile issues.

There have been noted differences over the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the pace of COVID-19 vaccine-sharing and international travel restrictions, and the best way to respond to military and economic moves by China. A fierce French backlash erupted in recent days after the U.S. and Britain announced they would help equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

Biden opened his presidency by declaring that America is back and pledging a more collaborative international approach.

At the same time, he has focused on recalibrating national security priorities after 20 years marked by preoccupation with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and thwarting Islamic terrorists in the Middle East and South Asia. He has tried to make the case that the U.S. and its democratic allies need to put greater focus on countering economic and security threats posed by China and Russia.

Biden has faced resistance -- and, at moments, outright anger -- from allies when the White House has moved on important global decisions with what some deemed insufficient consultation.

France was livid about the submarine deal, which was designed to bolster Australian efforts to keep tabs on Chinas military in the Pacific but undercuts a deal worth at least $66 billion for a fleet of a dozen submarines built by a French contractor.

French President Emmanuel Macron has recalled Frances ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia for consultations in Paris. France's foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said Australia and the United States had both betrayed France. Biden and Macron are expected to speak by phone in the coming days, a French government spokesman said.

It was really a stab in the back, Le Drian said. It looks a lot like what Trump did.

Biden administration and Australian officials say that France was aware of their plans, and the White House promised to continue to be engaged in the coming days to resolve our differences.

But Biden and European allies have also been out of sync on other matters, including how quickly wealthy nations should share their coronavirus vaccine stockpiles with poorer nations.

Early on, Biden resisted calls to immediately begin donating 4% to 5% of stockpiles to developing nations. In June, the White House instead announced it was buying 500 million doses to be distributed by a World Health Organization-backed initiative to share vaccine with low- and middle-income countries around the globe. Biden is soon expected to announce additional steps to help vaccinate the world.

Allies among the Group of Seven major industrial nations have shown differing levels of comfort with Bidens calls to persuade fellow democratic leaders to present a more unified front to compete economically with Beijing. When the leaders met this year in England, they agreed to work toward competing against China. But there was less unity on how adversarial a public position the group should take.

Canada, the United Kingdom and France largely endorsed Bidens position, while Germany, Italy and the European Union showed more hesitancy.

Germany, which has strong trade ties with China, has been keen to avoid a situation in which Germany, or the European Union, might be forced to choose sides between China and the United States.

Biden clashed with European leaders over his decision to stick to an Aug. 31 deadline to end the U.S. war in Afghanistan, which resulted in the U.S. and Western allies leaving before all their citizens could be evacuated from Taliban rule.

Britain and other allies, many of whose troops followed American forces into Afghanistan after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, on the United States, had urged Biden to keep the American military at the Kabul airport longer but were ultimately rebuffed by the president.

Administration officials see this week's engagements as an important moment for the president to spell out his priorities and rally support to take on multiple crises with greater coordination.

Its also a time of political transition for some allies. Longtime German Chancellor Angela Merkel is set to leave office after Germany holds elections later this month and France's Macron is to face his voters in April at a moment when his political star has dimmed.

J. Stephen Morrison, a global health policy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, expressed concern that the rift in U.S.-France relations has occurred at time when global leaders are far behind their goals for vaccinating the globe and need to step up their efforts.

We need these countries to be in a position to come forward around the type of agenda ... that the U.S. has put together, Morrison said of Bidens planned vaccination push. So the French being absent or not terribly engaged is a setback.
GOSHEN, Ind. (AP)  Health officials are frustrated after a northern Indiana county council rejected a $3 million federal grant following vocal opposition from residents tying it to a litany of COVID-19 complaints.

The Elkhart County health department had sought the grant to hire staff members to provide education on chronic diseases to Black, Hispanic and Amish residents over a three-year period. The county councils 6-0 vote on Sept. 11 against accepting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant, however, had some health leaders saying the council was swayed by what they view as false information and conspiracy theories.

Dr. Dan Nafziger, Goshen Healths chief medical officer, said the county doesnt have enough healthcare workers to meet the community needs.

It is incredibly disappointing to see this effort prevented because people distrust the federal government or connect what they dont like about the pandemic with this grant, Nafzinger said. On a daily basis we have patients filling beds in our hospitals because they didnt understand how to keep themselves healthy.

County Health Officer Dr. Bethany Wait said the department sought the grant after a community needs assessment showed that chronic disease and mental health were concerns in the three target communities. Wait said the department wanted to find health workers who live in those communities and can provide outreach.

More than 20 people spoke against the grant program during the council meeting, with some expressed distrust of the government and health experts and raising fears that the money would lead to forced vaccination.

I have to believe this grant has a lot to do with COVID, said Alison Gingerich of Goshen. We are tired of being educated on COVID. We have had two years of education on COVID. Two years of contract tracing with COVID. Any more education stands for threat, coercion, bullying and virtue signaling.

Elkhart County, which is just east of South Bend, saw severe COVID-19 outbreaks earlier in the year and was under a county health department-issued mask mandate for months until county commissioners refused in May to extend it under a new Republican-backed state law that required elected officials to approve such requirements.

County Council member Adam Bujalski said he objected to a grant requirement that the local health department assist the federal government in quarantining and COVID isolation.

That one sentence is my no, Bujalski said. I refuse to say that whatever the federal government tells me I have to do I have to do. I will never say that.

Former Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman, whos now on the city school board, said he didnt understand why the council was swayed by the grant opponents.

Never have I seen something like this before, ever. And I never thought I ever would. Its craziness, Kauffman said. What news do these people read, for Gods sakes? ... They want to believe these conspiracy theories.
PARIS (AP)  One slept on the streets of Paris, the other in a massive makeshift migrant camp in northern France.

Nassrullah Youssoufi and Abdul Wali were among more than 1 million refugees and migrants who reached Europe in 2015. The two Afghans don't know each other, but they share a fear-driven past: escaping their homeland on foot, bus, train or ferry and landing in a new country where they had no rights, not even the right to stay.

Years later, the men live in France legally, one working as an asylum court interpreter in the capital and the other at a restaurant in the country's northeast. They are rich in hard-won experience that offers a road map for arriving Afghans, like the thousands evacuated to the United States, Europe and elsewhere after the Taliban regained control of Kabul last month.

Youssoufi and Wali's advice: Embrace the differences, love your new life and learn the local language.

For the 124,000 people airlifted out of Afghanistan last month during the U.S.-led evacuation, the most harrowing part of their journey may well have been getting past checkpoints, gunfire and desperate crowds to reach Kabul airport.

But a much larger number of Afghans found their own ways out before the Taliban takeover, and more are expected to flee in the months ahead. The people from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia who knocked on Europe's door six years ago traveled furtively for months and sometimes years, often paying smugglers to sneak them across borders.

Youssoufi, 32, and Wali, 31, appear to draw on the inner resources that helped them survive.

BECOMING NORMAL

There was no welcome mat or refugee services for Youssoufi or Wali when they arrived in France in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Wali spent his first 10 months in a huge makeshift migrant camp in the northern port of Calais. The camp of thousands, nicknamed The Jungle," was known for its size and filthy, sometimes violent conditions. The asylum-seekers who congregated there had set their hopes on a new life in Britain, across the English Channel.

When the French government decided to close the camp, Wali helped authorities load thousands of other migrants onto buses to assigned homes around France. He took the last bus out of The Jungle on Oct. 27, 2016 after departing migrants had torched the remaining structures. His government bus took him to Strasbourg, a city of half-timbered houses on the German border and seat of the European Parliament.

All he had with him were the clothes on his back, his official papers and the yellow vest he wore to help evacuate. He later took the vest to his asylum application  precious proof of his work on behalf of the French government.

Wali recalls crying on the long bus ride into a new unknown. But gaining refugee status in Strasbourg changed his life, allowing him to get a job in a small restaurant and put a roof over his head.

Now, Im so happy to be here, he said. Youre not scared at night like in the Calais migrant camp. You have your job. You have your work, you come back home. You pay your rent. You are a normal person.

___

GETTING LUCKY

Youssoufi started life in France on the streets after a harrowing 1-year journey from Afghanistan that included three months of detention in Hungary for illegal entry.

Then, I got lucky, he recalls. A French teacher who asked why he was late to morning class took him in when he explained that he was homeless. She became his well of information to navigate the complex asylum process, then the university system.

I consider her like my mother, he said.

There are few services for the tens of thousands of migrants who mass in city streets around Europe. In France, the number of homeless encampments has ballooned since 2015. European governments are stealing themselves for another wave of asylum-seekers following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

Wali was bitterly aware of his unwanted status while living in the Calais camp in 2016. Its their country. Right now, everybody hates us, he said at the time.

Yet despite President Emmanuel Macron calling last month for a European initiative to anticipate and protect us against an important migratory flux, neither Wali nor Youssoufi complains about discrimination from the French.

Everybody is nice to me, Wali said. When he goes to a bar to watch a soccer match and cheer for his favorite French team, Lille, "I order my drink ... I pay them, sometimes I give a tip, and all is well, he said.

If Id been discriminated against, I wouldnt be where I am now, Youssoufi said.

___

UNENDING JOURNEY

When not at his day job as an asylum court interpreter or studying for a law degree, Youssoufi holds court himself at the Afghan Market, a grocery store in northern Paris, where he helps Afghans in exile seeking guidance or translations of official documents.

At a nearby restaurant, he met recently with representatives of Afghan associations that are trying to help activist women seeking an exit to France.

Since Afghanistan fell into the hands of the Taliban, I said, I must do something for my countrymen, Youssoufi, who has acquired French nationality, said.

In Afghanistan, his Hazara ethnic group has long been targeted by other Afghans, including the Taliban. He was 5 when his father, a general in Afghanistans army, was killed.

I lived this. Im living it again, Youssoufi said.

Meanwhile, Wali is heartsick as he tries to get permission to bring his wife to his home in Strasbourg. He hasn't seen her since their marriage last year in Pakistan, not far from Laghman, their eastern home province in Afghanistan.

With the Taliban now in control of Afghanistan, Walis need to have his wife at his side has become more urgent: The daughter of a former Afghan government official, she is hiding out.

But immigration officials keep telling Wali to wait, and he says Frances crisis center devoted to evacuating Afghans didn't respond to his inquiry. Hes hired a lawyer to try to get officials to hear his plea for help.

Wali feels as if he is failing his wife.

Shes scared, he said. She cries all the time.

___

IT'S A NEW WORLD

Both Wali and Youssoufi agree that learning French is a must for newly arrived Afghans seeking a home here.

When you find yourself in another country and you know neither the language nor the culture, obviously youre a bit lost, Youssoufi said.

Youssoufi also stresses the importance of embracing the values of secular France. He says he is crestfallen when some Afghans tell him that for us the first thing is religion or when they dont want their wives to learn French, a way to keep them homebound.

For me, the only religion is humanity, Youssoufi said. He tells the Afghans he helps with administrative steps, Were in France. You must respect the values.They are (now) our identity.

Wali echoes Youssoufis belief in the importance of learning to communicate.

When you speak French, you can help yourself and others as well, he said, adding that Afghans without the language call on him to help sort out problems.

But his first piece of advice concerns maintaining a healthy outlook despite the hardships of being an outsider: Always be nice, always stay positive, never think about the negative, he recommends.

Its with that positive attitude that Wali envisions the day his wife will finally join him in Strasbourg.

Ill take her the next day to learn French, he said. He also wont hesitate if she wants to learn to drive  something Afghan women dont normally do back home.

Women here are free," Wali said.

___

Follow AP's migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration




Haiti - Education : Without international aid, nearly 200,000 children will not be able to return to school in Haiti





According to Bruno Maes, Director of UNICEF in Haiti, 200,000 children will not be able to return to school as planned this year (October 4 in the Great South https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34683-haiti-back-to-school-set-of-accompanying-measures-planned.html) if a mobilization of support to the country is not strengthened in the coming days deploring "39 million dollars are needed as part of the emergency aid and barely 5 million have been allocated" deploring the fatigue of foreign partners in funding humanitarian aid in Haiti, what one could call donor fatigue...



Recall that 176 schools (public and private) completely destroyed (16% of the school park) and 566 schools (public and private) damaged (51%) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34681-haiti-earthquake-latest-assessment-of-civil-protection.html cannot accommodate students without rehabilitation and consolidation of buildings.



See also

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34681-haiti-earthquake-latest-assessment-of-civil-protection.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34586-haiti-earthquake-550-churches-and-more-than-400-catholic-and-protestant-schools-destroyed.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34543-haiti-flash-at-least-266-national-schools-damaged-or-destroyed.html



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Mexico : Establishment of a permanent dialogue table on Haitian migration





On the sidelines of the 6th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) (Mexico City, September 16-18, 2021), the Haitian delegation had a meeting with the National Institute of Migration (INM).



The considerable increase in the flow of Haitian migrants over the past two years, the situation of the latter at the northern and southern borders of Mexico, the processing of asylum requests and repatriation operations constituted the menu of discussions https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34770-haiti-flash-thousands-of-haitian-migrants-detained-in-the-usa-in-a-makeshift-camp.html



Francisco Garduno Yanez, INM Commissioner chaired the meeting, he was accompanied by officials from his institution and the Ministry of External Affairs. The Haitian delegation was made up of Jean Claude Barthelemy, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador of Haiti to Mexico, Hugues Monplaisir Fequiere, as well as other consular officials.



The two parties agreed on the importance of maintaining the flow of people, securitares, orderly and regular as well as of tackling the economic and social causes that lead to the departure of people from Haiti and the need to coordinate their actions. to resolve the problems related to the irregular situation of Haitian compatriots in Mexico.



To this end, a permanent bilateral dialogue table has been set up, which will make it possible to address the situation of irregular migratory flows from Haiti during their entry and transit through Mexico, as well as their assisted return.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34770-haiti-flash-thousands-of-haitian-migrants-detained-in-the-usa-in-a-makeshift-camp.html

34734

https://www.icihaiti.com/article-34669-icihaiti-chiapas-une-caravane-d-haitiens-marche-vers-les-usa.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34658-haiti-mexico-muscular-interception-of-migrants-dozens-of-haitians-arrested-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34268-haiti-mexico-more-than-2-000-illegal-haitian-migrants-arrive-in-tapachula.html



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Diaspora : Record fund transfers

In 2021, remittances from the diaspora to Haiti are expected to reach $3.8 billion (28% compared to last year), according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) which publishes each year statistics for Latin America and the Caribbean. This is a record in unrequited transfers to Haiti.



Europe : Conditional Development Aid for Haiti

Janez Lenarcic the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, visiting Haiti on Friday and Saturday, September 18, clarified that the European Union will not release its development aid of 400 million euros for the period 2021-2028, without democratic guarantees specifying "This political crisis must be resolved, that the institutions be strengthened and that the control (of funds) be improved, that the corruption be eradicated, because, without it, the aid development cannot achieve its objective."



The DR not tired of helping Haiti

On Saturday, September 18, President Luis Abinader declared in New York that even if all the donor countries seem tired of helping Haiti, this is not the case of the Dominican Republic which wants the situation to change in Haiti. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34782-haiti-unicef-out-of-$73-3m-emergency-aid-requested-for-haiti-less-than-11-have-been-received.html and https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34778-haiti-education-without-international-aid-nearly-200-000-children-will-not-be-able-to-return-to-school-in-haiti.html



The ULCC controls the offices of the Ministry of Planning

ULCC investigators carried out on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 a verification at the premises of the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) as part of the ongoing investigation into the use of Local Development Funds and Regional Planning called Communal Funds from 2015 to 2020. The good collaboration of officials and executives of this Ministry facilitated this operation.



Canada : Haitian Embassy closed

The Embassy of Haiti in Canada informs the Haitian community and the general public that its premises will be closed on Monday, September 20, 2021, in accordance with the decree of September 17, 2020 declaring the day of September 20 "Dessalines Day" commemoration of 263rd birthday of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Founding Father of the Fatherland. Activities will resume on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.



Earthquake : Haiti thanks the members of CELAC

During the 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Claude Joseph in his speech conveyed the thanks of the Government and the Haitian people to all the partner countries of the region who have provided solidarity support to Haiti in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and following the powerful earthquake of August 14, 2021 that devastated the southern region. He called for the continuation and strengthening of international and regional solidarity towards Haiti as part of the reconstruction and economic and social recovery of the great south of the country.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















In a statement issued, the Political Administration Council of the Party of Modernity and Democracy of Syria said,"Criminality and disregard for the legitimacy of human rights is the Turkish behavior that targets and assassinates enlightened militants who were known only for their defense of their people, their care for their affairs, and their sacrifice for it. And the racist arrogance of the Turkish government, when its killing machine breaks loose, so it turns towards a militant of the type of comrade Yassin Bulut, who occupies a civil and humanitarian position, according to which he contributes to the care of children and women of the martyrs' families who have been killed by Turkish crimes for many years.

He added, "The Modernity and Democracy Party of Syria, as it condemns the criminal assassination carried out by the Turkish killing machine and led to the martyrdom of the fighter Yassin Bulut, affirms that what happened to the martyr will only increase the will of freedom, peace and brotherhood of peoples, and will only contribute to the coherence of enlightened and participatory democratic positions and the strengthening of struggle for a democratic society, and it will never succeed in weakening the resolve of those who took it upon themselves to defend the values of justice, freedom and the brotherhood of peoples.

It concluded by saying: "All support and solidarity with the values and political heritage represented by the martyr Yassin Bulut, and with the institutions and political organizations he belongs to."

T/S

ANHA
The attacks of the Turkish occupation army, along with its mercenaries, the "Syrian National Army", on the regions of northern and eastern Syria, since the attack on Afrin canton on January 20, 2018, did not stop, nor did their attacks on Basur Kurdistan, starting from Singal, reach areas The legitimate defense, which comes with the complicity of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

The Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries in northern and eastern Syria, with the participation of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Basur Kurdistan, are seeking to occupy more lands, as evidenced by their military movements and political alliances.

Politician Mahdi Al-Daghim points out that Turkey seeks, through "the military operations of the Turkish occupation army and its mercenaries in northern and eastern Syria, and in Basur Kurdistan, to undermine the determination of the components of these regions that believe in the project of the democratic nation."

Al-Daghim pointed out that "all the Turkish occupation's moves are aimed at striking the democratic nation's project, which was built with the sacrifices of the martyrs, whether in northern Iraq (Southern Kurdistan), or in Singal, or areas of legitimate defense, or in northern and eastern Syria.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the National Democratic Development and Change Party, Ibrahim Al-Khalil, stressed that the project and thought of the democratic nation carry salvation for the peoples of the Middle East from occupation, the authority of rulers, and a solution to the crises of oppressed peoples, which drives the occupiers and nation states to conspire against this project.

He said: "The democratic nation's project and its se Autonomous Administration model, which is derived from the thought of the international leader Abdullah Ocalan, must be generalized in the Middle East, and that the success of the Autonomous Administration's experience in north and east Syria, and Singal, is what worried the Turkish state and its allies for plotting against it."

He added, "The agreement of the Turkish occupation with the government of Basur to launch its attacks on the Peoples' Defense Forces' sites is the best evidence of its continuous attempts to strike this project."

He stressed that what "the regions of northern and eastern Syria and northern Iraq are witnessing came with international complicity, especially the guarantor countries in the region."

The politicians pointed out that the components of northern and eastern Syria are united, "and they are ready to stand in the face of all attacks that the region is exposed to, or may be exposed to, at the hands of the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries, or its followers from the rest of the names."

(A)

ANHA
For those looking to pick up work as a substitute teacher, the coming weeks may be a great time to put in an application to Humble ISD, as the Board voted to increase Guest Teacher pay by an additional $40 a day, according to Chief Communications Officer Jamie Mount.

This pay increase brings the rate of earnings for substitutes to $120 a day. Furthermore, teachers will receive extra for fulfilling certain special education and bilingual positions, and an extra $10 is provided for teachers working on Monday and Friday.

Applicants can receive even more money depending on their level of education. Degreed applicants will receive an extra $10 a day, and an extra $20 a day for Texas certified teachers. Retired Humble ISD Teachers will receive $175 a day.

Schools across the state and nation are needing to attract additional substitutes in the pandemic, explained Mount. Humble ISD is committed to keeping schools open for students.

The pay increase will be available to applicants up to Friday, October 29.

The board also discussed the rebranding and relocation of North Belt Elementary School, which the board considered the rebuild in November of the previous year.

The school board, as well as the local community, is considering the total rebrand of North Belt in order to better reflect the new location away from the Beltway, where it previously resided for over four decades.

The new location is going to be moved down Old Humble Road, said Building and Planning Committee Chair Robert Sitton. What we want to do is potentially have a conversation about rebranding that school to better reflect its new surroundings.

Designed with 950 students in mind, Humble ISD said the new location will allow for ease of traffic flow, and will have much more space for eating, playing, and learning spaces. The school is being built upon approximately 28 acres of land, and is expected to open in 2023.

Earlier in the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Fegan spoke briefly about a building ceremony that will be held at Guy M. Sconzo Early College this Saturday at 9155 Will Clayton Parkway. The ceremony begins at 3 p.m. in honor of former superintendent Dr. Guy Sconzo who passed away in April 2020 from cancer.

Before and after the building ceremony, tours of the school will be given by students of the school, as well. RSVPs for this event can be found on the Humble ISD website.

In other board news, for Pediatric Cancer Awareness month, Humble ISD supports awareness organization Gold Fight Win, and partners with the L3 Foundation, Mothers Against Cancer, and Addis Faith Foundation.

Were in the kid business, said GFW Committee Member Scott Ahrendt. Were trying to help kids who are fighting cancer, give them longer lives and less toxic chemotherapies.

In addition, it was announced Sept. 24 is Gold Fight Win Day for Humble ISD. For this day, the district encourages students and staff alike to wear their Gold Fight Win T-shirts to show their support and raise awareness.

The aforementioned T-shirts will be available throughout the month of September at the Gnome Sweet Gnome gift shop in Kingwood, as well as at Pretty Little Things Boutique, located off of West Lake Houston in Kingwood.

Link to building ceremony info: https://www.humbleisd.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=208994&ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=402316&PageID=127179

Link to Gold Fight Win Info: https://www.humbleisd.net/goldfightwin
Lifestyle

Houston anchor Dominique Sachse leaving KPRC after 28 years on TV

Sachse said she will focus on a new book and her YouTube channel.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Hurricane Ida's thrashing left homes in mangled heaps across southeastern Louisiana, but in an uncomfortable twist, the storm might have been a boon to southwestern parishes still struggling to recover from last year's Hurricane Laura.

Ida's path of destruction through Louisiana  particularly because it impacted the high-profile city of New Orleans  drew much-needed attention to the state's continuing, slow-moving recovery from the 2020 blows of Laura and Hurricane Delta.

With New York, New Jersey and other East Coast cities suffering damage from Ida, that gets more congressional leaders involved in wanting to provide disaster recovery aid to hurricane-ravaged states. And that appears likely to get Lake Charles and other parts of southwestern Louisiana the disaster block grant assistance they've been seeking since the August 2020 blow by Laura.

As they surveyed the devastation from Ida, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise and other state leaders made sure to describe the need for more help for southwest Louisiana.

Theres no excuse for why its a year later and we dont have it for southwest Louisiana, but we know the nation is focused on Louisiana right now for Ida, and were going to take advantage of that and see if we cant turn that into a very speedy appropriation in Congress, Edwards said in the early days after Ida's landfall.

The governor and Louisiana's congressional delegation made a pitch for Laura aid to President Joe Biden when he visited Louisiana to see Ida's destruction in person, and Biden mentioned it himself during the trip.

I know the folks in Lake Charles, who I visited earlier this year, are still hurting from Hurricane Laura. I want you to know: Were going to be here for you, the president said.

He said Laura and Delta hadn't gotten the attention needed, and he announced that his budget request to Congress included help for those still working to recover from both storms.

Laura struck the southwestern parishes on Aug. 27, 2020, as a fierce Category 4 storm. Less than two months later, Delta swept into the same area as a Category 2. Historic flooding followed in May.

Across southwest Louisiana, homes still bear blue tarps and await roof repairs, businesses remain boarded up and some neighborhoods look almost abandoned. Thousands of people remain displaced, including 2,400 living in temporary trailers set up by FEMA.

The region has received hundreds of millions of dollars in disaster aid from FEMA to help people with short-term needs and to help replace damaged government buildings. But flexible dollars for long-term housing for low- to moderate-income households and other recovery needs that Congress traditionally sends states after disasters havent arrived.

Ida appears to be changing that.

The White House budget request includes $2.3 billion for disaster recovery block grant aid that could be used for recovery from Laura and Delta. The assistance still needs approval from Congress, and it's unclear how much Louisiana might specifically receive. Edwards had requested an even larger figure of $3 billion for Louisiana alone.

But it's the first formal White House request  and first real movement  for getting Laura-related disaster block grant aid to Lake Charles and the rest of southwestern Louisiana in a year.

After months of visible frustration, Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter seemed hopeful after Biden's visit to southeastern Louisiana for Ida. In a Facebook post, Hunter said comments marked the first time since Laura that a sitting president specifically and publicly committed to a budget request for supplemental disaster aid for Lake Charles and southwest Louisiana.

Right now, my focus is not on how we got here or how long it took us to get here, its on the fact that we have a commitment and we are infinitely closer to locals getting the help they need, Hunter said in the post.

The White House said it expects to seek additional disaster block grant aid for Ida as well.

Residents and leaders of Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and other hard-hit parishes are hoping the long-term recovery assistance for housing and other rebuilding needs won't take as long to reach their communities as help has taken to reach Cameron, Calcasieu and other southwestern parishes grappling with Laura's aftermath.

___

EDITORS NOTE: Melinda Deslatte has covered Louisiana politics for The Associated Press since 2000. Follow her at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte.
OnScene Tv

A crash Sunday morning in Westbury left one person dead and at least two more injured.

A vehicle on Chimney Rock Road ran a red light about 3 a.m. and crashed into another vehicle at Gasmer Drive, Houston Police Sgt. Jesus Uribe said.
The number of criminal cases pending before Harris County courts stands at more than 94,000.

That includes 41,000 misdemeanors and 53,000 felonies, numbers so high that if prosecutors stopped filing criminal charges tomorrow, it would take misdemeanor judges a year to clear their dockets; felony judges would need 19 months, based on their average pace for closing cases since 2017.

Forty-six percent of these cases are considered backlogged  defined as misdemeanors pending more than six months and felonies older than one year  beyond which the likelihood of conviction plummets as investigators retire, victims withdraw and witnesses memories fade.

As the county recovers from natural disasters and navigating a public health crisis, it has put our justice system in a crisis state, said Ana Yanez Correa of the Harris County Justice Administration Department. All county partners are diligently working to address this backlog which is counter to what procedural justice should look like.

The backlog is so high that the Justice Management Institute, a Colorado nonprofit that has helped the county improve its criminal justice system since the early 2000s, offered a startling proposal last summer: Dismiss most nonviolent felony cases more than 9 months old, which would allow judges to focus on disposing the newest and most serious cases, including murders, rapes and assaults. Piecemeal solutions would be inadequate, the group said.

A year later, that proposal has proven too radical for commissioners, judges and Harris Countys chief prosecutor, many of whom ran for office on platforms that included criminal justice reform.

District Attorney Kim Oggs office said justice would be better served by hiring many more prosecutors, which Commissioners Court has refused to do, rather than dismiss cases without considering the facts of each.

We have a duty to enforce the law, and the wholesale dismissal of entire classes of cases based on an arbitrary deadline is a violation of that duty and a slap in the face to crime victims, Ogg spokesman Dane Schiller said. Every case is unique and we prosecute on a case-by-case basis, based on the evidence.

Case backlogs long have plagued Harris County courts, which this month added their first new felony judge since 1984, though the countys population has almost doubled since then.

The number of pending criminal cases was declining in 2017 when Hurricane Harvey flooded the downtown courthouse complex that August. Large amounts of standing water seeped into the underground walls of the Criminal Justice Center, and the highest floors became inundated when water in the basement shorted out electronics controlling the buildings gauges. The pumping system sent massive amounts of water through the building, bursting water pipes even on top floors.

The flood damage stalled cases for two months and rendered much of the 20-story courthouse uninhabitable for years after. Hundreds of attorneys and staffers relocated to buildings across the city, and the criminal and civil court judges doubled up in undamaged buildings, limiting the number of criminal cases that could be heard per day.

My poor court reporter, every week she would have to pack up and move to a different building, state District Judge Brian Warren said. I had to remember to bring my pen every day. It sounds trivial, and it is. Its all these things that kind of work against us.

Many judges had just returned full time to their regular offices when the COVID-19 pandemic reached Texas in March 2020, causing an even greater disruption in the criminal justice systems operations.

Social distancing requirements limited courtroom capacity, eventually forcing judges to hold nonessential court settings at home over video conferencing platforms. In the immediate aftermath, trials were almost nonexistent, and judges could not hold daily in-person proceedings because cleaning requirements kept their courtrooms otherwise occupied.

Building repairs from Harvey are not scheduled to be completed until the second quarter of 2022, County Engineer John Blount said.

Harris County officials have made some investments to improve the situation. Since June, Commissioners Court has approved $17 million to fund several temporary positions, including three felony judges; two misdemeanor judges; 18 staff District Attorneys Office; and six attorneys and one investigator for the Public Defenders Office.

The court also hired temporary staff to help the county sheriff and constable deputies process body-camera footage, a major driver of case delays, and expanded jury selection at NRG Arena.

Ogg pioneered a $3.5 million pilot program in June to pay prosecutors overtime to review 30,000 misdemeanor and state jail felony cases, focusing on nonviolent offenses. It had been a modest success through August, resulting in 6,600 cases disposed through convictions, dismissals or court diversion.

Part of the reason prosecutors did not clear more cases is defense attorneys accepted less than 20 percent of plea deals they offered.

Mark Thiessen, a defense lawyer and past president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, said defendants have little incentive to plead guilty to even reduced charges, since the likelihood of securing a conviction falls as cases age.

Its in a defendants best interest to wait until they get to trial, Thiessen said. Time favors the defendant. And I cant force them to take bad deals.

Some jurists say inefficient practices by the District Attorneys Office are causing other delays. Visiting misdemeanor Judge Michael Fields said in a letter to Ogg on Wednesday that prosecutors are ordering unnecessary blood alcohol tests in DWI cases and waiting six months to ask police for expedited processing of officer body-camera footage and 911 calls, which he said stalls many domestic violence cases.

In a perfect world, cases would not be filed by your office until the evidence the defense needs to zealously represent their clients  is available, the misdemeanor judge wrote.

Schiller denied the District Attorneys Office had any policy leading to automatically delayed cases.

While the efforts by Harris County appear to have prevented the case backlog from growing  it has been roughly flat at 19,000 misdemeanors and 23,000 felonies since March  none has been able to significantly reduce it.

Dismissing nonviolent felonies remains an option, though few county officials are eager to endorse it. For one, it is a tough pill to swallow, essentially abandoning the pursuit of justice for a certain set of crimes in the hope of securing better results prosecuting the most serious offenses. It also is politically perilous as proponents expose themselves to accusations of being soft on crime.

Just one member of Commissioners Court, Democratic Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, said he supported JMIs dismissal proposal. Republican Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle, a former civil court judge, said dismissing thousands of felony cases would send a message to criminals that they could operate in Harris County with impunity.

County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a Democrat who supports criminal justice reforms, said dismissing a chunk of cases is not a realistic proposal because judges oppose it. Judges also bristle at being told what to do by other elected officials; a felony judge last year blocked Hidalgos attempt to release some inmates from the Harris County Jail to ease crowding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said during Tuesdays Commissioners Court meeting that the county should allow more time for its initiatives to succeed and measure progress.

Perhaps they move the cases faster, but is it fast enough given the scale of the backlog? Hidalgo said. We need to project: Is this going to get us 2 percent of the way there, or 60 percent?

For defendants who remain in jail pretrial, the continued delays mean more time behind bars before they have been convicted of a crime.

Marcus Ramirez, 51, has been in the Harris County Jail since April 2019 on a burglary charge. He refused a plea deal to serve 35 years in prison, court records show, and would rather go to trial. He maintains his innocence.

Six previous felony and 12 misdemeanor convictions led prosecutors to deem Ramirez a habitual offender, a classification that permits a judge to deny bail. Court records show Ramirez has struggled with mental health, homelessness and addiction in the decades leading up to his latest arrest.

Ramirez said he is frustrated his case has been reset a dozen times; he said letters and calls to his court-appointed lawyer have gone unanswered.

I havent even talked to the man one time behind glass, Ramirez said from a jail visitation room. I dont even know what the judge looks like.

Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified Cagle as a former criminal court judge.

Nicole Hensley contributed to this report.

zach.despart@chron.com

samantha.ketterer@chron.com
About 50 people gathered Sunday outside Houston City Hall to protest Texas Senate Bill 8, which outlaws abortions after six weeks and puts the power of enforcement in the hands of individual citizens.

Bearing signs and shirts with slogans such as Abort Abbott and Dont Mess With Uterus, the protesters decried what they feel is a tyrannical exertion of control over womens bodies.

This is not about saving lives, this is about controlling the lives of women, and we will fight back against it just as we have done before, said Khloe Liscano, 27, one of the organizers of Sundays event, to the crowd.

When abortion rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!, the crowd chanted.

The bill, which Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law in May, bans abortions six weeks, a point at which many people do not know they are pregnant. It also empowers private citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone else who helps someone get an abortion.

The law went into effect earlier this month after a U.S. Supreme Court ruled in its favor on a 5-4 decision. The Biden administration has since sued to block the law, and pledged to boost access to emergency contraception by funneling money to family planning clinics in Texas.

The federal government assisting Texas is just a Band-aid, said Zac Vecellio, 27, who attended the protest with members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Obviously, its much appreciated that women are getting that support from the federal government, but absolute intervention against this heartbeat bill that has a bounty on it is whats actually needed, not Band-aids, Vecellio said.

A concern voiced by many protesters was that the law will lead to people getting abortions secretly, and in unsafe conditions. One banner featured a painting of a clothes hanger, which have been used to perform dangerous, at-home abortions, and a slogan reading We wont go back, we will fight back.

This is a terrible day for all women and trans people who are seeking abortions, because we are going to be thrown back to a time when people who need abortions will do them, and lose their lives or be maimed for the rest of their lives, said Rona Smith, 67, who traveled from Galveston County to attend the protest.

Specifically, protesters pointed out that the law would fall hardest on low-income people who cannot afford to travel out of state to receive an abortion.

It concerns me that it only effects poor women. If I need an abortion, I can just drive down to Louisiana or Colorado or buy a plane ticket somewhere, but thats not really an option for a lot of women, so its really only affecting poor minority women, said Anna Kapadia, 37, of Houston.
DEL RIO, Texas (AP)  The U.S. flew Haitians camped in a Texas border town back to their homeland Sunday and tried blocking others from crossing the border from Mexico in a massive show of force that signaled the beginning of what could be one of America's swiftest, large-scale expulsions of migrants or refugees in decades.

More than 320 migrants arrived in Port-au-Prince on three flights, and Haiti said six flights were expected Tuesday. In all, U.S. authorities moved to expel many of the more 12,000 migrants camped around a bridge in Del Rio, Texas, after crossing from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico.

The only obvious parallel for such an expulsion without an opportunity to seek asylum was in 1991, when the Coast Guard intercepted Haitian refugees at sea and sent them to a camp in Guantanamo Bay after the overthrow of the Caribbean nations president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, said Yael Schacher, senior U.S. advocate at Refugees International whose doctoral studies focused on the history of U.S. asylum law.

Similarly large numbers of Mexicans have been sent home during peak years of immigration but over land and not so suddenly.

Central Americans have also crossed the border in comparable numbers without being subject to mass expulsion, although Mexico has agreed to accept them from the U.S. under pandemic-related authority in effect since March 2020. Mexico does not accept expelled Haitians or people of other nationalities outside of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

When the border was closed Sunday, the migrants initially found other ways to cross nearby until they were confronted by federal and state law enforcement. An Associated Press reporter saw Haitian immigrants still crossing the river into the U.S. about 1.5 miles east of the previous spot, but they were eventually stopped by Border Patrol agents on horseback and Texas law enforcement officials.

As they crossed, some Haitians carried boxes on their heads filled with food. Some removed their pants before getting into the river and carried them. Others were unconcerned about getting wet.

'Go now'

Agents yelled at the migrants who were crossing in the waist-deep river to get out of the water. The several hundred who had successfully crossed and were sitting along the river bank on the U.S. side were ordered to the Del Rio camp. Go now, agents yelled. Mexican authorities in an airboat told others trying to cross to go back into Mexico.

Migrant Charlie Jean had crossed back into Ciudad Acuna from the camps to get food for his wife and three daughters, ages 2, 5 and 12. He was waiting on the Mexican side for a restaurant to bring him an order of rice.

We need food for every day. I can go without, but my kids cant, said Jean, who had been living in Chile for five years before beginning the trek north to the U.S. It was unknown if he made it back across and to the camp.

Mexico said Sunday it would also begin deporting Haitians to their homeland. A government official said the flights would be from towns near the U.S. border and the border with Guatemala, where the largest group remains.

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating 2010 earthquake. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

Some of the migrants at the Del Rio camp said the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise make them afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

Eric Gay/AP

In Haiti, there is no security, said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived in Texas with his wife and two daughters. The country is in a political crisis.

Since Friday, 3,300 migrants have already been removed from the Del Rio camp to planes or detention centers, Border Patrol Chief Raul L. Ortiz said Sunday. He expected to have 3,000 of the approximately 12,600 remaining migrants moved within a day, and aimed for the rest to be be gone within the week.

We are working around the clock to expeditiously move migrants out of the heat, elements and from underneath this bridge to our processing facilities in order to quickly process and remove individuals from the United States consistent with our laws and our policies, Ortiz said at news conference at the Del Rio bridge. The Texas city of about 35,000 people sits roughly 145 miles west of San Antonio.

The U.S. expected to double daily flights soon to at least six, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Departure cities were still being determined Sunday.

Six flights were scheduled in Haiti on Tuesday  three in Port-au-Prince and three in the northern city of Cap-Haitien, said Jean Negot Bonheur Delva, Haiti's migration director.

The rapid expulsions were made possible by a pandemic-related authority adopted by former President Donald Trump in March 2020 that allows for migrants to be immediately removed from the country without an opportunity to seek asylum. President Joe Biden exempted unaccompanied children from the order but let the rest stand.

'I dont have a plan'

Any Haitians not expelled are subject to immigration laws, which include rights to seek asylum and other forms of humanitarian protection. Families are quickly released in the U.S. because the government cannot generally hold children.

Some people arriving on the first flight covered their heads as they walked into a large bus parked next to the plane. Dozens lined up to receive a plate of rice, beans, chicken and plantains as they wondered where they would sleep and how they would make money to support their families.

All were given $100 and tested for COVID-19, though authorities were not planning to put them into quarantine, said Marie-Lourde Jean-Charles with the Office of National Migration.

Gary Monplaisir, 26, said his parents and sister live in Port-au-Prince, but he wasnt sure if he would stay with them because to reach their house he, his wife and their 5-year-old daughter would cross a gang-controlled area called Martissant where killings are routine.

Im scared, he said. I dont have a plan.

Sarah Blake Morgan/AP

He moved to Chile in 2017, just as he was about to earn an accounting degree, to work as a tow truck driver. He later paid for his wife and daughter to join him. They tried to reach the U.S. because he thought he could get a better-paying job and help his family in Haiti.

Were always looking for better opportunities, he said.

Some migrants said they were planning to leave Haiti again as soon as possible. Valeria Ternission, 29, said she and her husband want to travel with their 4-year-old son back to Chile, where she worked as a bakery's cashier.

I am truly worried, especially for the child, she said. I cant do anything here.

___

Lozano reported from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, and Spagat reported from San Diego. Associated Press writers Ben Fox, Alexandra Jaffe and Colleen Long in Washington and Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this report.

Follow APs coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
As significant numbers of Americans seek religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates, many faith leaders are saying: Not with our endorsement.

Leaders of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said Thursday that while some people may have medical reasons for not receiving the vaccine, there is no exemption in the Orthodox Church for Her faithful from any vaccination for religious reasons.

The Holy Eparchial Synod of the nationwide archdiocese, representing the largest share of Eastern Orthodox people in the United States, urged members to pay heed to competent medical authorities, and to avoid the false narratives utterly unfounded in science.

No clergy are to issue such religious exemption letters, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros said, and any such letter is not valid.

Similarly, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America issued a recent statement encouraging vaccine use and saying that there is no evident basis for religious exemption in its own or the wider Lutheran tradition.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York laid out its own stance during the summer, saying that any priest issuing an exemption letter would be acting in contradiction to statements from Pope Francis that receiving the vaccine is morally acceptable and responsible.

A RACE TO VACCINATE: Houston's faith organizations band together to battle vaccine hesitancy

Both the Vatican and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have said Catholics can receive the vaccines in good conscience given the lack of alternatives and the goal of alleviating suffering  even while objecting to research with even a remote connection to abortion.

A number of dioceses have adopted policies similar to New York's, and bishops in El Paso, Texas, and Lexington, Kentucky, have mandated vaccines for employees.

But other Catholic jurisdictions are more accommodating of exemptions. The Colorado Catholic Conference, the policy arm of the state's bishops, has posted online a template for a letter that priests can sign saying an individual parishioner may draw on Catholic values to object to the vaccines. South Dakota's bishops have also taken that stance.

At issue for many Catholics and other abortion opponents is that the most widely used COVID-19 vaccines were tested on fetal cell lines developed over decades in laboratories, though the vaccines themselves do not contain any such material.

The issue is becoming more heated as public- and private-sector employers increasingly impose mandates.

'I WILL DIE BEFORE I GET VACCINATED': FDA approval only strengthens skepticism for some Houstonians

A clerical letter wouldnt necessarily be needed for someone to be granted an exemption  federal law requires employers make reasonable accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs  though a clergy endorsement could help bolster a person's claim.

The Rev. Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Dallas, a Southern Baptist megachurch, said he and his staff are neither offering nor encouraging members to seek religious exemptions from the vaccine mandates.

There is no credible religious argument against the vaccines, he said via email. Christians who are troubled by the use of a fetal cell line for the testing of the vaccines would also have to abstain from the use of Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, Ibuprofen, and other products that used the same cell line if they are sincere in their objection.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not provide religious exemptions for vaccines for members, according to church spokesman Eric Hawkins. Leaders of the Utah-based faith have made pleas for members to get vaccinated even as doctrine acknowledges it's up to individual choice.

LONG OVERDUE: 2 million Texans have missed their second COVID vaccine

The church's Brigham Young University has asked students to report their vaccination status but is not requiring vaccinations, and the church is also requiring U.S. missionaries serving in foreign countries to be vaccinated.

Some other religious groups, such as the Orthodox Union, an umbrella organization for Orthodox Judaism, and the United Methodist Church, have encouraged people to get vaccines but have not issued policy statements on exemptions.

The Fiqh Council of North America, made up of Islamic scholars, has advised Muslims to receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and to debunk baseless rumors and myths about them.

___

Associated Press writers Brady McCombs in Salt Lake City and David Crary in New York contributed to this report.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
What do you do when a president is crazy?

Thats essentially the question Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, faced in the twilight days of the Trump administration. His answer, as reported by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa in their forthcoming book, Peril, has some people up in arms.

It seems that Milley, according to published accounts from those who have read the book, became convinced his tantrum-throwing, spittle-spewing, reality-denying commander-in-chief was in a state of mental collapse and as such, was an immediate threat to world peace. So the general went around him, twice reaching out via back channel to his Chinese counterpart, General Li Zuocheng.

The first call was last October. Milley had reportedly seen intelligence suggesting that China, rattled by U.S. military exercises in the South China Sea and by President Trumps bellicose rhetoric, believed an American attack was imminent. He assured Zuocheng that this was not the case and went so far as to issue an extraordinary promise: If were going to attack, Im going to call you ahead of time.

Milleys second call is said to have come in the wake of the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. He reportedly felt it necessary to assure China the U.S. government was stable, appearances to the contrary notwithstanding. Milley also warned military officers against obeying any presidential orders to launch nuclear weapons unless he, Milley, was involved.

The propriety of Milleys actions has come under heavy scrutiny. Trump-era national security adviser John Bolton defended him and vouched for his patriotism. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that reassuring a nervous adversary is not only common, its expected.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, on the other hand, expressed grave concern and demanded that President Biden fire Milley immediately. Nor was the condemnation limited to morally limber political actors. Former Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who famously testified against Trump in his first impeachment and paid for his temerity with his career, said Milley must resign, having violated the sacrosanct principle of civilian control over the military, which he saw as an extremely dangerous precedent.

But the Trump years set extremely dangerous precedents on a daily basis. It is at least conceivable that this one averted war. And none of this Sturm und Drang addresses what would seem to be the obvious issue. Namely, that the question of how to manage a mentally unbalanced president should never have devolved to Milley to begin with, should never have become his responsibility.

That it did speaks to the unadulterated cowardice of the political party that protected Trump, made excuses for him, lied for him, at every step of the way. As his precarious mental state became ever more obvious, the GOPs pusillanimous refusal to do its patriotic duty became ever more glaring.

Impeach him? Invoke the 25th Amendment? Simply stand up on hind legs and object?

Nope, nope and nope. Instead, the Gutless Old Party behaved like Mikeys brothers in the old Life cereal commercial: Im not gonna try it. You try it.

Now were supposed to dump opprobrium upon a soldier who was required to answer a question that never shouldve come to his desk and never wouldve, had these people exhibited a molecule of courage? No. The most troubling thing here is not what Milley chose to do.

Its that he had to make a choice at all.

Pitts is a columnist for the Miami Herald.
Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print.

Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition.

If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create.
Amid ever-increasing government Internet control, surveillance, and censorship in Iran, a new Android app aims to give Iranians a way to speak freely.

Nahoft, which means "hidden" in Farsi, is an encryption tool that turns up to 1,000 characters of Farsi text into a jumble of random words. You can send this melange to a friend over any communication platformTelegram, WhatsApp, Google Chat, etc.and then they run it through Nahoft on their device to decipher what you've said.

Released last week on Google Play by United for Iran, a San Franciscobased human rights and civil liberties group, Nahoft is designed to address multiple aspects of Iran's Internet crackdown. In addition to generating coded messages, the app can also encrypt communications and embed them imperceptibly in image files, a technique known as steganography. Recipients then use Nahoft to inspect the image file on their end and extract the hidden message.

Iranians can use end-to-end encrypted apps like WhatsApp for secure communications, but Nahoft, which is open source, has a crucial feature in its back pocket for when those aren't accessible. The Iranian regime has repeatedly imposed near-total Internet blackouts in particular regions or across the entire country, including for a full week in November 2019. Even without connectivity, though, if you already have Nahoft downloaded, you can still use it locally on your device. Enter the message you want to encrypt, and the app spits out the coded Farsi message. From there you can write that string of seemingly random words in a letter, or read it to another Nahoft user over the phone, and they can enter it into their app manually to see what you were really trying to say.

"When the Internet goes down in Iran, people can't communicate with their families inside and outside the country, and for activists everything comes to a screeching halt," says Firuzeh Mahmoudi, United for Iran's executive director, who lived through the 1979 Iranian revolution and left the country when she was 12. "And more and more the government is moving toward layered filtering, banning different digital platforms, and trying to come up with alternatives for international services like social media. This is not looking great; it's the direction that we definitely don't want to see. So this is where the app comes in."

Iran is a highly connected country. More than 57 million of its 83 million citizens use the Internet. But in recent years, the country's government has been extremely focused on developing a massive state-controlled network, or intranet, known as the "National Information Network" or SHOMA. This increasingly gives the government the ability to filter and censor data and to block specific services, from social networks to circumvention tools like proxies and VPNs.

This is why Nahoft was intentionally designed as an app that functions locally on your device rather than as a communication platform. In the case of a full Internet shutdown, users will need to have already downloaded the app to use it. But in general, it will be difficult for the Iranian government to block Nahoft as long as Google Play is still accessible there, according to United for Iran strategic adviser Reza Ghazinouri. Since Google Play traffic is encrypted, Iranian surveillance can't see which apps users download. So far, Nahoft has been downloaded 4,300 times. It's possible, Ghazinouri says, that the government will eventually develop its own app store and block international offerings, but for now that capability seems far off. In China, for example, Google Play is banned in favor of offerings from Chinese tech giants like Huawei and a curated version of the iOS App Store.

Ghazinouri and journalist Mohammad Heydari came up with the idea for Nahoft in 2012 and submitted it as part of United for Iran's second "Irancubator" tech accelerator, which started last year. Operator Foundation, a Texas nonprofit development group focused on Internet freedom, engineered the Nahoft app. And the German penetration testing firm Cure53 conducted two security audits of the app and its encryption scheme, which draws from proven protocols. United for Iran has published the findings from these audits along with detailed reports about how it fixed the problems Cure53 found. In the original app review from December 2020, for example, Cure53 found some major issues, including critical weaknesses in the steganographic technique used to embed messages in photo files. All of these vulnerabilities were fixed before the second audit, which turned up more moderate issues like Android denial-of-service vulnerabilities and a bypass for the in-app auto-delete passcode. Those issues were also fixed before launch, and the app's Github repository contains notes about the improvements.

The stakes are extremely high for an app that Iranians could rely on to circumvent government surveillance and restrictions. Any flaws in the cryptography's implementation could put people's secret communications, and potentially their safety, at risk. Ghazinouri says the group took every precaution it could think of. For example, the random word jumbles the app produces are specifically designed to seem inconspicuous and benign. Using real words makes it less likely that a content scanner will flag the coded messages. And United for Iran researchers worked with Operator Foundation to confirm that current off-the-shelf scanning tools don't detect the encryption algorithm used to generate the coded words. That makes it less likely that censors will be able to detect encoded messages and create a filter to block them.

You can set a passcode needed to open Nahoft and set an additional "destruction code" that will wipe all data from the app when entered.

"There has always been a gap between communities in need and the people who claim to work for them and develop tools for them," Ghazinouri says. "We're trying to shrink that gap. And the app is open source, so experts can audit the code for themselves. Encryption is an area where you can't just ask people to trust you, and we don't expect anyone to trust us blindly."

In a 2020 academic keynote, "Crypto for the People," Brown University cryptographer Seny Kamara made a similar point. The forces and incentives that typically guide cryptographic inquiry and creation of encryption tools, he argued, overlook and dismiss the specific community needs of marginalized people.

Kamara has not audited the code or cryptographic design of Nahoft, but he told WIRED that the goals of the project fit with his ideas about encryption tools made by the people, for the people.

"In terms of what the app is trying to accomplish, I think this is a good example of an important security and privacy problem that the tech industry and academia have no incentive to solve," he says.

With Iran's Internet freedom rapidly deteriorating, Nahoft could become a vital lifeline to keep open communication going within the country and beyond.

Source: https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/09/a-new-app-helps-iranians-hide-messages-in-plain-sight/
Voices of Recovery held its annual awareness event on Saturday afternoon at Colegrove Park.

Speakers at Voices of Recovery Encourage Sharing, Connection



Recovery advocate Dylan Lundgren, above, talks about the need to make connections. Right, Stephen Murray says he has become involved with harm reduction as an alternative path for substance abusers. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Dylan Lundgren said he seemed to have it all age 17: an athlete, a scholar, a girlfriend. Anyone looking at him would think he really fit in.

"Well, you wouldn't see the suicidal thoughts, or you wouldn't see the inability to feel connected to other people. The inability to give voice to what was going on in here," he said, touching his chest and head. "So just because we look good on the outside, doesn't mean we feel good on the inside."

Lundgren turned to drugs and alcohol thinking it was a solution to the turmoil.

"Just because we look good on the outside doesn't mean we feel good on the inside and the process of recovery started for me when I got around people who were having that conversation," he told the annual Voices for Recovery gathering on Saturday.

Now an addiction recovery advocate, Lundgren has been in recovery since 2004. He asked if anyone knew someone who was dealing with addiction, someone who had overdosed, someone who had killed themselves. Hands went up around the gathering.

"I personally am sick of all the division. And the beautiful thing about recovery is you can take a lot of that out of the picture and bring us to a place of common ground," he said. "The spirit of collaboration. That's really the spirit of recovery. It is really what brings us here today."

The annual Voice of Recovery event has for eight years given survivors of drug and alcohol abuse a place to tell their story as a way to motivate others to take the difficult road to recovery. This was the first gathering since 2019; last year's event was somewhat curtailed because of the pandemic.

What started as a vigil to mourn losses to substance abuse has turned into a celebration of those who have overcome it. Held at Colegrove Park, the afternoon event featured a line of booths offering information on the many programs available for direct and indirect support of those in recovery and their families, as well as speakers and music. There also was a trivia game in memory of John Drummond, who had been peer mentor at the Beacon Community Recovery Center.

"It's celebrating individuals in our community who are recovering from substance abuse and and celebrating their journey that they've gone through," said Lindsey Rosa, a program support associate with Northern Berkshire Community Coalition who's also stepped in to help Executive Director Amber Besaw keep the recovery center going.

The recovery journey sometimes bring different perspectives. Two years ago, Stephen Murray spoke about his struggle with addiction and the impact substance abuse had on the community as an emergency medical technician. He entered recovery with the focus on abstinence but his experiences have changed his perception.

"I'm pretty involved in the harm reduction world," he said. "Two years ago, I stood before you here like in the same spot, my EMS uniform and for the first time ever I disclosed that I was a person in recovery. I've learned a lot in the last two years.

"There are things I said in that speech that I wouldn't say today. My views have evolved about my journey, how it differs from other people around me. I have had so many privileges, not afforded to other people. I don't think that I would be here today without those privileges, and that understanding is the focus of my work."

He recalled how when entered group treatment a decade ago, he was told the people to his right and left might end up in jail or dead; instead both ended up dead. He thought that was a commentary on how difficult it is to recover.

"What I've learned over the last 10 years, is that the problem is with our treatment industry itself," Murray said. "There was never any discussion about relapse beyond the view it were bad thing, and to encourage us that once we were through relapsing to go back to another meeting and start over."

No one talked about safety plans, about safer use to prevent overdoses, or the high risk of fatal overdoses after prolonged abstinance or release from treatment.

"We're an alternative to an abstinence-based recovery. Harm reduction is a philosophy that leaves judgment, shame and stigma at the door and replaces it with radical love and acceptance that was developed by people who use drugs for people who use drugs to help make their youth safer," Murray said. "You don't have to be in treatment to use these principles, or follow any specific leaders. On the first day that someone uses, they can engage in harm reduction strategies to make that use safer."

He said following harm-reduction principles can allow honest conversations and set realistic expectations. Murray compared it to getting a flat tire on a trip: you don't magically go back to the start, you fix the tire and move on.

"You need to be there for each other, not just when someone is recovering the way you want them to but when they're going through bumps in their journey," he said.

Alex Kostopoulas read a poem he wrote about Drummond and moderator Rebecca Dodge read a poem by Barbara Reeves, a volunteer at the recovery center. The Rev. Mary Curns of All Saints Episcopal Church closed the speaking portion.

"We need to speak the truth and be truthful of our own journeys and our own struggles, because people who are going through it just as Alex and Dylan and Steven said, you don't know what's going on inside people," she said. "We need each other. So reach out and touch someone with kindness and love."
After a hard morning planting fresh shoots in the dunes on the edge of the Gobi Desert, 78-year-old farmer Wang Tianchang retrieves a three-stringed lute from his shed, sits down beneath the fiery midday sun, and starts to play.

If you want to fight the desert, theres no need to be afraid, sings Wang, a veteran of Chinas decades-long state campaign to open up the wilderness, as he strums the instrument, known as the sanxian.

Tree-planting has been at the heart of Chinas environmental efforts for decades as the country seeks to turn barren deserts and marshes near its borders into farmland and screen the capital Beijing from sands blowing in from the Gobi, a 500,000 square-mile expanse stretching from Mongolia to northwest China, which would coat Tiananmen Square in dust nearly every spring.

But in March, heavy sandstorms hit Beijing for the first time in six years, putting the countrys reforestation efforts under scrutiny, with land increasingly scarce and trees no longer able to offset the impact of climate change.

Lines of trees next to a road mark the border between the desert and one of the sections of the Yangguan state-backed forest farm on the edge of the desert (Reuters)

Wheel loaders prepare a field for tree planting (Reuters)

Li Lanying plants a shoot of huabang, a yellow flowering bush known as the sweetvetch, while her son Wang Yinji holds a bucket of water (Reuters)

Now a local institution in northwest Chinas Gansu province, Wang and his family lead busloads of young volunteers from the provincial capital of Lanzhou into the desert each year to plant and irrigate new trees and bushes.

Their painstaking work to rehabilitate marginal land has been promoted as an inspiration for the rest of the country, and they are the subject of government propaganda posters celebrating their role in holding back the sand.

Over the last four decades, the Three-North Shelter Forest Programme, a tree-planting scheme known colloquially as the Great Green Wall, has helped raise total forest coverage to nearly a quarter of Chinas area, up from less than 10 per cent in 1949.

In the remote northwest, though, tree planting is not merely about meeting state reforestation targets or protecting Beijing. When it comes to making a living from the most marginal farmland, every tree, bush and blade of grass counts  especially as the climate emergency drives up temperatures and puts water supplies under further pressure.

Wang Yinji sits in front of posters of late Chinese chairman Mao Zedong and president Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan as he smokes at his house (Reuters)

Wang Yinji and his wife, Jin Yuxiu, trim a tree planted on the edge of the Gobi Desert (Reuters)

Wang Tianchang and his family walk through square grids of grass and bushes planted by hand to prevent sand movement (Reuters)

The more the forest expands, the more it eats into the sands, the better it is for us, says Wangs son, Wang Yinji, 53, who has taken over much of the backbreaking farming and planting while his father recovers from illness.

Holding down the sand

In a battered Jeep loaded with a water tank and flying a large Chinese national flag, the Wang family have been planting the spindly huabang in the rolling dunes.

The flowering bush known as the sweetvetch has an 80 per cent success rate even in harsh desert conditions and has become a key part of efforts to hold down the sand, a term used locally for planting bushes and grasses in even squares across the desert slopes to stop sand drifting into nearby farmland.

The Wangs have been fighting desertification since they settled on barren land near the village of Hongshui in Wuwei, a city in Gansu close to the border with Inner Mongolia, in 1980.

Children walk next to a sand dune during a voluntary tree-planting event organised by their school and the Wang family (Reuters)

An old family photo placed on a clock is seen at the house of shepherds Ding Yinhua and her husband Li Youfu (Reuters)

Ding Yinhua a shepherd, opens the gate of a pen for sheep and goats at her house in the Gobi Desert (Reuters)

Their home is now surrounded by patches of rhubarb and rows of pines and blue spruces. Twenty bleating goats are locked in a wooden paddock nearby to stop them from devouring the precious vegetation.

The familys four acres of farmland are protected on one side by a forest planted about a decade ago and on the other by a long sandy cliff.

Trees have become a major part of the local economy. Hongshui is dominated by a large state-owned commercial forest estate called Toudunying.

After 1999, when the tree-planting sped up, things got much better, Wang Yinji says, referring to the state-led reforestation initiative. Our corn grew taller. The sand that used to blow in from the east and northeast was stopped.

Experts say Chinas reforestation work has become more sophisticated over the years, the government benefiting from decades of experience and able to mobilise thousands of volunteers to plant trees, emulating frontline pioneers like the Wangs.

A tree is lifted with a crane before being placed on a truck at Toudunying (Reuters)

Workers water recently planted trees (Reuters)

People wait for transportation at a Beijing bus stop as the city is hit by a sandstorm (Reuters)

But the fight is far from over, they add, with climate change set to worsen conditions for farmers living in the arid north.

They have been living in similar conditions for generations, says Ma Lichao, the China country director for the Forest Stewardship Council, a non-profit organisation promoting sustainable forest management. But it is very important to say that climate change is something very new.

Competing land use

China plans to increase total forest coverage from 23 per cent last year to 24.1 per cent by 2025, but the constant expansion has masked many underlying problems.

Theres been relatively low survival of trees in some regions and discussions about the depletion of underground water tables, says Hua Fangyuan, a conservation biologist who focuses on forests at Chinas Peking University.

Struggling to find space for new trees, the government of an administrative division in Inner Mongolia was accused in 2019 of seizing farmland to meet forest coverage targets set by Beijing. Artificial monocultural plantations, such as rubber, have also been created at the expense of natural forests, according to some studies.

This [competing land-use pressure] is a problem not just for China but all over the world, says Hua. We are talking about millions of hectares of targets. With the growing population, there is going to be competition and tension.

Li Youfu a shepherd, tries to keep a goat away while cleaning corn grains to feed his flock (Reuters)

Li Youfu poses for a picture at his house (Reuters)

Wang Yinji helps to install an information billboard outside the house where he used to live with his family (Reuters)

This competition for land has been reinforced by Chinas reliance on government-backed industrial-scale plantations to meet targets, though it is gradually shifting to a more nature-based approach to reforestation.

One such state-backed forest farm designed to repair the regions overworked ecosystem is the 4,200-acre Yangguan project on the outskirts of the city of Dunhuang, which has proven controversial.

Leaseholders eager to plant lucrative but water-intensive grapes levelled large sections of forest in 2017. In March, a government investigation team found Yangguan had violated regulations by allowing vineyards to be planted in protected forests. Villagers were also accused of illegally felling trees, and authorities were ordered to reclaim the illegally occupied land.

Officials on the estate say hundreds of staff from government agencies in Dunhuang would arrive soon with the aim of planting 31,000 trees on 93 acres of land in just four days. Gradually the surviving vineyards would be replaced with trees, a manager says, a move that would affect hundreds of farmers.

The government and the farmers should work together to find a way to make money and ensure the water levels are sustainable at the same time, says Ma of the Forest Stewardship Council.

There are signs that China has learned from past mistakes when trees were planted  often by scattering seeds from military aircraft  with no consideration for existing ecosystems or weather conditions, meaning many failed to take root.

The government is now more careful in which species it selects to plant and more inclined to make room for natural forests to expand rather than create artificial plantations.

Wang Tianchang helps his son Wang Yinji fill a water tank on the roof of their truck before driving into the desert to plant trees (Reuters)

Wheel loaders move soil to prepare a field for tree planting at one of the sections of the Yangguan state-backed forest farm (Reuters)

The forestry commission also plans to rethink its strategy in northwest China to reflect concerns that new plantations have put water resources under more strain, experts say.

But with local governments under pressure to grow the economy and guarantee food supplies, Chinas tree-planting may also be reaching a point of diminishing returns.

Its getting more and more difficult to really increase the forest coverage rate simply because there arent so many places left for big reforestation projects, says Ma.

Changing climate

Ma says the sandstorms that hit Beijing in March did not mean planting trees had failed but showed it would no longer be enough to offset the impact of climate change.

To be honest, I dont think the trees can help the situation, he says.

At a recent briefing, Li Jianjun of the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre said temperatures in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia have been 2C to 6C higher than normal since February, with the melting snow exposing more sand to the wind.

Read more

Some of the farmers in Wuwei have begun to lose hope after decades of trying to subdue the deserts.

Ding Yinhua, a 69-year-old shepherd, says the sandstorms were so severe that sometimes she didnt dare open her eyes.

Despite the tree-planting, pastures have deteriorated in recent years as a result of declining rainfall in the spring and summer, she adds.

Its just no good without rain. We dont have land, so theres no other way: we just herd sheep. In 2015 and 2016, there was rain, but since then, theres been nothing, and you now have to wait until September, she says.

Her husband, Li Youfu, 71, says he thought tree planting had made no difference at all.

The sand is still moving. This cant be controlled, he says. When the wind comes, its usually really strong. No one can stop it.

Photography by Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Reuters
Sir David Jason is among the Only Fools And Horses cast members who have paid tribute to actor John Challis following his death at the aged of 79.

He was a wonderful actor, a gentleman in the true sense of the word and I know he will be missed by so many, said Sir David, who played Del Boy in the beloved sitcom alongside Challis as second-hand car dealer Boycie.

Also paying tribute was Sue Holderness, who played his on-screen partner Marlene.

She said in a statement: "Marlene without Boycie, it's unthinkable. John Challis was my partner on screen and stage for 36 years and my beloved friend. R.I.P. darling John. I will miss you every day."

Challis family said that he died peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with cancer.

It is with heavy hearts that we bring you such sad news, his family said in a statement. He will always be loved for being Boycie and leaves a great legacy of work that will continue to bring pleasure and smiles for many years to come.

The statement continued: Please respect the privacy of Johns family and friends at this difficult time, and be assured that in the future there will be an occasion to celebrate Johns life  when everyone will be welcome to come along.

Challis played Boycie throughout Only Fools and Horses 22-year run. His characters real name was Herman Terrance Aubrey Boyce.

John Challis was best known for playing Boycie in Only Fools and Horses (Getty Images)

The actor reprised the role for his own spinoff, titled The Green Green Grass, alongside Holderness.

Most recently, he appeared in ITV series Benidorm, playing Monty Staines.

Challis was born in Bristol, but his family moved to south east London when he was just one. He worked as an estate agent before becoming a professional actor.

Before his big break in Only Fools, he appeared in Big Breadwinner Hog in 1969, and between 1971 and 1975, made regular appearances in Z-Cars, playing Sergeant Culshaw.

The actor also has several stage roles, performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1960s.

In 2014, he toured a one-man show titled Only Fools and Boycie, which charted his life before, during and after his time as the popular character.

Challis was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and was forced to cancel several tours.
Chinese president Xi Jinping has yet to commit to attending the Cop26 international climate change talks in Glasgow in November, according to the conferences head.

Cop26 president Alok Sharma acknowledged China will have to be a key part of any agreement and said the ball is in their court to make the talks a success.

But he was unable to confirm China would even be sending a delegation to Glasgow  although he said he was very, very hopeful they would.

When asked if Mr Xi had committed to being in Glasgow, Mr Sharma told Sky Newss Trevor Phillips on Sunday: No, not yet.

There is no doubt that China is going to be part of the key to all of this. They are the biggest emitter in the world.

What president Xi Jinping has said is that they are going to strictly restrict the use of coal in this next five-year period, from 2026 they are going to phase down, but we want to see the detail of that. That is what we are pressing them.

They have said to me they want the Cop26 to be a success. The ball is in their court. We want them to come forward and make it a success together with the rest of the world.

Mr Sharma was unable to confirm whether a Chinese delegation would be present at the talks.

He told the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show: Normally these things come a bit closer to summits. I am very, very hopeful that we will have a delegation from China that is coming.

President Xi Jinping would come for the world leaders conference which is the first two days of Cop but, of course, we want China there as part of the negotiations.

I do feel that they will come for that. I certainly expect that China will send a negotiating team to Glasgow.

Chinas participation at Cop26 is widely seen as crucial if the talks are to make any progress on global warming.

However, the recently announced defence pact by the UK, US and Australia has infuriated Beijing, which has described the move as an extremely irresponsible ... geopolitical gaming tool.

The new Aukus alliance has been hailed as a landmark moment in the Wests strategic engagement with China in the Indo-Pacific region and has been widely viewed as a move to curb its growing military assertiveness in the region.
For Benjamin Roll, chair of Million Moments for Democracy, an organisation campaigning to dethrone incumbent Czech prime minister Andrej Babis, the upcoming October elections are a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change the Czech political landscape.

In 2019, the organisation led the biggest protests the nation has seen since the fall of Communism against Babiss leadership.

The current prime minister, one of the richest men in the country, is under police investigation over alleged conflicts of interest in the distribution of EU subsidies to Agrofert, a holding company he placed into trust funds before assuming power in 2017. The issue reared its head when Babiss ANO party formally began its election campaign earlier this month, as the prime ministers own son confronted his father to tell him that he would testify over the affair.
Lieutenant Colonel Wame Waqanivavalagi sat in front of the television of his smashed officers mess yesterday afternoon and watched his own headquarters being shelled by the Israelis. As the artillery rounds howled down on the Fijian battalion headquarters at Qana on the videotape in front of him, the colonel  who has spent eight years on United Nations service in southern Lebanon  pointed at the smoke that filled the screen.

In there, Robert, was an awful place to be, he said. And he shook his head. The Israeli margin of error was too big to say this was an error. There were two Israeli helicopters observing the shelling in this headquarters  they were observing as shells landed here. The videotape, which forms the centrepiece of the UN investigation into the attack on Qana  a copy of the film was obtained by The Independent  showed an Israeli pilotless reconnaissance drone, used for artillery spotting, flying low over Qana at the height of the Israeli bombardment. The Israelis said it was on another mission but Colonel Waqanivavalagi was unimpressed.
Scotland is to become the latest nation to trial a four-day working week, after the SNP government announced it was setting up a 10 million fund to enable some office businesses to cut workers hours without reducing their pay.

Similar trials are underway in Ireland and Spain, following on from trials in Iceland several years ago. Some English firms have also been experimenting with four-day weeks, while other nations such as Japan are encouraging their employers to think about it too.

But how helpful is a four-day week for workers really  and how realistic? The truth is that there are problems with this attractive idea that tend to be ignored by the enthusiasts. So what are they and can they be overcome?

Productivity and the 40-hour week

At the heart of a nations economic activity is productivity, which in this context refers to the total output of each worker over a particular time period. In the UK at least, the traditional view is that a full-time working week of approximately 40 hours is the way to maximise peoples productivity.

Eight hours labour, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest was the phrase coined in 1817 by Robert Owen, the famous mill owner, philanthropist and labour rights activist. This vision of a five-day, 40-hour work week is rooted in an industrial setting, when most people worked outside the home, in factories and other manufacturing facilities. In such a setting, working from home or outside of business hours was impossible.

Those days are long gone, and two-income households are no longer rare. Nowadays, when both members of a couple would normally be working, there is less time for children, looking after older relatives, chores, errands, preparing food and everything else that is undertaken outside of working hours. Managing these tasks has become ever more complicated and stressful.

Mill owner and philanthropist Robert Owen popularised the 40-hour week in 1817 (Public Domain)

A four-day working week should therefore be a massive relief, so its easy to see why lots of people are in favour of it. So wheres the problem?

Britains long hours culture

The average working week in the UK is now 42.5 hours, and the nation is also the unpaid-overtime capital of Europe. As many as two-thirds of employees are said to work longer than their contracted hours, averaging 6.3 hours of free labour per week, usually sitting in front of a computer or smartphone at home.

This implies that employers are unlikely to be able to afford to reduce each employees workload  particularly after the financial pain of the pandemic. Many employers signing up for a four-day week would probably therefore expect workers to undertake the same amount of work within four days that was undertaken previously in five.

Assuming that the average person is currently spending all their working hours actively working, doing the same job in four days would mean working more than 12 hours a day. Thats considerably more than Robert Owens eight-hour day, and clearly not feasible for the majority.

Even if it was feasible, it wouldnt be very productive. Research shows that medium-skilled employees who work in front of a computer and work beyond 4.6 effective hours a day produce smaller quantities of output per hour due to fatigue. For more inexperienced employees, the numbers are worse. People who work excessively long days also have lower levels of overall wellbeing.

While people have been working at home during the pandemic, they have not necessarily been working longer hours but the hours they have worked have been more intense, with fewer breaks and less movement between tasks and locations.

Yet with nearly half of the UK workforce indicating that they are suffering from stress, clearly something has to be done

This actually produced short-term productivity gains, but this shouldnt be a cause for celebration: with increased work intensity and more porous boundaries between home and work, employees found it difficult to mentally remove themselves from work, further raising the risks of exhaustion. Having to work even more intensively over four days is arguably more than many could cope with.

Some organisations might look at practical issues like these and decline to be part of a four-day work week. Others will say its impossible due to the nature of the work (emergency services, medical work and hospitality).

Many workers will say its unworkable for them due to the volume of work (bank debt collectors, university staff); or because they already work crippling 12-hour shifts and cant cram more into a day (delivery drivers, many self-employed workers); or dont earn enough to have the luxury of having three days off each week (care workers, gig-economy workers).

Alternatives

For most of us, a four-day work week therefore feels more like a pipe dream than a realistic ambition. It will benefit the very few whose organisations can reduce their workload to make it appropriate to four days. This is likely to apply to government workers, since their departments will have to be seen to be a four-day week success. But more generally, a four-day week is likely to exacerbate existing inequalities and create resentment against those who get to have a three-day weekend.

Yet with nearly half of the UK workforce indicating that they are suffering from stress, clearly something has to be done. Workers need to be working fewer hours, and particularly fewer intense hours.

Governments need to focus on ensuring that employees have increased control over the hours that they work, supported by independent bodies that can ensure that businesses uphold good working conditions. The UK governments Employment Bill was supposed to help in this respect, though it has been controversially delayed by Covid.

Or, if we are serious about a four-day week, well need to make it affordable for more employees to manage on less. That would require a universal basic income  and this is one excellent reason for pushing for it to happen.

Abigail Marks is a professor of the future of work at Newcastle University. this article first appeared on The Conversation.
In the middle of the Amazon forest, along the banks of the Rio Negro, a young woman in face paint was bored. The coronavirus pandemic had cut off the flow of visitors, further isolating this indigenous village, accessible only by boat. So Maira Tatuyo, 22, better known as Cunhaporanga, was passing her days, phone in hand, trying to learn the ways of TikTok.

She danced to songs, dubbed videos, wildly distorted her appearance  the full TikTok experience. None of it found much of an audience.

Then she held up a wriggly, thick beetle larva to the camera.

People ask, Cunhaporanga, is it true that you really eat larva?

Of course we eat them! Do you want to see?

The bug met its end (Mmmhhh, Cunhaporanga said), and a new viral star was born, streaming from the most remote of locations. Cunhaporangas home is a cluster of thatched-roof huts along the rivers edge, surrounded by nothing but Amazon jungle. The dozens of residents who live here are fellow members of the Tatuyo people. They paint their faces in bright red, wear elaborate feathered headdresses, live alongside squawking macaws that Cunhaporanga warns should not be mistaken for pets, and survive off whatever they can grow or catch.

All of it is now a vivid backdrop for what has become one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing social media presences in Brazil. In little more than 18 months, Cunhaporanga has collected six million-plus TikTok followers, simply by showing scenes from her everyday life. To her, the activities she posted were unremarkable. But for her growing audience, they brought into sudden intimacy a world that could not have seemed more distant.

Cunhaporanga offering a bowl of larvae to her family to eat: 6.7 million views. Cunhaporanga brandishing a tool used to make cassava flour: 16.1 million views. Cunhaporanga dancing on the pristine banks of the river  its still TikTok, after all  to a viral pop song: 4.1 million views.

Nearly every video of the squirmy little critters, which are harvested from an Amazonian palm tree and allegedly taste like coconut, brings in millions of views

As social media reaches into the Amazon rainforest, one of digital medias final frontiers, it is opening an unprecedented window into Indigenous life, clearing away the barriers once imposed by geography. For the first time, some of the planets most isolated peoples are in daily communication with the outside world without the traditional filters of journalists, academics or advocates.

This is an important opportunity, said Beto Marubo, a member of the Marubo people, whose village just got the internet and is already going viral. The Brazilian people dont know Indigenous people, and from this lack of information has come all sorts of terrible stereotypes, like Indigenous people are lazy or indolent or unhappy.

The digitalisation of Indigenous life is now colliding with some of Brazils most powerful political currents. President Jair Bolsonaro rose to power lamenting the size of Indigenous territories and advocating that they be opened up to business interests. He has described their inhabitants as incomprehensibly foreign. Indians dont speak our language, dont have money, dont have culture, Bolsonaro said in 2015 as he publicly plotted a run for the presidency. They are native peoples. How did they come to have 13 percent of the national territory?

On one slice of that Indigenous land last month, Cunhaporanga  who speaks flawless Portuguese and considers herself to be fully Brazilian  was walking in the sun, TikTok on her mind. She wanted to continue to show her peoples culture but didn't know how long shed be able to. She looked up at the villages satellite antenna, installed in late 2018, and sighed. The communitys monthly internet bill was $65.

Cunhaporanga shows her body painting in her posts (The Washington Post)

Its really expensive, she said, still unsure about how to earn much on a platform thats often difficult to monetise. Some followers have donated a few bucks here and there, but not much. Now her father, the village chief, was saying the community might soon have to cancel its internet connection. That would cut off her access to social media  and could end her TikTok career.

Cunhaporanga tried to push that thought away. She instead wondered what her next TikTok story would be.

By now, she knows larvae are viral gold. Nearly every video of the squirmy little critters, which are harvested from an Amazonian palm tree and allegedly taste like coconut, brings in millions of views. But when she published that first video, they were, to her, just everyday food, as basic as flour or fish.

She was stunned by the response: within hours of the videos posting, more than a million people had watched.

She started to yell to her family, telling them to come see. She held out her iPhone 7, bought with money saved from selling arts and crafts to tourists. She had used it to open an account on Instagram, where shed painstakingly grown a following of about 1,000 people. But this reaction was new and bewildering.

Caramba! she said. How could so many people be interested in something I eat every day?

Her parents and brother peered into the phone, trying to decipher what it all meant. The comments offered little guidance:

Simple eating, one person said of the larva.

What does it taste like?? another asked.

Pure protein, one more person said.

Cunhaporangas father Pino Tatuyo, 51, worries that they may have to cut off the internet (The Washington Post)

Cunhaporangas father was hesitant. Pino Tatuyo had been an early and enthusiastic advocate of bringing the internet to the village. He felt the digital age had arrived and there was no going back. His people had to embrace technology to connect to the world  and teach it who they were. He himself had done a YouTube video in full headdress  A little presentation about who I am! he named it  and created an Instagram account, where he eventually attracted 12,000 followers. But Cunhaporangas TikTok story was different. This wasnt a few thousand people. This was millions.

Be careful, he told her. There are a lot of things that could go wrong that could cause us problems.

But they agreed this was a powerful tool to safeguard and document a culture they felt was increasingly under threat. Cunhaporanga promised she would be careful to honour her culture and family, went back to her phone and got to work  answering the questions that had started to pour in from all over Brazil.

On why the Tatuyo paint their faces: To keep at bay negative energy.

On her breakfast of acai: You have no idea how good this is.

On whether they use shoes: When going into the forest.

Cunhaporangas videos tapped into a defining quirk of TikTok. Some of its biggest stars arent famous  at least, not in the traditional sense  but ordinary people introducing audiences to their extraordinary lives. A beekeeper in Austin has attracted 9.6 million followers. A mother of six boys has 1.7 million. A scientist at the South Pole has accrued 940,000 in less than five months.

In the Amazon, Cunhaporanga showed people a common meal of ants and cassava. Then the language of her people. Then chibe, a mixture of water and cassava flour.

Her following didnt lift into the millions, however, until she began to harmonise the discordant. In one video, she partnered with the bright-green macaw that lives in the village, dubbing a voice-over alongside the indifferent animal. In another, her 11-year-old brother, clad in a feathered headdress, begins to twerk. In yet another, a Roddy Ricch rap song plays while her family builds an earthen firepit. I aint no player, I just got a lot of baes, the American rapper sings, as Cunhaporangas shoeless mother stomps down the mud.

Cunhaporangas phone is the centre of her life and has given her instant communication with the world (The Washington Post)

It was absurd. It was hilarious. It was TikTok.

She wanted to make more.

Cunhaporangas phone was lighting up with messages and notifications. A video shed posted showing how she removes her face paint with water and soap was taking off. More than two million people had seen it, and millions more soon would. But inside her familys hut, she was already setting out on her next TikTok story.

She asked her father and younger brothers to fetch their karicos, a traditional flute. Her brother Pico, who commands his own TikTok following, 960,000-strong, quickly complied, generally thrilled by the attention. Her father also retrieved his flute. But he remained unsure about social media. He was happy to teach people about his culture. But what tangible benefits had TikTok brought the village?

Six million followers, and they were still just barely scraping by, worried about paying their electric and internet bills. They were digitally famous, but somehow poorer than ever. If the virus continued keeping away tourists, he worried hed have to cancel the internet and disappoint his daughter.

The situation is terrible, he said. Really difficult.

But he put away those thoughts for now, walking alongside his son to the communal meeting hall, wearing his headdress and playing the flute. Cunhaporanga stood in front of them, filming.

Hey, everyone, she said. Today I brought my father and brothers to play this instrument thats a part of our ceremonies for when we receive visitors.

The song Cunhaporanga captured was haunting and melodic. She showed the video to her brothers and father. They smiled and said it looked great. She didnt think it was her best work  and worried about its potential to go viral  but wasnt too stressed.

Its enough, she said, for TikTok.

 The Washington Post
A new breast cancer drug reduces the risk of death or disease progression by 72 per cent compared to an existing treatment, AstraZeneca has announced.

The British pharmaceutical firm said the results of its trial of Enhertu were groundbreaking and showed a strong trend towards improved overall survival.

Three-quarters of patients showed no progression in their disease after 12 months compared to 34.1 per cent of those treated with trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), while progression-free survival was improved from 7.2 months to 25.1 months.

Nearly all Enhertu patients were alive after 12 months (94.1 per cent), compared to 85.9 per cent of T-DM1 patients.

The phase 3 trial, which compared Enhertus performance against trastuzumab emtansine as a treatment for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, involved around 500 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America.

Susan Galbraith, executive vice president of Oncology R&D at AstraZeneca, said: "Today's results are ground-breaking.

These unprecedented data represent a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, and illustrate the potential for Enhertu to transform more patient lives in earlier treatment settings.

Javier Cortes, from the International Breast Cancer Centre in Barcelona, said patients with previously treated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer will typically experience disease progression in less than a year with available HER2-directed treatments.

He said the the "high and consistent benefit" seen across efficacy endpoints and key subgroups of patients receiving Enhertu is "remarkable and supports the potential of Enhertu to become the new standard of care for those who have previously been treated for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer".

Ken Takeshita, global head of R&D at Daiichi Sankyo, said: "These landmark data will form the basis of our discussions with global health authorities to potentially bring Enhertu to patients with previously treated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer as a more effective treatment option as soon as possible."

While breast cancer survival rates have doubled over the last four decades in the UK, every year around 11,500 women and 85 men die from the disease.

The Breast Cancer Now charity, which offers support and information on the disease, welcomed the results of the trial as incredibly promising.

Dr Kotryna Temcinaite, senior research communications manager, said: It is fantastic to see that trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) could give hundreds of people with HER2 positive incurable secondary breast cancer the chance of more time before their disease progresses.

We now hope that further research will show whether this treatment could also offer patients precious extra time to live and be there for more moments that matter. Anyone looking for support and information can speak to Breast Cancer Nows expert nurses by calling our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.

Additional reporting by agencies

This article was amended on 19 September 2021 to remove the following sentence: However AstraZeneca warned that the analysis is "not yet mature and is not statistically significant. That warning was only referring to overall survival analysis, not the study as a whole.
Britain faces shortages of frozen meals and even Christmas turkey due to a sudden shortage of carbon dioxide used by the food and drink industry.

Meat supplies to supermarkets and restaurants will be affected within days by shortage of the gas, which is instrumental to refrigeration and delivery.

Ocado has paused delivery of frozen products to customers as a result of the dry ice shortage, while the British Poultry Council (BPC) has warned the industry was heading into a downward spiral towards supply chains seriously struggling.

A sharp rise in global gas prices has meant two large fertiliser plants in Teesside and Cheshire, which produce CO2 as a by-product, have shut.

Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng had meetings with industry leaders over the shortages on Saturday and insisted there was no cause for immediate concern.

But food industry bosses warned that the problem was a national security issue that needed to be dealt with urgently.

Ranjit Singh Boparan, the owner of Bernard Matthews and 2 Sisters Food Group, said a shortage of both CO2 and workers will affect the supply of turkeys for Christmas.

There are less than 100 days left until Christmas and Bernard Matthews and my other poultry businesses are working harder than ever before to try and recruit people to maintain food supplies, he said.

The supply of Bernard Matthews turkeys this Christmas was already compromised as I need to find 1,000 extra workers to process supplies. Now with no CO2 supply, Christmas will be cancelled.

He added: The CO2 issue is a massive body-blow and puts us at breaking point, it really does. Thats poultry, beef, pork, as well as the wider food industry.

Without CO2, the bottom line is there is less through-put and with our sector already compromised with lack of labour, this potentially tips us over the edge.

The CO2 shortage will also affect slaughterhouses, meaning pigs and poultry cannot be processed and will have to be kept on farms, with potential implications for animal welfare.

Mr Boparan said: The overall effect is welfare compromised and greatly reduced supply. Ready meals lose that vital shelf life. There is potential for massive food waste across the board.

This is clearly a national security issue and unlike the labour supply crisis, where the government response to our sector has been disappointing to say the least, it has to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

British Poultry Council head Richard Griffiths said he hoped to avoid a crisis through swift government action while Nick Allen of the British Meat Processors Association warned the pig sector is two weeks away from an animal welfare crisis because of knock-on disruption to the supply of animals for slaughter. He said: Doing nothing is not an option.

The CO2 shortage will also affect packaged products such as cheese and salads and long-life bakery items at supermarkets. We need to sort it, quickly, said Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland Foods.

Ministers are facing calls to make an urgent intervention on gas prices.

Ian Wright, the chief executive of the UK Food and Drink Federation, told BBC Radio 4 on Saturday that if the government did not take action then the impact would be felt within two weeks.

He added: And of course, thats concerning because were beginning to get into the pre-Christmas supply period when warehouses begin to pick up, build up their stocks, ready for the push to Christmas a few weeks later.

Mr Kwarteng is to meet the chief of energy regulator Ofgem, Jonathan Brearley, on Sunday to discuss to discuss the wide-ranging impact of global gas prices.

An Ofgem spokesperson said the regulator was working closely with government and industry to ensure consumers continue to be protected while global gas prices are high.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the issue underscores the importance of our plan to build a strong, home-grown renewable energy sector to further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

We are aware of the issues faced by some businesses and are working closely with industry to provide support and advice, a Defra spokesperson added.

We have had extensive meetings with representatives from the meat production and processing sectors, and we are continuing those conversations over the weekend.

The UK benefits from having access to highly diverse sources of gas supply to ensure households, businesses and heavy industry get the energy they need at a fair price.
A Tory MP has said he wears a mask in supermarkets but not in the House of Commons because he does not trust non-politicians to get tested for Covid.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the treasurer of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs, said he wore a mask in the chamber when it was compulsory to do so but wouldnt again unless government guidelines changed forcing their use.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4s The Week in Westminster on Saturday, Sir Geoffrey said hed consistently asked for a lighter touch in response to the pandemic and would be reluctant to see another lockdown.

But he said he wears a mask in supermarkets, and not in the Commons, adding: I would trust my colleagues that at the moment they felt ill, they would go in for a [Covid] test, whereas I wouldnt be so sure with everybody in the supermarket.

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, who was also on the programme and said she does wear a mask, said it was wrong to suggest the public would not get tested for Covid.

My experience is that people are doing the right thing, she said. Were all equally vulnerable, and we all play our part.

Sir Geoffrey replied that it only takes one person not to get tested.

The odd MP has been the only one in other situations, Ms Moran said. We havent been immune.

Mask wearing is no longer compulsory in England, but the government advises people to continue to wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces.

Earlier this week, Boris Johnson refused to rule out the reintroduction of restrictions as he laid out his winter pandemic plans.

The prime ministers Plan B could see mandatory face masks, Covid passports and guidance to work from home brought back in the case of an upsurge in cases, admissions and deaths.

The announcement came as the governments scientific advisors warned ministers that hospital admissions could soon rise beyond the peak seen at the start of 2021 to as many as 7,000 a day without introducing fresh measures.
The government should have tried to improve the testing system for international travel instead of abandoning it entirely, a government scientific adviser has said.

Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours, described the current system around PCR travel tests as dysfunctional with all the different companies charging absurd rates and not providing a service.

From Monday 4 October, people who have been double-jabbed will no longer need to take a pre-departure test when travelling to England under the governments shake-up of rules for international travel.

And later in October, fully vaccinated travellers  from the UK as well as from a host of countries including Japan and Singapore  will be able to replace their day two PCR test with a cheaper lateral flow test on arrival in England.

Prof Reicher insisted PCR tests were necessary and very, very valuable in finding asymptomatic cases. Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, he said: I do think we need PCR tests, because everybody always said that lateral flow tests were never what were called greenlight tests  tests to say youre safe and therefore you can act as if you dont have the virus.

What they do is they pick up asymptomatic cases and are very, very valuable in that regard. But I think it would have been far preferable to keep PCR tests but to improve the system and to do them through the NHS.

I think it (the relaxation) is increasing risk. I think it does limit, in fact it stops our ability to trace different variants and increases the probability of infected people coming into the country.

I think it has increased the risk, quite frankly, and I think we should have improved the system rather than by and large abandoning it.

His comments came as experts warned the governments scrapping of PCR tests will put the UK at higher risk from new variants.

Professor Lawrence Young, a molecular oncology expert at the University of Warwick, said the changes will also make it harder to track new variants entering the country.

We know that fully vaccinated individuals can get infected and spread the virus, he said. We also know that previous waves of infection have been fuelled by returning travellers.

Letting our guard down runs the risk of bringing a new variant into the country, such as the mu variant first identified in Colombia, which could reduce the effectiveness of current vaccines.

Professor Devi Sridhar, a professor of global public health at Edinburgh University, said easing the rules was letting go of one of the main ways we would identify new variants.

She told BBC Radio Scotland: If were not testing for those people coming in, they wouldnt even know theyre positive and need to isolate, nor would we be able to sequence those to know if theres a new variant coming in, which is one of the main things we are concerned about going into winter.

The governments new shakeup of travel rules is intended to come in place for when people return from half-term break and replaces the original traffic light system with just two lists  a new red list, and a rest of world category.

The red list of countries from which returning travellers will be required to quarantine in a government-supervised hotel is to be cut, transport secretary Grant Shapps said.

Mr Shapps said the new simplified system aimed to strike the right balance to manage the public health risk as no 1 priority.

He said: We welcome the simplification of the traffic light system, and the changes to the testing requirements allowing UK travellers to benefit from our world-leading vaccination programme and finally giving customers and business the confidence to book the journeys theyve been waiting for.

Based on the scientific evidence, with fewer than 1 per cent of people returning from low-risk countries testing positive for Covid (lower than the UKs rate), we urge ministers to keep this policy under review, eliminating all testing for fully vaccinated travellers as soon as possible in the future, in line with most other European countries.
The television drama Vigil has sparked curiosity about the workings of the Navy and submarines.

It tells the story of a murder on a vessel carrying nuclear missiles, following a police officer played by Suranne Jones as she boards the boat to investigate.

The first episode has her character, Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva of the Scottish Police Service, flown out to the submarine by helicopter as it continues its patrol at sea.

She is tasked with carrying out interviews and forensic investigations alone, while her efforts are frustrated by suspicious crew members with mysterious motives.

A naval source told The Independent that if there was a murder on a submarine, the investigation would happen rather differently.

In the scenario shown in Vigil, in which the boat is on patrol, an initial investigation would instead be carried out on board.

A small group of officers on each submarine is trained to deal with serious crimes and a dedicated compartment has devices to take photos and other evidence.

If someone was killed, the area would be treated as a crime scene and detailed photos would be taken in order for a reconstruction to be created if necessary, the source said.

All the officers involved would normally be on other duties because, the source said, there cannot be one person permanently doing nothing in case someone dies.

Initial statements would be taken from the crew and those documents and all other evidence would be handed over to a civilian police force on the submarines return.

The naval source said that in an extreme circumstance, a commander couldcutshort a patrol but in the case of a Trident submarine it was more likely that the journey would be finished as planned.

At loggerheads: Suranne Jones and Shaun Evans (BBC/World Productions)

At that point, the information would be handed to a regional police force that would do the investigation with whatever support the Navy provides for them, he added.

The Navy would be falling over backwards to find out what went wrong.

The response on board would be led by a senior rating, or coxswain, and then a commanding officer would make a decision on where to put the body.

In Vigil, the victim, Craig Burke, played by Martin Compston, is stored in a torpedo tube because  as another character explains  it would be cooled by the sea water.

The naval source said that in reality, a body would probably be left in the submarines main fridge, after food stocks were removed.

He said a torpedo tube would work for a short time but that Mediterranean water would certainly be too warm to preserve a body for examination.

Asked whether there were any circumstances where a civilian police officer would be taken out to a submarine on patrol, the source said local police could board a boat that was moored or at its home base or on exercises.

But he thought it unlikely during an active patrol given safety concerns and training in progress, as well as the fact that food and oxygen are carefully calculated according to crew numbers.

Vigil airs on Sundays at 9pm on BBC One.
A former Bank of England chief economist has been asked to breathe life into Boris Johnsons troubled levelling up agenda, in a fresh government shake-up.

Andy Haldane will lead a new Cabinet Office taskforce, as No 10 declares the policy to be its central mission, despite fears that the Covid pandemic will surge back over the winter.

The vow to level up every part of the UK has been in something close to crisis since the prime ministers speech flopped in July, when it was universally attacked for lacking any detail.

Now the housing ministry is being renamed the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, after being handed to Michael Gove in last weeks cabinet reshuffle.

A white paper being put together by the highly-rated Neil OBrien, now a junior minister in the department, will be published ahead of next months crucial three-year spending review.

And Mr Haldane will head up a Levelling Up Taskforce, as a permanent secretary in the Cabinet Office on a six-month break from his chief executive post at the Royal Society of Arts.

Mr Haldane, who worked at the Bank of England for 22 years before quitting this year, said: Levelling up the UK is one of the signature challenges of our time. It has also been a personal passion throughout my professional career.

I look forward to working with colleagues across government, local and national, and with the private and voluntary sectors, to design and deliver an economy that works for every part of the UK.

Two months ago, in Coventry, Mr Johnson admitted he has only the skeleton of a plan to level up the country, after being challenged that he had failed to set out how to tackle entrenched inequalities.

Even Conservative MPs have admitted that the slogan lacks substance and is currently designed to mean all things to all people, as one put it.

Mr Johnson has been accused of undermining it with spending cuts, a failure to devolve meaningful power and by political bias in handing out government funds.

Downing Street hopes all that will change with the policy in the hands of Mr Gove, who has a record of driving through change in education, justice and the environment in his cabinet career.

He said: Im thrilled that the PM has asked me to lead the levelling up agenda, the defining mission of this government.

Our relentless focus will be on delivering for those overlooked families and undervalued communities across the United Kingdom.

Mr Gove will also enjoy the title Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, having been charged with propping up the union and defeating the threat of Scottish independence.

He must also find a way of salvaging the controversial loosening of planning laws, which he has paused after a revolt by Tory MPs.
The Covid-19 and Afghanistan emergencies have exposed ways in which Boris Johnson is neglecting national security, a highly critical report warns today.

The prime minister is accused of overseeing an inadequate Whitehall system that lacks clear lines of responsibility and is unable to cope with more than one major crisis at a time.

Furthermore, he is poised to slash the time he spends leading National Security Council (NSC) meetings by around two-thirds under looming changes, says a committee of MPs and peers.

The Joint Committee on National Security Strategy brands the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan a systemic failure, while noting that the NSCs structures were abandoned when the Covid pandemic struck.

Yet the councils vital role was underlined by a warning from one expert witness of a one-in-six chance of an existential catastrophe over the next 100 years  ranging from climate change to nuclear war.

The report calls the NSC shake-up  drafted by national security adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove  a retrograde step that suggests a more casual approach to national security.

It is the prime ministers personal investment of time and authority that lends credibility to the NSC and its cross-government structures, it states.

Yet, under the new system, the prime minister will spend roughly 65 per cent less time in NSC meetings than under the previous practice of weekly meetings when parliament is in session.

Margaret Beckett, the committees chair, said: The whole point of the National Security Council is that it is supposed to prepare for, and act upon, a long-term view of our national security risks. It should be above the hurly-burly of daily concerns.

But when two events  the Covid-19 pandemic and Afghanistan  demonstrated yet again what a dangerous world we now live in, weaknesses in the structures of the National Security Council were exposed.

The NSC, established in 2010 by David Cameron, has held weekly meetings between senior ministers and defence and intelligence chiefs, chaired by the prime minister.

But Sir Stephens changes will see Mr Johnson attend only around half of its meetings, and will risk leaving the NSC unable to tackle the most pressing issues, the report warns.

It calls for improvements to ensure the NSC has clear lines of responsibility and accountability as well as a role in allocating security funding, and that the council is able to work with the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The committee also recommends re-establishing a ministerial committee for managing risks and resilience, and designating chief risk officers for national security in each department.

The role of the Cabinet Offices team of analysts should be strengthened to feed the NSC assessments of the full range of threats and hazards, it says, adding that the government needs to ensure external and diverse input into NSC discussions to guard against groupthink.
 Close Boris Johnson jokes about number of children Jacob Rees-Mogg has during Tory conference

The EU Commission is not open to altering the Northern Ireland protocol, its vice president has confirmed.

This comes as Boris Johnsons government continues to blame this section of the Withdrawal Agreement for ongoing trade friction between Great Britain and the territory.

We will not renegotiate the protocol as the UK requested, Maros Sefcovic told a virtual event on Thursday.

Elsewhere, the prime ministers conference speech about his vision for a high wage economic revival has been condemned as economically illiterate bluster by a leading think tank.

Amid severe staff shortages widely blamed on Brexit, Mr Johnson rebuked businesses for reaching for the same old lever of uncontrolled immigration and suggested British workers should be prioritised instead.

After he spoke to Tory delegates at his partys conference in Manchester on Wednesday, the free market Adam Smith Institute criticised his words as vacuous and economically illiterate.

The organisation added that it was reprehensible for him to suggest that asylum seekers make the country poorer. This dog whistle shows that this government doesnt care about pursuing evidence-based policies, it said.
Time is running out to make the looming Cop26 climate emergency summit a success, Boris Johnson will tell world leaders on a trip to the United Nations and the White House.

The prime minister will shrug off criticism of his preparations for the landmark Glasgow event  and that he has failed to offer leadership  by urging other countries to step up to the plate.

He will host a UN meeting on Monday to galvanise help for developing countries to adapt to the devastating consequences of global heating  as a promised $100bn (73bn) annual fund stands $20bn short.

Later in the week, in Washington, Mr Johnson will seek to calm tensions with Joe Biden over the shambolic retreat from Afghanistan on his first visit to the White House since Donald Trump was ousted.

The pairs discussions will also focus on climate commitments, as well as on how to prevent the feared humanitarian catastrophe after the Taliban takeover in Kabul.

On Friday, the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, warned of a high risk of failure at Cop26, in November, long billed as the worlds last chance to prevent runaway climate change.

Mr Johnson has been accused of failing to make the UKs CO2-cutting promises a reality and of neglecting to make the summit  now just six weeks away  a personal priority.

Negotiations have been left to Alok Sharma, the little-known Cop26 president, who was handed the role after the prime minister tried and failed to recruit a big-hitter.

Ahead of flying to New York on Sunday, the prime minister said: World leaders have a small window of time left to deliver on their climate commitments ahead of Cop26.

My message to those I meet this week will be clear: future generations will judge us based on what we achieve in the coming months.

I will be pushing them to take concrete action on coal, climate, cars and trees so we can make a success of Cop26 and keep our climate goals within reach.

The UK is ahead of other nations in ending coal-fired energy production, but its record is tainted by controversial plans for a new oil field in the North Sea.

Likewise, although the UK has committed around 2.3bn to the $100bn climate fund, The Independent revealed it will come from further cuts to international aid projects.

Mr Johnson has been bolstered by 100 world leaders  including Mr Biden  agreeing to attend Cop26, providing a once in a generation opportunity to create a path to keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5C, No 10 believes.

But the Glasgow preparations have been hit by the refusal of China  the biggest CO2 emitter  to commit to deeper cuts and fresh evidence that the world is way off course.

Current pledges would mean a 16 per cent increase in emissions in 2030 compared with 2010 levels, not the 45 per cent fall that scientists say is needed, the UN said on Friday.

Mr Guterres said: The world is on a catastrophic pathway to 2.7C of heating. There is a high risk of failure of Cop26. It is clear that everyone must assume their responsibilities.
Only a Liberal Democrat surge in Conservative heartlands can remove Boris Johnson from Downing Street, Ed Davey will tell the partys conference.

In the wake of the stunning by-election win in Chesham and Amersham, the Lib Dem leader will ignore lowly poll ratings to insist his party holds the key to the next general election result.

Sir Ed will also call for more help for carers, parents, and small businesses, when he makes his first speech in front of a live audience since winning the leadership 13 months ago.

And he will demand tougher UK leadership on the climate emergency, with a ban on new oil, gas and coal companies from the London Stock Exchange.

The mainly online conference has also called for a five-point Health Data Charter, to set out key tests for whether data sharing is in the interest of the public and the NHS.

And it has demanded both sanctions and a Winter Olympics boycott on China over its treatment of the Uyghur minority, widely condemned as genocide.

In June, the Lib Dems dealt Boris Johnson a severe blow when they overturned a 16,000 majority in true-blue Chesham and Amersham  raising questions about the foundations of his blue wall.

Make no mistake: the electoral arithmetic is clear. These Conservatives cant be defeated next time unless we Liberal Democrats win Tory seats, Sir Ed will tell a 100-strong gathering in London.

Boris Johnson will stay in Downing Street unless we throw him out. Its why our victory in Chesham and Amersham was so important.

We showed  against all the odds  that even in deepest, bluest Buckinghamshire the Tories can be beaten. And we showed Liberal Democrats are the ones to do it.

On climate action, the leader will say: The UK should be leading the world on climate action, with a radical new approach.

To move trillions of dollars, yen, euros and pounds out of fossil fuels and into renewables. By properly holding to account the powerful fossil fuel firms and the powerful in the City of London.

Banning new oil, gas and coal companies from the London Stock Exchange. Stopping the flow of money from your pension funds into the dirty industries of the past.

As we host the global climate talks in Glasgow, we should stop London hosting the worlds fossil fuel investments.

Sir Ed is using the conference to underline his anti-Tory stance, vowing to never help to put Mr Johnson back into No 10.

He has also ruled out a formal alliance with Labour or the Green party, but the traditional policy of equidistance between the big two parties is effectively over.

The leader said he was genuinely staggered by how many people said that they wont vote Conservative until Johnson goes, on doorsteps in Chesham and Amersham.
The Speaker of the House of Commons has expressed support for Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who says she wont attend her partys conference because of a dispute with LGBT+ members over her stance on transgender rights.

The Canterbury MP has decided to stay away from the annual gathering, which takes place in Brighton next week.

She says she has been branded transphobic for knowing that only women have a cervix.

LGBT+ Labour now seem to hate my guts and I feared theyd have a massive go at me at conference, Ms Duffield told The Sunday Times.

The people who threaten me I dont think are actually likely to harm me. They just say it often and very loudly.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle spoke at a meeting of parliamentary heads in Chorley, Lancashire, at which the safety of elected politicians was discussed.

Parliamentarians, who have been elected to speak up for their constituents, should be able to attend their own party conference without fear of harm, he said.

Too many people have been targeted for their opinion or the office they hold. In order to protect democracy, we need to ensure those participating can do so without threats of intimidation.

Ms Duffield, who chairs the Womens Parliamentary Labour Party, said she took the decision not to attend conference, not because I really thought I was going to be attacked but because I did not want to be the centre of attention.

Jess Phillips, the shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, told the newspaper: I am supportive of any woman who feels they face a security threat.
Amir Khan has said police escorted him from a flight in the United States for no reason.

The former world champion boxer said he was trying to fly to a training camp in Colorado from New York, but he and a colleague were removed when someone complained his colleagues mask was not high enough.

In a video shared on Twitter, Khan claimed he had been banned by American Airlines.

He spoke of being disgusted and heartbroken by his alleged treatment, adding #Notallterrorists.

I was taken off the plane today when I was going to training camp to Colorado Springs by the police, Khan said.

Obviously a complaint was made by American Airlines staff, they said that my colleagues mask was not high enough and not up, that they had to stop the plane and take me and my friend off when I did nothing wrong.

They kicked us both off, I was sat on 1A, he was sat on 1B  I find it so disgusting and so disrespectful, I was supposed to go to Colorado Springs for a training camp and now Im back in New York for another day.

Now I have to reschedule another aeroplane to travel back to training camp which is really upsetting, for no reason this was and Im just so disgusted that American Airlines would do this to us and ban me from travelling.

Khan said there must be cameras on the aeroplane that would have captured what happened.

Ive never seen this happen before.

However, the airline said Khan had not been banned from travel, and that police were only present as a matter of course.

In a statement, it said: Prior to takeoff, American Airlines Flight 700, with service from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), returned to the gate to deplane two customers who reportedly refused to comply with repeated crew member requests to stow luggage, place cell phones in airplane mode and adhere to federal face covering requirements.

Our customer relations team is reaching out to Mr. Khan to learn more about his experience and reinforce the importance of policies implemented for the safety of our customers and crew.
The designer behind the statement-making gown that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wore to the Met Gala has been accused of not paying her tax debts.

Aurora James created the attention-grabbing white dress for AOC, which had the slogan Tax the Rich emblazoned in red across it.

The New York Post reports that despite calling the dress a powerful message, records show Ms James herself owes thousands to the tax office.

Her company Cultural Brokerage Agency was formed in 2011 and is now known as Brother Vellies. According to The Posts report, it has been served 15 tax warrants in total since 2015.

It racked up three in New York state for failing to withhold income taxes from employees paychecks, to a total of almost $15k, according to the state Department of Taxation and Finance.

Between April 2018 and April 2019, the Internal Revenue Service placed six federal liens on Cultural Brokerage Agency totaling $103,220. The IRS did not comment on their current status to the Post.

The Cultural Brokerage Agency has also allegedly faced multiple legal challenges for not paying worker benefits.

The Workers Compensation Board fined the company $17,000 for not carrying workers compensation insurance between March 2017 and February 2018. It currently owes $62,722 and no payments have been received to date reports The Post. Workers compensation is paid out when an employee is hurt at work and misses time.

A former employee of Ms James said her company relied on unpaid interns who worked full-time jobs.

I experienced a lot of harassment when I worked for her, said the employee, adding: Aurora would ask me to do things that were not in anyones job description, like scheduling her gynecological appointments. The work environment was so hostile that I was afraid to ask for my check. The employee was later terminated.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was travelling to the United States on Sunday with senior Cabinet officials to urge world leaders attending the U.N. General Assembly to take urgent action on climate change ahead of this fall's COP26 climate summit in Scotland.

Johnson is set to co-host a meeting on climate change with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday. The two will discuss the need to help developing countries mitigate the impact of climate change.

This week, as world leaders arrive in New York for the biggest diplomatic event of the year, I will be pushing them to take concrete action on coal, climate, cars and trees so we can make a success of COP26 and keep our climate goals within reach, Johnson said in a statement.

Britain is hosting the COP26 climate summit from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12 in Glasgow. The conference is billed as a pivotal moment to persuade governments, industry and investors to make binding commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and to make progress on reducing global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The British government says 100 world leaders have confirmed they will attend the conference. But Alok Sharma the British official serving as the conferences president, was not able to confirm Sunday whether Chinese President Xi Jinping has committed to attending the talks, or whether China would definitely be sending a delegation.

On the issue of whether Xi Jinping is going to come, that is not yet confirmed. Normally these things come a bit closer to summits. I am very, very hopeful that we will have a delegation from China, Sharma told the BBC.

He told Sky News that Beijing, as the worlds biggest greenhouse gas emitter, would have to be a key part of any climate change agreement.

They have said to me they want the COP26 to be a success. The ball is in their court. We want them to come forward and make it a success together with the rest of the world, he said.

Johnson, Sharma and newly-appointed British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss arrive in New York on Sunday for a four-day visit to the U.S.

After the U.N. General Assembly, Johnson and Truss will visit the White House for talks on climate, the pandemic and international security. It will be Johnsons first visit to the White House since President Joe Biden took office.
The FBI has announced that a body recovered at a national park in Wyoming is believed to be that of missing van-life blogger Gabby Petito.

In a development that appeared to draw a line under one part of a sprawling drama that gripped the nation  even as other elements of it continued  a senior FBI agent said human remains matching a description of the young woman had been found at a camp site, located about 20 miles north of Jackson.

FBI senior advisory agent Charles Jones said on Sunday afternoon that while there had not at this point been a 100 per cent identification of the remains, the authorities had informed the parents of Ms Petito, to whom he issued his condolences.

The cause of death has not been determined at this time, said Mr Jones, at times his voice faltering.

We appreciate your continued support and patience as we work through this process.

Ms Petito, 22, has been missing since last month. She had been on a cross-country trip from her native Long Island with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, 23  who drove her van back to Florida without her.

 Body found at Wyoming search site fits Gabby Petito's description

The authorities had focused their search on the Spread Creek Road dispersed camp in Grand Teton National Park. Rangers from the National Park Service blocked the public and the media from entering the site, while campers who had been using it were told to be gone by the time the search started on Saturday.

It was believed that the campsite was one of several that Ms Petito had listed as being among those they planned to visit.

Late on Saturday, a couple, on a road trip across America, posted video they say shows the white Ford Transit van used by Ms Petito and her boyfriend parked at the campsite that was being searched by the FBI.

The video was posted by Jenn and Kyle Bethune, who transformed a 1983 sliver eagle bus to hit the road, and post video updates at their page Red White & Bethune, which is subtitled Showing America through our Lens.

This is at the Spread Creek dispersed camping area. We got there and there was a huge gravel lot and we decided we wanted to try to drive more toward the back because wed heard the views were better back here. So we were heading back on this long dirt, gravel road, Mr Bethune said, narrating the video he posted on Saturday night.

His wife continued: And we came across a white van that had Florida plates, a small white van. We were going to stop and say hi because were from Florida too, but the van was completely dark there was nobody there so we decided to continue on our way.

At the press conference on Sunday, Mr Jones thanked the public for its help.

We appreciate the tremendous support from the public. The support from the public's response to request of tips has been remarkable, he said. We continue to seek information from anyone who utilise the spread Creek dispersed camping area between the dates of August 27 and August 30.

After, asked by The Independent how important that information had been, he said: It was vital.

Mr Laundrie himself was reported missing on Friday by his parents. He had been declared a person of interest in Ms Petitos disappearance but had refused to speak to investigators prior to his disappearance.

The couple had been involved in an altercation last month in Moab, Utah and police responded but no charges were filed. He and Ms Petito had been documenting their coast-to-coast journey on social media.

I can confirm that the coroners officer was dispatched by a deputy coroner on the scene to recover a body that was found in the forest, Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue said on Sunday. It is understood the autopsy may not be carried out until Tuesday.

As authorities held a press conference announcing the possible tragic find in Wyoming, officials in Florida continued combing the area where Mr Laundrie was believed to be. His family said they last saw him on Tuesday but did not report any concern to police for several days.
Missing travel blogger Gabby Petito is one of three people who have disappeared near the Grand Teton Park area this summer.

The 22-year-old was reported missing by her family on 11 September after her fiance Brian Laundrie returned from the couples cross-country van trip without her.

The couple had travelled from New York to Salt Lake City in Utah, the last place Ms Petito was seen before her disappearance. After leaving Salt Lake City, the couple are believed to have driven to Wyoming.

In a phone call to her mother on 25 August, Ms Petito said she was in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Her mother, Nichole Schmidt, said she received a text message from her daughter on 30 August which said: No service in Yosemite.

However, she has since said she doesnt believe that message was sent by her daughter, and authorities are treating Grand Teton National Park as the last confirmed place of Ms Petitos whereabouts.

While authorities there are searching for Ms Petito, two other travellers have been reported missing there this summer, although authorities do not currently believe the disappearances are connected.

The first is Cian McLaughlin, 27, who was reported missing back in June after going hiking in the area, the New York Post reported. He was spotted on 7 June with a backpack on hiking towards Taggart Lake but despite numerous tips and helicopter searches of the area, he has not been found.

The second person who disappeared from the area this summer is Robert Lowery, 46, who was last seen on 19 August at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village, while there was a ping from his phone on 23 August.

Police this weekend announced that they were also looking for Ms Petitos fiance Mr Laundrie, whose family said they hads not seen him since last Tuesday. Mr Laundrie has thus far failed to cooperate with police investigating Ms Petitos disappearance and has been named as a person of interest in the case.
A couple on a road trip across America have posted video they say shows the white Ford Transit van used by Gabby Petito and her boyfriend parked at the campsite currently being searched by the FBI.

In a development that could help both tighten the timeline and narrow the locations for investigators searching for Ms Petito and her fiance, Brian Laundrie, a couple uploaded the video showing the white vehicle, saying they had driven passed it on the evening of August 27.

It was parked on the side of the so-called dispersed campsite at Spread Creek Road, about 20 miles north of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Ms Petitos family is believed to have said this was the vehicle, and wrote on Facebook that the FBI has the information.

This was the campsite being searched on Saturday by dozens of agents from the FBI, the National Park Service and other agencies.

 Newly released body cam video shows missing Gabby Petito

The video was posted by Jenn and Kyle Bethune, who transformed a 1983 sliver eagle bus to hit the road, and post video updates at their page Red White & Bethune, which is subtitled Showing America through our Lens.

This is at the Spread Creek dispersed camping area. We got there and there was a huge gravel lot and we decided we wanted to try to drive more toward the back because we'd heard the views were better back here. So we were heading back on this long dirt, gravel road, Mr Bethune said, narrating the video he posted on Saturday night.

His wife continued: And we came across a white van that had Florida plates, a small white van. We were going to stop and say hi because we're from Florida too, but the van was completely dark there was nobody there so we decided to continue on our way.

Mr Bethune said the van appeared abandoned.

Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito (North Port Police handout)

We figured maybe they were out hiking or they were just chilling inside there was no doors open, you know. You know, a Florida plate, on the other side of the country, is not something we see all the time.

While the outside of the van looks identical to Ms Petito's camper, which was also captured on police body cam footage, one of the details inside the van also appear to match the transit the couple were travelling in  a tan-coloured straw hat sitting on the dashboard. An identical hat could also be spotted on the dashboard of the couple's van when it was pulled over by police on 12 August.

Loading....

Although the licence plate is not visible on the YouTube footage, the similarity between the vehicles has prompted speculation, and the couple who shared the video hope the FBI will look into it.

The couple, who are from Tampa and have three children, and son who died several years ago, said they only realised they may have spotted the van, over going back over some footage and giving it a fresh pair of eyes.

Mr Bethune said: Kind of freaky for a late Saturday evening, but we just kind of had a brain fart Oh my god there's the van so if anybody can help I know the FBI is looking for all the help they can get onto the case.

Grand Teton National Park is vast (AFP via Getty Images)

Ms Bethune added: We wanted to include this in the video just in any way that we can help and get this out there to be able to find Gabby Petito. So if you could share it if you know anything, please don't hesitate.

Courtney Bernal, a spokesperson for the FBIs Denver office, told The Independent in an email it was not granting interviews to the media, that it had no further comment on the case, but that updates would be posted on social media.

However, on the main Facebook page set up to help find Ms Petito and run with the input of the family, an administrator wrote: We have this video, so does the FBI  we believe this is the van for multiple reasons. Please do not clog up the tip line with the same video. This is in the hands of the right people. Thank you so much, this is exactly why we are asking people to review older photos and video.

Meanwhile, in Florida, North Port Police are continuing to search for Mr Laundrie, who they have said is a person of interest and has not been seen since Tuesday, according to this family. Police stress they have no evidence of a crime having been committed at this point.
A Pensylvania woman who allegedly threatened to hang Nancy Pelosi during the 6 January Capitol riots has been ordered back to prison ahead of her trial.

Federal prosecutors had reported that Pauline Bauer was refusing to follow court orders, which led a judge to revoke her pre-trial release at a court hearing on Friday.

Ms Bauer has allegedly refused to surrender her passport, confirm her address, let pretrial services inspect her home or call to check in once a week, all conditions of her release, reports Courthouse News.

NBC 4 Washingtons Scott McFarlane posted on Twitter that Bauer claims she is a sovereign citizen ie one of the growing movement of people who believe that laws do not apply to them. During the hearing, she told the judge that she is not subject to the courts supervision and denied its authority to hold her in custody. I have a right to my self-determination, she told the judge, adding: I do not agree to any tacit agreement that puts me back in the water. I am on the land.

US District Judge Trevor McFadden did not accept Ms Bauers arguments. He told her: I dont want to lock you up [...] Im not concerned about you being a danger to the community but I am very concerned about you being willing to comply with your conditions of release.

He then ordered her to be sent to prison ahead of her trial. The problem is shes not going to do what I direct her to do, said Mr McFadden. Ms. Bauer is now going to be incarcerated.

The judgment provoked a furious response from Ms Bauer, who was taken from the courtroom screaming: No! Im not going back to jail! Why are you doing this?

Ms Bauer has been charged with non-violent misdemeanor offences connected with the January 6 Capitol riots. The Daily Mail reports that body camera footage showed her shouting at a police officer: Bring Nancy Pelosi out here now  we want to hang that f***ing b****.

You bring them out or were coming in, she is reported to have said, according to the transcript of a police body camera. Bring them out now. Theyre criminals. They need to hang.
The speaker at the podium was coming to the end of a stirring address in which she condemned the media for unfairly maligning the brave few hundred who turned out to rally on Saturday in front of the Capitol building in Washington DC. Todays protest was not about condoning the violence that occurred in the building behind her on 6 January, but about due process for those who were arrested on that day. They were political prisoners and they must be freed, she said, to roaring cheers. But old habits die hard. Just moments later, at the mention of Nancy Pelosis name from that same podium, a familiar refrain rang out from the crowd: Lock her up!

The Justice for J6 rally, organised by former Trump campaign employee Matt Braynard, was always going to be many things to many people. In the week preceding the event, there had been warnings of a repeat of the violence of that day, when thousands of pro-Trump supporters overpowered police to force their way into the Capitol, where they were able to halt the certification of the presidential election. But many of the right-wing groups that led the violence had warned their supporters to stay away. Even Donald Trump, who urged his supporters to march on the Capitol in January, called Saturdays rally a set up.

In the end, no more than a few hundred turned up. Unlike on 6 January, when Capitol police were quickly overwhelmed, security was tight around the building. Often, protesters were outnumbered by journalists. Anyone with a megaphone quickly found themselves surrounded by a dozen cameras. A minor verbal disagreement between a rally attendee and a counter-protester drew a crowd of around 40 journalists, who mobbed the pair and followed them down the street.

For Braynard, the organiser, the small and orderly crowd was a sign of vindication. It took real courage to come out here today. You have my respect, he said. Peaceful community organisation from this day forward belongs to us.

There was no single message to the day. Some were there simply to call for the release of the political prisoners held for their involvement in the Capitol riot. Some were there to decry what they called a stolen election. Some just wanted to shout. Others were there to revisit the events of the day, to change the narrative, and in some cases re-write history.

Cara Castronuova, co-founder of Citizens Against Political Persecution, was there to counter the narrative of January 6 being an insurrection, when not one person has been charged with this crime. She added that there needs to be a real investigation that looks into police brutality on that day.

Braynard came armed with something akin to a Powerpoint presentation, in which he presented photographs of other protests inside the Capitol, and who he claimed had not received such harsh punishments.

Andres Bruce said the rally was about supporting non-violent protesters.

We came because there are more than 600 people who have been charged with January 6, and while the ones who committed violence should be punished, most of the charges are trespassing and other non-violent charges and people are being disproportionately punished and they havent even been convicted of a crime, he said.

If you committed a violent act then thats a crime, and that cant be defended. But were talking about people who wanted to express their grievances to the government in a constitutionally protected way and are getting swept up with a few violent agitators. The ones who didnt commit the violence should not be lumped in with the ones who did, he said.

There was much talk of Black Lives Matter protesters receiving lesser punishments for their roles in demonstrations (the Prosecution Project, which tracks cases related to the George Floyd protests last year, estimates that 1,425 people have been charged).

There seems to be two different playbooks for two different ideologies, said a man who called himself Carter Rocks. If youre supporting the DNC and you support Black Lives Matter and you support Antifa you can trash your city, but if you come down here to peacefully protest and you get swept up in a crowd, youre sitting in jail right now with no bail. Youve probably lost your job, and probably lost your house.

A small number of counter-protesters mingled with the crowd throughout the proceedings. Dont do the crime if you cant do the time, read one sign. Jan 6 rioters go to jail read another.

Doug Hughes, 68, came from Florida with a very pointed message. His sign read There is no right to insurrection, and he felt as though he had earned the right to hand out some hard truths today. He was jailed for 120 days in 2016 for landing a gyrocopter on the lawn of the US Capitol to protest the campaign finance system.

I am here because I have a perspective. I am a felon. I did four months in federal prison for a protest here in Washington DC in 2015. I violated national airspace. I knew that I would be taken into custody. I know that I was pissing off super powerful people. I accepted that before I did what I did. These people are saying there shouldnt be inconvenience consequences for what they did because of their viewpoint. The department of justice doesnt care about your viewpoint, he said.

If you committed a violent crime, or you participated in trespassing after that crime, and when you come out and announce that you are part of the revolution, and then the cops come knocking on your door, you cant act surprised. I did what I did, it was non-violent, there was no property damage. You did a million dollars of damage, you injured over a hundred cops, suck it up, its not gonna be fun. But you did it, so face up to it.
A team of FBI agents and park rangers have carried out a major search of a wild campsite believed to have been used by missing YouTuber Gabby Petito.

Several dozen officers from the FBI, the US Forest Service, Teton County Sheriffs office and other agencies, spent hours on Saturday searching for clues at the site at Spread Creek Road, about 20 miles north of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Rangers from the National Park Service blocked the public and the media from entering the site, while campers who had been using it were told to be gone by the time the search started.

The #FBIDenver Field Office and its Wyoming Resident Agencies, in coordination with the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Teton County Sheriffs Office & Jackson Police Department, have been conducting ground surveys at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, the FBI said on Twitter.

It added: While we cannot comment further as to the specifics of this investigation, we will provide updates and request additional assistance from the public when appropriate to do so.

 Officials give update on missing Gabby Petito

Grand Teton National Park is vast and dramatic, a full 480 square miles. On Saturday, officers carried out their search under a sky that rapidly shifted from sunshine to dark storms.

Officials have said very little about the search or what they may have found. The National Park Service said the operation was being led by the Denver office of the FBI. That office did not immediately respond to inquiries.

Yet, it appears the area, a so-called dispersal camping site which has no facilities appears to be considered for several reasons.

It is just a few miles from Jenny Lake, where a member of the public claims to have seen the white 2012 Ford Transit van that Ms Petito and her boyfriend were using for their cross-country trip, on 25 August.

It is possible that the couple may have stayed at the site. It has been widely reported that Ms Petito did tag numerous a number of potential campsites on an app called The Dyrt, among them this one.

It is also less than ten miles from where another visitor to the national park, Amanda Baker, said she and her boyfriend, gave a lift to Mr Laurie, who was hitch-hiking by himself on August 29.

In a series of TikTok videos, Ms Baker, 22, said they had picked him up the public showers at Colter Bay Village, where he told them he had been wild camping with his partner north on the Snake River.

He approached us asking us for a ride because he needed to go to Jackson, [and] we were going to Jackson that night, Ms Baker said.

So I said You know, hop in, and he hopped in the back of my Jeep, we then proceeded to make small talk, but before he came in the car he offered to pay us like $200, to give him a ride, like 10 miles.

So that was kind of weird. He then told us hes been camping for multiple days without his fiance, he did say he had a fiance, and that she was working on their social media page back at their van.

Ms Baker said she had provided her information to the police and the FBI, something officers at North Port Police Department in Florida confirmed.

As it was on Saturday, police in Florida were doing their own search, for Mr Laundrie, after it was revealed his family had said the had not seen him since Tuesday.

Grand Teton National Park is vast (AFP via Getty Images)

The Associated Press said police searched a vast Florida wildlife reserve on the 23-year-old, named a person of interest in the disappearance of his girlfriend. More than 50 North Port police officers, FBI agents and members of other law enforcement agencies searched the 24,000-acre Carlton Reserve in the Sarasota, Florida area of the Gulf Coast.

Police have repeatedly stressed they have no evidence a crime has been committed, and are treating Ms Petitos case as that of a missing person.

In Wyoming, most people seemed to be aware of the story of Ms Petitos disappearance, though views and opinions ranged as to what may have happened.

Ben Cole, who has been coming to the park for 30 years, was sitting close to the public showers at Colter Bay Village, from where Ms Baker said she and her boyfriend gave a ride to Mr Laundrie.

He said: Out here, its a vast land.

He said he thought something fishy had happened but was not sure what.

Craig Davies, who said he has been touring the country in a van for four years, was at a campsite close to the one the FBI had locked down.

They told us we had to get out, he said. We didnt know why.
A military plane crashed into a residential North Texas neighbourhood on Sunday, injuring the two pilots who were ejected from the aircraft and damaging homes but leaving residents unscathed.

The aircraft was a training jet that went down in Lake Worth  a Dallas/Fort Worth suburb  shortly before 11am, said Lake Worth Police Chief JT Manoushagian.

One of the pilots parachutes became tangled in a power line while the other was located elsewhere in the neighborhood, he said. The pilots names were not released but they have been hospitalised, one in serious condition and one in critical condition.

Police said at a Sunday news conference the crash happened in an area the military has identified previously as a potential accident zone. The accident happened about seven miles northwest of the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base.

Neighbour Kaitlyn Deramus told NBC 5 that she saw the pilots eject and ran to help other residents.

I knew there are old ladies in that house that it happened at and I was banging on their door but they wouldnt come out because they thought it was just a car, so I grabbed them out, said Ms Deramus.

The house behind that, I ran over to the next street and got that lady out of that house because shes paralyzed and she needed to get out.

Im having anxiety, but all I wanted to do was save those old ladies because Ive known them since I was really, really, little, Ms Deramus added. Theyre OK physically.
Dental work for seniors on Medicare. An end to skys-the-limit pricing on prescription drugs. New options for long-term care at home. Coverage for low-income people locked out of Medicaid by ideological battles.

Those are just some of the changes to health care that Democrats want to achieve with President Joe Bidens massive Build Back Better plan. The $3.5 trillion domestic agenda bill touches almost all aspects of American life, from taxes to climate change, but the health care components are a cornerstone for Democrats, amplified during the COVID-19 crisis.

For the nearly 145 million Americans covered by government health programs, along with their families and communities, the investment in the nation's services could make a difference in the quality of life for decades.

It's a holistic look at how health care can be not just expanded, but better directed to the needs that people actually have, Kathleen Sebelius, federal health secretary under President Barack Obama said of the Biden bill. You've got a plan that's really aimed at the serious gaps in health care that are still causing people to either go totally uninsured, or run out of money in the course of their treatments.

But Democrats can only succeed if they bridge divisions among themselves. Don't look for Republicans to help.

With Medicare's long-term finances under a cloud, Republicans say now is not the time to add new benefits. They are planning to oppose not just the health care provisions, but the entire Biden package, voting lockstep against it as too big, costly and a slide toward socialism.

Mindful of the politics ahead, Democrats are assembling the package with their slim hold on Congress. Instead of launching new experiments that many progressives prefer, they have chosen to plow more resources into existing programs, from Medicare and Medicaid enacted during the Great Society to the Obama-era Affordable Care Act.

It's a compromise, of sorts, led by Biden's approach, paid for by taxes on corporations and the wealthy, those earning more than $400,000, as well as savings on prescription drug prices paid by the government to the pharmaceutical companies.

Ive said many times before: I believe were at an inflection point in this country -- one of those moments where the decisions were about to make can change -- literally change  the trajectory of our nation for years and possibly decades to come, Biden said in remarks last week at the White House.

Polling has shown that core health care provisions appeal to voters across political lines. Many Republican voters, for example, generally approve of Medicare negotiating prescription drug prices, even if GOP lawmakers do not. While the Obama health law focused mainly on helping uninsured working-age people and their families, Biden's coda puts a big emphasis on older people, who also happen to be reliable midterm election voters.

Major health care provisions in the mix include:

Authorizing Medicare to negotiate prices for the costliest drugs, including insulin. Private insurers and employer plans could then access those lower prices. Annual price increases for established drugs would be limited. Seniors out-of-pocket costs would be capped.

A RAND Corporation study finds such an approach could cut U.S. spending on top drugs by half.

Sharp opposition from the big pharmaceutical companies and key business industry groups have left Democrats divided over the structure of the program.

Four House Democrats opposed the measure during committee votes this past week, enough to tank the entire bill. In the past, they had supported giving Medicare authority to negotiate, but they are expressing a range of concerns about the scope of House Speaker Nancy Pelosis plan. The Senate could take a somewhat different approach.

Medicare negotiating authority is the linchpin of the health care package because expected savings would be used to provide new benefits.

Expanding Medicare to cover dental care, vision, and hearing aids for seniors. This provision, championed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has been a long time coming. Vision care would begin the latter part of next year and hearing aids in 2023, but in an apparent concession to costs, dental coverage would not start until 2028.

Building on Obama health law. The idea is to provide health insurance to more than 2 million low-income people in GOP-led states that have rejected the Medicaid expansion of Obamacare. The workaround is a top health equity demand for Black lawmakers because many of those caught in the coverage gap are minorities in Southern states.

Biden's plan also calls for making health insurance more affordable for people who buy their own policies by extending a subsidy boost for Obama's health law. The richer subsidies are being temporarily provided in Biden's COVID-19 relief bill to people who lack employer coverage, and the White House wants to make the subsidies permanent. Lawmakers may only be able to meet the president part way.

Promoting a shift to long-term care in the patients own home as opposed to nursing facilities, which turned into incubators for the coronavirus as the pandemic spread. Biden had wanted $400 billion for this initiative under Medicaid, but it looks like Congress will give him about half that.

Permanently funding the politically popular Children's Health Insurance Program so it's not subject to recurring votes in Congress that could disrupt services.

Improving maternal health by providing postpartum coverage for 12 months through Medicaid.

With key centrist Democrats, including Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, saying the overall $3.5 trillion price tag is too high, Democrats are looking for ways to cut costs, either by eliminating some programs or, more likely, shaving some costs or duration off what has been proposed.

Other Democrats, though, warned that a slimmer package might disappoint voters who sent them to Washington on their promises to make big changes.

My constituents are expecting me to deliver, and Im committed to doing it," said Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., whose professional background is in health care policy.

Biden's approval rating has taken a dive following the chaotic and violent consequences of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan and the resurgence of coronavirus at home after he proclaimed the pandemic was waning, and as Democrats in Congress look ahead to next year's midterm elections.

Democratic pollster Celinda Lake said the health care provisions in the budget bill appeal to lawmakers' own instincts for self-preservation. The proposals resonate with older voters and women, two key groups in the 2022 contests, with Democrats battling to hold on to the House.

If you want to protect yourself in your district, you ought to double down on the health care provisions, she said.
The presidents handling of the Covid-19 pandemic remains supported by a majority of Americans following the White Houses announcement of the most restrictive national measures yet to battle the viruss spread.

A Fox News poll released on Sunday found that a majority (56 per cent) supports President Joe Bidens plan to require all businesses with more than or exactly 100 employees to require vaccinations or regular Covid-19 testing for their workers, a move that some conservatives have argued is unconstitutional.

The presidents plan to require vaccinations for all federal workers and contractors, a number estimated to be in the millions, is also supported by 58 per cent of Americans, according to the poll.

Moreover, the poll showed that Republicans who have sought to make personal choice and personal responsibility the slogans of their Covid-19 response plans are in a clear minority when it comes to support for their views.

More than two thirds of respondents said that they supported school districts requiring both teachers and students to mask up, a prospect that has been openly opposed by some GOP leaders such as Floridas Ron DeSantis. About the same percentage of respondents said that businesses should be allowed to institute their own mask mandates at their choosing.

Conservatives are losing ground on just about every aspect of their messaging regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the poll. In August, 50 per cent of poll respondents said they supported businesses requiring proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result when a customer enters; in just one month, support for that practice has risen by 4 percentage points.

For months, Republican leaders on Capitol Hill and in state governments around the country have pushed messages of scepticism towards the vaccine and the concept of mask-wearing, and have publicly resisted efforts to mandate either.

Many have chafed at questions from reporters regarding whether they personally received a Covid-19 vaccine as scepticism towards vaccinations and those who choose to receive them remain high in conservative communities.

The Delta variant of Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc around the country as the US daily death average continues to rise and communities where vaccination rates remain low have been overwhelmed by outbreaks that have left hospitals understaffed and overcrowded to the point of being overwhelmed.

Mr Biden delivered his harshest remarks yet aimed at the unvaccinated in a recent White House address announcing the new vaccine requirements, stressing that the pandemic only persists to the extent that it does in the US because of vaccine scepticism.

Weve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us. So, please, do the right thing, he said.
A retired Navy admiral who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest-ranking military officer in the US, under former President Barack Obama says that a wave of conservative anger surrounding Gen Mark Milley, the current chairman, is unwarranted.

Michael Mullen told ABCs This Week in an interview on Sunday that the phone calls with a top Chinese general in the final days of former President Donald Trumps time in the White House to reassure him about the stability of both the US government and US-China relations was routine and an encouraging sign of dialogue between the two superpowers.

Having communications with counterparts around the world is routine, and even having them now with China, he told ABCs Martha Raddatz.

He added that Mr Milleys call was listened to by other people in the inter-agency process, meaning that it was not done without the knowledge of the US intelligence and military community.

When asked about the specific portion of one reported call in which Gen Milley is alleged to have said that he would warn his Chinese counterpart if Mr Trump were to order a military strike against China as part of his erratic final days in office, Mr Mullen said that he was hopeful that actually that part isnt true, and went on to add how alarming it was that Chinas government was apparently so concerned with the stability of the US as Mr Trump was leaving office.

The misread by China is also worrisome and it speaks to the need to have these open communications, he said.

Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen says Army Gen. Mark Milleys secret actions during former Pres. Trumps final months in office were fairly routine.



I didnt consider that abnormal at all. https://t.co/lyJmfsGWYv pic.twitter.com/VrTTSe9RES  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) September 19, 2021

Some Republicans on Capitol Hill have called for Mr Milleys ouster in recent days, seeing vulnerability in the Biden administrations defence team as criticism remains over the USs handling of its withdrawal from Afghanistan and the pile-on of controversy that occurred when it was reported in the new book Peril by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa that Gen Milley had contacted Gen Li Zuocheng of the Peoples Liberation Army and reassured him about any effort by the president to direct a military strike against China.

Gen Milley has defended his conduct, and the criticism of his actions has roundly been dismissed by most top former officials in the defence and national security spheres who have commented on the issue, including John Bolton, who was appointed to serve as White House national security adviser by Mr Trump.

Republicans have grown more vocal and outlandish in their criticism of the Biden administrations Defence team in recent weeks over the issues of Afghanistan and now China, with various lawmakers on Capitol Hill aiming allegations of treasonous behaviour at not only Gen Milley but Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, President Joe Biden, and others.
Former President Donald Trump considered repainting his own Boeing 757 to resemble his proposed design for the Air Forces new presidential aircraft, a new book by Washington Post writers Bob Woodward and Robert Costa reveals.

In their forthcoming book, Peril, Messrs Woodward and Costa report that Mr Trump considered repainting his 30-year-old airliner in the red, white, and blue livery he wanted the Air Force to use on the modified 747-800 aircraft it is purchasing for use as a presidential transport, in part as a way to taunt President Joe Biden.

I am thinking of getting it repainted red, white, and blue. Like Air Force One, the way I think Air Force One should look, Mr Trump said, according to a copy of the book obtained by The Independent ahead of its 21 September release date.

The former presidents plan to replace the iconic light blue and white livery adopted in the 1960s by then-First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy with a design which many observers noted was inspired by the look of his failed Trump Shuttle airline venture was controversial, and a number of Democratic lawmakers attempted to block the Air Force from using his design on the new aircraft, which were purchased from Boeing during Mr Trumps presidency and are currently undergoing modifications for use in the Air Forces VIP fleet.

During his 2016 White House run, his black, red and gold plane was often used as the backdrop for campaign rallies held at airports, and he used the Air Forces VIP aircraft in the same manner during his failed re-election campaign.

In May, the twice-impeached ex-president said in a statement that his jet was undergoing extensive repairs and upgrades after sitting idle at a New York-area airport for most of his time in office.

It is now being fully restored and updated and will be put back into service sometime prior to the end of the year. It will soon be brought to a Louisiana service facility for the completion of work, inspection and updating of Rolls-Royce engines, and a brand new paint job, Mr Trump said, adding that the aircraft will be better than ever, and again used at upcoming rallies!

Since leaving office, the former president has relied on a much smaller plane, a Cessna Citation X, for his air travel needs. But according to Messrs Woodward and Costa, the former president is investing millions of dollars into rehabilitating his decades-old airliner because he feels that the look of Air Force One (or at least his vision of what Air Force One should look like) has become part of his brand.

I dont do the corporate jet thing, Mr Trump reportedly said. Im not going to show up in a little Gulfstream like a f***ing CEO.
Two runaway zebras are back home with private owners in Wisconsin after taking a stroll on a rural highway  but a handful of their striped compatriots remain on the lam in Maryland after a separate breakout.

September has been an unusual month for zebra escapes in America. More than two weeks ago, five zebras managed to flee a private farm in Upper Marlboro, Maryland  and theyve yet to be recovered. Halfway across the country, two more in Wisconsin escaped their rural home and became hooved highway traffic, much to the amusement of a passing garbage truck driver who captured them on video.

My God, theres literally zebras walking down the road, said David Haupt as he filmed the encounter. Im not even kidding: what in the actual ...

He added: Im on an African safari in a garbage truck, good Lord, added Haupt.

The Outagamie County Sheriffs Department said the two zebras were quickly returned to their owners, who were not identified.

Well, its not the first exotic animal call weve gotten, every once in a while you get something different, but yeah having a garbage truck driver call you and say well, there are two zebras in the road, is a bit unusual, Sgt. Nathan Borman told WBAY.

All has not been resolved as quickly in Maryland, however, where the zebras made their getaway at the beginning of the month. They share the farm with more than three dozen others and its still not known how they escaped.

But the sightings have continued, with one aghast resident sharing new footage this weekend that was taken on Friday.

Prince Georges County Animal Services Chief Rodney Taylor told The Independent that the striped escape artists were particularly hard to catch - not least because they are prey for lions and other major animals so their instincts are always on the lookout for danger.

They have a powerful warning mechanism, so anything that looks different to them, they can pick it up very quickly, he said. Youre not going to just walk up to them. Theyre going to run - and they can run.

In 39 years of animal control, he said, hes never had this particular type of runaway - adding: Ive learned a lot about zebras.

For anyone who spots the animals, he warned: Please do not try to catch them, corner them. They can kick you. They can hurt you. They can bite you.

The plan to catch the zebras, he said, revolves around a feeding station that has been set up on a nearby farm to where the animals escaped. The zebras owners are licensed to train, breed and sell exotic animals, he told The Independent - and the county is supervising the efforts by those owners to build a corral around the feeding station.

The station sets out a sweet grain to attract the attention of the animals - a food they dont get when theyre normally just grazing grass, he said.

The corral is about three-quarters of the way finished and being watched by cameras; once done, the hope is that the animals will be enclosed within the area and easily returned to the owners property. Mr Taylor is hopeful that will occur soon this week.

In the meantime, sightings continue as residents first mistake them for horses or deer or other animals, not expecting to see equine African natives in their East Coast backyards.

The zebras are the talk of the region, Mr Taylor said - especially in his orbit, given that locals know his animal control role.

Everywhere I go, I hear about the zebras, he told The Independent. Most people ask me: Have you caught the zebras yet? Thats the first question - and then youve got to explain to them the process.
The Independents Moscow correspondent has had his personal data leaked on the internet in an apparent act of intimidation by local authorities while he was covering elections this week.

British journalist Oliver Carroll went to a polling station on Saturday in the suburb of Osinovo, an area 450 miles east of Moscow, that he describes as a sensitive election patch.

The polling station, on the border between regional capital Kazan and rural Tatarstan, is in a sweet spot for possible election manipulations as polling stations in Tatarstan are where the Kremlins majorities are traditionally made, he says.

While reporting, he was alerted to a series of alarming social media posts about himself.

Mr Carroll writes, in The Independent, that one post, shared on Telegram in a public channel: Showed a picture of my own photocopied passport, complete with personal data. Another suggested I had arrived in Tatarstan to blacken the reputation of local elections.

The [social media] channel is reportedly connected to local authorities.

There appeared to be only two possible sources for the leak: my hotel, which copied the passport to complete migration papers, or the committee chair and associated security officials.

But the copy taken by the hotel, which I have since inspected, is of a much higher resolution than the one published online.

Earlier in the day, at the polling station, the reporter had been asked by an official to show his passport and migration documents, the latter of which he said is not a legal requirement to show.

The official then appeared to make phonecalls in another room before Mr Carroll was then reluctantly accredited by the chair of the election commission to report on the election proceedings.

The legislative elections in Osinovo, which started on Friday, have been marred by allegations of fraud as a second safe where ballot papers and records are kept is held out of view of cameras in an adjacent room  Mr Carroll writes.

The regional elections commission ordered the safe to be moved into the main room on Saturday morning, he adds, but a monitor from the ruling United Russia party had told him that opposition candidates moved the safe violently and caused part of its door to fall from its hinges.

As Mr Carroll made notes and interviewed people, half a dozen serious-looking men appeared in the room who looked in his direction largely motionless and emotionless, he says.

I was told one of the men is the deputy head of the shadowy Centre E, a local security body charged with combating extremism but usually more interested in matters of dissent, Mr Carroll writes.

He was also spoken to by a reporter from state media agency Tatar Info, who knew his name but did not say how.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has been approached for comment on the data leak.

Last month, the BBCs Moscow correspondent Sarah Rainsford was effectively thrown out of Russia after being told that her accreditation would not be renewed when it expired on 31 August.

A state television channel said the move was a symbolic deportation in retaliation for British discrimination of Russian reporters.
Thousands of residents fled their homes on Spanish Canary Island of La Palma on Sunday after a volcano erupted, sending lava shooting into the air and streaming in rivers towards houses.

Authorities had begun evacuating the infirm and some farm animals from nearby villages before the eruption, in the Cabeza de Vaca area.

Video footage showed fountains of lava shooting hundreds of metres into the sky, and at least three orange rivers of molten rock pouring down the hill, tearing gashes into woods and farmland, and spreading as they reached lower ground.

It came after intensified earthquake tremors.

I was scared, local resident Isabel Fuentes told Spanish television TVE. For the media it is something spectacular, for us it is a tragedy.

She added: I was 5 years old when the volcano last erupted (in 1971). You never get over a volcanic eruption.

Just before the eruption, authorities evacuated about 40 people with mobility problems and farm animals from the villages around the volcano.

Soldiers were deployed to help with the evacuation, the defence ministry said, and it is expected that more residents will be evacuated from surrounding towns.

Mariano Hernandez, the president of La Palma island, told Canary Islands Television there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths from the eruption. He said there were five eruption points, of which two were spewing magma.

Authorities raised the threat level to yellow on Monday, requiring residents in at-risk zones to be prepared to evacuate.

It followed a 3.2-magnitude earthquake that was recorded just 100 metres below the surface on Saturday, while several more tremors were detected on Sunday morning, the largest at a magnitude of 3.8.

In total, more than 6,600 small earthquakes have been registered in the Cumbre Vieja area since the latest earthquake activity began on 11 September.

On Sunday morning alone, the National Geographic Institute (IGN) said 327 earthquakes had been detected.

The Scientific Committee of the Volcano Risk Prevention Plan said stronger earthquakes were likely to be felt and may cause damage to buildings.

The committee of experts also noted that a stretch of the islands southwest coast was at risk from landslides and rockfalls.

La Palmas last eruption was in 1971 when one man was killed while taking photographs near the lava flows.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cancelled his trip to New York to attend the UN General Assembly so he could travel from Spains mainland.

Reuters contributed to this report.
The Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis have likely committed war crimes in Yemen by using starvation as a method of warfare, a new report has found.

The World Food Programme has repeatedly warned that the biggest famine the world has seen in modern history is now looming in Yemen, where more than half the countrys population of 29 million is going hungry.

In a 275-page document , the Yemeni rights group Mwatana and the Hague-based Global Rights Compliance (GRC) organisation said that a specific pattern of attacks targeting water and food by both sides was contributing to that crisis.

The joint work documented hundreds of Gulf-led coalition airstrikes on water, fishing and farming facilities as well as fishermen during fighting with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

It also followed the obstruction of humanitarian relief by the Houthis whose widespread and indiscriminate use of landmines in civilian areas killed and maimed shepherds and their livestock, preventing farmers from accessing their fields and further contributing to the chronic food insecurity.

The report concluded that these actions likely amounted to war crimes and it urged the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Yemen to the International Criminal Court so the crimes could be investigated.

[We] conclude that members of the Saudi/UAE-led coalition and Ansar Allah [the Houthis] used starvation as a method of warfare.

Their conduct severely impeded civilians access to food and water, and they acted in spite of the widespread knowledge of the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, where people, including children, were dying from starvation, the report read.

Members of the Saudi/UAE-led coalition and Ansar Allah were aware of the virtual certainty that, following their conduct, starvation would occur in the ordinary course of events  that is, without humanitarian intervention  or intended to use starvation as a method of warfare.

Houthi-allied tribesmen hold weapons as they visit the graves of late Houthis a day after a missile attack on a military base in southern Yemen (EPA)

Yemen has been in the grip of civil war since 2014, when the Houthis took control of swathes of the country, forcing the internationally recognised government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi into exile. The following year, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states formed a coalition and launched a bombing campaign to reinstate their ally President Hadi.

Seven years on there is little hope of an end to the conflict that has killed more than 130,000 people and sparked the worlds largest humanitarian crisis in terms of numbers of people affected.

In February, the UN warned that five million people were just one step away from famine.

Spokespeople for the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis did not answer to requests for comment but both sides have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the past and allegations of war crimes.

The report focused on attacks and other conduct by the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis in the provinces of Hajjah, Saada, Hodeida and Taiz between 2015 and 2021 that affected access to food and water.

Saudi-backed government troops repel a Houthi rebel offensive on oil-rich Marib, some 120km east of Yemens rebel-held capital Sanaa, in February (AFP/Getty)

The Mwatana rights group said it documented 579 airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition up until August 2021 that killed and injured thousands of civilians and damaged and destroyed civilian property in 19 of Yemens 22 provinces. Ninety of these airstrikes hit farms, livestock, agricultural land, tools and equipment, food stores, and vehicles since 2015, it said.

The report accused the Houthis of arresting and intimidating humanitarian workers, blocking aid convoys and illegally seizing the property of humanitarian organisations and workers. Those actions forced the UN food agency in 2019 and 2020 to suspend its operations in Houthi-held areas, affecting some 850,000 people.
Former Leeds captain Rob Burrow hopes he might have discovered a medical lifeline in his battle with Motor Neurone Disease

The 38-year-old, who played for the Rhinos for 16 years, was diagnosed with MND in December 2019 and is now confined to a wheelchair, able to communicate only through an eye-driven communication device and cared for full-time by his wife Lindsey.

But a drug treatment that has seen improved life expectancy in 44 per cent of cases during trials conducted in the United States could ease Burrows symptoms and give him more time with his wife and three children while work to develop a cure continues.

Rob Burrow recently released his autobiography, which charts his struggles with MND (Richard Sellers/PA) (PA Wire)

Burrow told the Sunday Mirror: This drug is my hope that I will see my kids grow up. Without this drug it will be a bleak outcome. I worry about leaving Lindsey to raise our kids alone  it is the last thing I want to do.

I want to see my trio all reach 18 and so I live in hope. I am a realist but without hope there is nothing.

Burrow, who was given approximately two years to live, spoke frankly about his condition in his recently released autobiography Too Many Reasons to Live.

His father Geoff, 70, discovered the drug, which is known as AMX0035 and targets the toxic proteins that cause neurological diseases, during an internet search.

Geoff Burrow is determined to help his son find a cure for MND and believes it is now within touching distance.

Burrow wants to live long enough to see his three children grow up (Richard Sellers/PA) (PA Wire)

The new drug gives Rob the drive to get up and carry on each day, he said. He is living with, not dying from, MND. And I will help him do that while I have breath in my body.

Its not just about maintaining Robs life, its about the potential behind it. I firmly believe we are intouching distance of a cure.

This drug seems to have had incredible results and this could be Robs chance until a cure is found.

We have to beat this  we are going to. Ive got to believe that as I wont allow myself to think any other way.
The UKs complex rules for international travellers are set to change significantly during October. Here are the key questions and answers.

What is happening?

A new regime of regulations, all about the jabbed and the jabbed-nots, cane into effect on 4 October.

The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said: We are accelerating towards a future where travel continues to reopen safely and remains open for good, and todays rule changes are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector.

Our priority remains to protect public health but, with more than eight in 10 people now fully vaccinated, we are able to take these steps to lower the cost of testing and help the sector to continue in its recovery.

For travellers treated as fully vaccinated, the testing regime for arrivals to all four UK nations has become easier  with the test to fly dropped. The same applies for under-18s arriving from 55 countries whose vaccinations are recognised by the UK.

But for travellers regarded as unvaccinated (including non-British under-18s arriving from unrecognised nations), the changes are either neutral or negative.

Do we still have traffic lights?

Officially, no: the UKs traffic light system that has applied since May 2021 has been ditched. But in practice a red/amber/green scheme is in place.

All the countries on the former green list have moved to the amber list, to the potential disadvantage of unvaccinated travellers. They will no longer be able to return from nations such as Croatia and Germany without quarantine.

Ireland remains in a class of its own, a single-nation green list.

The line-up is:

Red: 54 countries, including Thailand, South Africa and all of South America, from which hotel quarantine is obligatory for all arrivals.

Amber: almost everywhere else, with all 41 former green nations moved to the medium-risk category. The government calls this rest of the world.

Green: lreland, which retains its special status with neither quarantine nor testing required on arrival in the UK.

These rules are purely for travel to the UK. Some destinations, including the US, Australia and New Zealand, remain closed to British visitors, while many others have testing requirements  which often apply only to unvaccinated travellers.

What has changed for fully vaccinated travellers?

Previously there was no need to self-isolate on arrival from anywhere except red list countries, and this continues.

The former requirement for a test before travel to the UK has been dropped. Travellers are still obliged to book and pay in advance for a day two test  which can be taken on the day of return or either of the two following days.

On a yet-to-be-announced day at the end of October, the required PCR test will be downgraded to a lateral flow test. There is no clarity about the exact date: the government says it is aiming to have it in place for when people return from half-term breaks. When that happens, the bureaucracy and discomfort associated with the post-arrival test will remain the same. But the cost should fall.

For fully vaccinated travellers to the UK there will be three different policies during the course of October, depending on the arrival date:

Before 4am on 4 October: test to fly plus day two PCR test.

Between 4am on 4 October and late October: day two PCR test only.

From late October onwards: day two lateral flow test only.

It is clear from the questions being asked of The Independent travel desk that the three-stage plan is causing confusion, and that it would help public understanding if the ending of test to fly and switch from PCR to lateral flow test for the day two test took place simultaneously.

The government says the testing changes cannot take place at the same time because companies that operate tests will need to change their business models.

How much cheaper will a lateral flow test be?

PCR tests taken after arrival by British travellers typically cost between 50 and 70. Lateral flow tests are much easier to process without specialist equipment, and prices are likely to be in the 20-40 range.

The downgrading of the day two requirement from PCR to much cheaper and faster lateral flow tests is likely to mark the beginning of the end of the get-rich-quick scheme that testing has become for some participants.

The Independent urges travellers to book their day two test as late as possible, because the requirements cannot get any more expensive. There is no advantage booking ahead, and possible gain by waiting.

What counts as fully vaccinated?

Having waited two weeks after completing a course of a vaccine in the UK, the European Union, the US or one of 26 other countries: Andorra, Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Dominica, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UAE and the Vatican City.

For the purposes of vaccinations received abroad, the government recognises Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca, Moderna and Janssen (J&J).

Those jabbed with two different doses of these vaccines  for example, a person with one dose of Oxford AstraZeneca and one dose of Moderna  will be regarded as fully vaccinated.

Unlike most other countries, the UK does not recognised recent recovery from Covid as an alternative to full vaccination.

What is the status of people vaccinated in other nations?

They are regarded by the UK as unvaccinated and must follow the rules for such travellers.

The decision by the UK government not to recognise jabs administered in Turkey, India, anywhere in Africa and more than 100 other countries has caused fury for people who want to travel to Britain.

What about under-18s?

If they normally reside in the UK then they are treated as fully vaccinated. If they do not live in the UK, they are treated as fully vaccinated only if they normally reside in one of the 55 countries listed above whose vaccines have been recognised by the government.

So, for example, under-18s who live in France will be treated as fully vaccinated, but British children who live with expatriate families in Hong Kong or India would not.

They must follow the rules for unvaccinated travellers. This means: a test before travel (not for under 11s), a day two and day eight PCR test (not for under 5s) and self-isolation for 10 days on arrival in the UK.

Do we still have traffic light reviews?

Yes, on the (roughly) three weekly cycle that has been in effect since May. The coming dates are all Thursdays, but in practice the announcement can be made plus or minus a day: 7 October, 28 October, 18 November, 9 December and 30 December (though I will be surprised if the last of those happens, falling as it does between Christmas and New Year).

I expect almost all of the changes to be moves from the red list  currently featuring more than a quarter of the worlds nations, and completely at odds with other European countries policies  to amber.

Keeping mandatory hotel quarantine for arrivals from South Africa, all of South America and many other nations looks increasingly unsustainable.

What happens to unvaccinated travellers to the UK?

Life for unjabbed arrivals  or those whose vaccinations are not recognised by Britain  has become tougher. Multiple tests and self-isolation are obligatory even if you are coming in from one of the 41 former green list countries, such as Croatia, Germany or Canada.

Previously unjabbed arrivals from green nations were not required to quarantine and needed only to take a test before travel to the UK and a day two PCR test.

Now they must also self-isolate for 10 days, and take a second PCR test on day eight  as with all non-red countries.

In England they have the option to pay for yet another test, on day five, to be released from quarantine if it is negative.

What about the other UK nations?

Leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have agreed to the changes  though the Welsh government has called for the PCR requirement for a day two test to be retained.

The health minister, Eluned Morgan, said: The decision to move away from PCR tests from returning travellers on day two is concerning. This test, combined with genetic sequencing of all positive tests, is a vital part of our surveillance for coronavirus and protects our borders from the virus.

We recognise the communication and enforcement challenges in having different testing requirements, and continue to thoroughly examine the evidence for a Wales-only testing regime, but the strongest solution to protect public health is for the UK Government to reinstate UK-wide testing.

Any other business?

Almost a year after it was first mooted, changing planes in a red list airport will soon no longer taint your travel status.

The government says : From late October, we will also be making changes to allow passengers who change flights or international trains during their journey to follow the measures associated to their country of departure, rather than any countries they have transited through as part of their journey.

This follows the Global Travel Taskforce report recommendation from November 2020: We will explore ways that transit could be safely facilitated, in line with public health requirements, without passengers needing to self-isolate on return to the UK.

The timing makes it largely redundant before it has even taken effect: the only major international hub, Istanbul, was taken off the red list along with the rest of Turkey.

It may make a difference for a tiny number of passengers changing planes in Addis Ababa, Johannesburg or Mexico City, but that is the only benefit I can see.

There is no limit to the time a passenger spends in transit, so long as they remain airside  in other words, do not proceed through passport control at the intermediate stop.

What happens next?

I predict we may see an arms race for the attention of British travellers for the remainder of the year  which could mean, for example, that mainland Portugal  which currently requires even vaccinated travellers from the UK to take a test before arrival to ease its restrictions.

Travel to the European Union will be further eased if the long-promised integration of NHS jabs and the EU digital Covid certificate is completed.

But there will still be some shuffling of countries between red and amber lists in the coming three months.

The government says the latest changes will ensure continuity for industry and passengers the remainder of the year  which I read as reassurance that the sudden, disruptive changes that have characterised the UKs policies for the past 18 months are likely to be averted.

We will look to set out a further review for the UKs international travel policy early in the new year to provide further certainty for the spring and summer 2022 seasons, the government says.

I asked the Department for Transport to clarify whether early the new year was the first week of January or the first month; officials declined to say.

What do you think about the changes?

My scorecard records three modest positives: trimming the loathed red list, expanding recognition of vaccination and reducing the disproportionate testing regime for fully vaccinated travellers to England.

When you look closely, though, the UK system remains fraught with complication, cost and uncertainty. Much more needs to change we can be said to have a coherent and effective set of rules governing international travel.

The UK remains an extreme outlier compared with other European nations, especially on the scale of the red list and the refusal to recognise the vaccinations of people who have had their jabs in the vast majority of foreign countries.

Too little, too late, may be a tired cliche  but in this case it fits precisely.
In case you were someone who was still hesitant about getting vaccinated amidst the pandemic, this study will surely be the eye-opener you need.

Reuters

Also Read: Over 6,000 Fully-Vaccinated People In Mumbai Got COVID-19: Heres Why

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine considerably reduces the chances of dying due to the novel coronavirus, reveals a new study from England.



This is based on data from the UKs Office of National Statistics, based on the census and family doctor health records, which included 79 percent aged 10 or older living in England.

According to the data, 0.8 percent of deaths among fully vaccinated individuals were linked to COVID-19 between January and July. This included individuals who died 21 or more days post the second dose. Comparing this to unvaccinated individuals, the number was roughly 37 percent, as per the data.

Out of a total 57,263 fully vaccinated individuals in England who died at least 21 days after their second COVID-19 dose, from which only 458 deaths were due to COVID-19. In the same period, there were 38,964 COVID-19 related deaths in unvaccinated individuals.

Professor Kevin McConway, professor of applied statistics at the Open University, explained in a conversation with the Science Media Center that the vaccines arent perfect, but it is still important to get both doses.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccines Are Game Changer And Reinfections Are Extremely Rare, Claims Expert



Reuters

McConway added that the data was proof that vaccinated people had less chance of dying from COVID-19 compared to the unvaccinated folk, however it couldnt be used to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine.



Also Read: Unvaccinated People 29 Times More Likely To Be Hospitalised From Covid, Finds Study



He highlighted that the population in the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups differed in several crucial ways like high risk groups were prioritised for vaccines over regular individuals etc.

Have you gotten fully vaccinated against Covid-19 yet? Tell us in the comments below. For more science and technology news, keep visiting Indiatimes.com.
Margaret Howe Lovatt had loved animals since she was a little girl which made her take part in a NASA funded experiment.

She was part of the experiment that saw people spending long periods of time with dolphins, which resulted in them building up a strong connection. But the bizarre part here is that the animals became so close to her that one even tried to have sex with her.

Animal-loving Margaret had just turned 20 when she was told about the programme by her brother-in-law during Christmas of 1963.

YouTube

Unable to ignore her curiosity, Margaret drove out to the lab to explore what was going on and met lab director Gregory Bateson, who she managed to impress so much after simply marching straight up to the complex that he allowed her to get involved.



Speaking to the BBC, Margaret recalled that one dolphin - named Peter - used to 'rub himself' against her knees, hands and feet in a 'sexual way.'



Margaret remembers vividly what she saw the first time she observed the three dolphins.

She explained: "Peter, Pamela and Sissy. Sissy was the biggest. Pushy, loud, she sort of ran the show. Pamela was very shy and fearful. And Peter was a young guy. He was sexually coming of age and a bit naughty."

When Margaret first met the trio of dolphins they were housed in a sea pool below the lab, where they could be observed daily.



YouTube

As Margaret spent more time with the majestic creatures, she formed ever closer bonds with them - especially Peter.

She explained: "Peter liked to be... with me. He would rub himself on my knee, my foot or my hand and I allowed that. I wasn't uncomfortable - as long as it wasn't too rough. In the beginning, I would put him on the elevator and say you go play with the girls for a day.



"It was just easier to incorporate that and let it happen, it was very precious and very gentle, Peter was right there, he knew that I was right there."

Margaret claims this became a regular part of her studies, as she tried to teach Peter to speak English.

She added: "It was sexual on his part - it was not sexual on mine, sensuous perhaps. It would just become part of what was going on like an itch, just get rid of that we'll scratch and we would be done and move on. I was there to get to know Peter, that was part of Peter."



However, when the experiment's funding ran out the pair were separated and Peter was shipped 1,000 miles away to a small lab in Florida. But it was too much for seemingly heartbroken Peter, who died just a few weeks later in an apparent act of suicide.



The study had been set up by American neuroscientist Dr John Lilly, who hoped the experiment would enable dolphins to communicate with humans by making human-like sounds through their blowholes.
As workers head back to offices, shops and factories today and 'Freedom Day' nears, retailers and manufacturers alike fear their recovery from the effects of the pandemic will be hampered by freight rate rises, shipping delays, and stock shortages.

Costs are rising on goods imported from Asia, Africa, and America, with port congestion and container shortages disrupting the normal flow of goods; nearer to home, Brexit regulations blowing hot and cold, have hit food exporters to the UK.

Last weeks joint briefing for the industry by Irish Revenue customs division and the Department of Agriculture on handling health certificates for each shipment of everything from pork pies, pizzas, beef, and plants, did not make for easy listening, despite the welcome news of the push back to January next, particularly the remarkable advice to open a facility in the UK to overcome the supply chain problems for UK customers.

Global supply chain bottlenecks have made scheduling predictability abysmal.

Long-distance shipping used to be more than 80% predictable, now there is only a one-third chance of your ship arriving on time.

Sea freight transit times tripled

Fashion retailers in particular will feel the impact as they mainly import from China, where sea freight transit times have tripled from 20 days to 60 days over the past year.

Shortages have cropped up also across the wider manufacturing industry; Wavin in Balbriggan have been forced to limit production due to PVC shortages; IKEA reported shortages of range of products; and Brown Foreman, the owner of Cooley Irish whiskey, is reporting glass bottle shortages.

Sea freight rates have skyrocketed on popular routes, with rates rising consecutively for the past 22 weeks, according to Drewry the global shipping consultancy, who report that in August the average shipping rate for a 40-foot container was now 323% higher than the same week last year.

Labour shortages are also part of the problem.

The haulage industry reports extreme difficulty in getting drivers following the return of many eastern Europeans to their home countries because of Covid lockdowns and Brexit transit problems.

KPMG in its most recent Global Manufacturing Output report states "the greatest threat to manufacturers growth over the next three years, apart from the pandemic, is the risk to the supply chain".

The report goes on to state that 60% of chief executives report that they will have to re-think their approach to supply chains in order to become more agile, as well as bringing production closer to home and making their supply chain more robust.

Supply chain pressures

One of the fundamental ways that companies are now examining their supply chain is looking beyond their immediate suppliers, to check the sources these so-called 'first tier' suppliers are using.

Previously, some manufacturers knew very little of the location of their suppliers below this first level.

Adding urgency to the matter, the European Parliament has increased the pressure on manufacturers to get more active in building better supply chains that ensure the absence of child and forced labour as well as environmentally friendly material supplies.

This all adds up to the not-so-rosy picture of further disruption to traditional supply chains, and potentially continued cost inflation for some time to come.

Already we are seeing strong evidence of the impact of supply chain cost increases on the wider economy, with Eurozone data rising more than expected recently and hitting a 10-year high of 3% in August.

But some European central bank chiefs believe that the fears of rampant inflation are misplaced including Gabriel Makhlouf, Irelands central bank governor, who stated last week that fears of excessive eurozone inflation are 'overstated' at the moment and that notwithstanding the considerable uncertainty about the persistence of price pressure, the current pick up is transitory.

John Whelan is managing partner of the Linkage Partnership
Automation and innovation can no longer be overlooked by Irish SMEs  as they distinguish why one business is going to thrive and another is not.

In a post-Brexit and post-Covid world innovation and flexibility are more important now than ever before.

According to a report, 'Significance of the SME Sector in the Irish Economy', SMEs account for 99.8% of private businesses enterprises and employ 1.06m people in Ireland.

Despite this high figure, the OECDs SME and Entrepreneurship Policy report shows that Irish-owned companies' productivity and innovation is dwindling.

Modern technology such as cloud technology and eCommerce opens up a world of possibilities for SMEs.

Strategies and insights that were once just reserved for large companies with deep pockets are now available to SMEs for a fraction of the price compared to a few years ago.

So where do microbusinesses and small businesses start with trying to introduce innovation and digitalisation to their company?

Instead of attempting too many strategies too soon  this is a brief overview of what to focus on for the long term.

A closer look at automation and innovation

Automation and innovation are no longer buzzwords for multinational companies.

Affordable digitisation can be achieved by micro, medium-sized businesses, and even individual helpers.

The focus on contactless payments like QR code payments and online transfers needs to be considered by SMEs that traditionally rely on cash; eCcommerce innovation is a major necessity for any small business in the long run.

Irish SMEs are continuing to struggle with expensive transaction fees that accepting credit and debit card payments brings.

This is often because Irish businesses have yet to fully utilise the powerful effects of accepting digital payments that link to their bank.

Quick Response (QR) code payments involve consumers scanning a static or dynamic code to make instant digital payments from their smartphones.

This is then directly connected to a business bank account, and payments are accepted instantly.

This is not just an example of adopting new technology for the sake of it. Instead, its exactly the type of technology that benefits both consumers and small businesses with affordability, security, convenience, and ultimate control over their cash flow.

An omnichannel approach

Irish businesses must approach their sales and marketing on an omnichannel level too.

If theres anything that Covid-19 and Brexit have taught us, its the importance of having your physical and online presences in sync.

Cloud technology, for example, is one of the most important drivers of digital innovation.

Its time that SMEs in Ireland understand that although they are sole owners of the business or running operations on a small scale, that relying on spreadsheets or hardcopy paperwork isn't helping them or their customers.

Brexit shone a light on just how important it is to have a solid management system in place for a business supply chain.

A solid procurement and fulfillment system is required for SMEs importing and exporting to or from the UK.

A good rule of thumb would be to look once again into your current procurement process, storage, and fulfillment.

Then, simplify these operations with the help of innovative technology and simple cloud platforms that instantly integrate with your bank for easier tracking.

Lack of transparency in any warehouse due to lockdowns or currency uncertainty are potential pitfalls for an SME that already needs a powerful inventory management system in place.

A digital solution future-proof your business

A digital solution for your small business helps to make your company future-proof in the long term.

Software with a maturity model approach is often the best choice because software like this anticipates your growing needs as your business scales.

This means that if one day you need straightforward software and you want to grow your workforce five times over the next few months, you can keep critical business data and add the features you need without having to switch software.

Automation and innovation are no longer a secret kept by multinational corporations  but rather a necessary journey that must be taken upon by Irish businesses looking to thrive in this current economic climate.
Life is shaken to its foundations when we lose someone we love. Our days feel darker. The loneliness can overwhelm us.

Julie Vandingenen, a 30-year-old from Belgium living in Dublin, knows this feeling. Its what inspired her to set up Lovingly Box, a business that provides care packages that people can send to loved ones who are going through difficult times.

I met and fell in love with Louis when we were both in high school in France, says Ms Vandingenen. At the age of 24, we were living and working in Paris, when we decided we wanted to move to a smaller city by the sea. We chose Dublin and moved here in January 2015.

Vandingenen got a job as an accounts manager with Google and Louis started working in the tech sector. We were happy and loving Dublin, she says.

Two years later, when they were both 26 and engaged to be married, Louis was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive stomach cancer. They moved back to France to be with family. Louis died six months later.

Wed been together for almost nine years, and we were very much in love, says Vandingenen. Those six months after his diagnosis were tough. My priority was supporting him. Naturally, looking after myself came second.

But I also needed a support system of my own and when I lost him and was grieving, I needed it all the more.

Friends tried to provide that support from the moment they learned of Louiss illness. Louis and I got so many flowers, which we appreciated so much, Vandingenen says. But we didnt always have enough vases, and flowers die, too.

Some kind gestures made more impact than others. I had friends who gave me books containing words of comfort and hope, and I remember one friend giving me waterproof mascara because I was crying so much, says Vandingenen.

Let people know you care

Vandingenen returned to Ireland three months after Louis died and went back to working at Google. At the same time, she started thinking about the kindnesses she had been shown by people.

Some people gave such meaningful gifts, Vandingenen says. They were little things that made my days a little easier, a little brighter, and a little less lonely.

In 2020, she set up Lovingly Box to make it easier for people to show they care. I started on Etsy and then set up my own website, www.lovinglybox.com, says Vandingenen. Here, you can curate your own packages or buy pre-curated ones containing items that I have personally chosen because I found them helpful.

These items are hand-selected and range from scented candles and notebooks to essential oils, lip balms, moisturisers, chocolates, and motivational posters and books.

Its basically a bunch of different things that I think are nice, says Vandingenen. There are candles, because I love lighting candles, especially on important dates like anniversaries or birthdays. There are teas to help you relax and sleep, lip balms to help with lips that are dry from crying, and chocolates, biscuits, and sweets for when youve forgotten to eat. There are also quotes to find some comfort in.

Business took off during Covid

From small beginnings, Lovingly Box grew until it became so busy that Vandingenen quit working in Google in May of this year.

The business really took off during Covid, Vandingenen says. I think so many more people got in touch with the reality that life can be hard sometimes. They wanted to reach out to support their loved ones and so many people needed more care and more love. When its hard to find the words, something like Lovingly Box can help.

Companies also contacted Vandingenen looking for corporate gifts. These were a way for them to show their employees that they care, she says.

Arnotts and Brown Thomas also contacted her with business propositions. She now produces three exclusive pre-curated boxes for the stores.

These are available online and Arnotts is hosting a pop-up shop on the ground level of its Dublin store. Fifteen per cent of proceeds from these sales go to the Irish Cancer Society.

While there are other box-gifting companies, Vandingenen has seen few like hers.

Most of the ones Ive seen are about celebrating the happy moments of life, she says. I havent seen any that connect grief and gifting, or that aim to support people through difficult situations, such as break-ups, sickness, loss, depression, or, as were experiencing right now, a global pandemic.

Grief is an ongoing process

Vandingenens plans include adding new products to her range, expanding to new markets, and hiring someone to help her.

In the meantime, she urges anyone who wants to reach out to someone who is grieving to do so.

My advice is to just show up and keep showing up, she says.

Acknowledge what is happening or has happened and tell people that you are there, whatever they need. Then be there.

Grieving people may not always be able to communicate what they want. You might have to take the initiative, Vandingenen says. Walk the dog. Wash the dishes. Make some food.

Grief is an ongoing process, she says. It doesnt end after a month. Its a life-long journey. Try to remember important dates like birthdays and anniversaries. Mark those by letting people know that youre thinking of them.

Vandingenen appreciates it when her friends and family do this for her. Life may go on, but Louis is not forgotten.

Her own life has moved on, too, and she is now engaged to Chris: He makes me happy and does what he can to help me with Lovingly Box.
A woman has been arrested by Gardai investigating an incident in which a man was found in the Westfield Park area of Limerick with serious injuries.

At approximately 10pm last night, Gardai received reports of a man, who appeared to be injured, walking on the Ennis Road.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has embarked on his first non-EU trip since his leadership began last year, heading to New York for UN high-level week.

The week will see the Taoiseach address the UN General Assembly and chair a meeting of the Security Council, which Ireland is currently presiding over.

On Monday, he will meet with the new governor of New York Kathy Hochul before addressing the Council on Foreign Relations on Irelands UN priorities, the transatlantic relationship, and Brexit on Wednesday.

On Thursday, he will chair a meeting of the Security Council on the growing challenge of climate and security before, on Friday, delivering Irelands National Statement to the UN General Assembly.

Government sources said that the Taoiseach's overriding message to the assembly will be on the need for the UN to tackle climate change as a security risk.

He will tell the Security Council that conflict and diminishing resource availability due to climate change has "resulted in the breakdown of traditional systems for sharing resources and has led to violence between communities".

He will tell the council that it is "crucial that the Security Council considers the impact of climate change in its work to prevent and end conflict".

Ireland has placed climate and security as one of its priorities during its term on the UN Security Council, making the point that extreme weather events have displaced more than 24m people in recent years.

It is understood that the Taoiseach will also outline Ireland's belief that developed nations must do more to end the Covid-19 pandemic globally.

He will tell the UN that Ireland is to donate 1.3m vaccines to Covax, which will distribute them in the global south.

The Taoiseach's message to the UN will also touch on the country's commitment to peacekeeping missions, disarmament, and nuclear non-proliferation.

This will conclude in a Security Council meeting on the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Mr Martin's address will also touch on the ongoing violence in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and the Middle East.

He will say that Ireland is "deeply concerned" by the situation in Ethiopia, particularly the lack of humanitarian access and the threat of famine, as well as reports of serious human rights violations.

He will say that Ireland is behind the "full implementation" of the Iranian nuclear deal, which Ireland is now a facilitator of at the UN.

The Taoiseach will also dedicate the building of the new Irish Arts Centre in the city and will take in a tour of NBC Studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney will also be in New York this week as he is set to have a series of bilateral meetings with representatives linked to Ireland's presidency of the UN Security Council.
The United States could begin flying some of the thousands of Haitian migrants who have crossed from Mexico into a Texas border camp back to their poverty-stricken homeland, hoping to deter others from crossing into the country.

Many of the migrants have lived in Latin America for years but now are seeking asylum in the US as economic opportunities in Brazil and elsewhere dry up.

Thousands have been living under and near a bridge in the Texas border city of Del Rio, and many of them said they will not be deterred by the US plans.

Some said the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise make them afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

Haiti migrants (Mari D De Jesus/AP)

In Haiti, there is no security, said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived in Texas with his wife and two daughters.

The country is in a political crisis.

A US official said the US would likely fly migrants out of the country starting Sunday on five to eight flights a day.

Another official expected no more than two flights a day.

The first official said operational capacity and Haitis willingness to accept flights would determine the number of flights.

Scores of people waded back and forth across the Rio Grande on Saturday, re-entering Mexico to purchase water, food and nappies in Ciudad Acuna before returning to the Texas encampment.

We are all looking for a better life Junior Jean, Haiti migrant

Junior Jean, a 32-year-old man from Haiti, watched as people cautiously carried cases of water or bags of food through the knee-high river water.

Mr Jean said he lived on the streets in Chile the past four years, resigned to searching for food in garbage cans.

We are all looking for a better life, he said.

Haitian prime minister Ariel Henry wrote on Sunday on Twitter that he is concerned about conditions at the border camp and that the migrants would be welcomed back.

We want to reassure them that measures have already been taken to give them a better welcome upon their return to the country and that they will not be left behind, he tweeted.

Mr Henry did not provide details about the measures.

A Haitian government spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment.
Charlotte Petri Gornitzka

Assistant Secretary-General and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships (Empowering Communities)

Charlotte Petri Gornitzka took up the role as Assistant Secretary-General and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships, on 15 October 2018.

Ms. Gornitzka, who served as the Chair of the Development Assistance Committee at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) prior to this appointment, brings to the position 20 years of experience in international development. Ms. Gornitzka has successfully built innovative partnerships with leaders from civil society, national governments and the private sector to deliver programme results and influence critical policy changes.

Before joining OECD, Ms. Gornitzka served as Director General of the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (SIDA) from 2010 to 2016, where Ms. Gornitzka established a network of Swedish and Sweden-based companies to promote sustainable global development. Ms. Gornitzka was previously Secretary-General of the International Save the Children Alliance (20082010) and Save the Children Sweden (20032008), following six years as Under-Secretary-General and Director of Communications at the Swedish Red Cross (19982003).

Ms. Gornitzka has a background in management consulting with a focus on change management and communications. She studied at the Stockholm University College of Music Education.

Ms. Gornitzka is a national of Sweden. Ms. Gornitzka and her partner have two and six children, respectively.
Courtenay Rattray High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States Courtenay Rattray began tenure as High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States in July 2021. It is the role of the High Representative to mobilize international support in favour of the ninety-one most vulnerable member states of the United Nations. It is Mr. Rattrays mandate to advocate on their behalf and raise awareness of their economic, social and environmental potential and ensure that the pressing needs of the 1.1 billion people who live there remain high on the international agenda. As Secretary-General of the forthcoming Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC 5) in Doha, Qatar, in January 2022, one of Mr. Rattrays first priorities will be to lead the adoption of an ambitious new Programme of Action for the LDCs. This global compact will support the Least Developed Countries through 2022-2031 as they seek to recover from COVID-19, tackle climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. A thought leader in development financing, Mr. Rattray has decades of experience championing and advocating on behalf of countries in special situations, especially Small Island Developing States. Mr. Rattray joined UN-OHRLLS from the role as Jamaicas Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. Mr. Rattray also served as Co-chair of the Group of Friends of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Financing; Children and the SDGs; as well as the Group of Friends of Decent Work. Prior to working at the United Nations, Mr. Rattray served as Jamaicas Ambassador to China (2008-2013); Director of the Bilateral Relations Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Kingston (2005 -2008); Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C., (2001-2005); Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (2000-2001); and Special Adviser to the Minister for Industry and Investment (1999-2000). Before joining the Jamaican Foreign Service, Mr. Rattray served as Executive Director of the Jamaica Marketing Company in London (1990-1997) and Director of Marketing and Promotions at the Jamaica Trade & Investment Promotion Corporation (JAMPRO) in Kingston (1987-1988). Mr. Rattray holds a Master of Arts degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the United States, a Master of Arts in International Business from the London South Bank University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from West Virginia Wesleyan College in the United States. Mr. Rattray was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) by West Virginia Wesleyan College.
LOS LLANOS DE ARIDANE, Spain (AP)  A volcano on Spains Atlantic Ocean island of La Palma erupted Sunday after a weeklong buildup of seismic activity, prompting authorities to evacuate thousands as lava flows destroyed isolated houses and threatened to reach the coast. New eruptions continued into the night.

The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute reported the initial eruption near the southern end of the island, which saw its last eruption in 1971. Huge red plumes topped with black-and-white smoke shot out along the Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge, which scientists had been closely watching following the accumulation of molten lava below the surface and days of small earthquakes.

Authorities immediately evacuated over 1,000 people, but Spains Civil Guard said it may need to evacuate up to 10,000 residents.

La Palma, with a population of 85,000, is one of eight volcanic islands in Spains Canary Islands archipelago off Africas western coast. At their nearest point, the islands are 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Morocco.

A 4.2-magnitude quake was recorded before the volcanic eruption, which took place in an area known as Cabeza de Vaca on the western slope as the ridge descends to the coast. As the eruptions continued, at least two open mouths belched bright red magma into the air that then flowed in tight streams down the mountain slope.

Shortly after the initial explosion rocked the area, one black lava flow with a burning tip immediately slid toward houses in the village of El Paso. Mayor Sergio Rodriguez said 300 people in immediate danger were evacuated, roads were closed and authorities urged the curious not to approach the area.

The lava eventually reached some homes, causing at least one chalet with a tower to crumble. Authorities warned that the lava flows could also threaten the municipalities of El Paraiso, Alcala and surrounding areas.

Carlota Martin was at an agricultural plot her family has in Todoque, just downhill from the eruption site, when she heard a huge explosion.

When we saw the column of smoke, we thought it could not be real, but it kept growing and we knew we had to get out of there, she told The Associated Press. You leave, but you are also looking back because you want to see what will happen. Nobody knows how the lava flows will descend, but our plot and lots of houses in the area could be in the way.

Mariano Hernandez, president of La Palma island, said there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries but the lava flows made him concerned about the populated areas on the coast.

People should not come near the eruption site where the lava is flowing, Hernandez said. We are having serious problems with the evacuation because the roads are jammed with people who are trying to get close enough to see it.

Itahiza Dominguez, head of seismology of Spains National Geology Institute, told Canary Islands Television that although it was too early to tell how long this eruption would last, prior eruptions on the Canary Islands lasted weeks or even months.

The last eruption on La Palma 50 years ago lasted just over three weeks. The last eruption on all the Canary Islands occurred underwater off the coast of El Hierro island in 2011. It lasted five months.

Volcanologist Vicente Soler of Spains Higher Council said the material appears to be very fluid, the lava flows will reach the sea sooner or later. The scientific committee of the Volcano Risk Prevention Plan said part of the islands southwest coast was at risk for landslides and rock falls.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cancelled his trip to New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly so he could travel from Spains mainland to the Canary Islands.

___

Joseph Wilson reported from Barcelona. Renata Brito contributed to this report from Barcelona.

(Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
102 Shares Share

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in the U.S. in 2020, most hospitals and physicians offices paused elective and preventive care services to focus on treating large numbers of COVID patients, preserving medical supplies and bed space in hospitals, and reducing the risk of non-COVID patients being exposed to the virus. Cancer screenings were one of the services that were paused. In 2020, this pause resulted in an 86 percent to 94 percent drop in preventive cancer screenings compared to the same time period during the three previous years, according to data from 2.7 million electronic patient records representing 190 hospitals in 23 states. Another report, published in JAMA Open Network, found that in the early weeks of the pandemic, weekly diagnoses for breast, colorectal, lung, pancreatic, gastric, and esophageal cancer fell 46.4 percent. The decline was linked to the drop in screenings.

Although screenings rebounded and approached pre-pandemic levels during the summer of 2020, physicians have raised concerns that missed and delayed cancer screenings have the potential to lead to an increase in the number of people diagnosed with more advanced cancer and, possibly, 10,000 excess cancer deaths over the next decade. That concern was supported by data from the American Society of Radiation Oncologists, which noted that two-thirds of radiation oncologists surveyed noted new patients were being diagnosed with more advanced cancers.

Recently, the authors of the JAMA Open Network report updated their findings to include data on new cancer diagnoses through March 2021. They expanded the types of cancers included in the report, adding cervical and prostate cancer, and looked at new cancer diagnoses during three time periodspre-pandemic (January 2019 to February 2020), pandemic period 1 (March to May 2020), pandemic period 2 (June to October 2020), and pandemic period 3 (November 2020 to March 2021). The data was drawn from the records of patients at Quest Diagnostics across the U.S. with orders that included ICD codes associated with the eight types of cancer.

They discovered that during pandemic period 1, diagnoses for all eight types of cancer decreased significantly, with the mean monthly number of new diagnoses decreasing 29.8 percent. For breast cancer, the decrease was 36.1 percent. In the second period, new cancer diagnoses rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, except in the case of prostate cancer.

However, in the third pandemic period, which coincided with the fall/winter 2020/21 rise in COVID cases, mean monthly numbers of newly diagnosed patients dipped again, falling significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels but not as low as in pandemic period 1 for all eight types of cancer. The current surge in COVID cases driven by the Delta variant may also drive down new diagnoses for the summer of 2021.

What does the drop in cancer screening and diagnosis mean for patients?

Delaying recommended cancer screenings has the potential to increase the risk of being diagnosed with more advanced cancer thats more complex to treat and may be associated with poorer outcomes.

If you are anxious about getting screened and potential exposure to health care staff and other patients who may not be vaccinated or who may have an undiagnosed, asymptomatic COVID infection, the first step to getting the screenings you need is to call your doctor to talk about your concerns. Ask what steps are being taken to protect patients (physical distancing in the waiting room, limiting the number of patients in the waiting room, required face masks and appropriate PPE for patients and staff, regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces, vaccination requirements for staff).

You should talk with your doctor about the risks of postponing screening. Factors to discuss include:

Your personal and family medical history

When you were last screened

History of cancer

Other factors that may increase your risk of cancer including genetic mutations associated with increased cancer risk, lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol use, excess sun exposure, and age

You can also ask if there are other appropriate, effective forms of screening. For example, there are several different types of screening tests for colorectal cancer, including fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) or a stool DNA test that can be done at home, although colonoscopy remains the gold standard for screening.

If youre experiencing any symptoms that may be related to cancer, such as a lump in the breast, changes in a mole, difficulty swallowing, or blood in the stool, contact your doctor right away to schedule the needed diagnostic tests and follow-up.

Miles J. Varn is chief executive officer, PinnacleCare, and can be reached on LinkedIn.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Human remains discovered in Teton County, Wyoming, on Sunday are "consistent with the description of" missing 22-year-old Gabby Petito, FBI officials said in a news conference.

"Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified of this discovery," said Charles Jones, FBI Denver's supervisory senior resident agent in Wyoming.

The cause of death has not been determined, he said.

Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue told CNN an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, saying officials would confirm the identity through photographs, personal identification or DNA.

Authorities this weekend conducted a search around the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in Bridger-Teton National Forest on the eastern edge of Grand Teton National Park for any sign of Petito, whose family reported her missing September 11.

At the same time, authorities in Florida were looking for Petito's fiance, Brian Laundrie. His family told police Friday they had not seen Laundrie since last Tuesday, prompting a search of a local nature reserve that has so far yielded no results.

Prior to Petito's disappearance, the couple had been traveling on a road trip through several Western states.

Laundrie returned to North Port, Florida, without Petito on September 1, according to police. Officials later found the van the couple had been traveling in at the home Petito shared with Laundrie and his parents in North Port, a city in Sarasota County some 80 miles south of Tampa.

Laundrie is not wanted for a crime, officials have said. This weekend, dozens of officers and FBI agents combed an area that stretches out to roughly 25,000 acres, according to the North Port Police Department. But the search was suspended for a second time Sunday evening, police said on Twitter, adding, "Nothing to report."

Laundrie's family told police he left home with his backpack Tuesday and told them he was going to the reserve, North Port police spokesperson Josh Taylor said Saturday.

Police visited the Laundrie family home after Petito was reported missing, but Laundrie's family refused to talk, Taylor said last week, and instead gave authorities the information for their attorney.

The home was searched Friday evening after Laundrie's family told police they had not seen him for days. Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino said Friday that Laundrie's whereabouts "are currently unknown."

But Richard Stafford, an attorney for the Petito family, said in a brief statement to CNN, "All of Gabby's family want the world to know that Brian is not missing, he is hiding. Gabby is missing."

FBI continues to ask for tips

Jones, the FBI agent, opened Sunday's news conference at Grand Teton National Park by extending condolences to Petito's family.

"As every parent can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for the family and friends," Jones said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them."

The campsite authorities searched this weekend will remain closed to the public, Jones said.

"This is an active and ongoing investigation," the FBI said in a news release, "so we ask the public to maintain distance from any law enforcement personnel, equipment, vehicles, and their related activity for the safety of the public in these remote areas, to respect the privacy of Gabby's family, and to protect the integrity of our work."

Officials are still asking for tips from anyone who might have seen Petito, Laundrie, or their vehicle -- a 2012 Ford Transit van with a Florida plate and stickers on the back, according to the FBI's Missing Person poster for Petito.

"We continue to seek information from anyone who utilized the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area between the dates of August 27th and August 30th," Jones said.

The public's response to officials' requests for tips has been "remarkable," Jones said.

Search for Laundrie focuses on 'vast' nature reserve

In a statement Sunday night, Bertolino, the Laundrie family attorney, said the news about Petito "is heartbreaking."

"The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family," the statement said.

This weekend, federal and local authorities conducted their search for Laundrie in the "vast" Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, Florida, police said.

The search effort included the use of drones and bloodhounds who used articles of Laundrie's clothing taken from his home to get his scent, Taylor said in a news conference at the scene of the search Saturday. Police initially focused their search on a nearby park about 200 acres large before expanding to the rest of the reserve.

Police believe the vehicle Laundrie was driving may have been at the reserve, too, but has since been returned to the Laundries' home, Taylor said.

Laundrie has an "enormous amount of pressure" on him to provide answers to what's going on, Taylor said.

Asked why Laundrie's family didn't tell police of his whereabouts until Friday, Taylor said, "that's a great question."

"You know we've obviously been trying to reach the family to get answers in this case since (last) Saturday," Taylor said. "The first time that we've had any in-depth conversation with them was (Friday) when their attorney called and said the family was concerned about Brian's whereabouts."

Law enforcement has been characterizing the disappearances of Petito and Laundrie as "multiple missing person investigations," according to a statement Friday from North Port police.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
(CNN) -- [Breaking news update at 6:23 p.m. ET]

Human remains discovered in Teton County, Wyoming, on Sunday are "consistent with the description of" missing 22-year-old Gabby Petito, FBI officials said in a news conference.

"Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified of this discovery," Charles Jones, FBI Denver's supervisory senior resident agent in Wyoming, said.

Jones opened the news conference extending condolences to Petito's family.

[Previous story, published at 5:52 p.m. ET]

A body was found Sunday in a national forest in Teton County, Wyoming, according to County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue.

Additional details were unavailable, Blue told CNN over the phone.

Authorities have been searching Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming for any evidence of 22-year-old Gabby Petito, whose family reported her missing September 11.

The FBI's Denver field office announced Sunday on Twitter authorities would hold a news conference regarding Petito's disappearance at 4 p.m. MT in Grand Teton National Park.

News of the discovery of a body comes as authorities in Florida also search for Petito's fiance Brian Laundrie, whose family told police Friday they had not seen him since last Tuesday.

Laundrie, 23, is not wanted for a crime, according to law enforcement officials. Prior to her disappearance, Petito had been traveling with Laundrie on a cross-country road trip through several Western states, leaving online reviews of campsites they visited.

Laundrie returned to North Port, Florida, without Petito on September 1, according to police. Officials later found the van the couple had been traveling in at the home Petito shared with Laundrie and his parents in North Port, a city in Sarasota County some 80 miles south of Tampa.

The latest efforts to locate Laundrie have shifted to a Florida nature reserve, where dozens of officers and FBI agents are combing an area that stretches out to roughly 25,000 acres, according to the North Port Police Department.

Laundrie's family told police he left home with his backpack Tuesday and told them he was going to the reserve, North Port police spokesperson Josh Taylor said Saturday.

Police visited the home after Petito was reported missing, but Laundrie's family refused to talk, Taylor said last week, and instead gave authorities the information for their attorney.

The home was searched Friday evening, when Laundrie's family told police they had not seen him for days. Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino said Friday that Laundrie's whereabouts "are currently unknown."

Richard Stafford, the attorney for the Petito family, said in a brief statement to CNN, "All of Gabby's family want the world to know that Brian is not missing, he is hiding. Gabby is missing."

The search for Petito on Saturday included ground surveys alongside the National Park Service and local authorities at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in Bridger-Teton National Forest on the eastern edge of Grand Teton National Park, the FBI's Denver field office said in a tweet.

The office said it is seeking assistance from anyone who was in the camping area between August 27 and 30 and may have had contact with Petito or Laundrie or seen their vehicle -- a 2012 Ford Transit van with a Florida plate and stickers on the back, according to a FBI's Missing Person poster for Petito.

Laundrie search continues in 'vast' nature reserve

Before efforts were suspended Saturday evening due to darkness, 50 law enforcement officers from five local agencies and the FBI conducted their search for Laundrie in the "vast" Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, Florida, police said.

"Nothing found. Efforts will begin again Sunday morning," North Port police said on Twitter.

The search effort included the use of drones and bloodhounds who used articles of Laundrie's clothing taken from his home to get his scent, Taylor said in a news conference at the scene of the search Saturday. Police initially focused their search on a nearby park about 200 acres large before expanding to the rest of the reserve.

Police believe the vehicle Laundrie was driving may have been at the reserve, too, but has since been returned to the Laundrie's home, Taylor said.

Laundrie has an "enormous amount of pressure" on him to provide answers to what's going on, Taylor said.

Asked why Laundrie's family didn't tell police of his whereabouts until Friday, Taylor said, "that's a great question."

"You know we've obviously been trying to reach the family to get answers in this case since (last) Saturday," Taylor said. "The first time that we've had any in-depth conversation with them was (Friday) when their attorney called and said the family was concerned about Brian's whereabouts."

Law enforcement continue to characterize the disappearances of Petito and Laundrie as "multiple missing person investigations," according to a statement Friday from North Port police.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
The 2021 Top Security/Frank Maher Classical Music Awards is now open for entries. With a 5,000 prize for the winner, it is the largest such competition for Irish secondary schools and closing date for entries is Friday, October 8 2021.

Violinist Julieanne Forrest (18) last years winner, was at the photocall to launch details of the 2021 competition, accompanied by Oliver Woods from Terenure College on guitar and Holly Bond from Wesley College on flute.

The hugely talented violinist has just finished sixth year at St Peters in Dunboyne, and on her way to the Music and Arts University of Vienna (MUK) to study with Professor Pavel Vernikov.

The Top Security Frank Maher Classical Music Awards were first created in 2001 by Emmet ORafferty, chairman of the Top Security Group, to honour the memory of his late teacher, Fr Frank Maher, a pioneer in the nurturing of musical talent in secondary schools. They went nationwide in 2012.

From small beginnings, the Awards are now into their tenth year of national competition, and we never cease to be amazed and delighted at the incredible teenage talent that it attracts Were proud to be able to support these young people when they need it most and very much looking forward to meeting this years finalists," said Emmet.

The award entrants are a rollcall of rising young Irish classical music talent. Past winners also include pianists Kevin Jansson, Aidan Chan and Maire Carroll, violinist Mairead Hickey and cellists Sinead OHalloran and Killian White. All the winners have received national and international recognition for their achievements and used their prize money as a springboard towards a professional career by funding their studies at some of the worlds most renowned music colleges and institutions. These include Juilliard School, Barenboim-Said Akademie, Royal College of Music, Conservatoire Nationale Superieur de Musique et de Danse and Kronberg Academy.

The Awards are open to sixth year post-primary students of string, woodwind, brass and piano. The 5,000 top prize will be used by the winner to attend a recognised place of tuition, a course of study in Ireland or abroad or on a purchase necessary for the development of their talent. The remaining finalists will each receive a 300 bursary.

The closing date for this years entries is Friday, October 8 2021 and the competition night is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 29 in Dublin. Further information, rules and a copy of the application form for downloading on www. frankmaherclassicalmusicawards .com
With the death of Peggy Phelan, the Woodlawn Estate in Bennettsbridge has lost one of its oldest residents.

Peggy was 58 years married to Mick her soulmate who passed away in May. She was a dedicated wife, mother, homemaker and provider.

Born in Waterford in 1936, Peggy started school in Kenmare before her family moved to Goresbridge, where she continued primary school and secondary school in The Presentation in Kilkenny.

The Dilworth family of 15 then moved to Bunting Road, Walkinstown in Dublin where Peggy trained as a dressmaker with Evelyn Guane in Middle Abbey Street with her sister Patsy.

Gifted in her craft, she made her own wedding dress and would later repurpose it into a communion dress for her daughters and afterwards into the family christening gown worn by her children and grandchildren.

She met Mick, known to his friends as the Blond Bombshell in the famous GAA meeting place of the time, Barrys Hotel. She had a great love of books and travel. Somewhat of an introvert, she partnered wonderfully with the extroverted Mick. They complemented each other perfectly.

She had a good life, self-sufficient, many of which attributes she passed on to her children. In The Bridge she made numerous wedding dresses, School Band uniforms, Church vestments, altar cloths and alterations through the years.

Family camping was enjoyed in the early years in the Morris minor and the tent when they were often joined by the Dublin cousins.

As her children moved away Peg and Mick made many trips to visit them in their respective homes, sometimes as far afield as Australia, Bali, Mauritius, UK and Limerick. Family weddings abroad were enjoyed to the full.

Peg was a religious woman and a pioneer for most of her life. She also served as Minister of the Eucharist for several years. She managed to combine her religion with her love of travel, getting in trips to Lourdes, Rome and The Holy Land.

Peg and Mick celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in Madeira combining Pegs love of travel and Micks love of flowers.

Great Artist

Peg was a member of The Ladies club, volunteered with the local Playgroup and loved being a member of local Art Group. She was a great artist and her work was shown in a number of the Art Groups exhibitions. In the early years Peggy and I attended art classes in the Thomastown and Kilkenny Vocational Schools.

Sadly in recent years Peg was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Mick, her late husband, showing his dedication, love and care, said he was going to look after her at home as she had done for her family. This task he carried out with great dedication, supported by his son Damien who moved back home to facilitate him helped by their other sons Mark and Neil.

Peg with husband Mick took one last trip on May 5 on one of their regular spins. Sadly it was the last time for them to cross the threshold together but typical of their dedication to each other, if one was not going home neither was the other.

On August 24 Peg was reunited with Mick who passed away in May. Together again.

Peg died on August 24, 2021 in the loving care of the staff at Gowran Abbey Nursing Home. She was predeceased by her loving husband and soulmate, Mick and her granddaughter Laura.

Pegs neighbours of 50 years came out to form a guard of honour before her funeral service. Her coffin was draped in the Christening Gown and First Communion pieces she had made.

On the steps outside the church, offerings presented as a reflection of her life were, a spool of thread, a needle, a tailors scissors and the hem of a pair of trousers to reflect her life as a dressmaker, a crossword puzzle to signify her love of wordplay and a paint brush because of her love of painting. People were invited to take a sachet of flower seeds from a basket.

The remains were received in St Bennetts Church by Canon Pat Dalton, assisted by Canon Pat Duggan. Requiem Mass was then celebrated. Fr Dalton welcomed everyone and sympathised with the family especially Barbara, John and Andrew, who were unable to attend.

Peg was a woman of great faith and he expressed appreciation for her service to the church, as a Minister of the Eucharistic for many years and in many other ways. The lessons were read by Neil and Mark (sons). Prayers of the Faithful were recited by, Rachel, Leah, Ella and Jessica (granddaughters). Music throughout the ceremony was by Sean ONeill, Martina Burke and sister-in-law, Eileen. Pegs daughter, Margaret gave a moving tribute sharing some special memories of her mother.

Fondly remembered by their loving children Margaret, Andrew, John, Mark, Damien, Neil, Barbara; daughters-in-law Helen and Nano, Diana; Marks partner Ronnie; sons-in-law Fergus and Doula; grandchildren, Danielle, Enya, Daniel, Matthew, Andrew, Jessica, Rachel, Mairead, Leah, Ella, Rebecca, Adam, Emily, Robin and Dana. Peg will be sadly missed by her sisters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and friends especially Danielle and Enya in Sydney. A cremation service was held in the Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome Crematorium, Dublin.

Pegs family would like to express their sincere appreciation to all who helped with actions, words and kindness in their time of immense loss, especially the wonderful community of Bennettsbridge for the support received over the last few months and for the beautiful guard of honour from their Woodlawn family.

Rest in peace Peggy

- JC
Every breath Robby Walker takes is one that almost didn't happen.

Just a few weeks ago, the Florida father of six was on a ventilator with Covid-19 pneumonia in both lungs. Like most Americans hospitalized with Covid-19, Walker was not vaccinated.

"He is in dire need of an ECMO treatment, which is not available at the hospital that he is in," his wife Susan Walker told CNN in August.

ECMO treatment uses an external machine that can function as the body's heart and lungs. It can be used for organ transplant patients, victims of severe heart attacks and seriously ill Covid-19 patients -- including young adults.

But "all the beds are taken up by Covid victims also getting ECMO treatment," Susan Walker said at that time.

"So now we're desperately searching outside of the state just for a hospital to take him."

What happened next stunned the Walkers, saved Robby's life and may have spared countless other families from suffering.

The virus 'spread like wildfire'

No one knows exactly when or where Robby Walker got infected.

"We believe it happened over the Fourth of July weekend," Susan said. A relative and friend came to visit, and family festivities included several outings -- including to an indoor restaurant.

But no one in the family was vaccinated.

Susan had tested positive for Covid-19 in December and assumed her antibodies would protect her.

Others in the family were concerned about whether they might get long-term side effects from the vaccines -- even though doctors say the most severe side effects in vaccine history have all been identified within two months.

And the family had a false sense of security because more businesses were fully reopening.

"Our state had opened up. Less people were wearing masks, thinking things were going back to normal," Susan said.

"We let our guard down ... and then we were blindsided."

Within a few days, Robby developed a fever and tested positive for Covid-19.

Shortly afterward, 11 other family members and friends went on a boat trip. All 11 of them became infected, Susan said.

"It spread like wildfire," she said.

Susan did not get sick this summer. But she says her son, her brother-in-law, her cousin and her cousin's fiancee all got Covid-19.

Two months later, Susan's 51-year-old brother-in-law still struggles to breathe normally -- frequently coughing and fighting to catch his breath, she said.

But it was her 52-year-old husband who suffered the most.

The fever had progressed to pneumonia in both lungs, and he was rushed to an emergency room.

On July 25, Robby called his wife from his hospital bed and told her he had made a gut-wrenching decision.

"He had signed the papers to be intubated," Susan said.

Some Covid-19 patients who get put on ventilators don't survive the disease. Their final calls to their families before intubation are their last.

"He cried and just told me how regretful he was of not getting the shot," Susan said. "And he begged me to go get vaccinated."

She did. She also started a cross-country mission to save her husband's life.

Striking out after 169 hospitals in several states

Ten days after Robby was intubated, a doctor told Susan her husband most likely "was not going to make it out of the hospital."

"When they told me he was dying, I just didn't accept it," she said.

Susan asked about the possibility of a lung transplant but learned the waiting list for lungs is extensive due to the surge of Covid-19 patients, she recalled.

Another option was ECMO: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

ECMO can sometimes be used as a last resort for critically ill Covid-19 patients -- removing blood from the body, eliminating carbon dioxide and adding oxygen to the blood, and then pumping the blood back into the body so the real heart and lungs might have a chance to recover.

But with Florida's recent influx of hospitalized Covid-19 patients, ECMO availability for Robby was scarce to nonexistent.

"We have searched every hospital from the south of Florida to the north part of Florida," Susan said in early August.

So family members created a list of hospitals to call and see if anyone had ECMO availability.

Susan started the search by Googling "ECMO hospitals in Florida." Then Georgia. Louisiana. Alabama. Virginia.

The family called 169 hospitals. No one was able to take Robby.

The day after exhausting that list, Susan appeared on CNN -- fearing Robby might be out of options. But a doctor in Connecticut saw her interview and had an idea.

A risky 1,200-mile journey

Dr. Robert Gallagher was checking his Facebook feed and saw a CNN post with a video clip of Susan's interview.

"I just clicked on it and watched it and ... it was pretty compelling," said Gallagher, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Trinity Health of New England.

Cardiothoracic surgeons operate on diseases in the chest, including in the heart and lungs. By the time Covid-19 patients reach Gallagher, they're usually in dire condition -- and sometimes in need of ECMO.

He forwarded Susan's interview to the chief perfusionist, who runs the ECMO machines, and decided to try to get Robby Walker to Connecticut.

Within a few hours, Susan was on the phone with the hospital -- where the coveted ECMO treatment and a staffed bed were available.

But the journey from Florida to Connecticut was arduous. Robby was intubated, and placed on a specially equipped medical flight.

Susan was not allowed to fly with him. So she, her mother-in-law and her oldest daughter drove 22 hours to Connecticut, hoping Robby would still be alive when they got there.

"It was kind of my Hail Mary because if I would have not taken the chance, they just would have had no choice but to leave him there and have his organs fail one by one," Susan said.

Robby survived the 1,200-mile journey and started ECMO treatment at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. Gallagher was there to help treat him.

"We put the tubes in -- they're called cannulas. One tube drains the blood out, usually from the leg," the doctor said.

"And then (the blood) gets reinfused through the ECMO machine through, usually, the jugular vein, back into the area around the heart."

It was a shocking sight for Susan.

"When I walked into the hospital room to see two tubes 20 feet long, holding his blood outside of his body -- the sight of that was like, 'Oh, Lord, what have I done?'" she said.

Robby spent 22 days on ECMO, and Susan spent as much time with him as she could.

She got to know the family of a nearby Covid-19 patient who was younger than Robby. That patient soon died.

"I sit in the hospital room and I just listen to, you know, the door next to Robby," she said. "The family comes in, screaming and crying. I cry. It's just devastating."

Then on September 2, Robby Walker was taken off ECMO treatment. His heart and lungs were able to support him again.

It appeared the father of six would survive -- thanks largely to the doctor who stumbled upon Susan's interview and decided to help.

If not for Gallagher, "I'd probably be sitting in front of a tombstone," Susan said.

ECMO treatment does not guarantee survival, Gallagher said. At his hospital, about 50% to 60% of Covid-19 patients who go on ECMO survive.

But without ECMO, he said, Robby Walker probably would not have survived.

From vaccine hesitant to vaccine insistent

Robby Walker lost 50 pounds while he was hospitalized with Covid-19. After weeks of muscle erosion, the formerly sturdy construction business owner who exercised at the gym daily now struggles to stand up.

"We just started physical therapy this week," Robby said September 16. "I can already tell a difference from last week."

It's not clear how much Robby's combined medical care will cost, nor how much insurance might help. But Susan said she's already seen more than $800,000 in charges and had to dig into the couple's retirement savings to help pay more than $100,000 out of pocket.

Robby got emotional when he talked about how hard Susan and other family members worked to find life-saving care for him.

"I couldn't be more proud of her," Robby said, crying. "She's my hero."

He also credited Gallagher and the chief perfusionist for making his recovery possible.

And now that he can talk again, Robby has made one request abundantly clear, Susan said:

"My husband has decided when we get home ... if you're not vaccinated, you're not going to come around him."

Robby said he's concerned about the possibility of getting infected again.

"We've talked about putting a sign on the front door: 'If you're not vaccinated, you can't come in. We'll talk on the yard,'" Robby said.

He'd also prefer visitors to wear masks. Because his lungs are scarred, he might not be able to handle another illness well -- whether it's Covid-19, the flu or any other virus.

The family's ordeal has inspired at least 60 friends, family and colleagues to get the Covid-19 vaccine, Susan said.

April Torri and her husband were "not anti-vaxxers," she said. But they were concerned after a family friend's relative started trembling a week after her vaccination in March. Torri said that family believes it was the result of the vaccination, though the cause is not certain.

"My husband and I said, 'No, we're not (getting vaccinated). We don't know about it. It's not going to happen," said Torri, a friend of Robby's and an employee at Susan's real estate title business.

"We were a 'no no no no no no.' And then Robby happened. It made us think twice."

And since Robby was hospitalized, two lifelong friends from their hometown of Clermont, Florida, died from Covid-19, Torri said.

Both were under age 50. Neither was vaccinated.

A 46-year-old friend died earlier this month. "It shook me," Torri said. "I had just seen her a few weeks ago. It definitely took her very fast."

So Torri and her husband got vaccinated. So did their 21-year-old son. "None of us have had any negative (side effects)," Torri said.

To others who are vaccine hesitant like she was before Robby fell ill, "I would say do your research," Torri said.

"I feel like that proof is in the numbers," she said. "For me and my family, I want to be around for a long time."

Robby's plight also inspired the couple's friend Jo Lynn Nicholson to vaccinate her sons, now ages 14 and 17.

Nicholson had Covid-19 in December and decided to get vaccinated earlier this year.

"I didn't know a lot about the new (Delta) variant, but I knew people were getting infected again," she said.

But like some parents, she didn't think she needed to vaccinate her children against Covid-19.

Then Robby's condition rapidly deteriorated. And on the way to visit Nicholson's elderly parents, her older son Caden started showing mild symptoms.

Shortly after the trip, Caden and both grandparents tested positive for Covid-19.

"Having Robby have that Delta and then my son getting it and giving it to my parents ... I just was like, 'Oh my gosh, I can't have what happened to Robby happen to my family or my kids.'"

She soon took her sons to get vaccinated -- and not just for their own health. Nicholson wanted to minimize the risk of her children accidentally spreading the virus to others and causing a shortage of hospital resources -- just like Robby faced.

With so many Covid-19 patients in hospitals, she's particularly worried about her 17-year-old getting into a car crash.

"If he got in an accident, he wouldn't have the health care ... because they don't have the room, and they don't have the staff," Nicholson said.

"And that scares me more than anything with my kids right now."

Looking back, Nicholson said she has no regrets about getting her children vaccinated.

"The only regret I have is not doing it sooner," she said. "The only thing I can do to help what's going on right now is to get them vaccinated and just be careful."

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
WABASHA COUNTY, Minn. - A 40-year-old Hayfield man was killed Saturday during a motorcycle vs. semi accident.

The Minnesota State Patrol said it happened on Highway 42 and County Rd. 14 in Highland Township.

Joshua Peterson was northbound when his motorcycle collided with a semi that was going westbound. Peterson died in the crash.

The driver of the semi, Michael Hutchison, 42, of Plainview, was not injured.
MOOSE, Wyo. (AP)  Authorities say a body discovered Sunday in Wyoming is believed to be Gabrielle Gabby Petito.

The FBI said the body was found by law enforcement agents who had spent the past two days searching campgrounds.

The cause of death has not yet been determined, said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Charles Jones.

Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified, Jones said. This is an incredibly difficult time for (Petitos) family and friends.

An attorney who has been acting as a spokesman for the Petito family could not be reached immediately for comment.

An undeveloped camping area on the east side of Grand Teton bordering national forest land will remain closed until further notice while the investigation continues, Jones said.

Jones said investigators are still seeking information from anyone who may have seen Petito or Brian Laundrie around some camping sites located on Grand Teton National Park's eastern boundary, the same site that was the subject of law enforcement search efforts over the weekend.

Petito and her boyfriend, Laundrie, left in July on a cross-country trek in a converted van to visit national parks in the U.S. West. Police said Laundrie was alone when he drove the van back to his parents home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1.

Laundrie has been identified as a person of interest in the case. He was last seen Tuesday by family members in Florida.

More than 50 law enforcement officers on Sunday started a second day of searching for Laundrie at the more than 24,000-acre (9,712-hectare) Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, Florida, a wildlife area with more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of trails, as well as campgrounds.

Petitos family filed a missing persons report Sept. 11 with police in Suffolk County, New York.

Petitos family had been pleading for the Laundrie family to tell them where their son last saw her. Petito and Laundrie were childhood sweethearts who met while growing up on Long Island, New York. His parents later moved to North Port, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) south of Sarasota.

The couples trek in the Ford Transit van began in July from Long Island. They intended to reach Oregon by the end of October, according to their social media accounts, but Petito vanished after her last known contact with family in late August from Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, authorities said.

Police video released by the Moab Police Department in Utah showed that an officer pulled the van over on Aug. 12 after it was seen speeding and hitting a curb near the entrance to Arches National Park. The body cam video showed an emotional Petito, who sat inside a police cruiser while officers also questioned Laundrie.

Moab police ultimately decided not file any charges and instead separated the couple for the night, with Laundrie checking into a motel and Petito remaining with the converted sleeper van.

BREAKING: Officials say human remains were found earlier today consistent with the description of missing 22-year-old Gabby Petito. pic.twitter.com/FcOD93Sbi6

 CBS News (@CBSNews) September 19, 2021
ROCHESTER, Minn.- Workforce unions protested outside an AT&T store in Rochester on Saturday to keep it unionized. The retailer's Crossroads Drive SW location is set to close soon and eventually reopen as a non-unionized store.

According to Kieran Knutson, the president of Communications Workers of America Local 7250, half a dozen of its staff will lose their jobs and be replaced with employees who Knutson believes will have substandard wages and benefits.

"I've worked with the workers that have gone through this before. It's very disruptive to their lives, it's very disruptive to their plans, and I know it means going forward there won't be a unionized retailer in the city for young people to apply for," explains Knutson.

Larry Thompson whose a retail sales consultant with the company says he thinks the telecommunications company is focused more on profits and less on employees. Thompson also thinks the non-unionized retailer will impact customer experience.

"They're not trained. There not staffed. Us as corporate-owned employees are heavily trained, heavily staffed. We are trained for any above and beyond situations."

KIMT News 3 has reached out to AT&T. They tell the station "As we have previously announced, we are transforming our business. that includes adjusting our retail presence to reflect our customers' shopping practices. While these plans are not new, they have been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic."

The company says all frontline union-represented employees will be offered a role either in a nearby retail store or as a work-from-home call center representative. Others will be encouraged to apply for open roles in other parts of the business.
ROCHESTER, Minn.  Emergency crews responded to two building fires Saturday morning.

The Rochester Fire Department says the first happened just after 3 am in the 1900 block of Marion Road SE. A trailer at Bobs Mobile Home Park caught on fire and firefighters say they arrived to find the trailer being consumed by flames and the fire having spread to a nearby shed.

No injuries are reported from this blaze but the trailer and shed are being considered total losses.

Battalion Chief 3, Engines 1, 2, 5, 16, Truck 12, and Assistant Fire Marshals 4 all responded to the Marion Road fire with assistance from the Rochester Police Department and Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service.

Another blaze was then reported around 6:30 am Saturday in the 300 block of 27th Street NE. Rochester firefighters say a recreational fire spread to a detached garage behind an apartment building. No injuries are reported but flames caused an estimated $20,000 in damage.

Battalion Chief 3, Engines 1, 2,4,16, Truck 42, & Assistant Fire Marshals 4 were called out to this fire and were assisted by Rochester police and Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service.
DEL RIO, Texas (AP)  Hoping to stop the flow of migrants, the United States on Sunday tried to block the Mexican border at an isolated Texas town where thousands of Haitian refugees have set up a camp, but the migrants quickly found other ways to cross nearby.

The attempted border closure happened as officials also began flying some of the migrants back to their homeland.

About a dozen Texas Department of Public Safety vehicles lined up near the bridge and river where Haitians have been crossing from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, into Del Rio, Texas, for almost three weeks. Yellow police tape was being used to block them from using a small dam to walk into the U.S.

A Mexican police officer on the Mexican side of the border said migrants will not be allowed to cross anymore. He would not give his name. But an Associated Press reporter saw Haitian immigrants still crossing the river into the U.S. about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) east of the previous spot.

Several hundred were sitting along the river bank on the U.S. side as 50 to 60 at a time made the crossing to and from Mexico through waist-deep water. There were a few U.S. officers observing the crossings, but taking no steps to stop them.

Many of the migrants have lived in Latin America for years, but they are now are seeking asylum in the U.S. as economic opportunities in Brazil and elsewhere dry up. Thousands are living under and near a bridge in Del Rio.

Meanwhile, the U.S. sent three flights of Haitians taken from Del Rio back to their homeland, and that number is expected to reach at least six per day shortly, according to a U.S. government official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not allowed to discuss the issue publicly. The planes left San Antonio and were expected to arrive Sunday afternoon in Port-au-Prince, Haitis capital.

A large number of buses arrived Sunday in Del Rio, and many, many more are coming to transfer Haitians to expulsion flights, U.S. immigration detention centers and Border Patrol holding facilities. Departure cities for Haiti-bound flights have yet to be finalized and are being actively planned," the official said.

The blockade and deportations are in response to the sudden arrival of Haitians in Del Rio, a Texas city of about 35,000 people roughly 145 miles (230 kilometers) west of San Antonio. It sits on a relatively remote stretch of border that lacks capacity to hold and process such large numbers of people.

At the Port-au-Prince airport Sunday, about a dozen officials from various Haitian government agencies gathered to meet with the deported Haitians. Public security officials with the Ministry of Justice requested the presence of Haitis national police to prevent any potential violence.

A minibus from the International Organization of Migration also was posted at the airport. It was filled with brightly colored bags containing toiletries, hand sanitizer and hair ties.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry wrote Sunday on Twitter that he is concerned about conditions at the border camp and that the migrants would be welcomed back.

We want to reassure them that measures have already been taken to give them a better welcome upon their return to the country and that they will not be left behind, he tweeted. Henry did not provide details about the measures. A Haitian government spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment.

But another Haitian political leader questioned Sunday whether the nation could handle an influx of returning migrants and said the government should stop the repatriation.

We have the situation in the south with the earthquake. The economy is a disaster, (and) there are no jobs, Election Minister Mathias Pierre said, adding that most Haitians cant satisfy basic needs. The prime minister should negotiate with the U.S. government to stop those deportations in this moment of crises.

Some of the migrants at the Del Rio camp said the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise make them afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

In Haiti, there is no security, said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived in Texas with his wife and two daughters. The country is in a political crisis.

Scores of people waded back and forth across the Rio Grande on Saturday, re-entering Mexico to purchase water, food and diapers in Ciudad Acuna before returning to the Texas encampment. With that route now blocked, that area of the Mexican city was now deserted but Haitians could be found near their new crossing spot.

Migrant Charlie Jean had crossed back into Ciudad Acuna to get food for his wife and three daughters, ages 2, 5 and 12. He was waiting for a restaurant to bring him an order of rice.

We need food for every day. I can go without, but my kids cant," said Jean, who had been living in Chile for five years before beginning the trek north to the U.S.

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating 2010 earthquake. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

Crowd estimates varied, but Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano said Saturday evening there were more than 14,500 immigrants at the camp under the bridge. Migrants pitched tents and built makeshift shelters from giant reeds known as carrizo cane. Many bathed and washed clothing in the river.

It is unclear how such a large number amassed so quickly, though many Haitians have been assembling in camps on the Mexican side of the border to wait while deciding whether to attempt entry into the U.S.
Weather Alert

...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 9 AM CDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog. * WHERE...Portions of west central Illinois and portions of central and northeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 1 AM to 9 AM CDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. &&


By Kim Hyun-bin



The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how major conglomerate chiefs spend their Chuseok holidays; instead of inspecting overseas plants or visiting prospective businesses, most are spending the fall harvest moon holiday under the radar with their families.



According to the industry, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who has been making frequent overseas business trips following his release from prison last month, plans to stay at home for Chuseok.





Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong

The vice chairman is known to have made frequent trips overseas during past Chuseok holidays. During Chuseok 2014, he went to the U.S., and right before he was sent to prison in January last year, he visited Brazil to inspect the local plants there. After last year's Chuseok, he visited the ASML headquarters in the Netherlands, as well as stopping by Switzerland and Vietnam.



Lee has been busy inspecting key affiliates after his release from prison on Aug. 13. The conglomerate announced plans to invest 240 trillion won in future growth just two weeks after his release.



But Lee is likely to stay in the country this year, as there have been some restrictions placed on the vice chairman returning to work due to his conditional release from prison. Also, there has been strong opposition from civic groups about Lee returning to work.



Industry watchers believe he will utilize the holiday to review the selection of a 20 trillion won semiconductor foundry plant site in the U.S., while looking into possible M&A deals to fuel future growth.



Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun is expected to focus on strategizing future management while spending time with family during the upcoming holiday. Global carmakers have suffered chip shortages leading to production delays. Chairman Chung is expected to inspect the chip shortage situation as well as local and overseas production and sales.





Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun
The passengers aboard a SpaceX capsule react as it parachutes into the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast, Sept. 18, in this image taken from SpaceX video. AP-Yonhap





Four civilians on SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission plummeted through Earth's atmosphere in a fiery re-entry Saturday evening and splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida.







Slowed by parachutes, the Crew Dragon capsule Resilience landed near Kennedy Space Center, where ships retrieved the crew for a brief helicopter flight to the former space shuttle landing facility.







Their return after almost three days marked the successful conclusion of the first privately funded orbital spaceflight, led by billionaire philanthropist Jared Isaacman.







He chose Memphis-based St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as the benefactor for a fundraising effort tied to the mission.







The heat shield of the capsule underwent extreme heat of over 1,900 degrees Celsius during reentry.







"Dragon itself is an extremely intelligent vehicle that is largely autonomous ... so the crew really just has to sit back and enjoy the flight," Andy Tran, SpaceX's avionics production supervisor, said during a live broadcast.







Recovery crews hoisted the capsule onto a recovery ship about 30 minutes after splashdown.







SpaceX announcers said the crew watched movies as they waited for recovery at sea, after days of medical research in microgravity and multiple calls to Earth, including conversations with patients at St. Jude and actor Tom Cruise.







"The water where we landed ... it's very calm," SpaceX engineer Jessie Anderson said during the livestream. "It's really a lot easier for the crew to perform the recovery operation ... we've had just great weather, all around."







As part of his vision to inspire others, Isaacman chose civilians for the crew: childhood cancer survivor and physician assistant Haley Arceneaux, 29, who was the mission medical officer; educator, artist and pilot Sian Proctor, 51; and engineer Chris Sembroski, 42.







The quartet of newly minted citizen astronauts comprising the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission safely splashes down in SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule off the coast of Kennedy Space Center, Florida, U.S., Sept. 18. Reuters-Yonhap





The livestream Saturday showed Isaacman and Proctor waving from their seats as the recovery crew entered the capsule.







Arceneaux emerged first, flashing a thumbs-up sign to the SpaceX crew, followed by Proctor, Sembroski and Isaacman. All appeared to be well.







On the ship after landing, mission director Scott Poteet said that the crew enjoyed the experience and had no significant problems.







"They're taking selfies; they're having a good time. They're eating, they're standing up walking around. It's just an amazing ride for everyone," Poteet said at a press conference.







The hatch that provided access to a large, domed window with views of Earth was open for many hours during the mission, Poteet said. He said the hatch was closed only when crew slept or used the lavatory on board.







"What is such an amazing thing about this mission is that it's not focused on the crew, [but] on the men and women of St. Jude and what they are doing day in and day out  literally changing the course of children's lives," he said.







He said the mission opened up a "whole new chapter in human spaceflight" because the public was able to see civilians in space. Reed said SpaceX has seen a jump in interest for commercial spaceflight mission sales.







Isaacman donated $100 million to St. Jude in honor of the Inspiration4 mission. SpaceX announcers said Saturday that the mission has raised an additional $60 million, but more is expected. (UPI)


Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. Thunder possible. High near 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain for the afternoon. Thunder possible. High around 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Hollywood star Tom Cruise got a sneak peek at what it's like to circle Earth in a SpaceX capsule. The actor recently took part in a call with the company's four space tourists orbiting more than 360 miles up. According To Fox News, representatives for SpaceX's first privately chartered flight revealed on Friday about Cruise's call. The conversation, between the actor and the space tourists, like the entire three-day flight, was private and hence no details were released. Prince Charles Recalls Last Conversation He Had With Late Father Prince Philip.

"Maverick, you can be our wingman anytime," read the announcement from the flight's Twitter feed. Cruise has starred as Navy pilot Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in the 1986 film 'Top Gun'. A sequel for the superhit movie will be coming out next year. Last year, NASA had confirmed it was in talks with Cruise about visiting the International Space Station for filming. SpaceX would provide the lift, as it does for NASA astronauts, and like it did on Wednesday night for the billionaire and Space X founder Elon Musk, who was up there with his two contest winners and a hospital worker. Belfast: Kenneth Branagh's Semi-Autobiographical, Black-And-White Drama Wins the People's Choice Award at Toronto International Film Festival.

As per Fox News, until this all-amateur crew, relatively few NASA astronauts have soared that high. The most recent were the shuttle astronauts who worked on the Hubble Space Telescope over multiple flights in the 1990s and 2000s. Besides talking space with Cruise, the four capsule passengers chatted with young cancer patients. Hayley Arceneaux, a childhood cancer survivor, led the conversation from orbit with patients from the hospital that saved her life almost 20 years ago, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The sister of an Irish-American fireman with Kildare links who died in the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers has warned more terror attacks could be caused by the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan.

US-born Sean Tallon (26), whose father Paddy was from Mountarmstrong in Donadea, died when a steel beam crushed him and colleagues in the North Tower of the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001.

Sean was a regular visitor to Kildare and his death inspired the construction of a 9/11 memorial to emergency workers in Donadea Forest Park. Speaking to mark the 20th anniversary on September 11, Seans older sister Rosaleen said she fears the shock return of the Taliban in Afghanistan will create a haven for terrorists.

Outspoken Rosaleen, who campaigns on behalf of victims and survivors, told the Leader: The Taliban are still the same Taliban that harbored Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Now Afghanistan will turn into a haven for terrorists and a horror of a life for the Afghanistan people, many of whom have never lived under the oppressive Taliban rule.

She added: I have no doubt that there will be future terrorist attacks. The Afghanistan area will again become a hornets nest for Islamic extremism.

Speaking about her Donadea-born dad, Rosaleen added: Dad was a mechanic at Kellys Garage in Kilcock before he came to America and met my mom Eileen.

He passed away from brain cancer in 2007. My mom is from Tullig, Millstreet, Co. Cork. Both my parents have sisters and brothers in Ireland.

We visited every year before the coronavirus. My children have no first cousins because Sean was my only sibling and my husband has no siblings. So, they have really loved getting to know their second cousins in Ireland.

Rosaleen, who said her family would be taking part in anniversary events in New York last weekend, said their strong faith has helped them cope with the tragedy.

Sean was a great brother. He was a US Marine and a NYC firefighter. It is wonderful to keep his memory alive.

Our faith is the only thing that helped and comforted my family after the horrors of that day. As we waited to get any notification of Seans recovery, it was our faith that kept us going.

And when we did recover part of him, it was our faith that got us through that as well. He was found crushed under a massive steel beam. However, he was found with a small group of firefighters and civilians, so we know he was certainly in the middle of doing his job when the North Tower collapsed with him inside. The priests of our parish and the whole community couldnt have been more comforting. This was Seans home parish and he loved being part of it.

Rosaleen also claimed US president Joe Biden will now share responsibility for whatever atrocities in the future stem from the Taliban takeover of power.

She added: He is trusting the Taliban? What next, the Taliban will have a seat in the United Nations? I am absolutely horrified.

These actions will have an impact on my childrens safety and security, and the safety and security of the children of Afghanistan and the world over.

How Biden did this makes absolutely no sense.

The Yonkers resident added: From the perspective of someone who lost a loved one on 9/11, we certainly had to go into Afghanistan and root out the terrorists, their training camps, and their enablers, the Taliban.

I am not sure why the US did not keep a force there to continue to support the Afghan people against these Islamic terrorists.

The 9/11 memorial at Donadea
THE government is to produce guidelines for rural homes by the end of the year, the Minister for Housing has said.

Theres huge opposition among local councillors to the proposed development plan, which would all but rule out any permission being given for once-off rural housing.

This is because of guidelines given in the National Planning Framework which will see the need for a functional or social requirement for houses on their own.

But councillors here feel this could spell economic ruin for farmers who want to sell land for single homes, or indeed allow sons or daughters to build on their land.

Asked about the opposition on a visit to Limerick recently, Minister Darragh OBrien said: Government will issue revised rural housing guidelines before the end of this year. Its been 10 or 11 years since these were updated. All of us want to see good planning. We want to see our cities and towns developed. But we need a balance too, to rural communities.

Our rural towns and villages are really important. Government has a town and village centre-first approach, and we are providing through that plan some funding to make it happen, he told the Limerick Leader.

The development plan as presented will likely rule out one-off homes as it must reflect the already-adopted National Planning Framework, which will govern the granting of planning permissions across the next decade at least.

But many local members, including notably Liam Galvin in Abbeyfeale, have said they will reject any strategy which would leave these type of units.

The Housing Minister said: Its important to note the development plan is a reserved function of the councillors themselves. Its their function to do it. We must be cognisant of the National Planning Framework and make sure into the future, we are planning towns, villages and our cities like Limerick to the best of our ability.

He said there will always be a role for rural housing.

I represent a community in Dublin where two-thirds of it is rural  small villages, farming families. So I am acutely aware of it, and how it can become an emotive subject. But we always have to do this in a planned and considered way too, Mr OBrien concluded.
TWO Limerick firms have been named among Ireland's best managed companies.

Adare agricultural firm Samco and Plassey engineering company H&MV are among 25 companies named in the Deloitte Ireland-run awards programme in 2021.

Samco Agricultural Manufacturing Ltd achieved platinum standard, having been named in the countdown for the seventh straight year.

While H&MV Engineering which is in the National Technology Park won for the first time.

Supported by the Bank of Ireland, the best managed companies programme this year saw the highest number of applicants in its 13 year history. It culminated in a virtual symposium and awards ceremony.

It exists to promotes and recognise excellence in companies owned and managed across the island.

It's the only awards scheme on the island of Ireland that considers a business performance from every perspective.

Entrants to the programme compete for the designation in a rigorous process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices in addition to the strategy, capability, innovation, culture and financial performance of their companies.

Anya Cummins, the lead partner for Irelands best managed companies awards programme at Deloitte Ireland said: The quality of the applicants demonstrated the extraordinarily high-quality businesses operating across the island of Ireland today. In a relentlessly challenging year, the winning companies displayed true bravery in how they adapted to change, with many innovating and some even accelerating their plans for their businesses.

The chief executive of Deloitte Ireland Harry Goddard said: This years winning companies had robust strategies in place prior to the pandemic, which enabled them to respond comprehensively to the changing situations they found themselves in. With no sector untouched by the impact of Covid-19, many companies remained committed to ensuring that they did not fall into the trap of doing things like they had always been done, just because that had worked in the past; in fact, many companies took the extraordinary challenge as an opportunity to develop and improve processes.

He continued: The judges noted that, despite the risk of falling into crisis mode and focusing solely on the immediate challenges facing their businesses, the winning companies were adept at maintaining a long-term view of where their organisations were going and a strong clarity of purpose on what the business was trying to achieve, and why.
A BRAND-NEW one-off documentary 'The Murder Files: The Killing of Jason Corbett' will air on Virgin Media One tomorrow night (Monday) featuring unseen police tapes and crime scene footage.

In August 2015, Limerick man Jason Corbett was found bludgeoned to death in his perfect, suburban all-American house. Those responsible, his beauty queen wife and her retired FBI agent father, insist that they acted in self-defence.

"However, Jason's family tell a very different version of events - that Molly Martens manipulated her way into the life of a vulnerable widow and killed him when he planned to leave with his kids.

"Now four years after the Martens murder convictions and with a date for a retrial for Molly and Tom Martens due to be announced soon the case has entered the public consciousness once again," said a spokesperson for Virgin Media One.

This one-off documentary tells the story from multiple perspectives of those closest to the case, featuring exclusive unseen police interviews with Molly and Tom Martens.

'The Murder Files: The Killing of Jason Corbett' airs on Monday, September 20 at 9pm on Virgin Media One.
THE team behind an array of iconic murals which have transformed the landscape of Limerick, have been named the Limerick Persons of the Month.

Draw Out - Urban Art were honoured for marking Limerick city as a national and international focal point for the highest quality street art.

One of the highlights of their work of course is the mural which was unveiled in April of the legendary Limerick lady, Dodo Reddan, real name Hanora Quirke, who was renowned for her two passions in life, her great love of dogs and rugby.

Draw Out is a project that grew out of work I was doing in communities, explained Catherine OHalloran, Managing Director of Draw Out who, along with other members of the team, was presented with the award at the Clayton Hotel.

Catherine was working with young people in communities in Limerick and was eager to engage them with art that they felt represented them and made sense to them.

We started playing around with murals, with street art, and then we engaged with artists and looked at derelict sites and the impact derelict sites had in terms of Regeneration in Limerick and then fused the two projects together.

The very first mural was unveiled in Ballynanty in 2012 - a beautiful piece depicting two women which is still there to this day.

Catherine, who is originally from St Marys Park and who now resides in Corbally, studied design and architecture in Limerick Senior College before becoming a psychotherapist.

She is very passionate about art.

Its very much part of my life and I really saw the therapeutic benefits of it for young people as well as in terms of wider community development, she said.

It was just a passion that grew. I saw as well there was a problem in Limerick with illegal graffiti and I proposed to the council a way of engaging young people if we created legal spaces and engaged them in projects like Draw Out and festivals like Make a Move, that we could channel that energy into something positive.

Catherine is always looking at new potential sites, always thinking about artists, and always researching other art forms that are emerging within street art.

My other work which is connected to Draw Out is Limerick City Build in which we work with disenfranchised young men across the city. The team thats involved in that then supports me in the work for Draw Out. Its a small enough team in Draw Out - a core team of less than 10 - but we really work hard behind the scenes because we dont have massive budgets for Draw Out every year. Its a labour of love for sure.

The group applies for any funding which they feel they could be entitled to.

When it comes to choosing a location for a mural, Catherine is adamant that it needs to be connected to a community of some kind.

If its in the city centre it needs to be highly visible - we are always scouting for locations. There are loads of things then that you have to consider - accessibility, whether there will be major road closures. Once we have found a good location I present that to the council to see how viable that is - is it public or private property. Based on the location, I come up with a concept around what would work best there and then the artist is sourced.

While the Draw Out team have long been recognised and praised for their eye-catching work including the Eye Scream mural and the mural to the late Dolores ORiordan, it was the mural to Dodo Reddan which brought them to a whole new level in terms of wider recognition.

Dodo, of course, was well known for her pram full of dogs. She rescued countless dozens of stray dogs throughout her life and had been caring for 24 dogs when she passed away following a short illness in September 1995.

Dodos other passion was rugby, and more specifically Young Munster RFC. She attended every game and was a regular at Thomond Park.

There were conversations for a long time in Limerick about how we would honour Dodo. There were talks of a statue, or a mural. Cllr Sarah Kiely was very instrumental in cementing that idea. For me, and the work that I do, I thought Dodo was a perfect character really - she was working class, she really personifies Limerick and its spirit and its essence. She was eccentric and she was a really strong woman. These are all the things I love to celebrate about Limerick, Catherine explained.

Artist Omin (pictured, below) was chosen to do the mural.

We had worked with a lot of the portrait artists in Ireland already and someone I had been eager to work with was Omin - he had done some work prior to that, very illustrative and loads of joy in his work, almost like childrens illustrations, story book telling which I thought would be perfect for a character like her and I think he did an amazing job, said Catherine of Omin who completed the work on site in a week.

There are, of course, plans for further works but its all top secret at the moment according to Catherine who thanked all those who have supported Draw Out in their work.

Thanks to all the artists we worked with throughout the years - its really on the basis of their talents and skills that we do what we do. Thanks to the communities we work with throughout the projects, and to Limerick City and County Council - the arts office in particular for the support they have given us. And finally thanks to Paul Foley who was the first person to support us and who was a mentor and partner in the initial stage of the project.
MAYOR of Limerick Daniel Butler has called out a racist tweet on social media, saying "We can never just ignore".

The mayor took to Twitter this Sunday morning to say he had to report a racist tweet for the first time.

The tweet, which has been seen by the Leader, was sent in response to a tweet by the Mayor about attending the Culture Night event "Beyond Blackness".

"Not aimed at me but at our African community some of whom attended this wonderful event. We can never just ignore. We must always act," said Mayor Butler.

I have had to report a racist tweet for the 1st time. Not aimed at me but at our African community some of whom attended this wonderful event.



We can never just ignore. We must always act. https://t.co/WS51xPm99d  Cllr Daniel Butler, Mayor of Limerick (@DanielButlerFG) September 19, 2021

Mayor Butler told the Leader this Sunday: "We pride ourselves in Limerick on our cultural diversity that has made us a better city and county. It fills me with immense pride to see so much culturally richness and count myself lucky to live amongst that diversity.' 'We define ourselves. We are not defined by others."

"Beyond Blackness" is an exploration of the contemporary Black experience in Ireland and the conflation of race, ethnicity and the homogenisation of the Black experience in discussions of cultural diversity in the Irish landscape.

Mayor Butler said the event was "excellent".

"I learned that we must allow the new Irish community define themselves. We should ask them how they wish to define themselves and not decide ourselves or assume ourselves," said the mayor.
VALENTIA Coast Guard requested Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat to launch to assist seven people on a 45ft cruiser aground this Sunday afternoon.

While enroute, Valentia reported a further three people in need of assistance on a 30ft cruiser aground.

At 1.35pm, the lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Owen Cavanagh, crew Steve Smyth, Tom Hayes and Michael OSullivan on board.

"At 2.08pm the lifeboat had the casualty vessel in sight. It was aground on a shoal near Navigation Mark G on the Tipperary shore. Marine engineers from the cruise hire company arrived on scene at the same time.

"The lifeboat remained on standby until the engineers had the cruiser off the shoal and the scene was safe. At 2.30pm the lifeboat departed to assist the three people on the second vessel aground," said a Lough Derg RNLI spokesperson.

At 2.45pm the lifeboat arrived on scene to a 30ft vessel aground off the Goat Road, a raised shoal for migrating birds.

"The lifeboat found all three people to be safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. The lifeboat transferred two RNLI volunteers across to the casualty vessel, who reported back that the vessel was not holed.

"Given the weather conditions, the RNLI helm decided that the safest course of action was to take the cruiser off the rocks and out into safe water.

"At 2.52pm the lifeboat had the cruiser off the shoal and out into safe water, where the drives and rudder were found to be in good working order. The RNLI volunteers transferred back to the lifeboat and the cruiser continued its passage under its own power," said the spokesperson.

At 3.08pm the lifeboat departed the scene and was back at station at 3.24pm.

Christine OMalley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI, advises water users unfamiliar with Lough Derg to "plan your passage and keep a lookout for the next navigation mark on your route. Plan your course to arrive at safe harbour before nightfall".
ULFM, the university radio station based at the University of Limerick is celebrating 10 years on air this September.

To make the milestone, the student-led station which is located in the Student Life Centre will be broadcasting a week of online shows to reminisce on its history and various successes throughout the years.

From tomorrow, a number of alumni will be returning for one off special programmes. Discussions such as the importance of student media and student related issues will also be a theme for the event.

Celebrations will kick off at 10am Monday with a full day of broadcasting in store followed by Tuesdays lineup of shows from 10am to 4pm on ULFMs history and a look down through the years with founding members, alumni, current and former Union officers.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ULFM (@ul_fm)



Wednesday, September 22 will play host to an intervarsity event in which student radio stations from across the country will collaborate with ULFM for a day of fundraising shows in aid of local charity, Doras Luimni.

A 12-hour broadcast will take over the airwaves between 9am and 9pm on Thursday, September 23, in aid of Limericks Gateway to Education with shows from a number of clubs and societies and ULFM members.

The celebrations will wrap up next Friday with one of ULFMs famous Discord server quizzes.

The weeks events will be livestreamed on the ULFM Facebook.



Established in 2011 by the then ULSU Communications Officer, Kelly OBrien, the station is run by a number of elected student volunteers who make up a committee divided into technical and administration teams.

ULFM prides itself on its policy of no experience is necessary, welcoming students from all courses and backgrounds to broadcast their passions and interests on air.

If you want to get involved, sign up at the ULFM Wolves site now.
Pakistan paid a "very heavy price" of siding with the US in its occupation of Afghanistan, said Prime Minister Imran Khan, adding that hearing American politicians blame Islamabad for its humiliating retreat hurts.

In an interview with Russia's RT, Khan expressed his anger towards American officials who have pointed fingers at Islamabad when apportioning blame for the US failure in Afghanistan.

His remarks come after the recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings as an example of this frustrating rhetoric where US lawmakers accused Pakistan of facilitating Taliban.

"As a Pakistani, I felt deeply hurt by some of the remarks made by those senators. To blame Pakistan for this debacle in Afghanistan is the most painful thing for us to listen to," he said.

Pakistan was in a tremulous situation when the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred in the US. Pervez Musharraf, a general who'd come to power through a military coup, had just been elected president and was seeking US assistance for his government. Committing Pakistani support to the invasion of Afghanistan helped secure American military aid, but, Khan believes, was still a wrong call.

It alienated the mujahideen forces, which the Pakistani intelligence helped build up just two decades ago as part of the US anti-Soviet campaign in Afghanistan.

"We have trained them to fight against foreign occupation. It was a holy war, a jihad," he said. And with the Americans invading, Pakistan was telling the same people that "a fight against the Americans was terrorism. So they turned against us. They called us collaborators."

Early this week, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken confronted a barrage of questions from US lawmakers about last month's withdrawal from Afghanistan and the attempts to rescue people and deal with a future Taliban government.

Lawmakers cutting across the party lines demanded more severe action against Islamabad for its subversive role in Afghanistan.

The top two members of the committee, New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez and Idaho Republican James Risch, both assailed the withdrawal as a debacle in their opening remarks and demanded action against Pakistan for "double-dealing in Afghanistan".

Bob Menendez Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee asserted: "We need to understand the double-dealing by Pakistan and providing a safe haven to the Taliban."

Republican Senator James Risch said that he was concerned over the Biden administration rushing to normalise ties with the Taliban government and how it must not occur without extensive congressional consultations. "We also must understand Pakistan's role in this entire matter, as the Chairman (Mendez) has alluded to. This is a difficult but important situation."

US Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida, spoke at the hearing telling Secretary of State Antony Blinken that "the Biden Administration's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan is evidence" that "we have got the wrong people making military and diplomacy decisions in our government."

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday informed that his government has started negotiations with the Taliban to form an inclusive government in Afghanistan .

Khan's remarks came following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting held in Dushanbe, where SCO members thoroughly discussed issues associated with Afghanistan.

"After long meetings in Dushanbe with leaders of Afghanistan's neighbors, especially with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, I have begun negotiations with the Taliban for the inclusion of the Tajik, Hazara and Uzbek communities in the Afghan government for an inclusive government," Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a tweet.

These developments came when Pakistan itself is being slammed by the international community for not safeguarding the interest of minorities in the country.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Islamabad had supported the Taliban in the siege Of Afghanistan.

In August, the Taliban ousted the democratically elected government in the country and announced a caretaker government that will administer the Sharia law.

The situation in Afghanistan has continuously been deteriorating since the Taliban takeover.

Earlier, Pakistan Imran Khan had also said that if the US does not hold talks with the Taliban and take a positive stance on its recognition it could escalate difficulties in the region, local media reported.

Khan expressed that the US war against terrorism was "disastrous" for Pakistan as Washington used Islamabad like a "hired gun" during their 20-year presence in Afghanistan. "We (Pakistan) were like a hired gun."

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
A senior US trade official privately criticised India's July decision to ban Mastercard In c from issuing new cards, calling it a "draconian" move that caused "panic", according to US government emails seen by Reuters.

The documents show frustration within the US government after India's central bank banned new card issuance by American Express and Diners Club International in April, then took similar action against Mastercard in July.

The Reserve Bank of India accuses the companies of breaking local data-storage rules. The bans do not affect existing customers.

The ban on Mastercard - a top payment network in India alongside Visa - triggered a flurry of emails between US officials in Washington and India as they discussed next steps with Mastercard, including approaching the RBI, the government emails show.

"We've started hearing from stakeholders about some pretty draconian measures that the RBI has taken over the past couple days," Brendan A. Lynch, the deputy assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia, wrote on July 16, two days after the Mastercard announcement.

"It sounds like some others (Amex, Diners) may have been impacted by similar actions recently," wrote Lynch, asking his colleagues in India to get in touch with their central bank contacts "to see what's going on".

Lynch, spokespeople for the Office of the US Trade Representative and the US Embassy in New Delhi did not respond to requests for comment. The US government has not publicly commented on the Mastercard ban.

The RBI did not immediately respond.

A Mastercard spokesman told Reuters, "We've had very constructive engagements with the Indian and US governments over the past few weeks and appreciate the support of both." This includes discussions with the RBI, and Mastercard has "made good progress" as it looks to resolve the situation quickly, he said.

"PANIC", "FULL COURT PRESS"

Mastercard counts India as a key growth market. In 2019 it said it was "bullish on India", a country where it has made major investment bets and built research and technology centres.

The Mastercard ban rattled the company and upset India's financial sector as Indian partner banks fear a hit to their income as they struggle to swiftly partner with new networks to offer cards.

The RBI acted against Mastercard because it was "found to be non-compliant" with the 2018 rules despite the "lapse of considerable time and adequate opportunities".

The rules, requiring foreign card networks to store Indian payments data locally for "unfettered supervisory access", were implemented after failed lobbying efforts of U.S. firms also soured trade ties between New Delhi and Washington.

Mastercard has said it was "disappointed" with the decision. The company has told Reuters it had submitted an additional audit report to the RBI before the ban took effect on July 22.

The US government emails show there was hope things could be sorted out before that.

In one, Lynch told colleagues the understanding was that "the RBI has info they need and are hopeful that they will respond appropriately." But as the ban approached, "if the RBI doesn't change course, I'm sure the panic will resume," he wrote.

Days later, he wrote that Mastercard was continuing "to put on the full court press" in Washington.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
Click here to read the full article.

In multiple interviews over the years, British filmmaker Terence Davies has baldly stated that being gay has ruined his life: I hate it, Ill go to my grave hating it  it has killed part of my soul, he said in 2011, adding that his sexuality is the reason he remains single and celibate. Davies professed loneliness and sensitivity has bled through many of his films, wistfully entrenched as they often are in an unattainable past, most recently in a series of female-centered character studies: his swooningly melodramatic, cut-glass adaptation of Terence Rattigans The Deep Blue Sea, his amber-cast farm drama Sunset Song and his mannered, internalized Emily Dickinson portrait A Quiet Passion. Yet Davies has never directly addressed homosexuality in his oeuvre, for all its queer undercurrents; that its so openly and sensually a part of his intricate, intensely felt new film Benediction is the first of its many surprises.

For his second consecutive biopic of a major poet, Davies has selected a pointed subject through which to probe his own complex relationship to sex, faith and art. A decorated British soldier in the First World War, Siegfried Sassoon achieved renown as a poet via impassioned anti-war verses that landed him in a military psychiatric hospital; later, he emerged from the closet to live with unusual openness as a gay man amid the Bright Young Things of 1920s London, before retreating into heterosexual marriage and fatherhood, and converting late in life to Catholicism.

Benediction spans all these conflicting stages of Sassoons life, not as an arc but as a restless dialogue between stages of youth and old age, trying in vain to pin down the period at which a man is most himself. The result is breathtakingly vast and flawed, moving in all senses of the word. For a film still characterized by Davies stately formalism, Benediction feels constantly in anguished, searching motion. Not everything works, least of all in the blunt transitions between Sassoons younger years, embodied by a tenderly pained, deep-feeling Jack Lowden, and his dried-out dotage, where Peter Capaldi plays him with an embittered, permanently set snarl. But this is the rare biopic that makes a virtue of trying to view a life in full, as opposed to zeroing in on a single telling moment in time: Over its roomy, expansive running time, Benediction rather devastatingly shows how we become strangers to ourselves as the years march by.

The film begins, a little stiffly, in London at the outset of the not-so-Great War: Lowdens voiceover drolly alludes to blinkered English idealism (God was in his heaven and there were sausages for breakfast), though from the beginning, his performance suggests Sassoons guarded skepticism of the world around him. His time in battle  evoked only through recurring archival montage, set either to ironic popular music selections or Lowdens whole-hearted readings of Sassoons poems and letters  does little to remedy that. When, after sending his Soldiers Declaration of protest against service to his commanding officers, he is sent to an Edinburgh military sanatorium, he explains to his compassionate therapist Dr. Rivers (Ben Daniels) that he seeks only peace of mind, contentment, to no longer search for whats lost. Itll be a lifelong quest, and an unresolved one at that.

Its while hospitalized, however, that Sassoons sexuality comes to the fore, discreetly perceived and coaxed out by the gay, closeted Rivers and given expression in his intimate friendship with the young, doomed anti-war poet Wilfred Owen (Matthew Tennyson): A rippling overhead shot of their two bodies brushing each other in a swimming pool is among the loveliest single images conjured here by Davies and cinematographer Nicola Daley, and our first indication that Benediction is about to enter unexpectedly frank, tactile queer territory.

Sassoons subsequent relationships and dalliances with men of social distinction never match the purity of this first love. An extended romance with entertainer Ivor Novello (an inventively cast, kohl-eyed Jeremy Irvine, dishing out caustic bon mots with an elegant, exhausted shrug) awakens his most carnal impulses but turns toxic; fulfillment continues to elude him in flings with the narcissistic socialite Stephen Tennant (Calam Lynch) and gentle, retiring actor Glen Byam Shaw (Tom Blyth). In depicting this queer fraternity, briefly luminous in British high society, Davies writing sharply resorts to the same arch, brittle wit that he favored, to more stilted and inauthentic effect, in A Quiet Passion. Here, one senses the filmmaker articulating his own sense of alienation from a brotherhood hes found cruel and unaccepting, as Sassoon himself turns from it, and into the arms of his eventual bride: bright, kind Hester Gatty (Kate Phillips, excellent), whos under no delusions about his true affections.

You must redeem my life for me, he implores her. Its an impossible ask of anyone, and as the film brusquely cuts to scenes of the couple (now played by Capaldi and Gemma Jones) in their joint old age  in reality, the marriage was marked by a significant age gap and ended far sooner  theres scarcely any life left for redemption. Theres minimal connective tissue in the script between Lowdens febrile, emotionally overwhelmed Sassoon and Capaldis stultified husk of him, seething at everyone from Hester to their long-suffering son George (Richard Goulding) to the Catholic iteration of God he has fruitlessly embraced. (Davies, famously a lapsed Catholic, cant resist throwing in a few choice one-liners at the religions expense: You can get permanence from dressage without the guilt, chides George.)

If the cross-cutting between these two Sassoons never fully convinces, its because Davies script rather stacks the deck against the films elder version, whose world is so much less richly drawn and detailed, and even less caringly lit. (While Davies recent embrace of digital lensing often yields meticulously textured, sculpturally shadowed rewards here, it can as easily turn to bland harshness.) But if one feels in the filmmaking a fury against aging that may not entirely be Sassoons own, Benediction is largely ravishing when it sides with Lowden, whose physically fervid, vocally commanding performance reaches silent apotheosis  his face gradually folded, distorted, transformed by unleashed grief for himself and others  during the films quite staggering symphonic climax.

Theres an accompanying, exquisitely delivered poem for this sequence, though crucially, its not one of Sassoons. Brilliantly filling the negative space of an earlier scene in which it is silently read but not heard, Davies finds all he wants to say in the lines of Disabled, Owens gorgeous, devastated ode to a ruined veteran: How late it is! Why dont they come/And put him into bed? Why dont they come? The terror and poetry of aloneness  not just in the world, but in oneself  courses through this thorny, ornery, wonderful film, in which Davies at once holds a magnifying glass to a fellow artist, and a mirror to himself.

Reviewed at San Sebastian Film Festival (Competition), Sept. 18, 2021. (Also in Toronto Film Festival.) Running time: 137 MIN.

Running Time: Running time: 137 MIN.

Production

(U.K.) A British Film Institute, BBC Films, Creative England presentation of an EMU Films production. (World sales: Bankside Films, London.) Producer: Michel Elliott. Executive producers: Paul Ashton, Margarethe Baillou, Norman Merry, Lizzie Francke, Rose Garnett, Jim Mooney, John Taylor, Walli Ullah, Jack Lowden, Peter Hampden. Co-producer: Deborah Aston.

Crew

Director, writer: Terence Davies: Camera: Nicola Daley. Editor: Alex Mackie.

With

Jack Lowden, Peter Capaldi, Jeremy Irvine, Calam Lynch, Tom Blyth, Simon Russell Beale, Matthew Tennyson, Kate Phillips, Ben Daniels, Geraldine James, Gemma Jones, Julian Sands, Suzanne Bertish, Lia Williams.

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.

Camila Comes Out at Night, which plays in main competition this weekend at San Sebastian, begins with teen Camila in a museum, gazing at a ancient photo. Its of an indigenous Paraguayan girl, Nina Ache, who was captured by colonialists, made to work as a servant and finally interned in a psychiatric ward for her strong sexual tendencies, the text next to the photo reads.

The third solo feature of Ines Barrionuevo, Camila Comes Out Tonight goes on to ask if the fate of young women in modern Argentina has really changed out of all recognition. At first, as the pugnacious, mature for her age Camila transfers from her liberal high school in Mar del Plata to a traditionalist institution in Buenos Aires, Camila seems a straight-arrow coming of age tale as she discovers the citys cool hip-hop clubs, does drugs and falls for Clara, a classmate. But when she falls victim to physical sexual abuse from the male school bully, Camila broadens it compass and gains in contemporary edge to take in Argentinas Marea Verde  Green Tide  of street protests against Argentinas abortion laws, some of the most restrictive in the world. The question becomes if Clara, having already been suspended for calling out the Catholic Church a dictatorship, will take this revolution back to her own school.

Variety chatted to Barrionuevo as Camila Comes Out at Night world premiered at San Sebastian.

In Camila Comes Out Tonight, you return to a world of teenagers but portray a youth which is a near generation younger. Theres a sense of admiration in the portrayal  of how Camila forms part of a youth which takes to the streets to protest and stands up for her ethics in her own life. Could you comment?

An Argentine generation has grown from a feminist construct, from attending demonstrations to the Marea Verde. This generation of very young girls, who spent whole nights at vigils as part of the campaign for the legalization of abortion, which until very recently was illegal in Argentina. Its a generation that I admire and respect: Theres a very large contrast with my generation in questions of conquered freedoms. This is Camilas kitchen, what this character feeds on simply living in a world of expanded liberty, but where there are still more freedoms to conquer. This is whats happening in Argentina today.

The film was also your first solo feature written with a co-screenwriter, Andres Aloi. How was this experience for an auteur?

It was a gratifying process, the coming and going with Andres Aloi. Co-writing means you can comment with whom youre writing about the characters, their lives and habits as if they were alive its not just part of your own inner depth where the characters fly over your head but is shared.

What guidelines did you have when directing Camila Comes Out at Night?

Always observe what Camila is observing and see the world through her eyes. See life as she sees it. Respect characters when it comes to framing, being faithful to them as it were. Its a difficult concept to get across, but it happens when you place the camera and feel youre being fair to the character and dont want to show them via effects. Then a simple mise en scene but one which has an almost tactile charm, something that could be touched.

You made your debut feature in 2014 with the memorable Atlantida. How has Argentine cinema changed since then and do women now play a larger part of it?

Atlantida now seems a long time ago and very innocent. But it did portray a specific time in the 80s in a village in Argentina. Camila is the today and now. It was a challenge thinking about a generation which was still coming into being and vertiginous portraying it without a naturalism or [direct] loyalty to what I was seeing, but rather creating my own take on this generation.

Women still have a lot to conquer in the world and in cinema. But there have been advances in labor market presence and a trend which reflects this. If this serves to give work to women, then its welcome. But theres still a long  a very long  way to go for women to occupy the same positions as men and for labor conditions to be the same.

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Ahead of the release of the Beatles expanded edition of Let It Be, Universal Music has shared four of the unreleased alternate takes and new mixes from the upcoming deep dive into the 1970 LP.

On Friday, the Beatles YouTube uploaded the reissues Get Back (Take 8), One After 909 (Take 3), as well as producer Glyn Johns 1970 mix for I Me Mine and a new 2021 mix of Across The Universe.

The 5CD/6LP deluxe Let It Be reissue, due out October 15th, features 27 previously unreleased session recordings in total, including Johns 14-song Get Back LP complete with his original mixes. Other highlights include a loose band rendition of George Harrisons All Things Must Pass, early takes on Abbey Road tracks like Something and Oh Darling! and John Lennons run-through of his eventual solo song Gimme Some Truth.

I see Let It Be as a married couple whose relationship has become stale, producer George Martins son Giles Martin recently told Rolling Stone. They say, what we need to do is go back to the old place and go on those dates we used to go on. But doing that, they realize that the place was just old, and they didnt have anything to talk about anyway. We need to get our sex life back, lets go to that club again, but then realizing the musics too loud. And what they need to do is move on to something like Abbey Road.

In addition to the Let It Be reissue, director Peter Jackson will release his six-hour docuseries Get Back  created with unseen film footage from the Let It Be sessions  this Thanksgiving on Disney+. A companion book with photos and transcripts from the sessions, The Beatles: Get Back, is also due out in October.
Click here to read the full article.

Somewhere in the land of worn-out metaphors, theres a drawer overflowing with love letters from all the filmmakers who ever thought to make cinema of the making of cinema. But it feels inadequate to file Zhang Yimous One Second alongside those when it is the most direct and heartfelt valentine to the medium the revered Fifth Generation filmmaker has ever composed  even though, in the four decades between his 1981 debut Red Sorghum and this years Cliff Walkers, he has rarely made a film that could be considered anything but.

This time, in language as simple and lovely as a close-up on Liu Haocuns grimy, radiant face and in sentences made from strips of sticky celluloid glinting in a projectors glare as they dry, cinema has written back. One Second is not just about the magic of the movies, its about their resilience, and so its fitting  even moving  that despite the omissions and additions that have been mandated by the Chinese censors since it was yanked from the 2019 Berlinale competition, the film survives so soulfully. Its been reedited and partially reshot, but its essence is intact, and anyway, despite the heavy hand of censorship inking out some of the more ardent passages, and a two-and-a-half-year delay in the love-letters delivery, if you hold it up to the light, you can still read what was originally written there.

In marked contrast to the convolutions and intricacies that have so constricted Zhangs last few visually spectacular but emotionally remote genre entries, theres an almost silent-movie simplicity to the plotting here. It is 1975 and an unnamed fugitive from a prison camp (Zhang Yi, also in Cliff Walkers) is staggering through the desert. In a nothing-town nearby, a traveling movie show run by Mr. Movie (Fan Wei), the Worlds Greatest Projectionist, according to the slogan on his tea mug, has just wrapped up for the night. And in the alley behind the small temporary cinema, lurks Liu (Liu Haocun, confirming her Cliff Walkers promise), an orphan girl with scarecrow hair, ready to pounce on the reels of film that Mr. Movies slow-witted son has left unguarded.

Liu pounces. The fugitive catches her in the act of snaffling reel six of the 1964 propaganda film Heroic Sons and Daughters which Mr. Movie, at least a lip-serving Party man, has been touring for years now. In the unforgiving terrain which Zhao Xiaodings superb camerawork captures in enormous wides that are not just attuned to its dusty, shifting-sand magnificence but also to its potential for absurdist comedy, the orphan and the fugitive act out their Buster Keaton-style chase antics. And in the process of getting the reel back to a grateful but wary Mr. Movie, a grudging Paper Moon bond is formed, that is expressively but not over-sentimentally played by the two actors.

Each of the three principals has a different reason for coveting the film reel, and you can read each of them as symbolic of a different aspect of what film meant to Chinese society at the time. Pragmatic, poverty-stricken Liu wants the actual, practical stuff of it  the celluloid  as material to recycle into something else. Mr. Movie is a showman who prides himself on his professionalism both in his commitment to the art form and its co-opting for political ends  naturally he wants to project the completed film in all its prideful, propagandist glory. Of all three, the fugitive is the one with the most romantic, and also most delusional reason for going after the reel: he believes it might contain footage of his long-estranged teenaged daughter.

As it happens, the section Liu steals is not the one the fugitive is looking for. That newsreel, as dumb luck would have it, has been accidentally unravelled and dragged through the dust and mud. It will take the concerted efforts of a whole village to clean and reassemble it  sequences Zhang shoots with a trademark mix of tactile tenderness and epic visual flair. In his hands, the procession of the townspeople into the hall, the hoisting of the sheet for use as a screen, and the painstaking restoration of the embattled footage all become stanzas in a touchingly bittersweet poem about cinema as an illusion fabricated from real, tangible elements  plastics and sprockets and toxic chemicals  that still needs an act of willful collective faith to function.

Two Years Later reads the title that introduces a coda which, were you the gambling type, you would bet the farm on not having been part of the original film. You could almost suspect Zhang of meta-commentary given that its more than two years since One Second, as it was first conceived, was due to premiere. But though there are obvious compromises made in regard to its commentary on the waning Cultural Revolution era in which it takes place (Things are really changing now! says a chirpy official in the postscript) look closely enough and the movie, by its shape and especially the rhythm of Du Yuans droll, pacy editing, still tells the story it wants to tell. And the surprise, perhaps, is that it is an ambivalent one: Zhang has been a cinematic master for decades but One Second shows he knows the movies are also his mistress, and a harsh and sometimes unworthy mistress at that. Its hard not to read some element of rueful self-critique into a film that is not only a loving celebration of cinema but also a warning about the potential for the misuse of its intoxications, as well as a distinctly pointed jab at every foolish dreamer who has ever turned away from a real, live thing to instead go chasing a trick of the light.

Reviewed in San Sebastian Film Festival, Sept. 18, 2021. (Also in Toronto Film Festival.)Running time: 103 MIN. (Original title: Yi miao zhong)

Running Time: Running time: 103 MIN.

Production

(China) A Huanxi MediaGroup, Edko Films production. (World sales: Wild Bunch, Berlin.) Producers: Dong Ping, William Kong, Pang Liwei.

Crew

Director: Zhang Yimou. Screenplay: Zhang, Zou Jingzhi, Zhou Xiaofeng. Camera: Zhao Xiaoding. Editor: Du Yuan. Music: Lao Zai.

With

Zhang Yi, Liu Haocun, Fan Wei. (Mandarin dialogue)

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
LONDON (AP)  When Prince Philip died nearly six months ago at 99, the tributes poured in from far and wide, praising him for his supportive role at the side of Queen Elizabeth II over her near 70-year reign.

Now, it has emerged that Philip had another crucial role within the royal family. He was the family's barbecue king  perhaps testament to his Greek heritage.

He adored barbecuing and he turned that into an interesting art form, his oldest son Prince Charles said in a BBC tribute program that will be broadcast on Wednesday. "And if I ever tried to do it he ... I could never get the fire to light or something ghastly, so (hed say): Go away!

In excerpts of 'Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers' released late Saturday, members of the royal family spoke admiringly of the late Duke of Edinburgh's barbecuing skills and his love of cookery shows, with the Hairy Bikers Si King and Dave Myers among his favourites.

Every barbecue that Ive ever been on, the Duke of Edinburgh has been there cooking," said Prince William, Philip's oldest grandson. Hes definitely a dab hand at the barbecue ... I can safely say theres never been a case of food poisoning in the family thats attributed to the Duke of Edinburgh.

More than a dozen royals including all four of the queen and Philips children  Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward  and their adult grandchildren, including Charles' two sons, William and Prince Harry, took part in the one-hour program. The program, which was filmed before and after Philip's death on April 9, was originally conceived to mark his 100th birthday in June,

The 95-year-old queen was not interviewed but granted special access to her private film collection. Nor were the spouses of Philip's grandchildren, including Harry's wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.

Harry, who stepped down from royal duties last year and moved to California, spoke for the first time about how the Duke of Edinburgh gave him the space to talk about serving in Afghanistan. Harry says his grandfather would never probe but listen about his two tour of duties to Helmand province during the war in Afghanistan.

Going off to Afghanistan, he was very matter of fact and just said, Make sure you come back alive," Harry said. Then when I came back, there wasnt a deep level of discussion, more a case of, Well, you made it. How was it? Thats how he was.'

He was very much a listener, he sort of set the scene for you to be able to share as much as you wanted to share, but he would never probe," he added.

Harry first served in Afghanistan as a forward air controller, during 2007-08, coordinating air strikes on Taliban positions before his presence was revealed by foreign media and he was flown home. He returned in 2012, this time as an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner.

Charles also spoke about Philip's dedication to the military.

He took very seriously the fact that he was involved in the three armed forces. And obviously the Navy was his main service, but he took an inordinate interest in everything to do with the other two," Charles said.

He read up an awful lot and thought about it and so he certainly put a lot of the generals and others through their paces, if you know what I mean. Hed always thought of a better way of doing it, he added.

___

Follow all AP stories on Prince Philip at https://apnews.com/hub/PrincePhilip
MOSCOW (AP)  The head of Russia's Communist Party, the country's second-largest political party, is alleging widespread violations in the election for a new national parliament in which his party is widely expected to gain seats.

Late Saturday, a YouTube video in which associates of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny recommended whom to vote for in order to undermine the dominant United Russia party was blocked in Russia. The video remained accessible through non-Russian servers.

Communist Party chief Gennady Zyuganov said Saturday  the second of three days of voting in the election  that police and the national elections commission must respond to reports of a number of absolutely egregious facts including ballot-stuffing in several regions.

The Golos election-monitoring movement and independent media also reported violations including vote-buying and lax measures for guarding ballots at polling stations.

Central Elections Commission head Ella Pamfilova said later Saturday that more than 6,200 ballots have been annulled in five regions for procedural violations and ballot-stuffing.

The United Russia party, which is diligently loyal to President Vladimir Putin, appears certain to retain its dominance in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament. Still, some projections suggest the party could lose its current two-thirds majority, which is enough to change the constitution. The Communists are expected to pick up the biggest share of any seats lost by United Russia.

Although the Communists generally support Kremlin initiatives in the parliament, their gaining seats would be a loss of face for United Russia. The Communists are seen as potentially benefiting from the Smart Voting program promoted by Navalny and his team, which aims to weaken United Russia by advising voters on which candidates are in the strongest position to defeat United Russia's candidates.

However, it's unclear how effective the program will be after the YouTube blockage, which came a day after Apple and Google removed Smart Voting apps from their stores under Kremlin pressure. Authorities previously blocked access to its website. Navalny's organizations have been declared extremist, blocking anyone associated with them from running for office, thereby eliminating most significant opposition candidates from the election.

The Telegram messaging app, founded by Russian-born entrepreneur Pavel Durov, also blocked Smart Voting. Durov said Saturday that the service was blocking all election-related bots in order to conform with laws banning campaigning once voting starts.

In St. Petersburg, voter Pavel Ivanov said he had access to Smart Voting and followed its advice to vote for a small party that does not meet my preferences to the full extent but (will) present a certain opposition to the ruling party.

Zyuganov said the party has tallied at least 44 incidents of voting violations and the Communists have applied for permits to hold protests next week after the voting ends Sunday.

On Saturday, the news website Znak said a resident of the Moscow region was offering 1,000 rubles ($15) to people who voted for United Russia. The publication said it called the man, who said the payment would come if the caller provided evidence of their vote through a messaging app.

The Golos movement cited reports from its observers and local news media of an array of apparent violations, including ballots being stored overnight in a cabinet with a broken door and of envelopes for storing ballot tallies appearing to have been opened and then resealed.

On the first day of voting Friday, unexpectedly long lines formed at some polling places, and independent media suggested this could show that state institutions and companies were forcing employees to vote.

But despite those lines, overall turnout appeared to be desultory. Pamfilova, the elections commission head, said about 25% of the electorate had cast ballots by 3 p.m. Saturday, about halfway through the voting.

Some voters participated, but with little sense of involvement.

I vote every year. What is happening in the end does not depend on us, nothing depends on us," Nikolai Martemyanov, a resident of the Siberian village of Desyatove, told The Associated Press.

Media in St. Petersburg on Friday reported on suspected cases of carousel voting, in which voters cast ballots at several different polling stations. An AP video journalist saw the same voters, believed to be military school students, at two different polling stations; one of them said the group had gone to the wrong polling station at first.

A local Russian election commission member posted a video in which a man appeared to have tried to cast several ballots and then was confronted by a poll worker. The man in the video said he had obtained his ballots at a subway station.

-=

Irina Titova in St. Petersburg and Yulya Alekseeva in Desyatovo contributed to this story.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  The trees lining Cindy Weils property in Omaha's Fairacres neighborhood were bombed over Labor Day weekend.

The explosive was yarn  knitted into colorful afghans, crocheted into wall hangings, hooked into tapestries and now wrapped around maples and other leafy creatures.

Weil herself was the bomber. A fiber artist, she created the unusual outdoor installation to focus on Omahas need to replace trees lost in the hurricane-force wind storm earlier this summer.

Trees are really important here and in Nebraska, thanks to Arbor Day being founded here in 1872, she told the Omaha World-Herald.

One of her trees was nearly stripped in the July 10 storm. On Thursday, leaves were growing on the maple despite its lack of branches.

Weil said the tree immediately tried to save itself by sprouting new buds that grabbed sunshine. But an arborist said it was too far gone to come back. It will be cut down in December.

That spunky tree, along with her desire to make a statement on increasingly extreme weather, inspired Weils art project.

She said she thinks the Omaha wind storm  like severe hurricanes, floods, fires and heat around the world  illustrates the reality of climate change and its effects.

This is not normal, she said. I thought I would yard-bomb my own trees to get a tiny platform to say that we are part of the climate-change continuum. Its a way for the trees to yell pay attention to me.

For the past week, Omahans have been doing just that.

People stop all day long, park and jump out to talk to me, Weil said. Ninety-nine percent of the people who stop are really excited. It makes them feel happy and they feel simpatico about trees.

She created some of the pieces that decorate the trees and some came from the Immigrant Yarn Project, an effort she led and curated in 2018 and 2019.

Weil solicited fiber art from people around the country to represent generations of immigrants from around the world. More than 600 people responded. As the lead artist, she compiled the contributions to create 80 totemic sculptures that were exhibited at the Fort Point National Recreation Center in San Francisco.

More than 30,000 people visited the exhibit during its two-month run. She sold some of the work from that project and was able to donate $25,000 to the International Rescue Committee, which responds to crises such as the current situation in Afghanistan. She also sent funds to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Weil ran her own wallpaper design company before she began her fiber-art career about five years ago. She is an Omaha native and a graduate of Creighton University. She moved back here earlier this year to care for her aging parents.

She has a studio in the Mastercraft Building where, she says, she makes fiber sculptures on commission and for exhibits. And despite the immigrant and climate-change projects, her work is not generally cause-based, she said.

Shes clearly passionate about trees, however. She planted about 200 on her property near 68th Street and Underwood Avenue and plans to get involved with citywide tree-planting efforts.

Her sister, Kelly Klein, was in town from Minneapolis over the Labor Day weekend and helped her with the yarn bomb.

Each of the pieces is made with acrylic fiber so it will dry with no damage after rainfall, she said.

The art offers bursts of vibrant color and interesting patterns on the tree trunks. Weil said she mixed pieces she liked together without any overarching theme, although one tree is done in red, white and blue.

This is fun, colorful yarn, meant to say Lets take care of our trees, she said.

Weil plans to leave the exhibit up through October, then throw all the pieces away.

Theres a hell of a lot of bugs on these trees and Im not bringing that back (home), she said.
Two registered sex offenders were arrested as they tried to illegally enter the country, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

The first case unfolded at about 4:45 a.m. Sept. 16, when Laredo South Station agents arrested three migrants near Zacate Creek. One man was identified as Javier Luna-Navarro, 46. A records check revealed he had a prior deportation and a felony conviction for rape with force/violence by Kings County Sheriffs Office. Luna-Navarro, a registered sex offender, was sentenced to seven years in prison.
A convicted felon has been arrested following a shooting incident reported in south Laredo, according to an arrest affidavit.

Miguel Salinas Jr., 34, was charged with felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

On Sept. 12, Laredo police officers responded to a report of a firearm being discharged in front of a residence in the 3000 block of Frio Plaza Court. At about the time of the report, an LPD officer parked near the intersection of South Ejido Avenue and La Terraza Way saw a person inside a black four-door passenger car wave the officer down.

That person pointed to a gray sport utility vehicle that was traveling north on South Ejido and told police that one of the people inside the gray SUV had just discharged a firearm in front of a residence.

Moments later, police caught up to the gray SUV and pulled it over. Officers said they located a firearm in plain view on the floorboard sticking out from underneath the front passenger seat and seized it. It was a Hellpup Pioneer Arms Corp. 7.62x39 firearm, court documents state.

Officers then located an empty 7.62 shell casing and an impact mark where the bullet struck the driveway of the residence where the firearm discharge was reported. Authorities then learned from a witness that the front passenger of the SUV had a firearm, according to court documents.

He was identified as Salinas. LPD requested the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the investigation. In a post-arrest interview, Salinas admitted to being at the residence and hearing a gunshot. He also allegedly admitted to being the passenger inside the gray SUV. He then invoked his right to an attorney.

Then, the driver of the SUV told ATF special agents that the firearm belonged to Salinas. The driver added that Salinas accidentally discharged the firearm prior to entering the gray SUV.

Further investigation revealed that Salinas was a felon convicted of possession of cocaine and aggravated assault.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  When a child looks up at the inner dome of the Michigan State Capitols rotunda into the oculus showing an ever-starry sky, Capitol Education Director Matt VanAcker knows to expect at least one good wow to echo throughout the chamber.

Today, there are fewer wows due to the events of the past year and a half, which have left downtown empty and the Capitols trademark tour services unsure of how many students to expect. Online tours and smaller in-person groups have been the standard since early last summer. In-person tours, especially from schools, have fluctuated along with COVID-19 case numbers.

Its quite a drop-off from pre-COVID numbers, said Jerry Benson, an educator whos worked in the Capitol for 12 years. Its sad.

While there were only a few times during the summer visiting months when the service wasnt giving a tour at all, party sizes have dwindled to five or six people at a time, Benson estimates.

Everyone talks about the new normal, VanAcker said. Im not sure what that will be for us.

Currently, there are 210 school groups scheduled for Capitol tours this fall, the Lansing State Journal reports.

Whether the Capitol tour service regains old attendance rates depends on how schools address COVID-19. Field trips make up the bulk of Capitol tour groups, usually as part of 3rd- or 4th-grade curriculum on state history and government. Last year, the Capitols in-person tour capability waxed and waned as COVID-19 case numbers fluctuated in schools.

With districts returning to in-person learning this fall, most schools are more focused on classroom safety than field trips, VanAcker said. Meanwhile, every district in Ingham County has reported positive COVID-19 cases in either students or staff, prompting a county-wide mask mandate in school buildings.

Theyre not really thinking about what theyre going to be doing for field trips right now, VanAcker said.

To make up for the lost traffic, VanAcker and his colleagues began running virtual Capitol tours on Zoom last year, aided in part by building-wide Wi-Fi insisted upon by lawmakers who didnt want to see service drop. More than a quarter of the Capitols almost 1,300 tours since May 2020 were conducted via Zoom.

One advantage to the digital tours is capacity. While a typical in-person school tour would see groups split into smaller parties, a Zoom tour can accommodate up to 150 students at a time.

Those numbers led VanAckers team to continue offering the Zoom tours even as vaccines and cautious comfort bring back in-person groups.

The virtual tours are also helpful for schools that cant access Lansing due to distance or small field trip budgets. The Capitol tour service recently reached out to 205 of Michigans more remote districts offering Zoom tours to students who would otherwise only learn about the legislature in their classrooms.

But digital tours can only go so far. The in-person Capitol tours surround visitors with physical reminders of the buildings age and history in a way thats hard to replicate online: the floor tiles housing 475-million-year-old fossils in Vermont limestone, the portraits of past governors, the opportunity to lie on the floor of the rotunda and gaze upward.

VanAcker is happy digital access means more people can see the Capitol, but he fears a whole generation of students may never get the full in-person experience. He recalled his own first visit to the Capitol at 4 years old, when he was transfixed by the bloodstained Civil War battle flags hed later have a hand in caring for.

The view of the dome from the floor of the rotunda is a favorite among tourists, VanAcker said.

He hopes COVID-19 caseloads remain manageable enough this school year that the calls he dreads  teachers cancelling visits  dont come.

Im guardedly optimistic, he said. Guardedly.
SAN DIEGO (AP)  Dozens, even hundreds, of asylum-seeking migrants often wait hours to surrender to U.S. Border Patrol agents, but the thousands of Haitians gathered at a bridge in the small Texas border town of Del Rio may be unprecedented and point to a glaring problem with the federal police agency's staffing.

Instead of conducting patrols and uncovering smuggling activity, its agents spend about 40% of their time caring for people already in custody and administrative tasks that are unrelated to border security.

The agency hopes to free up agents to go back into the field by hiring civilians for jobs like making sure microwaved burritos are served properly, checking holding cells and the time-consuming work of collecting information for immigration court papers.

The Border Patrol graduated its first class of processing coordinators in January, with the goal of eventually hiring 1,200. The position requires less training than for law enforcement officers and pays less. It is also seen as a recruiting tool for an agency that has struggled to find qualified applicants, particularly women.

While its early to know if the new employees will pan out as hoped, the hiring plan's initial reviews are generally favorable. Their skills will be in high demand as U.S. authorities respond to the Haitians who suddenly arrived in Del Rio and other large groups of new arrivals.

This is a very, very good program. It is a very necessary program," said Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, a labor union representing many of the nearly 20,000 agents. "Its a program that will allow us to get more agents in the field.

U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragan, a Los Angeles Democrat, told the members of the second graduating class in June that they were pioneers. She saw the need for their skills in April while visiting a holding facility in Texas' Rio Grande Valley, the busiest corridor for illegal crossings from Mexico to the U.S.

Unaccompanied children were held at the facility for days, unable to call their parents, Barragan said. Agents were working around the clock to process the children quickly, but they needed help, she told the graduating class.

The need is especially acute during periodic spikes at the U.S.-Mexico border, including ones seen in 2014, 2019 and again this year. The coordinator positions are for 13 months, renewable up to four years.

Most single adults are expelled without an opportunity to seek asylum under a pandemic-related authority designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Unaccompanied children and most families can seek humanitarian protection, giving them little incentive to elude capture because they will be released in the U.S. with notices to appear in court.

As a result, there are migrants who cross the border and wait - and wait - for agents to arrive, and who may require more care once they do. In August, families accounted for 41% of Border Patrol encounters, and unaccompanied children made up 9%.

Agents also complain they have less time to pursue migrants trying to avoid getting picked up.

A civilian coordinator assigned to a San Diego-area border station, Aide Franco Avalos, got a taste for the work in 2019, when she worked for the Transportation Security Administration at Palm Springs International Airport in California.

Franco Avalos volunteered for a temporary Border Patrol assignment in El Paso, Texas, and felt fulfilled caring for migrants. When she saw an opening in California that wouldn't require a family move, the Los Angeles native decided on a career change.

I wasnt sure what I was getting myself into at first because its a brand new position, but I knew that my assistance to the agents was greatly needed, she said.

Avalos would like to become a Border Patrol agent, but at 42, she missed the maximum starting age of 39.

Annual pay for processing coordinators is between $35,265 and $51,103, well below what agents earn. The Biden administration's 2022 budget proposal says the position costs 18.5% less than an average agent.

The Border Patrol began to seriously consider creating the job in 2014. Discussions intensified when agents were again stretched by large numbers of asylum-seeking families and children in 2019, many from Central America.

It becomes a bit repetitious and a bit frustrating that theres no other option, right? said Gloria Chavez, chief of the Border Patrol's El Paso sector, who was deeply involved in the effort. Who else can we lean on to help us with this task? So thats when the conversation started.

The agency also hopes the new positions will recruit future agents, including more women, who make up only about 5% of agents, Chavez said.

The processing coordinators are going to be working hand in hand with our agents at the central processing center, and theyre going to be learning a lot of different skills, building up their confidence for everyone, and then maybe they want to apply for those jobs, she said.

Melanie Garcia, 24, left her job as a prison guard in a psychiatric unit in Lubbock, Texas, to work as a processing coordinator at a Border Patrol holding center in El Paso. She wanted to learn more about the agency and to be closer to family. She said the job was a really good stepping stone to becoming an agent.

___

Attanasio reported from El Paso, Texas.

___

Follow AP's coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
DEL RIO, Texas (AP)  The U.S. plans to speed up its efforts to expel Haitian migrants on flights to their Caribbean homeland, officials said Saturday as agents poured into a Texas border city where thousands of Haitians have gathered after suddenly crossing into the U.S. from Mexico.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that it moved about 2,000 of the migrants who had gathered under and near a bridge in the border city of Del Rio to other locations on Friday for processing and possible removal from the United States. It also said it would have 400 agents and officers in the area by Monday morning and was prepared to send more if necessary.

The announcement marks a swift response to the sudden arrival of Haitians in Del Rio, a city of about 35,000 people that's roughly 145 miles (233 kilometers) west of San Antonio and sits on a relatively remote stretch of border that lacks capacity to hold and process such large numbers of people.

A U.S. official told The Associated Press on Friday that operational capacity and Haitis willingness to accept flights will determine how many there will be. The official said progress was being made on negotiations with Haitian authorities.

The official said the U.S would likely fly five to eight planes a day, starting Sunday, while another official expected no more than two a day and said all migrants would be tested for COVID-19. Both officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection closed traffic to vehicles and pedestrians in both directions Friday at the only border crossing between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, to respond to urgent safety and security needs. Travelers were being directed indefinitely to a crossing in Eagle Pass, 57 miles (91 kilometers) away.

Crowd estimates varied, but Val Verde County Sheriff Frank Joe Martinez said Friday that there were about 13,700 new arrivals in Del Rio. Migrants pitched tents and built makeshift shelters from giant reeds known as carrizo cane. Many bathed and washed clothing in the river.

The flight plan, while potentially massive in scale, hinges on how Haitians respond. They might have to decide whether to stay put at the risk of being sent back to an impoverished homeland wracked by poverty and political instability or return to Mexico. Unaccompanied children are exempt from fast-track expulsions.

DHS said our borders are not open, and people should not make the dangerous journey.

Individuals and families are subject to border restrictions, including expulsion, the agency wrote. Irregular migration poses a significant threat to the health and welfare of border communities and to the lives of migrants themselves, and should not be attempted.

Stephen Miller, the main architect of former President Donald Trump's hardline policies and a frequent critic of the Biden administration, expressed doubt that Haiti's government would agree to the number of flights for a large-scale operation. He recounted daily calls with U.S. State Department officials last year over Haiti's resistance to flights, with Haiti relenting only under the threat of sanctions.

About 500 Haitians were ordered off buses by Mexican immigration authorities in the state of Tamaulipas, about 120 miles (200 kilometers) south of the Texas border, the state government said in a news release Friday. They continued toward the border on foot.

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating earthquake in 2010. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

It is unclear how such a large number amassed so quickly, though many Haitians have been assembling in camps on the Mexican side of the border to wait while deciding whether to attempt to enter the United States.

U.S. authorities are being severely tested after Biden quickly dismantled Trump administration policies that Biden considered cruel or inhumane, most notably one requiring asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while waiting for U.S. immigration court hearings.

A pandemic-related order to immediately expel migrants without giving them the opportunity to seek asylum that was introduced in March 2020 remains in effect, but unaccompanied children and many families have been exempt. During his first month in office, Biden chose to exempt children traveling alone on humanitarian grounds.

Mexico has agreed to take in expelled families only from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, creating an opening for Haitians and other nationalities.

Mexico's immigration agency said in a statement Saturday that Mexico has opened a permanent dialogue with Haitian government representatives to address the situation of irregular migratory flows during their entry and transit through Mexico, as well as their assisted return."

The agency didn't specify if it was referring to the Haitians in Ciudad Acuna or to the thousands of others in Tapachula, at the Guatemalan border, and the agency didn't immediately reply to a request for further details. The statement just added that the goal of the new dialogue is to address the causes of migration in Haiti and provide an orderly, safe and regular migration."

In August, U.S. authorities stopped migrants nearly 209,000 times at the border, which was close to a 20-year high even though many of the stops involved repeat crossers because there are no legal consequences for being expelled under the pandemic authority.
The 2021 Top Security/Frank Maher Classical Music Awards is now open for entries. With a 5,000 prize for the winner, it is the largest such competition for Irish secondary schools and closing date for entries is Friday, October 8, 2021.

Violinist Julieanne Forrest (18) last years winner, was at the photocall to launch details of the 2021 competition, accompanied by Oliver Woods from Terenure College on guitar and Holly Bond from Wesley College on flute.

The hugely talented violinist has just finished sixth year at St Peters in Dunboyne, and on her way to the Music and Arts University of Vienna (MUK) to study with Professor Pavel Vernikov.

The Top Security Frank Maher Classical Music Awards were first created in 2001 by Emmet ORafferty, chairman of the Top Security Group, to honour the memory of his late teacher, Fr Frank Maher, a pioneer in the nurturing of musical talent in secondary schools. They went nationwide in 2012.

From small beginnings, the Awards are now into their tenth year of national competition, and we never cease to be amazed and delighted at the incredible teenage talent that it attracts Were proud to be able to support these young people when they need it most and very much looking forward to meeting this years finalists," said Emmet.

The award entrants are a rollcall of rising young Irish classical music talent. Past winners also include pianists Kevin Jansson, Aidan Chan and Maire Carroll, violinist Mairead Hickey and cellists Sinead OHalloran and Killian White. All the winners have received national and international recognition for their achievements and used their prize money as a springboard towards a professional career by funding their studies at some of the worlds most renowned music colleges and institutions. These include Juilliard School, Barenboim-Said Akademie, Royal College of Music, Conservatoire Nationale Superieur de Musique et de Danse and Kronberg Academy.

The Awards are open to sixth year post-primary students of string, woodwind, brass and piano. The 5,000 top prize will be used by the winner to attend a recognised place of tuition, a course of study in Ireland or abroad or on a purchase necessary for the development of their talent. The remaining finalists will each receive a 300 bursary.

The closing date for this years entries is Friday, October 8 2021 and the competition night is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 29 in Dublin. Further information, rules and a copy of the application form for downloading on www.frankmaherclassicalmusicawards.com

Longford Leader gallery: Beauty to Beast fundraiser is a huge triumph To coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day last Friday, two Tarmonbarry men, Eddie Coffey and Johnny Rhatigan, concluded their Beauty to Beast fundraiser in aid of the Athlone & Midlands Samaritans.
LONDON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - British business minister Kwasi

Kwarteng said on Sunday that the head of energy regulator Ofgem

had assured him of the plans in place to protect the market and

consumers from soaring gas prices.

Kwarteng said that if an energy supplier failed, as several

small suppliers have done in recent weeks, Ofgem would ensure

customers' gas and electricity supply continued uninterrupted.

"If a supplier of last resort is not possible, a special

administrator would be appointed by Ofgem and the Govt," he said

on Twitter. "The objective is to continue supply to customers

until the company can be rescued or customers moved to new

suppliers."

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by David Clarke)
Lionel Messi is set to make his home Paris Saint-Germain debut against Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday night and the pressure is most certainly on.

Since arriving in France this summer after spending his entire career at Barcelona, Messi has been under immense scrutiny.

PSG have started their Ligue 1 campaign well, winning all five of their matches so far, but after a draw against Club Brugge in their opening Champions League tie, there has been some criticism.

Since his first appearance for PSG, Messi has received criticism from the likes of Michael Owen and fellow Argentine and ex-PSG man Omar de Fonseca.

When you line up with a front line of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Messi, anything but a win will be seen as a disappointment.

This European hiccup paired with the details of the Argentine's salary at the club being leaked by L'Equipe, has turned up the pressure in recent days.

A side containing so much talent is expected to win every single match no matter who they are up against, and need to get back to winning ways in Messi's first outing in front of his new home supporters.
On a night when Paris Saint-Germain recorded a last-gasp victory over Lyon, the biggest talking point at the Parc des Princes was Lionel Messi's second half substitution. With 75 minutes on the clock and the score tied at 1-1, Mauricio Pochettino chose to substitute the Argentine and bring on Achraf Hakimi.

As he walked towards the bench, Messi exchanged words with Pochettino, with his face bearing a puzzled expression.

Although he had been his side's best performer in the first half, the 34-year-old struggled to influence proceedings during the second half.

Nevertheless, his substitution and his reaction to it are set to be the subject of significant discussion over the coming days.
Michigan jobless rate edged down in August

Michigan jobless rate edged down in August

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept 15, 2021

Christyn Herman, hermanc3@michigan.gov or 517-897-6969

LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan's seasonally adjusted jobless rate displayed little change in August, edging down by a tenth of a percentage point to 4.7 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment in Michigan increased by 14,000 and unemployment declined by 3,000, resulting in a monthly workforce advance of 11,000.

The national jobless rate moved down by two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 5.2 percent and was half a percentage point above the Michigan rate. Since August 2020, the national rate fell by 3.2 percentage points, while the statewide rate declined by 3.8 percentage points.

"Michigan's labor market indicators displayed only minimal change in August," said Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. "However, total employment and payroll jobs both continued to edge up over the month."

Monthly and annual labor force trends and highlights

Michigan's workforce rose by 0.2 percent in August, which was comparable to the trend nationally (+0.1 percent).

Total statewide employment advanced for the sixth consecutive month. Employment increased by 47,000, or 1.1 percent, since December 2020.

Michigan unemployment dropped significantly by 45.8 percent over the year, reflecting persons returning to jobs from pandemic-related layoffs. The number of unemployed nationally declined by 38.1 percent since August 2020.

Michigan's August 2021 employment levels remain below pre-pandemic levels

Employment in Michigan in August 2021 remained 241,000, or 5.1 percent, below the February 2020 pre-pandemic total.

The number of unemployed in the state was 39,000, or 21.3 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The August 2021 Michigan jobless rate of 4.7 percent was a full percentage point above the February 2020 rate of 3.7 percent.

Detroit metro area jobless rate decreases during August

The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area's (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by two-tenths of a percentage point during August to 4.1 percent. The Detroit MSA employment total advanced by 8,000, while unemployment inched down by 3,000. The region's workforce rose by 6,000 over the month.

The Detroit MSA unemployment rate declined by 6.5 percentage points over the year. Employment increased by 63,000 since August 2020 as persons were recalled from pandemic-related layoffs.

Michigan payroll jobs inch up modestly in August

The monthly survey of employers indicated that total Michigan nonfarm employment was stable in August, advancing by 5,000, or 0.1 percent, resulting in an August job total of 4,172,000.

Minor job changes occurred in most statewide industries between July and August. The most pronounced over-the-month employment addition occurred in the state's transportation equipment manufacturing sector (+4,000). Recalls and layoffs in this industry continued in August as a result of shortages of semiconductors used in vehicles.

Industry employment trends and highlights

Michigan's small percent job gain in August (+0.1 percent) was similar to that exhibited nationally (+0.2 percent).

Seasonally adjusted Michigan payroll jobs advanced for the fourth consecutive month.

Jobs in Michigan's trade, transportation, and utilities industry rose for the third consecutive month in August. Over the year, sector jobs increased by 26,000, or 3.5 percent.

Statewide payroll employment advanced by 129,000, or 3.2 percent, over the year. Michigan nonfarm jobs remained 281,000, or 6.3 percent, below the February 2020 pre-pandemic level.

On a numerical basis, the state's leisure and hospitality and professional and business services industries each recorded the largest over-the-year gain in jobs (+36,000).

For more detailed information, including data tables, view the full release.

###
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli forces on Sunday arrested the last two of six Palestinian prisoners who escaped a maximum-security Israeli prison two weeks ago, closing an intense, embarrassing episode that exposed deep security flaws in Israel and turned the fugitives into Palestinian heroes.

The Israeli military said the two men surrendered in Jenin, their hometown in the occupied West Bank, after they were surrounded at a hideout that had been located with the help of accurate intelligence. It said the men, along with two others who allegedly assisted them, were taken for questioning.

Palestinian media reported that clashes erupted in Jenin when Israeli troops entered the city. But a spokesman for Israeli police, said the two escapees, Munadil Nafayat and Iham Kamamji, were arrested without resistance. The military said clashes broke out as the forces withdrew, with residents hurling rocks and explosives at troops who responded with live fire.

Fouad Kamamji, Ihams father, told The Associated Press that his son had called him when the Israeli troops surrounded the house and said he will surrender in order not to endanger the house owners.

The prisoners all managed to tunnel out of a maximum-security prison in northern Israel on Sept. 6. The bold escape dominated newscasts for days and sparked heavy criticism of Israel's prison service. According to various reports, the men dug a hole in the floor of their shared cell undetected over several months and managed to slip past a sleeping prison guard after emerging through a hole outside the facility.

A massive pursuit operation followed, and the first four inmates, who also are from Jenin, were captured in two separate operations.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised the various Israeli security forces that worked to recapture the men for an impressive, sophisticated and quick operation.

What has broken down  it is possible to rectify, Bennett added.

Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have celebrated the escape and held demonstrations in support of the prisoners. Taking part in attacks against the Israeli military or even civilians is a source of pride for many Palestinians, who view it as legitimate resistance to military occupation. The earlier arrests of four of the men prompted Gaza militants to launch rockets into Israel.

Israel considers all six of the men to be terrorists. Five are from the Islamic Jihad militant group, with four of them serving life sentences, and the sixth, Zakaria Zubeidi, is a member of the secular Fatah group of President Mahmoud Abbas. Zubeidi was a militant leader during the second Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s and well known in Israel both for his militant activity and his love for giving media interviews.

Lawyers for Zubeidi and Mohammed Aradeh, who was captured with him last week, have said their clients were badly beaten after their arrests.

Israeli security forces have been accused of torturing high-profile prisoners in the past, most recently in 2019 after a deadly bombing in the West Bank. The Shin Bet internal security service said at the time that interrogations are carried out in accordance with the law. A 1999 Supreme Court ruling forbids torture, but rights groups say it still occurs and that perpetrators are rarely held accountable.

___

Associated Press reporter Jelal Hassan in Ramallah, West Bank, contributed to this report.
ARVIN, Calif. (AP)  An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of killing a 10-year-old girl in a car-to-car shooting that left her father and brother wounded earlier this summer in Southern California, authorities said.

Liliana Jimenez died at the scene of the shooting July 17 in the small city of Arvin, southeast of Bakersfield.
If the retail health of an area is measured in how many vacant storefronts people drive past, theres a commercial stretch of Route 34 in Derby that seems to be in a state of transition.

Its less than a mile along the westbound side of Route 34, but along the stretch from Orangewood Way to Sodom Lanes westernmost intersection with the state road, there are retail vacancies aplenty.

Theres a faded former Burger King location at 540 New Haven Ave. that closed sometime in 2020 and now is becoming the target of graffiti artists.

Helen Bennett / Hearst Connecticut Media

Theres the shell of the former Adams grocery store site up the road, next to a somewhat-new and very busy Big Y supermarket, with more empty spots close by.

The majority of the vacancies are in Hilltop Commons, a strip mall anchored by that Big Y and CVS. Of the 177,207 square foot of retail space in Hilltop Commons, 42 percent is vacant, according to information on the website of the company that operates the shopping center, Elmsford, N.Y.-based DLC Management Corp.

The largest vacancy in Hilltop Commons is the 42,000-square-foot space that used to house Adams, vacant since September 2016.

Derby Chief of Staff Andrew Baklik said he has no concerns on a long-term basis about the viability of that part of the Route 34 retail corridor.

Some of the vacancies were seeing are a function of the pandemic and people shopping online and working from home, Baklik said.

Theres a lot of traffic that goes by there, bringing eyeballs into the area, he said. We have every confidence that DLC will fill the space in due time and we know theyve been marketing the Adams space pretty aggressively.

A little more than 37,000 vehicles drive past Hilltop Commons daily, according to DLCs website. Company officials did not respond to requests for comment on the vacancies at the shopping center and how DLC plans to fill them.

City officials are hoping that a $200,000 upgrade to the CT Transit bus stops along that stretch of Route 34 will spur more retail interest in the area. Baklik said the grant money came from the states Community Connectivity program and will be spent improving sidewalks and crosswalks along Route 34.

Baklik said the area around Hilltop Commons draws customers not only from Woodbridge, Derby and Ansonia, but from parts of northern Milford and Orange, as well.

Luther Turmelle /Hearst Connecticut Media

And there are still plenty of businesses there: Behind the empty Burger King are a Lowes home improvement store and a Dollar Tree, while across the street from that is a Big Lots, Edge Fitness Center and a Starbucks.

Helen Bennett / Hearst Connecticut Media

Sprinkled in front of the Hilltop Commons plaza are the Valley Diner, Heavenly Donuts, Wendys, McDonalds, Subway and an Edible Arrangements. Next to the former Adams site, theres The Liquor Factory. Tipsy Tomato restaurant is located in Hilltop Commons, as are Derby Cigar Shop and a Supercuts.

Bill Purcell, president of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce in Shelton, said he views the situation at Hilltop Commons as the glass being half full rather than half empty.

The shopping center is certainly more full than it was before, Purcell said. The plaza is having a renaissance. And having any kind of supermarket there is a regional draw in terms of activity.

Because of the havoc the pandemic wreaked upon the nations retail sector, he said it may take a while longer to fill the vacancies.

Theres a real dearth of retail tenants out there right now, Purcell said. And they may have to rethink their strategy in terms of who they want for tenants.

Luther Turmelle / Hearst Connecticut Media

Brian Marks, senior lecturer in the economics and business analytics department at the University of New Havens Pompea College of Business, said many retail vacancies at malls and shopping centers around Connecticut and the country are pre-existing conditions that predate the pandemic.

The pandemic has brought mall maintenance and facility utilization to the forefront, Marks said.

Unless the management wants to be aggressive on pricing, many retail operations will be hesitant to take a risk on sites that were questionable since before the pandemic, he said. Retail ownership and management need to figure out how to transform their facilities maybe not just to retail, but to mixed use.

Hilltop Commons faced vacancies in 2016 when the retail center, then known as Derby Plaza, had Walmart close its store there in July of that year. Two months later, Adams announced it was closing due to sluggish sales and increased competition.

But Big Y announced in summer 2019 it was relocating its Ansonia store to the Derby plaza, and it opened that fall.

Retailers recognize the value of having a presence in the Naugtuck Valley, Purcell said.

Big Y also opened a store on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton in late 2019 on the former site of the Crabtree car dealership, while farther north in Oxford, Price Choppers Market 32 store is the anchor for the Quarry Walk, a mixed-use complex.

Purcell said the arrival of Big Y in that plaza brought new consumers to the retail center that werent shopping there before.

The Big Y in Hilltop is our grocery store of choice, said Kate Rosen, a Woodbridge resident. We also get our pizza from Tipsy Tomato most Friday nights. And we arent the only Woodbridge residents who shop there.

Rosen said her family shops at the Big Y in Derby not because of its location, but due to other factors.

We have another grocery store closer than the Big Y, she said. We prefer the Big Y for the prices, selection and the upkeep of the store itself. It is a well-appointed grocery store.

Rosen said before Big Y relocated from Ansonia to Derby, we didnt come here often, very infrequently, maybe once or twice a year.

Rosen said shed like to see an electric bicycle shop fill one of the vacant spaces in Hilltop Commons.

We observed how the pandemic impacted occupancy in the plaza and hope that this provides an opportunity for new entrepreneurs, she said.

Helen Bennett / Hearst Connecticut Media

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
Contributed / Getty

HARTFORD  Police said they are investigating a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning after the victim arrived at a local hospital for treatment.

Hartford police said they were dispatched to a local hospital at 2:45 a.m. after a report of a gunshot victim arriving for treatment.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  Four space tourists safely ended their trailblazing trip to orbit Saturday with a splashdown in the Atlantic off the Florida coast.

Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the ocean just before sunset, not far from where their chartered flight began three days earlier.

The all-amateur crew was the first to circle the world without a professional astronaut.

The billionaire who paid undisclosed millions for the trip and his three guests wanted to show that ordinary people could blast into orbit by themselves, and SpaceX founder Elon Musk took them on as the companys first rocket-riding tourists.

Your mission has shown the world that space is for all of us, SpaceX Mission Control radioed.

It was a heck of a ride for us ... just getting started, replied trip sponsor Jared Isaacman, referring to the growing number of private flights on the horizon.

SpaceXs fully automated Dragon capsule reached an unusually high altitude of 363 miles (585 kilometers) after Wednesday nights liftoff. Surpassing the International Space Station by 100 miles (160 kilometers), the passengers savored views of Earth through a big bubble-shaped window added to the top of the capsule.

The four streaked back through the atmosphere early Saturday evening, the first space travelers to end their flight in the Atlantic since Apollo 9 in 1969. SpaceXs two previous crew splashdowns  carrying astronauts for NASA  were in the Gulf of Mexico.

Within a few minutes, a pair of SpaceX boats pulled up alongside the bobbing capsule. When the capsule's hatch was opened on the recovery ship, health care worker Hayley Arceneaux was the first one out, flashing a big smile and thumbs up.

All appeared well and happy.

Their families were waiting near the scene of Wednesday night's launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

This time, NASA was little more than an encouraging bystander, its only tie being the Kennedy launch pad once used for the Apollo moonshots and shuttle crews, but now leased by SpaceX.

Isaacman, 38, an entrepreneur and accomplished pilot, aimed to raise $200 million for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Donating $100 million himself, he held a lottery for one of the four seats. Late Saturday, Musk tweeted he was donating $50 million, putting them over the top.

For the last seat, Isaacman held a competition for clients of his Allentown, Pennsylvania payment-processing business, Shift4 Payments.

Joining him on the flight were Arceneaux, 29, a St. Jude physician assistant who was treated at the Memphis, Tennessee hospital nearly two decades ago for bone cancer, and contest winners Chris Sembroski, 42, a data engineer in Everett, Washington, and Sian Proctor, 51, a community college educator, scientist and artist from Tempe, Arizona.

"Best ride of my life! Proctor tweeted a few hours after splashdown.

Strangers until March, the four spent six months training and preparing for potential emergencies during the flight  but there was no need to step in, officials said after their return. During the trip dubbed Inspiration4, they had time to chat with St. Jude patients, conduct medical tests on themselves, ring the closing bell for the New York Stock Exchange and do some drawing and ukulele playing.

Arceneaux, the youngest American in space and the first with a prosthesis, assured her patients, I was a little girl going through cancer treatment just like a lot of you, and if I can do this, you can do this.

They also took calls from Tom Cruise, interested in his own SpaceX flight to the space station for filming, and the rock band U2s Bono.

Even their space menu wasnt typical: Cold pizza and sandwiches, but also pasta Bolognese and Mediterranean lamb.

Before beginning descent, Sembroski was so calm that he was seen in the capsule watching the 1987 Mel Brooks film Spaceballs on his tablet.

What an amazing adventure! he tweeted later.

Congratulations streamed in, including from the Association of Space Explorers to its four newest members.

Aside from trouble with a toilet fan and a bad temperature sensor in an engine, the flight went exceedingly well, officials said. Some of the four passengers experienced motion sickness when they reached orbit  just as some astronauts do.

"It was a very clean mission from start to finish, said Benji Reed, a SpaceX senior director.

Reed anticipates as many as six private flights a year for SpaceX, sandwiched between astronaut launches for NASA. Four SpaceX flights are already booked to carry paying customers to the space station, accompanied by former NASA astronauts. The first is targeted for early next year with three businessmen paying $55 million apiece. Russia also plans to take up an actor and film director for filming next month and a Japanese tycoon in December.

Customers interested in quick space trips are turning to Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic and Jeff Bezos Blue Origin. The two rode their own rockets to the fringes of space in July to spur ticket sales; their flights lasted 10 to 15 minutes.

The 60-year scorecard now stands at 591 people who have reached space or its edges  and is expected to skyrocket as space tourism heats up.

___

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 U.S. Navy on Friday released the names of two Naval Air Station Sigonella sailors killed last weekend in a single-vehicle crash.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Raquel Amanda Johnson and Seaman Darica Shunte Lashae Slaughter died Sept. 12 in Sicily, according to a NAS Sigonella statement. The ages of the women and details about the crash were not released.

Italian news media reported that the crash happened at 5:40 a.m. when the car in which the women were traveling crashed into a concrete support pole at a rail crossing on the outskirts of Catania.

The location is near the portion of NAS Sigonella that houses military personnel, according to italynews24.com.

It did not appear there were any other passengers, and it wasnt clear who was driving.

Johnson, of New York, enlisted in 2014 and was promoted to petty officer 3rd class as an aviation boatswain's mate in July 2020, the Navys statement said. She served aboard the aircraft carriers USS Harry S. Truman and USS Gerald R. Ford before reporting to NAS Sigonella in February.

She received multiple awards during her service, including a Meritorious Unit Commendation and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, according to the statement.

Slaughter, of Ohio, enlisted in February and became a yeoman. She completed her training in Illinois and Mississippi before reporting to NAS Sigonella in June, the statement said.
LAKE WORTH, Texas -- A military training jet crashed Sunday in a neighborhood near Fort Worth, Texas, injuring the two pilots and damaging three homes but not seriously hurting anyone on the ground, authorities said.

Both pilots managed to eject from the plane before it crashed in Lake Worth, which is just west of Fort Worth, authorities said at a news conference.

This incident could have been much worse knowing that this plane went down in a residential area, Lake Worth Fire Chief Ryan Arthur said of the crash, which was reported to authorities shortly before 11 a.m.

Police Chief J.T. Manoushagian said one pilots parachute got tangled in power lines. One of the pilots was flown to a hospital in Dallas and was in critical condition, the Fort Worth Fire Department said in a statement. The other was driven to a hospital in Fort Worth.

Related Video:

The chief of naval air training in Corpus Christi said in a Facebook post that the training jet that crashed was a Navy T-45C Goshawk assigned to Training Air Wing 2 at Naval Air Station Kingsville, about 420 miles (676 kilometers) south of Lake Worth. The post said that the instructor pilot was in stable condition and the student naval aviators condition was unknown but he was alive and being treated.

The post says they were conducting a routine training flight that originated from the Corpus Christi International Airport, about 350 miles (563 kilometers) south of Lake Worth along the Gulf Coast.

Three homes were damaged and three residents of those homes were treated at the scene and released, the Fort Worth Fire Department said. The crash cut power to 44 homes in the area, and utility crews were working to restore it.

We are incredibly fortunate that the plane crashed in the backyards of the homes and not the residences themselves, the Fort Worth department said.

Two off-duty Fort Worth firefighters witnessed the crash and were the first on the scene, where they were able to tend to the injured pilots, the department said.

Arthur said the people who live in the damaged homes will be displaced because of the crash.

The neighborhood is near the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base. Officials said multiple representatives from the military were at the crash scene. Attempts to reach the naval air station for comment were not immediately successful Sunday.

Our hearts go out to these military members and their families, Manoushagian said.

I would imagine that for a pilot, this is the day that you dread, that you hope never comes, he said.
The following events are planned for this weekend throughout the region:  The King of Prussia Beerfest Royale will be held Saturday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. outside under tents at the King of Prussia Mall. The festival features more...
It is alarming that this article gives the impression that the United States should engage in these counterterrorism operations in many countries, just as the U.S. is drawing down in Afghanistan. <
Midlanders often ask us, Wheres the good news?

Thats a good question. In the midst of a pandemic, it is easy to think that all news is bad. Thats not the case.

Still, it was a pleasure being able to bring our readers the news that Southwest will be adding a direct flight to Austin in March. In the transportation game, more direct flights to more cities matter. When you fly to Denver or Las Vegas or Dallas or Houston  like Southwest does out of Midland  often it is to catch a flight to somewhere else in the country. It was interesting to hear that Southwest -- in adding more direct flights out of Austin -- was setting up Austin Bergstrom International Airport to become a regional hub.

Southwest announced this week that it is planning 20 new flights per day. Those locations include Midland, Amarillo, Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Ontario, California; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Panama City, Florida; Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida; and Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Airline travel is as much about quality of life as anything else. Having direct access makes life easier and flying more tolerable. When Southwest dropped the direct flight in 2009, it meant traveling Austin force a person to fly to Dallas or Houston first. That will no longer be the case.

Also, it seems fitting that it was Southwest making a direct flight to Austin possible. I am a Texas boy. I grew up catching a Southwest flight from Dallas to Midland once or twice a year to visit family. Southwest has provided convenience and often transportation opportunities for Texans that other airlines cant match. Real quick, whats the difference between Midland, Abilene and San Angelo? Southwest made Midland its seventh city in the airlines system in 1977. That was a quality-of-life and business coup for our city. Just ask your friends in those cities or Wichita Falls or Bryan-College Station.

It is tremendously exciting to see non-stop flights to Austin return to Midland International Air & Space Port, said Midland Development Corp. President Sara Harris. Air transport provides vital economic benefits and is a critical component of our citys economic stability. It improves quality of life and contributes to sustainable development by facilitating travel and trade. Companies interested in expanding in or relocating to Midland ask first about Midlands available commercial air service and direct destinations. An additional direct flight to and from Midland indicates confidence in our region. The Midland Development Corp. thanks Southwest Airlines, MOTRAN, and all partners involved in reestablishing the Midland to Austin route.

Midland Mayor Patrick Payton added, As Midland and the Permian Basin continue to lead the world as the most secure oil and gas producing region on the globe, it is great news to see Southwest begin to expand offerings. We are grateful for all that have been working toward these improvements as we know abundant and dependable air travel is essential for our continuing growth.

So, yes, that is some good news. Even if you never fly to Austin  like Las Vegas or Denver before it  you have the opportunity, and opportunity is everything. Thank you to James Beauchamp of the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance, state Rep. Tom and Nadine Craddick and Ray and Lorraine Perryman for their work over years that will make it easier for those traveling to University of Texas games, others testifying before the Texas Legislature and even a few people who want to get a little weird in the Peoples Republic of Travis County.
It will happen billions of times today. From Belgium to Botswana and Bolivia to Belize, people around the globe will all say the same word. Its American, one you learned as a toddler, and has only two syllables. Its also the most spoken word in the entire world.

The word is OK.

And believe it or not, we have an obscure U.S. president to thank for it, too. Heres how it happened.

Martin Van Buren was a lot of things. Elegant and refined, he dressed in the height of fashion for his day. A self-made man, he grew up in a modest household where Dutch was the primary language, though it didnt stop him from becoming governor of New York, ambassador to Britain, and secretary of state. He was the third person to be elevated straight from the vice presidency directly to the top job (and the last until George H.W. Bush pulled it off in 1988).

Van Buren also had two nicknames. Because he was a shrewd, masterful politician his opponents derisively called him the Little Magician. But his admirers had a kinder, gentler name. They affectionately called him Old Kinderhook after the Dutch community in upstate New York where he was born and raised.

That sobriquet eventually grew to include Van Burens political supporters. Asked which candidate a certain man was voting for (because only men could vote back then), the answer might come back, Dont worry; hes for Old Kinderhook. The phrase was eventually shortened to the word you and I know today; Hes OK.

Over time, OK expanded beyond politics to mean any person, place, thing, or situation that was acceptable. As in, Hows the food at the new restaurant? Its OK. Not great, not awful. The friend zone of achievement. OK.

More Information Holy Cow! History is written by novelist, former television journalist and diehard history buff J. Mark Powell. Have a historic mystery that needs solving? A forgotten moment worth remembering? Send it to HolyCow@insidesources.com. See More Collapse

As is so often the case with words in our convoluted and ever-evolving English languagewhich tended to be made up as it went alongthere are alternative versions of OKs origins.

One claims it came from the Choctaw Native American language. Anotherand its a stretchis that the word somehow morphed out of oll korrect, which was an Old English for all correct.

The most ridiculous of all explanations has it sprouting from the early 1800s craze among young people of using abbreviations for laughs. A particular favorite was KG, short for know go, which in turn was a wordplay on no go. How KG supposedly grew into OK stretches credulity, though some people adamantly insist it somehow happened.

Personally, the Old Kinderhook explanation has a serious ring of truth to it and is the one I believe.

This leads to another question. Just how did the word go from an American idiom to global slang? The answer is simple: World War II.

GIs, sailors, and Marines took it with them everywhere they were sent. Since it was a world war, after all, they went to the four corners of the globe. And OK went with them. From Australia and South Pacific islands to the sands of North African and dozens upon dozens of locales in between, Americas men and women in uniform introduced locals to the word. Almost overnight, it joined their local slang lexicon, too.

Why was OK so popular? For starters, it rolls off the tongue effortlessly. Compare that to the trouble German occupiers had introducing their mother tongue, which is filled with such linguistic jewels as Streichholzschachtelchen (matchboxes). Little wonder the simple American colloquialism caught on.

And thats A-OK with me. Matty Van would probably agree.
The barbecue king: British royals praise Philips deft touch View Photo

LONDON (AP)  When Prince Philip died nearly six months ago at 99, the tributes poured in from far and wide, praising him for his supportive role at the side of Queen Elizabeth II over her near 70-year reign.

Now, it has emerged that Philip had another crucial role within the royal family. He was the familys barbecue king  perhaps testament to his Greek heritage.

He adored barbecuing and he turned that into an interesting art form, his oldest son Prince Charles said in a BBC tribute program that will be broadcast on Wednesday. And if I ever tried to do it he  I could never get the fire to light or something ghastly, so (hed say): Go away!

In excerpts of Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers released late Saturday, members of the royal family spoke admiringly of the late Duke of Edinburghs barbecuing skills and his love of cookery shows, with the Hairy Bikers Si King and Dave Myers among his favourites.

Every barbecue that Ive ever been on, the Duke of Edinburgh has been there cooking, said Prince William, Philips oldest grandson. Hes definitely a dab hand at the barbecue  I can safely say theres never been a case of food poisoning in the family thats attributed to the Duke of Edinburgh.

More than a dozen royals including all four of the queen and Philips children  Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward  and their adult grandchildren, including Charles two sons, William and Prince Harry, took part in the one-hour program. The program, which was filmed before and after Philips death on April 9, was originally conceived to mark his 100th birthday in June,

The 95-year-old queen was not interviewed but granted special access to her private film collection. Nor were the spouses of Philips grandchildren, including Harrys wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.

Harry, who stepped down from royal duties last year and moved to California, spoke for the first time about how the Duke of Edinburgh gave him the space to talk about serving in Afghanistan. Harry says his grandfather would never probe but listen about his two tour of duties to Helmand province during the war in Afghanistan.

Going off to Afghanistan, he was very matter of fact and just said, Make sure you come back alive, Harry said. Then when I came back, there wasnt a deep level of discussion, more a case of, Well, you made it. How was it? Thats how he was.

He was very much a listener, he sort of set the scene for you to be able to share as much as you wanted to share, but he would never probe, he added.

Harry first served in Afghanistan as a forward air controller, during 2007-08, coordinating air strikes on Taliban positions before his presence was revealed by foreign media and he was flown home. He returned in 2012, this time as an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner.

Charles also spoke about Philips dedication to the military.

He took very seriously the fact that he was involved in the three armed forces. And obviously the Navy was his main service, but he took an inordinate interest in everything to do with the other two, Charles said.

He read up an awful lot and thought about it and so he certainly put a lot of the generals and others through their paces, if you know what I mean. Hed always thought of a better way of doing it, he added.

___

Follow all AP stories on Prince Philip at https://apnews.com/hub/PrincePhilip

By PAN PYLAS

Associated Press
Sonora, CAOver a hundred people were gathered at Courthouse Park in downtown Sonora to protest vaccine mandates and perceived government overreach. The event and its origins were recently a topic of KVMLs Newsmaker of the Day segment, which can be found here

The event began at 1 pm with an opening prayer followed by a star-spangled banner sing-along with group High Flutin.

The opening hour of the event was focused on various speakers, the first was David Dennis, an organizer of the Freedom Rally. He warned about the dangers of the digital age removing voting rights and the importance of visible rallies as a way for people to advocate what they believe in.

The second speaker Suzanne Cruz, founder, and CEO of Liberty Institute USA as well as a published author who shared quotes about the importance of freedom including this one from President Reagan Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didnt pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it, and then hand it to them with the well-fought lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same. And if you and I dont do this, then you and I may well spend our sunset years telling our children and our childrens children what it once was like in America when men were free.

The third speaker was Darren Duez who is running for Sonora City Council. He said local government handling of COVID-19 has been very harmful to local businesses whe he said were left stranded by restrictive mandates and regulations. He encouraged the crowd to vote for him.

The speaking portion of the event was closed out by college professor and pastor Brook Moes who used a series of historical comparisons like the fall of Rome, to illustrate the importance of standing up for freedoms and letting your voice be heard.

The event had 1-2 counter-protestors who were masked and videotaping the event but even with some heated words at times the event stayed peaceful.
Haitians on Texas border undeterred by US plan to expel them View Photo

DEL RIO, Texas (AP)  Haitian migrants seeking to escape poverty, hunger and a feeling of hopelessness in their home country said they will not be deterred by U.S. plans to speedily send them back, as thousands of people remained encamped on the Texas border Saturday after crossing from Mexico.

Scores of people waded back and forth across the Rio Grande on Saturday afternoon, re-entering Mexico to purchase water, food and diapers in Ciudad Acuna before returning to the Texas encampment under and near a bridge in the border city of Del Rio.

Junior Jean, a 32-year-old man from Haiti, watched as people cautiously carried cases of water or bags of food through the knee-high river water. Jean said he lived on the streets in Chile the past four years, resigned to searching for food in garbage cans.

We are all looking for a better life, he said.

The Department of Homeland Security said Saturday that it moved about 2,000 of the migrants from the camp to other locations Friday for processing and possible removal from the U.S. Its statement also said it would have 400 agents and officers in the area by Monday morning and would send more if necessary.

The announcement marked a swift response to the sudden arrival of Haitians in Del Rio, a Texas city of about 35,000 people roughly 145 miles (230 kilometers) west of San Antonio. It sits on a relatively remote stretch of border that lacks capacity to hold and process such large numbers of people.

A U.S. official told The Associated Press on Friday that the U.S would likely fly the migrants out of the country on five to eight flights a day, starting Sunday, while another official expected no more than two a day and said everyone would be tested for COVID-19. The first official said operational capacity and Haitis willingness to accept flights would determine how many flights there would be. Both officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Told of the U.S. plans Saturday, several migrants said they still intended to remain in the encampment and seek asylum. Some spoke of the most recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, saying they were afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

In Haiti, there is no security, said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived with his wife and two daughters. The country is in a political crisis.

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating 2010 earthquake. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

Jorge Luis Mora Castillo, a 48-year-old from Cuba, said he arrived Saturday in Acuna and also planned to cross into the U.S. Castillo said his family paid smugglers $12,000 to take him, his wife and their son out of Paraguay, a South American nation where they had lived for four years.

Told of the U.S. message discouraging migrants, Castillo said he wouldnt change his mind.

Because to go back to Cuba is to die, he said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection closed off vehicle and pedestrian traffic in both directions Friday at the only border crossing between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna to respond to urgent safety and security needs and it remained closed Saturday. Travelers were being directed indefinitely to a crossing in Eagle Pass, roughly 55 miles (90 kilometers) away.

Crowd estimates varied, but Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano said Saturday evening there were 14,534 immigrants at the camp under the bridge. Migrants pitched tents and built makeshif t shelters from giant reeds known as carrizo cane. Many bathed and washed clothing in the river.

It is unclear how such a large number amassed so quickly, though many Haitians have been assembling in camps on the Mexican side of the border to wait while deciding whether to attempt entry into the U.S.

The number of Haitian arrivals began to reach unsustainable levels for the Border Patrol in Del Rio about 2  weeks ago, prompting the agencys acting sector chief, Robert Garcia, to ask headquarters for help, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Since then, the agency has transferred Haitians in buses and vans to other Border Patrol facilities in Texas, specifically El Paso, Laredo and Rio Grande Valley. They are mostly processed outside of the pandemic-related authority, meaning they can claim asylum and remain in the U.S. while their claims are considered. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement makes custody decision but families can generally not be held more than 20 days under court order.

Homeland Securitys plan announced Saturday signals a shift to use of pandemic-related authority for immediate expulsion to Haiti without an opportunity to claim asylum, the official said.

The flight plan, while potentially massive in scale, hinges on how Haitians respond. They might have to decide whether to stay put at the risk of being sent back to an impoverished homeland wracked by poverty and political instability or return to Mexico. Unaccompanied children are exempt from fast-track expulsions.

DHS said, our borders are not open, and people should not make the dangerous journey.

Individuals and families are subject to border restrictions, including expulsion, the agency wrote. Irregular migration poses a significant threat to the health and welfare of border communities and to the lives of migrants themselves, and should not be attempted.

U.S. authorities are being severely tested after Democratic President Joe Biden quickly dismantled Trump administration policies that Biden considered cruel or inhumane, most notably one requiring asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while waiting for U.S. immigration court hearings.

A pandemic-related order to immediately expel migrants without giving them the opportunity to seek asylum that was introduced in March 2020 remains in effect, but unaccompanied children and many families have been exempt. During his first month in office, Biden chose to exempt children traveling alone on humanitarian grounds.

Nicole Phillips, legal director for advocacy group Haitian Bridge Alliance, said Saturday that the U.S. government should process migrants and allow them to apply for asylum, not rush to expel them.

It really is a humanitarian crisis, Phillips said. There needs to be a lot of help there now.

Mexicos immigration agency said in a statement Saturday that Mexico has opened a permanent dialogue with Haitian government representatives to address the situation of irregular migratory flows during their entry and transit through Mexico, as well as their assisted return.

The agency didnt specify if it was referring to the Haitians in Ciudad Acuna or to the thousands of others in Tapachula, at the Guatemalan border, and the agency didnt immediately reply to a request for further details.

In August, U.S. authorities stopped migrants nearly 209,000 times at the border, which was close to a 20-year high even though many of the stops involved repeat crossers because there are no legal consequences for being expelled under the pandemic authority.

___

Lozano reported from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico and Spagat reported from San Diego. Associated Press writers Ben Fox, Alexandra Jaffe and Colleen Long in Washington contributed to this report.

By JUAN A. LOZANO, ERIC GAY and ELLIOT SPAGAT

Associated Press
US launches mass expulsion of Haitian migrants from Texas View Photo

DEL RIO, Texas (AP)  The U.S. flew Haitians camped in a Texas border town back to their homeland Sunday and tried blocking others from crossing the border from Mexico in a massive show of force that signaled the beginning of what could be one of Americas swiftest, large-scale expulsions of migrants or refugees in decades.

More than 320 migrants arrived in Port-au-Prince on three flights, and Haiti said six flights were expected Tuesday. In all, U.S. authorities moved to expel many of the more 12,000 migrants camped around a bridge in Del Rio, Texas, after crossing from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico.

The U.S. plans to begin seven expulsion flights daily on Wednesday, four to Port-au-Prince and three to Cap-Haitien, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Flights will continue to depart from San Antonio but authorities may add El Paso, the official said.

The only obvious parallel for such an expulsion without an opportunity to seek asylum was in 1992 when the Coast Guard intercepted Haitian refugees at sea, said Yael Schacher, senior U.S. advocate at Refugees International whose doctoral studies focused on the history of U.S. asylum law.

Similarly large numbers of Mexicans have been sent home during peak years of immigration but over land and not so suddenly.

Central Americans have also crossed the border in comparable numbers without being subject to mass expulsion, although Mexico has agreed to accept them from the U.S. under pandemic-related authority in effect since March 2020. Mexico does not accept expelled Haitians or people of other nationalities outside of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

When the border was closed Sunday, the migrants initially found other ways to cross nearby until they were confronted by federal and state law enforcement. An Associated Press reporter saw Haitian immigrants still crossing the river into the U.S. about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) east of the previous spot, but they were eventually stopped by Border Patrol agents on horseback and Texas law enforcement officials.

As they crossed, some Haitians carried boxes on their heads filled with food. Some removed their pants before getting into the river and carried them. Others were unconcerned about getting wet.

Agents yelled at the migrants who were crossing in the waist-deep river to get out of the water. The several hundred who had successfully crossed and were sitting along the river bank on the U.S. side were ordered to the Del Rio camp. Go now, agents yelled. Mexican authorities in an airboat told others trying to cross to go back into Mexico.

Migrant Charlie Jean had crossed back into Ciudad Acuna from the camps to get food for his wife and three daughters, ages 2, 5 and 12. He was waiting on the Mexican side for a restaurant to bring him an order of rice.

We need food for every day. I can go without, but my kids cant, said Jean, who had been living in Chile for five years before beginning the trek north to the U.S. It was unknown if he made it back across and to the camp.

Mexico said Sunday it would also begin deporting Haitians to their homeland. A government official said the flights would be from towns near the U.S. border and the border with Guatemala, where the largest group remains.

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating 2010 earthquake. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

Some of the migrants at the Del Rio camp said the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise make them afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

In Haiti, there is no security, said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived in Texas with his wife and two daughters. The country is in a political crisis.

Since Friday, 3,300 migrants have already been removed from the Del Rio camp to planes or detention centers, Border Patrol Chief Raul L. Ortiz said Sunday. He expected to have 3,000 of the approximately 12,600 remaining migrants moved within a day, and aimed for the rest to be gone within the week.

We are working around the clock to expeditiously move migrants out of the heat, elements and from underneath this bridge to our processing facilities in order to quickly process and remove individuals from the United States consistent with our laws and our policies, Ortiz said at news conference at the Del Rio bridge. The Texas city of about 35,000 people sits roughly 145 miles (230 kilometers) west of San Antonio.

Six flights were scheduled in Haiti on Tuesday  three in Port-au-Prince and three in the northern city of Cap-Haitien, said Jean Negot Bonheur Delva, Haitis migration director.

The rapid expulsions were made possible by a pandemic-related authority adopted by former President Donald Trump in March 2020 that allows for migrants to be immediately removed from the country without an opportunity to seek asylum. President Joe Biden exempted unaccompanied children from the order but let the rest stand.

Any Haitians not expelled are subject to immigration laws, which include rights to seek asylum and other forms of humanitarian protection. Families are quickly released in the U.S. because the government cannot generally hold children.

Some people arriving on the first flight covered their heads as they walked into a large bus parked next to the plane. Dozens lined up to receive a plate of rice, beans, chicken and plantains as they wondered where they would sleep and how they would make money to support their families.

All were given $100 and tested for COVID-19, though authorities were not planning to put them into quarantine, said Marie-Lourde Jean-Charles with the Office of National Migration.

Gary Monplaisir, 26, said his parents and sister live in Port-au-Prince, but he wasnt sure if he would stay with them because to reach their house he, his wife and their 5-year-old daughter would cross a gang-controlled area called Martissant where killings are routine.

Im scared, he said. I dont have a plan.

He moved to Chile in 2017, just as he was about to earn an accounting degree, to work as a tow truck driver. He later paid for his wife and daughter to join him. They tried to reach the U.S. because he thought he could get a better-paying job and help his family in Haiti.

Were always looking for better opportunities, he said.

Some migrants said they were planning to leave Haiti again as soon as possible. Valeria Ternission, 29, said she and her husband want to travel with their 4-year-old son back to Chile, where she worked as a bakerys cashier.

I am truly worried, especially for the child, she said. I cant do anything here.

___

Lozano reported from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, Sanon from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and Spagat from San Diego. Associated Press writers Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Maria Verza in Mexico City also contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration

By JUAN A. LOZANO, ERIC GAY, ELLIOT SPAGAT and EVENS SANON

Associated Press
Click here to read the full article.

Eva Longoria laughs when asked about the toughest challenge she faced when shooting Flamin Hot, her feature film directorial debut about Richard Montanez, the man largely credited with the creation of Flamin Hot Cheetos.

The New Mexico heat, Longoria says of shooting for five months in the Southwestern state. So hot! There were days the asphalt melted underneath our camera trucks.

Kidding aside, she says, I think probably the greatest challenge was making sure we stayed true to the theme of the movie, which is opportunity is not distributed equally. And when that happens, you have to work twice as hard and twice as long and be twice as good. And you still have to persevere and the story is so many things. Its rags to riches, its American dream 101, its about perseverance, its about the underdog. But at the end of the day, its also about one persons perspective and struggle within themselves. So its a beautiful, beautiful biopic.

Controversy erupted earlier this year when a Los Angeles Times story claimed that Montanez exaggerated his involved in the invention of the snack. In the wake of the report, Montanez told Variety, I was their greatest ambassador. But I will say this  youre going to love your company more than they will ever love you. Keep that in perspective.

Longoria stands by Montanez. I was operating from a place of authenticity and making sure I represented not only the story of Richard Montanez and the biopic that we were trying to do, but the Mexican-American community at large and making sure we represented in culture, in casting, in food, in the music, she says.

I caught up with Longoria for this weeks episode of the Just for Variety podcast. She also talked about one of her most recent new business venturesco-founding Casa Del Sol tequila earlier this month. The company is primarily female-run. My mission has always been, whether its in my production company or my philanthropyits to uplift the voices of women and celebrate them, Longoria says. This particular team, its not solely women, but I love highlighting the women who are playing a pivotal role to encourage others in the space to do the same.

Longorias favorite tequila drink? A Mexican mule, which is a Moscow mule with tequila, she says.

On a more serious note, Longoria expressed her disappointment and outrage over her home state of Texas new abortion laws. I think its so hypocritical that Republicans are saying, No mask, my body or No vaccine, my body. But youre going to control my body? Its so hypocritical and so unfair and so disappointing, she says. And if we dont pay attention, its only going to get worse. I need people to wake up in Texas and really stand up for human rights because thats what this is, an infringement. And not only that, voting rights is next. The redlining, the gerrymandering, the redistricting, all of thats next after the census. And so its really going to affect communities of color. Its already hard enough to vote and to make it even harder for communities of black and brown people, is unfair.

Listen to the full interview with Longoria above. You can also find Just for Variety at Apple Podcasts are wherever listen to your favorite podcasts.

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The airport, generally speaking, is not a peaceful place. Stressed-out strangers rush to take off their shoes at security, put on their shoes afterward and power-walk through terminal mazes to their gate.

And while heading to the airport can be an exciting time for travelers, "people are not always traveling to go on vacation to Cancun," aid Cristina Alcivar, founder and editor of Vane Airport Media, a website dedicated to airport wellness. "There are people traveling for work. People are traveling because of mourning. People are breaking up. . . . People say goodbye forever inside of airports."

That is more true than ever as people navigate travel during a global health crisis and with a dramatic increase of unruliness in the skies.

Sure, you could drown your travel anxieties at the airport bar or spend a fortune on an airport massage, but some airports have an even better option: Airport therapy dogs.

If you're lucky enough to encounter one, airport therapy dogs can be just the thing to soothe those anxieties. Here's what you need to know about them and where they can be found.

- - -

_ First of all, what's an airport therapy dog?

It turns out that bringing dogs to airports makes people really happy. Not guide dogs or emotional support dogs, but specifically airport therapy dogs.

"They create a better experience for passengers," Alcivar said. "They humanize your experience."

Through her website and social media, Alcivar has been getting the word out about airport therapy dogs and what the animals can do for their nerves. She would like more people to know about the science that shows dogs can enhance your mood, and therapy dogs can calm you at places that tend to cause stress, such as hospitals, courts and airports.

Just after 9/11, San Jose International Airport (SJC) in California was the first airport to introduce therapy dogs to its terminals. The airport's chaplain volunteer Kathryn Liebschutz asked to bring to work her trained therapy dog, Orion, in hopes of easing traveler anxiety in the wake of the attacks. SJC saw the positive impact Orion made and started an official program.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) followed San Jose's lead, and it was the second airport to start a therapy dog program. The LAX Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) program has grown to be the largest in the country, with 121 therapy dogs before the pandemic and about 5,200 volunteer hours logged in 2019.

Heidi Huebner developed the PUP program in 2013 and continues to manage it. She is now an expert on airport therapy dog programs and has helped 70 other airports launch theirs. Perhaps the most important information Huebner teaches is that not all dogs can become airport therapy dogs.

"You can't train a dog to have this type of temperament; they have to be born with it," she said. "Their natural personality is a dog that's very outgoing and loves people and doesn't get scared by lots of activities and loud noises."

Aside from temperament, airport therapy dogs must have other qualifications, such as having at least one year experience working with a recognized dog therapy organization, being registered with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and passing an initial meet-and-greet walk-through test. Dogs can be different breeds, sizes and ages. Their handlers are fingerprinted and badged, and they must commit to at least one shift weekly.

- - -

_ Where can I find them?

According to Alcivar, therapy dog programs are a growing trend for airports in the United States, but unfortunately for traveling dog lovers, they aren't as prolific as Cinnabon or Starbucks.

From Alcivar's research, 87 airports in North America had programs before the pandemic hit. After suspending programs in 2020 because of safety concerns, airports are slowly reinstating therapy dog volunteers. Alcivar made this chart to highlight the 35 airports with dogs back in action.

Many programs have reduced volunteer numbers as dogs have retired out of the system. Some programs also changed the way they operate with pandemic protocols.

At Nebraska's Lincoln Airport (LNK), "we now have a designated area where the handler and the dogs hang out and it gives passengers the ability to approach them," said Rachel Barth, a spokeswoman for the airport. "It makes [handlers and travelers] feel safer."

There is no database on where and when you can find airport therapy dogs. And because programs are powered by volunteers, even if an airport has therapy dogs, they probably will not be there all day, every day.

Travelers can Google the name of an airport they are visiting and "therapy dog" to see if a program exists. Some airports have social media accounts that mention their programs, or accounts for the programs themselves that post when and where their dogs will be on duty.

_ Who should pet them?

Young, old, solo, business - there isn't one kind of traveler who can benefit from petting an airport therapy dog.

Tara Hoover, who heads the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) therapy dog program, PIT PAWS (Pups Alleviating Worry and Stress), has seen adults lie on the floor for better petting access, and elderly fliers clamor for selfies with Juno, her certified therapy dog.

Volunteers like Tara and Juno can be a godsend for travelers with fear of flying.

"My very first day - I'll never forget it - we sat with a passenger in tears," Hoover said. "She was so scared and nervous . . . I sat with her for a while and she just sat there and was petting [Juno] just talking, trying to pass the time."

Passengers have told Hoover that they didn't have to take anxiety medicine such as Xanax before their flight because they were so soothed after spending time with Juno. The dogs are also a big hit with families - kids are overjoyed to pet a dog, and parents welcome the distraction.

The dogs can be just as therapeutic for airport staff, whether they are TSA agents or concession-stand cashiers.

"That comfort is important also for the employees. They really missed the dogs and they are happy to see them back," Huebner said. "We have these little trading cards . . . and the employees love collecting them. They know when there's a new team. They'll be like, 'I've never seen this dog before.' "

At Denver International Airport (DEN), spokesperson Stacey Stegman said she hopes that their therapy animals can reach as many travelers as possible. Their therapy dog program, ironically called CATS (Canine Airport Therapy Squad - although they do have one therapy cat on staff that is walked around on a leash), is a positive contribution to the world that gives people unconditional love at a time when everyone needs it.

Next time you're flying, keep your eyes peeled for a volunteer, and get ready to give the animal a pet.

"We know that when you're traveling, it's busy, it's stressful, and let's add covid into the mix which makes it even more crazy," Stegman said. "When you see some of these animals, I would say take a moment, pause, feel a little bit of joy. It's just going to make your trip that much better."
PARIS (AP)  France's foreign minister on Saturday denounced what he called the duplicity, disdain and lies surrounding the sudden rupture of France's lucrative contract to make submarines for Australia in favor of a U.S. deal and declared that a crisis is at hand among the Western allies.

A day after France recalled its ambassadors to the United States and Australia, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian pummeled what he suggested was a backroom deal that betrayed France.

The recalling of its ambassadors signifies the force of the crisis today between the French government and Washington and Canberra, he said in an interview on France 2 television. He said it was the first time ever that France, the United States' oldest ally, has recalled its ambassador to the U.S.

The announcement by President Joe Biden of the deal, alongside the leaders of Australia and Britain, for at least eight nuclear-powered submarines has set France in a fury. The French had signed a contract in 2016 for a dozen conventional diesel-electric submarines and the work to make them was already underway. The deal with French majority state-owned Naval Group was worth at least $66 billion.

Diplomatic niceties have gone out the window as French authorities seek to make their anger known.

Le Drian denied reports that there had been advance consultations with France ahead of the announcement, saying this isn't true.

Allies don't treat each other with such brutality, such unpredictability, a major partner like France ... So there really is a crisis, Le Drian said.

There are reasons for us to question the strength of our alliance, Le Drian said.

Earlier, France's ambassador to Australia also strayed from diplomatic language when describing what has been widely billed in France as the contract of the century.

This has been a huge mistake, a very, very bad handling of the partnership, French ambassador Jean-Pierre Thebault said before flying home to France.

The arms agreement between France and Australia, signed in 2016, was supposed to be based on trust, mutual understanding and sincerity, a fuming Thebault said. I would like to be able to run into a time machine and be in a situation where we dont end up in such an incredible, clumsy, inadequate, un-Australian situation.

He said he found out about the canceled contract in the Australian press.

Le Drian said in a written statement Friday that the French decision to recall its ambassadors  at the request of President Emmanuel Macron  is justified by the exceptional seriousness of the announcements made by Australia and the United States.

What French officials have called a complex, multi-layered contract was about more than submarines. It was the underpinning for France's vision of the critical Indo-Pacific region, where France has a presence and China is looking to bolster its influence.

The Naval Group said in a statement that consequences of the contract cancelation would be analyzed with Australia in the coming days. It noted that teams in France and Australia have been at work on the project for the past five years.

Australian employees working with Naval Group and their families have set up home in the Normandy port of Cherbourg. A union official, David Robin, told BFMTV that employees were informed there may be an option to keep them on.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Paynes office earlier had issued a statement responding to the diplomats recall and noting Canberras regret over its allys withdrawal of its representative.

Australia understands Frances deep disappointment with our decision, which was taken in accordance with our clear and communicated national security interests, the statement said. It added that Australia values its relationship with France and looked forward to future engagements together.

Payne and Defense Minister Peter Dutton are currently in the United States for annual talks with their U.S. counterparts and their first with Bidens administration.

After the U.S. deal was made public this week, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he told Macron in June that there were very real issues about whether a conventional submarine capability would address Australias strategic security needs in the Indo-Pacific.

Morrison has not specifically referred to Chinas massive military buildup, which has gained pace in recent years.

Morrison was in Paris on his way home from a Group of Seven nations summit in Britain where he had talks with soon-to-be-alliance partners Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Thebault said he had also been at the meeting with Macron and Morrison.

Morrison mentioned there were changes in the regional situation, but gave no indication that Australia was considering changing to nuclear propulsion, Thebault said.

Everything was supposed to be done in full transparency between the two partners, he added.

Senior Australian opposition lawmaker Mark Dreyfus called on the Australian government to fix its relationship with France.

The impact on our relationship with France is a concern, particularly as a country with important interests in our region, Dreyfus said. The French were blindsided by this decision and Mr. Morrison should have done much more to protect the relationship."
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Some 7,000 people gathered in Ukrainian capital on Sunday for the annual March for Equality to support the rights of the country's LGBT community.

Equipped with colorful costumes and rainbow flags, the crowd marched down the central streets of Kyiv, some carrying banners reading Fight for right! Participants announced eight demands for Ukrainian authorities, including the legalization of civil partnerships for LGBT people and the creation of laws against LGBT hate crimes.
International

Nepal observes Constitution Day; PM Deuba vows to protect, implement statute

Sher Bahadur Deuba

KATHMANDU, SEP 19 (PTI) | Publish Date: 9/19/2021 12:04:56 PM IST

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Sunday underlined the need to protect and implement the countrys Constitution as the Himalayan nation observed its seventh Constitution Day.

Nepal celebrates the promulgation of its Constitution on September 19.

In his address to the nation, Deuba expressed pride over the promulgation of the Constitution six years ago by the representatives elected by the people.

He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the countrys martyrs and remembered them for their supreme sacrifices.

In his speech, Prime Minister Deuba underlined the need to protect and implement the Constitution.

The Constitution of Nepal is a realisation of the dreams of the immortal martyrs and the aspirations of the Nepali people.

Our goal is to bring prosperity in the country along with the happiness of the people through successful implementation of the Constitution, he said.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the government was working to protect the lives of the people from the deadly contagion through acceleration of the vaccination drive, he said.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has said that 75 years of friendly relations with Nepal have been made stronger by the people-to-people cordiality.

In a statement issued on the occasion of the Constitution Day of Nepal, he congratulated the Government and the people of Nepal on behalf the US government and people, recalling the collaboration between the two countries in the past years in facing up common challenges.

Blinken said that the two countries worked together in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and climate change.

Nepals Constituent Assembly promulgated its new Constitution which was framed by the elected representative body for the first time in September 2015 despite sparking protests in the southern Nepal districts adjoining India.

Nepals Madhes-based parties, which claim to represent the interests of inhabitants of the southern Terai region who are mostly of Indian-origin, had launched a six-month long protest in the past to press for the Constitution amendment to address their demands in which nearly 60 people were killed.

Their demands included redrawing provincial boundaries, recognition of regional languages, addressing issues related to citizenship and representation in the National Assembly.
(Natural News) Weve recently published several stories on ANP about the massive labor shortages hitting industries across America as an entire police department in Missouri has resigned at the same time, nurses are stepping down from long held jobs rather than taking the mRNA injection (that is quite literally killing people) and a huge school bus driver shortage is hitting America as drivers step down rather than taking the jab, and now we see how the globalists will handle this unfolding mess.

(Article by Stefan Stanford republished from AllNewsPipeline.com)

With NPR reporting back on September 1st that a national survey had determined that there was a severe school bus driver shortage happening across America, largely due to vax mandates that were being imposed and the unwillingness of many drivers to take it, that survey found a full half of student-transportation coordinators described their school bus driver shortages as either severe or desperate.

So what are states going to do to deal with this unfolding mess? As CBS News reports in this new story, the state of Massachusetts (and now New York) are now both calling in the National Guard to drive the kids to school in attempts to fix that labor problem.

And in so doing, theyre taking their next incremental steps to bring in tyranny while attempting to normalize American children to seeing men and women wearing military uniforms every day, just like any once free nation being transformed into a communist, totalitarian nation would do.

Also hinting that should truck drivers hauling food and supplies across America go on strike against vax mandates in the near future, theyll also put members of the National Guard into those very crucial positions as well, well be taking a look within this story at just how tyrannical regimes historically have used incrementalism to usher in tyranny, just like the new world odor is doing right now. From this CBS Boston story first.

As a bus driver shortage sweeps across the nation, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has deployed National Guard personnel to address the problem in his state.

Beginning Tuesday, up to 250 Massachusetts guard members were made available to drive students to and from school to address the lack of staff. The safe and reliable transportation to school each day is critical to our childrens safety and education, Baker wrote on Twitter Monday.

National Guard personnel will drive students in special school transport vans called 7D vehicles, and they will undergo vehicle training before becoming temporary drivers, the governors office said in a statement. On Tuesday, 90 guard members began preparing service for school districts including Chelsea, Lawrence, Lowell and Lynn.

The Guards assistance will not hinder their duty to respond to and assist in emergencies. The missions cost will be reimbursed by the federal government, Baker said. (ANP: aka by the American taxpayer! No wonder theyre raising taxes so dramatically in 2021!)

We are grateful and thankful that somebody was definitely thinking out of the box, Chelsea School Superintendent Almi Abeyta told CBS Boston. When I got the call, I was like oh, thats an interesting solution, yes, OK!'

Days before the school year began, the Boston School Bus Union called for in-person classes to be postponed altogether, saying that the overlapping problems are transportation chaos.

Like sand passing through an hourglass, we must all stay mindful of. As Mike Adams had warned all the way back in April of 2020 in this Natural News story , government tyranny is far more dangerous than any virus, with governments historically the biggest mass murderers ever

While this August of 2021 story over at far-left Salon had reported, incorrectly, Republicans claim to fear left-wing authoritarianism  but theres no such thing. Yes, dictators sometimes cloak themselves in socialism. But tyranny, here and elsewhere, is always right-wing, does that mean Joe Biden and 2021 Democrats are actually pushing right wing politics?

Of course as weve reported on ANP previously, it doesnt matter if its the left boot or the right boot stomping upon ones face, either way, its a boot where its not supposed to ever be in free societies! And incrementalism is used to bring that tyranny in.

Like a frog that would quickly jump out of a boiling pot of water but boils to death when the temperature is very slowly raised to the boiling point, when governments use incrementalism to impose tyranny, every small decision feels rational to those who dont see the big picture, putting themselves and their families in peril like the frog lounging in the nice warm water, unaware of whats to hit it.

Similar to what recently happened in the nation of Venezuela, where their switch from an economy and political structure based largely upon Capitalism that completely collapsed once socialism was slowly ushered in, as this 2020 story over at The Atlantic had reported, Venezuela is nothing less than the eerie endgame of modern politics, where citizens of that once-prosperous nation now live amid the havoc created by socialism, illiberal nationalism, and political polarization. Though that Atlantic story blamed President Trump for what the globalists have long been working to transform America into.

Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com
(Natural News) If a military general tried to insert himself into the chain of command in an attempt to usurp power from a civilian Democratic president and promised Americas chief adversary they would warn them if we were going to attack, the liberal media would be screaming and calling it what it was: treason. But since Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley did those exact things to President Trump, CBS and NBC came out in strong support of it during their Tuesday evening newscasts, suggesting he was protecting the nation.

(Article by Nicholas Fondacaro republished from NewsBusters.org)

CBS Evening News was the most eager to push Milleys claims and fears of Trump without a shred of evidence. In her introductory tease, anchor Norah ODonnell proclaimed that Trump had gone rogue. She then praised how Americas top general worried then-President Trump would spark a war with China. Well tell you the dramatic steps he took to make sure Trump wouldnt launch a nuclear weapon.

The allegations were made in Peril, a book written by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Robert Costa. And of course, CBS would be the most excited to peddle the story, theyre owned by the same parent company (Viacom) that owned the publisher of the book (Simon & Schuster). It was only when they were well into their report did Pentagon correspondent David Martin admit that fact.

Milley was so worried Trump might spark a war with China, he placed a secret call to his Chinese counterpart, assuring him the U.S. had no intention of striking, Martin said. Reading from the book, he boasted about Milleys aid to China:

If were going to attack, Im going to call you ahead of time, the authors quote Milley as saying. He made a second call to China after the storming of the Capitol saying, We are 100 percent steady. Everythings fine.

He also touted Milleys interjection into the chain of command for the nuclear launch codes to subvert Americas civilian leadership. The book, titled Peril says Milley told nuclear control officers they had to check with him first, no matter what orders they received from the president, he said.

Over on NBC Nightly News, anchor Lester Holt lauded Milleys delusions of danger by hyping the stunning revelations  that Americas top military officer was so concerned former President Trump might spark a war with China in his final months in office, he took extraordinary actions.

Chief Washington correspondent and Democratic Party fan girl, Andrea Mitchell tried to make Milleys case for him, suggesting it was obvious that Trump was posturing for war:

MITCHELL: Milleys first call last October 30th was prompted by intelligence that China thought the U.S. was prepared to attack because U.S. carriers had carried out military exercises in the South China Sea and Trump was berating China for the coronavirus. TRUMP: We must hold accountable the nation which unleashed this plague onto the world, China.

Reading from the book, Mitchell gushed (as did CBS) about how Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Milley had secretly coordinated about the chain of command for the nuclear codes:

Also alarmed after January 6th, Speaker Pelosi, who called Milley to ask, according to a transcript obtained by the authors, what precautions were available to prevent an unstable president from initiating military hostilities or from accessing the launch codes and ordering a nuclear strike. Milley ends up assuring her, I know the system, and we are okay. The president alone can order the use of nuclear weapons. One person can order it. Several people have to launch it.

Mitchell omitted the part of Milleys phone calls where he promised to warn China if America was going to strike.

As for the reporting on ABCs World News Tonight, chief Washington correspondent Jon Karl did little more than read excerpts. He was also the only one to quote Trump from a Newsmax interview where he accused Milley of committing treason, is the book was accurate.

This support for a treasonous general out to aid Americas enemy was made possible because of lucrative sponsorships Liberty Mutual on CBS and Ensure on NBC. Their contact information is linked so you can tell them about the biased news they fund. CBS Evening News has also asked people to text Norah at this number: (202) 217-1107.

The relevant portions of the transcript are below, click expand to read:

CBS Evening News

September 14, 2021

6:30:38 p.m. Eastern NORAH ODONNELL: Trump rogue. The book bombshell. Americas top general worried then-President Trump would spark a war with China. Well tell you the dramatic steps he took to make sure Trump wouldnt launch a nuclear weapon. () 6:34:47 p.m. Eastern ODONNELL: And tonight, we are getting an eye-opening account of the tumultuous final days of the Trump administration. It allegedly included secret meetings and phone calls and a top U.S. military leader who was concerned the commander in chief might launch an unnecessary war. Heres CBSs David Martin. [Cuts to video] DAVID MARTIN: Last fall, the nations top military officer, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley, feared then-President Trump might create a crisis that would allow him to declare a national emergency and stay in power, despite losing the election. One item that sparked Milleys concern was a letter from Trump sent two days after he fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper, directing Milley to pull all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan in two months. Even before then, according to a new book by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, published by Simon & Schuster, a division of Viacom CBS, Milley was so worried Trump might spark a war with China, he placed a secret call to his Chinese counterpart, assuring him the U.S. had no intention of striking. If were going to attack, Im going to call you ahead of time, the authors quote Milley as saying. He made a second call to China after the storming of the Capitol saying, We are 100 percent steady. Everythings fine. After the Capitol Riot, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Milley, asking what safeguards were in place to prevent Trump from starting a nuclear war. A transcript of the phone call, obtained by Woodward and Costa, quotes her as saying, Hes crazy. According to the transcript, Milley replied, I agree with you on everything. The book, titled Peril says Milley told nuclear control officers they had to check with him first, no matter what orders they received from the president. () NBC Nightly News

September 14, 2021

7:08:19 p.m. Eastern Also breaking tonight, stunning revelations in a new book that Americas top military officer was so concerned former President Trump might spark a war with China in his final months in office, he took extraordinary actions. Heres chief Washington correspondent Andrea Mitchell with that. [Cuts to video] ANDREA MITCHELL: As reported in Bob Woodward and Robert Costas book Peril, Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley called his Chinese counterpart, General Li Zuocheng twice in the closing months of the Trump presidency to tell him the U.S. would not strike China. Milleys first call last October 30th was prompted by intelligence that China thought the U.S. was prepared to attack because U.S. carriers had carried out military exercises in the South China Sea and Trump was berating China for the coronavirus. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We must hold accountable the nation which unleashed this plague onto the world, China. MITCHELL: Two days after the January 6th insurrection, Milley calls General LI again. Woodward and Costa write, LI remained unusually rattled, putting the two nations on the ninth edge of disaster. MICHAEL SCHMIDT (NYT Washington correspondent): Its in the aftermath of that, that he sits down with commanders at the Pentagon and goes over with them the procedures for how a nuclear weapon can be used. MITCHELL: Also alarmed after January 6th, Speaker Pelosi, who called Milley to ask, according to a transcript obtained by the authors, what precautions were available to prevent an unstable president from initiating military hostilities or from accessing the launch codes and ordering a nuclear strike. Milley ends up assuring her, I know the system, and we are okay. The president alone can order the use of nuclear weapons. One person can order it. Several people have to launch it. ()

Read more at: NewsBusters.org
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Showers this morning then scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. High 73F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Yesterday, during a meeting of the Executive Appropriations Committee of the Utah State Legislature, lawmakers unanimously approved $90 million in funding for the Utah Translational Research Building at the University of Utah Huntsman Mental Health Institute.

The Utah Translational Research Building is an incredible win for the people of Utah. I thank the members of the Executive Appropriations Committee and the entire Utah State Legislature for continuing to prioritize mental health. This is an opportunity for us to provide the people of Utah with the best mental health care in the country and lead the nation in mental health research and treatment. Taylor Randall, Ph.D., President, University of Utah

The $90 million appropriated by the Utah State Legislature will be combined with $65 million in philanthropic dollars to create a public-private partnership. The funding was prioritized during a special session of the legislature in May as part of the $1.6 billion Utah accepted in COVID-19 relief funds. The Utah Translational Research Building will catapult Utah to the forefront of mental health research and care by creating a collaborative environment to solve mental health challenges, including the psychiatric and social factors created by COVID-19. Educators and researchers from universities and colleges across the state will use the facility and partner with HMHI on research, treatment, and training initiatives.

This is a tremendous example of the power of the state and community partnership laying the foundation to transform mental health care for the people of Utah, said Mark Rapaport, M.D., CEO, Huntsman Mental Health Institute. If we are going to tackle big problems like suicide, child mental health, and substance use, it will require bringing together teams of experts in basic science, translational science, law, technology, AI, and policy to solve these problems holistically. There is no other facility in the world that allows for this type of collaboration. We will now have the opportunity to do this in Utah.

The Utah Translational Research Building will be used to carry out evidence-based research and improved mental health in the following areas:

Reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and the treatment of mental illness

Improve the mental health services available in rural parts of the state

Improve and expand childrens mental health, including reducing domestic violence and child abuse

Develop effective policy to prevent mental illness and substance use and effective treatments for mental illness and substance use

Expand efforts to prevent and reduce suicide

Improve understanding of mental health workforce needs

Too many people in our state and across the country are suffering from poor mental health, said David Huntsman, President, Huntsman Foundation. We dont need to see the statistics anymore because we see it every day in our own families, and we have too few answers. The Utah Translational Research Building is a huge step forward in finding solutions to the serious mental health challenges that impact all of us.

The Utah Translational Research Building will also house a 7 Tesla MRI dedicated to brain research and innovative clinical interventions that will attract engineers, physicists, psychologists, and researchers from around the world.

The Utah Translational Research Building will be 185,000 square feet and include wet and dry lab space. It will be located behind the current Huntsman Mental Health Institute hospital in Research Park (formerly UNI). Construction will begin early 2022.
In contrast to intramuscular vaccines, only nasal vaccines are able to block the virus in the nose by inducing local immunity in the nasal mucosa, i.e. the portal of entry and multiplication of the virus. The vaccine candidate, developed by the BioMAP team, would take position as the eighth nasal vaccine currently starting clinical testing in the world, and the only one based on viral proteins in France.

This technology for nasal vaccine has already proven to be an efficient barrier against toxoplasmosis infection in primates

This SARS-CoV-2 protein vaccine candidate builds on the BioMap team's expertise in mucosal vaccine design. In partnership with the biotech company Vaxinano, the team has already successfully developed an effective candidate vaccine to protect monkeys from toxoplasmosis. This stable, non-toxic and adjuvant-free nasal vaccine is based on a total protein extract from Toxoplasma gondii the infectious agent being produced by the team and further encapsulated in starch and lipid-based nanoparticles (Vaxinano technology). The SARS-CoV-2 nasal vaccine candidate is based on similar technology.

In a similar strategy, the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine protein component was designed and produced by the team, and then encapsulated by Vaxinano. The vaccine, consisting of the Spike protein with other viral proteins that are not prone to mutations, would protect vaccinated individuals regardless of the mutated circulating coronavirus variant strains.

This vaccine was first tested in vivo in a pre-clinical mouse model. Two nasal applications, three weeks apart, induced a strong humoral immune response - in particular of the mucosal compartment with neutralising Immunoglobulin A (IgAs), which are polyspecific, i.e. more permissive against variation of the Sars-CoV-2 - along with a cellular response in the nasal cavities and lungs. The protective efficacy of the vaccine was also assessed in terms of survival and absence of clinical signs after infection on vaccinated animals, 100% of individuals survived with no clinical signs (respiratory distress, weight loss, etc.) unlike the unvaccinated control group. Second, the candidate vaccine was tested for contagiousness in the established Syrian hamster model, which mimics the human pathophysiology of COVID-19, again providing striking results with no viral detection in the lungs and nose of vaccinated/infected animals while unvaccinated/infected animals showed a high levels of viral RNA in both lungs and nasal cavities. These results, highly predictive of the effectiveness of a vaccine in humans, allow us to predict that contagiousness between individuals is completely abolished.

An easily administered, non-invasive, vaccine as a first dose or a booster

Technically, the vaccine will be administered by means of a small adapter placed at the end of a needle-less syringe, allowing an ideal diffusion within the nasal cavity. Currently, a device developed for this vaccine specifically for humans is being evaluated in collaboration with the Recipharm/Resyca group. Non-invasive and with minimal logistics requirement, this basic vaccination system would allow for a wider distribution to Europe and far beyond. Moreover, the vaccine is highly stable at room temperature and even longer at 4C and thus would not imply the required restraining logistics mandatory to maintain cold chain integrity, unavailable in most countries of the world.

This vaccine would therefore target unvaccinated populations to protect against severe and moderate forms of COVID-19 and could moreover be a booster for already vaccinated populations to prevent transmission of the virus.

A 100% French research and development consortium

Based on these results, the research team will rely on the skills of companies based in France, which have already been identified, to develop its vaccine for future clinical trials:

-Vaxinano, based in Lille,

-GTP Bioways, a CDM,(Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation) based near Toulouse,

-C.RIS Pharma, a CRO, based in Saint Malo,

-Recipharm, a manufacturer based in Monts, near Tours.

The transition to the clinical phase, supported by the ANRS/ Maladies infectieuses emergentes, is scheduled for the second half of 2022, with the perspective to bringing the vaccine to market in 2023.

Made possible by the financial support of the ANR and the Centre-Val de Loire Regional Council, as well as by the commitment of all the partners mentioned, this project still involves a number of stages to be completed before the vaccine is brought to market. It is set to provide a major improvement in the protection of populations, in terms of prevention, contagiousness, effectiveness on current and future variants, and increasing the percentage of people vaccinated and thus collective protection.
The presence of cancer of the lymphatic system is often determined by analyzing samples from the blood or bone marrow. A team led by Prof. Dr. Peter Krawitz from the University of Bonn had already shown in 2020 that artificial intelligence can help with the diagnosis of such lymphomas and leukemias. The technology fully utilizes the potential of all measurement values and increases the speed as well as the objectivity of the analyses compared to established processes. The method has now been further developed so that even smaller laboratories can benefit from this freely accessible machine learning method - an important step towards clinical practice. The study has now been published in the journal "Patterns".

Lymph nodes become swollen, there is weight loss and fatigue, as well as fevers and infections - these are typical symptoms of malignant B-cell lymphomas and related leukemias. If such a cancer of the lymphatic system is suspected, the physician takes a blood or bone marrow sample and sends it to specialized laboratories. This is where flow cytometry comes in. Flow cytometry is a method in which the blood cells flow past measurement sensors at high speed. The properties of the cells can be detected depending on their shape, structure or coloring. Detection and accurate characterization of pathological cells is important when making a diagnosis.

The laboratories use "antibodies" that dock to the surface of the cells and are coupled to fluorescent dyes. Such markers can also be used to detect small differences between cancer cells and healthy blood cells. Flow cytometry generates large amounts of data. On average, more than 50,000 cells are measured per sample. These data are then typically analyzed on screen by plotting the expression of the markers used against each other.

But with 20 markers, the doctor would already have to compare about 150 two-dimensional images. That's why it's usually too costly to thoroughly sift through the entire data set." Prof. Dr. Peter Krawitz, Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, University Hospital Bonn

For this reason, Krawitz, together with the bioinformaticians Nanditha Mallesh and Max Zhao, investigated how artificial intelligence can be used to analyze cytometry data. The team considered more than 30,000 data sets from patients with B-cell lymphoma to train artificial intelligence (AI). "AI takes full advantage of the data and increases the speed and objectivity of diagnoses," says lead author Nanditha Mallesh. The result of the AI evaluations is a suggested diagnosis that still needs to be verified by the physician. In the process, the AI provides indications of conspicuous cells.

Specialists reviewed the results of artificial intelligence

Blood samples and cytometer data were obtained from the Munich Leukemia Laboratory (MLL), the Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin, the University Hospital Erlangen and the Bonn University Hospital. Specialists from these institutions examined the results of artificial intelligence. "The gold standard is diagnosis by hematologists, which can also take into account results of additional tests," Krawitz says. "The point of using AI is not to replace physicians, but to make the best use of the information contained in the data." The great new feature of the AI now presented lies in the possibility of knowledge transfer: Particularly smaller laboratories that cannot afford their own bioinformatics expertise and may also have too few samples to develop their own AI from scratch can benefit from this. After a short training phase, during which the AI learns the specifics of the new laboratory, it can then draw on knowledge derived from many thousands of data sets.

All raw data and the complete software are open source and therefore freely accessible. In addition, res mechanica GmbH, which was involved in the study, has developed a web service that makes artificial intelligence usable even for users without bioinformatics expertise. "With https://hema.to, we want to enable the exchange of anonymized flow cytometry data between laboratories and in this way create the conditions for even higher quality in diagnostics," says Dr. Hannes Luling of res mechanica.

Great potential

The team sees huge potential in this technology. The researchers therefore also want to collaborate with major manufacturers of analytics equipment and software to further advance the use of artificial intelligence. In the case of B-cell lymphomas, for example, genetic and cytomorphological data are also collected to confirm the diagnoses. "If we succeed in using AI for these methods as well, we would have an even more powerful tool," says Krawitz, who is also a member of the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation2 at the University of Bonn. The artificial intelligence developed can in principle also be used for diagnoses of rheumatic diseases, which are often also based on flow cytometric data.

First author Nanditha Mallesh will present the results of the study at the annual meeting of the German Society for Hematology and Medical Oncology in Berlin in early October.
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a $2.1 billion investment to improve infection prevention and control activities across the U.S. public health and healthcare sectors. The Biden-Harris Administration, working through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is investing American Rescue Plan funding to strengthen and equip state, local, and territorial public health departments and other partner organizations with the resources needed to better fight infections in U.S. healthcare facilities, including COVID-19 and other known and emerging infectious diseases.

The funding announced today is a commitment that will allow the United States to expand public health and improve the quality of healthcare in our country, including addressing healthcare-related inequities. It will assist healthcare personnel to prevent infections more effectively in healthcare settings, support rapid response to detect and contain infectious organisms, enhance laboratory capacity, and engage in innovation targeted at combating infectious disease threats. Improvements in infection prevention will span the healthcare continuum, including 6,000 hospitals, 15,400 nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, 7,900 dialysis clinics, and 4,700 ambulatory surgery centers, and will extend to other outpatient settings.

This funding will dramatically improve the safety and quality of the healthcare delivered in the United States during the pandemic and in the future. Funding will provide significant resources to our public health departments and healthcare systems and opportunities to develop innovative strategies to protect every segment of the U.S. population, especially those disproportionately affected by the pandemic, at a time that they are hit hard." Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., CDC Director

Additionally, these investments will help address the rise of healthcare-associated infections, which increased as U.S. hospitals were inundated by COVID-19-;reversing national progress seen prior to the pandemic.

Over the next 3 years, CDC will issue $1.25 billion of the total to 64 state, local, and territorial health departments to support this work. Initial awards totaling $885 million will be made in October 2021 to these jurisdictional health departments. CDC will use the majority of this initial funding in October, $500 million, to support a new force in the fight against COVID-19 to protect our most disproportionately affected population:

State-based nursing home and long-term care strike teams. This funding from CDC, in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), will allow state and other jurisdictional health departments to staff, train, and deploy strike teams to assist skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities with known or suspected COVID-19 outbreaks. The strike teams will allow jurisdictions to provide surge capacity to facilities for clinical services; address staffing shortages at facilities; and strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) activities to prevent, detect, and contain outbreaks, including support for COVID-19 vaccine boosters.

The remaining $385 million to be awarded in October 2021 will go to state, local, and territorial health departments to strengthen five critical areas:

Strengthening state capacity to prevent, detect, and contain infectious disease threats across healthcare settings: CDC will provide significant infection prevention and control assistance to public health departments to work with healthcare facilities to improve the quality of healthcare; strengthen interventions for the prevention and containment of infectious diseases to minimize the spread of infection in a variety of healthcare settings; identify, address, and monitor healthcare-related disparities and health equity; and increase capacity to investigate outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections.

CDC will provide significant infection prevention and control assistance to public health departments to work with healthcare facilities to improve the quality of healthcare; strengthen interventions for the prevention and containment of infectious diseases to minimize the spread of infection in a variety of healthcare settings; identify, address, and monitor healthcare-related disparities and health equity; and increase capacity to investigate outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections. Laboratory capacity for healthcare: Funds provided will also increase state and regional laboratory capacity to conduct surveillance for emerging pathogens to better identify patients infected with or carrying infectious disease threats, such as antibiotic-resistant germs like "nightmare bacteria" carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and Candida auris. Throughout the pandemic, there have been outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in COVID-19 units and other healthcare settings.

Funds provided will also increase state and regional laboratory capacity to conduct surveillance for emerging pathogens to better identify patients infected with or carrying infectious disease threats, such as antibiotic-resistant germs like "nightmare bacteria" carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and Candida auris. Throughout the pandemic, there have been outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in COVID-19 units and other healthcare settings. Project Firstline: Funds will expand on efforts to design and implement effective infection prevention and control training and education to frontline healthcare staff, leveraging a unique collaborative of healthcare, public health, and academic partners. Project Firstline aims to meet the various education needs of its diverse healthcare workforce; ensure they have the knowledge they need to protect themselves, their coworkers, and their patients; and develop training and education that addresses disparities across U.S. healthcare personnel. In its first year, CDC's Project Firstline and its partners developed more than 130 educational products and hosted more than 200 educational events on infection prevention and control, engaging approximately 16,300 healthcare workers from professions ranging from environmental services workers, to nurses, to physicians. Its infection prevention and control messages reached millions of individuals through more than 1,700 social media posts shared on CDC and partner channels.

Funds will expand on efforts to design and implement effective infection prevention and control training and education to frontline healthcare staff, leveraging a unique collaborative of healthcare, public health, and academic partners. Project Firstline aims to meet the various education needs of its diverse healthcare workforce; ensure they have the knowledge they need to protect themselves, their coworkers, and their patients; and develop training and education that addresses disparities across U.S. healthcare personnel. In its first year, CDC's Project Firstline and its partners developed more than 130 educational products and hosted more than 200 educational events on infection prevention and control, engaging approximately 16,300 healthcare workers from professions ranging from environmental services workers, to nurses, to physicians. Its infection prevention and control messages reached millions of individuals through more than 1,700 social media posts shared on CDC and partner channels. National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN): CDC will increase data and monitoring through NHSN to determine where and when infections occur in healthcare settings and target IPC interventions. Funds will support state efforts to improve the NHSN data collection from healthcare facilities. This includes state coordination, expansion in reporting, and providing greater technical assistance to facilities that are reporting healthcare quality and preparedness-related data.

CDC will increase data and monitoring through NHSN to determine where and when infections occur in healthcare settings and target IPC interventions. Funds will support state efforts to improve the NHSN data collection from healthcare facilities. This includes state coordination, expansion in reporting, and providing greater technical assistance to facilities that are reporting healthcare quality and preparedness-related data. Antibiotic Stewardship: Funds will support state data analyses of antibiotic use and implement programs to improve antibiotic prescribing across communities, including addressing health disparities related to antibiotic use. Despite being ineffective against COVID-19, antibiotics have been commonly prescribed to patients during the pandemic, increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance.

In addition to amounts provided to state, local and territorial health departments, $880 million will be used over several years to support healthcare partners, academic institutions, and other nonprofit partners to develop new prevention interventions and capacities for infection prevention and control training, data collection, and technical assistance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of infection prevention and control in health care to keep the U.S. population-;especially our most vulnerable people in nursing homes and hospitals-;safe and healthy. The year 2020 marked an unprecedented time for healthcare facilities, many of which were faced with extraordinary circumstances of increased patient caseload, staffing challenges, and other operational changes that may have reduced the implementation of normal infection prevention practices. Recent studies have shown substantial increases in healthcare-associated infections during the pandemic in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), ventilator-associated events (VAEs), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. The data show an urgent need to strengthen infection prevention and control capacities and build healthcare resiliency to withstand future pandemics and maintain national prevention progress.
Changing weather patterns in Laos may be responsible for an increase in bugs responsible for the neglected tropical diseases scrub typhus and murine typhus, a new study finds.

Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, is caused by the Orientia tsutsugamushi bacterium and spread by the bites of infected chiggers (larval mites). Flea-borne (murine) typhus is caused by Rickettsia typhi bacterium and is spread to people by fleas through animals such as rats, cats or opossums.

Lead researcher Tamalee Roberts, from Lao-Oxford-Mahosot-Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit in Vientiane, Laos, says little is understood about what contributes to the distribution of these common but severely neglected causes of fever. Scrub typhus occurs in the Asia-Pacific region and South America while murine typhus is a global disease.

The study, published late in PLOS, included samplea submitted from 2003 to 2017 to the Mahosot Hospital for scrub typhus and murine typhus. Analysis of patient data along with meteorological and environmental data showed 17 per cent of patients tested positive for either scrub typhus (1,337 of 8,150 patients tested) or murine typhus (1,283 of 7,552 patients tested).

According to Roberts, researchers found that scrub typhus was highly seasonal, with cases two times more likely to occur during the wet season months of July to September than the dry season, while murine typhus peaks in the dry season.

Scrub typhus incidence was found linked to fluctuations in relative humidity whereas murine typhus was linked to variation in temperature, Roberts says. Patients with scrub typhus infection were more likely to come from villages with higher levels of surface flooding and vegetation in the 16 days leading up to diagnosis.

As cities expand, so will high-risk areas for murine typhus, says Roberts. "With global heating and risks of attendant higher precipitation, the data suggest that the incidence and spatial distribution of both murine typhus and scrub typhus will increase."

She also stresses that further work is needed to assess whether the results can be replicated elsewhere. "These results can be used within the region to help predict changes in the distribution and seasonal timing of these diseases, to inform strategies to reduce their incidence and impact."

Changing weather patterns also may affect the lifecycle of the fleas and chiggers with heat causing faster breeding time for fleas and increased rain and surface water risking higher chigger density and hence raising the risk of scrub typhus, Roberts says.

Roberts says that "the evidence from this research suggests that we will see an increase of both these diseases not only in Laos but in other countries as well. The diseases may also spread to areas where they have not previously been found as temperatures rise".

Thomas Weitzel, a physician and faculty member at the Clinica Alemana de Santiago, Chile, and part of the Chilean Rickettsia and Zoonosis Working Group, tells SciDev.Net that the research is of high relevance because both infections belong to a group of vector-borne diseases, which have been neglected in the past decades.

"Mites and fleas as vectors are often overlooked and our knowledge gaps are much larger in comparison to diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. Therefore, we often underestimate the burden of mite- and flea-borne rickettsioses, which cause important clinical problems (morbidity and mortality) and are easily treatable."

The research results, Weitzel adds, indicate that climate will influence the epidemiology of these diseases.

Our understanding of the complex ecology, however, including the interactions of bacterial pathogen, arthropod vectors, animal reservoirs, and human behaviour is still limited, and it is, therefore, too early to draw concrete conclusions." Thomas Weitzel, physician and faculty member at the Clinica Alemana de Santiago, Chile
New findings from a large study led by researchers at Yale Cancer Center shows the addition of the drugs oleclumab or monalizumab to durvalumab improved progression-free survival for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The data is part of the COAST trial and will be presented on September 17, 2021 at the annual meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).

Our results from the COAST trial are very encouraging as the data suggest these novel immunotherapy drug combinations could improve clinical outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC. One in four patients with NSCLC are diagnosed where the majority of their tumors can't be removed with surgery, however advances in chemotherapy and radiation therapy have proven effective. We are always striving to make new, more effective therapies post radiation to be available." Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, Chief of Medical Oncology at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital and senior author of the study

COAST is an open label, randomized, phase 2 trial that studied at adjuvant therapy with durvalumab alone or in combination with oleclumab or monalizumab in patients with locally advanced, unresectable, stage III NSCLC. Durvalumab works with a patient's immune system to interfere with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Results show oleclumab, an anti-CD73 monoclonal antibody, or monalizumab, an anti-NKG2A monoclonal antibody, in combination with durvalumab improved progression-free survival. After a follow-up of 11.5 months, the data revealed durvalumab in combination with oleclumab reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 56%, and in combination with monalizumab by 35%, when compared to durvalumab alone. The 10-month progression free survival rate was 64.8% for the durvalumab plus oleclumab combination and 72.7% for durvalumab plus monalizumab, versus 39.2% with durvalumab alone.

"These findings support further evaluation of these drug combinations," said Herbst. "This year more than two million people worldwide are estimated to be diagnosed with lung cancer; our work continues on behalf of these patients."

This study was funded by AstraZeneca.
Thousands of vulnerable NHS patients in hospital due to COVID-19 are set to benefit from a ground-breaking new antibody treatment, the government has announced today (17 September 2021).

Ronapreve, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, will be targeted initially at those in hospital who have not mounted an antibody response against COVID-19.

This includes people who are immunocompromised, for example those with certain cancers or autoimmune diseases, and therefore have difficulty building up an antibody response to the virus, either through being exposed to COVID-19 or from vaccination.

The government has taken action to secure supply of the new therapeutic for NHS patients across the four nations, buying enough to treat eligible patients in hospital from next week. Guidance will shortly be going out to clinicians so they can begin prescribing the treatment as soon as possible.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

We have secured a brand new treatment for our most vulnerable patients in hospitals across the UK and I am thrilled it will be saving lives from as early as next week. The UK is leading the world in identifying and rolling out life-saving medicines, particularly for COVID-19, and we will continue our vital work to find the best treatments available to save lives and protect the NHS."

Ronapreve is the first neutralizing antibody medicine specifically designed to treat COVID-19 to be authorized by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in the UK.

It will be used to treat patients without antibodies to SARS CoV-2 who are either aged 50 and over, or are aged 12 to 49 and are considered to be immunocompromised.

Antibody testing will first be used to determine whether patients are seronegative, meaning those who do not have an adequate existing antibody response, and will therefore receive the treatment. The treatment antibodies - casirivimab and imdevimab - will then be administered to patients through a drip and work by binding to the virus' spike protein, stopping it from being able to infect the body's cells.

The UK's world-renowned vaccination programme also continues to provide protection to tens of millions of people across the country, and has so far saved 112,300 lives, prevented 230,800 hospitalizations and stopped over 24 million infections in England alone.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the UK has proven itself to be a world-leader in identifying and rolling out effective treatments for COVID-19 - including the world's first treatment dexamethasone, which has since saved at least 22,000 lives in the UK so far and an estimated million worldwide.

The NHS has also rolled out monoclonal immunomodulatory antibody treatments tocilizumab and sarilumab, following clinical trial results from the government-funded REMAP-CAP trial. The treatments were found to reduce the relative risk of death by 24%, when administered to patients within 24 hours of entering intensive care.

Earlier this year, the government also brought together a new Antivirals Taskforce to supercharge the search for new treatments for patients who are exposed to COVID-19 to stop the infection spreading and speed up recovery time.

The UK's leading research infrastructure and life sciences sector makes it the ideal base for the brightest of global innovators to research and progress cutting-edge treatments for COVID-19 through the clinical trials process here in the UK.

Paul McManus, COVID-19 Lead at Roche Products Ltd, said:
(Newser)  Jules Kroll is arguably the world's most famous private eye, and he was seeking a redemption piece, writes Simon Shuster for Time. The 80-year-old New Yorker was looking to give an interview, and Shuster obliged. It came after some years of press that wasn't so flattering, among it the revelation that Harvey Weinstein once employed Kroll's firm to dig into an accuser (Kroll waves off the business relationship as a mistake). To understand just how big a name Kroll is, consider one description of him: as the "Johnny Appleseed" of licensed private investigators, of which there were 36,200 in the US in 2019. Legions of them studied under Kroll (in 2008 he employed 5,000 people worldwide). "Before the advent of Google, older bankers and finance types" would use his name as a verb, writes Shuster, "as in: make sure to Kroll that guy, find out everything there is to know." But some of what Kroll is most famous for isn't delivering knowledge, but money.

story continues below

After tracking down the squirreled-away fortunes Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines and Jean-Claude Duvalier of Haiti had taken from their own governments, he in 1991 engaged with Kuwait, who wanted him to uncover where Saddam Hussein had hidden billions. He managed to locate $6 billion. That said, Shuster writes that while those successes helped make his name, his fortune came from more mundane clients, businesses and law firms seeking evidence in legal disputes, or wanting him to "run background checks or scope out takeover targets." And his business has evolved over the years, at various points providing private security in countries like Afghanistan, trying to free kidnapping victims, and assisting victims of cybercrimes. But Kroll is still captivated by the big fish, like his recent hunt for the $250 million Mongolian officials are accused of hiding. (Read the full story, which touches on a job Kroll did for the artist Jeff Koons.)
(Newser)  Four space tourists safely ended their trailblazing trip to orbit Saturday with a splashdown in the Atlantic off the Florida coast, per the AP. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the ocean just before sunset, not far from where their chartered flight began three days earlier. The all-amateur crew was the first to circle the world without a professional astronaut. The billionaire who paid undisclosed millions for the trip and his three guests wanted to show that ordinary people could blast into orbit by themselves, and SpaceX founder Elon Musk took them on as the companys first rocket-riding tourists. SpaceXs fully automated Dragon capsule reached an unusually high altitude of 363 miles after Wednesday nights liftoff. Surpassing the International Space Station by 100 miles, the passengers savored views of Earth through a big bubble-shaped window added to the top of the capsule.

story continues below

The four streaked back through the atmosphere early Saturday evening, the first space travelers to end their flight in the Atlantic since Apollo 9 in 1969. SpaceXs two previous crew splashdownscarrying astronauts for NASAwere in the Gulf of Mexico. Within a few minutes, a pair of SpaceX boats pulled up alongside the bobbing capsule. When the hatch was opened on the recovery ship, health care worker Hayley Arceneaux was the first one out, flashing a big smile and thumbs up. All appeared well and happy. Their families were waiting near the scene of Wednesday night's launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. This time, NASA was little more than an encouraging bystander, its only tie being the Kennedy launch pad once used for the Apollo moonshots and shuttle crews, but now leased by SpaceX.

Isaacman, 38, an entrepreneur and accomplished pilot, aimed to raise $200 million for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Donating $100 million himself, he held a lottery for one of the four seats. He also held a competition for clients of his Allentown, Pennsylvania payment-processing business, Shift4 Payments. Joining him on the flight were Arceneaux, 29, a St. Jude physician assistant who was treated at the Memphis, Tennessee hospital nearly two decades ago for bone cancer, and contest winners Chris Sembroski, 42, a data engineer in Everett, Washington, and Sian Proctor, 51, a community college educator, scientist and artist from Tempe, Arizona. Strangers until March, the four spent six months training and preparing for potential emergencies during the flight  but there was no need to step in, officials said after their return.

During the trip dubbed Inspiration4, they had time to chat with St. Jude patients, conduct medical tests on themselves, ring the closing bell for the New York Stock Exchange and do some drawing and ukulele playing. Arceneaux, the youngest American in space and the first with a prosthesis, assured her patients, I was a little girl going through cancer treatment just like a lot of you, and if I can do this, you can do this. They also took calls from Tom Cruise, interested in his own SpaceX flight to the space station for filming, and the rock band U2's Bono. Even their space menu wasnt typical: Cold pizza and sandwiches, but also pasta Bolognese and Mediterranean lamb. The 60-year scorecard now stands at 591 people who have reached space or its edgesand is expected to skyrocket as space tourism heats up.

(Read more SpaceX stories.)
(Newser)  A Texas doctor has penned a Washington Post op-ed in which he says he defied Texas's highly restrictive abortion law. In fact, the admission is right there in the title of Dr. Alan Braid's Why I violated Texass extreme abortion ban. "I acted because I had a duty of care to this patient," he wrote. Per the New York Times, the woman was in her first trimester, but past the new six week mark. The Texas law, now the strictest in the country, bans abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, which is usually around six weeks and before many women know theyre pregnant. I fully understood that there could be legal consequencesbut I wanted to make sure that Texas didnt get away with its bid to prevent this blatantly unconstitutional law from being tested.

story continues below

Braid's op-ed comes after the doctor, who's provided abortions in Houston, San Antonio, and Oklahoma, already filed suit in federal court in a bid to stop the law after the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 earlier this month to let the rule stand. The Justice Department is also suing Texas over its new law, arguing that it was enacted "in open defiance of the Constitution." On Saturday, Dr. Braid told the Times he hoped that by openly defying the law he might contribute to it being overturned. He notes in his essay that his career-long support of safe, legal abortions began just before Roe v. Wade, when he was a resident in San Antonio where he says he saw three teenagers die from illegal abortions. "I have spent the past 50 years treating and helping patients," he wrote. "I cant just sit back and watch us return to 1972. (Read more abortion stories.)
(Newser)  Police searched a vast Florida wildlife reserve on Saturday for 23-year-old Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the disappearance of his girlfriend, Gabrielle Gabby Petito, while across the country the FBI hunted for clues about the missing woman in a mountainous national park in Wyoming. More than 50 North Port police officers, FBI agents and members of other law enforcement agencies searched the 24,000-acre Carlton Reserve in the Sarasota, Florida area of the Gulf Coast. Authorities used drones, scent-sniffing dogs and all-terrain vehicles in the reserve, which has more than 100 miles of trails, as well as campgrounds. Investigators took some of his clothing from his parents' home Friday night to provide a scent for the search dogs, per the AP.

story continues below

His family says they believe he entered the area earlier this week," North Port Police tweeted Saturday. Meanwhile, the FBI in Denver said Saturday that agents were conducting ground surveys at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, with help from the National Park Service and local law enforcement agencies, seeking clues to Petito's disappearance. Her last known contact with family members was from the national park known for its mountainous terrain. Laundrie and Petito, 22, left in July on a cross-country trek in a converted van to visit national parks in the US West. Police said Laundrie was alone when he drove the van back to his parents home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1. Petitos family filed a missing persons report Sept. 11 with police in Suffolk County, New York.

Investigators in Florida were hopeful Laundrie was somewhere in the wildlife reserve near Sarasota. Depending on his skills, he could survive out in the reserve for some time, said police spokesperson Josh Taylor at a news conference. Certainly, we prepare for all different possibilities, but you know, our goal is to locate him and bring him back to North Port, Taylor said. Laundrie's family earlier told officers that they haven't seen him since Tuesday. Police said the conversation Friday evening was the first time they'd spoken with the Laundries in detail about the case, and that the meeting came at the family's request. An attorney for the family called FBI investigators and said they wanted to talk about Laundrie's disappearance, police said.

Investigators were trying to verify the story told by Laundrie's family members that they believe the reserve is where he went with only a backpack, Taylor said. One mystery is how Laundrie got to the reserve. Family members told investigators he took his car, but the vehicle was found back at his family's home, not at the reserve. Earlier, the North Port Police said in a statement that they understood the community's frustration over the lack of progress in finding the missing woman. We are frustrated too," the statement said. For six days, the North Port Police Department and the FBI have been pleading with the family to contact investigators regarding Brian's fiance, Gabby Petito. Friday is the first time they have spoken to investigators in detail."

(Read more Gabby Petito stories.)
(Newser)  The Emmy Awards will be held in a tent Sunday night instead of a theater, the big winners look likely to be streaming services instead of broadcast networks, and political humor might be among the losers. Cedric the Entertainer, who will host the show, has signaled he won't revisit the biting political comments made by hosts such as Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Michael Che and Colin Jost, the New York Times reports. "I want to bring a familiarity that comes with my brand of stand-up," he said. "I'm somebody you know. I'm your cousin or your uncle, and we're here to celebrate each other."

story continues below

"Television right now is perhaps the best it's ever been," added one of the producers, per the AP, who said that "when we first sat down with Cedric, we all quickly agreed on the idea of celebration." TV critics and writers advise watching for:

The Crown to rule . Seven of its actors are nominated in the series about the British royal family. It's won in the Emmy presentations that have already taken place. Victory as best drama for The Crown would deliver Netflix its first major series Emmy. The show's nominees will pipe in from a party in London.

. Seven of its actors are nominated in the series about the British royal family. It's won in the Emmy presentations that have already taken place. Victory as best drama for The Crown would deliver Netflix its first major series Emmy. The show's nominees will pipe in from a party in London. Ted Lasso for the winner . Early Emmys and the Television Critics Association Awards would seem to indicate many trophies for the Apple TV+ comedy series, which is nominated for its first season. Jason Sudeikis, a former cast member of Saturday Night Live who's never won an Emmy, could take home a handful, including best writing. Victory in the big race likewise would bring Apple TV+ its first major Emmy.

. Early Emmys and the Television Critics Association Awards would seem to indicate many trophies for the Apple TV+ comedy series, which is nominated for its first season. Jason Sudeikis, a former cast member of Saturday Night Live who's never won an Emmy, could take home a handful, including best writing. Victory in the big race likewise would bring Apple TV+ its first major Emmy. A small crowd. Only about 600 vaccinated or tested nominees and guests will be in the tent at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles, per the Los Angeles Times. Taking a page from the Golden Globes, they'll be at tables with food and drinks.

Michael K. Williams to be remembered. The actor, who died this month, was nominated for best supporting actor in a drama for HBO's Lovecraft Country. The Emmy voting ended before his death.

The Crown's route to victory is a little less perilous because the pandemic postponed new seasons for a bunch of potential contenders, including Stranger Things, Better Call Saul, Ozark, Killing Eve and Succession, which won for best drama last year. The show begins at 8pm EDT on CBS and Paramount+. (Read more Emmy Awards stories.)
(Newser)  Beto-for-president fizzled. Maybe Beto-for-governor will work? Axios reports that former Democratic congressman Beto O'Rourke will announce a run for Texas governor later this year. A spokesman says "no decision has been made" but acknowledges that O'Rourke has been busy making phone calls. The Axios report says O'Rourke is leaving political allies with the distinct impression on these calls that he's going to try to oust Republican Gregg Abbott from office. A new poll by the Dallas Morning News suggests that O'Rourkealong with actor Matthew McConaugheystands a real chance. The results suggest that while Abbott has shored up his position on the right thanks to his opposition to COVID mandates for masks and vaccines, along with the state's restrictive new abortion law, the governor is losing ground with moderates and women.

story continues below

The poll found that O'Rourke now trails Abbott by 5 points (42-37), down from 12 points only two months ago.

McConaughey, meanwhile, actually leads Abbott by 9 points, 44-35.

Abbott's approval rating in the state has shrunk to 45%, and his support among independents has dropped from 53% to 30% over the last year.

The state chair of the Democratic Party, Gilberto Hinojosa, tells Axios he thinks O'Rourke would be the party's strongest candidate. Abbott's "prohibition against mask and vaccination mandates have not gone over well with Texans," Hinojosa says. "And with the abortion law, Republicans have raised the anger level of Texas women higher than anyone has ever seen before.

(Read more Beto O'Rourke stories.)
Sixth BIAS 2022 returns in November next year under the patronage of HM the King

Sixth BIAS 2022 returns in November next year under the patronage of HM the King

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The sixth edition of the Bahrain International Air Show will take place next year at Al Sakhir Air Base, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The three-day show will be from the 9th to 11th of November 2022, said HH Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the Kings Personal Representative.

BIAS, in the past editions, had succeeded in attracting major civil and military aviation companies.

BAE Systems (Britain), Lockheed Martin (USA), Leonardo Company (Italy), Bell Helicopter (USA), Thales (France) and Coleman (USA) are some of the companies that agreed to take part in BIAS 2022.

HH Shaikh Abdulla is the Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of the Bahrain International Airshow.

2022 event will provide renewed opportunities and will turn Bahrain into an attractive destination for investment in this vital sector, which represents 8% of the global outputs, said HH Shaikh Abdulla.

The sector provides jobs to more than 200 million people and contributes 3.5 trillion US dollars to the global output.

Bahrain, Shaikh Abdullah said, looks forward to benefitting from this industry by creating a value-added work environment through the presence of these companies in this airshow.
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP)  Protesters angry at the Tunisian presidents seizure of broad powers faced off with his supporters Saturday in competing demonstrations in the North African nation's capital of Tunis.

It was the first time that President Kais Saieds critics demonstrated against his actions since he suspended parliament, fired the prime minister and assumed full executive powers on July 25. Saied said the measures were necessary to save the country amid tensions over Tunisias economic and virus crisis, and would only last a month. But he then extended them until further notice.
The Congress central leadership is likely to finalise the name of the next Punjab Chief Minister by tonight, party sources said on Saturday. Sources said All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers will stay in Chandigharh till the next Chief Minister is finalised.

A day after Captain Amarinder Singh resigned from the top post in Punjab, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has proposed the name of Sukhjinder Randhawa for the chief ministerial post, said sources on Sunday. After discussion with the Punjab MLAs, AICC has proposed the name of Sukhjinder Randhawa for the post of CM, a meeting is going on at the residence of Rahul Gandhi with Ambika Soni in Delhi, sources said.

Congress MLA Pritam Kotbhai, while addressing the media in Chandigarh, said all MLAs in Punjab have named Sukhjinder Randhawa for the Chief Ministerial post before Congress high command. He will become the Chief Minister, said Kotbhai.

Randhawa was the minister of Jail and Department Of Cooperation in Amarinder Singhs government. Prior to Randhawa, sources said, Congress MP and senior leader Ambika Soni was offered the post of Punjab Chief Minister by the party high command, who refused to accept the offer.

A veteran Congress leader and a Gandhi loyalist, Soni has refused the offer citing health issues. On Saturday, after Congress MLAs passed a resolution allowing Sonia Gandhi to name Captain Amarinder Singhs successor, sources have indicated that there is a possibility of appointing two Deputy Chief Ministers along with the Chief Minister.

Amarinder Singh resigned as the chief minister of Punjab on Saturday following months of infighting between him and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Navjot Singh Sidhu. Sources close to Sidhu said, Whatever name is agreed for the Chief Minister, it will be accompanied by two deputy Chief Ministers. However, the decisions of Deputy Chief Ministers will depend on who has been named as the Chief Minister.

These development came months before the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.
Channi will succeed Captain Amarinder Singh, who resigned as the chief minister of Punjab on Saturday following months of infighting between him and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Charanjit Singh Channi has been unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab and is set to take over as next chief minister following Captain Amarinder Singhs resignation. It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Sh. Charanjit Singh Channi has been unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab, tweeted Congress in charge of Punjab Harish Rawat.

Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat will visit Punjab Raj Bhawan, Chandigarh to meet Governor at 6:30 pm, as per the PRO, Punjab Raj Bhawan (Governors House, Punjab). Channi will succeed Captain Amarinder Singh, who resigned as the chief minister of Punjab on Saturday following months of infighting between him and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Navjot Singh Sidhu. These development came months before the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) termed former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singhs anti-national allegations against state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu serious and questioned Congress top leaderships silence over these allegations.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar asked if Congress will take cognizance of Amarinders allegations and take any action accordingly. Former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has called his partys state chief Navjot Singh Sidhu anti-national. This is a very serious allegation. BJP is asking only one question to Congress that why Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka are silent on this? said Javadekar.

Thats why BJP demands that Congress should speak on this issue. They should clarify their role on this issue. BJP wants to ask whether Congress party will take any action, cognizance of these serious allegations, added Javadekar.

Speaking further, the former union minister said: Citing the example of the way Sidhu went to Pakistan and hugged its army chief Bajwa after the terrorist attack on India, Captain Amarinder has called Sidhu anti-national. The country has seen and the country already had this issue in their mind, yesterday Amarinder Singh made it vocal.
Ram Jethamalani is a name that needs no introduction. Over the years, case after case, the eminent personality proved his mettle and charisma, emerging as a legendary jurist and a note-worthy MP. As an ode to the prolific personality, Indias Whos and Who shared their views on the pertinent topic, Is disruption to parliamentary proceedings an MPs privilege and/or a facet of parliamentary democracy? as part of Ram Jethmalani memorial lecture series.

For the lecture series, Ram Jethmalanis doting son Mahesh Jethmalani was joined with Honble Vice President Of India, Union Cabinet Minister Of Law Kiren Rijiju, Learned Attorney General KK Venugopal, Learned Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Union Cabinet Minister For Women & Child Welfare Smriti Irani, Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra, Former Solicitor General Of India Gopal Subramaniam, Former Solicitor General Of India Ranjit Kumar, Tughlak Editor S Gurumurthy and Former Rajya Sabha MP Pavan Varma, who expressed their take on the burning topic. While Rishabh Gulati, Editor-In-Chief, NewsX, steered the lecture series towards a right direction, Kartikeya Sharma, Founder of iTV Network also marked his presence at the event.

Kartikeya Sharma, Founder of iTV Network, said,  We at the iTV Network family are honoured to listen to one of the finest and most learned minds from Indias legal and political community. Those who are speaking today are not only for the country but for the furtherance of the cause of democracy around the world at large.

Rishabh Gulati, Managing Editor, NewsX, said, From Nanavati to Harshad Mehta, a younger generation today may catch glimpses of his iconic cases, on which movies today are now being made. A biopic of Ram Jethmalani is surely due. He described himself as a maverick but his career was anything but. He went on practicing until just a year before his death, just short of 96. 77 years of practicing law before the courts and writing law in government. In the first edition of this memorial lecture series, we took a deep dive on trial by media so the law minister and some of Indias finest jurists showed the mirror to us, here in the fourth estate. Today, we are discussing parliamentary disruptions.

Remembering Ram Jethmalani, Honble Vice President Of India M. Venkaiah Naidu said, He was dynamic and he was admired by people across the country because of his legal acumen. The way he used to put forth his point of view and the beautiful command he had over the subject as well as the language. What made Shri Ram Jethmalani a successful lawyer, was the innovation he used to impart in the process of inquiring new interpretations and possibilities, which the judges sitting on the bench could not ignore and had to even acknowledge at times. With every case that Ram Jethmalani argued, he became more and more sharper and famous. Being a successful lawyer is very demanding, as it requires triumph and energy. He had a passion for the chosen profession and sustained it for long years. As a lawyer, he opened new vistas of legal understanding in almost every major case he argued.

Honble Minister For Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju stated, The disruption of the parliament is directly related with the disconnect with what happens in the parliament and what is going out. There is total disconnect with the happening inside the house and the information disseminated outside.

Smriti Irani, who is presently Union Cabinet Minister For Women & Child Development, added, When discussions do not become the norm but disruption does, not because voices of people are not heard but because those who could not win through the ballet now use disruption as a political instrument to bring not only disrepute but also bring disregard to constitutional processes then I think many of those who believe in the parliamentary system of democracy need to consider what is the future holding for all of us especially those who rejoice in the fact we are though the oldest civilization but are frankly so the youngest democracy.

Union minister Mahua Moitra, remembering Ram Jethmalani, expressed, He was called a maverick, a dangerous politician, not because he was unpredictable or non-trustworthy. He was dangerous to those who indulged in trouble speech. He was feared because he stood true to his values often at the cost of his own political advancement. When I think about these rare qualities as Ram was induced with, I wonder how he would have reacted today looking at the erosion of our constitutional morality and sheer complexities of those duty-bound, who prevent destruction.

Meanwhile, Former Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam expressed, Parliament is not simply a building, Parliament is actually the bedrock of our democracy. For the government it is more important, but the parliaments must always function because their legitimacy itself is enhanced by perpetual accountability. It is in the greater interests of the government that parliaments must function. They must not take the bait very easily, that parliaments are disruptive. I think it is an important factor, which reckons some degree of reflection.

Apart from NewsX channel, the show was also aired on all our social media channels and major OTT platforms  Zee5, Dailyhunt, JioTV, Shemaroo, Mzaalo, Watcho, Flipkart, Paytm, Tatasky and MX Player.
Yang Yang told a Chinese newspaper that they have asked the soldiers to deal with a harsher battlefield environment by meeting a higher standard for high-altitude training.

The Chinese militarys Western Theatre Command has introduced more night training for units stationed near the Himalayan border, in order to familiarise its troops with latest weapons and gear. As per Chinese media, their military has been carrying out night battle drills at altitudes of around 16,400 feet in the Xinjiang military district.

A new type of truck-mounted self-propelled 122mm multiple system rocket launchers has been reportedly deployed in the area and being used for precision strike trainings. Earlier, it was reported that they had been deployed on the Tibetan Plateau for live-fire exercises near the disputed border with India.

Yang Yang, a company commander, told a Chinese newspaper that they have asked the soldiers to deal with a harsher battlefield environment by meeting a higher standard for high-altitude training. The commander also said his military has been practicing nighttime live-fire machine gun exercises and crossing the highlands without lights.

The latest developments raise eyebrows as earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, on the contrary, had underlined that it was necessary to ensure progress in the resolution of remaining issues so as to restore peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.

During the meeting on the sidelines of the 21st Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Dushanbe, both Ministers agreed that military and diplomatic officials of both sides should meet again and continue their discussions to resolve the remaining issues (along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh) at the earliest.

The two Ministers exchanged views on the current situation along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh as well as on global developments, read the Ministry of External Affairs release. Jaishankar noted that since their last meeting on July 14, the two sides had made some progress in the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh and had completed the disengagement in the Gogra area.

However there were still some outstanding issues that needed to be resolved, read the release.

Jaishankar recalled that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang had in their last meeting noted that the bilateral relations were at low ebb. Both sides had agreed that a prolongation of the existing situation was not in the interest of either side as it was impacting the relationship in a negative manner.

He, therefore, emphasized that the two sides should work towards early resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols.

(With ANI Inputs)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in New Delhi on a three-day visit. During his visit, he will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 20.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Sunday welcomed Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, on his first-ever visit to India. Delighted to welcome FM of Saudi Arabia HH Prince @Faisalbinfarhan for his first-ever visit to India, Jaishankar tweeted and posted a picture of two of them. A few hours ago, Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in New Delhi on a three-day visit. During his visit, he will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 20.

Earlier in August, Saudi Arabia lifted the quarantine rule for Indians who have received both doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the Gulf country. Jaishankar also held bilateral talks with Saudi Arabias Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir last month.

Good conversation with Saudi MoS for Foreign Affairs @AdelAljubeir. Discussed regional and multilateral issues. Welcomed relaxation of Covid restrictions on travel. Hope to see further progress, EAM Jaishankar tweeted. Taking to Twitter, the Indian embassy on Tuesday announced that the Indian nationals, who have been fully vaccinated in Saudi Arabia, will not need to quarantine in a third country.

Embassy is pleased to inform that Saudi Authorities have announced that Indian nationals who have travelled to India after receiving both doses of the vaccine in Saudi Arabia will be able to return to the Kingdom directly without need for quarantine in a third country, the Indian embassy tweeted. Since the Talibans takeover and subsequent developments in the country, EAM Jaishankar is holding talking with leaders around the world. Earlier today, EAM Jaishankar spoke to British counterpart Dominic Raab and discussed developments in Afghanistan.
HONOLULU (AP)  At least seven people were injured Saturday in the collapse of a large tree branch in Honolulu's Waikiki neighborhood, Hawaii News Now reported.

A large branch of a banyan tree came crashing down about 12:15 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in the heart of the popular tourist district, Honolulu Emergency Medical Services told Hawaii News Now.
NEW HAVEN  Toads Place, along with some other legendary local nightspots, is back open, and while you need to have proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test dated within three days in order to get in, Toads actually will sell you an instant test at the door, assuming they have them.

You can swab the inside of your nose and get the results while you wait.

Amid concerns about the highly transmissable delta variant  and a city executive order put in place Aug. 6 that requires the use of masks in all indoor public spaces  Toads even will let you buy your own test on the way to the show, bring it with you and show the bouncers the results when you get there.

Just dont count on being able to find the test when you need one.

As of Friday, several downtown drug stores were sold out  although they were in stock at some stores farther afield in the city and in some neighboring communities.

The Rite Aid at Church and Crown streets was sold out.

On Friday, the price sticker  $23.99  and stock number for the two-test packages were on a shelf in the drug store. But the shelf above the sticker was empty.

At the CVS drugstore at Whalley Avenue and Orchard Street, the story was pretty much the same: Nothing but a price sticker beneath an empty shelf.

And across downtown at the Walgreens drugstore at 88 York St. near Yale New Haven Hospital, the store appeared to have just three two-test kits of another brand, the Pixel Home Collection Kit, in stock for $24.99 each.

The Walmart store on Foxon Boulevard had one Binax test kit in stock Friday afternoon.

This came as no surprise to Toads owner Brian Phelps  and in fact, Toads, which finally reopened Aug. 20, was partially responsible for the fact that the test kits are in short supply.

We go all over the place trying to get those, Phelps said. Were still waiting for our mass order to come in.

A lot of places are sold out, he said, but they get them all the time.

While requirements that patrons prove they have been vaccinated or have had a recent negative test are in place in a number of other New Haven area nightsports, including BAR, the Shubert Theatre, College Street Music Hall and the Space Ballroom in Hamden, Toads may be the only one providing instant test kits at the door.

Keith Mahler of Premier Concerts and Manic Presents, which operate both the College Street Music Hall and the Space Ballroom, said things have been going great so far at both venues, but he has no plans to offer instant test kits.

Absolutely not, he said. Nobodys getting in unless youre vaccinated or have a recent COVID-19 test result.

Either you take a vaccination or you take a test far in advance.

Premier has a great partnership with probably the best health pass in the country, Bindle, Mahler said. We try to get all the fans on Bindle.

Bindle, a phone app, bills itself as a secure wallet for your health records and an easy way to privately share your COVID health status with others.

So far, Its going fantastically in terms of fan cooperation, Mahler said. People are complying with the rules.

Its the only way he said of requiring that patrons either be vaccinated or take a test in advance of coming to a show. Theres no exceptions  theres absolutely no exceptions.

The owners and managers of the other venues, including BAR, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The owner of Cafe Nine, Paul Mayer, declined comment , saying he was tired of talking about COVID protocols.

Phelps said the tests are easy to use.

Basically, you stick a thing up you nose then you stick it inside these cardboard things, he said. If one line shows after a few minutes, youre COVID negative. If two lines show, youre positive, he said.

As of when he spoke earlier in the week, we do have them at the door, Phelps said. But we had to go to a lot of stores to get them. We got them from Walmart, Walgreens, CVS  a lot of the drugstores have em, he said. I know Rite Aid does.

Phelps said Toads generally has gotten good compliance with the citys mask mandate.

We have signs everywhere  in the front window and then around the whole club, Phelps said. While the city Health Department gave Toads a bunch of posters to post within the club, they were pretty wordy, he said.

So Toads has simplified the message to a simple MASKS ON in big, block letters, he said.

Most of the places in the industry are doing it, he said of the requirement that patrons show proof of vaccination or a recent COVID-19 test in order to enter. All the Live Nation venues are doing it.

Hopefully, it will instill in people a desire to get vaccinated, he said. Once theyre vaccinated, its good for up to a year.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP)  Gunmen in northern Nigeria have released 10 more students after a ransom was paid, but 21 others remain in captivity despite a pledge to release them all, officials said Sunday.

The Rev. John Hayab, the chairman of the local Christian association, said the kidnappers had collected money three days ago. The 10 freed students were returned to their parents Saturday night, he said.

Assailants had stormed the Bethel Baptist High School on July 5, seizing at least 120 of the students from their hostels. Various batches of the students have been released since then and the last group was freed on Aug. 27.

These bandits are torturing us emotionally, psychologically, physically, financially. They are putting us under serious pressure, he said of the gunmen. The moment they release a number (of students), it is because they want to ask for fresh money."

About 1,400 children have been abducted from their schools over the last year and nearly 200 of them have yet to be released. Sixteen children have died in the attacks, UNICEF Nigeria Representative Peter Hawkins told The Associated Press.

As schools are set to reopen across Nigeria, UNICEF has also said at least 1 million children are afraid to return to their classrooms because of insecurity. That aggravates the education crisis in the West African country where more than 10 million children are already out of school.

Moreover, some of the freed captives have told the AP of how they continue to face trauma weeks after their freedom. Some of them have also said they won't return to school. Victory Sani, 20, who was abducted from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization in Kaduna and later freed, said the gunmen asked us not to go back to school, that they will make sure they shut down all the schools in Kaduna state.

___

Associated Press writer John Shiklam contributed to this report from Kaduna.
HORSE of CT

WASHINGTON  The Humane Organization Representing Suffering Equines (H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut), now celebrating its 40th year, will hold its second fall music festival on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday, Sept. 26.

This event features three bands: The Red Hots, Dirt Road Pickers and Charm City Exiles.
OROVILLE, Calif. (AP)  The shooting death of man in rural Northern California has led to five arrests, including his father and two brothers who are accused of trying to hide the body to prevent investigators from discovering an illegal marijuana growing operation, authorities said.

Butte County deputies found 33-year-old Melvin Garcia-Vargas dead with a gunshot wound in the back of an SUV parked along a remote road on Sept. 11, sheriff's officials said.

The next day detectives spoke with the victim's father, Carlos Garcia-Hernandez, at his home in Sacramento. Officials said deputies found evidence at the home and obtained a search warrant.

Investigators determined Garcia-Vargas died at an illegal pot farm controlled by his father in the Forbestown area.

The detectives found evidence that indicated the father and his two other adult sons, Juan Garcia-Vargas and Ronald Garcia-Vargas, moved and concealed the mans body, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Eventually investigators determined the three men controlled multiple other cannabis growing operations. Five guns and more than 1,400 pot plants were found at seven plots of land, the newspaper said.

Sheriffs officials said detectives found evidence that indicated Melvin Garcia-Vargas likely accidentally shot himself while working at the location in Forbestown.

Garcia-Hernandez, 66, and his two sons, Juan, 27, and Ronald, 28, were each arrested on misdemeanor charges of illegal marijuana cultivation, possessing marijuana for sale and unlawfully moving and disposing of human remains, sheriffs officials said.

Juan Cruzcupido, 33, and Edgar Najera, 50, both of Sacramento, also were arrested. Cruzcupido and Najera were each arrested on misdemeanor charges of illegal marijuana cultivation and possessing marijuana for sale. Cruzcupido faces an additional charge of unlawfully moving and disposing of human remains.

The investigation is ongoing. It wasn't known Sunday if the men have attorneys.
LOS LLANOS DE ARIDANE, Spain (AP)  A volcano on Spains Atlantic Ocean island of La Palma erupted Sunday after a weeklong buildup of seismic activity, prompting authorities to evacuate thousands as lava flows destroyed isolated houses and threatened to reach the coast. New eruptions continued into the night.

The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute reported the initial eruption shortly after 3 p.m. near the southern end of the island, which saw its last eruption in 1971. Huge red plumes topped with black-and-white smoke shot out along the Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge, which scientists had been closely watching following the accumulation of molten lava below the surface and days of small earthquakes.

Victor Torres, president of the Canary Islands, said that by 11 p.m. some 5,000 people had been evacuated from their homes. Most, he said, had found family or friends to take them in. The rest were in shelters.

La Palma, with a population of 85,000, is one of eight volcanic islands in Spains Canary Islands archipelago off Africas western coast. At their nearest point, the islands are 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Morocco.

A 4.2-magnitude quake was recorded before the eruption, which took place in an area known as Cabeza de Vaca on the western slope as the ridge descends to the coast. As the eruptions continued, at least two open mouths belched bright red magma into the air that then flowed in tight streams down the mountain slope.

Shortly after the initial explosion rocked the area, one black lava flow with a burning tip immediately slid toward houses in the village of El Paso. Mayor Sergio Rodriguez said 300 people in immediate danger were evacuated, roads were closed and authorities urged the curious not to approach the area.

The lava eventually destroyed at least eight homes, according to local officials, causing at least one chalet with a tower to crumble. Authorities warned that the lava flows could also threaten the municipalities of El Paraiso, Alcala and surrounding areas.

Carlota Martin was at an agricultural plot her family has in Todoque, just downhill from the eruption site, when she heard a huge explosion.

When we saw the column of smoke, we thought it could not be real, but it kept growing and we knew we had to get out of there, she told The Associated Press. You leave, but you are also looking back because you want to see what will happen. Nobody knows how the lava flows will descend, but our plot and lots of houses in the area could be in the way.

Mariano Hernandez, president of La Palma island, said there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries but the lava flows made him concerned about the populated areas on the coast.

People should not come near the eruption site where the lava is flowing, Hernandez said. We are having serious problems with the evacuation because the roads are jammed with people who are trying to get close enough to see it.

Itahiza Dominguez, head of seismology of Spains National Geology Institute, told Canary Islands Television that although it was too early to tell how long this eruption would last, prior eruptions on the Canary Islands lasted weeks or even months.

The last eruption on La Palma 50 years ago lasted just over three weeks. The last eruption on all the Canary Islands occurred underwater off the coast of El Hierro island in 2011. It lasted five months.

Volcanologist Vicente Soler of Spains Higher Council said "the material appears to be very fluid, the lava flows will reach the sea sooner or later. The scientific committee of the Volcano Risk Prevention Plan said part of the islands southwest coast was at risk for landslides and rock falls.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cancelled his trip to New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly so he could travel from Spains mainland to the Canary Islands.

The people of La Palma should rest assured that we have all the resources and emergency personal necessary, Sanchez said after meeting with local officials on the island.

___

Joseph Wilson reported from Barcelona. Renata Brito contributed to this report from Barcelona.
Contributed / Connecticut State Police

WETHERSFIELD  Troopers are investigating a crash on Interstate 91 that left two victims dead and shut the highway down for several hours early Sunday morning, state police said.

The crash happened around 4:06 a.m. After a previous collision, several people who had been involved were standing in the roadway near Exit 27 in Wethersfield when another vehicle traveling north hit those individuals and subsequently fled the scene, state police said.
WASHINGTON -- The National Institutes of Health director says a government advisory panels decision to limit Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to Americans 65 and older as well as those at high risk of severe disease is a preliminary step and predicts broader approval for most Americans in the next few weeks.

Dr. Francis Collins told Fox News Sunday that the panels recommendation Friday was correct based on a snapshot of available data on the effectiveness of Pfizers two-shot regimen over time. But he said real-time data from the U.S. and Israel continue to come in showing waning efficacy among broader groups of people that will need to be addressed soon.

Collins, who also appeared on CBS Face the Nation, said: I think there will be a decision in the coming weeks to extend boosters beyond the list that they approved on Friday.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is President Joe Bidens chief medical adviser, on Sunday praised the advisory boards plan for covering a good chunk of Americans. But he stressed that this is not the end of the story based on evolving data and said the recommendations will likely be expanded in the coming weeks to months.

The Food and Drug Administration will consider the advisory groups advice and make its own decision, probably within days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also is set to weigh in this week.

___

MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

 Same goal, different paths: U.S. and E.U. seek maximum vaccine rates

 Floridas daily coronavirus cases drop from last month

 UN using honor system to check vaccinations for New York meeting

___

 See AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

___

HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

KATHMANDU, Nepal  Tens of thousands of devotees have packed the old palace courtyard in the heart of Nepals capital to celebrate the feast of Indra Jatra, marking the return of the festival season in the Himalayan nation after it was scaled down because of the pandemic.

Kumari, a young girl who is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal as the living goddess, left her temple palace for the first time in two years and was driven around the center of Kathmandu in a wooden chariot pulled by devotees.

Nepals president and highest officials also lined up to get her blessing, together with the tens of thousands of others. Last years festivals were scaled down amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

___

MACKINAW CITY, Mich  A popular Halloween-themed event held annually in northern Michigan has been cancelled this fall due to concerns over the coronavirus, including the rising number of cases of the delta variant in the area.

Fort Fright at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City had been scheduled for October 8-9.

The event is drawn from a collection of short stories published by Mackinac State Historic Parks and based on French-Canadian folktales brought to the Mackinac Straits area by the voyageurs during the height of the French fur trade.

Staffing challenges and concerns about housing volunteers also played into the decision to cancel the event, according to organizers.

Colonial Michilimackinac is an 18th-century fort and fur trading village located along the Straits of Mackinac. It was reconstructed based on historic maps and more than 60 years of archaeological excavations.
HONG KONG (AP)  Select Hong Kong residents voted for members of the Election Committee that will choose the city's leader in the first polls Sunday following reforms meant to ensure candidates with Beijing loyalty.

The Election Committee will select 40 of 90 lawmakers in the citys legislature during elections in December, as well as elect the Hong Kong leader during polls in March next year.

In May, the legislature amended Hong Kongs electoral laws to ensure that only patriots  people who are loyal to China and the semi-autonomous territory  will rule the city. The committee also was expanded to 1,500 members, from 1,200, and the number of direct voters for committee seats was reduced from about 246,000 to less than 8,000.

The restructured electoral process guarantees a vast majority of the Elections Committee will be largely pro-Beijing candidates, who are likely to choose a chief executive and nearly half of lawmakers who are aligned with the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Todays Election Committee elections are very meaningful as it is the first elections held after we have improved the electoral system to ensure that only patriots can take office, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said. Its not yet known if Lam will seek reelection in March.

The changes are part of a broad crackdown on Hong Kong civil society following mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. Authorities have tightened control over the city with a sweeping national security law imposed by Chinas Communist Party that effectively criminalized opposition to the government. The law and other changes have forced several civil organizations to disband or seen their leaders arrested.

Also Sunday, Hong Kongs largest opposition trade union  the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions  said it would disband out of concerns for the safety of its members. The trade union is the latest organization to disband, following the dissolution of a teachers union and rally organizer the Civil Human Rights Front last month.

Critics say the changes restrict freedoms Hong Kong was promised it could maintain for 50 years following the territorys 1997 handover to China from colonial Britain.

The nearly 4,900 voters representing different professions and industries who went to polls Sunday under a heavy police presence will choose among just 412 candidates for 364 seats in the Election Committee. Other seats were uncontested or held by people chosen based on their titles.

This election lets us select solid patriots who love our country and Hong Kong to rule Hong Kong, and who demonstrate their strengths in Hong Kongs administration and politics, said Armstrong Lee, a candidate representing the social welfare sector.

Wang Ting-ting, a voter from the financial sector, said she would vote for candidates who are patriots who love our country and love Hong Kong.

This is the most important, she said. Secondly, I would vote for those who are capable, because capability matters the most in this position.

Lam said the new Election Committee will be broadly representative as it included more grassroots organizations and associations that represent Hong Kongers who live and work in mainland China.

Sunday's vote was taking place at five polling stations heavily surrounded by police. Local newspaper South China Morning Post previously reported 6,000 police officers would be deployed to guard the polls, outnumbering the number of voters.

Results are expected Sunday night.

Four activists from pro-democracy political party League of Social Democrats staged a small protest near the polling station in the Wan Chai neighborhood. They laid out banners criticizing the small circle election as having a pretense of representing public opinion.

The four were stopped and searched by the police.

___

Zen Soo reported from Singapore. Associated Press video journalists Matthew Cheng and Janice Lo contributed to this report.
WEST HAVEN  The city has named a prominent Allingtown business owner as West Havens Hispanic American of the Year , according to Mayor Nancy R. Rossi .

Rossi and the West Haven Hispanic Heritage Committee will fete Sammy Rivera at noon Sept. 24 at City Hall, 355 Main St., at the third Hispanic Heritage Celebration, according to a release. Rivera is known for his big heart and generous spirit, according to the city.

The committee bestows the award annually on a Hispanic resident or couple who personifies service in the citys thriving Hispanic American community. Last years ceremony was postponed because of the coronavirus, according to the release.

I am very honored, very appreciative (of the award), Rivera said, also in the release. Rivera has owned Budget Car Wash at 936 Boston Post Road since 2017 and Budget Transmission Center, an automotive repair shop at 950 Boston Post Road, since 2005.

Rivera, who was born in Puerto Rico, said: This honor makes me feel like Im appreciated by the mayor, who is completely business-friendly and is a friend. This recognition is something I will appreciate for the rest of my life.

Rivera, 44, will honor his Puerto Rican heritage with dozens of friends and loved ones, along with an array of dignitaries and descendants of folks from Puerto Rico and Latin America, according to the city.

I am happy to recognize a West Haven business owner and a resident whom I also consider to be a friend, Rossi said, in the statement. Sammy is the embodiment of the contributions Hispanic Americans make to our communities. Hes a hard worker, a family man and a generous person with community spirit.

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Oct. 15, and West Haven recognizes the important legacy of Hispanic Americans and the inspiring contributions they have made to the culture and history of the United States, according to the city.

Rossi said in the release that Rivera is civic-minded, a man of faith and family, who has a wholehearted devotion to the city and its robust Hispanic American community. His contributions to the city include serving as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and a member of the Redevelopment Agency.

At the event, Rossi will present him with a Puerto Rican flag and a mayoral citation for his good works.

The cultural event will include remarks by Rossi and her executive assistant, Louis P. Esposito Jr., the master of ceremonies. It will also include the singings of The Star-Spangled Banner and the Puerto Rican national anthem, La Borinquena.

Rivera lives with his wife, Mallery, and their two children in Allingtown. He also has three children from a previous marriage, according to the city.
Its to everyones credit that a plan to resettle some 300 Afghan refugees in Connecticut has not to date caused a partisan uproar. Even for plans that seem sensible and moral, that outcome is not a given.

In Montana, for instance, a Republican lawmaker came out strongly against a plan to resettle about 75 Afghan civilians. Other leaders around the country have had similar reactions, citing worries about vetting, security threats or other concerns. Its turned what should be a celebratory moment, when America lives up its ideals, into just another occasion for partisan bickering.

Connecticut has not gone down that road. We need to ensure that we dont.

On Friday, Gov. Ned Lamont hosted an event welcoming 310 Afghans to the state, a result of a program called Operation Allies Welcome. The arrivals include translators, drivers and others who helped the U.S. military during the 20-year war that officially ended in October and began in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Those who have arrived in this country include people who fear reprisals by the Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan last month upon the U.S. militarys departure.

We owe these Afghan allies the safety and escape they need from murder and torture they face, and their families face, in Afghanistan, Sen. Richard Blumenthal said at a recent appearance in New Haven. They sided with us. They went into combat with our troops. They protected them and our diplomats. They now have targets on their backs.

This could be just the beginning. There are more people with American ties who remain in Afghanistan who could find their way to this country in the coming months and years. If that happens, Connecticut needs to ensure its generosity is not short-lived. The welcome mat needs to stay out.

Welcoming people into Connecticut is in our self-interest. The state has had among the slowest population growths in America in recent years, due to a variety of factors including cost of living. Immigration can help turn those trends around, but it only works if people have the resources to make a life here. Simply saying we welcome all comers without providing people the means to survive is not going to help anyone.

Lamont on Friday announced the formation of a public-private task force to resettle the current group of Afghan refugees headed to the state and help them positively contribute to Connecticut, and its work deserves support. Several agencies in Connecticut are deeply immersed in the process of resettling refugees, and though more people are paying attention now that the issue is in the news, the need for help has not diminished. People looking for ways to help will find ample opportunities.

Everyone coming here has been vetted and vaccinated. Theres a long, arduous process to get through before anyone arrives in Connecticut from Afghanistan. Any worries on that front should be set aside.
Three policemen have been killed by gunmen in Onitsha, Anambra State, while two persons identified to be civilians sustained bullet wounds...

Three policemen have been killed by gunmen in Onitsha, Anambra State, while two persons identified to be civilians sustained bullet wounds in the attack.

A source in Onitsha said the attack occurred at Ezeiweka road in the commercial city, and that a patrol van belonging to the police was also set ablaze by the attacking gunmen.

The policemen were at a checkpoint in the area, where they always station their vehicle at the junction on daily basis as one of the security posts, when the attack happened, the source said.

The State Police Commands spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, saying that he would react after gathering information about how the attack happened.
The Federal Government has lifted the ban placed on flights coming into the country from India. The government had banned passengers...

The Federal Government has lifted the ban placed on flights coming into the country from India.

The government had banned passengers, who visited India, Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey in the last 14 days from entering the country as part of precautionary measures to contain the virus in the country.

But in the new travel protocol released on Sunday, the Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, indicated that the ban placed on passengers from India has been lifted.

The reviewed protocol took effect from September 14, 2021.

However, the sanctions placed on airlines that convey passengers from restricted countries and travellers who are Non-Nigerians remain.

Mustapha said, Non-Nigerian passport holders and non-residents who visited Brazil, Turkey or South Africa within 14 days preceding travel to Nigeria, shall be denied entry into Nigeria. This regulation, however, does not apply to passengers who transited through these countries.

Airlines who fail to comply shall mandatorily pay a penalty of $3,500 defaulting passenger; and non-Nigerians will be denied entry and returned to the country of embarkation at cost to the Airline; Nigerians and those with a permanent resident permit who visited Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa within 14 days preceding travel to Nigeria shall be made to undergo seven days of mandatory quarantine in a Government approved facility at the point-of-entry city and at cost to the passenger.

The following conditions shall apply to such passengers: Within 24 hours of arrival shall take a COVID-19 PCR test;

ii. If Positive, the passenger shall be admitted within a government-approved treatment centre, in line with national treatment protocols; and

iii. If Negative, the Passenger shall continue to remain in quarantine and made to undergo a repeat PCR test on Day-7 of their quarantine.





False declaration: passenger(s) who provided false or misleading contact information will be liable to prosecution; and person(s) who willfully disregard or refuse to comply with directions of Port-Health staff, security agencies or evade quarantine shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law

This protocol comes into effect from 14th September 2021.

He said before departure from exit country, passengers must perform a COVID-19 PCR test not more than three days before boarding, adding that the PCR tests done more than 72 hours before departure are not valid and persons will not be allowed to board.

The PSC chairman stressed that airlines have been directed not to board passengers with non-PCR COVID-19 tests (such as antigen/or antibody tests), a positive COVID-19 PCR test result, or tests performed beyond 72 hours of boarding.

He added, Airlines that board passengers without any of the TWO documents (a negative COVID-19 PCR test done not more than 72 hours prior to boarding and a Permit to Travel Certificate/QR code), shall be sanctioned as follows: passengers, who are Non-Nigerians, will be refused entry and returned to the point of embarkation at a cost to the airline;

Passengers who are Nigerians or holders of a permanent resident permit will be allowed entry but subjected to the procedure outlined in Section D.

In addition, passengers arriving with forged (fake) COVID-19 PCR results shall be referred for prosecution; airlines shall be fined $3,500 per passenger.

He said all passengers arriving in Nigeria will be required to go through the routine Port Health screening and present electronic or print-out evidence of pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test and the Permit to Travel Certificate/QR Code as well as Present their international passports for clearance through the Nigerian Immigration Service Systems Migrants Identification Data Analysis System.
Orji Kalu, chief whip of the senate, says President Muhammadu Buharis visit to some parts of the south-east will dispel the rumour that h...

Orji Kalu, chief whip of the senate, says President Muhammadu Buharis visit to some parts of the south-east will dispel the rumour that he was dead and had been cloned.





Speaking on Sunday, the chief whip commended Buhari for his recent visit to the south-east, saying the visit will calm agitations in the region.

Buhari had visited Imo and Ebonyi states on September 9, where he inaugurated some projects.

Kalu enjoined the president to put in more time in going around the country so that people will see him and know that he is still the same Buhari.

At a point, rumours were rife that Buhari had died and had been replaced by one Jubril from Sudan.

The rumour started in 2017 when the president spent 150 days in the UK treating an undisclosed ailment while the presidency failed to disclose his health status.

The rumoured death of the president, which is false and without any proof, is often peddled by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

I want to congratulate President Buhari for going to the south-east, he needs more of those visits, Kalu said.

Whether the visit is bitter, happiness or anything, it is a commendable initiative, and I commend him.

He has gone to Lagos, Kano, Maiduguri and should continue to be going around as those are part of the things a president needs to calm the system down. So, I commend him for making that trip, and he should not regret embarking on the trip.

It was a very good one in my observation, and he should put more time to go to the other parts of the country so that people can see him and know that he is Buhari.

This is because a lot of lies have been told that it is not Buhari living in the villa.

I have fought so many wars in my village, people will come from far and near, and they tell me it is not Buhari, and I will say listen, I just had tea with this man last night.

And it is the same man I know for 32 years, so it is good for the president to make this kind of visit. I encourage him, let him not relent and let nobody make him feel he wasnt in the right direction.

So I commend him, and we are still waiting for him to come to Abia.
Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has said that the secessionist agitation of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra has been hija...

Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has said that the secessionist agitation of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra has been hijacked by criminals and kidnappers.

The governor also said that the proscribed group is no longer in control of the whole agitation as a result of the alleged hijack by unscrupulous elements.

Umahi, who is the Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, spoke on Friday on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily breakfast programme.

According to him, the people of the South-East geopolitical zone are industrious people who dont sit at home on Mondays.

The governor said though IPOB had announced the suspension of its Monday sit-at-home order initially issued by the group, Igbo businessmen and women continue to stay indoors on Mondays because of the lack of inadequate security personnel to secure their lives and property.

Umahi said, The sit-at-home works to the average of 70 per cent in the South-East because of fear. Its fear; our people are not the kind of people that sit at home  they hustle for their daily living, they go from one place to the other.

The worst sit-at-home is the terrible state of roads in the South-East, it is worst than IPOB sit-at-home.

But let me address the issue of IPOB sit-at-home to say that even IPOB themselves had come out severally to say, Look o, we have suspended sit-at-home, which is madness in the first place. You are not sitting at home in the North or in the West, you only sit at home in the South-East to destroy the economy of South-East.

You cant destroy your people and pretend that you are fighting for your people. These are youths and then the agitation of IPOB has been hijacked by cultists and criminals and kidnappers, so the whole show is out of their hands.

So, it is out of fear that we dont have enough security to protect the people, thats why the people sit at home out of fear because many had been killed as a result of this and as a result of security people not being enough to protect them.

Recall that IPOB pronounced a weekly sit-at-home order in the entire South-East (Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia states) beginning August 9, 2021, to protest the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services for over three months.

IPOB subsequently suspended the Monday sit-at-home order, saying it would be observed any day Kanu appears in court but the last seven Mondays have turned bloody in the South-East as unknown gunmen attacked travellers, traders, students, and other persons who came out for normal activities.

Many have been killed, injured and vehicles have been burnt while banks, markets, schools, and other public places continue to shut down every Monday as people stayed indoors out of fear of being assailed outside.

The case of Kanu, who is facing terrorism-related charged before Justice Binta Nyako, has been adjourned to October 21, 2021, for continuation of hearing.
United Airlines will begin flight operations from the Virginia, United States to Lagos, Nigeria. The announcement was made on the ve...

United Airlines will begin flight operations from the Virginia, United States to Lagos, Nigeria.

The announcement was made on the verified Twitter account of the US Mission in Nigeria on Saturday.

According to the tweet, the airline operation will commence on November 29.

It stated that the nonstop flights will fly from Dulles international airport, Virginia, to Lagos, while adding that the tickets will be available for booking in a few days.

Awesome! A welcome addition to increasing the burgeoning connections between the US and Nigeria! the tweet reads.

We are pleased to see that United Airlines will launch from Dulles International Airport to Lagos starting November 29. Tickets will be available for booking in a few days.

On its part, United Airlines, while corroborating the news on its verified Twitter account, disclosed that it would operate flights on Monday, Thursday and Saturday every week.

The tweet established that the flight will be three per week  Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays  on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Make room for one more, Dulles Airport! Our nonstop to Lagos, Nigeria, is now for sale, it stated.

The first flight takes off November 29, with service on a 787-8 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
WATERTOWN  With the Sept. 27 deadline looming for the New York mandate that all health care workers, including staff at hospitals and long-term care facilities, be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19, some health care workers face a difficult decision.

Should they decide not to receive at least the first dose of one of the three available coronavirus vaccines before the states deadline, health care workers risk the loss of their livelihoods and the careers theyve worked to build.

Giving voice to their concerns and displeasure with the mandate, tri-county health care workers have been protesting this week and signing on to Change.org petitions.

On Wednesday, protesters gathered in Potsdam, and a Watertown protest organized by Samaritan Health workers, like the one that occurred outside of the hospital last week, took place on Public Square Saturday afternoon, coinciding with protests in other cities, including Syracuse.

Jenelle S. Stine, a registered nurse with Samaritan, has retained the position for about five years and said that although nursing means the world to her, she is willing to walk away from it until there is more concrete data about the safety and efficacy of the coronavirus vaccines she and her colleagues have been mandated to receive.

Until the vaccines are studied in a more complex, traditional setting that scientists and the FDA normally use, I think the warp speed studies should be focused on how to use safe, traditional medications to treat early diagnosed illness of COVID to build natural immunity to prevent hospitalizations and deaths, she said.

Adding that there is nothing wrong with how staff have been managing with screens and personal protective equipment, or PPE, so far through the pandemic, if the mandate goes through and health care systems lose nurses and other staff, she predicts it will have a devastating impact on the patients that will need health care.

[...]Whether its from the uptick of COVID or admissions for patients with chronic disease processes, this will be a lose situation for all, Mrs. Stine said. I commend those who got vaccinated and contributed to this research; I personally have personal health issues that made me opt to not take a risk with a new vaccine.

From her perspective, the risks of the vaccines arent worth the benefits. Everyone, she said, is ultimately accountable for preventing the transmission of the virus and being diligent with preventative measures.

On Aug. 16, former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that all health care workers in New York state would be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The requirement applied to staff at all hospitals and long-term care facilities like nursing homes and congregate care settings.

Religious and medical exemptions were both initially included in the order, but religious exemptions were removed through emergency regulations approved by the states Public Health and Health Planning Council on Aug. 26.

With deadline to receive at least one dose by Sept. 27 comes the understanding that if health care workers do not comply and do not have a recognized medical exemption, they will be relieved of their positions.

A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the state from forcing health care workers to be vaccinated after a group of 17 health care workers sued, saying their constitutional rights were violated due to the fact that the mandate had disallowed religious exemptions.

Its nice to know that there are other people that are against this, that theyre willing to fight, Mrs. Stine said. They dont think its right either.

The judge gave the state until Wednesday to respond to the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Utica. If the state opposes the request for a preliminary court order blocking the mandate, which it likely will, an oral hearing will be held Sept. 28.

According to a handout from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, in various stages of vaccine development and manufacturing, some of the COVID-19 vaccines used cells originally isolated from fetal tissue, some of which were originally derived from an aborted fetus.

The fetal cell lines being used to produce some of the potential COVID-19 vaccines are from two sources: a kidney cell line that was isolated from a fetus in 1973, and a retinal cell line that was isolated from an aborted fetus in 1985.

Abortions from which fetal cells were obtained were elective and were not done for the purpose of vaccine development, and any vaccine that relies on these historic cell lines will not require nor solicit new abortions, according to the handout.

Some bioethics groups and religious institutions, including the Vatican, generally oppose the use of aborted fetal cells in the development or manufacturing of vaccines but have said that, given the nature of the pandemic, people may ethically receive these vaccines when there are no alternatives.

Michelle L. Laverghetta, who has been in her current position for over six years as a housekeeper with Samaritan Summit Village and loves what she does, said those she has spoken with all say the same thing: theyre being punished for not obeying something they dont believe in and will eventually be fired if they refuse the shots.

Health care facilities may take large hits as they lose staff to the mandate, which could very well negatively impact patient care.

People have rights and when they are threatened, they fight back, Ms. Laverghetta said. Its in the Constitution  its called freedom.

A week from Monday, health care staffing could drastically change due to the mandate. Though some health care workers do not agree with the mandate, the hope in the north country is there will not be a major impact on health systems or services.

According to Leslie M. DiStefano, director of communication and public relations for Samaritan, the health care system doesnt have a number on formal resignations at this time, but is estimating between 50 to 100 team members will choose to resign rather than get vaccinated.

The entire health system is at about 80% vaccination, according to Ms. DiStefano.

Even losing one caregiver, one team member, is detrimental to what we do, she said. Theres no way that we could operate in the same way knowing that there already is a national and a local workforce shortage. And now you have more people leaving the organization.

While she acknowledged that this could mean things like longer wait times, appointments being scheduled further out, and incoming calls not answered as quickly, Ms. DiStefano said at this point, theres no intention to reduce or close any Samaritan services. She added that patient volumes have returned to pre-pandemic levels.

As previously reported by the Times this week, three of the five departments at the Lewis County Health System that were in danger of being paused due to staff loss from resistance to the COVID-19 vaccine, like the maternity department, have been moved off the watch list.

The health system-wide vaccination rate was 83% as of Thursday afternoon, according to Chief Executive Officer Gerald R. Cayer.The total number of resignations so far is 43, with about 70% being clinical staff.

Mr. Cayer confirmed that he and his team have been working internally to re-position staff so services have adequate coverage while also aggressively working with outside agencies to help fill positions that will be vacant on the 28th.

Jake Hollis, a respiratory therapist with the Lewis County Health System, said he has put 15 years into health care and has never felt as low as he does right now due to the impending mandate and the approaching loss of his beloved job over a vaccine he does not wish to receive.

I love what I do. Its not a job, its a passion, and this state is about to take that away from me because I dont feel comfortable with a medication that we dont know the long-term effects of, he said. Its my body, my choice, except for this.

Mr. Hollis stressed that he and his fellow health care workers who are unhappy with the vaccine mandate, are not anti-vax. He said he has all of the vaccines previously required of him and said he would receive one of the COVID-19 vaccines 10 years down the line once it is known if there are any long-term effects.

Its just the fact that this one is so new and as health care providers we are supposed to question it, he said. We have seen medications come on the market and be taken off a month and years later because of adverse or long-term effects.

He said he feels brokenhearted right know, knowing that something he loves so much could soon be taken from him.

Ben E. Hull, who has served as the director of the Center for Cancer Care at Canton-Potsdam Hospital for the last four years, turned in his letter of resignation earlier this month in direct response to the state Department of Healths removal of religious exemptions to the health care worker mandate.

He said the states refusal to acknowledge religious exemptions was a slap in the face to those of faith who serve in health care.

The line for me was when it became a religious liberty issue, Mr. Hull said. Other people who are working in health care and in the community may not totally agree with where that line is or ought to be. I think whats important is that people do what they believe is right.

Mr. Hull acknowledged that his decision to resign over this policy may seem extreme in light of the fact that he himself is fully vaccinated. He wrote in a letter sent out to various outlets that it is no more extreme than forcing health care facilities to terminate employees for adhering to their sincerely held religious convictions.

The very same people who have selflessly served our community on the front lines of a pandemic response for 18 months will be unceremoniously kicked to the curb, Mr. Hull wrote. If the state chooses to persist in this egregious violation of rights of conscience, our local health care system will be severely weakened by the end of September.

His last day in his role at CPH will be Friday, right before the mandate is set to take effect the following Monday.

As for the temporary halt and legal action against the vaccination mandate, Mr. Hull said it is heartening, but it certainly is not a done deal.

I think its so important for people to take a stand in this arena, he said. In the midst of an already existing staffing crisis that health care facilities are experiencing across the country and in the state, I think what a lot of people are being made aware of as this policy is making the rounds in the news is: Any essential worker working in health care being forced out of their job for these reasons is too many.

If, for example, he said, someones family member calls 911 with chest pain in a few weeks and is told an ambulance is not coming, it will be too late to speak up about the mandate.Emergency medical service managers , he added, are at a loss for how they are expected to respond to emergencies without their staff and volunteers.

These heroes of our community will be barred from showing up to save our loved-ones lives because theyre unvaccinated, he said. Is that worth it? I dont think it is.
LOWVILLE  With her back against the wall, facing the need to make a choice between the profession she loves and getting a vaccine she fears, one certified nursing assistant at the Lewis County Health System just wants more time.

It doesnt matter if were almost two years into this, Rebekah L. Cunningham said. Its a lot to take in. Theres a lot of inner conflict because you love what you do.

Ms. Cunningham, 32, of Lowville, works overnights on the inpatient floor of Lewis County General Hospital.

She said she also helps cover shifts at the nursing home, where she started with the health system, primarily because she wouldnt get to see her residents just working at the hospital and would miss seeing their faces.

Ms. Cunningham is acutely aware of the seriousness of the decision that she and some of her colleagues face to either receive one of the three available COVID-19 vaccines before the Sept. 27 deadline handed down by the state Department of Health, or lose her position with the hospital.

A lot of us, it brings tears to our eyes (when we talk about it) because weve made a career out of this, she said in an interview on Tuesday.

Not to vaccinate could mean giving up more than a job. For Ms. Cunningham, an entire career and the set of dreams that go with it are at stake because there could be nowhere else to work in health care without a vaccine anywhere in the country.

I havent fully resigned yet. Im waiting to see what happens, she said, believing thats also the case for many of the 102 people who have yet to resign or commit to a vaccination at the health system.

Hopefully, if we can stand our ground long enough, it will get overturned, she said.

There are a few things she is absolutely sure of.

She will support her coworkers in health care whether or not they decide to vaccinate; masking for everyone, not just health care workers, is crucial to stop the spread of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status; the thought of getting vaccinated is anxiety-inducing for her; and what she, and many others like her, really need is simply more time and more information about the vaccines to make a final decision.

Ms. Cunningham said she is holding out on vaccination and is not an anti-vaxxer. She said shes had a number of vaccines, including those already required to work in health care  the measles, mumps and rubella combination vaccine and Hepatitis B  and her children are fully vaccinated.

She had the chicken pox vaccine and a booster shot while she was pregnant.

Its a shot I knew was effective, and I didnt have any issues with it, she said.

Shes not even necessarily against the COVID vaccines, but she does have many questions and concerns, starting with unknown long-term effects.

Its the unknown for a lot of people, she said. I dont care about the politics, I care about my say in what I put in my body.

The information coming from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is confusing and inconsistent, according to Ms. Cunningham, and information in national media and the internet is often scary.

The stress the mandate is causing for both health care workers and health care facilities could have been avoided, Ms. Cunningham said, if it hadnt been so rushed.

They could have held off on the mandate and just been more proactive about the vaccination, sharing more statistics about each individual vaccine to open up peoples minds more, she said. Do seminars, you know? It could be a virtual seminar. More education instead of just dropping the mandate. People dont like to be forced to do something.

That way, she said, the information people were getting about the vaccines could have been directly from experts instead of social media, Google med and YouTube.

While there have been information sessions about the vaccines held at the hospital and chief executives have instituted an open door policy for people with questions, working the night shift doesnt make using those resources very convenient, according to Ms. Cunningham.

She has, however, taken the time to do some research about other vaccines like polio and the Spanish flu, how long they took, the dangers they posed while they were in development and what it took to ensure they were effective and safe.

She has also been researching the three COVID-19 options, and although she isnt sure she wants any of them, she is positive that she doesnt want two of them.

All I want is more of the research on the shot that Im considering, Ms. Cunningham said. Im going to tell you right now, Johnson & Johnson and the Pfizer? They are not my shots. Im thinking about Moderna.

Her reasons for rejecting the two-shot Pfizer-BioNTech and one-shot J&J vaccines are also the cause of her hesitation for any shot at all: side effects.

Ms. Cunningham is concerned about severe allergic reaction, the risk of death no matter how miniscule and, simply, if she might be that rare statistic that has a problem.

She knows, for example, the likeliness of dying from the vaccines is much less than 1%  according to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, it is about 0.0018%  and that usually age or underlying conditions are factors, but there are exceptions and she wonders if she might be one of them.

Ms. Cunningham is passionate as she tells stories of people who have had loved ones react intensely to a COVID-19 vaccine and colleagues who have reported reactions like severe headaches, but they cause her anxiety to go through the roof.

There are women worried about infertility, but mine is just reaction, Ms. Cunningham said. I dont want to develop a blood clot or anything like that and I dont want to go into anaphylactic shock.

The thought of having to go through a high fever, even for two days like another vaccinated colleague, made Ms. Cunningham wring her hands and say, I dont know how I feel about that, as she looked down and away.

Ms. Cunningham said she tested positive for COVID-19 on April 12. It was the second time. The first time, she barely had the sniffles.

This time, it progressed quickly from it feeling like allergies to her asthma escalating, her energy abating and the realization that it was probably COVID. And it was.

I was in tears, I was terrified, she said. Ive witnessed COVID patients who are doing great one minute and then the next minute  (pause) Its very unpredictable.

Ms. Cunningham said getting COVID was probably my own fault because I was going out, enjoying myself and having dinner at restaurants.

And I regret it because when I got sick with COVID, I got SICK, she said. I was out of work for over a month. It hit me like a Mack truck.

One night during her illness, her oxygen level dipped too low and her boyfriend took her to the Emergency Room at Lewis County.

She was terrified because of what she had seen working in the intensive care unit at St. Lukes hospital in Utica: people, even colleagues, on ventilators; people who seemed to be improving one minute, getting worse the next.

I wasnt afraid to go in the hospital, I was afraid I wouldnt come back out, Ms. Cunningham said. The nurses were so great here at Lewis County. They knew I needed time to come in. I sat there in the truck, I cried. I thought, the moment I leave this truck, Im not coming back.

Maybe if Ms. Cunningham hadnt seen and experienced what she did; if she hadnt experienced a severe case of COVID herself; if she hadnt worked in the ICU at St. Lukes with doctors and nurses doing everything they could to keep people being decimated by the virus, maybe then the thought of vaccinating wouldnt trigger her.

Fear, anxiety and other post traumatic stress symptoms have become normal for her living in the time of COVID.

Im losing sleep over it, she said. I just feel like Im emotional most of the time. I dont want to leave, but I also dont want to be given such a harsh ultimatum, she said. I just want (the hospital) to give me more time to think about what I want to do with myself.

Some of the people she works with who have changed their minds and gotten their vaccines did so primarily because they need their paychecks, she said. Now that theyve had the shots, she hasnt heard of anyone with a lot of regret.

I think now that theyre past the two days and they didnt have a severe reaction, they feel OK with it and now they still have that job security, Ms. Cunningham said. Thats another thing: Im watching them get their vaccination and I think, I could do this, maybe. But what if I have some sort of reaction, or an allergic reaction when I get it?

Ultimately, what it all seems to come down to for Ms. Cunningham is the fear of the unknown and that the more than 18 months of COVID-induced stress may be taking its toll now.

I work great under pressure, Ms. Cunningham said. It takes a lot to stress me out, but the one thing that bothers me is leaving something that Ive invested so much time in that I love. I mean, youve got to love nursing to be a nurse. I dont want to lose that. But also, whos to say you cant get COVID a third time, you know?

What has her the most furious in the situation, however, is how health care workers who have decided not to vaccinate are being portrayed.

Im always going to advocate for my co-workers no matter what they decide to do, she said. Ill support any decision that they make. They shouldnt be judged. They shouldnt be called selfish and told that they dont deserve to work in nursing, because yes, they do.

I work with phenomenal people, so many who have been so unselfish and have given up their own time to take extra shifts and given up time with their families, missing milestones in our childrens lives, she added. Thats not selfish.

Taking great pride in the quality of care she gives her patients and residents, she worries about what will happen if a large number of people decide to walk away.

It is consistency that matters (in care), she said. I feel like if we lack more staff, that consistency will go. Thats why Im still (here). I dont want to leave my residents. I dont want to leave them at all and thats why I havent given a formal resignation yet. Because I have been considering the vaccine, I just 

Ms. Cunninghams voice trailed off in frustration as she shook her head.

She would like to stay at Lewis County, where the CEO greets her in the hallway without pretension and she has coworkers she respects.

Ive made the north country my home and Ive fallen in love with this little hospital, she said. Maybe one day Ill have Jerrys (CEO Jerry Cayers) job, but I dont want it right now.

After being in health care for 15 years, since she was 19 years old, Ms. Cunningham knows exactly what she wants next: to continue her education, become a nurse and then a clinical nurse instructor.

But for now, Ms. Cunningham will do more research and see if there is enough data to make her comfortable with the Moderna vaccine.

Even with the science, though, she knows it will take some effort to work up the courage to have the vaccine.

She hopes shell be able to, because she doesnt think she has what it takes to just walk away.

Part two of Ms. Cunninghams journey can be read next week in the Times and online at NNY360.com.
Locally reported news and sports

Stay Current with What's Happening

Get the most of NNY360, register today!

By providing your email address, you consent to receive emails and special offers from NNY360.com
Medical decisions are usually made in a hospital or doctors office, not in a courtroom. But last month, as an Abita Springs woman was fighting for her life in a COVID-19 intensive care unit, her family asked a judge to step in.

Charlotte Ratley's family wanted her to receive ivermectin, an anti-parasitic medicine they said had been prescribed to Ratley after she was diagnosed with COVID but before she was hospitalized. St. Tammany Health System refused to give the 64-year-old woman the drug.

A north shore court sided with the family, and 22nd Judicial District Judge John Keller ordered the Covington hospital to administer ivermectin or to allow Ratley's daughter, Amy Ratley Roks, a physician's assistant, to do it.

Hospital policy requires a physician's assistant to be under the supervision of a collaborating physician on the staff to be granted privileges, a hospital spokeswoman said. The family's attorney had asked that Roks be granted emergency privileges, but that didn't happen.

Ratley never got the drug at the hospital. The industrial engineer and grandmother of three died there the day after Keller's order, on Aug. 21, her husband and daughter by her side.

But her death has not ended the questions raised by her case.

+2 FDA advisory panel rejects widespread Pfizer booster shots; here's why, what's next An influential federal advisory panel overwhelmingly rejected a plan Friday to offer Pfizer booster shots against COVID-19 to most Americans, 

Her family says that Ratley should have been allowed the drug given how ill she was. However, courts have historically shied away from imposing a duty to treat on providers if it goes against their professional medical judgment, according to Isabel Bonilla Mathe, a New Orleans attorney who represents health care providers and teaches health care law at Tulane University.

"From a legal point of view, either there is professional judgement or there isn't," said Jennifer Bard, a law and medicine professor at the University of Cincinnati. "That's the big question here: can a court direct any kind of medical care in a licensed hospital by a licensed physician? Up until now, the answer has been no. The dividing line was deference to professional judgement."

Paul Salles, CEO of the Louisiana Hospital Association, said that Keller's order is the only one he knows of where a hospital in Louisiana as been ordered by a court to provide specific medications or treatments to a COVID patient.

"Like the rest of the medical community, we are very concerned by court actions that infringe upon the professional practice of medicine and create significant risks to patient safety, Salles said in a statement.

Courts in some other states have sided with COVID patients and their families in seeking emergency court orders for hospitals to allow ivermectin to be used. But a judge in Illinois denied the request of a family to compel doctors to treat a COVID patient with ivermectin or hold them in contempt for refusing, said Nathan Stout, a lecturer in medical ethics at Tulane University.

Attorney Rene Frederick, a cousin of Ratleys who represented the family, said going to court was a simple decision.

Its far from a simple issue, however.

Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic widely used to treat livestock as well as conditions in humans like intestinal worms and scabies. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for preventing or treating coronavirus and advises against it outside of controlled clinical trials.

The Louisiana Department of Health, in an Aug. 25 news release, warned that ivermectin is dangerous to humans in high doses, such as those often given to livestock, and urged people to get vaccinated instead.

But ivermectin adherents, including some doctors, have touted the drug as both safe and beneficial for COVID, and their comments have generated wide circulation online.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Ratley did not self-treat with ivermectin, her daughter said. The drug was prescribed by a licensed physician after Ratley tested positive for COVID, but she had only taken two of the five doses when she was hospitalized.

Her daughter declined to identify the doctor who prescribed the drug.

Frederick said that St. Tammany Health System refused to comply with the judges order, telling him that none of their doctors was willing to administer the drug to Ratley.

The hospital was willing to allow Ratley to get ivermectin if a doctor with privileges at St. Tammany Health System willing to administer it could be found, Frederick said. But that did not happen before her death.

Melissa Hodgson, a spokesperson for St. Tammany Health System, said the hospital received Kellers order late on Aug. 20 and had been in the process of reviewing and formulating an appropriate response to it.

Ivermectin is listed on the hospitals formulary, but only for non-COVID applications, Hodgson said.

The request to prescribe medication outside the bounds of our accepted safe practices would have had to go through a series of decision-making committees that are in place to ensure the safety of patients under our care, Hodgson said.

None of the area hospitals contacted said they use ivermectin for COVID. Katherine Baumgarten, Ochsner Health Systems medical director for disease control and prevention, was blunt during a news conference last month.

"We only use this for parasites. And we know from the data, its very clear that ivermectin is not an appropriate treatment for COVID," she said, adding that people should not take it from a veterinarian source or any other source, because it just doesnt work.

But ivermectin is gaining some political support in Louisiana. A group of four Republican state representatives sent a letter last week to Gov. John Bel Edwards and Courtney Phillips, secretary of Louisiana Department of Health, decrying a diagnosis code requirement issued Aug. 26 that denies Medicaid coverage of ivermectin prescribed for COVID.

Frederick said that while there is disagreement in the medical community about the effectiveness of ivermectin in treating COVID, it has not been shown to be harmful and some physicians have used it for COVID.

Ratley was on a fatal course with the virus, Frederick said, and she and her family wanted ivermectin to be used in her treatment. Her daughter declined to say if Ratley had been vaccinated

Roks said that her mother asked to continue taking ivermectin when she was taken to the hospital, but doctors at St. Tammany Health System chastised her for taking it at all.

"None of us think its a magic bullet," Roks said, but the medical literature she has reviewed doesn't show any significant ill effects.

"If she was dying of cancer, you'd try an experimental drug," she said.

She believes her mother was denied access to a potentially life-saving medication and hopes her case results in change.

She would have wanted to know that if it was too late for her, she played a pivotal role, Roks said.
Edward Campbell has spent day after day since Hurricane Ida gutting his modest, one-story house on Williamsburg Drive in LaPlace, his progress measured by the mountain of ruined home furnishings and drywall piling up in the front yard.

His daughter, meanwhile, has been hard at work on another, equally important task: finding an air-conditioned place for Campbell, his wife, and their disabled son to sleep at night.

The family is staying in a hotel in Gonzales, the third place they've lived since evacuating for the Aug. 29 storm -- their fourth if you count the five nights they spent sleeping in their car in front of the house.

It isn't much, but they should have the hotel room through October 9. "We may be able to extend our stay out there, but I don't know," said Campbell, 65.

The Campbells are among the many thousands of south Louisianans in limbo after Hurricane Ida made their homes uninhabitable. That's led to a scramble for hotel rooms, short-term rentals and apartments that has spread throughout the region.

"Everything's booked," Campbell said, noting that his daughter's efforts have stretched as far as Jackson and Gulfport, Mississippi. "They just say, 'We're booked.'"

A regional rental market that already was tight before Ida has now gone nuts, said Lacey Conway, CEO of Latter & Blum, one of the state's largest real estate management and sales agencies.

"From Lafayette all the way to Mississippi, people are having to search very far and wide for rentals," Conway said. "There weren't that many properties to begin with and now the situation is desperate, in all caps."

She said that just as the pandemic dried up available homes for sale and turned it into a frenzied sellers' market, the rental market now too is seeing 15-to-20 renters chasing the same property and bidding it up to exorbitant levels.

In Gulfport, Mississippi, the phones at Rental Management LLC have been ringing off the hook since just after the storm passed through in early September.

"As far as our call volume, we definitely had a lot of calls from people displaced by Hurricane Ida," said property manager Wendy Lassabe.

The company has a portfolio of several hundred single family homes in the area, but occupancy is at a 10-year high and most properties aren't available for short-term lease.

In the New Orleans metro area, Conway said that her agents are reporting that landlords who had been looking for, say, $1,700 a month before Hurricane Ida are now looking for $2,200. Rates are especially high for those rare furnished apartments or houses.

"A weird market has gotten even weirder," she said. "Some people are looking at vacant land they can rent for campers and even reaching out trying to lease what would normally be a corporate office just so they can have WiFi and A/C."

The stop-gap solution of staying in a hotel has also been made more difficult because of a supply shortage.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Mavis Early, executive director of the Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association, said many hoteliers took rooms offline before the storm, expecting they would lose power and not be able to accommodate guests. After the storm, the rooms that were available were quickly filled by the electricity linemen and emergency response personnel that flooded into the region.

The data bears this out. Hotel occupancy in New Orleans in the week before the storm plummeted from 42% to below 30%. It has since rebounded to pre-pandemic levels above 68%, according to STR, a hotel data tracking and analysis firm.

Hoteliers say the New Orleans data masks the fact that area hotels are operating at lower levels because of chronic staff shortages.

The effect in Mississippi was even more dramatic as many in New Orleans evacuated ahead of the storm and stayed away because of the prolonged black out. STR data show Mississippi hotel occupancy going from 55% before the storm to about 80% in the two weeks after. In the Biloxi/Gulfport hotel market it went from 53% to 92%.

Maxwell Ciardullo, director of policy and communications with the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, said that the situation in the city has been compounded by the fact that many landlords have failed to maintain their properties, which meant that even some that weren't in flooded areas were rendered uninhabitable by other types of storm damage.

Now, those struggling to find decent affordable places before the storm are in an even weaker position, he said.

"Even on a sunny day in New Orleans or in Louisiana, you can be evicted for asking for a basic repair, so then you multiply that by the desperation that we see after a storm like this and it really means landlords can do whatever they want.

Back in LaPlace, Carlton and Kathy Morris said this week they were just beginning their search for longer-term housing. They're also in a Gonzales hotel, paying about $1,000 a week, money they would rather have going toward an apartment.

"For what we're paying at the hotel, it should be feasible to find a rental property," Carlton Morris said.

St. John the Baptist Parish President Jaclyn Hotard said FEMA is considering whether to roll out temporary housing like the trailers that proliferated after Hurricane Katrina. All options are on the table.

Theyre trying to get a better assessment on what the long-term housing needs will be for the community, she said. Its not just us. Many of our other parishes are going to need long-term housing plans."

Campbell, a retired truck driver, said he is currently negotiating with his insurance company to get them to pay for a rental company to put a trailer on his property, which he'd like to have done before he's forced to leave the hotel.

He said the unpredictable nature of housing is "depressing and stressful," though he said he's mostly worried about his wife and son.

"I have to be the strong one, to show them that we're going to get through it, which we are," he said. "We are going to get through it."
Hurricane Ida is now the latest entry on the list of Louisianas most devastating encounters with tropical weather, joining a pantheon of storms  Laura, Katrina, Rita, Betsy  that still jog terrible memories long afterward. On top of the pervasive property destruction in places like LaPlace and Houma, 29 people tragically died, mostly in the following days from extreme heat due to lost power or carbon monoxide poisoning from improperly positioned generators.

Since the storm made landfall, more than 950 Louisianans have died of COVID-19.

The truth is that the state was already dealing with a catastrophe before Ida ever showed signs of strengthening. The raw numbers showing the disparity in the death toll in the weeks following Idas landfall are haunting. But they shouldnt be surprising.

Last week the country marked a heartbreaking milestone; one in 500 Americans have now been lost to the effects of the coronavirus. In Louisiana, where low vaccination rates led to a fourth wave that overwhelmed hospitals this summer, that figure is closer to one in 350. Imagine how you would have reacted if someone had told you two years ago that that would happen. Imagine the lengths youd be willing to go to stop it from becoming a reality.

And yet, as seriously as we all know to take hurricane threats by now, as much as we prepare and fortify before and as much as we come together as a community after, were somehow still fighting over how, and even how hard to try, to keep COVID-19 from killing more of our friends and loved ones.

The latest front is President Joe Bidens vaccine mandate, a badly needed measure to finally get a hold of the disease and fully reopen the country and the economy. Its all too common for Bidens political opponents to seize on his initiative as an assault on freedom, even if most dont go so far as state Rep. Danny McCormick, R-Oil City, who posted a doctored photo on social media of Biden sporting a Hitler mustache.

Elsewhere, a handful of McCormicks colleagues, state Reps. Beryl Amedee, R-Houma, Kathy Edmonston, R-Gonzales, Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, and Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, whined on House letterhead about the state's refusal to let Medicaid cover ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment because theres no evidence it helps, despite claims in right-wing media to that effect (they also managed to sneak in some gratuitous immigrant-bashing in the process). Like McCormick, these lawmakers have been vocal critics of Gov. John Bel Edwards common-sense restrictions aimed at bringing the states COVID-19 rate down.

What happens to COVID infection rates as a result of Ida? Hospitals in St. Tammany Parish withstood the one-two punch of Hurricane Ida and the ongoing pandemic without major issues, but local medical 

The moderate position, such as it is, belongs to House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, who at least said that the letter does not reflect the full chambers opinion. And yet, while Schexnayder encouraged vaccinations on Facebook, he joined most of his Republican colleagues in rejecting the idea of a mandate.

The unfortunate irony here is that we know that public health measures, when applied, are helping.

LSU finally managed to get most students to take the vaccine when it threatened to expel them from campus if they didnt. Edwards and his team point to his re-imposition of a mask mandate once the fourth wave emerged, plus new vaccination requirements, as catalysts for a drop in Louisianas alarming hospitalization rates.

Weve been through so many storms here in South Louisiana that we know what to do, and when something goes terribly wrong, we learn from the experience. Thats why so many people were willing to evacuate out of Idas path ahead of time, which may have kept the death toll from climbing higher. And its why new attention will surely be paid to shoring up the electrical grid.

Weve seen it over and over again: When nature threatens, the state puts aside political division, buckles down and does what's necessary to get back on track.

Seems like that's a smart way to approach a public health disaster as well.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was responding to some residents when she transformed an Elysian Fields facility into a trash transfer station for people to drop off bags of garbage and trash free of charge. Heather found it outrageous.

At the end of the day, this shouldnt be happening in 2021, she told me. If the workers here cant do it, bring somebody else in who can.

During a Wednesday afternoon interview with Gerod Stevens on WBOK, Cantrell said she opened the 2829 Elysian Fields location near the I-610 overpass for bagged trash drop off after hearing from a number of residents. They just wanted someone to pick up their trash, or they wanted a place they could take it. Look, where can I take my trash? the mayor recalled residents begging her. Like many, they were tired of seeing it  and tired of smelling it. Though some were satisfied with this temporary solution, Cantrell said the move sent people reeling.

Count Chelsea Hayes and Heather in that number.

Residents and City Council grill Cantrell administration officials over trash pileup Exasperated residents and a frustrated City Council grilled Cantrell administration officials for nearly three hours Friday morning about the 

Maam @mayorcantrell its maggots all over the trash and you want us to put this on our cars. Do you smell the city(?) Hayes tweeted after seeing the announcement. One of E Thunderwoods tweets asked What about ppl with no cars? They supposed to take it on the bus? I doubt riders on the RTA 55 on their way to the French Quarter or downtown would appreciate that.

Heather, 36, didnt want her last name used, in part because shes getting tired of dealing with dark streets, car break-ins and hearing about neighbor after neighbor having their homes burglarized. After many years renting downtown, she decided to invest in the city she came to love, as Cantrell did, while attending Xavier University of Louisiana. Now shes questioning her decision.

Like thousands of others in New Orleans and southern Louisiana, Heather left her Gentilly home to avoid personal injury during the damage she knew Hurricane Ida would cause. While she was gone, a friend emptied her fridge and put the waste out. It was there when she returned. Shes tired of waiting. Someone took care of her garbage, and shes thankful. But theres plenty of garbage stinking up her street.

The Elysian Fields station has been used by the Department of Sanitation and other city departments for other purposes, according to a city spokesperson. Cantrell and her team have been struggling to find solutions to the ongoing trash troubles. Trash pickup criticisms had been focused on Metro Service Group when they got behind during the summer, then got really behind. Since Ida, though, the problem has expanded to include many of the neighborhoods serviced by Metro and Richards Disposal. According to Cantrell, an emergency procurement bid was issued to get additional trash pickup capacity and that opportunity closed Monday with only two bidders and only one of those two was likely qualified. A contractor was added for one service area but no contractor qualified for another. The city has implemented Operation Mardi Gras, putting Carnival season company contractors and city workers on trash patrol.

Its likely to take days before a contract is awarded, and more time before additional trucks are in the streets.

Chelsea Hayes trash tweet Chelsea Hayes tweeted Wednesday, September 15, 2021 after New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's decision to open an Elysian Fields facility for 

As more regular readers know, there are some big issues involved. There are pay equity issues in the company contracts. There werent enough trash truck drivers to cover all neighborhoods before the storm, and there are fewer now. There arent enough trash truck drivers, in part, because insurers require two years of experience, limiting employee options. Big trash trucks must be driven by people with a commercial drivers license, so that limits the pool of candidates. In addition, major companies have been paying commercial drivers more.

Intellectually, people like Hayes and Heather understand that, Im sure. There is business that must be taken care of so people can have the service they expect for the $24-per-month the city charges every residential unit for trash collection on sewage and water bills.

Theres a lot of understandable angst and attention on the post-Ida trash issues because so many people emptied their freezers and refrigerators of perfectly good food after the storm. Even after the current trash crisis ends, people are going to want regular, twice-weekly pickup on the days theyve been told to expect it. Cities work best when leaders take the heat and are accountable and when basic services are reliable. Cities lose population when people get jobs elsewhere, when crime worries them too much  and when garbage and trash pile up.

It is my goal to rid our community, our people, of these burdens that weve been having with trash collection once and for all, Cantrell told WBOK listeners.

Lets hope so, Madam Mayor. Were counting on a long-term fix. We need young folks like Heather to stay.

+5 Will Sutton: Louisiana officials are in charge, but FEMA is here to help Clara Wemer isnt from here, but she understands the pain and she wants to help. Shes experienced natural disasters and seen many challenges 

+2 Will Sutton: On vaccinations, Big Daddy Biden pulls out a switch and snatches the allowance Far too many people continue to be unvaccinated. I dont get the Im going to wait, I just dont know, Im going to wait and see and I 
OnePlus has announced a major camera update for its OnePlus 9 series of smartphones. The headlining feature is a new wide-format mode with a special 65:27 aspect ratio dubbed Xpan Mode drawing inspiration from its partnership with camera specialists Hasselblad.

4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 3D Printing , 5G , Accessory , AI , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , E-Mobility , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Human 2.0 , Ice Lake , Intel Evo / Project Athena , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Linux / Unix , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Rumor , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Single-Board Computer (SBC) , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) Ticker

There are numerous hook-ups between smartphone makers and camera specialists these days with some seemingly nothing more than marketing exercises. There were more than a few who cast a cynical eye when OnePlus announced one such partnership to co-brand its OnePlus 9 series smartphones with Swedish camera giant Hasselblad. When it launched, OnePlus 9 said that it was only at the beginning of its partnership with Hasselblad who helped it with its custom color tuning software.

While it seemed we might have to wait till the next-generation OnePlus smartphone to see a deeper collaboration, OnePlus has surprised with the announcement of a major update for its OnePlus 9 series camera app. The headlining feature is a new wide-format mode that emulates the capabilities of the famed Hasselblad XPan camera. The new XPan Mode takes shots in a dramatic 65:27 aspect ratio at two different focal lengths (30 mm and 40 mm), just like the original camera.

In addition to the new XPan Mode, the new camera update includes a number of fixes and improvements to the OnePlus 9 series cameras. These include over-sharpening issues in auto-mode, improvements to the stability of auto white balance including when shifting between the main and ultra-wide cameras, and improved dynamic range in low-light shots. The camera app now also launches 50 percent faster than before. The update is coming soon OTA to all OnePlus 9 series users.

Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro unlocked from Amazon for US$915.25, a saving of US$153.74.
Roseburg, OR (97470)

Today

Morning clouds will give way to sunshine for the afternoon. High 64F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds overnight. Low near 40F. Winds light and variable.
Yolanda Lopez, an artist and activist who created one of the most famous artworks in Chicano history by boldly recasting the Virgin of Guadalupe in her own image  as a young, strong, brown woman wearing running shoes and a wide grin  died on Sept. 3 at her home in San Francisco. She was 78.

The cause was complications of liver cancer, said her son, Rio Yanez, who is also an artist.

Ms. Lopez made other types of work, including conceptual art installations and political posters, but her 1978 painting Portrait of the Artist as the Virgin of Guadalupe is by far her most acclaimed and widely reproduced. It has appeared in art books, feminist histories and Chicano anthologies. It has shown up on T-shirts and tattoos. And along with similar work by Patssi Valdez and Ester Hernandez, it inspired younger generations of Latina artists to rethink the Roman Catholic icon, a vision of the Virgin Mary popular with Mexicans and Mexican Americans.

In essence, Ms. Lopez took Guadalupe, the paragon of demure femininity, and liberated her. The Virgins heavy, voluminous robe is restyled as a short, sporty dress. Her star-studded blue mantle becomes more of a superhero cape. She is running instead of stuck in place, and she looks joyful.

Jill Dawsey, who curated an exhibition of Ms. Lopezs work that is scheduled to open in October at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego  Ms. Lopezs first museum survey  called it a striking revision of Guadalupe, divested of her colonialist and patriarchal origins and transformed into an image of radical feminist optimism. (It was radical enough that Ms. Lopez received death threats.)
New information emerged on Saturday about a brawl outside a popular Italian restaurant in Manhattan that raises questions about initial accounts of the altercation, in which the police said they arrested three women from Texas after they attacked a hostess who had asked them to provide proof of their vaccination status.

In a statement on Thursday, the police said that they had responded to an assault in front of Carmines on the Upper West Side of Manhattan involving a 24-year-old hostess, who told them that she got into a dispute with three women after she requested to see their Covid-19 vaccination cards. The three women were charged with assault and criminal mischief.

But on Saturday, lawyers for both Carmines and the women said that the three women had, in fact, provided documentation of Covid vaccinations. The altercation began after two men who joined their party several minutes later were unable to provide proof, the lawyers for both sides said.

Security camera footage reviewed by The New York Times shows three women, who were with several other people, being ushered into the restaurant after showing documentation near the entrance. Several minutes later, three men arrive to join the group, but only one of the three shows a vaccination card, lawyers for both sides said. A short time later, after the three women, who are Black, have joined the men outside, the fight breaks out.
Returning from the free-fall environment of orbit to the normal forces of gravity on Earth is often disorienting for astronauts. A water landing adds the possibility of seasickness.

During a news conference in 2020, Doug Hurley, who flew NASAs first journey in the Crew Dragon capsule said he had read some of the reports by the Skylab astronauts.

There was some challenges post splashdown, he said. Folks didnt feel well, and you know, that is the way it is with a water landing, even if youre not deconditioned like were going to be.

Mr. Hurley acknowledged that vomiting would not be unexpected.

There are bags if you need them, and well have those handy, he said. Well probably have some towels handy as well. And you know, if that needs to happen, it certainly wouldnt be the first time that thats happened in a space vehicle.
I understand that by providing an abortion beyond the new legal limit, I am taking a personal risk, but its something I believe in strongly, Dr. Braid wrote.

Nancy Northup, president and chief executive of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is already representing Dr. Braid in his clinics pending lawsuit, said in a statement that he had courageously stood up against this blatantly unconstitutional law.

We stand ready to defend him against the vigilante lawsuits that S.B. 8 threatens to unleash against those providing or supporting access to constitutionally protected abortion care, she said in a statement.

Texas Right to Life, an anti-abortion group that had been seeking tips on any doctors who might be violating the new law, said in a statement that it was looking into this claim but we are dubious that this is just a legal stunt.

The abortion industry has struck out on their 16 previous attempts to stop this law from saving lives so far and this may be another attempt, the group said. However, there is a four-year statute of limitations for any violations and the Pro-Life movement is dedicated to ensuring that the Texas Heartbeat Act is fully enforced.

In an interview on Saturday, Dr. Braid declined to say whether the woman whose abortion he performed on Sept. 6 had been informed that her procedure could be part of a test case against the new law. Im not going to answer any questions about the patient in any way, he said.

He said that he had consulted with lawyers from the Center for Reproductive Rights and hoped that, by publicly stating that he had performed an abortion, he might contribute to the campaign to invalidate the law.
JERUSALEM  Israel on Sunday captured the last of the six Palestinian inmates who escaped a maximum-security prison nearly two weeks ago, ending an episode that Israelis saw as a humiliation of their security establishment and Palestinians celebrated as a rare black eye for the Israeli occupation.

The Israeli Army said in a statement that it had captured Munadil Nafayat and Eham Kamamji in Jenin, their hometown in the occupied West Bank, in an early-morning operation conducted jointly with a police special forces unit and the Israeli domestic intelligence agency, the Shin Bet.

Of the six prisoners who broke out of Gilboa prison in northern Israel on Sept. 6, Mr. Nafayat and Mr. Kamamji were the only ones who had managed to reach the West Bank. The other four were caught in northern Israel more than a week ago.

The six escaped their shared cell after removing part of the floor of their shower cubicle and crawling for nearly 32 yards underneath the prison, partly through a pre-existing cavity that extended from beneath the cell toward the prison perimeter.
As her audience ballooned, JoJo became an anti-bullying crusader, encouraging her young fans to be themselves, haters be darned. That positivity, in its shiny, bow-topped packaging, proved highly marketable. And JoJo proved a savvy businesswoman, taking a hands-on approach to her lines of bows and dolls and clothing. (Jess proudly described 13-year-old JoJo holding court in a room full of Walmart executives.)

But despite earning the adoration of 6- to 10-year-olds, she faced increasingly venomous harassment online from fellow teens. Ive never really had kid friends my own age, she said. But teenagers hated me. I mean, literally hated me. From her detractors perspective, she looked like a phony, forced to perpetually inhabit a lucrative persona created when she was 9.

She wouldnt have been the only Dance Moms cast member to feel trapped in amber. Zackery Lennon Torres, who identified as a boy when she was on Abbys Ultimate Dance Competition and Dance Moms as a young teen, came out this spring as a transgender woman. Now 22, she said she hit pause on her feelings about gender and sexual identity during her years with the franchise, which had specific ideas about what gender roles Torres would play.

I didnt have time to think about where I was in my growth as a person, Torres said. After I left the show and went back to high school, I had to figure out that, like, Oh, I wanted a boyfriend. What does it mean to come out? Who am I?

Siwa, who overlapped a bit with Torres on Dance Moms, is quick to express sympathy for her. But Siwa maintains that her Dance Moms experience didnt stifle or alter her, and neither did her ensuing fame.
Presiding from the podium, of course, was van Zweden. On Wednesday he had explained that the pandemic led him, at 60, to reassess his priorities and to put his family in the Netherlands first. Constant travel to New York and to his other directorship, in Hong Kong, which he announced he would also leave in 2024, is surely not easy.

Still, his tenure, which with the long closure has so far amounted to only a season and a half, raises questions about whether he was the right conductor to lead the Philharmonic during a time of challenge, when major rethinking was called for. When his appointment was announced in early 2016, he had won praise as the music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for building up the ensembles technical capacities and leading dynamic accounts of the core repertory. But was this what the New York Philharmonic needed?

Van Zweden initially quieted my reservations by enthusiastically joining the Philharmonics effort to lure Borda from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where she had proven herself a visionary leader. And he arrived in 2018 full of energy and ambition. To my surprise, he was at his best leading contemporary scores, especially major premieres like Julia Wolfes seething multimedia oratorio Fire in my mouth and David Langs Prisoner of the State, a bold retelling of Beethovens Fidelio. Van Zweden seemed in his element on both occasions.

Working with Borda, he joined in two new-music series: Nightcap and Sound On. As his second season began, he presided over the start of Project 19, which commissioned works from 19 female composers to commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment. One of them, Tania Leons Stride, won the Pulitzer Prize this year.
4. Relations between France and the U.S. have sunk to their lowest level in decades.

The U.S. and Australia went to extraordinary lengths to keep Paris in the dark as they secretly negotiated a plan to build nuclear submarines, scuttling a defense contract worth at least $60 billion. President Emmanuel Macron of France was so enraged that he recalled the countrys ambassadors to both nations.

Australia approached the new administration soon after President Bidens inauguration. The conventionally powered French subs, the Australians feared, would be obsolete by the time they were delivered. The Biden administration, bent on containing China, saw the deal as a way to cement ties with a Pacific ally.

But the unlikely winner is Britain, who played an early role in brokering the alliance. For its prime minister, Boris Johnson, who will meet this coming week with Biden at the White House and speak at the U.N., it is his first tangible victory in a campaign to make post-Brexit Britain a player on the global stage.
Submarine tensions escalate

Relations between France and the U.S. have sunk to their lowest level in decades, after the U.S. and Australia secretly negotiated a plan to build nuclear submarines.

The two countries went to extraordinary lengths to keep Paris in the dark on the plan, which scuttled a French defense contract worth at least $60 billion for diesel-electric submarines.

In response, President Emmanuel Macron recalled Frances ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia. It was the first time in the history of the long alliance between France and the U.S., dating back to 1778, that Paris recalled an ambassador in this way.

Engineering: Australia feared that the French-built, diesel-electric submarines would be obsolete by the time they were delivered. The country expressed interest in seeking a fleet of quieter nuclear-powered submarines based on American and British designs that could patrol areas of the South China Sea with less risk of detection.
The accounting firms have a desire to get in favorable rules for their clients, said Michael Hamersley, a former tax lawyer at EY and KPMG. And the person in the government has a desire to grant their wish because they know they will be rewarded when they get out.

The so-called revolving door, in which people cycle between the public and private sectors, is nothing new. But the ability of the worlds largest accounting firms to embed their top lawyers inside the governments most important tax-policy jobs has largely escaped public scrutiny.

Image Audrey Ellis went from PwC to the Treasury Department. Two years later, she returned to her old firm, which promoted her to partner. Credit... Photo Illustration by The New York Times; PwC

In the last four presidential administrations, there were at least 35 instances of round trips from big accounting firms through Treasurys tax policy office, along with the Internal Revenue Service and the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation, and back to the same firm, according to public records and interviews with government and industry officials.

In at least 16 of those cases, the officials were promoted to partner when they rejoined their old accounting firms. The firms often double the pay of employees upon their return from their government sojourns. Some partners end up earning more than $1 million a year.

Federal rules prohibit government officials from working on many matters in which they have financial interests, like having an unwritten agreement to return to their prior firm. The purpose of the rules is to avoid having officials beholden to private parties instead of working on behalf of the public, though it is hard to prove the existence of such financial entanglements.

Lawyers who come from the private sector need to learn who their new client is, and its not their former clients. Its the American public, said Stephen Shay, a retired tax partner at Ropes & Gray who served in the Treasury during the Reagan and Obama administrations. A certain percentage of people never make that switch. Its really hard to make that switch when you know where you are going back in two years, and its to your old clients. The incentives are bad.
When the troubled Chinese property giant Evergrande was starved for cash earlier this year, it turned to its own employees with a strong-arm pitch: Those who wanted to keep their bonuses would have to give Evergrande a short-term loan.

Some workers tapped their friends and family for money to lend to the company. Others borrowed from the bank. Then, this month, Evergrande suddenly stopped paying back the loans, which had been packaged as high-interest investments.

Now, hundreds of employees have joined panicked home buyers in demanding their money back from Evergrande, gathering outside the companys offices across China to protest last week.

Once Chinas most prolific property developer, Evergrande has become the countrys most indebted company. It owes money to lenders, suppliers and foreign investors. It owes unfinished apartments to home buyers and has racked up more than $300 billion in unpaid bills. Evergrande faces lawsuits from creditors and has seen its shares lose more than 80 percent of their value this year.
A weekslong strike by Nabisco employees in five states ended on Saturday, as their union announced that its members had overwhelmingly approved a four-year contract with the parent company of the maker of Oreos, Ritz Crackers and other snacks.

The employees are members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, which had clashed with Nabiscos owner, Mondelez International, over proposed changes to shift lengths and overtime rules.

The strike had brought renewed attention to the snack giant, which had faced criticism from union members over long shifts, pensions and the production of some products in Mexico, a move that Donald J. Trump criticized as a presidential candidate.

This has been a long and difficult fight for our striking members, their families and our union, Anthony Shelton, the unions president, said in a statement on Saturday. Throughout the strike, our members displayed tremendous courage, grit and determination.
Image Credit... Giacomo Bagnara

Whats Up? (Sept. 12-18)

Civilians in Space

A SpaceX rocket carrying four Americans blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday. The orbital spaceflight was the first to carry only passengers who werent professional astronauts, a milestone for the space tourism industry. In addition to SpaceX, which Elon Musk founded, Jeff Bezos Blue Origin and Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic plan to offer commercial spaceflights. But the latest flight differed from the short jaunts that Mr. Bezos and Mr. Branson took to space in July. The crew orbited the planet for three days.

The First Draft on Taxes

House Democrats on Monday released a plan for financing President Bidens $3.5 trillion proposal to strengthen the social safety net  or at least some of it. The proposed tax measures could raise as much as $2.9 trillion over 10 years, but stop short of more aggressive measures previously proposed by Mr. Biden and Senate Democrats. Included in the plan: an increase in the top tax rate for married couples who have a taxable income over $450,000 and single people who make more than $400,000, to 39.6 percent from 37 percent; an increase in the top capital gains rate to 25 percent from 20 percent; a new surtax of 3 percent for Americans with an adjusted gross income above $5 million; and a graduated rate structure that would raise taxes for larger companies and cut them for small businesses. Progressive senators criticized the plan for targeting income rather than wealth. The approach aims at the very rich instead of those with vast fortunes.

The Latest From Apple

Apple introduced new versions of its iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch on Tuesday. Its prices for these products remained mostly the same, as did most of the devices themselves. The company hopes that by adding features and making slight design improvements, customers will keep buying its products. The new iPhones have brighter screens, longer battery life and more powerful cameras and computer processors, but largely perform like last years models. The Apple Watch has a larger display area and changes to make it more durable, and the iPad lineup got a more significant update. So far the strategy is working: iPhone sales have exploded during the pandemic.

Image Credit... Giacomo Bagnara

Whats Next? (Sept. 19-25)

The Debate About Booster Shots

Last month, President Biden announced a plan to offer a third shot of Covid-19 vaccine to most Americans as early as Sept. 20. But the plan has been in flux as scientists debated whether booster shots are necessary. The administration already delayed plans to offer boosters to recipients of the Moderna vaccine after regulators said they needed more time to decide the proper dosage for the third shot. On Friday, advisers to the Food and Drug Administration, the agency responsible for authorizing vaccines, unanimously recommended a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine for Pfizer vaccine recipients who are 65 or older or at high risk of severe Covid-19. Earlier Friday, the advisory panel voted against a broader recommendation that the booster shot be available to people 16 and older. Although the F.D.A. is not required to follow its advisers recommendations, it typically does. The agency is expected to make a decision in the coming days.
Beyond the spiritual test of unrealized prophecies, there are very earthly stakes here: Under Mr. Strangs stewardship, Charisma had grown from a church magazine to a multipronged institution with a slew of New York Times best sellers, millions of podcast downloads and a remaining foothold in print media, with a circulation of 75,000 for its top magazine. It is widely regarded as the flagship publication of the fast-growing Pentecostal world, which numbers over 10 million in the United States. With its mash-up of political and prophetic themes, Charisma had tapped a sizable market and electoral force. In 2019, one poll found that more than half of white Pentecostals believed Mr. Trump to be divinely anointed, with additional research pointing to the importance of so-called prophecy voters in the 2016 election.

In his new book, Mr. Strang mentions the former president only in passing, with far more attention going to topics such as the coming Antichrist and loathed government overlords seeking to stamp out religion wholesale.

Mr. Strang summed it up, The fact is there are people who want to cancel Christianity.

Christians and other conservatives need to wake up and stand up, Mr. Strang said in an interview. It says that right on the cover of the book.

The supernatural and mass media have long been fused in the story of Pentecostalism. In 1900s Los Angeles, Aimee Semple McPherson broadcast news-style reports of miracles and prophetic words over her own radio station in Echo Park. Oral Roberts conducted healing crusades through the TV screen. The duo Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker mastered the flashy style of prime time talk shows.

Mr. Strangs journalism career began in Florida as a rookie reporter at The Sentinel Star, where he covered more mundane topics like police and town hall meetings. In 1975, Mr. Strang founded Charisma, then a small periodical put out by Calvary Assembly of God, a congregation in the Orlando area that he attended with his wife. Mr. Strang bought the magazine from the parent church in 1981 and dove into religious publishing.

In time, Charisma prospered. The editorial voice had the sunny boosterism of a hometown newspaper, covering the personalities of the Pentecostal world, an audience that Mr. Strang believed was woefully underserved. While competitors such as Christianity Today courted the buttoned-up elite of American evangelicalism, Charisma cornered a niche market of what are called charismatic Christians, set apart by their interest in gifts of the spirit, including things like healings, speaking in tongues and modern-day prophecy. Mr. Strang eschewed matters of stuffy dogma for eye-popping tales about the Holy Spirit moving through current events. Editorial meetings would focus on looking for what one former employee called the spiritual heat behind the headlines of the day.

We didnt want to become the kind of boring publications many religious journals are, Mr. Strang wrote in an early editors note. That is why we went first class with this publication.
To the Editor:

Although I know its an unpopular position in todays political climate, I am against bans on professor-student affairs, unless the student is actually in the professors class at the time of the affair, in which case there is a clear conflict of interest, since the professor is grading the student.

The standard argument against professor-student affairs is that there is an inherent power imbalance, especially if the professor is male and the student female. But in what relationship isnt there a power imbalance?

Moreover, its unclear that the power rests entirely on the professors side. Yes, professors have age, status, authority, degrees. But students may conclude that they dont wish to continue having sex with this old person and dump him or her in favor of someone their own age. So does the professor really have all the power in the relationship?

Its true that professor-student affairs usually dont work out well. Nonetheless, institutions have no business interfering in the private lives of consenting adults and dictating what they can or cant do in their bedrooms. Its Big Brother all over again.

Henry Gonshak

Butte, Mont.

The writer is a professor of English at Montana Technological University.

To the Editor:

As someone who recently graduated from college, I found that Amia Srinivasans essay provided a refreshing dose of clarity and nuance about professor-student sexual relationships. But as many colleges resume in-person teaching, college administrators should think about how they can respond to lower-hanging fruit: the sexual assault epidemic that female students are taught to anticipate.

Consensual sex between a student and professor is one thing. Nonconsensual sex between two students is another. Before the pandemic, one out of every four women experienced rape or sexual assault during college, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

Im worried about my sister, whom I recently dropped off at college, and her friends. Far too many students are raped, and often their perpetrators face only minor consequences. Weve hurt each other enough during this pandemic. Can we change course?
In a country where 72 percent of the population doesnt have a passport and where the financial means to travel abroad remain generally out of reach, such messages find a receptive audience.

This wall-to-wall coverage has profound effects on public opinion. In 2008, as conflict between Russia and neighboring Georgia escalated, the media went into overdrive, depicting Georgia as a haven of anti-Russian activity intent on violence. The results were stunning: A year later, after the war ended, 62 percent of Russians considered Georgia, a small republic in the south Caucasus, to be Russias main enemy.

Now ruled by a government more friendly to Russia, Georgia has largely disappeared from state television. The view of it as the main enemy has steadily dropped and is now held by just 15 percent of Russians.

Both broadcast and print are comprehensively under the Kremlins control. So too, nearly, is the internet. Ten years ago, social networks helped bring people to the streets in protest against rigged parliamentary elections. Since then, a set of technological and legislative measures  tapping users phones and computers, introducing criminal charges for content labeled extremist and curtailing the independence of Russias biggest tech company, Yandex  have turned the internet into heavily policed terrain. A social media post can cost a few years in prison.

But thats not the whole story. The great success of Mr. Navalnys film about Mr. Putins alleged mansion by the Black Sea, which has been watched by at least 118 million people since it was released in January, shows that the states domination over the media is not enough to prevent undesired content from reaching ordinary Russians. No matter how extensively the Kremlin intervenes in internet platforms  through bots, paid trolls and law enforcement  it remains possible to spread information injurious to the regime.

There are still a few independent local and nationwide media outlets in Russia. Though they can hardly compete with state-funded television channels and newspapers, they are able to reach a sizable slice of the population.

Meduza, for example, one of Russias most respected independent news outlets, draws millions of readers to its website a year, and MediaZona, an independent outlet that focuses on corruption and the misuse of law enforcement powers, added more than two million readers earlier this year through its coverage of Mr. Navalnys trial. TV Rain, an independent television channel, manages to command the attention of 2.3 million viewers.
He wrote on Facebook that Trumps crude comments could not be defended, but the godless progressive agenda of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton likewise cannot be defended. He continued, The most important issue of this election is the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court represents a more lasting power than the presidency, a way to lock in an ideology beyond the reach of election cycles and changing demographics at least for a generation.

In an interview with Axios on HBO in 2018, Graham said of his support of Trump, I never said he was the best example of the Christian faith. He defends the faith. And I appreciate that very much.

The courts are central to that supposed defense, in Grahams calculation.

Case in point, his rigid defense of Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused by Christine Blasey Ford of cornering her in a bedroom at a 1982 house party. Graham dismissed the allegations as not relevant and said of the episode:

Well, there wasnt a crime that was committed. These are two teenagers, and its obvious that she said no and he respected it and walked away  if thats the case, but he says he didnt do it. He just flat out says thats just not true. Regardless if it was true, these are two teenagers and she said no and he respected that, so I dont know what the issue is. This is just an attempt to smear his name, thats all.

The hypocrisy of white evangelicals, taken into full context, shouldnt have been shocking, I suppose, but as a person who grew up in the church (although Im not a religious person anymore), it was still disappointing.

I had grown up hearing from pulpits that it was the world that changed, not Gods word. The word was like a rock. A lie was a lie, yesterday, today and tomorrow, no matter who told it.
The effort will start by extracting passages like Section 256, which still says that separate schools shall be provided for white and colored children, and no child of either race shall be permitted to attend a school of the other race.

The State Constitution included a ban on interracial marriage until a statewide vote in 2000, even though the U.S. Supreme Court ruled such marriages to be fully legal in all states in 1967. The Legislature shall never pass any law to authorize or legalize any marriage between any white person and a Negro, or descendant of a negro, the State Constitution once said.

It still includes descriptions of former voting requirements that were generally used to disenfranchise Black residents, including literacy tests and poll taxes. (The Constitution, written before women won the right to vote nationally, also includes language restricting voting to men.)

Two previous failed efforts to remove the section on school segregation  which was outlawed nationally by the Supreme Court in its 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision  were complicated by a related debate over a 1956 state amendment that said Alabama did not recognize any right to a publicly funded education whatsoever, language that was aimed at thwarting the ruling on desegregation.

When advocates tried to get rid of both passages at once in 2004, opponents argued that the result would be higher taxes to increase school funding. Then in 2012, an effort to get rid of the segregation language without touching the public funding language drew opposition from school advocates  ultimately leaving the Constitution as it was.
The remains were found in the area of the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, located in the Bridger-Teton National Forest on the east boundary of Grand Teton National Park, Mr. Jones said, adding that the campsite will remain closed. Anyone who had been in the camping area between Aug. 27 and Aug. 30 was urged to contact the F.B.I., Mr. Jones said.

A cause of death had not been determined, Mr. Jones said. Dr. Brent Blue, the Teton County coroner, said an autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday.

The Spread Creek campground is a popular summer destination for campers because of its views of the Teton Range and proximity to the park. The camping sites are accessible via gravel roads, and the national forest recently expanded the campground in response to high demand, said Mike Koshmrl, a reporter with the Jackson Hole News&Guide.

At least three people have gone missing in the Teton County region this summer, Mr. Koshmrl said, including two individuals who have not been found. Earlier cases have not experienced anywhere close to the same level of national attention, he noted.

The discovery of the remains believed to be that of Ms. Petito appeared to end one search for a missing person as another continued for her missing fiance, Brian Laundrie, 23, after his parents told the police they had not seen him in days.
As the party mobilizes for next years midterms, its first big test on the issue will come in the Virginia elections this fall. Democrats are hoping to win a tight governors race and keep control of the legislature in a state that has moved rapidly to the left. Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat who is running for his old office, has repeatedly promised to be a brick wall against anti-abortion measures, and has played up his defense of abortion rights at a debate last week, on the campaign trail and in fund-raising appeals.

Democrats in Virginia and beyond are focusing in particular on suburban women, who played a large role in electing President Biden, but whose broader loyalty to his party is not assured. With Republicans smelling blood in next years midterm elections as Mr. Bidens approval ratings slip and the economy faces a potential stall over the lingering pandemic, Democrats are looking for issues like abortion to overcome their voters complacency now that Donald J. Trump is gone from office.

In more than two dozen interviews in the politically divided city of Virginia Beach, the largest in the state but essentially a patchwork of suburban neighborhoods, Democratic-leaning and independent female voters expressed fear and outrage over the Supreme Courts green light for the Texas law. Many said it intensified their desire to elect Democrats, although historically, single issues have not driven turnout waves; candidate personalities and the overall economy have.

Even a number of women who said they favored Republicans noted that they also supported abortion rights  which may explain why G.O.P. candidates in Virginia have played down the issue, scrubbing anti-abortion comments from campaign websites and walking back some remarks.

In a debate on Thursday between candidates for governor, Glenn Youngkin, the Republican, said, I would not sign the Texas bill today. But he dodged when asked if he would sign a six-week abortion ban with exceptions for rape and incest. He affirmed that he supported a pain-threshold bill, which generally outlaws abortion after 20 weeks.
WASHINGTON  The summer was a rough one for President Biden.

Another pandemic surge prompted Mr. Biden, a veteran moderate, to attack Republican governors and embrace vaccine mandates. A bipartisan infrastructure deal hung in the balance. The American withdrawal from Afghanistan, during which 13 service members were killed in a terrorist attack, was criticized as violent and haphazard.

But the events left another Biden feeling bruised.

I love him, and its hurtful, Jill Biden said in an interview, the first she has granted to a newspaper since becoming first lady. I do feel the sting of it. I wouldnt be a good partner if I didnt.

Eight months into Mr. Bidens presidency, both husband and wife are finding that winning the battle for the soul of the nation is perhaps his most elusive campaign promise. In Washington, an outrage-driven approach to politics has replaced Mr. Bidens rose-colored belief that bipartisan deal making can be an art form. As he tries to prove that this is still possible, his wife is not a bystander.

Dr. Biden, an English and writing professor who made history as the only first lady to keep her career while in the White House, has traveled to 32 states, many of them conservative, to promote school reopenings, infrastructure funding, community colleges and support for military families. She has also traveled to states where low numbers of eligible people have received the coronavirus vaccine.
The roughly 15 percent of the population living in rural America includes some of the oldest and sickest patients in the country  a disparity that has grown more stark during the coronavirus pandemic. The Biden administration is investing more in telemedicine, whose use has grown sharply during the pandemic, as a way to improve their access to care.

Last month, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that it was distributing nearly $20 million to strengthen telehealth services  usually medical appointments that take place by video or phone  in rural and underserved communities across the country. While the amount is relatively modest, it is part of a broader push to address the long-neglected health care infrastructure in those areas.

The spending includes about $4 million to help bring primary, acute and behavioral health care directly to patients via telehealth in 11 states, including Arkansas, Arizona and Maine. The money will update technology in rural health care clinics, train doctors and nurses how to conduct telehealth appointments and teach patients how to take advantage of virtual appointments when they cannot see a doctor in person.

An additional $4.3 million will help specialists at academic medical centers provide training and support to primary care providers in rural and other underserved areas via tele-mentoring, so that they can treat patients in their communities with complex conditions, such as long Covid or substance use disorders.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti  The first Haitians deported from a makeshift camp in Texas landed in their home country Sunday amid sweltering heat, anger and confusion, as Haitian officials beseeched the United States to stop the flights because the country is in crisis and cannot handle thousands of homeless deportees.

We are here to say welcome, they can come back and stay in Haiti  but they are very agitated, said the head of Haitis national migration office, Jean Negot Bonheur Delva. They dont accept the forced return.

Mr. Bonheur Delva said the authorities expected that about 14,000 Haitians will be expelled from the United States over the coming three weeks.

An encampment of about that size has formed in the Texas border town of Del Rio in recent days as Haitian and other migrants crossed over the Rio Grande from Mexico. The Biden administration has said it is moving swiftly to deport them under a Trump-era pandemic order.
She will only eat German food! said Ms. Maai of little Angela, now 5.

The fall of 2015 was an extraordinary moment of compassion and redemption for the country that committed the Holocaust. Many Germans call it their fall fairy tale. But it also set off years of populist blowback, emboldening illiberal leaders like Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary and catapulting a far-right party into Germanys own Parliament for the first time since World War II.

Today, European border guards are using force against migrants. Refugee camps linger in squalor. And European leaders pay Turkey and Libya to stop those in need from attempting the journey at all. During the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, a chorus of Europeans was quick to assert that refugees would not be welcome on the continent.

There are two stories here: One is a success story, and one is a story of terrible failure, said Gerald Knaus, the founding chairman of the European Stability Initiative, who informally advised Ms. Merkel on migration for over a decade. Merkel did the right thing in Germany. But she lost the issue in Europe.

The Guardian Angela

Having fled war, torture and chaos in Syria, Mhmad and Widad now live on Sunshine Street in the western German city of Gelsenkirchen. In their third-floor living room, a close-up of Ms. Merkels smiling face is the screen saver on the large flat-screen television, a constant presence.

She is our guardian angel, said Widad, a 35-year-old mother of six, who asked that she and her family members be identified only by their first names to protect relatives in Syria. Angela Merkel did something big, something beautiful, something Arabic leaders did not do for us.

We have nothing to pay her back, she added. So we named our daughter after her.

Angela, or Angie as her parents call her, is now 5. An animated girl with large hazel eyes and cascading curls, Angie loves to tell stories, in German, with her five siblings. Her sister Haddia, 13, wants to be a dentist. Fatima, 11, loves math.

There is no difference between boys and girls in school here and that is good, Widad said. I hope Angie will grow up to be like Ms. Merkel: a strong woman with a big heart.
A volcano erupted Sunday on the Spanish island of La Palma, spewing lava and a thick column of smoke and prompting the authorities to evacuate thousands of residents from nearby towns.

The eruption was the first in 50 years on La Palma, a resort island in the Canary archipelago popular with visitors from northern Europe. The Canary Islands are in the Atlantic Ocean, off the northwestern coast of Africa.

Spains military said on Sunday that it would evacuate between 5,000 and 10,000 residents of villages on the edge of La Cumbre Vieja national park, as flowing lava and fires neared the surrounding farms and homes.

Firefighters and emergency workers were being sent from the archipelagos larger islands, Tenerife and Gran Canaria, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain delayed a planned trip to New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly. Instead, Mr. Sanchez joined members of the militarys national emergency response unit on Sunday in La Palma.
OFFALY could soon be considered as the location for a major data centre because of increasing pressure on the electricity grid in Dublin.

Data centres, which are crucial in maintaining the ever growing information technology sector, consume vast amounts of power and have been cited as a threat to Ireland's energy security.

A senior official of Offaly County Council hinted last week that Offaly will probably be targeted by the data centre industry for a new facility.

For that to happen, a local power supply will have to be in place and in Offaly's case, that will partly depend on the availability of renewable generation.

During a debate on renewable energy targets, Andrew Murray, senior planner, indicated that Offaly can be an attractive location for industry.

Big energy users - and I'm not going to say what they are or what types of development they are - are soon going to be told they cannot locate in Dublin because the grid is constrained, said Mr Murray.

Mr Murray made two points about the importance of strengthening Offaly's contribution to the national grid.

One, the grid is less constrained in Offaly, and two, big companies, corporate entities, more and more now, want to locate beside renewable energy because it's part of their image and their corporate investment.

He cautioned against getting a negative narrative out about having too much renewable energy.

Reasonable balance is the most important. If each individual wind farm is not part of this reasonable balance we will not be afraid to say we don't recommend it.

He said the county was now at a critical point on renewable energy and the proposal for a green energy park in Rhode had been included in the county development plan.

The proposal for that park was due to the county's positive moves on renewable energy.

The same will go for Shannonbridge where we're trying to put a lot of work now into seeing if there is a reuse for Shannonbridge.

The peat-fired ESB generation stations in Rhode, Ferbane (Lumcloon) and Shannobridge have been closed in line with the transition from fossil fuels.

Rhode is already the location of alternative generation and battery storage is being developed there and in Lumcloon.
A charity shop in Tullamore is set to be 'taken over' for a unique event to raise funds to support five Offaly families.

On Friday, September 24, Glenveagh staff will take on a unique fundraising community challenge, when two teams will go head-to-head in a takeover of two of the Jack & Jill Charity Boutiques, with one team located in the Tullamore store and the other, in Newbridge. Glenveagh is a leading Irish homebuilder.

There are currently five children in Offaly under the care of Jack & Jill.

The Apprentice-style takeover will see the teams competing to achieve the highest sales on the day, all in aid of one of Glenveaghs charity partners for 2021, the Jack & Jill Childrens Foundation.

Jack & Jill provides specialist home nursing care, respite support and end-of-life care for very sick children up to the age of six in communities across Ireland.

The teams have been busy planning how they are going to make impact on the day in a bid to outdo each other to secure those all-important sales  and the bragging rights! From high value items such as pre-loved designer shoes and bags, to collectables such as signed jerseys and unique gifts; a trip to the Jack & Jill Charity Boutique at 3 O'Moore St, Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Friday, September 24 is a must for anyone looking for some fun and a bargain on the day.

Midlands 103 will broadcast Midlands Today (9am-12pm) and The Afternoon Show (12-3pm) from outside the boutique to add to the excitement on the day and there will be prizes and giveaways galore!

Carmel Doyle, CEO of Jack & Jill said: With less than 20 per cent of our funding coming from Government, we rely hugely on the support of the public and corporate partners for the continued provision of our critical service, which is a genuine lifeline for so many families. There are currently five children under our care across Offaly and this exciting fundraising event, in partnership with Glenveagh, will help drive our Donate Local, Support Local initiative. Were hugely proud of our partnership with Glenveagh and thank them for their enthusiasm, creativity and real sense of community.

Stephen Garvey, CEO Glenveagh Homes said: The Glenveagh team are delighted to be participating in this fun and innovative challenge as part of our Building Lasting Communities initiative. Our volunteers have worked hard over the last few weeks encouraging donations and promoting the Staff Volunteer Day at Jack & Jill with the aim of driving footfall to the store. We are hoping to raise some much-needed funds for the vital service that Jack & Jill provides across communities in Ireland.
The Kashmiri Pandit community in Srinagar celebrated 'Vyeth Truvah' on the birthday of river Goddess Vitasta, commonly known as Jhelum with great enthusiasm and fervour on Saturday.

'Vyeth Truvah', according to ancient Kashmiri texts, is the day when Jhelum originated in the Valley.

Before migration, Pandits in the Valley used to celebrate the day with elaborate rituals in which traditional earthen lamps were floated in the Jhelum waters.

The revival of this age old culture of Kashmir after 32 years was the initiative of Shanti Manas Foundation in association with Sanatan Dharam Shital Nath Ashram Sabha.

It is heartening to see the revival of these age old customs again in Kashmir. This pious celebration was only possible with help and support of our breathen from all communities including Muslims and Sikhs, which showcases the return of peace, communal harmony and normalcy in Kashmir, said Anjali Kaul from Shanti Manas Foundation.

The function was held on Purshiyar ghat at Haba Kadal in old Srinagar and was honoured by the gracious presence of Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.

Five ghats adjoining the famous temples in old Srinagar were illuminated in the evening. The celebrations commenced with customary playing of tradition music by artists on boats sailing down the Jhelum river at dusk.

The event at Purshiyar ghat included pooja, arti and release of earthen lamps in the river. The celebrations concluded with as small procession by the locals which included people from all communities(KNO)


The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has withdrawn the permission given to the Institute for the Advancement of Transdisciplinary to conduct excavations at Pattanam and Mathilakam in Kerala. ASI found that the institute was using the logo and name of ASI without prior permission. They also found that they were charging interns, which was against the norms laid out by ASI.

The organiser weekly was the first to bring out irregularities in the said excavation project. 'PAMA is headed by a team that has nothing to do with archaeology in qualification or experience. Its chairperson RVG Menon retired as an academic in engineering. Its director P J Cherian did his PhD in 1993 from the University of Calicut on The Communist Movement in Travancore: From the Origins to the Uprisings of 1946. He did his M Phil (1985) and MA (1978) in history and has no academic qualification in archaeology,' the report said.

It was also found that permission for the excavation was granted without any consultations and from the very beginning, various allegations were raised but were ignored by the concerned authorities. Even the Cultural ministry was kept in dark and was not provided with any information about the excavations.

'Major archaeologists such as Professor Dilip Chakrabarti, in his work Nation First (2014) strongly criticised Pattanam excavations. Professor Vasant Shinde of Deccan College, who excavated Rakhigarhi, has also criticised Pattanam excavations. Major archaeologists such as R Nagaswamy, A Sundara and T Satyamurti also criticised Pattanam excavations', the Organiser report had mentioned.

The permission for conducting excavations for the session 2020-2021 was given on June 6, 2021. In the letter sent to Dr P J Cheriyan, director of the Institute for the Advancement of Transdisciplinary, ASI has also pointed out that any such violation of guidelines was not acceptable.


Guwahati: Supporting the initiative to dispose of wildlife parts including the rhinoceros-horns, kept in various Assam treasuries for decades, a forum of nationalist citizens in northeast Bharat asks for transparency in the process. Patriotic Peoples Front Assam (PPFA) also urged State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to ensure that only genuine horns are burnt in presence of distinguished personalities to evade any unwanted controversies.

It may be mentioned that the State cabinet lately resolved to destroy 2,479 rhino horns (out of 2,623 horns stored in various treasuries) in full public view. The State forest department has already conducted the verification process to identify probable fake horns among the real ones in 12 treasuries across Assam as allegations flouted that a section of corrupt forest officials would destroy those fake horns and later smuggle them into international markets.

Recently Dhaka based Asia-Pacific Forum of Environmental Journalists also welcomed the initiative to speared the message that rhino horns do not carry any aphrodisiac quality, for which the gigantic animals are poached across the world, but put forward a condition that those must be scientifically confirmed as real ones. The forum highlighted that the horns could fetch a million dollars in illegal markets spread across east Asia and hence the issue should be resolved amicably.

Officially known as the greater one-horned rhinoceros and found primarily in India and Nepal, the rhinos are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list. Assam alone gives shelter to over 2650 one-horned rhinos in its forest reserves. Kaziranga National Park is widely known for its more than 2,400 rhinos along with other precious wildlife. The people of Assam are also obsessed with the rhino as pride and continue raising voices for its scientific conservation.

Years back, Assam based conservation group Natures Beckon floated allegations that the State forest department used to sell around 300 rhino horns even after India adopted the wildlife protection act in 1972. The group asserted a large share of wildlife parts were sold in international markets from the forest department's stocks.

We expect only the scientifically proved rhino horns are disposed in presence of wildlife experts, environment enthusiasts, eminent personalities from different other field of activities, said a PPFA statement adding that the process must not give an ample scope for corrupt officials to illegally sell the syphoned horns from the consignment for their personal gains. Moreover, it added, the government should not hurry for the process to avoid any post-event controversy.


Translator Sarma dedicates the award to Sri Aurobindo on his 150th birth anniversary as the book is a translation of the Maharshis writtings

Guwahati: When the nation is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo, good news has come to the devotees of the Maharshi in the form of the Sahitya Akademy Award. The Bharatiya Sanskritir Bhitti an Assamese translation of The Renaissance in India and Other Essays on Indian Culture by Author, Translator Diganta Biswa Sarma has been selected for the prestigious Sahitya Akademy Translation Prize 2020. A profound devotee of Sri Aurobindo, translator Diganta Biswa Sarma translated the Assamese book from the English version of The foundation of Indian Culture by Maharshi Aurobindo, which was originally published by Sri Aurobindo Library, New York in 1953.

Later four chapters of the Indian Renaissance were added to the book in 1971-72 and it was renamed as The Renaissance in India and Other Essays on Indian Culture. Author Diganta Biswa Sarma translated 5 books during 2013 and 2017 written by Sri Aurobindo. The book Bharatiya Sanskritir Bhitti was published in 15th August 2017.

Talking about the recognition of his book by the highest literary body in the country Sarma Said, my life has been deeply influenced by three greatest personalities of India, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa, Swami Vivekanand and Sri Aurobindo. I left my government job a decade ago and found a new path in Indian spirituality. I have been translating the great works of Sri Aurobindo to Assamese from 2013 for the readers of Assamese literature. I think people of every nook and corner of our nation should know the thoughts of the Maharshi, where were a treasure for our future generation to build a Shrestha Bharat.

Diganta Biswa Sarma is a well known translator and intellectual also said that the award in coincides with the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo and 75th Independence years of India. It is indeed a happy moment and blessing by Sri Aurobindo and dedicates the award to the Maa Bharati. It should be mentioned that The Foundation of Indian Culture is a collection of 32 essays by Sri Aurobindo published in the monthly journal Arya between 1918 and 1921. This includes The Renaissance in India, Indian Culture and External Influence, Is India Civilized, A Defence of Indian Culture, Religion and Spirituality etc.
In Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, a huge public demonstration has been organized by the Hindu society in protest against the increasing conversion in the state. After this protest, thousands of Hindus present took out a foot march from the protest site at Lakhenagar to the 600-year-old Baijnath temple. A memorandum was also submitted in the name of the Governor after this huge anti-conversion rally under the aegis of Sarva Sanatan Hindu Mahapanchayat. In which a demand has been made to take strict action against the missionaries who misled the economically backward people and got them converted. Along with this, a demand has also been made to make strict laws against those who promote love jihad in the form of organized crime in the state.

In the memorandum submitted to Governor Anasuiya Uikey, it has been said that from almost every division of Chhattisgarh news related to conversion has been coming to the fore on a regular basis . By showing the greed of money and other things, large-scale conversions are being done in the state. All these are aimed at changing the demography within this peaceful region. The memorandum also mentions the increasing cases of love jihad in the state. Accusing some organizations and regional religious leaders of promoting love jihad as an organized crime, there has been a demand for strict laws on it at the earliest. Referring to the anti-conversion law made in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh in the memorandum, the Sarva Sanatan Hindu Mahapanchayat has demanded similar provisions in Chhattisgarh too.

Apart from this, there has been a demand by the protesters to constitute a committee at the district level to look after the conversions. It has also been said that strict legal action should be taken against the community and people, who promote conversion by spreading fallacy against the sanatan dharma. A group of youths involved in the protest, also raised slogans against the campaigns being run on social media targeting Hinduism. During this, they also raised slogans in favor of Anshul Saxena to raise his voice in favor of Sanatan Dharma.

Thousands of citizens of Hindu society were present in this huge foot march, which included youth, women, men, women, and elderly. It should be noted that protests are being held in different cities of the state against the increasing conversion in Chhattisgarh. Just last week, under the aegis of Hindu Yuva Manch in Durg, youth took out a huge rally against conversion.
Three parts on the subject, covered till now, would have given the readers a good idea about the reasons for the ban on crackers  all of which, on close examination, are found to be hollow and facetious.

The petitioners and the Court too, perhaps, realise that the reasons and the data cited in their favour do not cut much ice. That is why they have employed something called as the Precautionary Principle,  the application of which required no data, proof or reasoning other than the subjective opinion of a few.

This part of the article series, delves deeper into Precautionary Principle and its application in the case of fireworks.

What is Precautionary Principle (PP - from hereon)?

PP, in simple terms, is nothing but the adage Prevention is better than cure.

However, in cases where the environment is concerned and where there is a threat of severe and irreversible damage to the environment, this principle is used, as a part of accepted law, to take preventive action of regulating/stopping a certain activity/project/product  even if there is not enough scientific evidence to establish potential harm.

In other words, PP is like a mixture of Preventive Detection Act and UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act)  a deadly combination under which, anyone can be arrested on the basis of a mere suspicion and the burden of providing proof of innocence also placed on the arrested.

Paradox of using PP in the case of fireworks

From a reading of the judgments we note that, both - the petitioners and the Court  are unequivocal in their assertions about there being enough scientific data available, to link crackers not only to pollution, but also to the great damage caused to human health.

Extract from para # 30 of 2018 judgment

This again indicates a definite causal connection between burning crackers during Diwali and air pollution.

Extract from para # 31 of 2018 judgment

The aforesaid findings are sufficient to negate the arguments of the opposite side that there is absence of scientific study about the adverse effect of crackers during Diwali.

Despite such emphatic assertions, both  the petitioners and the Court  have sought the cover of PP not only to justify the use of preventive measures, but also to cover for the lack of sufficient data/proof!

Para# 31 of the 2018 judgment further reads as:

It is rightly argued by the petitioners that this principle (PP) does not need exact studies/material . The very word precautionary indicates that such a measure is taken by way of precaution which can be resorted to even in absence of definite studies!

If the data used by petitioners is as definite as they claim it to be, then why is there a need for them to take shelter of PP, specifically, to cover for inadequacy of data? And by their very act of using PP in this manner, do they not betray the lack of confidence they have in their own claims & data?

Be that as it may, since the Court has used PP, let us also examine the merits of its usage in the present context.

Flaws in application of PP to fireworks

There are a few key elements in the application of PP. These are:

The damage or the threat of damage has to be severe & irreversible Full assessment of threat may not be possible due to inadequacies of science Because of #2 above, the burden of proof is placed on the entity seeking to alter status-quo

Points #1 & #3 above flow from #2. Only because of an inadequacy of scientific method or means to measure potential harm, are we required to shift the burden of proof onto the proponent of the activity or onto the entity seeking to alter the status-quo. Hence, let us first see, if and what the inadequacy of science is in this case.

The key metrics needed to be evaluated here are:

Percentage contribution of a source to air pollution: This is widely measured, used and even reported in multiple court cases, including those in the NGT and the Supreme Court. Some such instances are given below:

Vehicular pollution contributes nearly 20% of total air pollution load in NCT Delhi

13 power plants around Delhi contribute 80% of the Sulphate and 50% of the Nitrogen to receptor concentration.

Transport sector contributes 41%, wind-blown dust 21.5 % and Industries 18.6 % to PM 2.5 Pollution in Delhi.

It should, thus, be absolutely clear to anyone and everyone that there is, most definitely, no inadequacy of science in measuring this metric. Why then, I wonder, has no one till now bothered to ask the most basic and critical of all questions:

What is the percentage contribution of fireworks to the air pollution in Delhi and India?

Maintaining ambiguity by not quantifying the percentage of pollution, perhaps, helps the vested interests by enabling them to substitute hard data with empty rhetoric like - ..even if crackers are not the only cause of pollution and even if the pollution caused is less, banning crackers only

makes the environment cleaner, no matter by how small a factor. Afterall, every drop counts!"- and so on and so forth..

Effect of fireworks on health: This can also be easily evaluated. In fact, as shown earlier, it has been evaluated by the Supreme Court appointed committee in this very case itself. (It reported that there is no adverse impact of bursting fireworks on human health) .

Thus, it becomes fairly evident that there is absolutely no inadequacy of science in this case - neither in measuring the contribution of fireworks to air pollution nor in measuring their impact on environment or on human health.

Why then would anyone use Precautionary Principle and plead inadequacy of data, as has been done in this case, seems truly baffling to me. It seems almost as if the data dished out by the reports furnished was not to the liking of some. Hence, PP was brought in more as a decoy to discredit the otherwise credible data and not because there was an actual lack of data.

The above, nonetheless, is not the end of errors in the application of PP to this case. There is more gore.

No one seems to have paid adequate attention to #3 above that the burden of proof is on the entity which changes status-quo! Do look back and check which entity changed the status quo here. Fireworks have been in use in India and the world for several centuries now without any problem. And if there is a change in status-quo here, then it has been done by the Courts. So, logically, it should now be the Courts which should bear the burden of proof! Sounds absurd!

Perhaps, because, common sense dictates that it is only the proponent of an activity who can change the status-quo by initiating some new  a new action/formulation. Lets look at some of the cases where PP has been applied, for more clarity:

MC Mehta (Lakes case) New construction was sought to be done near lakes but was stopped.

construction was sought to be done near lakes but was stopped. AP Pollution Control Board Vs Prof M V Nayudu case  New chemical factory was sought to be set up but was stopped.

chemical factory was sought to be set up but was stopped. Blues sea Turtle Fishing case between Japan & New Zealand New eco sensitive area was being tapped for fishing but was stopped!

eco sensitive area was being tapped for fishing but was stopped! Large Hadron Collider case New equipment, was sought to be used at CERN for experiments and was allowed by refusing to apply PP.

The key element, as you would note, is that - there is something new which was initiated by the proponent of the activity in each of the above cases. That there could ever be a case like the present one of fireworks - where the status quo has been changed by a party other than the proponent of the activity, that too without the proponent initiating anything new, would perhaps have been unimaginable for the proponents of the Principle.

To summarise:

When there is found:

No new activity/formulation introduced in fireworks; No inadequacy of science in measuring any metric - be it a) percentage contribution to air pollution or b) impact on human health; and No adverse effect of bursting fireworks on human health at all, leave aside severe and irreversible damage, as is required;

then, surely, there remains no case, whatsoever, for application of Precautionary Principle.

And when you combine the above with the fact that:

IIT Kanpur has measured and found the percentage contribution of fireworks to air pollution in Delhi - to be almost zero, if not zero (see Part 2); and A committee appointed by the Supreme Court itself has found no adverse effect of bursting fireworks on human health (see Part 2);

then, there remains no ground for the case itself!

****

Coming up next  How other nations handle fireworks.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Sunday met his counterpart from Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud here and both the leaders exchanged views on the Afghan situation, regional issues.

This is the first ministerial visit from Saudi Arabia to India since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Both Ministers discussed all issues related to their bilateral relationship and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Both Ministers exchanged views on the developments in Afghanistan and other regional issues, an MEA release said adding, they also discussed bilateral cooperation in multilateral forums such as UN, G-20 and GCC.

Dr Jaishankar congratulated Saudi Arabia on its successful Presidency of G-20 last year despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

The two Ministers reviewed the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Council Agreement signed between the two sides during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia in October 2019, the MEA release said.

Both the leaders also expressed satisfaction at the meetings held under the Agreement and progress achieved.

Both sides discussed further steps to strengthen their partnership in trade, investment, energy, defence, security, culture, consular issues, health care and human resources.

Dr Jaishankar also appreciated Saudi Arabia for the support provided to the Indian community during the Covid-19 pandemic and urged Saudi Arabia to further relax restrictions on travel from India.
The 216-foot-tall statue of Saint Sri Ramanujacharya will be consecrated on February 2. The Head of the Ashram, HH Chinna Jeeyar Swami, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (September 18) and invited him for the programme.

The 216-foot-tall grand statue of Sri Ramanujacharya, built in a 38-acre campus near Hyderabad will be consecrated on February next year.

The head of the ashram, HH Chinna Jeeyar Swami, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (September 18) to extend an invitation for the programme.

The grand statue of saint Sri Ramanujacharya has been named the Statue of Equality.

The torchbearer of the Vaishnavism and the preceptor of the Bhakti movement, Sri Ramanujacharya, was born in 1017 in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. He presented the essence of Vedas in the form of nine scriptures.

He travelled all over the country to understand the Bharatiya way of life of all sections of society.



All his life, Sri Ramanujacharya fought against all kinds of inequality in society. He opposed all forms of discrimination based on caste and gender.

The premises in Hyderabad, where the Statue of Equality is located, houses 108 Divya Desams, Holy Places, which have surrounded the statue.

A gold deity of Sri Ramanujacharya will also be consecrated during the programme. The premises will showcase the life history of Sri Ramanujacharya.

The idea of the statue and the premises was conceived by HH Chinna Jeeyar Swami ji in 2014. The estimated expenditure is more than 1000 crore rupees.

The Millennium Celebrations will conclude on February 14.
Karnataka Minister for Higher Education, Dr CN Ashwathnarayan on Saturday said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will benefit the students.



The minister participated in the inauguration event of a government engineering college in Chitradurga district of Karnataka as a Chief Guest.

"The college will offer courses in the two most relevant branches of Automobile Engineering and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning that will accommodate 60 students each. The college built at a cost of 62.80 crores has a campus of 15 acres with the state of the art infrastructure will be starting from the current academic year itself," he said.



"Considering the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all the fields including agriculture and impetus to electric vehicles at the national and global level, the government has introduced these branches", he explained.



Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday had said that the state is ready to discuss the implementation of NEP-2020 and mentioned that a committee has been formed to decide on primary and secondary schools in the state.



Earlier this month, Karnataka's Higher Education Minister, Ashwathnarayan had commended the policy and had said that it takes freedom of the student to subject level. (ANI)






With the ongoing Nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive, India has administered over 80 crore vaccine doses so far, the official government data said in a statement.



Out of these 80 crore vaccine doses, the country had made a historic move by administering around 2.5 crore vaccine doses, only on Friday.

According to the official data, India has recorded 35,662 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the active caseload to 3,40,639 at present.



Presently, the daily positivity rate stands at 2.46 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate is 2.02 per cent.



With 33,798 people recovering from the COVID-19 infection in the past 24 hours, the recovery tally has gone up to 3,26,32,222. Currently, the recovery rate stands at 97.65 per cent.



The ministry stated that India has conducted around 55.07 crore COVID-19 tests so far. (ANI)






Sonu Soods Sood Charity Foundation, which was incorporated in July last year, collected donations to the tune of 19 crore rupees in the last six months and used only 2 crore rupees. Peons made directors of bogus companies to divert funds and evade taxes.

The IT Department searches at Sonu Soods residence and office have revealed that the actor used illegal means to evade taxes of over 20 crore rupees.

The total amount of tax evaded unearthed so far, amounts to more than Rs. 20 crore, IT Department said in a statement.

The investigation also revealed that Sonu Soods charity foundation has collected funds to the tune of 2.1 crore rupees from foreign sources in violation of the FCRA regulations.

The FCRA registrations are a must to collect funds from foreign sources.

Sood also entered into partnership with a Lucknow-based real estate company which was used to divert funds and evade taxes.

The main modus operandi followed by the actor had been to route his unaccounted income in the form of bogus unsecured loans from many bogus entities. Investigations so far have revealed use of twenty such entries, the providers of which, on examination, have accepted on oath to have given bogus accommodation entries, the IP Department said.

The search started on September 15 at over 28 premises spread over Mumbai, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jaipur, Delhi and Gurgaon.

The simultaneous search operations carried out at various premises of an infrastructure group in Lucknow in which the said actor has entered into a joint venture real estate project and invested substantial funds, have resulted in unearthing of incriminating evidences pertaining to tax evasion and irregularities in the books of account the IT Departments statement read.

Cash of 1.8 crore rupees was seized by the IT Department during the searches and 11 lockers have been placed under prohibitory order.
New Delhi: There is a saying and it suits the geo-strategic scenario pretty well, if you sow the wind, you are bound to get the whirlwind.

As Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan flew to Tajikistan capital, Dushanbe, along with his hardliner Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and sought to make a strong case of stability under Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, in his backyards there remained multiple challenges from Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP).

Is Pakistan caught between two friends who bank heavily on medieval interpretation of Sharia?

The Afghan Taliban leadership is today left to make a clear choice between the TTP and the authorities in Pakistan.

The TTP is seen as a ticking bomb. While Imran made an effort to sell out stable Afghanistan card, the new Iran President Ayatollah Raisi firmly told him during a bilateral meeting to ensure an inclusive government in Kabul.

"The key to solving Afghanistans problems is to form an inclusive government and prevent foreign

interference in the countrys affairs", Raisi told him.

Even 'iron brother' China favoured an inclusive government and it was articulated by the Chinese President Xi Jinping himself.

In the meantime, TTP leader Ayman Al-Zawahri has pledged allegiance to Afghan Taliban and also alarmed authorities in Pakistan that it would continue to work and create conditions for 'Sharia implementation' in Pakistan.

In other words, Islamabad has to live with the monster it has created.

Major Gaurav Arya, a well known security analyst says  " When Taliban freed TTP terrorists from Afghan jails, Pakistan protested. That same Pakistan is now planning to pardon TTP terrorists. After years of falsely accusing India of funding TTP, is this a tacit acknowledgment by Pakistan that TTP is their asset?

Pakistan was celebrating for a while on the fall of Afghanistan. The speed at which the change over took place could not have happened without Islamabads complicity, and something now realised by the US.

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, when grilled told a Congress committee that Washington could 'reassess' its ties with Islamabad.

For months now, while Pakistan has pushed the Afghan Taliban to stick to violence and power of the barrel road map to dethrone Ashraf Ghani, but at home it said TTP was after all, our people.

The refrain being amnesty guided by the spirit  Come here, it is your country.

But Imran Khan, his vocal ministers and army top brass did not appreciate that the TTPs understanding of a country could be much different from what Pakistan is today  at least women are not forced indoors.

But Taliban Khan and his men and bosses in Rawalpindi have to do a stock taking of facts and pragmatism.

Indias enemy could be easily turning on as Imrans enemies too !

When Pakistans ISI chief was trying to display the victory with his sinister smile perhaps aimed at India, little did Islamabad realise that by then hundreds of inmates in Afghanistan jails including Pul-i-Charkhi prison have fled.

Anis-ur-Rehman, a Kabul-based journalist, has said last month that 2300 TTP fighters too have been released from Kandahar and Kabul prisons.



It is ironic but true that in seeking amnesty for TTP, the re-Talibanised Afghanistan could be only getting a strategic depth in Pakistan.

The TTP has already warned Pakistani media that they should not be described as terrorists. The real warning is to Rawalpindi and their chosen men under Imran Khan.

As many as nine splinter groups have already come under an umbrella grouping in last few years suggesting that the TTP can easily demand its slice of the cake.

The cake here would come with bloodshed.
SCOTTVILLE  After four years of exploring geographical locations, from Africa to the British Isles, West Shore Community Colleges Humankind series is switching to focusing on a theme for the 2021-2022 academic year.

While people have greatly enjoyed our focus on different parts of the world, we think a theme could be even more popular with our audiences, said Dr. Matt Sanderson, WSCC professor of philosophy and ethics and chair of the Humankind planning team, in a news release. Most people can connect in some way to a general theme, whereas that may not be the case with every country or location. Broadening our focus will allow us to explore topics of great relevance to American society today.

The theme of the 2021-22 Humankind series is Movement. Topics to be explored under this include bodily ability (in the context of disability rights), socioeconomic mobility, transportation, immigration, anti-discrimination social movements and climate change.

The virtual presentation, "Eber Brock Ward: Michigans Forgotten Steamboat & Iron King," by WSCC Professor of History and Political Science, Mike Nagle, at 7 p.m. on Thursday will kick off the series.

E.B. Ward is a perfect figure to kick off this years Humankind series, said Sanderson. Wards lifetime of achievements centered around movement, whether in the form of transportation, shipping, migration, and even exodus from slavery.

Nagle is the author of Justus S. Stearns: Michigan Pine King and Kentucky Coal Baron, 1845-1933, published by Wayne State University Press. He is currently working with the same press to publish a biography of E.B. Ward, which he hopes will be available sometime in 2022. This presentation will be based on some of his research for that manuscript.

Wards efforts have made possible all kinds of movement with great social and economic significance, said Nagle. Countless migrants came to Michigan in the 1800s on Wards railroad and steamboats. Millions of tons of cargo travel each year through the Soo Locks in part due to Wards support for the construction of this engineering marvel.

"Railroad cars traversed the nations heartland by the 1860s and 1870s on iron and steel rails manufactured in Wards factories. Perhaps most significant of all, Wards vessels were known to provide safe passage to runaway slaves bound for Canada as they escaped their bondage in the United States. Ward himself was a strong supporter of the Union during the Civil War and an ardent opponent of slavery. Audience members with an interest in Michigan history will enjoy learning more about how Ward has contributed to various kinds of social and economic movement.

The event will include time for questions and discussion with the audience.

The event also is accessible via Zoom at bit.ly/humankindfall2021. It will be recorded and available afterward on the colleges YouTube page. For more information about the Humankind series, visit westshore.edu or contact humankind@westshore.edu.

More information about Nagle and the book can be found at wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/justus-s-stearns.
Local historical figures were brought back to life during Saturday's Warren Township Cemetery Civil War Veterans tour in Coleman.

The tour, hosted by the Midland County and Coleman historical societies, brought together county residents to hear stories of the past from local actors who portrayed Colemans Civil War veterans.

Floyd Andrick, who is on the Midland County Historical Society board, began the tour under a tree that had started as a sapling up to 150 years ago -- the timeframe that tour guides brought attendees back to.

Andrick has cleaned approximately 200 Civil War veterans' cemetery headstones in Midland County so far this year. Of the 40 known Civil War veterans buried in the Warren Township Cemetery, 33 of their headstones have been located and cleaned. Five of them were highlighted on the tour.

Andrick's goal is to clean all 354 Civil War veterans' headstones in Midland County.

Andrick said the Civil War has interested him for most of his life, as 13 of his ancestors were in the war; all of them survived the war.

His passion was evident as he arrived early to make sure the five Civil War veterans highlighted on the tour had new American flags beside their graves. He wore a Union Civil War uniform throughout the tour.

Abram VanVoltenburg

Richard Tesman of Alma  who is a member of the Coleman Historical Society  provided his own research and historical background on his great-grandfather and Civil War veteran, Abram VanVoltenburg.

Tesman said VanVoltenburg lied about where he was born when he enlisted in the Army. Tesman and his family at first believed he was originally from California, but VanVoltenburg was actually a Canada native.

I was born in Canada, in Middleton Township, Norfolk County, Ontario on October 18, 1838. When I got old enough to leave home, I traveled westward across Canada and entered Michigan into St. Clair County, said Tesman, portraying his ancestor. That's where I was when your Civil War broke out in April of 1861. It sounded like a worthy cause and an interesting adventure, so I decided I wanted to enlist.

To do that, I had traveled down to the south part of the county to Memphis, he continued. There on August 12 in 1861, I met with a recruitment officer. He described me as a lumberman, standing, five foot nine, with black hair, blue eyes and dark complexion. I told him, I'm 22 years old and I was born in San Francisco, California. That little mistruth became a myth that was perpetuated by my family for a couple of generations, until a great-grandson finally discovered my real place of birth, many decades later.

Seth Bowdish

Jake Huss, historical programs and exhibitions manager of the Midland County Historical Society, portrayed Seth Bowdish: A service man, at your service.

Bowdish was born in New York in 1825 and moved to Michigan before the Civil War. Its the state where he enlisted into the war. In 1861, he enlisted by August 23.

He served until 1865, when he was mustered out, prompting his return to Michigan. He married a woman named Lucy in 1881.

A couple miles northwest of Coleman, in Loomis in Isabella County, Bowdish was the postmaster.

By 1882, I was setting up a grocery store right in town, said Huss during a lively portrayal of Bowdish. That same year, I got myself a partner... I let him buy me out in 1884. Then, I set up a rival grocery store that very same year.

"Here's the real trick of it: I got the city to move the post office from my old partner's store to my store. Let me tell you, folks, Benjamin Franklin was wrong. There are three things that are certain in life: death, taxes and mail. Everybody in town had to come through my store. But it's just another way in which I was happy to serve the folks here in the great city of Coleman.

Huss said Bowdish was a school board member and a chairman of the countys Soldiers' Relief Fund to help local soldiers.

Della Pierce, the daughter of Civil War veteran Jonathan Pierce



Pam Dashner portrayed Della Pierce, the first schoolteacher of Coleman, on the tour. Pierce was the daughter of Civil War veteran Jonathan Pierce.



After the Civil War, Jonathan returned to New York to work in the lumber industry. In 1869, his wife was pregnant when he announced the family was moving to Midland. They waited until one of their daughters was born in 1870.



As Della, Dashner said a rumor began in regard to the Pere Marquette Railroad Company. Her father, Jonathan, advocated for the tracks to be built into Coleman.



My father was on the very first train that came here, Dashner told tour attendees. He got off to survey what he wanted to do. Everything was favorable for what he had planned, so he bought property and became the first citizen of Coleman, and he started immediately to work on his sawmill and exchange hotel, which would also be our home. In 1871, just in time for the holidays, we moved in.



He housed men who worked on the railroad and his wife made meals for railroad workers.



Jonathan died in 1898, just 10 days before what would have been his 77th birthday after complications from polio. His entire family, except for one member, is buried in the Coleman cemetery.



Harrison Sampson



Bill Campbell portrayed Harrison Sampson, a pottery maker and farmer. After serving in the Civil War, Harrison Sampson found his way back to Pennsylvania, where he had lived prior to the war.



Sampson, who had been born in Ohio, eventually found his way to Michigan after marrying his wife in 1865.



In 1900, his family moved to Midland County.



I continued to work as a potter and as a farmer with my adult children, said Campbell, as Sampson, adding that his wife and some of their adult children passed away a few years later. I was still a spry young man at 70 years old, still able to work. I moved in with my son, Harry, and his family to bond together. I spent the rest of my days playing with my grandchildren and breathing wonderful Michigan air.



Sampson passed away in 1915.



Nina Brown, a granddaughter of Civil War veteran Isaac Carrick

Bay City area high school student Anastasia Breen portrayed Nina Brown, the granddaughter of Civil War veteran Isaac Carrick.

The Brown family has a long history in Coleman. Carrick moved to Coleman in 1906 at around 70 years old.



In 1861, Carrick had married Browns grandmother and they had two kids over the course of the Civil War. He enlisted into the war in 1864.



He was discharged on disability after falling ill the next year.

But, he was able to make a fine 'Bony Clapper,' which is German slang for cottage cheese, said Breen as his granddaughter. Family legend even goes that Grandpa was nicknamed Bony Clapper Ick.



We had 14 good years of Grandpa until he passed away of a sudden heart attack in the kitchen, she continued. My mother always used to say that Grandpa went to war (as) a young lad and came back (as) an old man. I'd just like to thank that old man for his service.



Breen herself is an actress with the Midland Center for the Arts. She also acts in high school programs.



To come out here and use acting in a historical sense by telling the story of actual history is really interesting, she said, adding actors her age typically have a limited range of opportunities to exercise and display their skills.

Al Selesky of the Coleman Historical Society also shared stories about the Civil War cannon that is stationed in the Coleman park.

The tours sold out early between registration and walk-ups. The Midland County Historical Society said it was happy with the turnout.

Proceeds from the Warren Township Cemetery tour will be split between the Midland and Coleman historical societies.

The Coleman Historical Society plans to renovate the city's oldest business building and turn it into a museum with the funds.

Historical societies are still working to find and clean remaining Civil War veterans' headstones in the coming weeks.

The Warren Township Cemetery opened in 1883. According to Andrick, the first known Civil War veteran to be buried there was Silas May, who was a medic in the war and died at age 63 in 1896. And the last known Civil War veteran to be interred in the cemetery was Levi Klinger in 1934 at age 90.

The Midland County Historical Society has been hosting cemetery tours in Midland for over 20 years. This year, the staff decided to partner with the Coleman Historical Society and Edenville Township to shed light on other areas of the county and its history. The Coleman tour on Saturday kicked off this effort.

The Old Edenville Cemetery Tour will take place from 1 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 455 West Curtis Road.

Tickets cost $8 for the public and $5 for members.

Related Content

History getting breath of fresh air: Cemetery tour planned for Coleman, Edenville
(Click on image to Greatly Enlarge)

One of the big issues that Google Glass faced back in 2013 was the perception by the public that their privacy could be invaded by those wearing this first generation device. Many Google Glass wearers were accosted on this single issue and one of the stones that dragged sales to a complete halt. Eight years later and the issue is being raised again about the new Ray-Ban/Facebook smartglasses.

On Friday, both the Irish DPC and Italian Data Protection Regulator (the Garante) expressed concern regarding the new Facebook/Ray-Ban smartglasses that could capture videos and photos of individuals without their knowing.

The press release stated that "While it is accepted that many devices including smartphones can record third party individuals, it is generally the case that the camera or the phone is visible as the device by which recording is happening, thereby putting those captured in the recordings on notice. With the glasses, there is a very small indicator light that comes on when recording is occurring. It has not been demonstrated to the DPC and Garante that comprehensive testing in the field was done by Facebook or Ray-Ban to ensure the indicator LED light is an effective means of giving notice.

Accordingly, the DPC and Garante are now calling on Facebook Ireland to confirm and demonstrate that the LED indicator light is effective for its purpose and to run an information campaign to alert the public as to how this new consumer product may give rise to less obvious recording of their images."

This issue will apply to any new smartglasses with cameras, though it appears that Facebook's high profile caught the attention of European regulators. For instance, Snap introduced dual camera smartglasses in 2016 and there were no inquiries about privacy back then. China's Xiaomi just released their own smartglasses with cameras as well without getting flagged by regulators.

Yet Facebook is on all European watchdog lists and so their glasses are now under the spotlight.

Apple's engineers are quite aware that cameras on their future Head-Mounted Devices (HMDs) could be an issue and filed a patent that could possibly address the issue. Our June IP report was titled "Apple Invents an HMD to work with a camera accessory that will make the public aware that the user is recording video & more."

Apple noted in their filing that "When a user is taking a photo or video with a smartphone, bystanders know when a camera is aimed at them and they could cover their face or tell the smartphone owner to stop the filming. Yet with HMDs, "there is no clear physical motion that would indicate whether or not the user may be currently recording video." So, there's "a need for recording indicators for HMDs that cannot be easily defeated so that persons can be aware that they are being recorded."

Later Apple's filing noted that "The presence of the modular accessory on the HMD would serve to indicate to persons in the environment that they may be recorded."

Apple's patent FIG. 9B below illustrates a recording indicator that includes a ring of light elements around the camera lens that generate light pulses in an encrypted pattern.

While the Apple patent doesn't cover an audio alert of any kind, that should be considered as well so as to alert the public a camera is about to begin filming. A flashing light alone may not be sufficient notice.

Eight years after Google Glass, privacy with cameras on smartglasses and other headset devices remains an issue that won't go away.

Lastly, our report had also noted that in 2016, "The 5 Point Cafe made its intentions clear with a post on its Facebook page that stated: 'For the record, The 5 Point is the first Seattle business to ban in advance Google Glasses.'"

This issue could resurface with Facebook's smartglasses at some point in time with certain public establishments setting new privacy rules to ensure that the privacy of their patrons in the future are secured. In the short run we'll have to wait and see how Europe's regulators address this issue in the coming months ahead.
Former Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, has charged the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum to organize a workshop for the officials of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on how to improve themselves in order to avoid the leakage of examination questions.



WAEC has rescheduled this year's Physics and Business Management examinations in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) following reports that the exam questions got leaked.



The two papers were to be written on Wednesday, September 15 but a new date and time is yet to be announced by the regulatory body.



"A new date for the rescheduled papers (Physics 1 & 2 and Business Management 1 & 2) will be communicated in due course. However Automechanics 2 & 1 will be administered today, 15th September at 2pm as scheduled," WAEC stated at a press briefing on Wednesday morning.



The Council also says it is monitoring some eleven (11) Senior High Schools cited for engaging in examination malpractices.



Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the truth or otherwise in allegations of cheating brought against these schools namely Ejisu Senior High Technical School (SHTS) at Ejisu, Anlo-Anfoega SHS, Tepa SHS, Yeji SHTS, Kings David's College at Somanya, Ideal College, Sunyani, Christ the King SHS, Obuasi, Modern SHS, Kpong, Modern SHS at Kintampo, Oyoko Methodist SHS, Agogo SHS.



Expressing disappointment in WAEC, Dr. Okoe Boye said; "The Ministry of Education must call more or less a summit or some workshop on how to go about it, improving the efficiency, developing the governance system and making sure the WAEC certificate becomes the number 1 document not only in Africa but in the whole world. It's possible."



He spoke to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo'.





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.

Featured Video
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.
Leading Global ICT Company, Huawei has donated two hundred (200) Huawei Smartphones to support digitalisation of some rural communities benefiting from the Rural Telephony Project which seeks to bring connectivity to over four million Ghanaians in underserved and unserved communities in Ghana through the use of the innovative RuralStar Solution jointly developed by Huawei and Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) under the auspices of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation.



The donation which took place at Bonuama in the Amenfi Central District and Mile 3 in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipal District in the Western and Wester North Regions respectively formed part of activities to inaugurate Rural Telephony Project sites in these communities by the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.



In her remarks, the Communications Minister acknowledged the benefits of network connectivity, hence the need to increase and improve infrastructure in that regard. I know the benefits of network connectivity as it seeks to improve the digital economy through the digital infrastructure. My Ministry is leaving no community behind and the government is committed to investing in this regard.



Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful [Honourable] also challenged the community to take full advantage of their newly found connectivity to change their lives. The benefits of connectivity to you community goes beyond students using it to advance their knowledge, take advantage of services like Mobile Money, eCommerce among others to explore new business opportunities as well as boost your existing businesses. She added.



The Minister expressed her gratitude to Huawei for the companys contributions and to Ghanas digitalisation drive and commended the ICT giants for their donation to the communities.



Speaking on the rationale behind the donation, the Enterprise director at Huawei Ghana, Mr. Brian Wu, lamented that as a responsible corporate citizen, Huawei is committed to improving connectivity with innovative technologies that are designed and customized to suit the needs of the people. At Huawei, we believe bridging the digital divide is a key challenge for us and we do support and promote initiatives that help deliver access to communications for disadvantaged communities.



Today, one can have the whole world in their hands and with just a tap of your smartphone you can unlock a world of endless possibilities and opportunities. We are bringing the world to you today to enable you unlock the full potentials and benefits of digitalization. Smartphones are transforming the way we live and do business and I implore all beneficiaries to explore these opportunities to the fullest. Embrace all government services and interventions with your smartphones and realize the full benefit of connectivity. He added.



The newly-appointed Administrator for GIFEC, Mr. Prince Sefah, said the phase one of the Rural Telephony Project involves constructing 2016 telecom sites to provide voice and 3G data connectivity to about 3 million Ghanaians in unserved and underserved communities, while the Phases two of the project, which is at the planning stages will seek to plug in any remaining gaps and upgrade sites to 4G.



Huawei also donated 200 School Bags and 200 Pen cases to supports pupils in the community to enhance educational activities for the beneficiaries.





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.

Featured Video
Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, former Deputy Health Minister, has proposed new ways to ensure that Metropolitan, Municipal and Distrcit Chief Executives(MMDCEs) don't misbehave but execute their duties effectively.



The list of MMDCEs to serve in President Nana Akufo-Addo's second term is expected to be announced by the Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development after numerous complaints about the President's delay in appointing them.



The Director of Communications at the Jubilee House, Eugene Arhin, in a Facebook post stated; "Expect the list to be announced by the Minister very soon."



In respect of this, a Committe was set up and mandated to assess the nominees.



The Committee's report has been submitted to the President and, according to sources, the MMDCEs will be announced today.



Dr. Okoe Boye complimented the President for setting up a Committee to assess the nominees before their appointment emphasizing it will ensure the right people are appointed.



However, to him, there should be a different method in the selection of MMDCEs.



"This is a country where people are too comfortable with the status quo and the only way we can change this country is when the status quo changes . . . The only way this will change is when we move away from the status quo . . . but we're too comfortable with the old ways of doing things," he stressed.



He suggested, "the best way to get the best out of MMDCEs is to let the constituents and the citizens vote for them. If you do that, you can decide not to give money to Assemblies, they will still perform. Why? Because they will sit with the people; they will agree on the project and how to fund it".



Dr. Okoe Boye made these comments on Peace FM's morning show ''Kokrokoo''.





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.

Featured Video
The NDCs National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, was reported widely on Ghanaweb and other news portals, describing the NPP General Secretary, John Boadu, as a failure. In the said publication, Ofosu Ampofo was reported to have said that, John Boadu has no competency or moral authority to criticize John Mahama and the NDC because he [John Boadu] has failed abysmally in managing the NPP. Such criticism of John Boadu especially coming from Chairman Ofosu Ampofo can only be laughable.



However, one can pardon Ofosu Ampofo for such absurdity, because he is so unstable as a result of the internal opposition he is receiving from his own NDC. He is unable to withstand the wrath of the rank and file of the NDC who are calling on him to account for his stewardship of the party. The woes of Ofosu Ampofo have become even more exacerbated following Asiedu Nketias decision to contest him for the National Chairmanship position, with the full backing of John Mahama.



It is therefore understandable that the man who is still battling with kidnapping cases in the courts (Ofoso Ampofo), will desperately seek to make himself relevant in the NDC by firing salvos at the leadership of the NPP hoping that same would help revive his failing political career. Unfortunately, this strategy of Ofosu Ampofo has yet again failed because he has chosen the wrong target (in the person of John Boadu), whose records in the management of the affairs of the NPP are not only unassailable but also unimpeachable.



How can Ofosu Ampofo, who, as director of elections of the NDC during election 2016 till date [more than 4 years now], has not been able to collate the NDCs electoral figures, compare himself with the tried and tested John Boadu? Even with this record, Ofosu Ampofo still had the moral authority to contest for position in the NDC, and in fact, went on to become the Partys National Chairman. It is only the NDC that would reward such crass ineptitude and mediocrity. No wonder he led them to another disastrous electoral defeat in 2020.



It is submitted that if it were the NPP, Ofosu Ampofo would not only be unfit to contest for any position in the party, but would not even be able to assert any relevance in the Party. He may even be lampooned and shunned if he attempted to come to the Party headquarters. How can such a failing man compare his records with the results-oriented John Boadu? We are talking about the Ofosu Ampofo who as National Chairman of the NDC cannot still tell the votes his Party got in the 2020 elections.



We are talking about the Ofosu Ampofo who lied to his Party supporters that the NDC had won the 2020 elections and called on them to jubilate on the streets. We are talking about the Ofosu Ampofo who led his Party to the Supreme Court to challenge the outcome of the 2020 general elections without a single pink sheet to prove their case.



No wonder it was such a monumental embarrassment for them in the Court. Is this what Ofosu Ampofo calls competence, which he claims John Boadu lacks? The gods must be crazy indeed. Well, if Chairman Ofosu Ampofo wants to be taken seriously, then he should first go and account for his stewardship to his party foot soldiers, as they are calling on him to do.



Once again, Ofosu Ampofo should not, in his widest dream, seek to compare his abysmal records with John Boadus. The difference is as vast as the size of the elephant. We are talking about John Boadu, the adwenkese, who led the NPP to implement a robust IT architecture both in the 2016 and 2020 elections that made it possible for the Party to collate its nationwide electoral results in all the over 38,000 polling stations and 275 constituencies in less than 12 hours; something Ofosu Ampofo could not do for his party in 4 years and in six months, after the 2016 and 2020 elections respectively.



Is Ofosu Ampofo talking about the John Boadu who, in the 2016 elections, led the NPP, as National Organizer, Director of Campaign Operations and as Acting General Secretary, to snatch as many as 55 parliamentary seats from the NDC? Interestingly, this was when Ofosu Ampofo was the NDCs director of elections. In the presidential elections, the NPP also won by a vote margin of over 1million votes, an unprecedented feat in the fourth republic.



Who in the NDC has such records? It is obvious that if John Boadu was a member of the NDC, the party would be worshipping him. Obviously, they would have made him their perpetual flagbearer instead of the incompetent one [John Mahama]. Even in 2020 where the NPP made a net loss of 32 parliamentary seats, the party still won the Presidential by over 500,000 vote margin, which again is an unprecedented feat in the 4th republic for a party seeking re-election.



Ofosu Ampofo certainly needs to reassess himself before coming to pontificate. He has no records worthy of attention, let alone to seek to compare that non-existing records with John Boadus. Once again, it is undeniable that no man in the NDC has the kind of records that the results-driven John Boadu has. The lion and the lioness can never have the same strength. A word to the wise.













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.

Featured Video
Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has launched yet another blistering attack on the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), saying the EC boss is on a warpath with the opposition NDC that he has been leading.



Without any provocation, Mr. Mahama attacked the EC boss, Mrs. Jean Mensa, on Kumasi-based New Mercury FM during his Thank You tour in the Ashanti Region early this week, saying the commission was refusing to accept the NDCs post-2020 electoral reform proposals.



Since this woman was appointed, it feels like she is on a warpath with the NDC. This EC Chairperson has said the NDC is the biggest threat to the country, he claimed without mentioning where the EC boss made the purported statement against his party.



He then asked rhetorically Do you think such a person can ensure neutrality between parties? It is obvious they (EC) have a certain prejudice against NDC. Whenever we suggest anything, they rubbish it.



The former President then said that the NDC will not relent in its efforts to get the EC to accept the partys reforms, vowing We have sent the proposals and whatever we will do in terms of advocacy to ensure that they do the right thing, we will do it.



NDC Proposal



The NDC has said it has put forward some proposals which will bring reforms to the electoral system.



Bizarrely, the same party has said it has stopped engaging the EC but want the same commission to accept its proposals.



The party has refused to cooperate with the commission and has decided to boycott the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) where such decisions are mostly taken.



The NDCs beef is that the EC rigged the 2020 general election in favour of the NPP, a claim which was dismissed by the Supreme Court when Mr. Mahama went there to challenge the results as declared.



Initially, ex-President Mahama claimed he won the election and was denied victory and in the ensuing heat, he and his partys leaders amassed their supporters to hit the streets to cause mayhem around Christmas last year.



Petition Hearing



However, by the time the case was being heard, the NDCs stance that Mr. Mahama was denied victory had shifted to the argument that none of the 12 candidates that participated in the 2020 Presidential Election got the constitutionally mandatory 50 per cent plus one of the total valid votes.



The NDC also pushed that the Supreme Court should determine whether the Electoral Commission (EC) had to organise a run-off election between Mr. Mahama as petitioner and President Akufo-Addo who was declared winner by the EC on December 9, 2020 after the crucial December 7, 2020 general election.



He was subsequently bounced unanimously by the seven-member panel for failing to adduce evidence to back his claims that no candidate crossed the 50 per cent plus 1 vote needed for the EC to declare a winner.



Persistent Attacks



Since the Supreme Court sent him packing after his unsuccessful challenge, Mr. Mahama has not forgiven the EC boss who is credited for leading the organisation of a smooth election unmatched in the Fourth Republican dispensation.



One of his basis for attacks has been that the court refused to allow the EC boss to testify during the hearing when he himself could not establish any prima facie case against the commission per his own documents filed.



After the courts verdict when the public was waiting for him to finally concede defeat, he rather held a news conference to denounce the courts action and then used it as a platform to attack the judges and the EC boss.



Describing the commission as pliant he sought to present the electoral management body as one which lacked independence.



NDC Proposal



Among the proposals being pushed by the NDC is a demand for the prior approval of Parliament for the appointment of EC members.



They want a repeal of the requirement for the consent of the Attorney General to be given before the prosecution of electoral offences as well as specially-designated courts for electoral disputes and offences before, during and after registration of voters and elections.



The NDC also wants the EC to be allowed by law to apply to the courts to remove names of deceased and other unqualified persons from the provisional register when informed by the relevant authorities.



In a strange move, the NDC wants GBC to comply with the Supreme Court decision for it to provide equal access to all political parties after it flouted the same courts decision when the party was in power and enjoyed GBC monopoly for more than a decade.



It also wants IPAC to be backed by legislation through an amendment to the Electoral Commission Act, 1993, Act 451 as well as spelling out by law the security responsibilities of the EC (if any), the police and the military during registration of voters and during and after voting.



The NDC is demanding a legislation to bind the Chairperson of the EC, as the Returning Officer of the Presidential Election, to afford the agents of the participating political parties and candidates full participation in the collation of the presidential election results at the ECs National Collation Centre.



Splitting EC



The NDC is also calling for a split of the EC into two separate bodies namely an Office for the Regulation of Political Parties (ORPP) and an Electoral Commission (EC) by amending the Political Parties Act, 2000, Act 574.



They also want the mandatory requirement for the publication of applicants for recruitment as temporary EC staff for registration of voters and for elections and for allowing the public to object to applicants who have questionable backgrounds or have overt partisan biases must be strictly complied with and the requirement for the list to be posted at the District EC offices.



The NDC wants the EC to comply with the requirement for each political party participating in an election to be provided with a copy of the final voters register and for the EC to make sure that recruitment for the various categories of election officials is made as non-partisan as possible.



They want the list of all polling stations to be used for an election with their names, code numbers and locations to be published in the Gazette and as supplements in the state newspapers not later than 30 days to the election, saying this will require an amendment to the Public Elections Regulations, 2020, C.I. 127.



The NDC said it wants the EC to print the replacement Statement of the Poll Form and Declaration of Results Form in a colour different from the original ones in order to distinguish them and where a replacement Declaration of Results Form is used, the original Statement of Declaration Form should be attached to it.



They also want the BVD printouts for each polling centre to be given to each political party agent or candidates agent and should be posted at the polling station as well as the abolishing of the Regional Collation Centre.





Source: Daily Guide









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.

Featured Video
The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has asked the coupists in Guinea to restore democracy in six months.



The decision was taken at an Extraordinary Session on 16 September 2021 in Accra, Republic of Ghana, under the chairmanship of H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chair of the Authority.



According to a communique issued by the bloc after its sessions, the Authority decided:



a. to uphold the suspension of Guinea from all ECOWAS governing bodies until the restoration of constitutional order;



b. to ensure the conduct of presidential and legislative elections within six (6) months in order to restore constitutional rule in the Republic of Guinea;



c. to impose sanctions, in accordance with extant ECOWAS Protocols, of travel bans on the members of the CNRD and their family members and of freeze of their financial assets;



d. to call on the African Union, the European Union, the United Nations, and other multilateral and bilateral partners to support the implementation of these sanctions;



e. to ensure that no member of the CNRD is allowed to contest in the presidential election; f. ECOWAS to accompany Guinea in the swift resolution of the crisis and in the preparations for the elections.



Read the full communique below:



Accra, Republic of Ghana 16 September 2021



COMMUNIQUE



1. The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened in Extraordinary Session on 16 September 2021 in Accra, Republic of Ghana, under the chairmanship of H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chair of the Authority, to review political developments in the Republic of Guinea. The Heads of State also reviewed the latest development of the transition in the Republic of Mali.



2. Present at the Summit were the under-listed ECOWAS Heads of State and Government or their duly mandated representatives:



H.E. Roch Marc Christian Kabore, President of Burkina Faso; H.E. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote dIvoire; H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau; H.E Georges Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia; H.E. Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger; H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal;



COMMUNAUTE ECONOMIQUE DES ETATS DE LAFRIQUE DE LOUEST



COMUNIDADE ECONOMICA DOS ESTADOS DA AFRICA OCIDENTAL



ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES



H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone; H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, President of the Togolese Republic; H.E. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; H.E. Aurelien A. Agbenonci, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Benin; H.E. Filomena Mendes Gonalves, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cabo Verde; H.E. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia.



3. The session was also attended by H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS Mediator to Mali, and H.E. Mahamat Saleh Annadif, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa.



4. The Heads of State and Government took note of the Report of the high level Mission dispatched to the Republic of Guinea on 10 September 2021, following the Extraordinary Session of the Authority held via videoconference on 8 September 2021. They also took note of the report on the political transition in the Republic of Mali, presented by the Mediator H.E Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.



5. They commended the quality of the reports and the relevance of the recommendations contained therein.



6. The Authority, after deliberations, endorsed the main recommendations contained in the Mission's report.



7. The Authority reiterates its unreserved condemnation of the coup of 5 September 2021 and reaffirms its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of President Alpha Conde. It also reminds members of the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD) that they are individually and collectively responsible for the physical safety of President Alpha Conde.



8. The Authority was apprised of the current socio-political situation in the Republic of Guinea and of the apparent commitment of the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD) to work towards a swift return to constitutional order. It also took note of the CNRD's decision to hold consultations with all national and international stakeholders on the socio-political situation in the Republic of Guinea. The Authority expressed its concern about the resurgence of coups after the coups in Mali in 2020 and 2021.



9. After consideration of the Report and subsequent deliberations, the Authority decides as follows:



a. to uphold the suspension of Guinea from all ECOWAS governing bodies until the restoration of constitutional order; b. to ensure the conduct of presidential and legislative elections within six (6) months in order to restore constitutional rule in the Republic of Guinea; c. to impose sanctions, in accordance with extant ECOWAS Protocols, of travel bans on the members of the CNRD and their family members and of freeze of their financial assets; d. to call on the African Union, the European Union, the United Nations, and other multilateral and bilateral partners to support the implementation of these sanctions; e. to ensure that no member of the CNRD is allowed to contest in the presidential election; f. ECOWAS to accompany Guinea in the swift resolution of the crisis and in the preparations for the elections.



10. The Authority calls on the African Union, the United Nations and development partners to endorse the decisions and support the restoration of constitutional rule in the Republic of Guinea.



11. Members of the Authority request the Chair of the Authority to visit the Republics of Guinea and Mali as soon as possible to convey in person the decision of the Authority.



12. The Authority decides to remain actively seized on the matter.



On the Political Transition in the Republic of Mali



13. The Authority remains deeply concerned about the slow pace of preparations for the elections scheduled for late February 2022 in the Republic of Mali.



14. The Authority reiterates its demands for strict adherence to the transition timetable leading to the effective conduct of elections within the nonnegotiable deadline of February 2022. To this end, the Authority calls on the transitional authorities to submit, by the end of October 2021 at the latest, the timetable, for setting out the essential steps to be taken for the February 2022 elections. It insists on the implementation of only the necessary reforms for the conduct of elections on the agreed date.



15. The Authority decides to impose targeted sanctions against persons or groups of persons whose actions have a negative impact on the transition timetable, as decided by the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. These sanctions would include travel ban on such persons and their family members and the freezing of their financial assets. To this end, the Authority instructs the President of the ECOWAS Commission to compile and submit a list of such persons and groups of persons.



16. The Authority strongly condemns the continued arrest and detention of political leaders and opponents by the transitional authorities. It also demands that the issue be handled in line with the rule of law and respect for human rights.



17. Regarding security, the Authority strongly condemns the decision of the transitional authorities to hire private security companies in Mali and is greatly concerned about its consequences on the deterioration of the security situation in Mali and the region as a whole.



On the Strengthening of Democracy



18. In light of recent developments in the region, the Authority reaffirms that the consolidation of democracy and good governance is crucial for the development, peace and stability of the region. Consequently, the Authority instructs the President of the Commission to initiate the process of reviewing the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance in order to ensure democracy, peace and stability in our region.



19. The Heads of State and Government express their deep gratitude to H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for his leadership of the Community.



Done in Accra, this 16th day of September 2021



THE AUTHORITY

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.

Featured Video
Americas oldest ally, France, took an extraordinary step on Friday September 17, recalling its ambassador to the United States and Australia.



The relationship between the US and France conceived in 18th century revolutions us now at a tipping point after the U.S. Australia and Britain shunned France in creating a new Indo-Pacific security arrangement that involved Australia dumping its previous agreement to buy diesel powered submarines from France in favor of buying better more equiped nuclear powered submarines from the US and the UK to counter growing threats from China.



It is the first time ever that France has recalled its ambassador to the U.S., according to the French foreign ministry. Paris also recalled its envoy to Australia.



France Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a written statement that the French decision, on request from President Emmanuel Macron, is justified by the exceptional seriousness of the announcements made by Australia and the United States.



He said Australias decision to scrap a big French conventional submarine purchase in favor of nuclear subs built with U.S. technology is unacceptable behavior between allies and partners.



Ambassador Philippe Etienne tweeted the announcements are directly affecting the vision we have of our alliances, of our partnerships and of the importance of the Indo-Pacific for Europe.

In response to the move, the Biden administration said it has been in close contact with French officials about the decision to recall Etienne to Paris, National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said.



We understand their position and will continue to be engaged in the coming days to resolve our differences, as we have done at other points over the course of our long alliance, she said in a statement.



France is our oldest ally and one of our strongest partners, and we share a long history of shared democratic values and a commitment to working together to address global challenges.



State Department spokesman Ned Price also stressed the value the U.S. places on its relationship with France and expressed hope that talks between the two sides will continue in the coming days, including at the United Nations General Assembly next week.



But in another twist, Macron, wont be making a speech to the annual meeting of world leaders. Le Drian will instead deliver the French address.





This is the first time this will occur since Macron came into office in 2017.



The Australian government said it regretted Frances decision to recall its ambassador to that nation.



Australia understands Frances deep disappointment with our decision, which was taken in accordance with our clear and communicated national security interests, Foreign Minister Marise Paynes office said in a statement.



It added that Australia valued its relationship with France and looked forward to future engagements together.



Macron's decision to recall his ambassadors to the US is a shocking turnaround given that he welcomed Joe Biden's presidency after having a bitter relationship with former President Donald Trump.



The recall is his boldest foreign policy move yet in his four-year presidency



Earlier Friday, a top French diplomat, who spoke anonymously, said that Macron received a letter from Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday morning announcing the decision to cancel the submarine deal.



French officials then decided to reach out to the U.S. administration to ask what was going on, he said. He added that discussions with Washington took place just two to three hours before Biden announced the deal with Australia.



Le Drian expressed total incomprehension at the move and criticized both Australia and the U.S.



It was really a stab in the back. We built a relationship of trust with Australia, and this trust was betrayed, he said. This is not done between allies.









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.

Featured Video
An empty cruise-ship arrival area in Victoria. Ports are expected to reopen in November, but new U.S. legislation could cripple the cruise industry if foreign-flagged cruise ships are allowed to travel directly to Alaska without stopping in Canada.
Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up!

Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.
Any sort of unanticipated, long-term disruptions to plutonium pit production at New Mexicos Los Alamos National Laboratory would jeopardize the new W87-1 warhead until similar manufacturing capabilities get off the ground in South Carolina, National Nuclear Security Administration boss Jill Hruby recently told members of Congress.

While plans to produce enough of the plutonium cores at Los Alamos by 2026 are still achievable, relying on the single site carries a certain amount of risk, Hruby wrote to Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, a state with its fair share of missiles.

Plutonium pits made at Los Alamos National Laboratory are key to meeting military requirements, Hruby said, emphasizing in her Aug. 25 letter that her agency is committed to continued coordination with the Department of Defense to identify options to mitigate risks to W87-1 production.

The sought-after plutonium pits  fissile cores, or triggers  are one of several critical puzzle pieces in the nuclear modernization jigsaw; they are bound for the W87-1 warhead, which would be deployed on the nascent, and controversial, Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, itself billed as the future.

Rep. Joe Wilson referenced Hrubys missive earlier this month while defending the need for two pit production hubs: the first at Los Alamos, at PF-4, and the second at Savannah River, at the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility. Both Cheney and Wilson, R-S.C., are members of the House Armed Services Committee.

Having two sites eliminates a single-point failure. Los Alamos and the Savannah River Site work together to create a resilient production of our nuclear weapon cores, Wilson said during a markup of the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. Both sites are crucial, and critical, for deterrence for peace.

But opponents argue a tandem approach is wasteful  and, perhaps, conciliatory. Each pit factory will cost billions of dollars. And lawmakers and watchdogs alike have questioned the pressing need for pits, a component the U.S. has not been able to craft en masse for years.

Pit production in the late 2020s and early 2030s enables Livermores W87-1 warhead program. It has no other purpose, said Greg Mello with the Los Alamos Study Group, a New Mexico-based policy organization. LANL pit production is a very expensive way to keep Livermore lab in high clover while providing a multiple-warhead option for the Air Forces new missile. Its a gravy train for all three weapons labs.

Relying on Los Alamos for the warhead components, Mello suggested, is quixotic: Realistically, the United States is not going to depend solely on a pit facility that is too small, too fragile, too crowded and too old.

Currently, there are no impacts to the planned production of the W87-1 warhead based on the latest results for pit production capacities and timelines, according to Hruby, a former Sandia National Laboratories director. The 2026 deadline, she further explained to Cheney, affords a considerable time margin in coordination with the warhead work.

The Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility is projected to be completed between 2032 and 2035, according to a late-June announcement from the National Nuclear Security Administration. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, though, has said at the earliest, Savannah River would be able to be online and begin producing pits by 2034.

So, the Washington Democrat said this month, thats four years after our 2030 requirement.
In late 2020, Ingevity Corp. found itself on the losing end of a legal ruling over one of its patents.

The immediate reaction from a senior executive was to battle on, saying in a statement that "put simply, we want our day in court."

The North Charleston-based chemical manufacturer's wish came true this month. And it lost again in a decision that could cost it almost $85 million.

Ingevity is one of the few major publicly traded companies left standing in South Carolina. It was hatched decades ago within the research labs of what is now the WestRock paper mill along the Cooper River to create chemicals from pine trees and other forest products.

The fast-growing business was spun off in 2016, when it listed its shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Ingevity now employs about 1,850 workers at 25 locations worldwide and pulled down $1.22 billion in sales last year.

This month's legal showdown pitted the O'Hear Avenue company against German rival BASF Corp. The venue was a federal courtroom in Wilmington, Del., widely viewed as the nation's business-litigation capital.

The dispute between the companies emerged several years ago, after BASF began encroaching on Ingevity's turf. It centers on an arcane piece of automotive technology  small canisters that capture gasoline fumes as they evaporate and return them to the engine as fuel.

Ingevity fired the first legal salvo. In a 2018 lawsuit, it alleged BASF was infringing on a patent tied to the absorbent "honeycomb scrubbers" stuffed inside the vapor canisters.

BASF, which was developing a competing emissions-control product, shot back. In a 2019 counter-complaint, it argued that Ingevity's patent was invalid and accused the U.S. company of amassing a monopoly by requiring canister makers to only buy its scrubbers.

BASF went on to say that demand for its "superior" and "less expensive" alternative had been "stymied" by anticompetitive practices, alleging that "fears of ... coercion" from the dominant global supplier had scared off prospective customers.

"Ingevitys conduct has foreclosed BASF from selling its ... honeycomb scrubber, resulting in lost sales and profits," according to the countersuit.

The litigation took a turn in November, when U.S. District Judge Richard Andrews ruled that the relevant elements of the Ingevity patent were invalid.

The trial that started Sept. 8 focused on BASF's claims.

In arguing for a dismissal, Ingevity denied that it was trying to stifle competition. It said in a court filing that it "has acted lawfully and properly in enforcing its patent rights."

Also, the company maintained that it's allowed under U.S. patent law and a Supreme Court ruling to control the market because scrubbers are considered "nonstaple" goods essential only to a specific invention  the canisters in this instance.

The back and forth went on for a week.

In the end, the jurors didn't buy what Ingevity was selling. They concluded the company had monopolized the market and delivered a nearly $28.3 million in financial damages to BASF on Wednesday.

Under federal antitrust law, the award will be tripled automatically to about $85 million.

In a statement to the news service Reuters, a BASF lawyer said the company was "pleased that the jury reached the correct result and recognized the wrongdoing by Ingevity."

The North Charleston company said in a written statement it doesn't expect the outcome of the case to have "an immediate impact" on its scrubber business and that it "is not aware of a competing certified or tested honeycomb that could replace" its product in the short term.

It also refused to send up the white flag. Ingevity said it plans to challenge the verdict, citing "the strength of its intellectual property," and seek another day in court.
A onetime Myrtle Beach electronic parts manufacturer could soon clean up the soil and groundwater contamination it caused decades ago at its plant in an area known more for its tourist attractions than heavy-industry.

AVX Corp. is waiting on state regulators to finalize a plan to remove a chemical called trichloroethylene, or TCE, from its former manufacturing site at 1801 17th Avenue South.

The former factory near Myrtle Beach International Airport used to make ceramic capacitors, which act like tiny batteries on computer chips that run everything from wireless phones to automobiles.

TCE is the byproduct of a degreaser AVX used at the Grand Strand site beginning in the 1970s. While the chemical has been shown to cause cancer, it wasn't considered a health hazard in the Myrtle Beach case because groundwater there is not a source for drinking water.

Owned by Japan's Kyocera Corp., AVX moved its headquarters to Fountain Inn in the Upstate in 2009, shortly after the TCE contamination came to light.

Most of the buildings have been removed from the Myrtle Beach site, and some of the soil that was beneath the structures has been excavated. A pair of groundwater extraction wells have been operating at the site for years, but the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control expects to approve a plan by the end of this year to get rid of the TCE and other contaminants for good.

That plan will include further excavation of soil and injecting a molasses-like substance into the groundwater. The sticky mixture creates bacteria that eat TCE and break it down into harmless matter.

All told, the plant site cleanup will cost AVX about $5 million.

That's in addition to about $8 million the manufacturer spent to clean up TCE that migrated through groundwater from its site to a roughly six-block neighborhood in the middle of town. That groundwater eventually wound up in Withers Swash, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. DHEC used the same molasses treatment for the neighborhood's groundwater.

In addition, AVX agreed in 2014 to pay $1.2 million to the owners of 42 properties where TCE had contaminated the groundwater. The company settled another lawsuit with a single landowner for $4.6 million.

DHEC opted to clean up the neighborhood's groundwater first before focusing on the plant site because of community concerns.

Court testimony showed AVX officials knew as early as 1981 that pollution might be spreading from the company's site to other properties, but the company hid that information from DHEC. The pollution wasnt discovered until 2006, when an adjacent property owner conducted environmental tests in advance of planned development.

By that time, TCE levels in the neighborhood's groundwater were as high as 18,200 parts per billion. The Environmental Protection Agency says five parts per billion is the maximum allowed for safety, and groundwater has to be cleaned to that level. DHEC has estimated TCE levels on the manufacturer's Myrtle Beach site were as high as 1 million parts per billion.

One part per billion is equivalent to a pinch of salt in 10 tons of potato chips or one sheet in a roll of toilet paper stretching from New York to London.

DHEC says the AVX plant site cleanup should take about five years once a final plan is in place.

Name game

Plastic pellet exporter A&R Logistics, which operates a 615,000-square-foot transload center in Moncks Corner, is changing its name as part of a re-branding effort.

The switch to Quantix brings several divisions under one moniker: A&R, Blue Water Plastic Transport, Plantgistix, First Choice Logistics, L.T. Harnett Trucking Inc., Luckey Trucking and RJ's Transportation.

Since being acquired by private equity firm Wind Point Partners in May 2019, Quantix has more than doubled in size and is one of the largest specialized supply chain companies in North America with annual revenue of more than $500 million.

"We're combining some of the industry's most specialized and in-demand service offerings into one unified business, and it will make our company stronger and more scalable while simplifying operations for our customers," CEO Chris Ball said.

Quantix transports pea-sized plastic pellets, also called nurdles, made at refineries along the Gulf Coast to the Port of Charleston for export to foreign markets. They're used to make thousands of plastic household goods.

Package deal

Private-equity firm Carlyle Group Inc. is considering selling Hartsville-based packaging company Novolex Holdings or taking it public, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The news service said Carlyle has been interviewing banks for a review of the company's potential sale. Novolex could be valued at about $6 billion if Carlyle decides to sell the company or opt for an initial public offering, Bloomberg reported.

Carlyle bought Novolex in 2016 for an undisclosed sum from Wind Point Partners and TPG Growth. Novolex, a former Sonoco subsidiary which develops and manufactures packaging for the food-service industry, has more than 60 plants worldwide with brands including Hilex Poly, Duro Bag and Burrows Packaging.
Summerville, SC (29483)

Today

Cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 81F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.
A quiet West Ashley neighborhood erupted in gunfire the morning of Sept. 18, leading to an exchange that left one resident dead.

Charleston County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched about 7:30 a.m. after neighbors reported a man was firing a gun in the 2500 block of Mona Avenue, located off Glendale Drive near Old St. Andrew's Parish Church, according to Capt. Roger Antonio.

Gunfire struck houses and vehicles in the neighborhood before deputies arrived at the scene, the captain said. The man exchanged gunfire with arriving deputies, shooting the side mirror of a deputy's squad car before he was shot and incapacitated, Antonio said.

The man was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead, Antonio said.

Antonio said no one else was injured in the shooting.

"We believe there is no further threat in this neighborhood," he said.

A firearm and several spent shell casings were located at the man's residence at 2567 Mona Avenue, according to a press release from the sheriff's office.

State Law Enforcement Division has been called in to investigate the shooting. Per department protocol, the deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, Antonio said.

Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies blocked off traffic in the neighborhood into the afternoon; a forensic team catalogued evidence as officers canvassed the neighborhood.

Neighbors reported hearing intermittent gunfire for about 10 to 15 minutes before deputies arrived at the scene.

Kristine Shirley, who has lived in the neighborhood for 23 years, said she initially thought it was a nail gun. She let her dogs out into the backyard and stood on her patio, unaware of the danger.

Shirley said it was fortunate the dogs did not dawdle in the yard that morning.

Officials have not yet identified the deceased man, but did confirm he was a resident in the neighborhood.

Antonio said the man's wife was at the scene during the shooting, but she was not injured. Antonio confirmed deputies had previously been dispatched to the residence for a domestic disturbance call, but did not provide details.

SLED spokesman Tommy Crosby said in a press release the agency's goal is to conduct a "thorough, independent criminal investigation" in a timely manner.

Information gathered at the scene will be summarized in a case file report and submitted to prosecutors to determine whether to file charges against the deputy.

The Sept. 18 shooting was the 29th officer-involved shooting in South Carolina in 2021, Crosby said. In 2020, there were 49 officer-involved shootings in the state, including three involving the Charleston County Sheriff's Office.
TRENTON  Stephon, an inmate at Trenton Correctional Institution near Aiken, spends his afternoons studying criminal justice.

He takes notes on his lectures using a prison-issued tablet, notebooks and pens. As he whittles away at his assignments, he dreams of a future career as a lawyer.

Stephon did not think about what his life will look like outside of the prisons walls for most of his 15-year sentence. This changed in June when the S.C. Department of Corrections partnered with Claflin University in Orangeburg to launch a program that gives inmates the opportunity to earn bachelor's degrees in criminal justice, psychology and organizational management.

Stephon now has a concrete goal: When he gets out of prison in 2025, he is going to attend law school.

Donate to our Investigative Fund to support journalism like this Our public service and investigative reporting is among the most important work we do. Its also the most expensive reporting we do. We cant do it without your support. Donate Now

Im in a better position than somebody who hasnt been through the criminal justice system to help change it, said Stephon, whose last name cannot be released to the public because of a Corrections Department policy to protect inmates privacy.

Stephon is one of over 50 students enrolled in Pathways from Prison, which aims to lower released inmates' recidivism rates through education. The program just completed its first semester and is growing rapidly.

A second chance

Pathways from Prison is funded through a federal Second Chance Pell Grant, given to programs across the country that provide inmates with degrees.

Claflin is one of around 200 colleges and universities around the country that have received the grant. The grant allows the university to offer the program to inmates free of charge. It also allows inmates who are released before they finish their degrees to continue taking classes at the university for free.

A lot of times you can provide programmatic offerings while a person is incarcerated, but we wanted to see this as a true reentry piece where the continuation is there, said Cynthia Cash-Greene, superintendent of the Palmetto Unified School District, which oversees correctional education programs.

Claflin provides the professors and curriculum for the program. The inmates are able to learn online through Zoom and self-paced courses. They have the opportunity to interact with their professors and ask questions over the virtual platform.

We do believe that education changes the culture, and it changes the environment because it changes the individuals who actually are engaging in the classes, she said.

The program is offered at Trenton, Ridgeland Correctional Institution and Camille Graham Correctional Center in Columbia. However, any inmate is allowed to apply. If an inmate at another prison is enrolled in the program, the department will transfer them to one of the three host sites.

More Coverage To read more in-depth stories from The Post and Courier's Education Lab, go to postandcourier.com/education-lab.

The program is open to any inmates who have a high school degree or a GED certificate. Vanessa Harris, director of the program at Claflin, said inmates who have taken previous college courses and maintained above a 2.0 grade point average are also likely to be accepted.

The university has seen increasing interest from inmates since the program began. They initially received around 60 applicants for the summer semester and admitted 30. Only 12 wound up enrolling because of issues gathering their transcripts and other documents.

Going into the fall semester, over 120 inmates applied and around 50 were accepted. Harris expects the program will have to use a waitlist in the future because of the rise in interest.

More than a degree

Evonne Willingham, the warden at Trenton, has seen the new program and other educational opportunities like it transform inmates lives. Shes observed changes in behavior once inmates have a goal like obtaining their degree.

As long as we have meaningful programs, it helps the guys prepare to be citizens back in the community, she said.

The Corrections Department hopes to expand the program to more facilities in the future. For now, Claflin and the agency are focusing on investing in inmates like Stephon who are eager to get out and get started with life after prison.

When he eventually becomes a lawyer, Stephon wants to help other people navigate the system that has defined the past decade of his life. But for now Stephon is busy convincing other inmates to consider the program.

Education is the ultimate tool, no matter what line of work, no matter where you decide to go down the line, he said.
GOOSE CREEK  About a week after Goose Creek resident and city Art Director Barb Richardson finished helping to paint the citys first public mural, she was driving home from a friends house at around 10:30 p.m. when she got stuck in a traffic jam  right beside the mural.

The congestion was caused by drivers pulling into the parking lot behind the Food Lion on St. James Avenue. There, they would park their cars with the headlights illuminating the mural painted on the back of the store. People were stopping to take pictures of the art.

For Richardson, the line of people was further evidence of the community's support for the city's recent public art push. In addition to murals on the walls of businesses, Richardson and city officials have helped coordinate art competitions, sidewalk chalk days and a graffiti wall. Richardson said she has more ideas to bring art enthusiasts together and add some color to the city.

Ive always complained about the lack of art, lack of culture, lack of anything visually stimulating in the city, so nows my chance to do something to change it, said Richardson, a longtime art teacher at schools around Goose Creek and Charleston, including Charleston County School of the Arts.

The mural, which was painted in late July, depicts a goose alongside a creek, while more geese fly away in the background. When Richardson asked her former student Enrique Boyd to draw a mockup of the mural, she told him it had to include a goose and a creek.

City officials have been pushing for more public art projects for about three years, Richardson said. The first project, which she helped coordinate through her seat on the citys Cultural Arts Commission, involved recruiting local artists to paint utility boxes around town.

Theyre at almost every red light in Goose Creek, Richardson said. So that was our first big local art (project).

That was in 2019. Projects stalled after that. Part of the problem, Richardson said, was the commission only met once a month, which made it difficult for members to plan projects and have them approved by the City Council in a timely manner.

Then COVID hit, and the commission didnt meet for about six months.

Its one of the reasons Richardson took the newly created part-time position of city art director in July after resigning from the commission. Now, she said, she can help plan projects and serve as the go-between for the commission and the city administration.

"Basically what we've been told from council is have the arts (commission) or Barb come up with ideas and we'll make it happen," said City Administrator Natalie Zeigler.

Outlets for artists

Now public art projects are becoming a priority again. While the Food Lion mural is the only one in town currently, other business owners have expressed interest in having murals painted on their buildings as well.

Earlier this year, the commission held a banner-designing competition in honor of the city's 60th anniversary. The commission chose 11 designs out of 45 submissions to hang around town following the completion of some downtown road projects.

The parks department also put up a temporary graffiti park on a plot of land off Red Bank Road, with plans to move the park to a more permanent location if it's popular enough.

Public walls and panels where residents and artists are encouraged to paint graffiti are becoming popular in other parts of the country. Richardson said she's heard of some in North Carolina and wanted to try something like that in Goose Creek.

Local tattoo artist and longtime graffiti enthusiast Louie Thompkins had the same idea, which he planned to pitch at a City Council meeting earlier this year. Zeigler put him in touch with Richardson, and together they planned a graffiti wall on Red Bank Road near the intersection of U.S. Highway 52.

Richardson also asked Thompkins to help her and Boyd paint the goose mural. Thompkins said he agreed because he wants to see more collaboration between artists.

Like Richardson, Thompkins is a lifelong Goose Creek resident who grew up loving art and wishing there were more opportunities for artists, especially kids, in the city.

There was nothing like (the graffiti wall) here before for an artistic kid. Guess where an artistic kids sitting right now? Thompkins said. At home, at a desk with the pencils, or you know charcoal, watercolor paints.

'Something for everyone'

Goose Creek is funding the art projects with hospitality money and funds from the parks department. Zeigler said the projects range in price  the city paid about $4,000 plus the cost of paint for the goose mural, while the graffiti wall was handled entirely in house by the parks department.

"It's pretty inexpensive to make a huge impact," Zeigler said.

The city has also promoted the projects on social media. Zeigler said there has not been much blowback from residents over using public resources for arts.

"There's always going to be the person in the crowd that doesn't love it, but for the most part it's extremely successful," she said. "It's gotten more likes (on social media) than huge parks that we're building."

Zeigler said city officials feel public art not only improves quality of life for residents, but it makes the city more attractive to developers and businesses.

"We want to be known," she said. "We're the eighth-largest city in South Carolina, we're a major player in the region and we want people to recognize our brand and say, 'That's Goose Creek, they're doing all these amazing things. Have you been there lately?'"

Thompkins and Richardson each have their own ideas, too. Thompkins wants companies to sponsor a "spray day" by purchasing spray-paint cans for kids to try their hands at graffiti when a more permanent graffiti park is put in place. Richardson imagines ordering decorative steel geese which local artists can paint and set around town.

She's asked artists and residents with their own ideas to reach out to her or the arts commission at gcculturalarts@gmail.com.

"I hope to have so many different varieties that there's something for everyone," Richardson said.
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn says nearly $1 million worth of federal funding will go to Lowcountry fire departments in diverse locations from Elloree to Charleston.

Seven fire departments received funding through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the lawmaker announced in August. The money will be used to give Lowcountry firefighters updated tools and new training programs to better battle flames.

I am pleased to see these funds going to the hardworking firefighters throughout my district who help protect and keep us safe, Clyburn, D-S.C., said in a statement.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program awards money directly to fire departments and EMS organizations that are unaffiliated with a hospital. It helps them "enhance their response capabilities and effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel," a media release said.

Lowcountry Fire Departments that received federal money Bolentown Fire Department Operations and Safety: $102,159

Town of Olar Operations and Safety: $34,437

Elloree Fire Department Operations and Safety: $71,842

Lebanon Fire Department of Berkeley County Operations and Safety: $75,786

Whitesville Rural Volunteer Fire Dept Operations and Safety: $73,333

Charleston County Operations and Safety: $560,536

Williamsburg County Operations and Safety: $25,966

The majority of the grant money, more than $560,000, went to Charleston County Operations and Safety, according to the FEMA release.

All that money will go directly to the St. Johns Fire District on Johns Island, which was created by the state Legislature in April 1959.

The district is comprised of four barrier islands  Johns, Kiawah, Seabrook and Wadmalaw  covering a land mass of approximately 185 square miles.

Ryan Kunitzer, the fire marshal for St. John's, said the much-needed funds will be used to give his team additional medical training.

"We are going to use this money to train 20 of our personnel to become EMTs and paramedics," Kunitzer said. "It enables us to provide a larger number of services to our constituents. We'll be able to provide a higher level medical service more rapidly."

The money is crucial as Johns Island and the surrounding areas experience record levels of housing development and population growth.

Smaller amounts went to more rural fire departments, such as Whitesville Rural Volunteer Fire Department in Berkeley County. With the $73,000 the department received, the crew will be able to purchase around 25 more full sets of fire protection gear.

Lowcountry Fire Departments that received federal money Bolentown Fire Department Operations and Safety: $102,159

Town of Olar Operations and Safety: $34,437

Elloree Fire Department Operations and Safety: $71,842

Lebanon Fire Department of Berkeley County Operations and Safety: $75,786

Whitesville Rural Volunteer Fire Dept Operations and Safety: $73,333

Charleston County Operations and Safety: $560,536

Williamsburg County Operations and Safety: $25,966

"This is fantastic news," said Colt Roy, a spokesman for the Whitesville Rural Volunteer Fire Department. "One of our biggest challenges has been being able to outfit our new fireman. Now we can do that."

Lebanon Fire Department Of Berkeley County in Ridgeville received $75,000 in federal money. Department Chief Nicky Sweatman said his team was in dire need of new radios, and that the grant was a godsend.

"We were using hand-me-down radios from the Berkeley County Sheriff's," Sweatman said. "We were in need of some new ones."

The grant requires some of the departments to put up a small amount in matching funds, around five to 10 percent, as a requirement.

Clyburn said he was happy to see the money go to so many South Carolina fire stations.

These funds will ensure that each fire department has the necessary tools to effectively respond to fire emergencies and will enable them to ensure the safety of their firefighters as well as those in the community they serve," Clyburn said in a statement.
A quiet transformation has been happening on a board that regulates South Carolina's power utilities  and could help herald the state's transition to cleaner energy.

The Public Service Commission weighs in on power companies' proposals for what types of energy they use. This year, the PSC ordered both Duke Energy's South Carolina subsidiaries and Dominion Energy South Carolina to make major revisions to their plans.

The panel told the investor-owned utilities that they needed more specific plans to address the removal of coal, the dirtiest of fuels used to keep the lights on today. As a result, both utilities are now planning to retire coal generation within a decade.

The move, among others, marked a sea change from just a few years ago, when the commission didn't question power companies' plans at all, and advocates who sent in comments on them were mostly ignored.

But the ramifications of a nuclear reactor project known as V.C. Summer that fell apart in 2017 helped usher in reform passed by legislators two years later. Among the changes were more allowances to grow the state's share of solar power; but less-noticed reforms at the PSC, environmental advocates say, could have even more impact in a state without clean energy rules.

"It's a very significant thing because the energy we all use every day, at home and in our businesses, that is our climate impact," said Eddy Moore, energy and climate program director at the Coastal Conservation League.

Disaster and reform

The PSC is a seven-member panel elected by state legislators. It scrutinizes electric companies' plans for reliability and cost. They are tasked with reviewing, for example, the complicated calculations that determine whether a utility builds a new natural gas plant or buys power from a solar farm.

It was "historically, completely new" that Duke and Dominion's long-term plans, known as IRPs, weren't accepted as-is this year, Moore said.

Previously, state regulators on the PSC would essentially rubber stamp the IRPs, and then check on how they performed later  maybe telling utilities that they couldn't charge ratepayers for something if it turned out to be unjustified, but not intervening beforehand. Now, the PSC has to approve or deny the documents, and public interest groups and businesses can weigh in, too.

That changed because of the dramatic implosion of the project to expand the V.C. Summer facility in Fairfield County. Cost overruns and construction delays on the project ran up a $9 billion tab before it fell apart. Former power executives involved in that episode are still facing court sentences and trials.

Part of the problem revealed by the fiasco was that utilities had undue influence over the PSC, said state Rep. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort.

Two years after the problems were revealed, state legislators passed 2019's Energy Freedom Act. The legislation "put the PSC on notice that we expected them to be this independent oversight body, not just an entity that does the bidding of the utilities," said Davis, one of the authors of the 2019 reform law.

And it also demanded that the utilities look at a whole suite of technologies, including renewables, said Kate Mixson, a staff attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center who has worked on cases before the PSC.

"Both Duke and Dominion are now acknowledging that coal isn't the future," she said.

Changing the power mix

Armed with a new mandate to focus on the needs of electric ratepayers, the PSC told Duke and Dominion they had to revise significant portions of the original plans they presented.

Duke originally laid out six scenarios for its future energy mix but didn't say which one it planned to pursue. In its updated plan, the utility committed to moving away from coal and adding "a diverse mix of solar, wind, and natural gas with a reasonably paced growth of energy storage to meet customers electricity needs over the planning horizon," said Ryan Mosier, a Duke spokesman.

For Dominion, the utility didn't include coal retirements within the next 15 years in its first plan. The commission told Dominion it had to include a lower-carbon energy mix, including solar power and battery storage, in updates to its plan.

"Our current (IRP) presents alternative plans that provide customers a path to clean, renewable energy while allowing technologies to mature," said Paul Fischer, a Dominion spokesperson.

Now, both Duke and Dominion plan to close their remaining coal-fired plants within this decade. (Duke does not run any coal stations in South Carolina but feeds the state power from North Carolina coal plants.)

Moving electrical systems away from dirty fuels is important for a few reasons. Fuels such as coal and natural gas release greenhouse gases when they are burned, the planet-insulating forces that are making Earth hotter and driving climate change.

So making electricity come from cleaner sources such as solar farms stops those emissions and helps herald the transition of other dirty technologies, Moore said. Plugging in an electric car, for example, means little if the electricity powering them came from coal, he said.

As of May, most of the state's power, almost 57 percent, came from nuclear generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Natural gas provided about 22 percent of the state's energy that month, and coal was slightly more than 13 percent.

Non-hydroelectric renewables  in other words, wind and solar  were near the bottom of the list, at just over 5 percent.

But coal alone accounts for two-thirds of South Carolina's power plant pollution, Moore said. Shuttering those is key to the climate solution.

"This is not some unsolvable problem," he added.

Pushing forward

The question, though, is whether current regulatory changes alone will push South Carolina's emissions low enough to help avert the worst effects of global warming. The state does not have a clean energy standard mandating how much energy should come from wind or solar power.

Moore was optimistic, pointing out that the changes happening at the PSC will guide South Carolina  regardless of who's occupying the White House and determining federal climate policy.

"One way is to say weve got to reduce climate emissions, so well set a goal," Moore said. "Another way is to say well scrutinize all the costs (as the PSC does). ... It just happens well end up with a very similar answer."

But Hamilton Davis of solar power developer Southern Current said that the climate problem won't be solved by each state acting on its own, even if South Carolina is making progress. He has no relation to state legislator Tom Davis.

"A national clean energy policy, I think, is a more efficient way to move this country and this state to where we need to be," Hamilton Davis said.

Tom Davis is also part of a new study committee in the General Assembly to examine the state's energy markets. Part of the inquiry will look at how to account for the climate impacts of dirtier fuels in their cost. Depending on what legislators do, that could push things further toward renewable energy during future proceedings before the PSC.

"Not all the costs of production are included when you talk about natural gas or coal or other things," Tom Davis said.

The bigger question in the coming year, though, will be how to replace the coal plants that utilities plan to shut down. It will be a key issue in Duke's upcoming 2022 IRP, said Mosier, the Duke spokesman.

The PSC has also opened a new case to investigate specifically how Dominion will replace its coal facilities, a proceeding that will unfold over the next year. The utility has said before it would mostly use natural gas to make up the difference.

But while natural gas avoids some of the problems of coal, such as mercury pollution, it carries its own climate risks. The New York Times and others have documented methane leaks from gas sites, a pernicious problem, because methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases.
VACCINATION: Luscia Castellanos, 12, of Des Plaines, Ill., looks away as she receives a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from nurse Meredith Price at a Cook County Health COVID-19 vaccine site in Des Plaines on May 13. The CDC is saying that the Pfizer shot is significantly less effective at preventing severe cases of disease over the long term than many experts had realized. Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service
As Scott noted earlier today, my first reaction to Special Counsel John Durhams indictment of Perkins Coie lawyer Michael Sussman on a single count of lying to the FBI was rather dismissive (small potatoes).

Having read the 27-page indictment itself, I have revised my opinion somewhat. The investigation underlying the indictment, and the manner in which the indictment lays out the facts regarding the Clinton campaigns fabrication of the Russian bank aspect of the Russia collusion hoax, are a valuable contribution to the historical record.

But the basic elements of the story have been known for a long time. We know that the Clinton campaign used its dishonest lawyers at Perkins Coie to employ Fusion GPS to fabricate the hoax itself. We know that officials of the FBI and the CIA participated in the hoax, and that reporters at newspapers like the New York Times and the Washington Post eagerly helped to perpetrate it. Filling in more details, as the Sussman indictment does, is useful, but it leaves open the question whether there will ever be accountability for the worst political scandal in American history.

Such accountability may include criminal prosecutions, as in the Sussman case, but it might take other forms as well. For instance, legislative reforms often follow the revelation of a major scandal. And one might have hoped for cultural changes at the institutions that were involved in perpetrating the fraud, like the FBI and the CIA. One might even have wondered whether hard core left-wing institutions like the Times and the Post might re-think the roles they played, and perhaps step back from the vicious partisanship that has largely replaced news reporting in their papers. Or, more broadly, there could have been massive public revulsion against the political party and the institutions that perpetrated this fraud in hopes of securing a presidential election; and, when that failed, for the purpose of disabling the incoming administration, a purpose that was largely fulfilled.

But none of this has happened. Americas ruling class (to borrow a phrase) seems incapable of introspection or regret. It barrels along, oblivious to the damage it has inflicted on our country, and continues to inflict.

Paragraph 23 of the indictment includes an email from one of the researchers who were used to seek evidence of some nefarious link between Donald Trumps organization and a Russian bank. He reported that there was no such evidence. His email concludes:

The only thing that drives us at this point is that we just do not like [Trump]. This will not fly in eyes of public scrutiny. Folks, I am afraid we have tunnel vision. Time to regroup?

In the wake of the hoaxs collapse, many individuals and institutions should have asked that question. Sadly, it seems that none did.
On Thursday John Hinderaker noted the indictment of the prominent  prominent in the sense of connected  Washington attorney Michael Sussman. A District of Columbia grand jury handed up the indictment on one false-statement count at the behest of Special Counsel John Durham. John H. wasnt impressed, calling it small potatoes. If Sussman is the end of the road Durham is traveling on, John is correct and, whether or not that is the case, John is certainly correct to be cynical about the Durham project.

Whether or not Sussman is the end of Durhams road, the indictment is worth reading. Durham procured the indictment last week because the five-year statute of limitations was about to run this weekend. If Durham is permitted to continue and any report he prepares allowed to come to light, this indictment may be more a preview than an ending.

Some percipient observers think the indictment falls into the former category rather than the latter. Among them, I think, is Andrew McCarthy, whose Ball of Collusion is in my opinion the best book on the Russia hoax so far. Andys NR column (behind NRs paywall) is The Real Story in Durhams Indictment of Democratic Lawyer Michael Sussmann. Joining Andy are the Wall Street Journals Holman Jenkins in the column Durham delivers on Russiagate and the Journals editors in Durham cracks the case (both behind the Journals paywall).

What isnt behind a paywall? The 27-page indictment itself (above) and McCarthys September 17 podcast with Rich Lowry on the indictment (below) as well as Jonathan Turleys Hill column here. The indictment is (as Andy notes) a speaking indictment that intimates a purpose beyond the false-statement charge by itself.

We want the perpetrators of this hoax to suffer for the enormous harms they have wrought. This indictment is, as John H. assesses, small potatoes in the context of the biggest scandal in American political history. If the higher-ups skate  if the ultimate object of Durhams investigation is a report (as Andy seems to anticipate at about 20:00 of the podcast, qualified later by his anticipation of possible indictments yet to come against Clinton campaign functionaries) rather than the further administration of justice to responsible parties inside the FBI and the Department of Justice, John H.s cynicism will be vindicated. However, history must be told. The indictment seems to me a contribution to the history that is yet to be written.
Uche, one of the sons of the veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has said that he spent over N6m to treat COVID-19 virus at an isolation treatment facility in Gbagada in Lagos.

The Nigerian Postwar and Contemporary painter shared details of his treatment and eventual recovery on his official Instagram page on Saturday and Sunday.

Uche said the cost per day was N350,000 and added that he was at the facility for twelve days before he was moved to First Cardiology Centre in Ikoyi for lung and heart rehabilitation.

He said: COVID costs a fortune and I know a guy whose treatment cost N17m. When I fell sick weeks ago, I thought I had malaria, so I spent the first couple of weeks treating malaria.

By the time I realised this could be something else, it was too late and I was rushed to the hospital with eighty percent of my lungs damaged.I couldnt eat or breathe and I was on oxygen for weeks; I could not walk either, including having severe chest pains. It felt like I was dying and waking up over and over again, I have never seen anything like this, Uche said.

Gratitude

The actors son said it was the first time in his life that he had no control over anything.

I felt like I was on a boat drifting away in the still of the night rudderless.

The days that followed passed by slowly and everything was a blur and I remember lying in the hospital floating endlessly like a feather in an abyss of nothing. The days turned to weeks and my recovery was going well. I am fully cured of COVID now and I am able to walk a little, he said.

He added that his lungs would take months to heal completely, but he is currently on oxygen and other medications.

He also urged the government to invest in affordable treatments, to prevent more people from dying of the virus, while lamenting that in spite of the lockdown, wearing of nose masks, and vaccines, the virus was still spreading.

Even those vaccinated are still catching it, but thank God I am back home, he said. He thanked his family members and healthcare workers for their incredible support, saying, In all these people, I saw the face of God and I will never forget.
Niger State is in the North Central region of Nigeria but shares boundaries and the plague of banditry with some states in the North-west. The state has recorded high profile cases of abductions of students from schools this year, the latest being of 91 pupils from an Islamiyya school in Tegina on May 30. The bandits are believed to have collected N60 million and five new motorcycles as ransom before releasing the kids 88 days later. Aside from the abductions, bandits routinely raid rural communities, killing people, stealing livestock and burning down houses and grain silos.

One of the victims was the Niger State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Muhammad Idris, who was kidnapped on August 9 at his hometown of Baban Tunga village in Tarfa Local Government Area of the state. Our reporter, Ahmadu Maishanu, met Mr Idris in Minna, the state capital, and he spoke on his own experience and how the government is confronting the insecurity challenge in the state.

Excerpts.

PT: Niger is one of the states where bandits are very active. How is the government addressing the menace?

Mr Idris: Those behind insecurity in Niger State, as the governor, Abubakar Bello, has rightly said, are not people of the state. Niger has a record of being one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria until the infiltration of some elements changed the situation. In Niger State, you hardly see groups fighting each other. The state is blessed with arable land; it has about 10 per cent of the landmass of Nigeria  as large as six other states. We have many forests, streams and creeks which criminals are now using as hideouts. Armed bandits are also using the states forests as their base for kidnapping, terrorising residents and causing unrest.

The Niger State Government has been talking with the governments of our neighbouring Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi and Katsina states. The states always meet to review their strategy for addressing the problems of banditry collectively. Recently, our governor visited Mariga town which was under the control of bandits until the security forces chased them away. This allowed the lawful residents to return to their homes and to their normal livelihood of cultivating their farmlands. This was achieved through the cooperation among the neighbouring states. The government is committed to ending the menace. People will soon feel the impact of the cooperation between the states. We are doing all this without resorting to much publicity for security reasons.

PT: Why did it take the governors so long to realize they have to work together?

Idris: Yes, initially, there was no agreement on how to address the problems. But now having realised the gravity of the problem, the governors agreed to work together, unlike before where each state used its own strategy in fighting the criminals.

PT: What is the position of your state on peace dialogue with the bandits?

Mr Idris: I cant speak on this now.

PT: You were also a victim of kidnapping, how did that happen?

Mr Idris: This is what God destined to happen to me. The bandits came to my house in the village and went away with me. Many people asked why I am staying in the village despite the risks. But my answer to them is that I hail from the village and, as a public servant, I derive pleasure from being among my people, engaging them on their needs and briefing them about governments plans. These keep me in touch with the people at the grassroots. I see myself as their messenger and I cannot stay in the city away from them.

PT: What was your experience with the bandits in the forest?

Mr Idris: The experience was bad. You cannot wish for your enemy such experience. They invaded my matrimonial home and whisked me away to a difficult and strange environment. From the experience, I know that the bandits in the forest cannot kidnap anyone in the town without the support of an informant who lives in the town and feeds them with information. We should not be afraid of the bandits in the forest but of those bandits living with us and helping their accomplices in the forest. The problems is more of community-based, all hands must be on desk to fish out the bad elements within us. The bandits also are suffering in the forests, lacking virtually all basic things of life, running away from the law and living in pains in the bush like their abductees.

PT: But they received millions as ransom. Where is the money going?

Mr Idris: They are being used by others. I dont know where the money is going to but the truth of the matter is that the bandits themselves are suffering in the forest. No adequate foods to eat despite the huge amount of ransom they reportedly collect.

PT: How much did you pay as ransom?

Mr Idris: All I know is that we started negotiating ransom with them, but I didnt pay anything. Later, they told me that I would be reunited with my family.

PT: Did someone, somewhere pay the ransom for you?

Mr Idris: I dont know whether someone paid for me but I am aware that the Niger State government will not intervene in that because it has a policy of not paying ransom to bandits.

PT: How much ransom did the bandits request?

Mr Idris: Initially, they told me that the government budgeted huge amounts of money for me as the commissioner for Information and Strategy, thus, they wanted N200 million as ransom or they would kill me. I told them to bring my phone so that I could show them my bank statements. Since I assumed office as commissioner, there was no time I deposited up to a million naira. Even my monthly salary I share within my families and needy people in my community and other places I can reach.

PT: After your release, you made a statement that you had forgiven the bandits.

Mr Idris: In that statement, two things are involved. As a Muslim, I believe that whatever happens to me is my destiny that cannot be changed. I suffered cruelty from them but I hope that God will change them for good. Also, as a government official and a leader, I am like a father to all, I cannot curse any of my children because that would later manifest negatively in the community. That is what I meant by forgiving them. However, their actions violate the law and the wrath of the law will one day catch up with them.
The zoning Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has scheduled a crucial meeting for next week to take decision on the zoning formula to adopt for party positions and political offices.

Those familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday that the 44-member committee headed by the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, will meet on 22 and 23 September to zone party offices at the national level.

The committee will also deliberate on whether the presidential ticket of the party should be zoned to the North or the South.

Other offices to be zoned are vice president, president of the Senate, speaker of the House of Representatives, deputy president of the Senate, deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The committee was set up by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party during its meeting in Abuja on 9 September.

Some members of the committee, which has Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State as deputy chairman, are the deputy governor of Zamfara State, Aliyu Mohammed, who will serve as secretary and two former Senate Presidents, Pius Anyim and David Mark.

Former governors Babangida Aliyu, (Niger); Ayo Fayose (Ekiti); Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto); and Sule Lamido (Jigawa) are also members of the zoning committee.

The battle for the zoning of the presidential ticket and the national chairmanship seat has been one of the major reasons for the recent leadership crisis in the main opposition party.

The current zoning formula in the party ceded the chairmanship of the party to the south and the presidential ticket to the north.

In line with the formula, Uche Secondus from Rivers State (in the south), emerged the national chairman of the party in 2017.

Those who contested for the position alongside Mr Secondus, namely Tunde Adeniran, Raymond Dokpesi and Taoheed Adedoja, also hailed from the southern part of the country.

Other offices in the NWC were also zoned.

With the national chairman emerging from the south, the presidential candidate in the 2019 election was automatically picked from the north

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from Adamawa State in the north-east zone flew the partys flag in that election although he eventually lost the contest to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ahead of the 2023 election, the party has returned to the drawing board to review its zoning formula. This was also buoyed by the leadership crisis rocking the party with some prominent members calling for Mr Secondus exit even though his tenure officially ends in December.

With the PDP national convention set for 30 and 31 October to elect new members of the NWC to replace the Secondus-led NWC, there are moves to alter the existing zoning formula.

It was learnt that some of the partys chieftains are already engaged in serious lobbying on the issue of zoning.

Sources said the intense politicking over the zoning formula is largely guided by the individual ambitions of some prominent members of the party.

While some are in favour of the current formula to have the partys chairmanship seat retained in the south so that the presidential candidate will emerge from the north, others are not.

Those who favour the status quo are reportedly making moves to drag a former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, into the chairmanship race since Mr Secondus may not seek reelection.

Others party chieftains have, however, narrowed the choice to Mr Mark. The former Senate President is from Benue in the north central zone.

Those opposed to this arrangement are however arguing if that is allowed, the agitation for a southern president to take over from Mr Buhari as being canvassed by governors from that region, may not happen.

For them, since Mr Buhari, who is from the north is rounding off his second term in 2023, the presidency should go to the south especially because the APC to which he (Buhari) belongs, may likely pick its flag bearer from the south.

Regardless, this newspaper gathered that some northern PDP members, including former Vice President Atiku and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State are already positioning themselves to run for the highest political office in the land. Consequently they are reportedly pushing for a southern national chairman.

PDP South United for southern president

There has been a more united call for the presidential ticket to be shifted to the South not only in the PDP but also within the ruling APC.

The Southern Governors Forum, made up of both governors elected under the platforms of the two largest parties in the region, also recently met in Lagos and insisted that the presidency should go to the south. They reiterated the call during their meeting in Enugu last week.

As a result of this, members of both parties from the region are pushing for the partys chairmanship ticket to be given to the north. This demand has somehow been stonewalled by northerners who are also strongly pushing for the party office to go to the south so that they can also hold on to the position of president.

Meanwhile, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, who is one of the three governors who recently defected from PDP to APC, criticised some governors of his former party, accusing them of being dishonest in their claim for desiring a 2023 Southern Presidential ticket.

One or two governors that own PDP, their body language suggests that they are against zoning and I can tell you from reliable sources that they are thinking just for their own interest.

The truth remains that a number of us  the Southern Governors  that were in that meeting; that did say that the Presidency must come to the South, especially PDP, are not being honest. Lets see what they (PDP) come up with in their zoning in the next few weeks, Mr Umahi had said as he challenged the main opposition party.

He said the dishonesty of some governors under the PDP may hamper their initial goal for a presidential ticket for the region.

The PDP spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a counter statement issued on Saturday, described the Ebonyi governor as an attention seeker.

The party said since Governor Umahi, out of his personal ambition, joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), while still sitting on the mandate of the PDP in Ebonyi state, he has become pathetically confused and disoriented, having realized that he joined a one chance bus, with strange and deceitful co-travelers.

It is clear that Governor Umahi is now politically floating and seeks to use an unwarranted attack on governors elected on the platform of the PDP to actualize his desperation for public relevance, Mr Ologbondiyan had reacted, leaving Mr Umahi challenge on zoning hanging.

However, against the backdrop of the ongoing internal crisis in the PDP, there is a high possibility that the scheduled meeting of the partys 44-member zoning committee may not arrive at consensus decisions on zoning.

There are expectations that the committee may end up voting on the matter.

The meeting may even end in a stalemate, one influential party leader told PREMIUM TIMES Saturday night.
At least 26 security officials including soldiers and police officers were killed by armed non-state actors across Nigeria in the past two weeks. At least 11 civilians including traditional rulers and clerics were also killed in separate attacks.

The figures collated in this report were compiled from media reports of such killings across the country; therefore, any killings not reported in the media are not included.

Of the 26 security officials, 13 were soldiers and five were police officers while the others belonged to other paramilitary and security agencies including the NSCDC and the correctional service.

The figures for the two weeks in view (September 5 to 18) signify an increase in the figures compared to the previous week where only six killings by non-state actors were reported in the media across the country.

The causes of the killings vary and include terrorist attacks, banditry, attacks by separatists, communal clashes and ethnoreligious crises.

Below are the killings that occurred across the country in the last two weeks as compiled from media reports.

South-south

Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers on September 5 reportedly shot and killed a Point of Sales (POS) operator in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. It was gathered that the incident happened on Sunday evening along GVC Road in the Aleto axis of Eleme.

Also, the police in Bayelsa State, on September 5, confirmed that a police sergeant and an officer with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were shot dead by gunmen in Yenagoa.

Three officers of the Delta State Police Command were also shot dead on September 8 with their corpses set on fire. The officers attached to Umutu Divisional Police Headquarters were killed at a checkpoint along the Obeti/Oliogo Road in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state.

South-east

A former traditional ruler in Anambra State was shot dead on September 14. The slain chief, identified as Alexander Edozieuno, was the traditional ruler of Mkpunando community in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Tragedy struck in Imo State on September 14 after hoodlums murdered an Anglican priest, Emeka Merenu. The victim, until his death, was the priest-in-charge of St Andrews Anglican church, Ihitte-Ukwa in the Orsu Local Government Area of the state.

There was panic in Imo State on September 16 after news broke that fleeing gunmen suspected to be assailants had killed a lawyer, Darlington Odume. The deceased popularly known as Omekagu, was shot at a supermarket at Amaifeke in Orlu, in the Orlu Local Government Area of the state. The motive of the killers has yet to be ascertained but Imo is one of the states with a heavy presence of members of the ESN, the military wing of the outlawed separatist group, IPOB. About two dozen police officers have been killed by suspected ESN members in the state this year.

North-west

Armed bandits on September 6 killed two people and kidnapped four children of a village head in separate attacks in Katsina State. It was gathered that the bandits entered Mahuta in Dandume Local Government Area around 12:12 a.m. and started shooting sporadically to scare away people.

Also, bandits on September 8 killed an anti-riot policeman and kidnapped 23 persons during an attack on Ungwan Sauri and Adnayita in Juji area, all in Chikun Local Government area of Kaduna State. They also killed five members of vigilante in an ambush attack in Udawa along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway while a member of the group survived the attack with a bullet wound.

Armed bandits on September 12 attacked a military base in Zamfara State, leaving at least a dozen security personnel dead. Those familiar with the incident confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that at least 12 personnel were confirmed dead while three were wounded in the attack on the Forward Operating Base in Mutumji, Dansadau Local Government of Zamfara State.

Also, the Kaduna State Government on September 13 confirmed the killing of a reverend father, Silas Ali, of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state.

On September 14, gunmen attacked the residence of a lecturer at the Kaduna State University, Ahmed Buba, in Zaria Local Government Area Kaduna State. They kidnapped six children of the lecturer and shot dead a soldier in the area, Ebuka Okechukwu.

Also, gunmen on September 17 killed Abubakar Abdullahi, the chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

North-central

Four persons were on September 6 killed in a fresh attack in Plateau State. The victims, who are all male, were killed by suspected herdsmen at Renwienku village of Miango District in Bassa Local Government Area of the State.

An official of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) whose name was given as Chukwu Odiahu was on September 8 stoned to death by yet to be identified persons in Okene, Kogi State. Sources told Daily Trust that the deceased, who worked at the engineering department of the broadcast station in Okene, was killed after he closed from work.

Armed men on September 13 attacked a prison facility in Kabba, Kogi State, killing two officials and freeing many inmates.
About 12 hours after bandits kidnapped and later killed two persons in Tangaza community of Sokoto State, residents tracked down and killed a total of six of the gunmen.

Members of the vigilante in the community, armed with weapons such as cutlasses and local guns, and working with the police, also arrested four of the suspected kidnappers who were later taken to a police station.

However, angry residents of the community retrieved the arrested suspects, lynched them and burnt their bodies.

The bandits attack

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the bandits initially attacked the town Friday night.

The police spokesperson in the state, Sanusi Abubakar, confirmed that attack to journalists.

The bandits stole foodstuff from the community and also kidnapped two people, residents said.

The Retaliation

On Saturday morning, residents, mainly the youth of the community, gathered themselves and joined police officers from the area to go after the bandits in their forest.

Two of the bandits were killed during the retaliatory attack while four of them were arrested.

The people of Tangaza have shown that they are serious. It is becoming obvious that this will soon be the trend because people are tired and no longer afraid, a resident, Basharu Altine, said.

Another resident, Aliyu Madi, said the residents were angered by the effrontery of the bandits.

He said when the bandits attacked the community, they kidnapped two residents whom they later killed.

After the efforts made by our vigilante members and security agents to save some of those kidnapped, the bandits sent a message to the people that those two residents with them would be killed and that no matter how much we offer them, they would not accept. And they went ahead to kill the two people, he said.

How they were killed

Mr Madi said a team of vigilante members and police officers was dispatched into the forest. They killed two of the gunmen and apprehended four others, he said.

He said when they were brought into the town, residents followed the team to the divisional police station and demanded the bandits must be killed in their presence.

The youths were angry and despite pleas from the DPO and the local government chairman, they insisted that if the policemen did not kill the bandits in their presence, they would burn down the police station.

It was a very complicated situation for the DPO because the youth were adamant. They had their way and took the bandits outside of the town, killed and burnt them to ashes.

PREMIUM TIMES has seen a video clip of the incident.

The police spokesperson in the state, Mr Abubakar, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the issue.

Bandits routinely attack communities in Sokoto and other states in North-west Nigeria such as Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara. Thousands of people have been killed or kidnapped by the bandits despite the efforts of security operatives.

The governors in the affected states were initially working at cross purposes, with some calling for dialogue with the bandits and others declaring total war on them. However, all the governors are now working together and have ruled out further negotiations with the armed bandits.
Movie Title: KING OF BOYS: THE RETURN OF THE KING series.

Running Time: 7hrs 19mins.

Director: Kemi Adetiba.

Lead Cast: Sola Sobowale, Nse-Ikpe Etim, Illbliss, Toni Tones, Dapo Banjo, Akin Lewis, Reminisce and Charly Boy.

Date of Release: August 21,2021

The new Nollywood owes its success and growth to technical and cinematic improvements as well as a newer breed of storytellers and filmmakers poised to make an impact.

But what has gained the least attention in the New Nollywood Tales is the idea of a different kind of female lead character, or if you like, a heroine, for whom romantic aspiration is not the main goal.

The idea of a female lead who longs for male attention is not entirely a bad idea. But in typical Nollywood films, actresses are often portrayed as either seeking to find love or finding Mr Right.

But Eniola Salami, the lead character in KOB, perfectly portrayed by Sola Sobowale, wants more.

We have often wondered who will better tell women stories? And is gender a relevant criterion?

It seems Genevieve Nnaji answered the question with Lionheart, Mo Abudu with Fifty and now it appears as though Adetiba has broken stereotypes in KOB by telling a story of a female villain who challenges the notion of a heroine.

PLOT

In the seven-part Netflix original series, Adetiba relieves in continuation, the return of Salami, her lead character in the feature-length film, King of Boys.

Salami returns to the country bitter about the defeats she had endured. This time around, she is seeking a higher good by contesting for a leadership position in Lagos.

Hooliganism earned Laburu (the evil incarnate) an empire of fame around political heavyweights in the country. To reclaim her position after a long exile, Salami contends with old adversaries (Aare Akinwande and Makanaki) and newer rivals (Odudubariba, Jumoke Randle, Dapo Banjo, Rev. Ifeanyi, and Governor Tunde Randle) and must fight for the power she feels most deserving of.

Popularly known as the King of Boys, Salami will later embrace corruption, violence, and blackmail to actualise her vengeful desires.

Jumoke, the first lady, is one feisty character portrayed by Nse Ikpe-Etim who makes complex decisions for her husband, Tunde Randle, the governor of Lagos State. Bent on ensuring that he returns for a second term, she leads the contest on his behalf against Eniola.

But a young courageous journalist of Conscience Newspaper, Dapo Banjo, is committed to the ethics of his profession as an investigative reporter. He will dig deep and try to unravel the cult of politics and thuggery which have enabled Madam Salami and other political honchos to unlawfully thrive in Lagos.

Makanaki, Reminisces character, surprisingly returns to life after Odogwu Malay, portrayed by rapper, IllBliss assassinated him on Salamis orders as a punishment for his impunity.

Odudubariba also wants the throne for himself and Odogwu Malay must await the vengeance of a betrayed friendship. Aare Akinwande, the vicious humorous character of Akin Lewis, plots Eniolas demise for the second time.

In the end, the nefarious culture of Lagos street ruffians and corrupt political elites collapse as Salamis quest to own both terrains for herself materialise.

PROPS

In KOB: The Return of the King series, Season 1, Lagos is the epicentre of Adetibas realistic tale.

The politics might be termed Lagos themed as scenes ceaselessly moved from posh to rural locations where narratives build up to what might be dubbed real as against films set in unnamed countries or places where specificity might breed provocation.

The soundtracks are great. Adetiba opts for a menacing sound of impending doom with occasional Yoruba and Igbo songs all rendered with emotive descriptions to the scenes of relevance. The songs were composed by Bayo Adepetun and Tolu Obanro with an additional score from the Storyblocks and Epidemic Sound.

Madam Salami and Ms Randle both donned outfits that brought their characters to life. Odudubariba, adorned in pieces of jewelry and makeup, is unique for a king that ridicules a woman who wants what is believed to be a mans throne.

Style

In retaining originality, African filmmakers are reconsidering the dangers of predominant dialogues in a foreign language. In KOB, the actors spoke a blend of Yoruba, vernacular, and Igbo language which ensured that the series retained its authenticity. What better space to showcase the authenticity and beauty of Nigerias culture and language to a global audience than Netflix.

The character of Salamis younger self, portrayed by Toni Tones, is easily the most demonstrative character of rage in this series. During moments of indecision, she persuades older Eniola to wake up to the ruthless king that she had always been from a younger age. Sometimes Eniola fights the forceful beckoning rage of her younger self; at other times she succumbs to the prompt youthful desires of young Eniola.

Studying the backstory that brought both Ms Randle and Madam Salami to power, it is fair to say that Adetiba created two female characters whose rise to supremacy are synonymous, hence the hatred of beholding the reflections of themselves on each other.

CONCLUSION

Randles character reflects the story of many powerful women married to men in authority. She appears powerful because her husband is in power and not necessarily because she is strong in the real sense of the word.

Her regal character is almost at par with the legendary Chief Ms Randle played by Taiwo Ajai Lycett.

The latters cameo scenes are simply unforgettable. Call it a timeless example of casting and you will not be wrong.

The character, Odudubariba, played by Charly Boy, is a brilliant and rare choice. He lived for the screen value and went all out to ensure that Salami does not ascend the throne as The King of Boys.

The film touches on themes around feminism, power tussle, politics, hooliganism and gang wars.

When a female campaign staff suggested that a married Salami would be easier to market to the electorate, Salamis response opens the floor for a heated debate.

I have built numerous businesses on my own without a man holding my hand. Today you sit here, telling me its not good enough. Why? Because Im a single woman with no children. People will find it difficult to see me as the next governor of Lagos state. What a shame. This is sad, Salami says.

Although Reverend Ifeanyi was a stereotypical character, to watch him is to easily decipher his political roles of religious objectification, secrecy, and greed. Indeed a political tale without religion used as a tool for greater public validation of candidates is incomplete. But Adetibas unassuming triumph was casting RMD as a reverend to make up for the lapses of a scenic overuse.

At various points in the series, Adetiba employs the deus ex machina technique, which I feel is an easy way to get characters out of difficult situations. As such, Ade Tiger and Akoredes seeming betrayals and shabby resolutions are poor techniques that should be explicated in further seasons.

In an industry obsessed with commercial gains and populating films with A-list stars, Kemi opts for actors who fit the character and embody their roles.

With creative plot twists and dynamic technicalities, Adetiba has given us a reason to embrace Nollywood films with open arms.

The Return of the King is a rare work of art from an intentional Nigerian filmmaker who has continued to challenge the status quo. Because there is now a heroic villain of choice in Nollywood, Eniola Salami transcends character in more ways than one.
A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Obadiah Mailafia, is dead.

Mr Mailafia, 64, died on Sunday morning from an undisclosed illness.

An associate of Mr Mailafia, John Hayab, confirmed his death to Leadership newspaper.

Mr Hayab is also the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna chapter.

Apart from being a former CBN deputy governor, Mr Mailafia was also a popular public commentator who was always willing to share his view on public affairs.

Allegations against government

Mr Mailafia was quite critical of the President Muhammadu-led administration especially on policy issues and insecurity.

Last year, while appearing on a radio programme with Nigeria Info Abuja 95.1FM, Mr Mailafia alleged that some pardoned terrorists revealed that a serving northern governor was a Boko Haram leader.

Mr Mailafia was invited for questioning by the State Security Service based on the allegation.

He later retracted the claim, saying he had no evidence to defend it.

He also alluded to the existence of a certain Jigawa cabal that was enriching itself by frustrating the CBNs effort to sustain the value of the Naira vis a vis the American dollar.

Death should be probed

A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, in a youtube video has said that the death of Mr Mailafia is fishy and thus should be independently investigated.

Mr Omokri said there might be more to the passing of Mr Mailafia than meets the eyes considering his tough poistions on critical national issues.

Biography

He assumed office as CBNs Deputy Governor (Policy) on Monday, 9 May, 2005.

Prior to his joining the CBN, Mr Mailafia had served as the Chief Economist responsible for Strategic Planning and Corporate Reporting of African Development Bank (ADB) in Tunisia.

He was born on the 24 December, 1956 in Randa, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He attended Mada Hills Secondary School, Akwanga between 1970 and 1974 where he won the Commissioner of Education Award for Academic Distinction.

For his post-secondary school education, the deceased attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1974 to 1978 and graduated with

BSc in Social Sciences with the highest grade of the graduating class in Political Science honors.

Science honors.

Between 1980 and 1982, he completed his Masters degree while working as a Graduate Assistant at ABU, Zaria.

He won a French Foreign Ministry Scholarship, which took him to France from 1984 to 1986 to study International Economics with M. Phil from the famous ENA-IIAP in Paris, France.

He later completed his Doctoral Studies in 1994 and was awarded D.Phil at the University of Oxford in England with a specialty in International Economics and Political Economy.

Mr Mailafia was a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Scholar and received the Webb Medley Award at the University of Oxford.

He had a distinguished career spanning academia, government, consulting, and international service.

He was a Fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos.

He was also at some point on the teaching staff of Oxford University, United Kingdom.
Gunmen invaded a church in Kabba, Kogi, on Sunday, killed one person and abducted two worshippers.

The church located at Okedayo Area on Kabba-Okene Road was invaded at about 10.15a.m. as the days worship went underway.

Polices spokesman in Kogi, William Aya, confirmed the incident.

He described the invasion as unfortunate, saying that the police would go after the perpetrators and ensure that they face justice.

Kayode Akanbi, a worshipper who was present when the gunmen arrived, said service was barely underway when the incident happened.

Mr Akanbi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone that the gunmen, numbering six, were armed with guns and cutlasses and did not mask up.

We were trying to commence the normal service.

We just started the call to worship and I was interpreting the pastors message, when suddenly the gunmen entered from the main entrance and raised their guns.

They shot sporadically and everybody started scampering to safety.

According to Mr Akanbi, two of the oldest members were abducted and taken away by the gunmen.

He said also that the gunmen killed a 45-year-old worshipper in the process, adding that the spouse of one of the two abducted worshippers and another male worshipper sustained gunshot injuries.

Mr Akanbi said police later visited the scene to take the dead to the mortuary at the General Hospital, Kabba while the two injured persons were taken to Lokoja for treatment.

NAN recalls that the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Kabba was invaded by yet to be identified gunmen in the late hours of Sunday, 12 September

During that invasion, 240 inmates were forcefully released by the gunmen while 114 have so far been rearrested.

(NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari departed Abuja on Sunday for New York to participate in the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA76).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the session opened on Tuesday, September 14.

The theme for this years UNGA is: Building Resilience Through Hope  To Recover from COVID-19, Rebuild Sustainably, Respond to Needs of the Planet, Respect the Rights of People and Revitalise the United Nations.

The Nigerian leader will address the Assembly on Friday, September 24 when he will speak on the theme and on other global issues.

Femi Adesina, the presidents spokesman, said in a statement on Saturday that President Buhari and members of his entourage would be part of other significant meetings.

He listed the meetings to include: The High Level Meeting to Commemorate The Twentieth Anniversary of the Adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on the theme Reparations, Racial Justice and Equality for People of African Descent.

Mr Adesina stated that Nigerias delegation would also participate in Food Systems Summit; High Level Dialogue on Energy; and High Level Plenary Meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

He stated also that President Buhari would hold bilateral meetings with a number of other leaders of delegations and heads of international development organisations.

According to the presidential aide, President Buhari is expected to return on Sunday, September 26.

(NAN)
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State says the ban on mobile telecommunications network will remain until security personnel record win the fight against insecurity in the state.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) directed mobile telecommunications network providers to shut down their networks in Zamfara State for two weeks as part of measures to tackle the activities of bandits.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how people in the state now travel to Sokoto and Funtua in Katsina State to make calls, send messages and do financial transactions.

The ban was to expire on Friday. But speaking to BBC Hausa radio, Mr Matawalle said it will continue indefinitely.

We must elongate the ban because our hope is for peace to return and for our people to be safe.

Well continue to discuss with security agencies and until we are convinced by them, the ban will continue. The result of our interactions with the security agencies will determine when the ban will be lifted, Mr. Matawalle said.

Katsina State government has also shut down mobile telecommunications network in 13 local government areas of the state where bandits are considered to be active.

The areas, Funtua, Malumfashi, Bakori, Dutsin Ma, Faskari, Sabuwa, Dandume, Safana, Batsari Kankara, Danmusa, Jibia and Kurfi have all disconnected from mobile telecommunications services.
Group General Manager in charge of shipping at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Inuwa Waya, has announced his decision to voluntarily retire from the corporation in December this year.

Although the retirement of the top management staff is yet to be officially confirmed by the NNPC, multiple sources at the NNPC Towers in Abuja told this newspaper on Friday that Mr Waya has already tendered his letter to proceed on voluntary retirement from the services of the Corporation.

One of the sources who requested that his name should not be revealed, as he was not competent to speak on the matter, said following the submission of the letter of his voluntary retirement, Mr Waya has already commenced his mandatory three months pre-retirement vacation, which began on September 10.

The source said Mr Waya personally broke the news of his decision to voluntarily exit the national oil company at a surprise birthday party organised in his honour by the staff of the Shipping Division of the corporation to mark his 58th birthday on Friday, September 10.

In a commemorative speech during the party, the source said Mr Waya informed the staff that after serving the Corporation for over 30 years, it was time for him to exit the door, by voluntarily retiring to pave the way for the younger generation to take over.

For over 30 years, I have worked and diligently served the NNPC in various capacities. Over the period, I believe I did my best to contribute my little quota towards helping the organization realize the corporate goals and objectives.

But I also believe every man and woman has his or her time and season for every of his or her activities, Mr Waya was quoted to have told the staff at the birthday party. There is a time to work; a time to play, and a time to stop work and take a deserved rest to focus on other personal dreams.

I believe my time to stop public work has come, to give way to my season of rest, and to find the space to focus on the private practice of my law profession as a qualified lawyer. That is what I have done.

Some of the staff members were said to have expressed surprise at Mr Wayas unexpected announcement, considering that he still has two years in his career at NNPC to reach the mandatory official retirement age of 60 years.

However, the source said Mr Waya explained to the concerned staff that it was his conviction to leave the stage not only when the ovation was loudest, but more importantly to create the opportunity for the younger generation coming behind him to take over and continue from where he has stopped, to contribute their quota to the continued development of the company.

The notice of voluntary retirement he submitted to the NNPC on September 10, Mr Waya explained, was to take care of the mandatory three months pre-retirement notification, scheduled to expire on December 11, for his final disengagement from Service to take effect.

Since the news of Mr Wayas submission of his resignation letter filtered out to the rest of the NNPC staff, the source said there have been speculations about his plans for the immediate future.

Although Mr Waya was said to have confided in some of his immediate staff during the birthday party that he would be exploring the prospects of going into farming and private law practice, unconfirmed sources close to the Kano State-born lawyer hinted he might be joining politics with a view to joining the governorship race in his native Kano ahead of the 2023 elections.

When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Waya confirmed he was retiring. He, however, declined further comments, saying it is too early to speak about his post-NNPC plans.

Inuwa Waya: A profile of excellent service

Mr Waya is a lawyer of many years standing. He began his public service career with the Kano State Ministry of Justice as state counsel in 1989. On August 26, 1991, Mr. Waya left the Kano State government to join the legal unit of the NNPC.

In his over 30 years of service to the NNPC, he served in various departments and capacities traversing several positions and offices.

Apart from serving as the Legal Officer in charge of Litigation, Property, Research and Corporate Law in the corporation, Mr Waya was also appointed the Technical Assistant to the Group General Manager, Legal Division, between 1998 and 1999.

In 1999, he was posted to Hyson Nigeria Limited, a joint venture between NNPC and Vitol S.A. as the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser.

Between 2009 and 2011, he served as the acting executive director, services, for Hyson Nigeria Limited before being redeployed to serve as the Senior Technical Assistant to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC between 2011 and 2014. Mr. Waya was appointed General Manager of the Tenders, Contract Administration and Petroleum Upstream Department of the NNPC, and later Acting Corporation Secretary/Legal Adviser.

In August 2015, he was appointed Managing Director of Hyson Nigeria Limited and the President of Carlson Bermuda Limited, the offshore arm of the NNPC crude oil joint venture company.

In March 2016, Mr Waya was appointed Managing Director of NNPC Trading. During his tenure, he successfully spearheaded the reform, transformation and consolidation into one entity the NNPC multiple joint venture trading companies, comprising at that time, all the NNPC Crude Oil Trading Companies, (Napoil Limited, Carlson Bermuda Limited, Duke Oil Panama and its service companies in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and United Arab Emirate (UAE), Hyson Nigeria Limited and Nigermed.

In March 2020, Mr Waya was appointed the Group General Manager, NNPC Shipping Division, a position he occupied till his voluntary retirement on September 10.

Also, Mr. Waya served as the coordinator of the NNPC Shipping optimization programme, mandated to transform NNPC Shipping into a global brand capable of imbibing the culture of international best practice in its services.

His wide experience and expertise equally recommended him to be relied upon by the NNPC top management to execute a number of other concurrent assignments in line with the corporations growth agenda.

Currently, Mr Waya holds directorship of the following strategic business units, including the NNPC Retail Limited, NIDAS Marine Limited, NIDAS Shipping Service Limited (Cyprus), NIDAS Shipping Service Agency (UK) Limited and NIKORMA Shipping.

Mr Waya graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, with a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree in 1987 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in March, 1989 (BL).

Between 1995 to 1997, he obtained his Masters Degree in laws (LLM) with Specialisation in Petroleum Law, Policy and Economics at the University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom.

In 2001/2002, he obtained a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in International Petroleum Management at the College of Petroleum Studies, Oxford, England.

An astute community leader, active grassroots mobilizer, organizer and team player, Mr Waya belongs to various national and international professional groups and associations.

Those who know him well say his over three decades experience in public service has distinguished him as a competent manager of men and material resources, to attract the greatest good to the greatest number of people.

Mr Waya is married with children.
So much storm was generated by the defection of Femi Fani-Kayode from the PDP to the APC, a defection which came to public focus on the day some Nigerian soldiers were killed in Monguno, Borno State (with several others missing) after an ambush by militants from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Fani-Kayode is not my cup of tea!

I fear that the twin factors of political gymnastics and misplacement of priorities are making us succumb to the temptation of taking our eyes off the ball in confronting our existential challenges. We are, as they say, majoring in minors and minoring in majors.

In 1967, the Nigerian government thought the skirmishes in the Eastern Region could be quelled by a swift police action. It eventually found out that the khaki cloth was very different from leather. The skirmishes soon escalated into a full blown civil war which lasted 30 months, sending more than three million people to their early graves.

Five years after the Nigerian Civil War, Lebanon was confronted with the same demon. Oh, this is just one of those misunderstandings in a diverse society. It will soon be over, said many optimists. The Lebanese Civil War claimed an estimated 120,000 lives and was prosecuted over 15 bloody years.

War is, unfortunately, a fact of life. What matters is how we deal with it. In conflict zones all over the world, political leaders lean on the academia to help with scenario planning and objective analysis instead of simply throwing tons of borrowed money at the problem. We are not lacking in people with brain muscle in Nigeria. But who is listening?

Only recently, Dr Murtala A. Rufai, a history lecturer at the Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, in a paper titled, I am a Bandit: A Decade of Research in Zamfara Bandits Den, revealed that there are 120 gangs of bandits operating with 60,000 AK47 rifles in six Northern Nigerian states of Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger states. Each of the 120 gangs controls about 500 rifles. In the last 10 years, bandits have killed over 12,000 defenceless people in Zamfara State alone. The lecturer based his findings partly on information gathered from known bandits who he interviewed extensively.

Unknown to many people, banditry has a long history in Zamfara. Dr Rufai dug into pre-colonial history:

The hills of Kwotarkwashi and Chafe, for instance, provided shelter to the criminals, from where they organised and executed their unwholesome activities, which often resulted in serious casualties.

During the colonial period, the region was also confronted with a situation where bandits killed about 210 traders and made away with goods worth 165,000:00. As reported, this onslaught occurred in the Zamfara axis to victims from Kano on their way to French territory.

For a while, it seemed that society had managed to contain or civilise the bandits. Dr. Rufaii noted that the current menace began in 2011 when the first armed Fulani group led by one Kundu and the notorious Buharin Daji emerged on the scene.

They named the group Kungiyar gayu (meaning an association of young guys even though none of them was a youth). The public referred to them as Kungiyar Barayin Shanu, (cattle rustlers association).

Apparently, banditry was somehow becoming formalised or socially acceptable. Rufai revealed that when cases of cattle rustling began in 2012, the bandits presented their body as a cultural organisation formed to liberate the Fulani from their oppressors in the society, notably security agents, traditional rulers and politicians. The menace, as a new way of life, quickly metastasised:

At the onset, membership was restricted to the Fulani. Recruitment was through conscription, use of cash and cows, promise of sex and leisure as well as intimidation of other Fulani people. Since the gang was into cattle rustling, some herders joined so as to circumvent cattle rustling harassment from the members.

In the beginning gang members were mostly into rustling, robbery and other minor criminalities. The change in the pattern of operations started with the creation of Yan-Sa-Kai and the intensification of the war against members of the gangs.

The first incident that triggered a change in the course of the conflict was the brutal killing of Alhaji Isshe, in Chilin, Dan-Sadau Emirate, Maru LGA of Zamfara State. He was killed by Yan-Sa-Kai on 16th August, 2012 on the accusation of harbouring criminals and supporting rustlers.

The public murder of Isshe was used as a justification for reprisal and mass killings of innocent people by the gang. Furthermore, the late Isshes family mobilised fighters and extended invitation to the gang for reprisal attacks a few days later. Members of the gang multiplied in number, strength, power and weapons and even connections in 2013. It also became more heterogeneous and transnational in 2016, constituting members from the Niger Republic, Mali and Chad, mostly Tuaregs with links to Sahelian rebels,

Having understood how banditry recruitment became internationalised, it is important to know how politicians got into the mix. Dr Rufai addresses the issue thus: There is this speculation that says politicians in the state sponsored and armed some youths as political thugs to achieve their ambition in 2011. The youths were abandoned after winning the elections, who then went into drug abuse, cattle stealing, robbery and later transformed into armed gangs attacking villages on motorbikes. The first motorbikes used in the attacks were donations from politicians during elections campaign.

Revelations! In the light of all this, I find it astounding that we are not addressing the issue with the urgency it deserves. We are rather concentrating on tangentials.

Pray, what is the urgency in the creation of new military institutions by service chiefs in the midst of a war that has toyed with our sanity for 10 years. The former Army chief, General Tukur Buratai, established a Nigerian Army University inside the Nigerian Army Barracks in Biu, his hometown, while his Air Force counterpart, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, did the same for his arm of the service at his native Bauchi. Now the incumbent Chief of Naval Staff has announced the establishment of a Naval Base in his home state of Kano. Are these the kinds of exertions expected of the military high command in the middle of a gruesome war? God forbid that Nigerians begin to perceive the situation as a case of politicians in uniform or soldiers in politics.

What distinguishes the new military universities from any existing traditional university? Given a choice between establishing new institutions and buying more arms/improving the welfare of troops in an era of paucity of funds, I will vote for the latter any day.

Between 2010 and 2019, Nigerias military spending totalled $20.8 billion. In the last two years, additional billions have been spent in acquiring armaments. Our forces at the various frontlines have been crying out for more arms and better welfare. There is no course being offered in the military universities that cant be accommodated in a faculty of an existing university.

I was delighted to hear the current army chief, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, read the riot act to his commanders the other day. No more excuses, he said. However, there is a crying need to block leakages in the intelligence network which allow the terrorists to stultify military strategies and decimate the number of our troops.

Perhaps because military contracts are usually shrouded in secrecy, opacity comes with the territory. Have we had commensurate value for the gargantuan sums expended so far?Considering the revelation by the US Department of Commerce that the arms market contributes 50 percent of corrupt deals in the world, our National Assembly ought to intensify its oversight activities.

Now, how do we bring this multi-pronged war to a quick end? Money is not everything. We need to tap the intellectual resources available in our universities (thank you, Dr Rufai). We need closer collaboration with military veterans. We need to minimise our native law and custom system of mis-targeted bombings. We need to employ wizards in drone usage. We need to agree that this war is not about religion, tribe, or any of our many petty squabbles, but about our very survival as a people. We need to mop up terrorists sympathisers disguised as self-appointed mediators between the criminals and government. We need to shun all distractions and keep our eyes on the ball.

War is too important to be left to soldiers alone.

Wole Olaoye can be reached through wole.olaoye@gmail.com.
Another batch of 10 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Maraban Damishi, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state, have been freed by their abductors, bringing the number of those released to 100.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State, John Hayab, confirmed the release of the students to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, in Kaduna, adding that the students were freed on Saturday evening.

We are praying that the bandits will release the 21 remaining students soon, he said.

The bandits had in the early hour of July 5 invaded the school and kidnapped 121 students.

The criminals had since then been releasing the students in batches. There are speculations that the release of each batch is usually preceded by payment of ransom.

But the school and the state government are yet to confirm that any ransom was paid to the bandits. The Kaduna government has a policy of not paying ransom to criminals.

It however remains unclear whether it relaxed that policy in this case. Muyiwa Adekeye, the spokesperson for Governor Nasir El-Rufai, could not be reached Sunday morning to comment for this story.

When contacted, the Kaduna state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Jalige, an assistant superintendent of police, confirmed the release of the 10 students.

(NAN).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported that election materials were destroyed in Sunday mornings attack on its Awgu Local Government Area office in Enugu State.

The commission disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Sunday, in Abuja.

MR Okoye said the attack on the facility was reported by INECs Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Emeka Ononamadu.

Mr Okoye said the office was set ablaze, resulting in extensive damage to mainly the stores section where election materials were kept.

Fortunately, all movable election materials had been evacuated following recent attacks on our offices in the State. There were no casualties during the incident.

READ ALSO:

Mr Okoye said the identity or motives of attackers were unknown, while the incident had been reported to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation.

He said the INEC appreciated the prompt response of the security agencies comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as well as the Enugu State Fire Service and the Awgu local government neighbourhood watch.

He noted that the unfortunate incident was the first, since the last attack on INEC facilities four months ago in May 2021.

(NAN)
Ethiopian Airlines said on Sunday it would resume flights to Enugu as from Oct. 1, two years after it suspended flight to the South-Eastern state.

The airlines General Manager, Shimeles Arage, who confirmed the proposed resumption in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, said that every week there would be a flight on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with B787 Dreamliner.

Oct. 1 is Nigerias Independence Day and the flight to Enugu on that day will reinforce Ethiopian Airlines good relations with Nigeria since the first flight to Nigeria in 1960, he said.

READ ALSO:

Mr Arage recalled that Ethiopian Airlines stopped flights to Enugu in 2019 when the Nigerian aviation authorities closed the airport to refurbish the runway.

He said before the closure of the airport for runway repairs, Ethiopian was the only international airline flying to Enugu.

NAN reports that the airport was officially re-opened to domestic flights in 2020 and to international flights in August 2021.

(NAN)
Over 80 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and industrial leading companies that participated in last year's expo will be present at this year's event, a testament to the expo's strong appeal.

Zhou said that the number of small and medium-sized enterprises are coming in groups to participate in this year's event, 30% higher than last year.

Trade agencies, such as those from Japan, Denmark, Poland and New Zealand, have all increased the size of their booths to house more small exhibitors. "The Central and Eastern Europe booth is more than 1,500 square meters and will feature 60 companies," Zhou said.

A total of 13 themed sections will be set up focusing on popular industries such as integrated circuits, public health and epidemic control, biological medicine and smart transportation, in line with the efforts to increase professionalism of the expo.

A section for innovation incubation will be set in the Intelligent Industry and Information Technology, Automobile and Medical Equipment & Healthcare Products exhibition areas, housing more than 100 exhibitors in the fields of artificial intelligence, life sciences and automatic driving.

A series of forums and other activities will be held during the expo to share entrepreneurship experience with startups, helping them gain easier access to the market.

Wang Hongwei, head of the buyers service division of the CIIE Bureau, said the division has held 17 roadshows over the past several months to introduce the expo to a wider range of businesses, and attracted more than 2,600 domestic companies.

Nearly 600 domestic groups of buyers will be attending this year's expo. Through data screening, invitations will be issued to 40,000 targeted buyers to the fourth CIIE.

The CIIE Bureau and Bank of China will hold large matchmaking conferences during the expo from Nov 6 to Nov 8, where one-on-one meetings will be arranged between buyers and exhibitors with services such as interpretation and video links.

In the past three years, the on-site matchmaking conferences have helped more than 3,000 exhibitors and 7,000 buyers reach deals or future cooperation agreements, said Liu Wei, general manager of the inclusive finance department at Bank of China's Shanghai branch.

This year, the exhibition will be held online with an offline experience zone in the North Hall of the venue, where visitors can use virtual reality devices to tour the online exhibition hall, said Cui Ying, director of the division of exhibitors recruitment of the CIIE Bureau.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1629317/mmexport1631951681093.jpg

SOURCE China International Import Expo (CIIE)
Juan Hernandez, head of the SMEI said that, "Governor Diego Sinhue Rodriguez Vallejo's task is to internationalize the state of Guanajuato to open more and better communication channels with various sectors in the U.S. And, as the International Liaison of this administration, we have the task to be the bridge that links the different state agencies and organizations with the rest of the world.

The goal of these working meetings with the Ministry of Tourism and COFOCE are to strengthen the momentum for the internationalization of the state of Guanajuato; Positioning the Migrant Investment catalog; and spread and promote Migrant Tourism."



Meetings were held with:

Hispanic Chambers of Commerce

Chamber of Mexican Entrepreneurs in Los Angeles (AEM)

(AEM) Consulate of Mexico in Fort Worth

in Government Agencies on Tourism in Dallas

Oil sector entrepreneurs, lawyers and investors

Hispanic leaders and entrepreneurs

Migrant Leaders

The Guanajuato House Dallas

Liaison House in Los Angeles

American Paint Horse Association Company

Walls That Unite Foundation

Juan Jose Alvarez Brunel, head of SECTUR in Guanajuato, said during a meeting at the Consulate of Mexico in Fort Worth that "the state takes the necessary actions to find new growth opportunities and strengthen commercial ties. Therefore, today we are all gathered here, thanked to invitation the Migrant Secretariat made us, and we considered a great opportunity to extend it also with the Employers' Confederation of the Mexican Republic, COPARMEX, so that they can see what we do in the state government and open new opportunities."



The agenda included meetings with the Migrant community and its leaders in Texas, Arizona and California, areas where more than 630,000 Guanajuato residents live. This weekend they participated in the celebration of the 27th anniversary of Casa Guanajuato in Dallas.



Number of Guanajuato migrants in:

California 347,455

Texas 222,920

Arizona 59,125

Media Contact:

Marisol Hernandez

[email protected]

305-3002249

SOURCE Ministry of Tourism of the State of Guanajuato
CDPQ joins the Sydney Transport Partners (STP) consortium to acquire the remaining shares of WestConnex from the NSW Government for AU$11.1 B

WestConnex is a critical 70 km motorway linking Sydney's west and southwest to the city centre, the Sydney Airport and Port Botany

Through this transaction, CDPQ initiates a new strategic partnership with Transurban, one of the world's largest operators in the sector

MONTREAL and SYDNEY, Sept. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), a global investment group, announced today a AU$2.3 B investment in WestConnex, Australia's largest road infrastructure project, and that it is joining the Sydney Transport Partners (STP) consortium led by Transurban.

STP has executed an agreement to acquire the remaining 49% equity stake in WestConnex from the NSW Government for AU$11.1 B. This important transaction will take STP's total ownership interest in WestConnex to 100%, with CDPQ owning a 10% stake of this strategic road asset.

WestConnex is Australia's largest road infrastructure project and is a major part of the New South Wales (NSW) Government's integrated transport plan to support Sydney's growth. By 2031, 40% of Sydney's population is expected to live within 5 kilometres of WestConnex. It includes 33 km of new or improved motorway and 37 km of existing road assets. WestConnex also includes connections for future projects linking the north shore and northern beaches, Sydney Airport, Port Botany and the southern suburbs. With a significant network of new tunnels, WestConnex is providing traffic with an underground alternative allowing surface roads to be returned to communities and creating a positive legacy by delivering 18 hectares of new parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities.

Emmanuel Jaclot, CDPQ's Executive Vice-President and Head of Infrastructure, said, "WestConnex plays a critical role for Sydney residents, offering faster, safer and more efficient routes around Sydney. As a longstanding infrastructure investor in Australia, CDPQ is thrilled to join forces with Transurban and Sydney Transport Partners in acquiring a stake in WestConnex, an investment which aligns with our strategy targeting high-quality infrastructure alongside partners with extensive market knowledge and operational expertise."

CDPQ is a significant investor in Australia and New Zealand. CDPQ has been active in infrastructure, logistics, real estate and private equity, with recent investments including Healthscope, a private hospital operator, and Sydney Metro. CDPQ is also a shareholder and long-term partner of Plenary Group, having invested in several Plenary-originated Australian PPP projects since 2012. It also holds a 22.5% interest in TransGrid, the electricity transmission network of the State of NSW and the Australian Capital Territory, and 26.7% in Port of Brisbane.

Further information in relation to the WestConnex acquisition and the Entitlement Offer are set out in the investor presentation released by Transurban to the ASX today. Financial close of the acquisition is expected in October 2021.

ABOUT CDPQ

At Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public retirement and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at June 30, 2021 CDPQ's net assets total CAD 390 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

SOURCE Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec

Related Links

https://www.cdpq.com/


The final 24 candidates assembled in Beijing's Shougang Park and the National Winter Training Center Ice Hockey Hall on Friday to prepare to set off for the cities of Xi'an, Wuhan, Shanghai or Yunnan, continuing to the final stage of the competition by participating in a reality TV show.

"The Media Challengers" campaign began on April 8, 2021, with the goal of gathering talented new media professionals worldwide and introduce new ideas into international communication in the context of media convergence.

The online "Like" vote-gathering activities also fully demonstrated the participants' appeal to fans in the new media era. The 24 finalists were all chosen based on scores counted from a combination of professional selection and online likes. To advance to the next stage, the shortlisted contestants will now be challenged through a "reality show" where they will be required to complete a series of challenges. CGTN will air the selection process on film.

The event provides a platform for aspiring young journalists to display their talents and pursue their dreams while also allowing them to represent their generation's voice in the world. It is also an opportunity for young media professionals to tell Chinese stories.

The global epidemic has not yet completely subsided. Considering the actual needs of epidemic prevention and control, overseas Media Challengers cannot come to China. However, this presents a fresh challenge as the new generation of journalists can fully demonstrate the power of technology. In the era of integrated media, multi-screen linkage, the pace of globalization will not stagnate due to time and space constraints.

The participants will also enter the CGTN global talent pool and obtain full-time or part-time job opportunities at CGTN Beijing headquarters or one of the three regional production centers in Washington, London and Nairobi. Through a demonstration of the power of media, these young hopefuls have the opportunity to open a new chapter of dialogue between young journalists from every corner of the globe.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-09-17/24-hopefuls-in-CGTN-Media-Challengers-campaign-face-final-competition-13DjCBkikDK/index.html

SOURCE CGTN

Related Links

www.cgtn.com


"Across the world, Johnson Controls helps businesses, governments and global institutions meet ambitious sustainability goals. Digitization is a key enabler for companies and organizations to meet net zero carbon and renewable energy goals. Employing the right technology and talent are two of the most critical factors for success," said Katie McGinty, vice president and chief sustainability, government and regulatory affairs officer at Johnson Controls. "We are pleased to contribute to the next generation of innovation leaders by giving students the opportunity to learn from the fully open architecture of the Johnson Controls OpenBlue digital platform. Together, we can work to address the decarbonization of buildings, which represent about 40% of global emissions. It is a win-win. Cutting that energy waste and emissions cuts energy costs as well."

Johnson Controls is committed to supporting DSOA's sustainability and carbon emissions reduction efforts through its OpenBlue digital platform. The company will deploy its OpenBlue Enterprise Manager (OBEM) solution for RIT Dubai's iconic campus, using sophisticated artificial intelligence. OBEM will empower campus administrators to analyze field data to help address challenges around energy efficiency and optimization. The platform will facilitate RIT Dubai with real-time monitoring, benchmarking and analysis of energy consumption and demand, deliver real and meaningful sustainability solutions on campus, and reduce operational costs and lower environmental impact. Johnson Controls OpenBlue digital platform and services for optimizing buildings can drive 50% and more in improvement in energy efficiency and corresponding carbon emissions.

These goals are in line with the university's ambition to attract students and faculty committed to building a net zero economy that serves everyone while being able to teach and learn in the most comfortable, quality environment that operates more intelligently and efficiently. RIT Dubai has around 1,000 students and 100 staff members.

"Johnson Controls has been a pioneer in innovation and a leader in technology for more than 135 years," said Rolando Furlong, vice president and general manager, Building Solutions MEA, at Johnson Controls. "We are proud to partner with Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority and Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai to drive a new level of sustainability in implementing our OpenBlue Healthy Building solutions to optimize performance by digitally transforming RIT Dubai's campus, turning data into insights, and insights into actions that ultimately contribute to the region`s sustainability goals. Our OpenBlue Healthy Buildings solutions will help create a state-of-the-art campus to improve learning environments and prepare students to be tomorrow's innovation leaders."

"As a testbed for smart city solutions, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority has always been an early adopter of technology and we always encourage and promote innovative solutions for our region," added Engineer Muammar Khaled Al Katheeri, executive vice president of Engineering and Smart City at DSOA. "We hold our partnership with Johnson Controls in high regard and share the same values around sustainability and innovation. The RIT Dubai campus is state of the art with latest technologies incorporated and we look forward to Johnson Controls delivering the smart facility management for this campus utilizing cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies."

For his part, Dr. Yousef M. Al-Assaf, president, Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai, commented: "Johnson Controls has been working with DSOA at various fronts and has been an integral player in the design and construction of various systems in RIT Dubai`s new campus. We are excited about this partnership between DSOA, RIT Dubai, and Johnson Controls to develop an open ecosystem which will enhance and create opportunities for the community in areas of innovation, creativity, and sustainability. Students will have the opportunity to tap into the interactive OpenBlue dashboards from Johnson Controls and thus benefit and learn from the latest in AI-driven analytics on energy efficiency. This partnership will serve as an example of how a university should operate in the future to become a dynamic contender in creating new knowledge, sustainable solutions and connectivity in the region."

Johnson Controls has proven experience in the campuses vertical with solutions and services that power the wellness of students, teachers and staff, optimize the energy performance of the campus and meet environmental and sustainability goals. This collaboration is aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. One of the key deliverables under the Plan is to promote a knowledge and innovation international centre that attracts talents and minds to contribute to the global growth and leadership of Dubai. Dubai Silicon Oasis is one of five main urban centers, a science and technology and knowledge hub that drives innovation, digital economy development, and talent generation.

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls, we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

With a history of more than 135 years of innovation, Johnson Controls delivers the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through its comprehensive digital offering OpenBlue. With a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology, software as well as service solutions with some of the most trusted names in the industry. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter.

About DSOA

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), a 100% owned entity by the Government of Dubai, is a free zone that is strategically placed on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed road. DSOA's urban master-planned community spans 7.2 square kilometers of state of the art office towers, R&D and industrial zones, educational institutions, luxury apartments, villas, hotels, healthcare and a full range of lifestyle facilities which translate into a dynamic commercial and social environment. Businesses can flourish under the unrivalled package of incentives, including 100% ownership, and high end IT infrastructure that allows companies to begin operating immediately. DSOA is a technology park that provides both a living and working integrated community. For more information, please visit: www.dsoa.ae

About RIT Dubai

Established in 2008, RIT Dubai is a not-for-profit global campus of the esteemed Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, one of the world's leading technological-focused universities with a storied 185 year history. RIT Dubai offers highly valued Bachelor's and Master's degrees in business and leadership, engineering, and computing. The curriculum provides students with relevant work experience through an innovative cooperative education program that helps students stand out in today's highly completive job market. RIT Dubai offers American degrees, and all of RIT's programs are UAE Ministry accredited. Students of RIT Dubai also have the unique opportunity to choose to study abroad at the main campus in New York or at one of its other global campuses.

Sweeney Dcosta

Regional Program & Communications Manager, MEA

[email protected]

Ph : 0097143099999

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1627869/Johnson_Controls_Healthy_Buildings.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1318989/Johnson_Controls_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Johnson Controls
NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) between April 22, 2021 and September 8, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 15, 2021.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Boston Beer securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Boston Beer class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2159.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 15, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Boston Beer's hard seltzer sales were decelerating; (2) as a result, Boston Beer was reasonably likely to incur inventory write-offs; (3) the Company was reasonably likely to incur shortfall fees payable to third party brewers; (4) a result of the foregoing, Boston Beer's financial results would be adversely impacted; and (5) 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. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Boston Beer class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2159.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

Related Links

www.rosenlegal.com


NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SpendEdge has been monitoring the Tax Accounting Services Market and it is poised to grow by USD 5.58 Billion during 2021-2025. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

Request for a FREE sample to access the definite purchasing guide on Tax Accounting Services procurement.
NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") of Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH) pursuant and/or traceable to the Company's initial public offering conducted in May 2021 (the "IPO"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 15, 2021.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Waterdrop ADSs pursuant and/or traceable to the IPO you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Waterdrop class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2158.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 15, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the IPO's registration statement featured false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Waterdrop had achieved a substantial portion of its historical revenue growth through illicit means that ran afoul of Chinese rules and regulations governing the insurance industry; (2) Waterdrop had been ordered by the Chinese government to shut down its mutual aid platform because of its failure to comply with Chinese law; (3) Waterdrop was under investigation by regulatory authorities for continued violations of Chinese law; (4) as a result of the foregoing, there existed a material undisclosed risk and substantial likelihood that Waterdrop would face severe adverse actions by regulatory authorities following the IPO; (5) Waterdrop's operating losses had increased more than four-fold in the first quarter of 2021 as a result of the cessation of its mutual aid business and rapidly growing customer acquisition costs; and (6) as a result of the foregoing, the IPO registration statement's representations regarding Waterdrop's historical financial and operational metrics and purported market opportunities did not accurately reflect the actual business, operations, and financial results and trajectory of the Company in the lead up to the IPO, were materially false and misleading, and lacked a factual basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Waterdrop class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2158.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

Related Links

www.rosenlegal.com


Washington/Houston, Sep 19 : US President Joe Biden's administration has said that it would start to swiftly deport thousands of Haitian migrants crossing the US-Mexico border illegally and gathering under a bridge in Del Rio, a border city in south central US state Texas.

The Biden administration has three flights planned for Sunday, and more could be scheduled for the coming days, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a leading US daily report.

Under the plan by the Department of Homeland Security, the Biden administration will "accelerate the pace and increase the capacity" of removal flights to Haiti and other destinations in the next 72 hours, said the report.

The White House temporarily halted deportation flights to Haiti after an earthquake in August, which was followed by a powerful tropical storm after weeks of civil unrest, said the report.

More than 14,000 Haitians are reportedly camping out under the Del Rio International Bridge, surging from hundreds just about 10 days ago. They are waiting to turn themselves in to the US Border Patrol and seek asylum.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday directed the state's Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to shut down six points of entry along the US-Mexico border amid the massive surge of migration,saying the border crisis is "so dire" that the US Customs and Border Protection agents "are overwhelmed by the chaos".

US-Mexico border arrests have reportedly stayed at the highest level in more than two decades, with more than 208,000 registered in August alone.
Jakarta, Sep 19 : Indonesia has opened a few of its borders to foreigners after the Ministry of Law and Human Rights issued a ministerial regulation that reopens applications for tourist and limited stay visas for fully-vaccinated travellers.

"Previously, only foreigners with diplomatic and service visas are allowed to enter the country. With the issuance of Ministerial Regulation No. 34/2021, those with existing valid tourist and limited stay visas are also allowed to enter Indonesia," the Directorate General of Immigration's spokesman Arya Pradhana Anggakara said in a statement.

Furthermore, the government has also decided to open international borders at six transportation hubs, which are the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang city, Banten province, Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado city, North Sulawesi province, seaports in Batam city, Riau Islands province, and Nunukan, North Kalimantan province, as well as land cross-border posts in the areas of Aruk and Entikong in West Kalimantan province, Xinhua news agency reported.

The aforementioned seaports and land borders have been reopened for international tourists as of Thursday, and the two airports since Friday, the Transportation Ministry's spokesperson Adita Irawati said.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan also said that the government is likely to reopen its resort island of Bali for international tourists starting October due to the recent decline in the number of daily Covid-19 cases in Indonesia.

"If the number of cases continues to drop, we are confident to reopen Bali in October," Panjaitan said at a virtual press conference, adding that Indonesia will prioritise foreign tourists from countries with controlled Covid-19 cases.

Travellers who want to enter the archipelago, both Indonesians and foreigners, must be fully-vaccinated besides showing vaccine certificates and negative PCR test results taken no longer than 72 hours prior to the departure time, according to the Transportation Ministry.

Upon arrivals, the travellers have to take another PCR tests and must undertake eight days of quarantine if declared negative.

One more negative result of the PCR test will be required on the eighth day.

Both Indonesians and foreigners are required to fill out the Electronic Health Alert Card (E-HAC) inside the PeduliLindungi contact tracing application.

A foreigner must also show a proof of being covered by health insurance, which is expected to cover the individual's health expenses, including for Covid-19, while staying in Indonesia.

Between September 15 and 17, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport's Immigration Office recorded 974 foreigners entering Indonesia, and 874 foreigners departing the country.

Meanwhile, the airport also recorded 2,961 Indonesians going home and 3,418 leaving the country.

"In total, there were 15,343 foreigners that entered Indonesia between August 1 and September 17, with 22,122 foreigners leaving the country during the same period," Sam Fernando, head of the immigration office's public relations and information technology division, told the media.

During the same period, there were also 51,658 Indonesians arriving back in the country and 50,925 others leaving the archipelago.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Set up by the Uttar Pradesh prison department, this jail museum has a rich collection of mementos related to legendary inmates during the freedom movement, including Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Lucknow, Sep 19 (IANS) This is a museum with a difference.

Set up by the Uttar Pradesh prison department, this jail museum has a rich collection of mementos related to legendary inmates during the freedom movement, including Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Though the museum was set up in March 2020, it remained closed for the public mainly due to the pandemic.

On display at the museum are chains, shackles and fetters weighing over 30 kg, used to restrain the Kakori train robbery case heroes Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Thakur Roshan Singh, Rajendra Nath Lahri and Sachindranath Sanyal.

There is also a copy of the poetry penned by Bismil during his incarceration, besides the 1927 death warrants of Khan, Bismil, Lahiri and Singh, in Urdu and Persian -- all convicted in the Kakori case for waging war against the government, criminal conspiracy and dacoity with murder.

Director General Prisons, Anand Kumar said: "The jail museum depicts the journey of jails since the 18th century." Bismil's belongings, including books, bedsheet, comb, utensils, a pair of slippers and a kurta used in jail, besides the container in which his mother sent him desi ghee that was allowed by the then jailer who was apparently sympathetic towards the revolutionaries, are among the notable exhibits.

The orders of the sentences of Ganesh Shanker Vidyarthi, who served terms in Lucknow, Hardoi and Kanpur jails for taking part in the Home Rule movement, are on display, as is the order on Veer Chandra Singh.

Manindra Nath Banerjee, who had attacked a deputy superintendent of CID in Varanasi for executing his uncle Rajendra Nath Lahiri in the Kakori case, served 10 years' rigorous imprisonment in Fatehgarh jail. His sentence order in English is in the collection.

The 95-year-old rope used for hanging prisoners awarded the death penalty is also on exhibit. It was used for hanging over 50 prisoners.

The hand flour grinder of stone, used by prisoners in 1888, is also on display. Its use in prisons was discontinued after independence.
Kolkata, Sep 19 : With the crime rate per one lakh population dipping down below 110 and recording the lowest number of serious crimes like rape and murder, Kolkata is considered to be the safest among the metropolitan cities in the country, as per the latest report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

According to the latest report published by the NCRB, Delhi recorded the highest cognizable offences with a crime rate of 1,506.9 per one lakh population followed by Chennai that recorded a rate of 1,016.4. When the other two metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru recorded a rate of 272.4 and 234.9, Kolkata has a crime rate of 109.9 in cognizable offences. Not only among the metros but the city recorded the lowest crime rate among the 19 major cities of the country.

In overall crime rate, the city has fared much better than the other metros of the country. While in Chennai the overall crime rate -- 1,937.1 -- in Delhi it is 1,608.6, the crime rate in Kolkata is only 129.5. The other two metros -- Mumbai and Bengaluru have recorded the overall crime rate of 318.6 and 401.9 respectively. The overall crime rate of the city is also the best among the 19 major cities that has been taken into account by the NCRB.

The report also stated that the number of crimes committed in Kolkata has gone down compared to figures of 2018 and 2019. In 2018, about 21,481 crimes were committed across the city whereas the figure stood at 19,638 in 2019 and 18,277 in 2020.

In case of murders, Kolkata recorded only 53 cases whereas Delhi recorded 461 cases -- the highest among all the cities followed by Bengaluru (179 cases), Chennai (150 cases) and Mumbai (148 cases). Kozhikode with only 5 cases and Kochi with 9 cases are the two only two cities -- both in Kerala -- that recorded less than 10 cases in the year.

As far as crimes against women are concerned the city also performed better than other major cities of the country. Compared to the other metropolitan cities, the crime rate against women in Kolkata is also less and stands at 29.5. In terms of crimes against women, Lucknow is the most unsafe city for women with a rate of 190.7 per lakh population. The report of crime against women in Lucknow is 2,636 against only 13.8 lakh population. In 2020, only 2001 complaints were received regarding crimes against women in Kolkata against a population of 67.9 lakh. The rate of crimes against women in Delhi is 129.1 per cent. In 2020, across Delhi, 9,782 complaints were registered against 75.8 lakh population, stated the report.

The rate of deaths due to negligence in road accidents is also much lower in Kolkata compared to other cities. In 2020, the number of cases registered for death due to negligence in road accidents stood at 204. About 218 people died in such accidents. The parentage of fatal road accidents due to negligence is 1.4 percent which is the lowest among all metropolitan cities. The report also reflects that in 2020 no hit-and-run cases happened in Kolkata.

Comparing the figures, Delhi is the highest in terms of the number of fatal accidents due to negligence with 1,130 cases with 1,156 victims. In terms of fatal road accidents due to negligence, Jaipur is the most unsafe city with 16.5 per cent of such cases. The highest number of hit-and-run cases among the metropolitan cities is recorded in Delhi with 514 cases where 519 people died.
San Francisco, Sep 19 : In August, California, the most populous state in the US, added jobs at three times the rate of the country, and business insiders contributed the result to the state's more strict public health measures amid the nation-wide Covid-19 resurgence.

According to the employment data for August 2021 released by the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the Golden State's unemployment rate decreased to 7.5 per cent in August as the state's employers gained 104,300 non-farm payroll jobs, reports Xinhua news agency.

California's gain of non-farm jobs last month accounted for 44 per cent of the nation's 235,000 overall jobs gain during the same period, the latest report of EDD showed, highlighting the state's monthly job growth tripled the national pace.

As of August, California had recovered 62 per cent of the 2.7 million jobs it lost in March and April 2020, when the pandemic started, the report said, adding the sector of professional and business services performed well as its professional, scientific and technical services sub-sector had regained all jobs it had lost.

Taner Osman, research manager at Los Angeles consultancy Beacon Economics, was quoted by the Los Angeles Times as saying on Saturday that since in August "two major head winds for the state's economy", including the declining spread of Covid-19 cases and the reopening of schools, had eased, the state's job growth could continue.

"This paves the way for strong job gains through the end of this year," he said.

Michael Mahdesian, chairman of a local company that cleans hospitals, aerospace factories and office buildings throughout Southern California, also told the Los Angeles Times that since California was better off than other states in getting people vaccinated, the state had avoided of big messes in Texas and Florida last month.

As of this week, two-thirds of people in California are at least partially vaccinated against Covid-19.

The state is the only one in the nation that coronavirus transmission rate dropped from red to orange level.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, Sep 19 : The fishermen community have strongly voiced their protest against the construction of a private port in the Pulicat area. They warned that the construction would lead to the death of the Pulicat lake, a brackish water lake.

The fishermen community has already given a memorandum to Union Minister of State for Fisheries and animal husbandry and Information and Broadcasting, L. Murugan on the construction of the private port.

The minister while on a visit to the Pulicat area had met the leaders of the Fishermen community who were protesting against the construction of the private port at the lake.

The representatives from villages along the lake said that opening the bar mouth where sea water entered and exited the lake was important for its survival and wanted the bar mouth to be kept open permanently and objected to the construction of a private port that would kill the lake.

S. Moorthy, a resident of the area, who is into traditional fishing and lives along the Pulicat lake told IANS, "We are in protest against the construction of a private port in the area and have voiced our strong objection to Union Minister of State for Fisheries, L. Murgan. If the government is not stalling the construction of the port, we will announce our next course of action." The fishermen community instead requested the minister to take steps for the construction of a fishing harbour in the area. Murugan, according to the fishermen leaders, informed them that if the state government moots a proposal for the construction of a fishing harbour, the Central government would study the same and take appropriate action.

The minister informed the fishermen that the Central government would take steps to provide housing to them under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. Kisan cards will also be issued to fishermen, the minister said.
Mahoba : , Sep 19 (IANS) The Mahoba police have arrested a youth under stringent sections of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, POCSO Act and SC/ST Act for allegedly impersonating, stalking and threatening a minor school girl for the past few months.

The youth, Ishaque, had hid his real identity when he befriended the girl and when she learnt the truth, she complained about the alleged stalker to her family members.

The 14-year-old girl is an intermediate student at a government school.

Ishaque has been booked under the anti-conversion law, besides IPC sections 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and SC/ST act.

In the complaint, the girl's family members stated that Ishaque had initially befriended her by hiding his real identity and introducing himself as Raj.

About 15 days ago, when she came to know that the youth with whom she is in a relationship is a Muslim, she stopped talking to him and blocked his phone number. Ishaque then allegedly waylaid her and threatened her several times.

The threats allegedly ranged from abduction and wiping out her and her family members.

Inspector Kotwali, Balram Singh, said on Sunday, "We have arrested the accused and sent him to jail after registering a case under the anti-conversion law, besides relevant sections of IPC, POCSO Act and SC/ST Act."
Toronto, Sep 19 : The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which sets the tone for the Oscar season, picked British actor-director Kenneth Branagh's family drama 'Belfast' for the People's Choice Award on Saturday.

The road drama 'Nomadland,' which won the best-picture Oscar this year, was also the winner of the People's Choice Award at the Toronto film festival last year.

Other notable films which won the TIFF top award and then went on to win the Oscar are 'Slumdog Millionaire', 'Green Book', '12 Years a Slave' and 'The King's Speech'.

Set in the late 1960s' Northern Ireland wracked by sectarian violence, the black-and-white 'Belfast' is Branagh's "most personal" film as he spent his childhood in the city of Belfast.

This family drama captures the coming-of-age story of Buddy (played by Jude Hill), trying to escape the violence and his working-class life.

Accepting the award, Branagh said he was "deeply grateful" for the honour.

"That so many film lovers connected with 'Belfast' so profoundly was absolutely overwhelming to myself and Jamie Dornan, and we talked about it long into a memorable night of laughter and tears in your great city," he said.

The British filmmaker said, "Our first showing of Belfast at TIFF was one of the most memorable experiences of my entire career." The Canadian family drama 'Scarborough' and Jane Campion's western 'The Power of the Dog,' with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role were the two runners-up.

Nithin Lukose's Mayalalam film 'Paka' (River of Blood), Ritwik Pareek's 'Dud Dug' and Payal Kapadia's 'A Night of Knowing Nothing' also premiered at the 46th Toronto International Film Festival.

The 10-day film festival ends on Sunday.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 19 : After the Kerala government announced that it would reopen schools for Classes I to VII and Classes X to XII from November 1 and Classes for VIII and IX reopening from November 15, parents and teachers are confused about the decision.

While several parents have welcomed the decision and most feel that the bonhomie and social life of the students would be back once schools are reopened, a large number of them are also doubtful as to whether the students would adhere to the Covid-19 protocols, including social distancing and wearing of masks.

Smitha Nair, from Chinnakkada in Kollam whose daughter is in the Xth standard at a government-aided school, told IANS: "The government's decision to reopen schools have brought me mixed feelings. On one hand, I am happy that my daughter will be able to interact with her classmates and teachers physically, but on the I am worried as to how much secure are our children in going to school. As the pandemic is still evolving with both the scientific community and medical doctors not clear whether a third wave is coming up, it is to be seen whether I will send my girl to school or continue with the online classes." The state government will allow students to continue in online classes as well but the finer points on the school reopening and the modus operandi to be carried out in schools would be finalised in a high-level meeting of teachers, parents and higher officials of the education department to be attended by the Chief Minister, Education Minister, and Health minister.

The date of the same would be finalised on Monday.

Several school managements have welcomed the decision of the state government.

Indira Rajan, President, CBSE school managements of Kerala, while speaking to IANS said: "We welcome the state government decision and we have one and half months to prepare for cleaning and maintaining the schools to welcome children. I think this is a good decision and children would be happy enough to reach classes and attend it physically." The medical fraternity is also supportive of the government's decision.

IMA leader Dr. Sulfi while speaking to media persons at Thiruvananthapuram said that reopening of schools is a good decision and added that the IMA welcomes the decision.

Sajith. C. Warrier, teacher of St Josephs High School, Kozhikode while speaking to IANS said: "The reopening of schools is a good decision but before that teachers have to be inoculated by the time schools are opened. Children will benefit from the reopening of schools." Meanwhile Kerala Education Minister, N. Sivankutty while speaking to mediapersons at the state capital said that schools would be conducted in shifts.

"The state education department has commenced preparations for the reopening of schools. Classes would be conducted in shifts. The government will make alternate arrangements for those schools that don't have school buses."
New Delhi, Sep 19 : Government's productivity linked incentive (PLI) scheme for auto and auto component industry is set to disrupt the industry in a big way pushing existing large players to open their game plan on electric vehicles (EV) and vehicles made using newer technologies while also bringing in several newer players into the fray competing for a share of expanded market.

Sources indicated that large auto players such as Hyundai, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki have already started studying their production plan keeping in mind the PLI scheme. Several smaller players and the startups, who have just recently begun their journey in the EV space, have also begun discussions to push up production in line with the PLI scheme.

"Government support for newer technologies and EVs will continue. Post FAME II and PMP, PLI will further unleash the potential for EVs in 2 and 3 wheelers. PVs and CVs will have to wait till they attain viability from a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) perspective. Automotive component companies to see further improvement in cost competitiveness and will help position India as an export hub," said Hemal Thakkar, Director, CRISIL Research.

Another analysis done by Kotak Institutional Equities that the PLI scheme would see rapid adoption by the EV segment, especially two-wheelers and incumbents will have to step up. For auto component manufacturers, the government will provide incentives in the range of 8-13 per cent with additional 5 per cent incentive for manufacturers of battery cell and hydrogen fuel cell components.

"Key beneficiaries in the auto component space will be mostly global MNCs such as Bosch, Continental, Delphi Automotive, Denso Corporation. In our coverage universe, Minda Industries, Endurance Technologies, Varroc Engineering and Schaeffler India can benefit from this scheme," the brokerage said.

The commercial vehicle segment is also steering the opportunity offered under PLI scheme with interest. "As a leading manufacturer and exporter of commercial vehicles, as well as a front runner in technology since inception, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles welcomes the opportunities offered by the newly announced PLI scheme. This initiative will encourage investment in vital technologies related to sustainability, carbon neutrality and more." said Satyakam Arya, Managing Director & CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV).

Auto is one of the most important sectors contributing to 7.1 per cent of our GDP and employs about 37 million people directly and indirectly. The sector has been under stress even before CO and then subsequently has been hit hard due to chip shortage. As per a CRISIL overall capacity utilisation rate at the four-wheeler makers dropped to 50-55 per cent at the end of FY21 from 70-75 per cent in FY19. The future of the industry would be driven by new technologies and it is here that PLI pushed manufacturing would come to aid.

"This PLI scheme was much awaited and will help in boosting production of new age vehicles which are more clean and environment friendly. It will also help in boosting additional capacity for safety related high tech components which is very critical given the high number of road accidents in the country," said Rajeev Singh, Partner and Automotive Leader, Deloitte India.

The government on Wednesday approved the PLI scheme for the auto industry with an outlay of Rs 26,400 crore which has been slashed from the initial outlay of Rs 57,000 crore. The current PLI scheme is targeted to enable India to leapfrog to EVs and incentivize emergence of an advanced automotive technologies supply chain in India. The PLI scheme for the auto sector is open to existing automotive companies as well as new investors who are currently not in the automobile or auto component manufacturing business.

The scheme has two components, viz. Champion OEM Incentive Scheme -- 'sales value linked' scheme, applicable on BEVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles of all segments, and Component Champion Incentive Scheme - 'sales value linked' scheme, applicable on advanced automotive technology components of 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and tractors.

The scheme will be effective from FY2023 for five years and the base year for eligibility criteria would be FY2020. A total of 10 OEMs, 50 auto component makers and five new non-automotive investors will benefit from the scheme. To avail the scheme, OEMs should have a minimum of Rs 10,000 crore in revenue and Rs 3,000 crore bn investment in fixed assets, auto component makers should have minimum revenue of Rs 500 crore and Rs 150 crore investment in fixed assets.

New non-automotive investors must have a global net worth of Rs 1,000 and a clear business plan for investment in advanced automotive technologies to be eligible under the PLI scheme. Incentives under the auto PLI scheme will range from 8-13 per cent, with additional 5 per cent incentive for electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Dhaka, Sep 19 : The BFIU, a finance monitoring agency of the Bangladesh Bank responsible for investigating suspicious transactions, has sent a letter to all banks on September 12 asking them to provide details of accounts belonging to 11 journalist leaders. the leaders call the move a "scare tactic".

Farida Yasmin, President of the Jatiya Press Club, topped the list, followed by Elias Khan, also a leader of BNP, general secretary of Jatiya (National) Press Club.

Leaders of major journalist associations of Bangladesh have described the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit's letter ordering a probe into their bank accounts as "targeted".

They called the initiative a "scare tactic to create fear among the media" at a press conference held under a joint banner of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, the Dhaka Union of Journalists, the Jatiya Press Club and the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday.

A protest was also announced in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Sunday afternoon.

It also included Kader Gani Chowdhury, president of the BNP-backed faction of the Dhaka Union of Journalists, and its general secretary, Md Shahidul Islam.

A joint statement from all 11 members was read out by Mosiur Rahman Khan, one of the journalists on the list.

"There was no precise reason given for the probe into the bank accounts," Farida Yasmin told IANS on Sunday morning.

"It is only once specific allegations regarding unusual transactions or financial support for militancy surface that an investigation into bank accounts should be launched. But there is no sign of any such allegations.

"I spoke to the information minister and other important members of the government and they say they do not know anything about this situation.

"The decision to probe the bank accounts of the leaders of the top organisations established by professional journalists across the country is unprecedented and has never happened before.

"Of course, an investigation can be launched over specific allegations against any person or organisation. But we believe this decision to initiate an across-the-board probe against the top elected leaders of journalist organisations is targeted," she added.

Mosiur called for an explanation of the decision and noted that "the BFIU's decision to release information about their letter to the media has tarnished the reputation of journalist organisations and leaders in the eyes of the public and society".

However, he did also call for the public to be informed of any wrongdoing found by the investigation.

"If any evidence is found that our leadership was engaged in unusual transactions, or any form of money laundering or financial support to militants, it should be released to the media." "But, if no evidence is found, the public should be informed of that matter and it should be given the same degree of importance, as is appropriate," the journalist added.

BFUJ President Molla Jalal said: "The letter was sent and then news of the bank account probe was reported in the media immediately afterward before that information was sent back to them. That means that the letter aims to discredit the individuals and organisations it targeted. This scare tactic is being used to create fear among journalists.

"We believe this is clearly targeted. We believe it is a threat to freedom of expression and independent journalism."
Dushanbe, Sep 19 : A new chapter is emerging in the relations between Iran and Tajikistan, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said at a joint press conference with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon here.

At the conference on Saturday, Raisi described the cooperation agreements signed during the visit to Dushanbe as an evidence of the two countries' will to broaden relations, reports Xinhua news agency.

"What is more important than the written agreements is the two countries' will and decision to develop relations in various fields," he was quoted as saying by Iran's Tasnim news agency.

Emphasising that the two countries have great potentials for cooperation, Raisi stressed the use of all capacities to develop relations in political, economic, trade and cultural areas.

There are good grounds for developing economic and trade ties with Tajikistan in the Iranian ports of Chabahar and Bandar Abbas, he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Raisi said that the two sides share closer views on Afghanistan.

"The foreigners could not solve the problems for the people of Afghanistan, and we do not accept the continuing presence and role of foreigners in the country," he noted.

"We believe that the Afghan issue should be resolved by the Afghans themselves. Dialogue among Afghans should take place," said the Iranian President, adding that "the government to be established in Afghanistan should be an inclusive government".

For his part, Rahmon mentioned Iran as a friend of Tajikistan and underlined the importance of deepening the bilateral relations.

As for the recent development in Afghanistan, Rahmon said that "we want peace and stability in Afghanistan and believe that the peace in Afghanistan guarantees the security in the region".

"An inclusive government in Afghanistan is a key factor in establishing lasting peace and stability in the country," the Tajik president added.

According to the Tasnim news agency, Iran and Tajikistan signed eight cooperation documents over technical, customs and agricultural cooperation on Saturday.
Chennai, Sep 19 : Tamil Superstar Vijay's fans association, Vijay Makkal Manram has decided to field candidates in the upcoming local body elections to be held on October 6 and October 9 in nine districts.

Sources in the Vijay fan association told IANS that the actor has given them consent to contest the polls, but would not participate in the campaign. The flag of the association and Vijay's photos would be used extensively during the campaign.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, Vijay's father and actor director, S. Chandrashekhar had floated a political party in the name of Vijay fans association and had announced contesting the elections. However, Vijay openly came out against his father's move and said that he is against contesting the elections and that he would not have anything to do with the same.

Now, after his fan's association announcing contesting the polls, there is clear indication that Vijay, the young superstar has thrown his hat in the ring.

C. Rajeev of the Centre for Policy and Development Studies, a think tank and a political observer, told IANS," Vijay's fans contesting the elections is a clear indicator that Vijay in the near future will take a call in contesting polls. With Super megastar Rajinikanth announcing that he won't enter politics, Vijay's fans making this announcement will be an interesting turn in the politics of Tamil Nadu, which has always supported actors entering politics." Right from C.N. Annadurai, the late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to Chief Ministers -- M.G.Ramachandran, J. Jayalalithaa, and M. Karunanidhi -- all were associated with the film world. While Annadurai and Karunanidhi were powerful scriptwriters, M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa were popular actors from the state.

Superstars Kamal Haasan and Vijaykanth are already in politics after having floated their own outfits -- Makkal Needhi Maiam(MNM) and Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) -- respectively and had contested the Assembly elections. The MNM will be testing the waters of the rural local body polls and Kamal Haasan has announced that he would be extensively campaigning in the elections.
United Nations, Sep 19 : The UN Security Council has expressed deep concern about the ongoing disagreement between the Somali President and Prime Minister, and the negative impact on the electoral timetable and process.

In a press statement on Saturday, the Council members urged all stakeholders to exercise restraint, and underlined the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability in Somalia, reports Xinhua news agency.

They requested all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue for the good of Somalia and to prioritise the peaceful conduct of transparent, credible and inclusive elections within the agreed timelines and in accordance with the September 17, 2020, and May 27, 2021, agreements.

The members of the Security Council urged the Somali federal government and the federal member states to ensure that any political differences do not divert from united action against Al-Shabaab and other militant groups.

They reaffirmed their respect for the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Somalia.

The statement was released a day after the Security Council held closed-door consultations on the current situation in Somalia and heard a briefing by the UN secretary-general's special representative James Swan.
Lucknow, Sep 19 : In view of the shortage of medical staff in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has decided to increase the retirement age of doctors from 65 years to 70 years.

Uttar Pradesh medical education minister, Suresh Khanna, said that the cabinet will soon be passing a proposal in this regard as the government believes that this will help the state in fighting the corona pandemic and other diseases with much more experienced doctors.

Doctors with more experience are needed at the moment, he told reporters.

"After retirement, doctors open their private clinics, but it will be better that they give their services to us. Keeping this in view, we have prepared the proposal. Yogi Adityanath has also given his consent on this and soon it will be approved by the cabinet," he said.

The minister further said, "The Yogi Adityanath government has fulfilled every promise of the Lok Sankalp Patra so far in its tenure. Under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath, we have done those things which were difficult for the SP and BSP to even imagine. Right now, the situation in the other states is very bad regarding Corona, but today in UP, there are more than 35 such districts, which have become free from Corona." "Even in the matter of vaccination, we have left the rest of the states far behind. Today, more than 50 per cent of the population in UP has taken the first dose of the vaccine. The number of medical colleges opened by this government has not been opened in any previous government," he added.
New Delhi, Sep 19 : Purple Style Labs, the luxury fashion house that acquired the late designer, Wendell Rodricks' fashion brand in December 2020, announced the launch of the label's latest collection -- 'Reminiscence' -- a selection of garments, inspired by Wendell's classics that have been painstakingly curated by the brand's design team.

The iconic 'Reminiscence Collection' brings forth and celebrates the late designer's Goan roots, along with all the things that people love about the Wendell Rodricks label. It's fun, modern and inspired by the designer's travels; made for those who, just like him, love a holiday or getaway. The collection exudes free-spiritedness, minimalist attributes, versatility and an overall youthful vibe.

Keeping Wendell's aesthetic in mind, the PSL design team have created new silhouettes, whilst also incorporating the detailing, techniques and colours that Wendell used. The collection encapsulates the essence of carefree living and features an array of colours, ranging from bold and lively to, of course, Wendell's classic whites.

The Reminiscence collection is divided into three broad categories:

The Minimalist Story: Largely comprising easy kurtas, breezy shirts, fluid dresses and smart tunics, this segment of the collection is all about Wendell's minimalist design ethos. Made up of cottons and linens in a range of pastels and white, featuring colour-on-colour digital prints and raw and organic hand-embroidered motifs, this capsule from the larger 'Reminiscence Collection' is truly an ode to the late designer.

The Handloom Story: This segment of the collection sees the extensive use of natural fabrics and indigenous techniques used keeping in mind Wendell's philosophy of sustainability and focus on Indian textiles. There are plenty of organic linens and cottons, along with Jamdani, Kunbi and Mundu -- textiles which have been previously used by Wendell for his saris, but this time they have been reimagined in new silhouettes such as crisp shirts, billowing kaftans, summery dresses, embellished with pin-tucks, patch-work and raw hand-embroidery.

The Colour-Blocking Story: This segment of the collection is a redux of Wendell's extremely popular designs that drew inspiration from his love for the art of Piet Mondrian, who simplified the subjects of his paintings down to the most basic elements. Perfect for a chic sundowner, this capsule consists of shirts, dresses, kaftans, tops, saris presented in Wendell's signature pastels and jewel tones adorned in techniques such as patchwork, colour-blocking and digital-printing.

Speaking about the launch of this collection in Goa, Abhishek Agarwal, Founder and CEO -- Purple Style Labs, said, "Wendell Rodricks' loss last year shook the fashion world as well as environmentalists and cultural activists who have since mourned a man who advocated strongly for sustainability, local heritage, indigenous textiles and weavers. We are incredibly proud to ensure that his legacy lives on through the Wendell Rodricks Label, which Purple Style Labs acquired in late 2020 and continues to bring his incredibly stylish yet wearable fashion crafted carefully with luxurious, fluid and breathable fabrics to both men and women." Seen in an updated avatar, the timeless styles from the 'Reminiscence Collection' pave the way to a fresh chapter in the designer's legacy, whilst lending new life to his most-loved designs. We're sure they'll secure a permanent spot in your closet! The Wendell Rodricks' 'Reminiscence Collection' is priced between Rs 2,000 -- 18,000 and will be available on Pernia's Pop Up Shop and Wendell Rodricks' website, as well as the Wendell Rodricks' flagship stores in Goa and Mumbai, which opens doors on September 23, 2021.

(IANSlife Features can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
Hyderabad, Sep 19 : Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) managing director and a popular police official V.C. Sajjanar on Sunday travelled in a TSRTC bus in Hyderabad to carry a Ganesh idol for immersion.

The Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was seen sitting in the bus holding an idol in his lap. Clad in whites and wearing a cap, the police officer travelled along with his family members and other devotees.

A devotee was also seen dancing in the vehicle. The video of Sajjanar travelling in the bus with the Ganesh idol has gone viral.

Sajjanar, a 1996 batch IPS officer, was the police commissioner of Cyberabad till late last month when he was transferred and posted as managing director of state-owned transport body.

Sajjanar, who had hit the national headlines following the killing of four accused in a gang-rape and murder of a woman veterinarian in 2019, served as the Cyberabad police commissioner for more than three years.

The official is known for taking popular measures and leaving his imprint in whatever position he holds. As the Cyberabad police commissioner, he had led the efforts in coordination with the IT companies and NGOs to help people hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. He came to the rescue of migrant workers during the lockdown last year and also played a key role in rendering a helping hand to Covid-patients with blood donation, isolation centres and oxygen supply.

Last week, he travelled incognito in a TSRTC bus in the city. He boarded a bus at the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station and travelled up to Lakdikapul with very few people recognising him.

Travelling like a common man, Sajjanar purchased a ticket, with neither the conductor nor the driver recognising him, apparently due to the mask he was wearing. He interacted with the passengers, asking them about their experience on the TSRTC buses and the corporation's services.

Sajjanar said he has a few plans to revive the cash-strapped TSRTC.
Mexico City, Sep 19 : Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has proposed the creation of new institutionalism for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), with the aim of reinforcing action on political, economic and social issues.

"It is necessary to resume the (institutional framework) that began to be built because ... that was beginning to work," he said here on Saturday of the mechanism launched at the end of 2011.

Maduro explained that special emphasis should be placed on strengthening the councils of ministers of economy, social affairs, and politics, which in the past made proposals and sought to conduct a "very valuable" interregional dialogue, Xinhua news agency reported.

As part of the process, the President also proposed the constitution of a general secretariat for the CELAC countries, but did not offer further details.

In addition, he thanked the Mexican government for its role in coordinating the dialogue between representatives of the Venezuelan government and the opposition.

The Sixth CELAC Summit of the Heads of State and Government began with discussion of the transformation of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the strengthening of the internal market of the American continent.
New Delhi, Sep 19 : Reacting to the long-standing demand of the MCD employees' unions to end the division of the three civic bodies in Delhi, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) Mayor Mukesh Suryan has said that he will support the Central government's decision.

The unions of the three municipalities have been asking for the unification the three civic bodies -- the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation. The three civic bodies in Delhi were formed nine years ago.

In view of the deteriorating condition of the three civic bodies, the Confederation of MCD Employees Union had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the demand to end the division and form a single municipal body to solve the civic administration problems.

The financial condition of the Delhi civic bodies has become quite frail, the SDMC Mayor admitted that all the three civic bodies were short of adequate funds.

Mukesh Suryan told IANS, "If the Central government takes any decision on this issue, I will accept that decision. We were not against it earlier as well, we just want to do good work." In 2012 the MCD was divided into three parts, but at present their financial condition is not steady due to which the employees are not receiving salaries on time.

According to the MCD employees, in some cases they are yet to receive salaries and pensions for several months together and sometimes even asked to retire involuntarily without receiving full salaries.

According to other MCD employee union members, there have never been problems concerning the salaries of the employees in the past, but since the division, these problems have become common now.

According to the MCD Union, there are nearly 1.5 lakh employees in all three Delhi civic bodies, and nearly 55,000 civic body staff pensioners. This means two lakh families are directly dependent upon these municipal bodies. The civic bodies provide nearly 50 facilities to the residents of Delhi.

The SDMC Mayor slammed the Delhi government and said, "This is the first such state government which has nothing to speak for itself. We accomplished 10 tasks, there may be several shortcomings in them. The ruling Delhi government must talk about even one task undertaken by them." The MCD elections are scheduled to be held in Delhi next year. Mukesh Suryan said, "Although we have hundreds of issues to highlight before the public, we do not do that. When the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic struck the country, the Delhi Chief Minister fled away leaving the people of Delhi behind." He said, "The civic bodies in Delhi were badly affected with the onslaught of the Covid-19 infection, but the employees fought as corona warriors diligently in which some succumbed to the infection. Despite the trying circumstances, there was full cooperation among all the civic employees in setting up isolation centres, vaccination centres, etc." "We have worked hard for the maintenance of parks in Delhi and have brought a revolution in the field of education. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, as many as 1.15 lakh new school admissions were conducted, online classes conducted, constant interactions with school principals about the children was done. This is no small feat." On the other hand, reacting over the Domestic Breeding Checker (DCB) employees, SDMC Mayor said, "We have sent a file twice to the Delhi government regarding the post-grade of the employees, but the intentions of the state government are not good as they know that if we give this permission to the civic bodies, they will have to bear the burden of providing salaries to the civic body staff." "But we demand that the Delhi government must give us the permission and need to pay our salaries. The municipal bodies have yet to receive Rs 13,000 crore from the Delhi government. But today the civic bodies are short of funds."
Washington, Sep 19 : Monoclonal antibodies are high in demand for Covid treatment in the US, especially in those who reject the vaccine against the infectious disease, prompting the Joe Biden administration to impose new limits on orders for the drugs, the media reports say.

Overall, the demand for monoclonal antibody treatment, lab-made antibodies given to a person that help their immune system stop the infection from spreading, have climbed 20-fold since mid-July, CBS News reported.

Alabama, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Louisiana made up 70 per cent of orders for monoclonal antibodies in recent weeks, according to the spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Of these states, only Florida has fully vaccinated more than half of its total population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The others rank in the bottom 10 states for vaccinations nationwide.

All seven rank among the top half of states with the highest rates of daily Covid-19 hospitalisations in recent weeks, the report said.

"Given this reality, we must work to ensure our supply of these life-saving therapies remains available for all states and territories, not just some," the spokesperson was quoted as saying.

President Biden, last week announced his administration is increasing the pace of free weekly shipments of monoclonal antibodies by 50 per cent for the month of September, the CNET reported.

The administration is also launching "monoclonal antibody strike teams" to assist health care workers and hospital staff that administer the treatment.

The HHS Department will amend rules that allow more providers, including pharmacists, to administer the treatment, the report said.

It will also allocate the drugs to state health departments, "based on Covid-19 case burden" and demand for the treatment with Regeneron's REGEN-COV and Eli Lilly's combination bamlanavimab and etesevimab.

According to some preliminary research, the treatment -- Regeneron's REGEN-COV and Eli Lilly's combination bamlanavimab and etesevimab -- reduces risk for hospitalisation or death by about 70 per cent.

Earlier in August, Anthony Fauci, the President's chief medical adviser, said that monoclonal antibodies are "underutilised" and that the drug can reduce the risk of hospitalisation or death from Covid-19 by 70 to 85 per cent.

However, the drugs are not to be used as a "substitute for vaccination." but there has been a lack of awareness and access to monoclonal antibody therapy.

The therapy is also available in India, and hospitals including Medanta in Gurugram, BLK-Max Super Speciality and Sir Gangaram in New Delhi, have successfully implemented the treatment.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New York, Sep 19 : Indie pop artiste Foxanne's new single, 'I Could Go On', which is currently in orbit around Earth, highlights the contribution of a science centre that continues to provide science education to the community amid the COVID-19 pandemic reports, Space.com.

The song flew to space on September 15 with the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission on the personal playlist of mission pilot Sian Proctor, a geoscientist and science communicator who befriended Foxanne during a simulated, or analog, Mars mission in 2020.

Foxanne's real name is Chelsea Gohd. The new single is not officially affiliated with Inspiration4's mission.

The music video for the single, available on YouTube, was filmed in the Liberty Science Center's Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium in New Jersey, which is advertised as the biggest such facility in the western hemisphere. Foxanne hoped to highlight its service to the community during a difficult time, she told Space.com.
Mexico City, Sep 19 : Bolivian President Luis Arce called the Organization of American States (OAS) "an obsolete and ineffective body that does not respond to the principles of multilateralism and the needs of our states".

He made the remarks during the Sixth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) here on Saturday, reports Xinhua news agency.

In a meeting in Mexico City, where the leaders and representatives of more than 30 CELAC countries had gathered, the President stated that the OAS "acts against the principles of democracy" and that "its interference does not contribute to the peaceful solution of controversies".

"It must be strengthened and we must integrate ourselves into the principle of solidarity," he said, adding that the OAS had lost legitimacy due to its interference in Latin American democracies.

Given this, he called for the joint construction of "an integrated and equitable world based on diplomacy for life, peace, human rights, and the rights of Mother Earth".

This year, the CELAC summit, of which Mexico is serving as president "pro tempore", has proposed analysing whether to reform or replace the OAS, which was criticised for interfering in the Bolivian elections of 2019.
New Delhi, Sep 19 : A day after former union minister Babul Supriyo joined Trinamool Congress (TMC), the BJP West Bengal unit claimed that it has no impact on the saffron party.

In the last few months, four BJP MLAs including Mukul Roy have joined the Trinamool. The saffron party believes that the Supriyo and other MLAs had no impact and presence at ground.

West Bengal BJP leaders termed Surpiyo an 'opportunist' who joined the party before 2014 Lok Sabha polls and left soon after being dropped from the union cabinet. Saffron party cadre in West Bengal believes he (Supriyo) was neither popular nor have influence among cadre.

BJP West Bengal president Dilip Ghosh said, "Supriyo lost his popularity among cadre and people in his Lok Sabha constituency Asansol. He was completely missing from his constituency for over eight months. He has lost his popularity in the state and that is one of the reasons behind Supriyo losing assembly polls five months ago." Ghosh said that his only priority was to remain 'mantri' (minister) without working for people. "Soon after being dropped from the union cabinet, Babul announced to quit politics. Within two days he changed his mind and said he will remain an MP to serve the people of Asansol. Yesterday, he joined TMC. His only agenda is to get a position not service," Ghosh said.

Supriyo, who was dropped from the union cabinet in July, on Saturday joined the TMC. In a Facebook post in July, Supriyo had announced that he has decided to quit politics. He had also said in the post that he is resigning from being member of Pariament too (obviously). Later after meeting, with BJP chief J.P. Nadda, Supriyo had said that he will continue to work as a member of parliament (MP).

Former BJP West Bengal president and senior leader Rahul Sinha said, "His regular word of appreciation for TMC gave enough hint that he will join the TMC and it happened as soon as the deal was struck." Denying any impact of Supriyo and others leaving, Sinha said, "All the MLAs including Mukul Da had returned to their original party. In 2015, Mukul Da joining BJP was opposed by workers but later he was inducted in the party. None of the BJP workers are leaving the party, only those who joined us before assembly polls had left." Earlier, BJP national general secretary and West Bengal in-charge, Kailash Vijayvargiya had said that chief minister Mamata Banerjee is misusing the state administration and police to threaten party MLAs with false cases and under pressure they joined TMC after winning the assembly polls.

"Intimidation, false cases, pressure and misuse of state machinery are the main reasons for BJP's MLAs joining the TMC," Vijayvargiya had said.
Vientiane, Sep 19 : Authorities in Laos' capital Vientiane on Sunday imposed a ban on all travels to and from the city and within four major districts from until September 30, 2021.

The four prohibited districts are Chanthaboury, Sisattanak, Sikhottabong and Xaysettha, reports Xinhua news agency.

Travels to particular areas in other three districts namely Xaythany, Hadxayfong and Naxaythong in the Lao capital were also prohibited.

The move came after Vientiane witnessed a rocket surge in community cases on Saturday.

The National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control announced that 467 new cases had been recorded nationwide over the past 24 hours including 384 locally transmitted cases.

Of the 467 cases, 265 were registered in Vientiane, the highest daily community infection ever recorded in the capital city.

More than 90 per cent of the local cases in Vientiane were linked to a garment factory in Chanthaboury district.

Up to 260 out of more than 1,000 workers employed by the factory were confirmed positive to Covid-19 on Saturday.

According to Lao News Agency (KPL), as of Sunday, the country has recorded a total of 18,814 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 16 deaths.
Telangana's Information Technology Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Thursday urged the Centre to reinstate the Information Technology and Investment Region (ITIR) project in Hyderabad. Image Source: IANS News

Hyderabad, Sep 19 : Telangana's minister for information technology and industries K.T. Rama Rao has received an invitation to attend the prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting 2022, which will take place in Davos-Klosters from 17 to 21 January.

Appreciating the work of the minister, WEF President Borge Brende sent him the invitation.

"Your leadership and commitment to transforming Telangana into a leading technology powerhouse is noteworthy. As India emerges from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, its ability to quickly adapt to innovation and emerging technologies will be vital for a sustainable economic recovery. Your insights on harnessing emerging technologies for common good will be key to the discussions at the Annual Meeting," the WEF president wrote.

He also stated that it is essential for the world's foremost political, business, and civil society leaders to come together once again to restore trust in the ability to shape the future in collaborative ways.

Minister KTR expressed happiness over receiving an invitation to the prestigious WEF annual meeting. "I see this invitation as a recognition of Telangana government's initiatives in the fields of information technology, industry, and innovation," he said.
New Delhi, Sep 19 : Delhi Police has arrested a Nigerian national for being involved in the illicit trade of Narcotics and Psychotropic substances, an official said here on Sunday.

Acting upon a piece of secret information regarding the movement of the drug peddler, identified as Chidubem Micheal Adimonyemma, near Air Force Station Bus Stand, MB Road, Hamdard Nagar, here, a team of 10 cops was constituted.

Subsequently, a trap was laid out around the area and the accused was nabbed with 152 grams of fine quality heroin.

The value of recovered heroin in the Indian market is said to be approximately Rs 8 lakh.

No previous involvement of the accused was found in any other crime in India.

The police said that further interrogation of the accused is in progress keeping in view the source of the drug and tracing the chain of persons involved in the offence.
Canberra, Sep 19 : Australian Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter on Sunday resigned after accepting an anonymous donation to fund personal legal fees.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Sunday afternoon that Porter has stepped down from the Ministry effective immediately, reports Xinhua news agency.

It comes five days after Porter revealed that he accepted a donation from a blind trust known as the "Legal Services Trust" to cover part of his legal fees in a discontinued defamation case against a journalist.

Morrison had sought advice from his department over whether the anonymous donation breached ministerial standards but said on Sunday that Porter, who previously served as the attorney-general, had made the decision to quit himself.

"He has this afternoon taken the appropriate course of action to uphold those standards by tendering his resignation as a minister this afternoon, and I have accepted his resignation," he told reporters.

"All members, when they become ministers, understand that when they sign on and become a member of the cabinet and take on the role in the government's executive. All of my ministers seek to uphold the standards at all times," said Morrison.

Earlier on Sunday, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham described the donation to Porter as "an unusual one".

Porter's resignation brought an end to his six-year career as a government minister.

In a three-page resignation letter he said he "ultimately decided" to resign rather than try to break the confidentiality of the donors behind the trust.

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor has been appointed to temporarily take over Porter's ministerial portfolio.
New Delhi, Sep 19 : After Captain Amarinder Singh opened a front against his own party's state president Navjot Singh Sidhu, accusing him of having links with Pakistan, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday sought clarifications from Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on the issue.

Former Union Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar launched a scathing attack on the Congress, saying that Amarinder Singh had made very serious allegations against Navjot Singh Sidhu by calling him anti-national.

Linking the issue with national security, Javadekar questioned the silence of Congress interim national president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and asked whether the Congress would take note of these allegations.

He said that the Congress should come clear on these allegations.

After resigning as the Chief Minister of Punjab on Saturday, Amarinder Singh had lashed out at Navjot Singh Sidhu over his Pakistan connection. He raised questions about Sidhu's praise of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and General Bajwa, and even called him anti-national.

The Captain had also said that he had informed the Congress high command several times about all these issues.

Captain's allegations against Sidhu have given the BJP an opportunity to target the Congress high command. Many BJP leaders believe that due to his military background, Captain Amrinder Singh's intentions regarding national security can never be questioned, and that he has always supported every step of the Modi government taken against Pakistan.
Beijing, Sep 19 : At least nine people were killed and six others missing after a passenger boat overturned in a river in China's Guizhou province, local authorities confirmed on Sunday.

The accident took place at 4.50 p.m. on Saturday in Zangke River, reports Xinhua news agency.

The ship, which had a capacity of 40 people, was overloaded when the accident happened.

Authorities are yet to confirm the exact number of passengers who were on board.

As of Sunday, 40 people were rescued from the river, with 31 in non-life-threatening conditions, and nine died after being rescued.

Most of the passengers were students, according to the authorities.

A total of 17 rescue teams and 50 boats have been dispatched to join the search and rescue operation, and an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
New Delhi, Sep 19 : A senior US trade official privately criticised India's July decision to ban Mastercard Inc from issuing new cards, calling it a "draconian" move that caused "panic", a global news wire reported.

The documents show frustration within the US government after India's central bank banned new card issuance by American Express and Diners Club International in April, then took similar action against Mastercard in July.

The Reserve Bank of India accuses the companies of breaking local data-storage rules. The bans do not affect existing customers.

The ban on Mastercard - a top payment network in India alongside Visa - triggered a flurry of emails between US officials in Washington and India as they discussed next steps with Mastercard, including approaching the RBI, the government emails show, the report said.

"We've started hearing from stakeholders about some pretty draconian measures that the RBI has taken over the past couple days," Brendan A. Lynch, the Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, wrote on July 16, two days after the Mastercard announcement, the report said.

"It sounds like some others (Amex, Diners) may have been impacted by similar actions recently," wrote Lynch, asking his colleagues in India to get in touch with their central bank contacts "to see what's going on".

Lynch, spokespeople for the Office of the US Trade Representative and the US Embassy in New Delhi did not respond to requests for comment. The US government has not publicly commented on the Mastercard ban.
Dubai, Sep 19 : Delhi Capitals all-rounder Axar Patel believes that his team will look to build on its happy memories from the IPL 2020 edition ahead of the second half of the IPL 2021 starting September 19. Patel had taken nine wickets in 15 matches in the 2020 edition of the IPL, where Delhi finished as runners-up.

"When it was announced that the second half of the tournament will be held in the UAE, I thought about our performance the last time we were here. We have happy memories from that tournament as we reached our first-ever IPL final. We are looking to repeat our performance and hopefully, just go one step further in the final this season," said Patel in a release by the franchise on Sunday.

Patel, who was part of the Indian squad for the Test series in England, pointed out the massive difference in weather conditions between UK and UAE.

"It's been a drastic change for us as far as the weather is concerned. It was quite cold in England and now we are getting used to the heat here. When we stood on our balconies during quarantine, we got an idea about the heat, but we got to know the full extent of the weather conditions when we started practicing in the nets. We are looking to get used to the conditions in the next 2-3 days." When asked about his personal goals for the remainder of the IPL 2021, the 27-year-old said, "My personal goals are always aligned with the team goals. I always think about what the team needs and then set my personal goals accordingly. I always carry out my preparations according to the team's requirements. And personally, I just look to get better with every match in every season." Delhi Capitals, ranked on top of the points table, are set to take on bottom-ranked Sunrisers Hyderabad on September 22 in Dubai in re-starting their second leg of IPL 2021.

Latest updates on IPL 2021
New Delhi, Sep 19 : The bar and restaurants in Delhi have been granted permission to reopen dine-in spaces at 50 per cent occupancy after being shut for nearly two months. However, the owners now pin their hopes for full occupancy as they consider the 50 per cent restriction to be a major hindrance for getting business back on track.

Most of the restaurant and bar managers in the city think that though the businesses are coming on the track slowly in the post-lockdown era, relaxation in occupancy in dine-in service can prove a boon for the industry.

Pushpendra, manager at dine-out 38 Barracks restaurant in Connaught Place, said, "The business is getting normal now, but we are compelled to follow the rule of only 50 per cent of occupancy which affects our daily sell out." The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has extended the opening hours for restaurants and bars in the capital city. The restaurants and bars are now allowed to remain open till their normal closing timing at 12 in midnight with 50 per cent seating capacity restriction.

The SinCity club official said, "The extended timings till midnight have proved good for our business, but we expect better in the post-lockdown period. The 50 per cent occupancy restriction impacts the business." OMG cafe manager in Connaught Place B.S. Rawat said, "We get good footfalls on weekends, but on weekdays we see a considerable decline in the number of people visiting the bar. Even Corporate meetings and parties are not being held because of social distancing norms which have a telling impact on the industry," he said.

"As we have witnessed two surges of Covid, people are facing budget constraints and they are willing to save for the future. If tourists start visiting the restaurants, we can be hopeful for revival in the industry", said Rawat.

A multi cuisine Mamagota Restaurant manager in Khan Market, Satyendra says that almost 90 per cent of businesses have come back on track. The restaurant serving Asian Continental food has waiting of one hour on a regular basis. "As we have the restriction of only 50 per cent of occupancy," he says, "The food delivery service is on the rise which ultimately makes up for our revenue in total." Prashant, manager at The Chatter House, told IANS, "The industry has revived up to 70 to 80 per cent as we have long waiting hours at the restaurant. However, we follow the 50 per cent occupancy norm. The footfalls are increasing every day which results in long waiting times," he said.

Hiritk Choudhry, who is a manager at the Italian restaurant Tera Vita in Khan Market says that the guests are not hesitant any more to come out and enjoy themselves. They no longer fear Covid infections as most of them now have been vaccinated fully and also the daily cases are on the decline. He said that the restaurant is completely packed up on weekends and 80 to 90 per cent footfall is on the weekdays.

Even with a limited seating capacity and other safety protocols like social distancing in place, the bar and restaurant industry are on the track to revive in the post-lockdown era in Delhi. However, they pin hopes on full occupancy to see the business flourish again like the pre-Covid times.
London, Sep 19 : Iconic English actress Dame Judi Dench and actor Derek Jacobi will star in a movie adaptation of Alan Bennett's last play.

The two stars will appear together in the hospital drama "Allelujah!", an adaptation of the 87-year-old writer's most recent stage production from "Call the Midwife" creator Heidi Thomas, reports aceshowbiz.com.

The story is set in the geriatric ward of a Yorkshire hospital, the Bethlehem, which is threatened with closure, with the "Skyfall" actress portraying a former librarian, who is now a patient on the facility's Dusty Springfield ward while Derek will play a former headmaster who has also been admitted to that area of the medical facility.

"Absolutely Fabulous" star Jennifer Saunders is said to be in negotiations to play a ward sister obsessed with the patients' bladder control while Julia McKenzie will also be part of the cast as a former child soprano who was known as "the Pudsey Nightingale." According to the Daily Mail newspaper's Baz Bamigboye, Heidi has added a coda in her screenplay which acknowledges the Covid-19 pandemic.

The movie is currently in pre-production and casting is still taking place for other key roles.

"Allelujah!" was first staged at London's Bridge Theatre three years ago, with Nicholas Hytner serving as director. The cast includes Nicola Hughes, Simon Williams, Julia Foster, and Deborah Findlay.
Hyderabad, Sep 19 : A mammoth Ganesh immersion procession was underway in Hyderabad on Sunday amid massive security arrangements and despite intermittent rains.

Thousands of devotees were participating in the programmes across the city to bid adieu to Ganesh while about 27,000 security personnel were deployed as part of the elaborate arrangements for smooth and peaceful conduct of the annual rituals.

Amid chanting of slogans, devotees were carrying thousands of idols to Hussain Sagar lake and more than more than 50 other lakes and ponds in and around the city.

"Shoba yatra", as the immersion procession is called, was underway amidst intermittent rains in Hyderabad. Hundreds of trucks were heading towards Hussain Sagar and other lakes amid the rains.

The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi, the organisers of the procession, set up special platforms at Charminar and Moazzam Jahi Market to welcome idols.

About 27,000 policemen were deployed under the limits of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police commissionerates as nearly 40,000 idols will be immersed in Hussain Sagar and other lakes.

Director General of Police M. Mahender Reddy was monitoring immersion processions in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana from state command and control centre.

The police chief said they were monitoring the processions through use of technology. He said monitoring was being done from police station level to city, district and the state level through CCTV cameras linked to control rooms.

Animal Husbandry Minister T. Srinivas Yadav reviewed the arrangements at Hussain Sagar. He sailed in a boat to see the immersion points and the steps taken to deal with any emergency.

Yadav said the immersion was on in a smooth manner. He said the process was likely to be completed by midnight or early Monday.

The massive procession with large idols began from Balapur on the outskirts of the city while dozens of processions joined it enroute. The procession moved through communally sensitive old city including historic Charminar, Moazzam Jahi Market and Basheerbagh before reaching Hussain Sagar in the heart of the city.

Police were keeping a close watch on the procession from command and control centre linked with CCTV cameras installed along the procession route.

Idols larger than 10 feet were being immersed from Tank Bund side while smaller idols were diverted to other points around Hussain Sagar.

Hyderabad's tallest idol from Khairatabad reached Hussain Sagar in the afternoon. The 40-feet tall and 23-feet wide idol was brought to NTR Marg, where it was immersed with the help of a huge crane. The last journey of the idol began at 8.18 a.m. Thousands of devotees turned up for the last puja at the pandal and also at the lake.

"The biggest Ganesh idol, the Khairatabad Ganesh, was finally immersed What an herculean task executed with absolute precision Kudos to the organizers, technicians , crane operators and all stakeholder government departments," tweeted Additional Commissioner of Police Shikha Goel.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Stephen Ravindra, and Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh Bhagwath inspected the immersion processions at various places.

The mammoth procession has brought the entire city to a halt. Police have imposed traffic restrictions from 6 a.m. on Sunday till 6 a.m. on Monday. Liquor shops and bars will remain closed in the limits of all three police commissionerates.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has installed 330 cranes of various capacities at 33 lakes and 25 special ponds created for immersion.

A total of 40 cranes have been deployed for immersion at Hussain Sagar. The decks for immersion in this lake were cleared after the Supreme Court allowed the immersion of idols made of plaster of Paris for this year.

Earlier, the Telangana High Court had refused to allow immersion of idols of plaster of Paris and had rejected the plea of the GHMC for modifying its orders, saying it can't allow pollution of the lake.

The GHMC had then moved the Supreme Court, which gave the exemption for this year.

More than 8,000 workers, constituting 162 Ganesh Action Teams, would be posted on three shifts to ensure smooth completion of immersion.

The GHMC pressed into service 20 excavators, 21 earth-movers, 39 mini tippers and 44 vehicles with 10 tonnes of capacity to remove waste after immersion.

Ganesh festivities could not be held last year due to Covid-19 pandemic. Like in the past, thousands of idols have been installed this year.

However, authorities have appealed to devotees to take all precautions in view of Covid. GHMC distributed free masks among devotees.

Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board set up special camps at 101 locations, including procession routes, to provide 30 lakh packets of water to devotees.

The Roads & Buildings department has organise barricades, watch towers and view cutters, while the Fire department would provide 38 fire-tending vehicles to face emergency situations.

Authorities have also deployed boats with 30 expert swimmers at Hussain Sagar for help in case of any drowning incident.

The South Central Railway (SCR) will run eight MMTS special trains to various destinations in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secundrabad on the intervening night of September 19-20 (between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.).

The special trains will be operated between Secunderabad-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Lingampalli, Lingampalli-Hyderabad, Hyderabad -Secunderabad Hyderabad-Lingampalli, Lingampalli-Falaknuma, and Falaknuma-Secunderabad who would be travelling for witnessing the immersion of Ganesh idols on the final day of the festivities.

Hyderabad Metro Rail has also decided to extend its services on Sunday. Instead of running the last services at 10.15 p.m. on that day, it extended the time till 1 a.m. The trains will reach terminating stations by about 2 a.m.
Kochi, Sep 19 : Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran's upcoming film 'Brahmam' will have a direct digital release on October 7. The movie is the Malayalam remake of Hindi film 'Andhadhun'.

Directed by Ravi K Chandran, 'Brahmam' also stars Unni Mukundan, Raashi Khanna, Sudheer Karamana and Mamta Mohandas in key roles. The film will stream on Amazon Prime Video.

"Taking the scale of production a notch higher than the original, some unique elements of drama and humour have been weaved in 'Bhramam' along with a heady punch of music that discerningly fits into the narrative. I am happy that we have managed to push the envelope further in terms of cinematography and have brought our creative vision to life with such a nuanced storyline and hopefully, along with a talented team, we have been able to put together a film that will leave the audiences thoroughly entertained," says director Ravi.

The film dwells on the dualities of a pianist who pretends to be blind, essayed by Prithviraj Sukumaran.

Vijay Subramaniam, Director and Head, Content, Amazon Prime Video, India says: "It is great to collaborate with Prithviraj once again whose films 'Cold Case' and 'Kuruthi' have received lots of love and appreciation from our customers. Given its gripping plotline and compelling performances, I hope 'Bhramam' receives similar adulation from audiences and establishes a benchmark in the crime thriller genre starting October 7." 'Bhramam' is produced under the banner of AP International and Viacom18 Studios.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 19 : Congress' Kerala President K. Sudhakaran on Sunday said that the party would convene a meeting of religious heads to tamp down tempers following a Bishop's statement that Christian children should be safe guarded against "Narcotic Jihad" that is being pushed by a specific section of people.

Pala Archdiocese's Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangat, speaking at a function at Marth Mariam Pilgrim Church at Kuruvilangad in Kottayam district on September 9, alleged that non-Muslims in Kerala are subjected to "Narcotic Jihad", which is the spoiling lives, particularly of young people, by making them addicted to drugs.

After his speech went became viral, several groups came out against the Bishop, especially Muslim organisations, and some extreme organisations carried out a protest march towards his house and even raised slogans of physically attacking him.

Addressing media after meeting several Muslim religious heads including Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation head, Jiffri Muthukoya Thangal, and Mujahid movement's T.P. Abdulla Koya Madani, Sudhakaran, accompanied by Leader of Opposition, V.D. Satheeshan, said: "Congress is planning to convene a meeting of religious and community leaders. Such a meeting should have been convened by the state Chief Minister and as he is not doing anything, the state Congress will spearhead such a meeting." He also said Satheeshan had written two letters to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to take an initiative to call a meeting of religious heads to calm the flared tempers, but to no avail. "Hence the Congress, being a responsible political party in the state, would be taking the initiative to convene a meeting of religious heads and community elders and will announce the date soon".

Satheeshan said: "The meeting of religious and community heads will be convened by us as the Chief Minister has not taken any initiative even after I wrote a few letters to him on the same." Meanwhile, BJP state General Secretary and former Vice Chairman of the party's Minority Morcha, George Kurien, had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking security for the Pala Bishop as "Muslim extremists had threatened him publicly with dire consequences".

In a related development, senior Congress leader, K. Muraleedharan, addressing a public meeting at Thiruvananthapuram, said that those who were instrumental in the death of human rights activist and priest, Stan Swamy, are now shedding "crocodile tears", in a reference to the BJP and RSS leaders visiting the Pala Bishop.
London, Sep 19 : After facing backlash for its coverage of origins of the Covid pandemic, the much acclaimed scientific journal -- The Lancet has now published an 'alternative view' from 16 scientists.

The international team of health experts, in the open letter, make an appeal for "objective, open, and transparent scientific debate about the origin of SARS-CoV-2".

Scientists "need to evaluate all hypotheses on a rational basis, and to weigh their likelihood based on facts and evidence, devoid of speculation concerning possible political impacts", the authors wrote.

The Lancet, had in February last year, published an open letter that "strongly condemned conspiracy theories" surrounding the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin.

Earlier this year, it was revealed earlier that Peter Daszak -- a British scientist and president of the US-based non-profit EcoHealth Alliance that has a direct connection with China -- had secretly orchestrated the now-infamous letter. The firm has also funded research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

In the new open letter, the scientists discuss the possibility that laboratory research might have played a role in the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

"We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin", they said, in a statement that "imparted a silencing effect on the wider scientific debate".

However, "there is no direct support for the natural origin of SARS-CoV-2, and a laboratory-related accident is plausible", the authors stated.

"It might seem small, but after 18 months of complete denial, the very act of [The] Lancet agreeing to publish this letter acknowledging the origins of Covid-19 remains an open verdict, is a very big deal," Professor Nikolai Petrovsky of Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, one of the signatories, told Daily Mail on Sunday.

"For a leading medical journal like Lancet to agree to finally open its doors to a letter from scientists highlighting the ongoing uncertain origins of Covid-19, indicates how far we have come in 18 months in requesting an open scientific debate on the topic, but also indicates just how far we still have to go," he added.

Further, the new letter also implored China to open up and allow access to proper investigation. While the first joint World Health Organisation-China Study concluded that the laboratory origin was "extremely unlikely", WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has declared that all hypotheses remained on the table including that of a laboratory leak.

China has, meanwhile, resisted a second full and unrestricted probe into the origins of the outbreak by WHO, accusing the global health body of "arrogance" and a "disrespect for common sense".

"While we need more evidence, the world will remain mired in dispute without full engagement of China, including open access to primary data, documents, and relevant stored material to enable a thorough, transparent, and objective search for all relevant evidence," the authors wrote.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Sep 19 : In a major win against the fight of drug trafficking, Delhi Police has arrested the most wanted drug peddler whose network was spread over several areas in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

According to the police, the drug trafficker identified as Tamoor Khan, a resident of Village Behra, Bareilly in UP, was wanted in nine cases in Delhi and UP, including one case of crime branch, three cases of Special Cell registered under NDPS act, and four cases in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly.

DCP Crime (Narcotics) Chinmoy Biswal in a media briefing, said that Tamoor had built an image of local Robinhood in the area surrounding his village which was the main reason that locals used to give him prior information about police which helped him evade arrest every time police raided his house.

On Thursday, the police received information that Tamoor was going to Seelampur in search of shelter as after the arrest of another notorious drug peddler Shahid Khan, Tamoor got suspicious that Shahid might have given information about his hideouts to the police.

The police team then immediately swung into action and laid a trap and intercepted Tamoor while he was avoiding the main road at Seelampur in front of the Metro station and was going through the side lane.

Tamoor tried to escape however, he was overpowered by the police team and arrested there.

Tamoor, who once aspired to become a multinational professional and had also joined a college for an MBA degree, was arrested for the first time in the year 2008 with 670 gms smack. He remained in jail for seven months and was later acquitted.

After coming out of jail, he joined a local drug supplier and started trafficking drugs from Bareilly to Delhi. In order to evade arrest, he stopped using his mobile phones and used to hide in sugarcane fields whenever police raided his house.

In due course of time, Tamoor learnt the art of making heroin from crude which is extracted from opium. Locals used to manufacture heroin in Bareilly after processing opium crude as earlier, cultivation of Afeem was allowed in different villages of Bareilly and Badayun.

He became so well known for drug trafficking and kept evading for such a long period of time that Delhi Police declared a reward of Rs 1 lakh and UP Police Rs 50,000 on his arrest.

"The arrest of most-wanted drug trafficker Tamoor Khan has made a significant dent in the interstate network of drug traffickers supplying heroin in Delhi," DCP Biswal said.

The Narcotics Cell is conducting further crackdown to break the backbone of Bareilly-Delhi drugs supply network, the police official added.
Chandigarh, Sep 19 : Outgoing Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday greeted Charanjit Singh Channi, who is going to be the next Chief Minister of the state.

"My best wishes to Charanjit Singh Channi. I hope he's able to keep the border state of Punjab safe and protect our people from the growing security threat from across the border," said Amarinder Singh in a tweet.

Senior Congress leader Amarinder Singh on Saturday resigned from his post as the Chief Minister of Punjab after months of political tussle, saying he stepped down as he felt 'humiliated'.

At the same time, he said that the "future politics option is always there and I will use that option".

Amarinder Singh also termed Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh as a 'disaster' who would not be acceptable to him as his successor.
New Delhi, Sep 19 : In the run up to the next year's Uttar Pradesh polls, the BJP held 'prabuddh varg sammelan' (intellectuals' meet) in over 350 assembly constituencies across the state in just a fortnight.

A senior party functionary said that intellectuals meet has already been held in around 350 assembly segments, and are held in the remaining 50 odd constituencies by Monday. The BJP had planned an intellectuals' meet from September 5 to September 20 in all the 403 assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh.

These meetings are addressed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, state in-charge Radha Mohan Singh, state unit president Swatantra Dev Singh, state general secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal, ministers in Central and state government, and national and state-level office-bearers.

Lok Sabha member from Kannauj and BJP Uttar Pradesh general secretary, Subrat Pathak said, "Active participation of intelligentsia in the meet in all the districts and assembly constituencies clearly shows that the intellectuals are with the BJP and they are determined to form the government in Uttar Pradesh." It is learnt that, till Saturday, little over 300 intellectuals' meetings were held in the same number of assembly constituencies and by Sunday evening it will cross 350 mark. Intellectuals and professionals working in different fields are participating in the meet.

"Our aim is to reach out to the intellectual classes and inform them about the ideology and policies of the party. Through these intellectuals' meet, we communicate and explain to them about development works and welfare schemes by the BJP government at the Centre and in the state," a BJP leader said.

As part of its poll preparations, the BJP Uttar Pradesh unit has planned several programs and events including membership drive to enroll minimum 1.5 crore new members, a 21-member committee at each polling booth, grand celebration of completion of four-and-a-half year of Yogi Adityanath government on September 19 at 27,700 'Shakti Kendra' (cluster of six to seven polling booths) and 'swachchta abhiyan' at block level on Gandhi Jayanti.

"Multiple programs or events planned as part of our poll preparations, we are trying to reach the maximum number of people with a target to approach each individual," a party insider said.
Chennai, Sep 19 : The administration in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district has ordered a detailed probe into the alleged auctioning bid that had taken place for the post of Panchayat president, at the behest of the village elders on Saturday.

Villupuram district Collector D. Mohan and a group of officials conducted a probe in Ponnankuppam and Sitheri Panchayats in the district.

It was alleged that there was an attempt to auction the post of Panchayat President, reserved for SC women, in Ponnankuppam panchayat that falls under Gingee block.

The panchayat has two hamlets, Thuthipet and Ponnankuppam, and the former's village elders had convened a meeting on Saturday to decide on a "consensus" candidate based on the highest bidding amount. Sources told IANS that the amount fixed was Rs 13 lakh but the residents of Ponnankuppam opposed the move and wanted the candidate from their village be elected as the President.

The Collector, who visited the village on information provided by the villagers of Ponnankuppam, conducted a detailed study and according to his office, police have also commenced a probe into the same.

Mohan told media persons that stringent action would be taken against those who had indulged in trying to subvert the democratic process.

In Sitheri Panchayat also, there were attempts to auction the post of Panchayat President to the highest bidder, official sources said. Here also the village elders convened a meeting and were choosing the highest bidder, but a few youngsters in the village opposed the move and foiled the attempt.
New Delhi, Sep 19 : The leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Pakistan Taliban has rejected the idea that the power-shift in Afghanistan would affect TTP strategies and added that TTP is already intensifying attacks against the government of Pakistan.

The head of the Islamic militant group Pakistani Taliban (TTP), Mufti Wali Noor Mehsud, welcomed the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan after 20 years of absence, in an exclusive interview with the Mainichi Shimbun.

He rejected the idea that the power-shift in Afghanistan would affect TTP strategies, adding, "We are already intensifying our attacks from time to time against the government of Pakistan." The Pakistani government is tightening its guard against the TTP, who are gaining momentum with the Taliban back in control. The two groups are known to share the ideal of governing by Sharia, or Islamic law.

During the interview, the leader spoke of the relationship with his Afghan counterpart to be "cordial and like a brotherhood." But he denied collaboration and commented, "We don't have any opportunities to participate (in their activities)," claiming that the TTP's activities are confined within Pakistan, as per the report.

The Mainichi asked about the TTP's relationship with China. Beijing has invested heavily in Pakistan's infrastructure based on an economic package known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, as part of its Belt and Road Initiative.

Recently, the Chinese nationals related to these projects are believed to have become targets of repeated terrorist attacks. Quite a few cases have been linked to the TTP, but Mehsud claimed, "There is no hostility between the TTP and China." But he warned the Chinese government and its people to "not be influenced by Pakistan's conspiracy and deception, and to avoid initiating a war against the TTP", the report added.

Reacting to the interview, Chinese mouthpiece, Global Times reported that the TTP may continue its attacks in Pakistan and cause damage to China's projects and personnel in the country.

Zhang Jiadong, a professor at the Center for American Studies, Fudan University, told the Global Times that encouraged by the Afghan Taliban's victory, the TTP wants to realize Pashtuns' rule in Pakistan. This is an issue of concern for the Pakistan government, noting that the resurgence of extremist groups in the region may affect the regional situation and more problems may emerge after the US withdrawal.

Zhu Yongbiao, director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at Lanzhou University said TTP has absorbed many anti-Pakistan militants including other ethnic groups and international terrorist forces. It differs from the Afghan Taliban in its goals and attitude toward the Pakistan government.

Zhu noted that Pakistan has two main concerns over this: first, whether the victory of the Taliban in Afghanistan might stimulate the TTP and boost its confidence; and second, whether there will be stronger nationalism among the Pashtuns in Pakistan, which could lead to requests for territory.

Zhang warned it is possible that the TTP may conduct more activities in Pakistan and more Chinese people or Chinese projects may be attacked in order to increase pressure on the Pakistan government.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in)
Chennai, Sep 19 : Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Sunday said that the Coimbatore district topped the state in vaccinating the highest percentage of the eligible population against Covid-19.

Addressing reporters after inaugurating the second mega vaccination camp at Pollachi, he said that of the 29,27,149 population aged above 18 in the district, 75 per cent had received their first dose while 25 per cent received both doses.

The minister also said that Coimbatore administration had done well the check the number of Covid cases in the district but the presence of 13 inter-state check posts with Kerala is a matter of concern for the state.

He said that the relentless effort of the Tamil Nadu Health Department and the stringent preventive measures taken by the government in setting up check posts in the border areas with Kerala ensured that Nipah and Zikah virus could not enter the state.

Noting that even after precautions and strict measures, Kerala was reporting more than 20,000 cases a day, he said that visitors from Kerala have to show the RT-PCR negative certificate at the check posts and those without the certificate are sent back.

The minister said that the DMK government under Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin has been trying to get maximum vaccine quota allocated from the Central government. "Before the DMK government assumed office, the daily vaccination count was 61,440 but presently it is 2.49 lakh inoculations per day," he said.

Talking to IANS, Subramanian said: "We are planning to inoculate at least 15 lakh people during the mega vaccination drive on Sunday and we have a stock of 16 lakh doses of vaccines." He also inaugurated two oxygen generators, installed at a cost of Rs 1.80 crore, at the Government hospital, Pollachi, and released a Covid-19 awareness video brought out by the district administration.

He also visited the inter-state check post at Meenakshipuram in the district to check screening of people coming from Kerala.
Kolkata, Sep 19 : After a silence of nearly two months, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar continued his tirade, accusing the state government of constitutional impropriety alleging that the State Finance Commission (SFC) is not only continuing even after five years but has not made any recommendations to the governor so far.

In a tweet, Dhankhar wrote, "State Finance Commission (SFC) @MamataOfficial under Articles 243-I & 243Y, is required to make recommendations to the Governor that are to be laid before the Legislature of the State. What a collapse of constitutional mechanism, since 2014 not a single recommendation to Governor".

"SFC under the constitution is for five years. Fourth SFC @MamataOfficial continued beyond, in violation of the Constitution. Chairman and Members are liable to return salary and perks to State and all expenses need to be recovered from concerned as public money cannot be squandered," the governor added.

The governor further said, "Recommendations to Governor are for principles that should govern the distribution between State and Panchayats/Municipalities of net proceeds of taxes, duties, tolls & fees leviable @MamataOfficial, which may be divided and allocated between State and Panchayats/Municipalities." Referring to the constitution, Dhakahar said, "The Governor of a State shall, as soon as may be within one year from the commencement of the Constitution (Seventy third Amendment) Act, 1992, and thereafter at the expiration of every fifth year, constitute a Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats and to make recommendations to the Governor".

"The Commission shall determine their procedure and shall have such powers in the performance of their functions as the Legislature of the State may, by law, confer on them. The Governor shall cause every recommendation made by the Commission under this article together with an explanatory memorandum as to the action taken thereon to be laid before the Legislature of the State," the governor referred.

The fourth finance commission was set up by the Mamata Banerjee government in 2013. When asked about the allegation raised by the commission, a senior official of the state finance department said, "There were three part-time members of the commission. They used to get sitting fees for their meetings. The other members have not received any money after submitting their report in February 2016. No new SFC has been formed yet".
New Delhi, Sep 19 : UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay has expressed deep concern over the announcement made in Afghanistan to gradually reopen secondary schools for boys and their male teachers only, leaving girls and women behind.

Should this ban be maintained, it would constitute an important violation for the fundamental right to education for girls and women, UNESCO said.

UNESCO calls on those responsible for this announcement to clarify the situation and reopen schools for all Afghan students, boys and girls alike.

UNESCO has warned about the irreversible consequences, if girls are not allowed to return to school at all levels of education swiftly. In particular, the delayed return of girls to secondary school may risk them to be left behind in education and ultimately, in life.

It increases the risk of dropping out from education altogether and exposes them to negative coping mechanisms such as child marriage. It may further widen the learning disparities between boys and girls, and ultimately hinder girls' access to higher education and life opportunities.

"Our commitment to Afghan children is unequivocal, and our collective responsibility is to ensure that the fundamental right to education for each and every one of them is fully realized", UNESCO said.

According to a report, Afghanistan has made significant gains in education over the past twenty years particularly for girls and women. Since 2001, the female literacy rate almost doubled from 17 per cent to 30 per cent; the number of girls in primary school increased from almost zero in 2001 to 2.5 million in 2018. The number of girls in higher education increased from around 5,000 in 2001 to around 90,000 in 2018. The percentage of female teachers increased from 27 per cent in 2007 to 36 per cent in 2018. Yet these critical gains for the country's development are at risk if there is a delayed return of girls to school.
Chandigarh, Sep 19 : In a tactical move to retain Punjab in the next Assembly elections in early 2022, the Congress on Sunday appointed Dalit leader and three consecutive term legislator Charanjit Singh Channi as the next Chief Minister, replacing veteran Amarinder Singh.

After meeting Governor Banwarilal Purohit here to stake claim to form the next government, Channi, accompanied by state party President Navjot Singh Sidhu, told the media that he would take the oath as the Chief Minister on Monday at 11 a.m.

"We have presented our stance, unanimously supported by party MLAs, before the Governor," he added.

Channi, 49, the legislator from Chamkaur Sahib, is the first Dalit Chief Minister and the youngest to be at helm in the state. He belongs to the Ramdasia community.

With his appointment, the Congress is trying to woo the Dalit vote, comprising 32 per cent, ahead of the Assembly polls slated in March 2022.

Channi, a Cabinet minister in the present government, was leading from the front to demand the removal of Amarinder Singh as the government in his helm has failed to come as per the aspirations of the people and even failed to implement the 2017 Assembly poll promises.

Outgoing Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was among the first to greet Channi when party General Secretary in charge of state Harish Rawat made the formal announcement on his appointment in the evening, ending day-long suspense over the new incumbent.

Amarinder Singh on Saturday stepped down as the Chief Minister by saying he "felt humiliated".

Earlier in the day, Cabinet minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa's name was doing rounds to the next Chief Minister.

Seemed miffed for not being chosen as the next Chief Minister, Randhawa told the media: "It's the high command's decision...I welcome it. Channi is like my younger brother...I am not at all disappointed." "The people who get disappointed are the ones who never saw power. I have seen power since my father's time. Channi is my younger brother and I welcome the decision taken by high command," he added.

"Congratulations to Shri Charanjit Singh Channi Ji for the new responsibility. We must continue to fulfill the promises made to the people of Punjab. Their trust is of paramount importance," party leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

A day after he quit as Chief Minister after being humiliated by the party amid the Punjab Congress crisis, Amarinder Singh on Sunday expressed sorrow at having to cancel the scheduled disbursement of appointment letters to families of 150 farmers who had lost their lives in the ongoing agitation against the farm laws.

He said that with the new CM-designate already announced, he would unfortunately not be able to personally hand over job letters to the next of kin of the deceased farmers even though his council of ministers had already accorded approval to the proposal. He hoped the new Chief Minister would carry out the task at the earliest to provide relief to the affected families.

Amarinder Singh urged Channi to ensure that the state government continues to stand with the beleaguered farmers of Punjab, "who have sacrificed their lives in our collective fight for justice".

He made it clear that he would continue to support the farmers in their battle for survival and justice.

"Every Punjabi, in fact every Indian, is morally bound to stand with the farmers in their hour of despair," he said, asserting that even though he was no longer holding the state's reins, his heart remained with the farmers and their families and he would do everything in his power to ensure that they get their due.
Chandigarh, Sep 19 : The #MeToo controversy looms over Punjab Chief Minister-designate Charanjit Singh Channi, who was accused of sending indecent messages to a senior woman IAS officer.

The alleged controversy came to light in October 2018 when Channi was the Technical Education Minister, and then Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had said the matter was brought to his notice and that it was "resolved" to the satisfaction of the woman officer concerned.

At that time, the #MeToo movement was hogging the limelight across the country.
New Delhi/Gangtok, Sep 19 : The Sikkim government has declared endangered Neolissochilus hexagonolepis, commonly known as Chocolate or Copper Mahseer and locally named as Katley, as the 'State Fish".

The name Chocolate Mahseer has been given because of the morphological body colour of this fish. The ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBGR), Lucknow, had categorised Katley as "endangered species" in 1992. Much later, in 2014, it was categorised as 'endangered' even by global conservation body, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

In India, Katley are mostly found in Himalayas, especially in the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Nagaland. In Sikkim, Katley are found in varied altitudes covering the entire state, predominantly confined in Teesta and Rangit rivers and their tributaries. There are as many as 48 indigenous species of Mahseer in Sikkim, an official said.

"Katley migrate upstream for breeding purpose and spawning takes place on stones and gravel. Spawning occurs from April to October with a peak in August to September. The fecundity of the fish is 3,500 per kilogram body weight. The maximum growth and length of Katley fish recorded is 11 kg and 120 cms respectively," the recent notification by the Directorate of Fisheries under Sikkim's Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services said.

"Katley are the most sought fish by the fishermen in the state as the fish is having high consumer demand and comparatively high market value," said the notification (number 780/Fish) of August 26, published in the extraordinary gazette of the Sikkim Government on September 2.

It is this aspect - of fishing and its market value - that has raised concerns about the future of the "endangered" fish. For, along with declaring the Copper Mahseer as the state fish, the Sikkim government has also declared reservoirs of the state to be open for fishing activities vide another notification on August 19.

"License shall be issued by the Directorate of Fisheries to the interested individual fishermen or fishermen co-operative societies or SHGs for fishing in the reservoirs in accordance with the existing provisions under the Sikkim Fisheries Rules, 1990," it said.

However, conservationists have questioned if the move is to ensure conservation or livelihood of fishermen and food for fish-lovers? Director, Fisheries, N. Jaswant contended that the step was taken to legalise fishing activities. "There was lot of illegal fishing going on. Fishermen used electric current to kill fishes etc. A random sampling survey showed us that there has been a reduction of almost 25-40 per cent fish over last decade." He said that the notification for declaring this as a state fish will not just help in conservation of the fish in rivers but also ensure that the supply of the most popular fish is not disturbed.

"We will ensure that the SOPs established by ICAR are followed. The reservoir fishing and cage fishing will increase the numbers and we will also send those out in the river." There are over two dozen hydroelectric projects, completed, under-construction and proposed across Sikkim. Fish habitats are disturbed by these kinds of infrastructure developments, especially dams/reservoirs for power generation that divert rivers and hence affect the natural flow and depth of water in a given river channel. Mahseer need to travel upstream during breeding season and physical structures such as dams hamper that movement.

Allaying fears, the Sikkim government officer said that lots of new dams have a provision of fish ladders in their designs. "We are going to survey the existing dams to check if those can be retrofitted for the same provision." Jaswant said that the government recently amended the Sikkim Fisheries Rules and will soon amend the Sikkim Fisheries Act, which, he said, will empower the department to "take legal action" against those indulging in illegal fishing.
Amaravati, Sep 19 : Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) is heading for a clean sweep in the ZPTC and MPTC elections as the counting of votes was underway on Sunday.

The party had bagged a majority of the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) and the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs) till Sunday evening.

According to results declared by the State Election Commission (SEC) till 6.30 p.m., the ruling party had won 340 out of 515 ZPTCs for which elections were held in April this year.

Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was a distant second with just three seats while the CPI-M and independents won a seat each.

Out of total 659 ZPTCs, the election was unanimous for 126 seats while 11 candidates expired since March 2020 when the poll process had started. The SEC withheld results in eight ZPTCs for various reasons.

Counting of votes was completed in three districts out of total 13 districts. The YSRCP made a clean sweep in all three districts including Chittoor, the home district of TDP President and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

In Chittoor, the YSRCP won all 33 seats for which elections were held. Similarly, it won all 34 seats in Nellore and 36 seats in Kurnool. The ruling party was also racing ahead in the remaining districts.

In Kuppam Assembly constituency represented by Naidu, the YSRCP won all four ZPTCs and 98 per cent of MPTCs. The ruling party also won the MPTC in Naravari Palli, the native village of Naidu.

The YSRCP claimed that this landslide victory shows that even after two and a half years of rule, the influence of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy remains unchanged.

The party also bagged majority of the MPTC seats. Out of 10,047 seats, the election was unanimous on 2,371 seats, and election was held for 7,219 seats. A total of 81 candidates expired since March 2020 while the SEC withheld results of 355 seats.

Results declared till 6.30 p.m. show that the YSRCP won 5,135 seats while the TDP was at second place with 675 seats. Jana Sena of actor Pawan Kalyan bagged 85 seats while the BJP won 23 seats. The CPI-M won 13 seats, the CPI 8, the Congress 4 and others 131.

SEC officials said the counting of votes is likely to continue past midnight. Andhra Pradesh High Court had last week allowed counting of votes in the elections held in April this year, bringing curtains on a process which began in March 2020.

The elections were held on April 8. A single judge bench on May 21 had cancelled the ZPTC and MPTC elections while hearing a petition by a TDP leader that the four-week mandatory period of model code of conduct was not taken into consideration from the date of announcement of election scheduled to the conduct of elections. However, a division bench later stayed the order on an appeal filed by the state government and allowed the SEC to take up counting of votes.

The YSRCP, which came to power in May 2019, has made a clean sweep in elections held at all levels from Parliament and Assembly to municipal, panchayat and now ZPTCs and MPTCs.

Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy said that the victory in the ZPTC and MPTC polls is seen as a vote for good governance which is mainly welfare-oriented and added that the Chief Minister has gained people's trust by fulfilling election promises.

The minister claimed that the TDP, with the help of former State Election Commissioner, had indulged in several political conspiracies in regard to local body polls. He said former SEC had postponed local body polls citing Covid only to favour the TDP. He said the results of panchayat and municipal polls made it clear that people are not in support of the TDP and Naidu started a new drama to boycott the MPTC and ZPTC polls anticipating the humiliating defeat.
Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2021 shows military vehicles at Kabul airport in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Photo taken on Sept. 13, 2021 shows soldiers guarding at the Kabul airport in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Sep 19 : ISIS-K has claimed in propaganda material that the Kabul airport suicide bomber wanted to carry out an attack in India but was arrested in Delhi five years back.

"ISIS-K in 20th edition of its propaganda magazine 'Voice of Hind' claimed IS-K suicide bomber Abdur Rahman Logari who carried out Aug 26 Kabul Airport bombing; travelled to India to carry out attack in revenge for Kashmir; arrested in Dehli (sic) 5-years ago & deported to Afghanistan," Salim Mehsud said in a tweet.

According to ISIS-K propaganda, Logari, the terrorist who conducted the suicide attack at Kabul airport on August 26, was arrested in India five years ago, in 2016.

He wanted to carry out the attack in "revenge" for Kashmir, the propaganda said but he was arrested in Delhi and deported to Afghanistan.
Dubai, Sep 19 : Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday announced that Virat Kohli will step down as RCB captain after the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season.

"This will be my last IPL as captain of RCB. I'll continue to be an RCB player till I play my last IPL game. I thank all the RCB fans for believing in me and supporting me," Kohli said in a video uploaded on RCB's Twitter handle.

A few days back, Kohli had decided to step down as India's T20 captain to lessen his workload.

Latest updates on IPL 2021
New Delhi, Sep 19 : The National Green Tribunal's (NGT) southern, eastern, and central benches have asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and states from the respective regions to submit, by October 10, the status of State Action Plans (SAPs) to combat air pollution.

Upholding the contention that the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is not just for non-attainment cities, the NGT's southern bench has asked the CPCB and Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana to submit their comprehensive SAPs by October 10.

The NCAP is a national level strategy launched by the Union Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Ministry in 2019 with a comprehensive mitigation strategies and an effective ambient air quality monitoring network. Cities are declared non-attainment if they consistently do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM 10 (Particulate matter 10 microns or less in diameter) or NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) over a 5-year period.

The NCAP has identified 132 non-attainment cities across India and several states are working towards city-specific action plans, many of which are already ready. The states are also supposed to prepare the SAPs as part of the NCAP.

Ritwick Dutta of the Legal Initiative for Forests and Environment (LIFE), who represented the petitioners, told IANS, that they had filed petitions at all the benches - southern, eastern, central, western, and the principal bench (for northern region) about two months ago to push for preparation of SAPs as part of the NCAP.

"While the southern bench on September 16 gave October 10 as deadline for states in south India to come up with SAPs, the eastern bench at Kolkata on August 24 had sought responses from the CPCB, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, states of Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha as to why their SAPs is not yet prepared? We also had a similar directive from the central bench at Bhopal that sought to know the status for central states," Dutta told IANS.

LIFE is now awaiting directions from the western bench and the principal bench on the issue.

The direction of the southern bench came on a plea that cited a study report of Lungs Care Foundation, in coordination with the Pulmocare Research and Education (PURE) Foundation, which claimed that air pollution is causing lung diseases, obesity, asthma, and other diseases, especially in children of adolescent age.

Stating that "air is an important element of human life, without which life can't exist", the tribunal order said: "So, under such circumstances, the governments are also directed to come up with a proper action plan, as most of the sources of air pollution related to different departments, in respect of which policy decision will have to be taken at the state government." The CPCB had informed the tribunal that the formulation of 'Guidelines for State Action Plan' under the NCAP got delayed due to Covid pandemic situation in the country and needed two months for their preparation. However, the NGT bench came down heavily on the CPCB as it was to formulate guidelines for the preparation of SAP by 2019, much before any pandemic or lockdown was on horizon, and thereafter each state government was to formulate and implement their respective SAPs by 2020.

"It may be mentioned here that the NCAP is not intended only for non-attainment cities. It is for the purpose of making all cities pollution-free, as providing clean air is part of Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and it is the state government to take appropriate steps to implement that plan in its letter and spirit," the southern bench of Justice K. Ramakrishnan and expert member K. Satyagopal, said.

Under the NCAP, the states will have to provide infrastructure for establishing air monitoring stations, and centrally monitor vehicular emission, garbage burning and other aspects. "These are all the areas where various states departments are also expected to go into the issue and have a consolidated action plan as to how they are going to minimise the air pollution," the NGT said.
Srinagar, Sep 19 : The Army is carrying a search operation along the LoC's Uri sector in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district after detecting some "suspicious movement", officials said on Sunday.

"On the intervening night of 18/19 Sep 2021, suspicious movement was detected along the LoC in Uri Sector. Search of the area is under progress," an army official said.

There has been a spurt in attempts of infiltration at the LoC. A Pakistani national was among the two terrorists killed at the LoC in Poonch after an infiltration bid was foiled by the army on August 30.
Bengaluru, Sep 19 : Former Union Minister and Karnataka Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda filed a police complaint on Sunday on an allegedly "concocted and fabricated" lewd video clipping of him being circulated on social media.

In the complaint to the Cyber Crime Offences and Narcotics police station, North Division in Bengaluru, his counsel said: "I have reliably learnt that politically motivated fake, fabricated, concocted video has been made by making use of our MP D.V. Sadananda Gowda." "The same is being circulated on social media and Facebook. The said creation of the video is only to tarnish his image. The same is politically motivated. The said video came to be created by way of impersonation. It is uploaded on Facebook, Whatsapp and other social media.

"In the view of the matter, I request you to take suitable action to block off the circulation of the said video and also to take suitable action against the wrongdoers strictly in accordance with law and protect his image," the complaint read.

Sadananda Gowda said that "malefactors, who are upset by my rise on the political front, have brought out a fake, lewd video of mine for my fall. The video has become viral on social media, which pains me".

He had obtained an injunction order from the court against publishing and circulating the video, and also appealed to people to bring it to his notice if anyone is indulging in circulating the video.

"A complaint has been filed with concerned authorities, to arrest and punish the guilty parties immediately," he said.

Sadananda Gowda also told his well-wishers that a morphed ("deep fake") video of him has been making rounds on social media and he would like to inform that it was not him in the video which was "created to malign his impeccable image by his adversaries with a vested interest".

A video that purportedly shows the former Union Minister soliciting a woman on a video call went viral earlier in the day.

A complaint has also been filed with Bengaluru's Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, North, and the Assistant Commissioner of Police, R.T.Nagar.
Dubai, Sep 20 : An unbeaten 88 off 58 balls by Ruturaj Gaikwad and all-round performance by Dwayne Bravo set up a 20-run win for Chennai Super Kings over Mumbai Indians in the first match of the UAE leg of IPL 2021. Gaikwad carried his bat through the innings as Chennai posted 156/6. In reply, Mumbai was able to make only 136/8 in 20 overs. The win now puts Chennai on top of the points table with 12 points from eight matches. This is just the second time Chennai won a match in the IPL after losing four wickets in the power-play.

Mumbai's chase started on a good note with Quinton de Kock collecting two boundaries off Josh Hazlewood in the second over. Though Ruturaj Gaikwad dropped him on six, de Kock (17) couldn't make most of the reprieve, trapped in front of stumps by a Deepak Chahar incoming delivery. Hazlewood came in for more thrashing as debutant Anmolpreet Singh (16) carted him for three stylish boundaries in the next over. But Singh's promising stay at the crease was brought to an end by a knuckleball from Chahar ratting his off-stump.

Suryakumar Yadav (3) tried to loft on the up but mistimed off bottom of the bat off Shardul Thakur. The catch was comfortably snapped by Faf du Plessis running from mid-off. Ishan Kishan (11) threw his hands at a slower outside off delivery from Dwayne Bravo, only to hit straight to Suresh Raina at cover.

Kieron Pollard (15) and Saurabh Tiwary thumped some boundaries in their 29-run partnership. But Hazlewood struck Pollard past the flick on the back pad with a sharp inswinger that stayed low. In the next over, Krunal Pandya went for a non-existent single and tried to come back with a desperate dive but fell short of crease.

Tiwary, dropped at 41, kept Mumbai in the hunt as Thakur conceded 15 runs off the 19th over, including a six by Adam Milne. With 24 needed off the final over, Milne swung straight to deep mid-wicket in the final over off Bravo. Tiwary brought up a hard-fought half-century. But Bravo took the wicket of Rahul Chahar on the next ball to hand Mumbai their first loss in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021.9.19.

Earlier, electing to bat first, Chennai got an early jolt with Trent Boult taking out Faf du Plessis for a three-ball duck, slashing straight to Milne at short third man. In the next over, it was Milne's turn to take a wicket, taking out Moeen Ali for a three-ball duck, hitting straight to short cover. Chennai's troubles increased when Ambati Rayudu was smacked on left elbow while trying to duck a short delivery from Milne and retired hurt on zero.

Boult came back to pepper Suresh Raina (4) with short balls and away-going deliveries.

Raina was out soon as was Dhoni (3), pulling straight to Boult at deep square leg, taking a well-judged reverse-cupped catch on last ball of the power-play -- CSK slumped to 24/4.

Gaikwad and Jadeja resurrected Chennai's innings with a partnership of 81 runs off 64 balls for the fifth wicket. The duo took 18 runs off Krunal Pandya's second over of the night. Gaikwad opened up in the middle overs with an eye-catchy loft followed by a reverse sweep while Jadeja made use of width to cut past third man.

Gaikwad reached his sixth half-century in IPL with a pull through mid-wicket off Pollard before slamming him flat over long-on. Jadeja (26) and Bravo (23) played useful cameos as Chennai posted a fighting total and then went on to defend it.

Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 156/6 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 88 not out, Ravindra Jadeja 26, Adam Milne 2/21, Jasprit Bumrah 2/33) beat Mumbai Indians 136/8 in 20 overs (Saurabh Tiwary 50 not out, Quinton de Kock 17, Dwayne Bravo 3/25, Deepak Chahar 2/19) by 20 runs.

Player of the match: Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK)

Latest updates on IPL 2021

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Hesser Toyota is offering 2.9% APR on the purchase of 2022 Toyota Corolla

The customers residing in Janesville, Wisconsin, who are interested in purchasing the 2022 Toyota Corolla must visit the Hesser Toyota dealership at the earliest. The dealership is offering a 2.9% APR for 60 months on the new 2022 Toyota Corolla. This offer cannot be combined with other offers provided by the dealership. The customers who are looking forward to purchasing the new Toyota Corolla are encouraged to contact the dealership soon. The offer is valid only till the 4th of October 2021.

Not everyone will qualify for this offer. Customers with good credit scores will be considered for qualification. The estimated APR and payment amount are available on approved credit if you choose to finance your vehicle through a select Toyota dealer or Toyota Financial Services. The APR and monthly payment can be affected by many factors, including credit history, down payment, and current market conditions. The transaction between the customer and the dealership is subject to negotiation.

Interested buyers may visit the Hesser Toyota dealership website http://www.hessertoyota.com. For more information regarding the offer, customers can contact the dealership by calling (608) 754-7754. The customers can also visit the dealership in person at 1811 Humes Rd., Janesville, Wisconsin, 53545.
Malala talk to families about the power of education I hope people come here and see this exhibit and see how one family, with great values of equality, justice, love, respect and empathy can change their lives at home and can also change their communities and their countries as well. - Ziauddin Yousafzai/Malala's Father

The youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient dared to stand up to the Taliban in a fight for education and equal rights and now serves as inspiration to others in The Power of Children: Making a Difference experience, which opened at The Childrens Museum of Indianapolis this weekend. It is the only permanent exhibit in the world to feature Malala Yousafzais story and the experiences that shaped her.

The Museum worked directly with the Yousafzai family and Malala Fund to tell the story of how an intense desire for education was so strong that Malala attended school in secret and used henna to decorate her hands with mathematical equations instead of patterns. Her dream of obtaining an education could have ended when she was attacked by the Taliban for daring to speak up about the rights of girls and young women to receive an education. But Malala refused to be silenced. Nothing changed in my life except that weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage were born.

Malala shared a special video message about the exhibit and what she hopes to accomplish. You can find it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/GuKCREG8Gc0

Malalas inspiring story began long before she was shot in 2012. Visitors discover how Malalas family treated her as an equal from birth. She became the first girl to be listed on the family tree in 300 years and the value of education was stressed before she could walk. Families explore a recreation of her home in the beautiful Swat Valley of Pakistan, where the local Taliban banned girls from attending school and she spoke out for four years. The exhibit showcases Malalas family life, the challenges she faced as she attempted to get an education and the positive impact she continues to have around the world.

I wish that people will see the power of family like Toor Pekai (Malalas mother) and me and how we grew up in a patriarchal family; but together, we were able to create an egalitarian familya family that believes in equality, said Ziauddin Yousafzai. I hope people come here and see this exhibit and see how one family, with great values of equality, justice, love, respect and empathy can change their lives at home and can also change their communities and their countries as well. Discover what the CEO of Malala Fund has to say about it here: https://youtu.be/BE9prLygRVk .

Malala has often talked about how its vital that others realize theyre not alone. Malala serves as a positive role model to help those who are afraid to speak up and to help them understand that they can create a world in which all girls can live, learn and lead without fear, said Jennifer Pace Robinson, president and CEO, The Childrens Museum of Indianapolis. We hope that sharing the stories of extraordinary children in history can inspire children today to fight discrimination and intolerance and make a positive difference in the world.

In this powerful exhibit, museum visitors discover the brutal realities four amazing children experienced. Families learn about Anne Frank and reflect upon what it must have been like to hide in a cramped attic for two years from Nazi soldiers during World War II. She used the power of WORDS in her diary. Children and adults visualize how 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, who was surrounded by Federal Marshals as she walked through an angry mob to be the first student to integrate her elementary school used the power of ACTION. Visitors imagine what it was like to be Ryan Whitethe teenager who contracted a deadly disease that struck fear into a nation. He used the power of VOICE. Malala Yousafzai is using the power of EDUCATION to empower girls to change the world. The first letters of each of those wordsWords, Action, Voice and Education create the acronym WAVE and demonstrate how young people can create positive waves of change that have a powerful impact on the world.

High resolution photos are available upon request. To download high resolution video, please click on: https://vimeo.com/childrensmuseum/review/603289616/d475d7b03b

The Power of Children: Making a Difference exhibit is made possible by lead gifts from Deborah Simon, Efroymson Family Fund, Chase, National Endowment for the Humanities, Duke Energy Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome P. Martin, U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, The Cummins Foundation, and The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. The addition of Malala Yousafzais story has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. It was also made possible in part by the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Corteva Agriscience, Mike and Kristin Sherman, and Lauren Sparkman. Opening day is presented by Corteva Agriscience. The Childrens Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Childrens at Indiana University Health, Old National Bank and Ice Miller LLP.

About the Malala Fund

Malala Fund is working for a world where all girls can learn and lead. Malala Fund advocates for resources and policy changes needed to give all girls a secondary education, invests in local education leaders and amplifies the voices of girls fighting for change. Learn more at malala.org

About The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit http://www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Instagram@childrensmuseum, YouTube.com/IndyTCM, and Facebook.


Aquila3 (Aquila Cubed Consulting, LLC), a Native-American Woman-owned business, accepted the invitation from the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED), under the U.S. Department of the Interior, to present at the National Tribal Broadband Summit. The virtual summit occurs on September 17th and 24th, and again on October 1st of 2021.

The Biden Administration has deemed access to reliable and affordable broadband service as critical to the health, wellbeing, and economic development of all people, and has committed investments to bring this access to rural areas, including Tribal communities. The National Tribal Broadband Summit gathers together Tribal Leaders, representatives of Tribal organizations, representatives of schools and school districts, Tribal libraries, museums, and cultural programs, federal program managers, policymakers at multiple levels of government, and communications technology companies such as Aquila3 to share their innovations in expanding broadband access and adoption for under-served tribal communities.

Were so pleased to have been selected to share technical solutions to bring broadband service to the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and Dilkon Chapter of the Navajo Nation said Michelle Holiday, President & CEO of Aquila3. Both Tribes qualified for a National Tribal Broadband Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Interiors Office of Indian Economic Development and this represented an opportunity for broadband access to education, healthcare, global information, internet, and cultural resources and more by these rural area residents in need.

Aquila3 has demonstrated expertise by completing a wireless network system design which functions under one umbrella including, engineering, installation and support of broadband, microwave, point to multi-point, voice radio, and Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) needs in rural areas. Of particular interest to the National Tribal Broadband Summit was Aquila3s execution in targeting the last mile unserved and underserved users by completing a shovel-ready engineering design to bring broadband connectivity beyond middle mile connectivity to last mile end users.

Its important to note that being able to bridge the digital divide between rural areas and the rest of the world means innovation, said Holiday. We focus on rural broadband wireless, which includes an all-inclusive design under one umbrella that manages and combines all wireless into a single ecosystem that shares resources such as the expensive backhaul, towers, and network management, and is engineered to mitigate interference. This saves costs, decreases resources and improves the performance of the communications system for all users."

97% of Americans in urban areas are estimated to have access to high-speed internet service. In rural areas, that number decreases significantly. And for the Native American Tribes who live in some of the most remote areas in the country, fast internet access often does not exist.

The National Tribal Broadband Summit will help address the urban/rural digital divide, said Sue Thomas, CTO & CFO of Aquila3. Our mission is to design, implement and manage innovative wireless connectivity solutions regardless of location, and regardless of challenges. We are pleased to be able to share our best practices. For remote users who have no power available, we incorporate a solar power system.

Often in remote locations there is no available wired solution, and the cost and timeline of implementation of wired solutions are not immediately feasible. In these cases we design wireless and/or fiber/wireless hybrid systems to reach the remote unserved and underserved peoples. Wireless systems, when properly engineered and designed, are highly reliable and can be implemented more quickly, more cost effectively, and require significantly less approvals and permitting than fiber. This work will be within goal timelines and, of course, budgets.

The Dilkon Chapter of the Navajo Nation and for the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes now have shovel-ready engineering designs for Broadband wireless systems that will provide the vital connectivity they deserve, said Holiday. We are looking forward to sharing our best practices with others committed to improving communications for those most in need at the National Tribal Broadband Summit.

###

Michelle Holiday

President & CEO

Aquila Cubed Consulting, LLC

1-833-278-4523

1-833-AQUILA3

Michelle@Aquila3.com
Three suspects are now in custody after two shootings, one that left a Rapid City man seriously injured, and another that left a Rapid City woman dead.

At around 3:45 a.m. on August 16th, police were dispatched to the 3900 block of Pointe West Place for a report of a male subject who had been shot. On arrival, police located the shooting victim and began rendering emergency first aid. A medical unit arrived and transported the man to the hospital for the treatment of serious, life-threatening injuries. The victims vehicle was located a short distance away with damage consistent with being shot into.

The ensuing investigation developed information that 26-year-old David Mestas of Sioux Falls and 26-year-old Richard Sanchez of Rapid City were persons of interest in the case. Police were also looking for 23-year-old Dominique Brave of Rapid City as a person who may have had information about the shooting.

On August 22nd, Rapid City police received information that Richard Sanchez, Mestas, Brave, and 22-year-old Christina Sanchez had fled Rapid City the day following the shooting. They were also informed that Mestas had shot Brave while travelling through Juab County, Utah, and the car was now stopped at a gas station in the area of Mona, UT. Law enforcement in the area were notified and took Richard Sanchez, Mestas, and Christina Sanchez into custody. It was confirmed to Rapid City police that the deceased female was Dominique Brave.

Richard Sanchez and Mestas have since been placed under arrest in Utah in connection with Braves murder. Inquiries for information about Braves death will be referred to the Juab County Sherriffs Office. Pennington County Warrants have been issued for their arrest for Attempted Murder in connection with the August 16th shooting in Rapid City.

Christina Sanchez has been taken into custody for Accessory to Attempted Murder in relation to the August 16th shooting. She has since been booked into the Pennington County Jail.

The investigation into these shooting incidents remains open and ongoing.

* The charges are merely accusations and the arrested individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Any additional details regarding this case can be obtained from the Pennington County States Attorney and/or court records as appropriate.
In overwhelmingly rejecting the recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom, California voters chose to remain a one-party state, where progressive Democrats write bad laws and bureaucrats enforce them.

Apparently, Californians would rather see themselves as knee-jerk anti-Trumpers than elect someone who promises to clean up the dysfunctional state.

Newsom hailed the vote with his usual self-aggrandizing style. "We said yes to science. We said yes to vaccines. We said yes to ending this pandemic. We said yes to people's right to vote without fear of fraud or voter suppression," quoth the governor.

Newsom also hailed his win as a victory for "diversity" and "inclusion."

Newsom is a white, rich Democrat who works with a legislature that is supermajority Democrat. Yet he did not hesitate to frame himself as more diverse than his recall opponent, Larry Elder, an African American radio talk-show host who calls himself the "Sage of South Central."

Newsom's delusional. Everyone knows that Newsom couldn't run on his own record, so he ran against former President Donald Trump.

The recall effort made it to the ballot because Californians were in a sour mood stoked by COVID-19 mandates that squeezed small businesses even as Newsom personally flouted them.

(During an infamous lunch at the tony French Laundry, an unmasked Newsom rubbed elbows at a crowded table salted with lobbyists and non-family members, unhampered by directives from his office that Californians limit non-household interactions -- and if eating out, not "forget to keep your mask on in between bites.")

But enough about the hypocrisy. There are bigger issues: What happens to California under unstoppable one-party rule? Does California get better or worse?

I vote: worse. I don't see how you keep electing entitled progressives and expect the crime situation to improve, homelessness to disappear or the middle class to fare better.

As it is, crime is up. Homeless encampments are everywhere. Small-business owners are struggling. While Sacramento enjoys a whopping $75.7 billion budget surplus, the state's unemployment rate -- 7.6% -- far exceeds the nation's 5.2%.

California Republicans look at the bad news and see opportunity. But as the recall shows, Californians only will vote for a Republican who doesn't talk like a die-hard Republican.

Elder? Gray Davis, the former California governor who was recalled in 2003, told The New York Times that Elder "was a gift from God. He conducted his entire campaign as if the electorate was conservative Republicans."

Joe Rodota, a one-time Republican opposition researcher who left the party because of Trump, offered, "It's very tricky in a blue state to run as a traditional Republican."

For recalls to produce change, it takes an Arnold Schwarzenegger, for whom Rodota once worked.

In 2003, many critics wrote off Schwarzenegger as a celebrity candidate, but the moderate Republican was much more than that. "Part of the secret of Arnold," Rodota told me, "was that he always really liked to be prepared."

The actor knew the players, had campaigned for a successful ballot measure and gathered a team before a possible recall was in the air.

Elder, Rodota maintains, "was not prepared."

In 2022, Californians will vote in a regular gubernatorial election. They had a chance to get behind former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, a more moderate Republican, but preferred the Trump-like candidate who never figured out how to reach out beyond the tiny (less than a quarter of the electorate) GOP base.

It's not clear or even likely that Faulconer would have won the recall. But when you look back, you see Elder never really had a prayer. Republican voters have been warned.

COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 09/19/2021



ADVERTISEMENT

[ : The Other Way Spoilers Warning: This article includes spoilers on whether Evelin and Corey have split or are still together now.]

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

So what are the spoilers on Corey and Evelin's relationship? Is the couple still married or have they called it quits?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple Evelin Villegas and Corey Rathgeber have a big secret between them as shown on Season 3 of : The Other Way, so do spoilers reveal that Evelin and Corey broke up after secretly getting married? Did they go through with their big wedding and is the couple still together now?Corey, a 34-year-old from Mill A., WA, met Evelin, a 28-year-old from Engabao, Ecuador, over six years ago and Evelin called their entire relationship "a roller coaster."The couple first starred on Season 1 of : The Other Way.Corey said he and Evelin felt an instant connection when they met and he initially hoped she'd move to the United States with him; however, she didn't like Washington and really missed home.Evelin told Corey that he needed to move to Ecuador in order to make their relationship work, and so he did just that, although a bit reluctantly since he had to quit his job and say goodbye to his family."I had a hard time adjusting to life in Engabao... I didn't speak Spanish and I wanted to get married, but Evelin wasn't as ready," Corey recalled.Evelin admitted it was never her dream to get married, and so they had to work through some issues, including the sudden and unexpected passing of Corey's father back at home.Following his father's death, Corey proposed marriage to Evelin and she accepted a ring. Corey said things were going "pretty smooth" with Evelin but she was dragging her feet to set a wedding date.Corey had also promised Evelin that he'd learn Spanish and engage more with her friends, family and Engabao locals."Nothing of that was happening, so I wasn't ready to marry him yet," Evelin shared. "I didn't [think] you were ready either, [Corey]."Corey said Evelin decided to go on a break and he interpreted her decision as a breakup. Evelin called it just "a break," but Corey viewed it as being dumped.Evelin explained that she wanted Corey to put more effort into their relationship and show he could follow through with all of the things he had promised her. Corey, however, acknowledged he was "devastated and heartbroken" and things weren't right in his head.Corey therefore recalled taking a trip to Peru and seeing another woman, before eventually returning to Ecuador.Corey and Evelin then got stuck quarantining together amid the coronavirus pandemic, and Evelin was angry about his time with Jenny, saying they'd never be together if they weren't forced to be in lockdown together.Corey insisted he only hung out with Jenny for four days, but Evelin said there was more to the story that Corey came out with once she began pressuring him for more information."I asked, 'Are you having sex with this woman?' And then he's like, 'Oh, no, like, I tried it once, but I couldn't get it up.' Whether his d-ck worked or not, he still put himself in a position where that was an option," Evelin explained."But I appreciated Corey telling me the whole truth so that we can start new and without secrets."Corey and Evelin were shown re-opening their bar in Engabao after six months of it being shutdown due to COVID-19. Evelin said re-opening the bar was awesome and it's a good business for them to live by.Corey insisted the pandemic had made his relationship with Evelin stronger, but Evelin still seemed angry over his "girl-hunting mission" in Peru."You gave me puppy eyes every day," Evelin told her husband.Evelin then confirmed she and Corey had a date set for their wedding and the ceremony was scheduled to take place in five months. The couple was planning their wedding, but Evelin said it was hard to trust Corey completely, even though she definitely still loved him.Corey was excited about their upcoming nuptials but confessed to the cameras he hadn't been entirely honest with Evelin about what actually happened with Jenny in Peru."When Evelin discovers new information that I withheld from her, yeah, it's gonna be bad. It's gonna be really bad," Corey admitted.Since Evelin said she never wanted to get married, she felt like she was failing herself and everything she had been preaching; however, she was willing to do it for love and the sake of Corey's happiness and well-being.Evelin's relatives seemed surprised to hear Evelin's decision to have a wedding, and they even expressed how they didn't really trust Corey. Evelin's sister Lesly also called Corey "fake" and said she didn't think he's the right man for her.Lesly also had yet to find out about Corey's fling with Jenny, so Evelin anticipated her sister would disapprove of Corey even more -- which made Evelin second-guess marrying him.When Corey and Evelin met with a wedding planner, Corey realized their wedding -- which was scheduled for five months from that point -- was going to be really expensive, and Evelin said Corey would be paying for everything.Evelin wanted the best of the best, but Corey argued they could plan a nice wedding for not thousands and thousands of dollars.Evelin was then shown planning her wedding with her sisters, Lipsy and Lesly. Evelin was looking at wedding dresses online, and Corey said he was super happy and excited about Evelin's effort.Corey had been hiding a white dress in the back room for about a year, and so he admitted it was a little dirty but he hoped Evelin would like it. Corey wanted to impress Evelin and her sisters.But Evelin and her sisters pointed out how the dress looked "horrible," old and dirty, like a prom dress.The dress hadn't even been passed down from generation to generation in Corey's family, and then Corey revealed it belonged to his sister and had, in fact, been her prom dress over one year prior.Corey said he had tried to find Evelin a new wedding dress but the options in America were too expensive.Evelin admitted she didn't even appreciate the thought and found Corey's "cheap" gesture embarrassing. Evelin's sisters thought Corey had "some nerve" to pull a move like that, and Evelin felt insulted.Evelin realized Corey was just trying to get out of buying her a nice, new dress, and she said wearing his sister's prom dress to her wedding was a big "hell no."Evelin later went to a local wedding dress designer's shop in Ecuador, and when she tried on dresses, she freaked out a little bit because everything was beginning to feel so real.An anxious Evelin said it was never her dream to have a wedding and get married, and her sisters acknowledged how much Evelin had changed for Corey.Evelin tried on a beautiful gown, but it was clear Lipsy and Lesly weren't genuinely happy for her."I'd feel different wearing this wedding dress if I felt sure Corey is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. And at this moment, I don't feel that way," Evelin said, referencing Corey's fling with a woman in Peru.Evelin even toasted champagne with her sisters "to having regrets."Evelin shared with her sisters how Corey had presented that woman in Peru, Jenny, as his "girlfriend."Corey apparently explained to Evelin at the time that it was a translation error because he had only known the woman for a week and the same word for "girlfriend" and "friend" is used in English.Evelin's sisters weren't buying that explanation and said they didn't trust Corey at all and Evelin was "crazy" for marrying a cheater. They weren't convinced Corey was fully invested in his relationship with Evelin and their future together.After Lipsy and Lesly said they didn't agree with Evelin marrying Corey, Evelin announced, "Well, now I have to tell you something. The truth of the matter is, one year ago, Corey and I went to Guayaquil and got married."Evelin's sisters had shocked looks on their faces.Evelin and Corey definitely appear to still be together, happy and married.They both took to their respective Instagram Stories on September 16 to dish about their romance and secret wedding.Evelin explained to her followers, "Back in 2019, when we were done filming, after we were on TV... Corey and I's relationship was in the best moment ever. He did that amazing proposal that you all remember, and so I did say 'yes' and we were doing so good.""He agreed to stay in the country and so I agreed to get married," she continued. "So we did it. It was a private moment just for me and him, no one was aware -- not anyone in my family, not even one of my friends, no one."Evelin explained that they chose not to share the news with anyone because she "wasn't ready to be a married lady" at that point. Evelin insisted the decision had "nothing to do with the show" and they were already "done filming.""We weren't in a contract at that time. That's why there were no cameras, no nothing," she said. "It was just me and Corey... We got married after being done filming our season."Evelin said a friend she had trusted disappointed her by spilling the news of the marriage to the press and allegedly creating rumors about Evelin and Corey lying and intentionally misleading people."I'm not an actress, so how can I freakin' pretend the proposal and everything we've been through? All of that was really real, and we are not fake," Evelin insisted.Evelin said once she and Corey were ready to share the news, they decided to film the new season of : The Other Way."You guys are seeing how everything goes, how my family and friends are going to find out about it. So stay tuned," Evelin requested. "Just know we're here... and I'm very honest... It was our right to keep it private until now when we're giving it to you."Meanwhile, Corey conducted a Q&A on Instagram Stories.A follower asked Corey, "Why did you lie about being married?"Corey replied, "Keep watching and you will see. We aren't hiding or [lying] about anything."When questioned on why he and Evelin decided to keep their marriage a secret, Corey revealed, "Evelin wasn't ready for everyone to know so we kept it private. I respected her wishes until she was ready."Corey also answered a question asking why he and Evelin lied about "when and where" they tied the knot."You will see we aren't [lying]. Be patient and you will be updated and informed about everything. Patience is a virtue," Corey said.Corey also gushed about his wife, hinting that they're still an item.Corey gushed about his favorite things about Evelin in one of his posts."Her strength, her beauty, her motivation to achieve greatness," Corey bragged. "Evelin is the best woman I have ever known."One Instagram user asked, "Will Evelin come live in the USA one day?"And Corey replied, "I can only hope. [Fingers crossed]."Corey wouldn't reveal whether he's currently in Ecuador or the U.S. due to his current NDA contract.However, Corey went on to boast about how Evelin "looks better than ever" after she was able to gain a little weight from her previous 82-84 pounds.On September 16, Corey also posted a photo with Evelin and wrote, "Its finally revealed that we did actually get married years ago... Stay tuned because so many of the long awaited questions will be answered very soon! Are you guys ready?"On September 7, Corey posted a couple of photos of himself and Evelin kissing on the beach."I never thought the day of planning a wedding with you would come!" Corey captioned the images."Corey also posted pictures of the couple smiling and posing on the beach in Engabao on July 16, suggesting the couple is still living in Ecuador together."Beach walks in the sunset," Corey captioned the slideshow."It all feels like a dream and there is no one else in this world I'd rather take this step with! Did you guys watch the last episode? Wedding plans are in the works so fingers are crossed."Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. Areas of patchy fog. High 74F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 53F. Winds light and variable.
Every night in yet another house in Afghanistans capital, a U.S. green card-holding couple from California take turns sleeping, with one always awake to watch over their three young children so they can flee if they hear the footsteps of the Taliban.

Theyve moved seven times in two weeks, relying on relatives to take them in and feed them. Their days are an uncomfortable mix of fear and boredom, restricted to a couple of rooms where they read, watch TV and play The Telephone Game in which they whisper secrets and pass them on, a diversion for the children that has the added benefit of keeping them quiet.

All of it goes on during the agonizing wait for a call from anybody who can help them get out. A U.S. State Department official contacted them several days ago to tell them they were being assigned a case worker, but they havent heard a word since. They tried and failed to get on a flight and now are talking to an international rescue organization.

We are scared and keep hiding ourselves more and more, the mother said in a text message to The Associated Press. Whenever we feel breathless, I pray.

Through messages, emails and phone conversations with loved ones and rescue groups, AP has pieced together what day-to-day life has been like for some of those left behind after the U.S. militarys chaotic withdrawal -- that includes U.S. citizens, permanent U.S. resident green-card holders and visa applicants who aided U.S. troops during the 20-year war.

Those contacted by AP -- who are not being identified for their own safety -- described a fearful, furtive existence of hiding in houses for weeks, keeping the lights off at night, moving from place to place, and donning baggy clothing and burqas to avoid detection if they absolutely must venture out.

All say they are scared the ruling Taliban will find them, throw them in jail, perhaps even kill them because they are Americans or had worked for the U.S. government. And they are concerned that the Biden administrations promised efforts to get them out have stalled.

When the phone rang in an apartment in Kabul a few weeks ago, the U.S. green card holder who answered -- a truck driver from Texas visiting family -- was hopeful it was the U.S. State Department finally responding to his pleas to get him and his parents on a flight out.

Instead, it was the Taliban.

We wont hurt you. Lets meet. Nothing will happen, the caller said, according to the truck driver's brother, who lives with him in Texas and spoke to him afterwards. The call included a few ominous words: We know where you are.

That was enough to send the man fleeing from the Kabul apartment where he had been staying with his mother, his two teenage brothers and his father, who was in particular danger because he had worked for years for a U.S. contractor overseeing security guards.

They are hopeless, said the brother in Texas. They think, Were stuck in the apartment and no one is here to help us.' Theyve been left behind.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified to Congress this past week that the U.S. government had urged U.S. citizens and green cards holders to leave Afghanistan since March, even offering to pay for their flights.

Blinken said the U.S. government does not track U.S. green card holders in Afghanistan but he estimated several thousand remain in the country, along with about 100 U.S. citizens. He said the U.S. government was still working to get them out.

As of Friday, at least 64 American citizens and 31 green card holders have been evacuated since the U.S. military left last month, according to the State Department. More were possibly aboard a flight from Mazar-e-Sharif on Friday, but the administration did not release figures.

Neither the U.S. nor the Taliban have offered a clear explanation why so few have been evacuated.

That is hardly encouraging to another green card holder from Texas, a grandmother who recently watched from a rooftop as militants pulled up in a half-dozen police cars and Humvees to take over the house across the street.

The Taliban. The Taliban, she whispered into the phone to her American son in a Dallas suburb, a conversation the woman recounted to the AP. The women and kids are screaming. Theyre dragging the men to the cars.

She and her husband, who came to Kabul several months ago to visit relatives, are now terrified that the Taliban will not only uncover their American ties but those of their son back in Texas, who had worked for a U.S. military contractor for years.

Her son, who is also not being named, says he called U.S. embassy officials in Kabul several times before it shut down, filled out all the necessary paperwork, and even enlisted the help of a veterans group and members of Congress.

He doesnt know what more he can do.

What will we do if they knock on the door? the 57-year-old mother asked on one of her daily calls. What will we do?

Nothing is going to happen, replied the son.

Asked in a recent interview if he believed that, the son shot back, exasperated, What else am I supposed to tell her?

The Taliban government has promised to let Americans and Afghans with proper travel documents leave the country and to not retaliate against those who helped the United States. But U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said there is evidence they are not keeping their word. She warned Monday that the country had entered a new and perilous phase," and cited credible reports of reprisal killings of Afghan military members and allegations of the Taliban hunting house-to-house for former government officials and people who cooperated with U.S. military and U.S. companies.

AP reporters in Afghanistan are not aware of any U.S. citizens or green card holders being picked up or arrested by the Taliban. But they have confirmed that several Afghans who worked for the previous government and military were taken in for questioning recently and released.

The California family, which includes a 9-year-old girl and two boys, ages 8 and 6, say they have been on the run for the past two weeks after the Taliban knocked on the door of their relatives apartment asking about the Americans staying there.

The family moved to Sacramento four years ago after the mother got a special immigrant visa because she worked for U.S.-funded projects in Kabul promoting womens rights. Now, the mother says both she and her daughter have been wearing burqas each time they move to their next prison-home.

The father, who worked as an Uber driver, has been having panic attacks as they wait for help.

I dont see the U.S. government stepping in and getting them out anytime soon, said the childrens elementary school principal, Nate McGill, who has been exchanging daily texts with the family.

Distraction has become the mothers go-to tool to shield her children from the stress. She quizzes them on what they want to do when they get back to California and what they want to be when they grow up.

Their daughter hopes to become a doctor someday, while their sons say they want to become teachers.

But distraction is not always enough. After a relative told the daughter that the Taliban were taking away small girls, she hid in a room and refused to come out until her dad puffed himself up and said he could beat the Taliban, making her laugh.

The mother smiled, hiding her fear from her daughter, but later texted her principal.

This life is almost half-death.

___

Condon reported from New York, Watson from San Diego. Kathy Gannon in Kabul and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.
LAKE WORTH, Texas (AP)  A military training jet crashed Sunday in a neighborhood near Fort Worth, Texas, injuring the two pilots and damaging three homes but not seriously hurting anyone on the ground, authorities said.

Both pilots managed to eject from the plane before it crashed in Lake Worth, which is just west of Fort Worth, authorities said at a news conference.

This incident could have been much worse knowing that this plane went down in a residential area, Lake Worth Fire Chief Ryan Arthur said of the crash, which was reported to authorities shortly before 11 a.m.

One of the pilots was electrocuted after being caught in power lines, Lake Worth police said in a statement, adding that although badly burnt, the pilot was conscious, alert and breathing. Police said the the second pilot was found in a wooded area a short distance away. Both were taken to area hospitals.

The chief of naval air training in Corpus Christi said in a Facebook post Sunday evening that the instructor pilot was in stable condition, while the student naval aviator was in serious condition.

Police said that three people in the neighborhood sustained minor injuries, and at least one was taken to the hospital.

The jet was a Navy T-45C Goshawk assigned to Training Air Wing 2 at Naval Air Station Kingsville, about 420 miles (676 kilometers) south of Lake Worth, the chief of naval air training said in the post. The post says they were conducting a routine training flight that originated from the Corpus Christi International Airport, about 350 miles (563 kilometers) south of Lake Worth along the Gulf Coast.

Three homes were damaged and three residents of those homes were treated at the scene and released, the Fort Worth Fire Department said. The crash cut power to 44 homes in the area, and utility crews were working to restore it.

We are incredibly fortunate that the plane crashed in the backyards of the homes and not the residences themselves, the Fort Worth department said.

Two off-duty Fort Worth firefighters witnessed the crash and were the first on the scene, where they were able to tend to the injured pilots, the department said.

Arthur said the people who live in the damaged homes will be displaced because of the crash.

The neighborhood is near the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base. Officials said multiple representatives from the military were at the crash scene. Attempts to reach the naval air station for comment were not immediately successful Sunday.

Our hearts go out to these military members and their families, Police Chief J.T. Manoushagian said.

I would imagine that for a pilot, this is the day that you dread, that you hope never comes, he said.

Mary Joyner, whose mother lives near the crash site, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that they were sitting at the kitchen table when they heard a ba-boom and the power went out. Stepping into the front yard, she saw a plume of black smoke and smelled a metallic aroma

Joyner said she grew up in the house and her family was accustomed to the daily sound of planes flying overhead.

You live here all your life, you know it can happen, the planes are right here, Joyner said. You always have the thought.
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP)  The Navajo Nation on Sunday reported 18 more COVID-19 cases, but no deaths for the second time in the past three days.

The latest numbers pushed the tribes totals to 33,531 confirmed COVID-19 cases from the virus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The death toll remained at 1,429.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  Dozens of North Dakota National Guard members are resuming support for the states coronavirus pandemic response, military officials said.

The Guard announced Friday that about 50 of its members are assisting the state Health Department with contact tracing and about 15 others are helping at the state laboratory in Bismarck. The group is expected to remain on active duty until the end of the year.
GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP)  The last thing Shane Fortner remembers is driving by the last big hill before entering Gillette.

He was in his truck, tailing his dad, Bill, who was driving ahead of him north on Highway 59, heading into the south side of Gillette.

What he remembers after that is less clear, the Gillette News Record reports.

After spending the past six weeks in hospitals, his memory is still hazy regarding what happened before and after a Sheriffs Office deputy and multiple bystanders rescued him from his burning pickup truck.

Thats the tricky part, Shane said. I was in so much pain and so disoriented. What I think might be memories might have been hallucinations.

After being pulled from the cab of his burning truck, he remembers sitting on the side of the road, badly burned and waiting for an ambulance, peeling burnt skin from his right arm and telling his father that, It aint no big deal, its just a little burn. Lets go home.

It would take more than a month, but he finally got his wish.

Early prognosis was unclear

By the time he first regained consciousness, he found himself hospitalized in the burn unit of North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colorado.

Its been six weeks since that accident, and Fortner is just now heading home. Even though he said he never doubted his own survival, he may have been alone in that regard. Anyone who saw the remnants of his burning truck could only imagine what happened to the man trapped inside of it.

He spent the early weeks of his recovery with severe burns on his head and body and unable to speak, due to inhalation burns. But despite his laundry list of injuries and equally long list of surgeries, if it werent for a handful of strangers who materialized seemingly out of nowhere, it would have certainly been even worse.

From the scene of the crash, the ambulance took Shane to the Emergency Department where he stayed for two hours before being life flighted to the hospital in Greeley.

His wife, Paige, drove with Bill down to Colorado a day-and-a-half later, still unsure what Shanes condition was like.

Ive been (by his side) ever since, Paige said.

The prognosis was unclear at first. Shane was sedated for about three weeks, drifting in and out of consciousness as he underwent multiple surgeries that included skin graft procedures. Then his condition showed signs of improvement.

He lost his voice in the accident. But once again, through more treatment, he was able to slowly regain his voice around the end of August and can now verbalize his trademark humor without skipping a beat.

True to his devil-may-care attitude throughout the ordeal, Shane wasnt very concerned about whether he got his voice back.

Im not much of a worrier, honestly, Shane said. I wasnt worried about anything. I figured if all else fails, I know how to use a pen and paper.

That nonchalant approach to his treatment and condition gave comfort to his family, who he said had to deal with more than he did.

I know it was harder on (Paige) probably than anybody else, Shane said. It was harder on her, probably, than it was on me.

Paige said his sense of humor and personality began to show while he was still in the burn unit. Although Shane is not the worrier, Paige said she played devils advocate.

Throughout it all, Shane was like, Oh, Ill be fine, Paige said. And I was like, Well, I kind of see it from the other side.

International panic

Fulton Fortner was on the other side of the world when he first heard the news of Shanes accident.

At home in Jakarta, Indonesia, Fulton took in the news about his older brothers crash all at once.

All he knew at that time was that the accident was bad. Really bad.

Honestly, at that time, it was not a lot of thoughts so much as this overbearing sensation of hopelessness and separation (from) being that far away when something happens, said Fulton, who is about a year younger than Shane.

In order to visit Shane, Fulton and his wife, Kelly, had to jump through a lot of red tape. They knew they needed to be in Colorado, but in the age of COVID-19, international travel is not that simple.

While still in Jakarta, Fulton started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the expenses surrounding Shanes extensive medical care. In that time, his worry subsided a bit, as he learned that his brothers burns were not as critical as initially thought.

That helped a little bit, it took some of that frantic sensation of get home before he dies and I dont get to say goodbye, Fulton said.

Traveling against the time change, he had the longest Thursday of his life to think about his brother and worry about the worst case scenarios. Despite leaving Indonesia at about 6 a.m., Fulton and Kelly arrived in Denver at about 6 p.m. that same day, after more than 20 hours of travel.

When he finally saw his brother in person, Shane was still in rough shape. Some of the initial swelling had gone down, but he was still hooked up to all kinds of medical devices and hardly coherent.

Shanes right hand was more severely burned than his left, so Fulton said he developed a system where he could communicate with his brother during his few lucid moments. A finger squeeze meant yes, and Fulton said that was the only communication they had during those early days.

Eventually, Shane underwent a tracheostomy and began to slowly regain his voice.

With his voice coming back and his state of consciousness returning after about three weeks of sedation, Shane proved to his family that he hadnt lost who he is in the accident.

Hes a true original, Ill give him that, Fulton said. Hes the most stubborn person so thats obviously a huge advantage now.

Fulton returned to Indonesia in August, with his brother in significantly better shape than when he first arrived. Just as his life abroad for the past few years has given him a changed perspective on life, Shanes accident gave him a renewed outlook on family and friends back home.

Since Ive been back (in Indonesia), Ive been in touch with people who I wish I had kept up with more, he said. It drives a real sense of gratitude for the people you do have.

Debts to strangers

The ongoing and so far successful recovery, as long as it may have taken, would not have been possible without the help of strangers who swooped in and saved Shanes life the moment of the crash.

At least three civilians, along with the deputy who serendipitously witnessed the accident in real time, helped Shanes dad, Bill, cut him free from his seat belt and pull him away from truck that was engulfed in flames.

Some of those strangers reached out and made themselves known to the Fortners. But Shane said his anonymous saviors would like to remain that way.

Still, Shane and the Fortners reiterated their gratitude to the strangers who helped, the deputy who stepped up at a critical moment and the community that fosters that kind of selfless ethos.

Hes already thanked some of those bystanders first hand, but Shane still wants to make good via barstools and cold brews with the deputy who initiated the rescue efforts.

I would actually like to get a hold of that gentleman and offer to buy him a nice, cold beer to help kind of brush off a little of that heat off him, Shane said. Any other parties involved that had a grand old time getting me in and out of there, its a heartfelt thank you.

He was discharged Friday, but the rest of his recovery is expected to last for about a year. In the meantime, he has compared his appearance to the cartoon villain Skeletor, or the masked recluse from Phantom of the Opera.

And, just as with every other leg of his recovery, he does not care.

Honestly, I dont give a f about how I look, Shane said.

I have a good wife, I have an amazing family that stood by me through all this. Probably a more traumatic experience for them than me, he added. And all the people that I love and care about will always know and remember what I used to look like, but theyll also know and remember that Im still the same man. I just look a little different. I still work the same, I still care the same, I still take care of everybody the same.

Thats just who I am. My looks dont matter to me. Im not here to win Mr. America or something. Never was, never will be.

With his newly gained freedom, Shane hopes to get back to working soon. He and Paige will reunite with their 11-month-old son, Ranger, whom they havent seen in over a month, too.

Despite Shanes bullishness on his own survival odds, Fulton sees just how close to death his brother was, especially if that crash happened at any other time in any other place but Gillette.

Fulton is grateful that if something like this had to happen, it happened in small town America, in a place like Gillette or in Campbell County. A place where people stop when they see someone in trouble. The deputy and all those people that just, without a second thought, piled out and ran toward that fireball to pull him out there. Because I would have been going to a funeral and not a burn ward.

I wouldnt have been checking on my brother, Id have been burying my brother. So if this had to happen, Im glad it happened there.
Joe Amarante / Hearst Connecticut Media

EAST LYME  A 19-year-old died after being under water for several minutes Saturday at Rocky Neck State Park, an official said.

Will Healey, a spokesperson for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said the teen was pronounced dead at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. The teens identity was not immediately released Saturday night pending notification of next of kin.
Emmys 2021: Date, Time And Live Streaming Of The Award Function In India

Primetime Emmy Awards is an annual award function to recognise excellence in television. The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards will honour the best in U.S. prime time television programming from June 1, 2020, until May 31, 2021, as chosen by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Emmys 2021 is set to take place at L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles, California, and broadcast in the U.S. by CBS and Paramount+. The show will be hosted by Cedric The Entertainer, who will be hosting the show for the first time. Read on to know how to watch Emmys 2021 in India. Read More.

Amy Schumer Opens Up About Recent Surgery; Debra Messing, Padma Lakshmi Wish Her Well

Stand-up comedian Amy Schumer headed to Instagram to give her fans and followers an update about her life. She revealed that she underwent surgery for endometriosis and also gave details about it. Her friends and much-loved celebrities, Debra Messing and Padma Lakshmi were among the many individuals who extended their best wishes to her. Read More.

Hugh Jackman Shows Off Tap Dancing Skills On US' National Dance Day; Watch

Logan actor Hugh Jackman took to his Instagram account on Sunday and admitted that he forgot about National Dance Day. However, he made up for it by posting a video of himself and his choreographer practising tap dance for the Broadway revival of The Music Man. He shared a glimpse of his performance for the finale with his fans. Read More.

Russian Movie Crew To Reach ISS Before Tom Cruise; Announces Lift-off On October 5

Russia has raced past the US again in the space race as the former will possibly become the first country to shoot a movie in space. According to media reports, Russian space agency Roscosmos will arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) ahead of Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise, who also had plans for the same. While Cruises ambitious movie collaboration with SpaceX and NASA is unplanned yet, the Russians are almost ready for lift-off next month. Read More.

Jennifer Lopez Admits That She 'still Feels Like Outsider In Hollywood'

Jennifer Lopez is one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood and also has an impressive music career under her belt. Lopez is considered a pop culture icon and is often described as a triple threat entertainer, known for her singing, dancing and acting. With a career spanning over 20 years, Jlo is one of the most known celebrities across the globe. In one of her promotional vide of her brand Jlo beauty, the 52-year-old actor admitted that she still feels like an outsider sometimes in Hollywood. Read More.

(Image: AP)
At a recent pre-release event for the Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi starter Love Story, Chiranjeevi had some kind words to say about Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, who also attended the event, and the man of the hour, Naga Chaitanya. Love Story is touted to be a romantic drama, which will be helmed by Sekhar Kammula. The Telugu film will be released on September 24.

Chiranjeevi all praises for Aamir Khan and Naga Chaitanya

At the recent event for the movie Love Story, Chiranjeevi reminisced about the time he crossed paths with Aamir Khan at an airport in Japan. Chiranjeevi mentioned that he admired Khan and expressed his interest in watching the actor's upcoming Laal Singh Chaddha, which will be the Bollywood remake of Tom Hanks Oscar-winning 1994 film, Forrest Grump. He mentioned that the duo met in Tokyo and used to meet quite often during their shoots at different locations. He also mentioned that he and Khan and mutual admiration for each other and also mentioned that Khan's role in Laal Singh Chaddha will be a very different character for the actor to play. He also thanked the Taare Zameen Par actor for visiting his home town and encouraging the young actors.

Chiranjeevi further went on to speak about Naga Chaitanya and had nothing but heaps of praise for him. He called him a calm and composed young man and said he was a 'cool son' of a 'cool father'. He also mentioned that he looked forward to watching Chaitanya with Aamir Khan share the screen with each other in Laal Singh Chaddha. The upcoming film will mark Naga Chaitanya's debut in Bollywood. Naga Chaitanya recently opened up about his role in the film in an interview with Deccan Chronicle. In the interview, he revealed that Khan personally called him to offer him a role in the film. He shared that Khan told him that he had watched some of his films and believed he would be apt for a role in Laal Singh Chaddha.

Naga Chaitanya's Love Story recently released its trailer, which promised the audience an emotional ride. The trailer featured some dance numbers and undeniable chemistry between the Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi. The film will showcase the trials and tribulations of middle-class youth as they try to look for jobs. Watch the trailer here.

Image: Twitter/@nagachaitanya, @amirkhanactor_insta, PTI
In the recent update to the COVID-19 situation in the country, India on Sunday, September 19, has reported 30,773 fresh COVID19 infections with 38,945 recoveries and 309 deaths in the past 24 hours. According to Union health ministry data, out of the total infections, the active cases account for 0.99%, while the COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 97.68%. Meanwhile, Kerala continue to add maximum cases in the total tally and has recorded 19,325 COVID cases and 143 deaths yesterday.

According to the Health Ministry's report, the daily positivity rate stands at 1.97% that has been less than 3% for the past 20 days. While the weekly positivity rate stands at 2.04% which has been below 3% for the last 86 days.

India's vaccination drive

To date, India has administered a total of 80,39,23,589 COVID vaccine doses across 27,173 vaccination sites. In a major milestone achievement, India administered over 2.5 crore vaccine doses against Coronavirus on September 17.

On September 18, the government source told ANI that India would be getting 20 crore doses of COVISHIELD and 3.5 crore doses of COVAXIN this month. The source then added that the overall target has been set to 25 crore doses per month. The source further added, "Zydus Cadila is also expected to deliver one crore doses by the month-end. This will help in speeding up the vaccination drive. There is no deficiency of vaccine."

While on September 16, the Ministry informed that India has exceeded the average daily COVID-19 vaccination rate of the world's 18 major countries. The world's 18 major countries have administered 81,70,000 (8.17 million) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. India has administered 85,40,000 (8.54 million) doses. Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Russia are among the nations on this list.

Bihar tops India's vaccination drive chart on PM Modi's birthday

On the occasion of PM Modi's birthday, September 17, Bihar administered more than 30 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses across the state, which is the highest number of doses given on a single day in any state of India. Earlier on August 31, the state had vaccinated more than 27 lakh people on a single day. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has set a target of 6 crore vaccination in 6 months, by December 2021.

(Image credit: PTI)
The Indian Army's South Western Command held an exhibition exhibiting defence weapons at Chitrakoot Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war.

An Indian army official noted, "We have displayed the defence equipment in this exhibition to make people aware of the Indian army achievements. We want to motivate the youth by showcasing these types of equipment." "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these events had been started to make people aware of Indian Arm Forces. So, we are also continuing the move by organising these kinds of events," he added.

Indian Army organises exhibition in Jaipur

Rajasthan: South Western (Sapta Shakti) Command of the Indian Army organised an exhibition, showcasing defence equipment in Jaipur yesterday to mark the 50th anniversary of India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war pic.twitter.com/IKAnOLRVWi  ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2021

He further stated that because India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war is remembered by all Indians, every citizen should be informed of the war.

Army Commander Leads Bike Rally To Kargil War Memorial

Last month, To mark the 22nd Vijay Diwas, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Y K Joshi led a 350-kilometre bike rally to the historic Kargil War Memorial in the Drass district of Union Territory of Ladakh. The Indian Army organised two mega bike rallies, one from Udhampur and the other from Leh, each covering more than 1,000 kilometres through the treacherous mountains of the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh before converging at the historic Kargil War Memorial in Drass, according to Col Emron Musavi, the Srinagar-based PRO Defence.

Kargil Vijay Diwas

India commemorates the 22nd anniversary of the historic 1999 Kargil War on July 26th, 2021. The day is observed in honour of the gallant soldiers who took part in the Indian Army's 'Operation Vijay.' The Kargil War commemorates the Indian Army's victory over Pakistani forces attempting to breach the Line of Control (LOC) into India after months of fighting in Kargil. Following their victory, the Indian troops raised the tricolour over the higher altitude area. Every year, the Kargil Vijay Diwas is commemorated, and it is a proud time for every Indian.

(with inputs from ANI)

Image: ANI
The Punjab Police on Saturday described the Jalalabad motorcycle blast as an "act of terror" and said it has arrested one person in connection with the case.

The accused has been identified as Parveen Kumar, a native of Fazilka district's Dharmupura village, which is just three kilometers from the India-Pakistan border, police said.

A 22-year-old man, Balwinder Singh, was killed after the fuel tank of his motorcycle exploded in Fazilka's Jalalabad on September 15.

During the investigation, Kumar's role in hatching a conspiracy to blow up the motorcycle in a crowded area came to light, the police said.

After learning about Kumar's role, the Fazilka police launched a probe based on the available clues and arrested him on Saturday, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ferozepur Range, Jatinder Singh Aulakh said in a statement.

During questioning, Kumar revealed that the motorcycle that was being driven by Balwinder was supposed to be parked in a crowded area in Jalalabad city, the officer said.

Kumar also revealed that the planning for this "act of terror" was done on September 14 at the house of one Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha, a resident of Ferozepur's Chandi Wala village, the IGP said.

Gurpreet Singh, a native of Lakhmir Ke Hitthar village in Mamdot, was also part of the plan, he said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Hilori said that based on the inputs gathered from Kumar, all four accused, including Balwinder, have been booked and efforts are on to arrest Sukhwinder and Gurpreet.

He said all the four accused have a criminal background and are related to each other.

Based on Kumar's instance and information provided by a farmer, a tiffin bomb that the accused had hidden in the fields in his village was also recovered, the police said.

On August 8, the Amritsar Rural police had recovered five hand grenades and a tiffin bomb from Daleke village in Lopoke.

On August 20, the Kapurthala police had also recovered two hand grenades, one tiffin bomb and other explosive material from Phagwara.

Another tiffin bomb was used to blow up an oil tanker in Ajnala on August 8.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar welcomed his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic on Sunday and reiterated the intense political partnership between the two countries and the individualistic approach of the two nations towards international politics. The leader agreed to take forward the long-standing cooperation, especially on the economic side. Selakovic is on a two-day visit to India.

"Warm and fruitful discussions with Serbian FM Nikola Selakovic. Reaffirmed our strong political bonds and independent stance in global politics. Agreed to take forward our long-standing cooperation, especially on the economic side," Minister Jaishankar said.

India-Serbia talk means to enhance bilateral ties

The Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Selakovic met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House where both leaders held talks on enhancing bilateral relations. Selakovic is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on India-Serbia relations at the Indian Council of World Affairs, at Sapru House in New Delhi on Monday. He is also scheduled to visit Rajghat.

Selakovic had last held a dialogue with Ambassador of India to Serbia Subrata Bhattacharjee in November 2020, who handed the Serbian Foreign Affairs minister a congratulatory letter on behalf of the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaishankar on the occasion of Selakovics appointment to the position of foreign minister.

India-Serbia relations

India and Serbia, over the last few years, have ramped up high-level bilateral exchanges and closer interactions to boost trade cooperation and strengthen economic cooperation. While India and Serbia have exchanged several ministerial visits, Indias Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu paid a visit to Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksander Vucic in September 2018 on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations wherein the two ally countries jointly released commemorative stamps on the renowned Serbian scientist and inventor, Nikola Tesla and the great spiritual leader of India, Swami Vivekananda.

EAM Jaishankar meets Saudi Foreign Minister

Earlier the day, External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar met the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Faisal Bin Farhan. Both parties held talks on key socio-political points and also discussed issues related to the COVID pandemic.

"A cordial and productive meeting with the Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan. Discussed our cooperation in the political, security and socio-cultural pillars of our strategic partnership. Very useful exchange of views on Afghanistan, the Gulf and the Indo-Pacific," External Affairs Minister Jaishankar stated.

"Urged early resumption of direct flights to Saudi Arabia. Agreed to work closely on all Covid-related challenges, including travel," Jaishankar added.

Image: REPUBLICWORLD
Amid speculations of Navjot Singh Sindhu being appointed to the post of Punjab Chief Minister, National in-charge of Bharatiya Janata Party's Information and Technology department, Amit Malviya on Sunday took a jibe at the Congress Party. Slamming Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, he said that Punjab sharing its border with Pakistan witnesses frequent infiltration and smuggling. And now with this situation, the position of Chief Minister cannot be trusted with Navjyot Singh Sidhu. He further alleged Sidhu of having ties with the Pakistan Prime Minister and Army Chief.

Further, raising questions on the Priyanka Gandhi-led Congress government in the state, the BJP leader also asked why the party have been pushing Sidhu to the position. Malviya also remarked on Capt Amarinder Singh's resignation from the CM position and said that the Gandhis did not expect the resignation and are now taken aback.

"They are struggling to find a CM and Capt has made it tougher by demanding that the new CM prove majority on the floor", he added.

Clearly, Capt Amarinder Singhs resignation has taken the Gandhis by surprise. They had not anticipated that he would take only so much humiliation and no more.

They are struggling to find a CM and Capt has made it tougher by demanding that the new CM prove majority on the floor.  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 19, 2021

Earlier on Saturday, Union Minister Malviya spoke on the resignation and slammed the Congress government for humiliating the Chief Minister. He wrote, "The problem is not with replacing a sitting Chief Minister. The problem is when the sitting Chief Minister says he resigned because he was being humiliated. Well done, Congress."

Meanwhile, the BJP has been also keeping a close watch on the recent developments in Punjab after Singh's resignation ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Captain Amarinder Singh's resignation from Punjab Chief Minister's position

In one of the biggest development from Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday gave his resignation as the Punjab Chief Minister after serving the Congress party for almost half a century. Later in an exclusive interview with Republic TV, he revealed his reasons for such a sudden decision and blamed Congress leaders for the ongoing tensions in the party majorly focusing on Navjot Singh Sidhu.

He further added that he has been totally misunderstood and later being humiliated in his own state. Singh also stated about speaking to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi about the turn of events and said that it could be due to his close association with the Gandhi family that resulted in such a situation.

Image: ANI/PTI
On Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud, who is visiting India for the first time. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister arrived in New Delhi on a three-day visit and he will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, September 20.

Later, the two leaders met at Hyderabad House in the national capital where they discussed the current situation in Afghanistan as well as other regional problems, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs. They also discussed bilateral collaboration in multilateral venues such as the United Nations, the G-20, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar praised Saudi Arabia for its effective G-20 presidency last year, despite the pandemic of Covid-19, read the statement.

This is Saudi Arabia's first ministerial visit to India since the COVID pandemic broke out. Both ministers talked about their bilateral relationship as well as regional and international topics of mutual concern. The two Ministers also discussed the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Council Agreement that the two countries agreed in October 2019 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia and were pleased with the sessions held under the Agreement and the progress made, as per the statement. It further stated that both sides also discussed how they can improve their partnership in areas like commerce, investment, energy, defence, security, culture, consular affairs, health care, and human resources. Jaishankar also extended his gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its assistance to the Indian community during the COVID outbreak and urged the gulf country to further ease travel restrictions.

Delighted to welcome FM of Saudi Arabia HH Prince @Faisalbinfarhan for his first ever visit to India. pic.twitter.com/KVk6LRvnZo  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 19, 2021

It is worth mentioning here that Saudi Arabia, following in the footsteps of China and Pakistan, backed the Taliban's formation of an interim government in Afghanistan. On September 8, during a virtual ministerial conference focussed on the Afghanistan situation, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan extended sincere sympathies to the families of those killed in the chaos outside Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport. He called the formation of the interim government a "move in the right path" that will help the country achieve stability. He also urged the Taliban to protect Afghan lives and to give up "violence and extremism." The Foreign Minister of the Kingdom further stated that his government will assist the war-torn country in overcoming its difficulties.

(With inputs from ANI)

Image: Twitter/@DrSJaishankar
Lucknow, Sep 18 (PTI) Negating Rama and Krishna and fleeing to Italy in times of calamity are the nature of the people of a particular party, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday in an apparent dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The chief minister took the dig without naming Gandhi while addressing an enlightened class conference organised by the BJP.

People of one party flee to Italy in the times of calamity. UP helped their family members become prime ministers but they go abroad and criticise the state and the country, said Adityanath.

They want everything from Uttar Pradesh but criticising and humiliating its people and making comments on gods and goddess are their tendency. Negating Ram and Krishna is part of their habit. This is what happens if someone is a Hindu by accident, the chief minister said.

Referring to the 'bulldozer' jibe by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Adityanath said, There is only one remedy for those who illegally encroach upon the government land and the peoples property  bulldozers." Attacking the Samajwadi Party, the chief minister said "during the previous government, people of eastern Uttar Pradesh used to be submerged in floods and children and citizens used to suffer from encephalitis and dengue.

At that time, the people responsible (to manage it) were busy enjoying dances of film personalities in Saifai. I do not understand how people forget the interests of the nation and society. If the country is strong, everyone will be strong together, he said.

In his address, the chief minister termed the countrys interest above all, including ones personal interests.

"Personal desires, method of worship, freedom of faith and religion are secondary before the 'rashtra dharma.' You all have to provide the right vision to the society and show the right path, it is for you to decide whether you want a government of riots and mafia or a Ram Rajya in Uttar Pradesh, he said. PTI AR SAB RAX RAX

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
It has hardly been a week since Apple conducted its California Streaming event, and Apple seems to be facing an undeniable issue of employee unrest. Apple is known to maintain high levels of secrecy as far as internal matters are concerned. However, the increasing unrest among employees at Apple led Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, to address some questions in an all-staff meeting on Friday, September 17, 2021.

According to a recent report by New York Times, Tim Cook took an all-staff meeting for the first time since issues regarding employee concerns have started to surface. The publication has obtained a recording of the meeting, in which Cook answered only two questions put forward by activist employees. The all-staff meeting was supposed to be broadcasted to Apple employees around the world.

CEO Tim Cook addresses an all-staff meeting

The meeting holds sheer importance at this point in time, as over the past few months, hundreds of people who claim to be current or former Apple employees have submitted complaints against sexual harassment, retaliation, verbal abuse and discrimination at work. As mentioned in the report published by New York Times, Cher Scarlett and Janneke Parrish (Apple employees) say that the accounts and statements regarding all the issues mentioned above have been submitted to an activist employee group that is called #AppleToo.

The employee activist group has also posted some anonymous stories on the internet and is encouraging workers or former employees to raise their complaints with state and federal officials. The issues highlighted by their stories include unfavourable workplace conditions, company's business practices and unequal pay. Additionally, some employees who spoke to New York Times also said that Apple's secret work culture discourages employees from talking about their issues on any platform, being it social media, the press or even with their co-workers.

more than 500 current and former Apple employees have submitted accounts of verbal abuse, sexual harassment, retaliation and discrimination at work, to an employee-activist group that calls itself #AppleToo: NYT



Tim Apple will be going through a lot of photos tonight  zerohedge (@zerohedge) September 18, 2021

Here is what Tim Cook and Deirdre O'Brien said at the meeting

During the all-staff meeting, Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's human resources chief said that Apple keeps a check on its compensation practices to ensure that the company pays fairly to the employees. Upon being asked about Texas' abortion restrictions, CEO Tim Cook said that Apple was looking whether it could aid a legal fight and that the medical insurance for workers would pay for workers in Texas.

Most recently, #AppleToo workers wrote an open letter to Tim Cook, asking for "increased separation between Apple-owned and worker-owned digital and physical property in all Apple policies." Another case about an employee, Sr. EPM Ashely Gjovik being fired after raising allegations of internal harassment and sexism came up earlier last week.

8/3-4 I concerted with coworkers to gather evidence of possible workplace safety issues, #Apple negligence, and even a cover-up by Apple EH&S. I was supposed to go to the office on 8/5, but EH&S decided to start fixing things on 8/4 before I'd be there. I was put on leave 8/4. pic.twitter.com/xJ5E4843tJ  Ashley M. Gjvik (@ashleygjovik) September 18, 2021

Image: AP
The flags of Algeria are to be flown at half-mast throughout the country for three days in honour of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The order by the incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune came on Saturday after the former President died at the age of 84 on September 17.

According to the media reports, the former President's 20-years term ended in disgrace as he was pushed from power amid street protests when he decided to seek a new term. According to the order released by the president's office, three days of mourning starting Saturday would reflect his role in Algeria's brutal seven-year war for independence from France that ended in 1962.

As those who fought are considered martyrs today, the former President would be laid to rest at El Alia Cemetery, the former presidents lawyer, Salim Hadjouti said on Saturday. It is the same place where all the martyrs were buried with special honour. Since his death, public television has not shown images of him. According to the political experts, this was a clear sign that authorities prefer not to go overboard with a farewell as the North African nation has turned past the Bouteflika-era.

Bouteflika made rare public appearances after he had a cerebrovascular accident

It is worth mentioning Bouteflika became the Algerian foreign minister in 1963. He became the President in 1999 after he scored an overwhelming victory during the presidential election. He served the country for four consecutive terms before stepping down in 2019. He had made rare public appearances after he had a cerebrovascular accident in April 2013. The accident also reduced his mobility and presidential activity. Following the accident, his health conditions were kept hidden from the Algerian people, which added to the population's dissatisfaction with his 20-year corrupted leadership.

Later, his resignation was precipitated by enormous public demonstrations organised by the Hirak organisation. During his tenure, the country had witnessed a massive surge in corruption that left the leader with no option except to step down from his post. Subsequently, Abdelmadjid Tebboune replaced him and took office in late 2019.

(With inputs from ANI, AP)

(Image: AP/ANI)
A Chinese construction company working in Sudan made millions of dollars by inflating costs and paid kickbacks in exchange. The company involved in the corruption case, Fu Hong Construction Roads and Bridges Enterprises, is controlled by a Chinese couple from Khartoum's Sobha neighbourhood.

According to the Hong Kong Post, the firm has ties to now-deposed Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir and was involved in a lot of projects, notably in sensitive areas. The report further stated that Chinese companies have had a free run in Sudan due to the absence of foreign competition as a result of the worldwide prohibition.

The payments went to several senior members of the previous regime, including the deposed President and his deputy. The graft committee raided the Fu Hong Company's offices and recovered gold and cash in December 2020. Since then, things have started to take a turn, reported the Hong Kong Post.

In March 2021, the company was raided for the second time, and approximately $138,000 was recovered. The Committee reportedly demanded $400,000 to dismiss the matter. Meanwhile, all these developments were kept as a secret by the construction firm as well as the raiding committee, according to the Hong Kong Post.

The raid and recovery were unlawful, and the amount recovered was never accounted for, according to the General Intelligence Service agency, which discovered the incident later. Experts have also revealed proof of large-scale grafts carried out by Chinese enterprises, in addition to infrastructure. More than 130 Chinese businesses are directly involved in Sudan across numerous domains in over 200 projects. These projects include farming, abattoirs, trading, mining, health, and water supply.

Sudanese PM calls for a review of all previous deals with China

Sudan, like many other African countries, welcomed Chinese investments with open arms, allowing the Chinese state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to make major inroads into the much important petroleum sector. China has provided the Sudanese government with countless interest-free loans and subsidies for various projects but the country is now beginning to feel exploited by the Chinese.

However, Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has now asked for a review of all previous deals with China, citing the dubious participation of Chinese businesses in the oil sector.

(With ANI inputs)

Image: AP
Guinea's junta leaders insisted on Saturday during a news conference, that President Alpha Conde would remain in the country and that only Guinean people, as opposed to ECOWAS, will decide about their future.

Speaking to journalists in Conakry about the meeting that military rulers had with the ECOWAS delegation on Friday, Col. Amara Camara said they had alerted the West African group that Guineans would decide their own destiny.

Earlier this week, the bloc said they expected a quick transition, with elections organized in 6 months to restore "constitutional order" in the country.

ECOWAS also pressed ahead with targeted sanctions, and put travel bans into effect for the leaders of the Sept. 5 coup and their families, also freezing their financial assets.

Camara dismissed this saying, "we are soldiers and the mission for us is in Guinea"

The new Guinean authorities also shot down rumors that their West African neighbors were negotiating a way for Conde to leave the country.

ECOWAS and other members of the international community have called for Conde's immediate release ever since he was detained in the Sept. 5 coup that overthrew him after more than a decade in power.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
As Australia expressed its plans to establish a defence partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned the island continent of avoiding engagement of "external interference" in the Southeastern waters. "Australia could far the most dangerous consequence of being cannon fodder in the event or a military showdown in the region," Al Jazeera quoted Xi Jinping as saying on September 17.

Australia's decision came after Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. Prime Minister Scott Morrison also pointed out to the Chinese "substantive programme of nuclear submarine building" and stated during an interview with radio station 2GB that all countries have the "right to take decisions in their national interest." During other interviews, Mr. Morrison also added that the Australian government is adapting to the changing dynamics in the Asia-Pacific Region.

The reaction came after Australia signed the AUKUS deal with the US and UK to acquire nuclear-powered submarines in order to establish stronger maritime security amidst escalation of Chinese hostility in the South China Sea.

The AUKUS deal

On September 15, Australia, the US, and the UK announced a trilateral security partnership to ensure strategic up-gradation of maritime security in Southeastern international waters. The "historic step" is said to be a joint effort of the three nations and is seen as a move to counter China-administered aggression in Southeast China Sea. As unveiled by the leaders, the submarines will hold nuclear power and not nuclear weapons. It is noteworthy that Australia is a vital part of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). According to US President Joe Biden, the deal was signed between the leaders over a joint video conference as an "imperative of ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific over the long term," he told during the conference.

The trilateral alliance draws strong criticism from Beijing

Meanwhile, Chinese state-held news publication Global Times also dubbed US presence in the Asia-Pacific Region as "naive" and "cold war gambit." Furthermore, during an interview at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Friday, the Chinese President appealed to the Southeast-Asian nations' head of state to "absolutely resist external forces to interfere (in) countries in our region at any excuse, and hold the future of the countries' development and progress firmly in our own hands," Al Jazeera reported. Although the leaders did not explicitly mention China in their speech, the deal also drew strong criticism from the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian. He condemned the alliance calling it a 'threat' to regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, he also mentioned that the nations are engaging in a nuclear arms race despite being a part of the NPT pact.

Image: AP (representative)
China is wary about the Talibans promises to crack down on the Uyghur separatist group East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM). Last week, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen had said in an interview with Global Times that several ETIM members had been told to leave the war-torn country because the Taliban had categorically told them that Afghanistan cant be used to launch attacks against other nations. Shaheens comments then immediately caught Chinas attention, which had already raised concern over the fate of ETIM following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

According to HK Post, the Taliban statement has raised doubts over the sincerity of the regime. China is wary of whether the Taliban will keep its promise to crack down on the Uyghur separatist group. It is worth noting that the ETIM is branded as the most dangerous and extremists terrorists groups in China, which aims to split the Xinjiang region from China.

China hopes Taliban embrace ties with ETIM

The ETIM has been accountable for hundreds of terror attacks in China, especially in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is an UNSC-designated terrorist organisation, which poses a direct threat to Chinas security and its people. The ETIM harms regional stability and security and is also a "tumour festering" in Afghanistan.

China has repeatedly expressed concerns over the group to the Afghan Taliban on multiple occasions. Chinese authorities have repeatedly accused the group of developing close ties with international terrorist organisations, including Al-Qaeda. They have even claimed that the ETIM has scattered across Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria and other nations in the Middle East, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.

Now, as China was one of the first countries to recognise the Taliban regime, the ETIM fighters reportedly relocated out of Afghanistan, leaving China wary that the Taiban which supported ETIM at the border has provided a safe passage to the fighters instead of handing them over to China. In response to Shaheens comments, Chinese Foreign Minister spokesperson Zhao Lijian took note of the issue and said that China has raised issues related to ETIM with the Taliban on multiple occasions. While speaking at a press conference, Lijian said that China hoped that the insurgent group will honour their commitments, seize ties with ETIM and take effective measures to resolutely crackdown on the terrorist organisation within its territory.

(With inputs from ANI)
Following a Sciensano institute bulletin on Covid-19 vaccination, the Belgium government has decided to scrap masking mandates in public from October 1. The new rules suggested that citizens will no longer need to wear a mask in public places like al-fresco-dine-in and shops. The decision was announced by Belgium's COVID-19 Consultation Committee comprised of Federated entities after Sciensano public health institute published the recent Covid-19 vaccination records.

The situation in Brussels is "is neither acceptable nor sustainable" said Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

As per Xinhua News Agency, the announcements by the Belgian government came after vaccination records displayed complete vaccination of over 71% population. As per the bulletin, about 8.2 million citizens have been jabbed against the novel Coronavirus. However, the relaxations have been reportedly made for selective areas where vaccination records are comparatively higher.

Exceptions made in the new masking relaxations

With currently over 2k daily caseload, Belgian authorities have issued an order that allowed citizens to avoid masking in restaurants and shops. However, there are exceptions that have been deemed mandatory. As per the Covid-19 advisory committee statement, citizens will need to wear a mask in medical centres, airports, and events holding 500 plus participants, Xinhua News Agency reported. According to a tweet shared in Belgian by Prime Minister De Croo, Covid Safety Health Tickets will be mandatory to secure entry in discotheques and dance halls. "Only Covid Safe Ticket and stricter ventilation and air quality will help prevent infections," he wrote on Twitter.

Additionally, the masking relaxations have also been postponed in Belgium capital Brussels due to low vaccination records. "We are approaching the fall season. It is more important than ever to ensure adequate ventilation as well as vaccination," Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said in a statement. His statement came after Brussels saw a considerable surge in Covid-19 infections after reporting zero new cases on September 12. Meanwhile, Mr De Croo took to Twitter to announce the news of the 'successful vaccination' of 84% of the Belgian population. "More than 8.2 million compatriots have now been fully vaccinated, 84% of the adult population. A good case because those who have been vaccinated have 90% less chance of getting seriously ill and ending up in a hospital," Prime Minister De Croo wrote.

Belgium recorded 25k COVID-related deaths since the first-ever case

According to the Belgium Health Department bulletin, the European country has reported 12,17,473 cases since the first-ever Covid-19 infection. According to their public health institute Sciensano, there have been 25,494 COVID-related fatalities after the first and second wave of the Novel Coronavirus. On the vaccination front, at least 85,15,499 citizens have been partly vaccinated. While 82,97,278 people have received their double dose.

With inputs from AP

Image: AP/Unsplash (representative)
Finland has reported the very first case of the Mu variant. Including Finland, this variant of the covid virus has already been found in over 40 countries. Mu was officially termed as B.1.621 and identified as a 'variant of interest' by the World Health Organization (WHO) last month.

Mu was singled out by the WHO after reports that it has a 'constellation of mutations that indicate potential properties of immune escape' which needed further investigation.

Mu, according to a report citing Finnish researchers, is unlikely to provide any new dangers compared to other forms. The variation was discovered for the first time in Colombia earlier this year. According to the report, research has shown that two doses of vaccination are sufficient to avoid major COVID instances. Finland currently sequences the genomes of about 10%-15% of positive samples.

According to the report, Turku University of Virology, professor Ilkka Julkunen said, "All variations that can defy protection imparted by a past infection or vaccine-provided immunity are potentially alarming, or ones that we have to monitor." The Mu' variation suffers from the same problem.

'Mu variant is the source of increasing no. of COVID cases in Finland

Finland sees the first case of the 'Mu' variant of COVID, WHO says few mutations needed study cases in Europe, South America.The Delta form of COVID, which was first discovered in India, is currently the most common mutation in Finland. In the last two months, 95% of the samples received for sequencing had been found to contain it.

Mu has caused several major outbreaks in South America and Europe, according to a WHO Bulletin released earlier this month. Despite the fact that the frequency of Mu-identified genetic sequences has dropped below 0.1% worldwide, Mu accounts for 39% of variants analysed in Colombia and 13% in Ecuador, regions where its prevalence has 'consistently increased,' according to WHO.

Mu variant's transmissibility and immunological protection

E484K, N501Y, and D614G are important mutations in Mu that have been associated with increased transmissibility and decreased immunological protection. According to WHO, it is continuing to study Mu in South America for changes, particularly in regions where it is co-circulating with the Delta type.

The variant's circulation is reducing internationally, according to Maria van Kerkhove, head of WHO's emerging diseases unit, but it must be continuously monitored. White House chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci said in a press conference that US officials are keeping an eye on it, but that Mu is not considered a threat right now.

(Image: Pixabay)
Frances foreign affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Indias Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Friday held a telephonic dialogue on Indo-Pacific and the Afghanistan issue, as the two countries agreed to strengthen the mutual partnership and promote a truly multilateral international order, according to Frances foreign affairs ministrys statement on September 18. During their talk, the two countries agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, based on a relationship of political trust between two great sovereign nations of the Indo-Pacific. Indias External Affairs Minister wrote in a tweet that he plans to hold a meeting with his French counterpart in New York next week, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

France held talks with India amid the AUKUS security pact row involving Australia scuppering a multibillion-dollar deal with France, and instead of striking a deal with the United States for procuring nuclear-powered submarines, a move that has "angered" Paris. US-UK-Australia defence deal was labelled by Paris as a stab in the back', and Foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian drew a parallel between US President Joe Biden with his predecessor Donald Trump. As the three countries snubbed the security partnership for the Indo-Pacific with France, the latter held talks with India.

The two ministers decided to deepen their strategic partnership, based on a relationship of political trust between two great sovereign nations of the Indo-Pacific. They also discussed the situation in Afghanistan, which is deteriorating, French Foreign Ministry said in a statement. It added, that the two ministers will meet in the United States, New York to work on a common program of concrete actions to jointly defend a truly multilateral international order.

India-France discuss geostrategic challenges

Earlier on September 9, France and India held a first trilateral dialogue involving Australia through videoconference which was co-chaired by Francois Delattre, Secretary-General, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs of India, and Frances Adamson, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia. The dialogue was aimed at exchanging views on strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

India and France discussed geostrategic challenges, their respective strategies for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, and prospects for cooperation in the region, especially in the context of the public health crisis at the meeting. The ally countries also expressed their shared will to successfully conclude concrete cooperation projects in the maritime sector and those promoting global commonsclimate, environment and biodiversity, health. Meanwhile, challenges and priorities of multilateralism were also discussed, and a focus was laid on the goal of guaranteeing peace, security, and adherence to international law in the Indo-Pacific.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that security officials have apprehended the last two of six Palestinian convicts who escaped from Israel's Gilbo'a prison. "In a joint operation with the ISA, @IsraelPolice and the IDF, the remaining 2 terrorists who escaped from Gilboa Prison were captured. Both terrorists surrendered after being surrounded by security forces that acted precisely based on accurate intelligence.," the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) posted an update on Twitter.

In a joint operation with the ISA, @IsraelPolice and the IDF, the remaining 2 terrorists who escaped from Gilboa Prison were captured.



Both terrorists surrendered after being surrounded by security forces that acted precisely based on accurate intelligence.  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 19, 2021

On the nights of September 18 and 19, the convicts were apprehended in Jenin's eastern area. They were identified as Nayef Kamamji and Munadel Yacoub Infeiat by an Israeli police spokesperson. According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, Kamamji, 35, was arrested in 2006 and serving a life sentence, while Infeiat, 26, was arrested in 2019.

The six detainees escaped digging a tunnel

At the beginning of September, six Palestinian detainees escaped from the Gilbo'a high-security prison in northern Israel, which is less than 6 km (3.7 miles) from the West Bank. Zakaria Zubeidi, a leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a coalition of Palestinian armed factions recognised as a terrorist organisation in Israel, was among the fugitives. The detainees escaped by digging a tunnel from their cell into the prison's drainage system. At the end of last week, Zubeidi and three other detainees were arrested.

A week ago, the four inmates were apprehended in pairs near Nazareth, an Arab city in northern Israel. All six have been convicted of plotting or carrying out fatal attacks against Israelis or are suspected of doing so. Residents reported that Palestinians in Jenin battled with Israeli troops as they raided the city early September 19. After being surrounded by Israeli forces, Kamamji and Infeiat surrendered, and two other Palestinians were arrested for supporting them, ANI reported quoting local media.

The ongoing conflict between Israel & Palestine

This comes amid ongoing clashes in the West Bank between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers. Over 40 Palestinians were injured in skirmishes on September 17, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. According to the IDF, Palestinians threw rocks and bombs at Israeli troops and opened fire as they left the city. The rioting was sparked by the construction of a new Israeli settlement in Beita, near Nablus, in May.

The Palestinian Authority, which has limited self-rule in the West Bank and collaborates with Israel on security issues, did not respond immediately. Protests in solidarity with the men have taken place across the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Protests by Israel's Arab minority, many of whom identify as Palestinians, have also taken place in support of the men, with more planned for later on September 19. In the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East conflict, Palestinians regard members of armed groups imprisoned by Israel as heroes in the struggle for independence. They are considered terrorists in Israel.

(With inputs from ANI)

Image: PTI
The World Health Organisation (WHO) delivered at least 8.7 metric tons of life-saving medical and trauma supplies to Afghanistan on September 18, Saturday. The shipment of life-saving equipment was carried by Qatar Airways and landed at the Hamid Karzai International Airport on Saturday. This was third such consignment sent by the specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. According to WHO, the new shipment would benefit trauma patients and children with pneumonia in Afghanistan. "A plane carrying 8.7 MT of WHO life-saving medical and trauma supplies landed in Kabul today. This new shipment will benefit 2,500 trauma patients and 2,400 children with pneumonia in Afghanistan," said the WHO Afghanistan through their microblogging platform.

.@WHO is grateful to #Qatar  for its ongoing support to deliver essential health supplies for vulnerable people in #Afghanistan. Todays flight is the 3rd donated by #Qatar to WHO this month. pic.twitter.com/IpxB4wN98l  WHO Afghanistan (@WHOAfghanistan) September 18, 2021

Further, the organisation appreciated the involvement of Qatar in providing relief materials to the war-torn country. It is worth mentioning that Qatar has been playing a significant role in maintaining diplomatic ties with the Taliban ruled Afghanistan. Since the extremist group captured the democratically elected government, it has deployed several aeroplanes in evacuating the desperate Afghans from the war-ravaged country. The move has been massively applauded internationally. "WHO is grateful to Qatar for its ongoing support to deliver essential health supplies for vulnerable people in Afghanistan. Today's flight is the 3rd donated by Qatar to WHO this month," added the international public health organisation.

WHO is exploring options to expedite further shipments of health supplies to Afghanistan

According to WHO, the supplies which were delivered at the Kabul Airport was a collaborative effort of the operations and logistic teams of Qatar Airways and the Government of the State of Qatar. The organisation informed that the shipment was first packed at the Europe facility and was transported to Qatar. Later, the consignment was taken to Kabul to cover the urgent health needs of 1 million people in Afghanistan. Notably, WHO is exploring options to expedite further shipments of health supplies to Afghanistan. Earlier on Tuesday, the second Qatar Airways flight had delivered supplies to Kabul.

UN High Commissioner appealed to the international communities to help Afghans

During a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, had appealed to the international communities to come forward to help the Afghan people. He said that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is 'pretty desperate' and stressed sending food, medicines, shelter and other necessities urgently to the war-ravaged country. "Afghanistan is already facing a food insecurity and malnutrition crisis. A third of the population, more than 12 million people, are acutely food insecure, and their situation is expected to be greatly worsened by the drought  which has affected a third of the country, said Grandi. "We want to appeal to international donors to support the Afghan people by donating funds to the agency."

(With inputs from ANI)

(Image: Twitter/WHO Afghanistan)
On Sunday, The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) accused the Taliban of seizing its offices in an attempt to interfere with its work. "The AIHRC has been in office but unable to fulfil its responsibilities to the Afghan people. The Taliban have taken over all AIHRC premises, making appointments and using AIHRC resources such as cars and computers," the AIHRC said in a statement as reported by ANI. It said that Human rights have been routinely violated by the Taliban, including attacks on human rights defenders and blatant violations of international human rights standards. The commission also highlighted its reservations about the outfit's willingness to uphold its mandate and independence. The AIHRC also urged the Taliban to respect the commission's freedom and Afghan human rights defenders who have worked relentlessly to safeguard the Afghan people's rights.

Meanwhile, Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, has stated that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is dire and appealed for immediate assistance to the war-torn country. Grandi described the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan as "quite terrible" during a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, September 17, emphasising the urgent need for food, medicine, shelter, and other basics, according to Japan's NHK World. He also expressed concern over Afghan assets blocked in foreign countries, adding that financial limitations could lead to the collapse of public services and a deteriorating humanitarian crisis. The UN refugee chief also outlined the importance of the international community and the United Nations engaging with the Taliban for the sake of Afghanistan and regional stability. He added that the international community needs to find a way to work together with the Taliban to bring stability to the war-ravaged country, according to The Associated Press (AP).

UN calls for inclusive and representative administration in Afghanistan

It should be mentioned here that the Security Council officially renewed the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) earlier this week, emphasising the need for women's "equal and meaningful participation" in public life. The resolution also stressed the importance of an inclusive and representative administration in the war-torn country. It also went on to say that "upholding human rights, including for women, children, and minorities," is crucial in Afghanistan. According to UNICEF, over 10 million Afghan children require immediate assistance as a lack of food, medicine, and safe drinking water have left many children malnourished.

(With agency inputs)

Image: AP/ANI/Representative
The Taliban have announced that they have begun searching for the 2000-year-old Bactrian treasure, also known as Bactrian Gold. "We're looking into it, and we'll gather information to figure out what's going on," Tolo News quoted Ahmadullah Wasiq, deputy head of the Taliban interim cabinet's culture commission, as saying, If it has been moved (out of Afghanistan), it is treason against Afghanistan. If this and other antique things are transported out of Afghanistan, the Afghan government will take serious action, Wasiq added.

Bactrian gold treasure in Afghanistan

The Bactrian treasure was discovered in 1978-79 in the Tela Tapa or Hill of Gold area of Sherberghan province in northern Afghanistan, in the graves of six affluent nomads dating from the first century BC to the first century AD. More than 20,000 artefacts, including gold cupids, dolphins, gods, and dragons studded with semiprecious stones such as turquoise, carnelian, and lapis lazuli, were found in the graves of the Saka tribesmen from Central Asia or the Yuezhi from northwest China. Golden rings, coins, weapons, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, weapons, and crowns were among the items found.

The effect of the finding was compared by Viktor Sarianidi, a Moscow archaeologist who led the combined Soviet-Afghan team that excavated the burials, to the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb. "Bactria's gold shocked the world of archaeology," said according to the Smithsonian Magazine. Nowhere in history have so many distinct things from so many different culturesChinese-inspired boot buckles, Roman coins, Siberian-style daggersbeen unearthed together in situ, it added.

Bactrian gold treasure connected to India

The 2,000-year-old antiques discovered with them display an unusual blend of aesthetic influences (from Persian to classical Greek), and a large number of valuable artefacts discovered startled archaeologists, especially the elaborate golden crown found in the sixth tomb, the report said. The diadem, for example, is a five-inch-tall crown of hammered gold leaf that conveniently folds for travel, and a thumb-size gold figure of a mountain sheep is elegantly etched with curved horns and flaring nostrils, according to Smithsonian Magazine in 2009.

According to Sarianidi, the treasure was gathered by Yuezhi lords from China, who arrived in Bactria about the second century BC and later founded the Kushan Empire in India. Scythians from modern-day Iran, according to other scholars, buried the hoard. During the dig, Sarianidi and his team discovered a skull and skeleton surrounded by gold jewellery and ornaments. They were the bones of a woman in her late twenties or thirties, whom Sarianidi described as a nomadic princess.

Image: @Bagh_EBabur_Twitter
As South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) foreign affairs ministers is meet right around the corner, the dilemma for the meet this time will be on who will represent Afghanistan. The Taliban had stormed into Kabul on August 15, prompting then Afghan President Ashraf Ghani - along with his associates - to resign and flee the war-torn nation. The militant group then announced a 33-member caretaker Cabinet, however, world leaders are still in no rush to recognise the new government.

Now, as Nepal is set to host the upcoming SAARC meet, the dilemma is who will represent SAARCs youngest member - Afghanistan. Amir Khan Muttaqi is the acting foreign minister of the new Taliban government, but according to ANI, he is unlikely to attend any UN and affiliated meetings.

In fact, it is worth mentioning that during the SCO meet, PM Narendra Modi had even noted that the new Taliban regime in Afghanistan is non-inclusive and does not have representation of all sections of Afghan society, minorities and women. PM Modi also went on to caution that the international community before accepting or recognising the new government should broadly discuss the issue at the global level.

According to ANI, now, if the meeting takes place then the Afghan chair is likely to remain empty. However, a former diplomat of Nepal has cast doubt on whether the SAARC meeting will happen or not.

"How to convene the meeting is an issue because we don't know yet who will represent Afghanistan," said Durga Bhattarai, a former permanent representative of Nepal to the UN in New York. "Have we recognised the new regime in Afghanistan yet?"

Talibans new caretaker' government

Meanwhile, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran and Qatar have shown an inclination towards recognising the new interim government in Kabul by the Taliban. The insurgent group, on the other hand, announced that the new regime will now be led by Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund, the head of the Taliban's powerful decision-making body 'Rehbari Shura'. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid informed Sirajuddin Haqqani has been appointed as interior minister. Mohammad Yaqoob, the eldest son of the Taliban founder Mohammad Omar has been named as Minister of Defense.

The spokesperson added that the Taliban is now working on making the government more inclusive and it will soon announce all the ministries. We will announce all the ministries, we are working on that, we are trying to include people from all parts of the country in the government, Mujahid said. He announced a total of 33 names who will be holding various portfolios.

(With inputs from ANI)
Australia has hinted that it may decline to be a part of China's Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The decision came amidst the deteriorating relations between Beijing and Canberra after the trilateral AUKUS deal between Australia, UK, and the US. On September 17, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan indicated that unless China revokes "additional" tariffs imposed on goods imported from Australia, it will not accept the TPP, ANI reported.

Demanding Chinese commitment as per the World Trade Organisation agreements, Tehan told that Australia wants to be "confident" of China's "track record of compliance," ANI reported quoting Kyodo News. He also mentioned that Australia would like to engage in ministerial-level talks before initiating negotiations. "As we have conveyed to China, these are important matters which require ministerial engagement," Tehan said in a statement. The reactions came after China expressed dissatisfaction over the trilateral AUKUS deal between Australia, UK and the US.

Escalating tensions between China and Australia

According to ANI, relations between Australia and China have begun to sour since 2018 after Canberra refused to grant permission to Chinese tech company Huawei to set up 5G towers in the island continent. Following this, the relations between the nations continued to remain fray after Australia called for an independent investigation into the origins of the novel Coronavirus. Additionally, the countries are also at loggerheads after Beijing imposed hefty tariffs on Australian imports. Currently, Australia has drawn severe jibe from Beijing after it signed the "historic" deal to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US and UK.

Following the announcement of the alliance, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the Australian counterpart to avoid engagement of "external interference" in the Indo-Pacific region. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian also dubbed the deal as a 'threat' to regional peace and stability. You also mention that the Nations are engaging in a nuclear arms race despite being a part of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Pact.

The AUKUS deal to ensure maritime security amidst Chinese aggression in Southeast Asian waters

On September 15, Australia, the US, and the UK announced a trilateral security partnership to ensure strategic up-gradation of maritime security in Southeastern international waters. The "historic step" is said to be a joint effort of the three nations and is seen as a move to counter China-administered aggression in Southeast China Sea. As unveiled by the leaders, the submarines will hold nuclear power and not nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Scott Morrison also pointed out to the Chinese "substantive programme of nuclear submarine building" and stated during an interview with radio station 2GB that all countries have the "right to take decisions in their national interest." According to US President Joe Biden, the deal was signed between the leaders over a joint video conference as an "imperative of ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific over the long term," he told during the conference.

With inputs from ANI

Image: AP (representative)
Tossing diplomatic niceties out the window, France's ambassador to Australia on Saturday described as a huge mistake the surprise cancellation of a multi-billion dollar submarine contract in favour of a US deal.

Australia's sudden breaking of what was widely billed in France as the contract of the century has triggered the unprecedented show of anger among allies.

This has been a huge mistake, a very, very bad handling of the partnership, French ambassador Jean-Pierre Thebault said before flying home to France.

Paris recalled its ambassadors to Australia and the US on Friday to protest an abruptly announced deal between the United States, Australia and Britain to supply the Australians with a fleet of at least eight nuclear-power submarines.

The arms agreement between France and Australia, signed in 2016, was supposed to be based on trust, mutual understanding and sincerity, a fuming Thebault said. I would like to be able to run into a time machine and be in a situation where we don't end up in such an incredible, clumsy, inadequate, un-Australian situation. Thebault flew out of Australia about 17 hours after the announcement from Paris.

After an initial burst of anger from French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Paris has been silent.

Le Drian said in a written statement Friday that the French decision  at the request from President Emmanuel Macron  is justified by the exceptional seriousness of the announcements made by Australia and the United States.

He said Australia's decision to scrap a big French conventional submarine purchase in favour of nuclear subs built with US technology is unacceptable behaviour between allies and partners. What French officials have called a complex, multi-layered contract was about more than submarines. It was the underpinning for France's vision of the critical Indo-Pacific region, where France has a presence and China is looking to bolster its influence.

The US deal scraps a 90 billion Australian dollar ($66 billion) contract with French majority state-owned Naval Group to build 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines.

The Naval Group said in a statement that consequences of the contract cancelation would be analysed with Australia in the coming days". It noted that teams in France and Australia have been at work on the project for the past five years.

Australian employees working with Naval Group and their families have set up home in the Normandy port of Cherbourg. A union official, David Robin, told BFMTV that employees were informed there may be an option to keep them on.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne's office earlier had issued a statement responding to the diplomat's recall and noting Canberra's regret over its ally's withdrawal of its representative.

Australia understands France's deep disappointment with our decision, which was taken in accordance with our clear and communicated national security interests, the statement said. It added that Australia values its relationship with France and looked forward to future engagements together.

Payne and Defense Minister Peter Dutton are currently in the US for annual talks with their US counterparts and their first with President Joe Biden's administration.

Before he was recalled, French envoy Thebault said on Friday he found out about the US submarine deal: Like everybody, thanks to the Australian press. We never were informed about any substantial changes, Thebault said. There were many opportunities and many channels. Never was such a change mentioned. After the US deal was made public this week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he told President Macron in June that there were very real issues about whether a conventional submarine capability would address Australia's strategic security needs in the Indo-Pacific.

Morrison has not specifically referred to China's massive military buildup which had gained pace in recent years.

Morrison was in Paris on his way home from a Group of Seven nations summit in Britain where he had talks with soon-to-be-alliance partners Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Thebault said he had also been at the meeting with Macron and Morrison.

Morrison mentioned there were changes in the regional situation, but gave no indication that Australia was considering changing to nuclear propulsion, Thebault said.

Everything was supposed to be done in full transparency between the two partners, he added.

Thebault said difficulties the project had encountered were normal for its scale and large transfers of technologies.

Senior opposition lawmaker Mark Dreyfus called on the Australian government to fix its relationship with France.

The impact on our relationship with France is a concern, particularly as a country with important interests in our region, Dreyfus said. The French were blindsided by this decision and Mr Morrison should have done much more to protect the relationship."

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
On Saturday, September 18, the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for an attack on a major fuel pipeline in the southeastern part of the Syrian capital Damascus, which caused power shortages in the town and nearby areas. IS fighters were able to "plant and explode bombs on the gasoline pipeline fueling the Tishreen and Deir Ali vegetation," the group said in a statement as reported by the SANA news agency. The incident was the latest sabotage attempt on Syria's oil and gas infrastructure. Syria's oil and gas infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted over the 10-year conflict, and several oil fields currently lie outside of the government-controlled territory. According to Syrian Electricity Minister Ghassan al-Zamel, the attack on late Friday, September 17, targeted a pipeline that feeds nearly half of Syria's power facilities.

The minister informed that the attack on the gas pipeline, resulted in a sudden drop in gas pressure in Deir Ali Plant, causing the Plant to go out of service. He said that the gas pipeline used to feed Tishreen and Deir Ali Electricity Generation Plants, as well as two 400 KV towers located between Deir Ali and Tishreen Plants. He further stated that maintenance work began early Saturday and power was restored to all regions. Although he did also warn that rationing would be "serious" until all repairs were done, reported the SANA news agency, adding that the workshops have begun fixing the damaged towers, while the Petroleum Ministry's workshops are working on repairing the broken gas pipeline. According to a report by The Associated Press (AP), The pipeline was once a component of a transregional gas export network that carried natural gas from Egypt to Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. However, the exports ceased before Syria's civil war, but the pipeline was linked to the country's power infrastructure.

Seven Syrian soldiers were killed in a bomb explosion

At least seven Syrian troops were killed when a bomb exploded in their vehicle on September 8. Three other Syrian personnel were injured as a result of the blast, according to Sputnik. Syrian armed forces and law enforcement authorities were said to be taking steps the day before the attack to improve law and stability in the Daraa province, where terrorist activity has recently increased. According to Sputnik, the bomb was placed on the highway between the cities of Nafia and Ain Zakar. On Wednesday, September 8, Syrian armed forces attacked Daraa al Balad, the region's southernmost city, with the help of Russian military police. In southern Syria, the province is the last stronghold of militant criminal groups.

Image: AP
Top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated by Mossad which allegedly deployed a computerised machine gun, required no on-site operatives, took less than a minute and did not inflict injuries on anyone except for his wife, according to a report published by New York Times. It claimed that the Israeli intelligence agency had been closely following the 59-year-old scientist since at least 2007 and the plan for his killing commenced in 2019. The detailed report also touted reasons for the assassination stating that the Zionist regime was driven by Irans response to the assassination of its top general Qassim Suleimani and the fear that Donald Trump might lose the Presidential polls to Joe Biden, who had vowed to revive the JCPOA pact with Tehran.

Fakhrizadeh, known as Father of Irans Nuclear Programme, was murdered in the outskirts of the country capital Tehran after gunmen attacked his car on November 27. Soon after the then, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani accused the Netanyahu administration of perpetuating what is termed as a terror attack. However, Israel denied playing any role in the high profile assassination.

According to NYT, which based its report on interviews of Israeli officials familiar with the plan, the whole operation was handled from a command centre located outside the country. Furthermore, it said that Mossad used a modified Belgian-made FN MAG machine gun, which was attached to an advanced robotic apparatus, for the operation. The apparatus was itself powered by artificial intelligence technology and did not require humans to operate it. The report also mentioned that the one-ton heavy apparatus was smuggled in Iran through illicit channels and assembled by agents inside the Islamic Republic.

Fakhrizadeh's assasination

According to the Associated Press, the attack took place in Absard, a village that is considered a retreat for the Iranian elite. The Islamic Republic's state media reported that minutes before Fakhrizadeh was ambushed, a truck ridden with explosives blew up near his car, forcing his sedan to stop. The reports added that at least five gunmen emerged and started firing at Fakhrizadeh's car continuously, killing the scientist and his bodyguard.

Image: Twitter/Barakravid/AP
On Sunday, Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that Nepal must protect and implement the country's Constitution as the Himalayan nation observed its seventh Constitution Day. While addressing the country, Deuba said that he was proud of the promulgation of the Constitution that occurred six years ago by the officials that the people elected. Nepal PM further remembered the country's brave soldiers, expressed his condolences to its martyrs and thanked them for their sacrifices.

During his Constitution Day speech, Prime Minister Deuba emphasised the need to protect and implement the Constitution. He said that having the Constitution of Nepal was a dream come true for the nation, and it must be protected, keeping the martyrs and the sacrifices in mind. He said, "Our goal is to bring prosperity in the country along with the happiness of the people through successful implementation of the Constitution. During the coronavirus pandemic, the government worked hard to save lives and now has been immunising the nation with the help of the vaccination, said the Prime Minister.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken released a statement saying that the two countries have 75 years of friendly relations that were strengthened by closely working with the people of Nepal. He further congratulated the government and the people of Nepal on behalf of the US government and people and said that the two countries only have fond memories of working together for common challenges. Blinken further highlighted that the two countries have worked together to fight against the pandemic and climate change.

Conflict with Southern districts during the Promulgation of the Constitution

Nepal's Constituent Assembly promulgated its new Constitution in September 2105. The elected officials of the country framed the new constitution, but there were mass protests in the southern districts of the country. Nepal's Madhes-based parties from the southern Terai region had started a six-month-long protest so that the government would accept their demands. However, the government retaliated and nearly 60 people were killed. They demanded to check provincial boundaries, recognition of regional languages, addressing issues related to citizenship and representation in the National Assembly.

(With PTI inputs)

Image: PTI
A Qatar Airways flight carrying more than 230 passengers departed from Kabul Airport looked set to arrive in Doha. It is the fourth Qatar Airways flight carrying people from Afghanistan to Qatar since American troops withdrew last month. Taking to Twitter, Qatari Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwah Rashid Mohammed Al Khater shared the video of the flight and in the caption, she shared details regarding the flight. The tweet was made at 7.32 pm IST.

Fourth Qatar Airways flight takes off from Kabul

The flight that left Kabul on Sunday, September 19, was carrying more than 230 passengers to Qatar. The Qatar Airways-operated flight carried passengers including Afghan citizens and citizens from the United States, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Canada, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Finland and the Netherlands.

Lolwah Rashid Mohammed Al Khater in her tweet further mentioned, "Welcome in Doha shortly". After the US troops left the war-ravaged nation at the end of August, the Qatar Airways Charter flight was the first flight to take off from the Kabul airport on September 9.

Just now the 4th @qatarairways passengers flight took off from Kabul (HKIA) carrying more than 230 passengers, including Afghans & Citizens from the US  Germany  Belgium  Ireland  Canada  France  Italy  UK  Finland  The Netherlands.



Welcome in Doha shortly pic.twitter.com/kS0c1xLfhD    Lolwah Alkhater (@Lolwah_Alkhater) September 19, 2021

Earlier on September 18, the United States State Department spokesperson Ned Price informed that a Qatar Airways charter flight with 28 US citizens and 7 lawful permanent residents onboard flew off from Kabul on September 17. US spokesman Ned Price acknowledged the Taliban cooperation and expressed gratitude to Qatari authorities for facilitating flights out of the war-torn nation. He added that they will continue their efforts to help US citizens and Afghans "affiliated" with the US government to flee Afghanistan.

"We can confirm that a Qatar Airways charter flight departed from Kabul yesterday with 28 U.S. citizens and 7 lawful permanent residents on board. We are grateful to Qatari authorities, who continue to coordinate these flights with us. "We will continue to help U.S. citizens and Afghans affiliated with the U.S. government to depart Afghanistan. The international community welcomes the Talibans cooperation on these flights, and we will continue our engagement so that U.S. citizens and Afghans enjoy full freedom of mvement", Ned Price said in a statement.

Even though the Taliban had promised to form an "inclusive" government to run Afghanistan, it declared an all-male 33-member cabinet earlier this month. Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, chief of the Taliban's powerful decision-making body 'Rehbari Shura', has been named the head of the interim government, according to ANI. The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan before the complete withdrawal of US troops. Since then, they have been introducing new rules to curb womens rights.

Image: Lolwah_Alkhater/Twitter

Inputs from ANI
Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev expressed gratitude towards the Indian government and the people for enabling safe elections for State Duma in various cities of the country. Speaking to ANI, Kudashev asserted the importance of the Russian elections and added that he is 'grateful' to India for facilitating the event. As per information from the Russian embassy, precinct election commissions have been set up in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata to enable Russian voters to cast their votes.

"Today elections are taking place for the Russian Parliament. Russian State Duma or Russian Lok Sabha, if I say so. We are very grateful to the government and people of India for facilitating this event," Russian Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev.

Refusing to talk about the outcome of the election, Kudashev said, "I once again thank you for the kind support." When asked about the developments in Russia, Kudashev told ANI, "Without any prejudice to the final outcome of elections, we assure that the choice of the Russian people will be right." The Russian envoy and his wife today cast their votes at an election booth set up in India.

Additionally, Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Omar Babushkin also spoke on the critical importance of the lower house elections in Russia. Talking about the same, Babushkin said, "A total of 14 political parties are contesting. For this purpose, officers of the election commission established in India and other countries in the world to ensure that the Russian citizens could exercise their voting rights." Babushkin also informed that the voting centers were established abiding by the COVID protocols in India. About 348 polling booths have been set up in 144 countries for Russian citizens who are temporarily or permanently settled abroad.

Russian elections held amidst widespread violation of protocols

The Russian parliamentary elections which began on September 17 are scheduled to end by September 19. According to reports from the Associated Press, the elections were held amidst widespread violation of protocols. There were accusations of the Kremlin allegedly censoring Opposition's anti-governmental recommendations on social media and removing jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's mobile application 'Smart Voting App.' On the other hand, Russian United Party that backs Vladimir Putin also appears to retain dominance despite opposite pre-poll results.

Meanwhile, incumbent President Vladimir Putin also expressed his vision on the need for a 'strong authoritative' parliament just ahead of the Russian elections. "We need a strong and authoritative parliament so that lawmakers of the newly elected Duma act in the interests of Russia and our people and work for the people. So that they can be relied upon as patriots of Russia who are ready to resolutely and consistently ensure national interests in all spheres," he had said during an address to the Russian citizens ahead of the polls.

The ongoing elections have also been marred by the suppression of opposition voices and the media. Allegedly Kremlin asked Google and YouTube to take down content uploaded by the Opposition that could be deemed 'systematic violation,' which would otherwise draw criminal prosecution towards the social media company. On the other hand, the government also made a constitutional reform last year which would allow Putin to run for President for two more terms after the 2024 elections.

(With inputs from ANI and AP)

(Image: ANI)
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selakovic is expected to pay a two-day visit to India from September 19 to 20 to hold a bilateral dialogue with Indias External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Minister of State for External Affairs Culture of India Meenakashi Lekhi. The latter will also deliver a keynote on strategic bilateral ties between India and Serbia. Selakovic had last held a dialogue with Ambassador of India to Serbia Subrata Bhattacharjee in November 2020, who handed the Serbian Foreign Affairs minister a congratulatory letter on behalf of the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaishankar on the occasion of Selakovics appointment to the position of foreign minister.

India and Serbia, over the last few years, have ramped up high-level bilateral exchanges and closer interactions to boost trade cooperation and strengthen economic cooperation. While India and Serbia have exchanged several ministerial visits, Indias Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu paid a visit to Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksander Vucic in September 2018 on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations wherein the two ally countries jointly released commemorative stamps on the renowned Serbian scientist and inventor, Nikola Tesla and the great spiritual leader of India, Swami Vivekananda.

H.E. Mr. Nikola Selakovic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, arrived in New Delhi this morning. pic.twitter.com/LSqt4JBQiI  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 19, 2021

India-Serbia share 'strong ties' in areas of economy and culture

India and Serbia in the past have discussed the global and regional issues of mutual interest and have expressed commitment to further build on long-standing friendly ties, especially in the areas of economy and culture. The two ally and partner countries have strong bilateral cooperation in fields related to agriculture, food processing, defence manufacturing, science and technology, information technology, infrastructure, tourism, and pharmaceuticals. Indian companies invest hugely in Serbia in sectors of farm equipment like tractors, food processing, and pharmaceuticals to foster the goal of socio-economic development between both countries. As Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selakovic visits on September 19, he is expected to deliver remarks on India-Serbia bilateral cooperation and strategic ties at the Indian Council of World Affairs, Sapru House.

IMAGE: Twitter/@Xavier_Bettel/ANI
A recent study has discovered an intriguing component of the eight-limbed creature octopus' behaviour. The female octopuses pelt with shells and debris to males who approach them in an attempt to mate, according to the research. The preprint research study, titled "In the Line of Fire: Debris Throwing by Wild Octopuses," looked into the different throws used by the sea creature. The interesting findings left the netizens amused and they flooded the internet with memes, with some hilariously claiming that harassment is a problem "across the species." The researchers from Australia, Canada and the US visited Jevis Bay, off the coast of Australia, for the study and found that octopuses were, indeed, engaged in several types of "object-throwing" behaviour.

As soon as findings surfaced in the news netizens took to Twitter and flooded the internet with memes to share their reactions. We collected some of the best memes related to the matter which might leave you giggling. "Please tell me theres a video of this and we can look forward to a documentary with Viola Davis narrating. Please!!! [sic]," wrote one of the users. "My spirit animals. The octopus and the dragonfly. One hurls dirt at annoying males and the other plays dead to avoid unwanted male attention! [sic]," commented another.

Take a look at some of the funniest memes shared on Twitter

Female  when a male comes near them pic.twitter.com/KTiqQauONO  swooshcloud (@swooshcloud) September 16, 2021

"HOW IS IT HARASSING?! I JUST SAID SHE SHOULD SMILE MORE!"



-Male Octopus Rights Advocate from his mom's part of the ocean pic.twitter.com/vJOw003kbx  Anthony Giffen (@AnthonyGiffen) September 16, 2021

Don't come for me unless I call for you!!! Bahahahahaha!!! pic.twitter.com/c8R4cA12u3  NCresistsGOP (@pyrmomma) September 16, 2021

I hope she knocked some sense into him. You go girl! pic.twitter.com/fISYa6rhQI  Jane Obi (@JaneObiObi) September 16, 2021

female octopi when a male comes near: pic.twitter.com/aUngf2GKNb  idraxigy (@iDraxigy) September 16, 2021

Video of 'glass octopus' grabbed people's interest

It should be noted here that recently a video recorded by a group of academics showing a 'glass octopus' had grabbed people's interest. In the video, the animal was seen gliding through the water, flaunting its see-through skin, which left the netizens mesmerised. The footage was shared on the Schmidt Ocean Institute's Instagram page. The Glass Octopus is a pelagic octopus that may be found all over the world in tropical and subtropical latitudes. According to the video, the octopus' optic nerve, eyeballs, and digestive tube (the silvery piece in the middle) are the only visible possibilities. It is worth mentioning here that octopuses can be found in various regions of the ocean, including coral reefs, pelagic waters, and the seafloor; some dwell in the intertidal zone, while others survive at abysmal depths. The majority of species are fast-growing, mature early, and have a limited lifespan.

Image: Unsplash/Representative
A recent study by the University College London (UCL) suggested the world a few measures in an attempt to meet the Paris Climate Agreement's target. One of the key aims of the 2015 UNFCC COP agreement, which was ratified by 196 nations, was to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. The findings, published in Nature, suggest a quick reduction in fossil fuel extraction and emissions to achieve even a 50 per cent chance of meeting the agreement's target.

The study noted that to meet the goal, global oil and gas production must fall by 3 per cent per year until 2050. Many fossil fuel extraction projects, both planned and ongoing, are incompatible with meeting internationally agreed global warming targets set out in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. To keep global warming below 1.5C, about 60 per cent of oil and fossil methane gas, as well as nearly 90 per cent of coal, must remain in the ground by 2050, suggested the study.

The researchers used a global energy system model to calculate how much fossil fuel would need to be kept untouched on a regional and global scale. They suggested that the world must not emit more than 580 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide before 2100 and under this scenario, 89 per cent of coal reserves, 58 per cent of oil reserves and 59 per cent of gas reserves must remain unextracted.

The researchers also emphasised that, while the global fossil-fuel industry's outlook is already "bleak," further tighter extraction limits will be required to increase the prospects of keeping warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Global oil and fossil methane gas production has already reached its peak, according to Dan Welsby, the study's lead author. "The IPCC report and our new articles show beyond a shadow of a doubt that current fuel production trends are heading in the wrong direction. To reach net-zero emissions, a dramatic reduction is required right away," he added.

'Extraction of fossil fuel must be kept to a bare minimum'

According to the study, Middle Eastern regions must maintain around 60 per cent of their fossil fuel reserves untapped, which equates to massive volumes of fuel given the vast size of their reserve base. When it comes to areas with a high concentration of high-carbon-intensive oil deposits, the oil sands of Canada must retain about 83 per cent of their reserves underground and away from production. Regions with abundant oil deposits in Central and South America must keep their unextracted fuel reserves at roughly 73 per cent, suggested the findings. It should be mentioned here that the proportions stated in the study are a result of many elements such as carbon intensity of production, extraction costs, and the expenses of technologies functioning as an alternative to fossil fuels.

(Image: Pixabay/Representative Image)
When Prince Philip died nearly six months ago at 99, the tributes poured in from far and wide, praising him for his supportive role at the side of Queen Elizabeth II over her near 70-year reign.

Now, it has emerged that Philip had another crucial role within the royal family. He was the family's barbecue king  perhaps testament to his Greek heritage.

He adored barbecuing and he turned that into an interesting art form, his oldest son Prince Charles said in a BBC tribute program that will be broadcast on Wednesday. "And if I ever tried to do it he ... I could never get the fire to light or something ghastly, so (hed say): Go away!

In excerpts of 'Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers' released late Saturday, members of the royal family spoke admiringly of the late Duke of Edinburgh's barbecuing skills and his love of cookery shows, with the Hairy Bikers Si King and Dave Myers among his favourites.

Every barbecue that Ive ever been on, the Duke of Edinburgh has been there cooking," said Prince William, Philip's oldest grandson. Hes definitely a dab hand at the barbecue ... I can safely say theres never been a case of food poisoning in the family thats attributed to the Duke of Edinburgh.

More than a dozen royals including all four of the queen and Philips children  Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward  and their adult grandchildren, including Charles' two sons, William and Prince Harry, took part in the one-hour program. The program, which was filmed before and after Philip's death on April 9, was originally conceived to mark his 100th birthday in June,

The 95-year-old queen was not interviewed but granted special access to her private film collection. Nor were the spouses of Philip's grandchildren, including Harry's wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.

Harry, who stepped down from royal duties last year and moved to California, spoke for the first time about how the Duke of Edinburgh gave him the space to talk about serving in Afghanistan. Harry says his grandfather would never probe but listen about his two tour of duties to Helmand province during the war in Afghanistan.

Going off to Afghanistan, he was very matter of fact and just said, Make sure you come back alive," Harry said. Then when I came back, there wasnt a deep level of discussion, more a case of, Well, you made it. How was it? Thats how he was.'

He was very much a listener, he sort of set the scene for you to be able to share as much as you wanted to share, but he would never probe," he added.

Harry first served in Afghanistan as a forward air controller, during 2007-08, coordinating air strikes on Taliban positions before his presence was revealed by foreign media and he was flown home. He returned in 2012, this time as an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner.

Charles also spoke about Philip's dedication to the military.

He took very seriously the fact that he was involved in the three armed forces. And obviously the Navy was his main service, but he took an inordinate interest in everything to do with the other two," Charles said.

He read up an awful lot and thought about it and so he certainly put a lot of the generals and others through their paces, if you know what I mean. Hed always thought of a better way of doing it, he added.

IMAGE: AP

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reportedly issued a warning that there could be potential civilian casualties in the area, including children who were possibly present inside the targetted car, moments after the US launched a Hellfire missile in Kabul last month to strike down what it believed was a terror threat to the airport evacuation efforts. According to reports, the warning came too late because the missile had already been fired, and officials received a note about it just seconds before the projectile impacted. The missile strike failed to hit any of the terrorist sites it was meant to hit, instead of killing ten people, including seven children, said reports.

According to people familiar with the incident, there may have been a miscommunication between the military and the intelligence community because rapidly shifting situations often necessitate quick action without following up on the entire chain of command. The CIA, on the other hand, refused to comment when informed about the development, said reports.

Civilian casualties have been a consistent reality in Afghanistan due to the gap in decision-making between the two institutions; however, analysts cited by the news network say that these "mistakes" will only get worse without the presence of US troops on the ground, who could potentially have verified the correct target before successful strikes on legitimate ISIS-K or al Qaeda targets.

US military launched missile in Kabul

The US military admitted on Friday that the August 29 drone strike in Kabul was a "tragic mistake," with all 10 persons killed being civilians, including seven children, and none of them having any connection to the terrorist organisation IS-K, as had been stated earlier. It was a marked contrast to the Pentagon's earlier depiction of the Kabul drone strike, which was hailed as a successful operation that foreshadowed the over-the-horizon counterterrorism capabilities that President Joe Biden promised the US would have in Afghanistan after the withdrawal.

Some former intelligence officials go even further, claiming that CIA drone strikes kill far fewer civilians than military ones, but the agency's figures aren't public and outside groups that track drone strike casualties say the US military routinely undercounts its collateral deaths, making an accurate comparison difficult to draw, said reports.

Image: AP
Democrats have built a political momentum out of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate heading into the next years midterm elections as contentious rhetorics with the Republicans over individual rights intensified on Sat. 18. As Manchester witnessed Rep. Jess Edwards R-Auburn at this weeks anti-vax rally in defence of peoples choices to administer the jab, the right-leaning protesters chanted were not going to comply referring to Bidens recent vaccine mandate on businesses. GOP governors, meanwhile, prepared to slap a lawsuit on Sept. 18 as New Hampshires Gov. Chris Sununu slammed US President Joe Biden for his campaign for Senate in 2022, newscast footages by local WMUR revealed on Saturday.

Last week, US President Joe Biden announced mandating the COVID-19 vaccine as well as weekly testing for over 100 million Americans. The Dems passed a regulation that made it compulsory for all employers with more than 100 workers to make sure that the staff was jabbed against the novel virus in an attempt to curb the spread. The mandate was made applicable for health care workers and federal contractors. Slamming Americas hesitant, unvaccinated population, President Biden said at a White House briefing: Weve been patient. But our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us. He then added, that the unvaccinated minority can cause a lot of damage, and they are.

Enforcing the emergency ruling after Newsom survives recall efforts

Republicans derided Democrats for enforcing the emergency ruling on private federal companies, workers and employees as Gov Henry McMaster of South Carolina criticized Biden and the radical Democrats of thumbing their noses at the Constitution. GOP widely condemned Bidens vaccine mandate as an infringement of constitutional liberties and individual rights while Dems hope that the measure that is blue states public demand help them garner a sweeping congressional majority in the elections next year.

This is going to be a referendum on the pandemic, Hill quoted New Mexico Gov. and the chairwoman of the Democratic Governors Association Michelle Lujan Grisham, as saying, referring to the 2022 midterms and Californias recall elections.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, survived a GOP-led recall election on Tuesday, September 14 defeating the GOP-backed effort to topple him from the governance. Newsom addressed Californians, as he thanked them for rejecting the Republican-led recall effort as the White House and Democrats looked towards sweeping majorities in the 2022 midterm elections. Gov. Gavin Newsoms bid for 2022 has also strengthened with more than $71 million in his account raised by an online army of volunteers according to several reports. Im looking forward to that same effort ... in the midterms, Grisham told The Hill. Newsoms campaign efforts to snub the GOP recall have also encouraged the Democrats to resort to stringent pandemic control measures. About 80 per cent of Democrats back the plan to mandate COVID-19 vaccination, an estimate listed by Morning Consult suggests.

Image:
A small crowd of people coalesced in front of the US Capitol Building on Sunday to rally for those criminally charged in the January 6 pro-trump insurrections. As many as 643 American residents have been charged for the riots, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently likened to the 9/11 attacks. As per CNBC news, a few arrests were made in the otherwise peaceful protests.

The rally was dubbed as Justice for J6, referencing the date the riots took place. While the protesters chanted slogans for the release of the defendants, they were countered with a large number of pre-positioned officers from the various law enforcement agencies. Later, Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee told NBC news that the swelled up police presence might have deterred the presence of protesters.

"Approximately 400 to 450 people were inside the protest area today (excluding law enforcement),"Capitol Police confirmed in an online statement adding that a total of four-including one found with a handgun- arrests was made. Many others were detained for probation violation.

The USCP also stopped a vehicle along Louisiana Ave. this morning and subsequently arrested two people for felony extraditable warrants out of Texas. One was for Possession of a Firearm. The other was for a probation violation.



So far, the USCP is reporting a total of 4 arrests.  U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) September 18, 2021

While the rally was scheduled for Sunday, Metropolitan police had ramped up security around the Capitol complex a day earlier. Not only had they erected fences around Capitol grounds, Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, but they also ramped up security around other legislative buildings. Additionally, one hundred National Guard troops were also stationed in the complex.

US Capitol Riots

On January 6, thousands of Trump supporters broke barricades outside the Capitol and marched into the building. They were scaling walls using scaffolding and breaking windows to enter the building. Rioters banged on doors inside the building, trying to push through doors, and fought with police. As per reports, by 2 PM, Capitol Police ordered all staff, reporters, and nearby senators into the Senate chamber, sealed off and put on lockdown. Visuals from inside the Capitol show the rioters inside US Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office, inside the Congress and Senate Hall, as police officers deployed tear gas inside the building. After the building was secured, at least four people have died, 52 have been arrested and over a dozen police officers have been injured.

Image: AP
A multiday primary election to find a candidate to challenge Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban got under way on September 18 but was suspended due to a system crash.



Organizers blamed the early interruption of voting on a suspected cyberattack and said balloting would resume on September 20.



"In addition to the masses of voters seeking change, someone else was interested in the primary: a mass load of [messages of] unknown origin hit the background system of the primary election," the national primary election committee said in a statement.



The primaries are the first to seek a challenger to Orban and are taking place after a six-party alliance of leftist, liberal, and formerly far-right parties united under the common goal of pushing Orban out in elections next year.



They accuse Orban, who has clashed with Brussels over migration and rule-of-law issues, of corruption and creeping authoritarianism and hope the primary system brought in under Orban in 2012 will be their path to defeating his Fidesz party.



Antal Csardi, a candidate for the green LMP party, said the primary elections are "an innovation that was forced on us" by the election system, and are the only hope of seeing an anti-Fidesz candidate win.



"The opposition can only compete with Fidesz if they are in a single bloc, Csardi told AFP. We've learned that the hard way."



The primaries allow opposition voters to select single candidates to take on both Orban as well as Fidesz rivals in each of Hungary's 106 electoral districts.



More than 250 candidates are standing in the primaries, which are scheduled to run through September 26. Voting is taking place online and in-person. If necessary, a runoff for the prime minister candidate will be held from October 4-10.

Based on reporting by AFP
KYIV -- Thousands of people including diplomats marched peacefully through the Ukrainian capital in an annual gay pride parade that spurred a smaller counterprotest.

Participants carried the rainbow-colored flag that symbolizes the gay movement, Ukrainian flags, as well as signs calling for equal rights as they walked through the center of Kyiv.

About 7,000 people took part in the September 19 demonstration, according to organizers, down from the record high of 8,000 in 2019.

The gay pride parade, launched a decade ago, was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The parade, whose participants included staff from the U.S. and U.K. embassies, was accompanied by a strong police presence. There were no reports of any incidents.

An anti-gay protest held the same day by religious groups and nationalists attracted about 700 people, a reporter for RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service estimated.

We salute law enforcement for ensuring participants' safety, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said in a tweet.

Homophobia is widespread in Ukraine, according to a survey by the sociological group "Rating" published in August, which said 47 percent of respondents had a negative view of the gay community.

Kyiv has increased support for LGBT rights since Western-backed leaders came to power in 2014.

Parliament passed legislation in 2015 to ban discrimination in the workplace, but it does not allow for same-sex marriage or adoption of children.
Mali's ruling junta dismissed warnings by Western governments not to hire "mercenaries" from private Russian security firm Vagner, saying it will do as it sees fit.

France last week cautioned the West African nation against such a deal after unconfirmed reports the junta is close to hiring 1,000 paramilitaries to train its armed forces and protect officials.

Both France and Germany have said that a deal with Vagner would call into question their military commitments to the impoverished country.

"Regarding the intention ascribed to the Malian authorities to hire 'mercenaries,' the transition government led by the military invokes the exercise of its sovereignty, Malis Foreign Ministry said in a September 19 statement.

Vagner is believed to be controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The groups presence in Africa has been growing in recent years as the Kremlin seeks to expand its international influence amid a global retrenchment by Washington, analysts say.

Vagner is, or has been, present in Libya, the Central African Republic, Sudan, and reportedly a few other African nations.

The military junta took power in Mali after overthrowing President Boubacar Keita in August 2020 and promised to hold elections in February 2022, which some now question.

The rumors of Mali hiring Vagner mercenaries comes after French President Emmanuel Macron in June announced that France plans to scale back its anti-jihadist forces in the region after more than eight years.

While the junta has not commented officially on the existence of contacts with Vagner, Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga alluded to them on September 16.

"There are partners who have decided to leave Mali...there are areas that have been abandoned," he said in reference to a redeployment of French forces in the Sahel. "Shouldn't we have a plan B?"

Malis Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop met with Russian Ambassador to Mali and Niger Igor Gromyko on September 14, according to his Twitter feed.

The north of Mali fell under jihadist control in 2012 until they were pushed out of cities by France's military intervention in 2013.

However, the poor and landlocked nation home to at least 20 ethnic groups continues to battle jihadist attacks and intercommunal violence, which often spills over to neighbouring countries.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
Three people who were trying to illegally cross into Poland from Belarus were found dead near the border, Poland's Border Patrol said on September 19.

Another eight migrants were saved the same day by Polish emergency workers after they got stuck in a swamp as they tried to cross the border.

Seven of them were taken to the hospital, including one who was flown by helicopter.

Polish media said that one of the migrants found dead may have died from exposure to the cold.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki confirmed the three deaths, but he gave no details about the possible causes.

Polish prosecutors have opened an investigation, he said.

EU members Poland and Lithuania are facing a surge in migrants crossing over from Belarus in what they say is retaliation by Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka for sanctions by the bloc.

The EU has imposed several rounds of financial penalties against Lukashenka, his inner circle, and key state-owned companies to punish the authoritarian leader for the brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.



Poland and Lithuania are building razor wire fences in an attempt to curtail the influx of migrants, who are largely from the Middle East. They have also increased border patrols.



Poland said over 3,800 attempts at illegal crossings from Belarus have been foiled so far in September, over 320 on September 18 alone.

With reporting by AFP
MOSCOW -- The Kremlin-backed ruling United Russia party attracted fewer votes than five years earlier, but maintained its constitutional majority in Russia's lower house of parliament in an election marred by growing allegations of voting irregularities and ballot tampering.



An independent monitoring agency called the three-day vote over the weekend "one of the dirtiest" elections in Russian history, while Germany on September 20 said the allegations must be taken "seriously and should be clarified" and the European Union denounced the climate of "intimidation" in the run up to the vote.

The election is widely seen as an important part of Russian President Vladimir Putins efforts to cement his grip on power ahead of a possible run in the 2024 presidential election, making control of the State Duma key.



The vote also has been marred by the lack of a significant opposition presence after authorities declared organizations linked to the imprisoned opposition politician Aleksei Navalny to be extremist, effectively barring anyone from his network from running.



For the first time since 1993, election observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) were not present due to limitations imposed by Russian authorities.

With 99.9 percent of ballots counted, the Central Election Commission said early on September 20 that United Russia, which backs Putin, had won nearly 50 percent of the vote for the 225 seats apportioned among parties in the State Duma.

Its closest rival, the Communist Party, had just under 19 percent, and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party received 7.5 percent. Two other parties, A Just Russia and a newcomer party, New People, had received 7.45 percent and 5.33 percent, respectively.

Another 225 lawmakers are chosen directly by voters, and the results showed United Russia candidates leading in 198 of those races.

With United Russia securing an emphatic parliamentary majority, Putin thanked Russians for their trust.



"Special words of thanks, of course, I want to address to the citizens of Russia, to thank you for your trust, dear friends," Putin said on state-run TV on September 20.



United Russia Secretary-General Andrei Turchak said the party expected to win 120 seats from the party-list voting and 195 single-mandate races -- giving it 315 of the Duma's 450 seats and a comfortable two-thirds majority that continues to allow it to change the constitution.

"This is truly unbelievable," said a Navalny spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh. "I remember the feeling in 2011 when they stole the election. The same is happening right now."

The chairwoman of the Central Election Commission, Ella Pamfilova, confirmed at a briefing that United Russia has retained the so-called constitutional majority in the parliament, or two-thirds of the 450 seats required for a party to be allowed to make changes to the country's constitution.



According to Pamfilova, candidates from three other parties each won a seat, meaning eight political parties will be represented in the State Duma. Voter turnout stood at 51.68 percent, Pamfilova said.



Allies of Navalny said the fact that an opposition Smart Voting app to counter ruling party cheating ran into troubles means the authorities were compelled to "admit defeat or to falsify, in front of everyone, absolutely brazenly."



One of Navalnys top lieutenants, Leonid Volkov, suggested that authorities planned to manipulate online voting in favor of ruling party candidates, particularly in liberal-leaning cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.

A co-chairman of the independent election-monitoring group Golos said 78,000 more electronic votes had appeared in the officials' Moscow tally than were issued, highlighting the "shame" of what he called the "shame" of "one of the dirtiest" elections in Russian history.



Golos's Roman Udot insisted that the results in Moscow -- or at least the electronic votes -- should be nullified as a result.

Some 200 Communist protesters who felt cheated gathered for a demonstration in Moscow in the evening on September 20 as police looked on.



"It's a disgrace and a real crime!" Communist candidate Valery Rashkin told the crowd, saying his party would keep protesting until what he called the falsified electronic Moscow results were overturned. Rashkin said the protesters would be back on September 25.

European Union foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano criticized the lack of international independent election monitors and "an atmosphere of intimidation of all the critical independent voices" in the run-up to the voting, which was held alongside elections for regional governors and local legislative assemblies.

The U.S. State Department said that Russia prevented citizens from exercising their civil and political rights and the United States does not recognize the results of the vote on Ukrainian territory.



"The September 17-19 Duma elections in the Russian Federation took place under conditions not conducive to free and fair proceedings," department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. "We do not recognize holding elections for the Russian Duma on sovereign Ukrainian territory and reaffirm our unwavering support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine."

Late last week, Ukrainian officials denounced Russia for also holding the parliamentary elections in Crimea, a peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Britain said the elections represented a serious setback for democratic freedom and were at odds with Russia's international commitments.



"The measures taken by the Russian authorities to marginalize civil society, silence independent media, and exclude genuine opposition candidates from participating in the elections undermine political plurality and are at odds with the international commitments that Russia has signed up to," Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement.



And German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters in Berlin that allegations of fraud must be taken seriously and fully investigated.



"There are accusations from election observers, from Russian opposition members who speak of massive irregularities," Seibert said on September 20, adding that "these must be taken seriously and should be clarified."

Half of the Dumas 450 seats are apportioned by party lists, while the other half are chosen in individual races. Election officials said United Russia candidates led in 194 single-seat constituencies out of 225 with a little over 72 percent of the votes counted.

United Russia, which currently holds 334 seats in the Duma, is looking to keep its supermajority in the legislature. But the party is deeply unpopular, and surveys from independent pollsters have shown its approval rating at the lowest level in the two decades since it was first established.

In the last national vote in 2016, United Russia won just over 54 percent of the vote.

Apathy also appeared to hit as Russian voters grow increasingly cynical about how free and fair elections are in the country. Turnout in the election was around 45 percent, the Central Election Commission said.

In addition to being a test for United Russia, the vote was also a major hurdle for Navalny, the jailed corruption crusader whose allies had invested heavily in their Smart Voting strategy, aimed at eroding United Russias stranglehold on politics.

Most of the candidates endorsed by Smart Voting were from the Communist Party -- even though it and two other parties in the Duma rarely vote against majority initiatives or those explicitly lobbied for by the Kremlin.

WATCH: How Navalny's 'Smart Voting' Works

Despite official efforts to undermine Smart Voting, initial election results suggested the initiative may have had an impact, with support for the Communists growing from 13.3 percent in the 2016 parliamentary elections.

"We forced them to either admit defeat or to falsify, in front of everyone, absolutely brazenly, without any shame. To admit moral bankruptcy," Volkov, the Navalny ally, said of the Smart Voting strategy in a live YouTube event after the voting.

In recent months, authorities have unleashed a sweeping crackdown against Navalnys political network, with many of his allies fleeing the country, put under house arrest, or detained.

Navalny himself is in prison serving a 2 1/2-year sentence on charges his allies say were politically motivated. He was arrested in January upon returning from Germany where he had been recuperating from a nerve-agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin.

As the vote kicked off on September 17, however, Navalnys Smart Voting app disappeared from the Apple and Google online stores. Telegram, a popular messaging app and a key tool for Navalnys team to get out its messaging, also removed a Smart Voting bot. YouTube -- which is owned by Google -- also took down a video that contained the names of candidates they had endorsed. And Google also blocked access to a Navalny Google Doc, which circulated a text copy of all the Smart Voting endorsed candidates.

About 50 websites run by Navalny have also been blocked, including the one dedicated to Smart Voting.

Long Lines

The vote, which is being held alongside elections for regional governors and local legislative assemblies, took place amid widespread reports of irregularities.

Gennady Zyuganov, who heads the Communist Party, alleged widespread violations and called on election officials to respond to reports of a number of absolutely egregious facts, including ballot-box stuffing.

RIA Novosti reported that the Moscow mayor's office had refused a request from the Communist Party to hold rallies on September 20, 21, and 25 to protest the results, citing safety measures over the coronavirus pandemic.

Across the country, there were reports of ballot-box stuffing and carousel voting -- where voters are bused into multiple polling stations as an organized group.

Voters interviewed in one Moscow district expressed skepticism toward both the election results and the opposition's chances of influencing them through Smart Voting.

"You can see what's happening with our elections. I don't trust them," said Tatiana Bochkova, a journalist who voted in Moscow's 208th district for Sergei Mitrokhin, a politician for the liberal Yabloko party whom she had backed in previous elections.

"I didn't use Smart Voting, because I don't believe it can really work," Bochkova told RFE/RL.

Sergei Ross, a lawyer who has previously defended opposition activists, said he had followed the recommendation of Smart Voting and chosen Mitrokhin.

He said he doesn't trust the elections but believes that vote-rigging will not be as widespread in Moscow as in other parts of the country.

"The opposition now has more tools at its disposal, like Smart Voting," he said. "But the state does, too, and it's using them against the press and independent journalists."

Vadim, a 63-year-old theater historian at a Moscow academy, said he had voted for the newly created political party, New People, because of its promise to introduce fresh faces into politics.

He broadly trusts the elections because the low turnout makes it harder for authorities to falsify them, he said. He did not agree with critics who said New People was one of several parties launched in cooperation with the Kremlin to create the illusion of real competition.

"We all know officials steal and don't represent the interests of the people. But I think we must vote anyway, to express our position," Vadim said.

In the central Volga region of Chuvashia, the local Communist Party accused a precinct boss of trying to eat part of an official election tally sheet, in a bid to cover a fraudulent tally.

In the North Caucasus, where voter fraud and irregularities are commonplace, four separate precincts in the Daghestan and Ingushetia regions reported 100 percent turnout -- in one case, just a few hours into the first day of voting.

Ballot-Stuffing Allegations

Authorities said they spread the election over three days to prevent crowding because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics, however, say the longer period offers ample opportunities for manipulation and engineering a desired outcome.

In St. Petersburg, an independent election-monitoring group reported that a candidate from the opposition Yabloko party was beaten by police officers at one polling station on September 19 after he claimed that piles of unused ballots had disappeared.

A video shared by activists appeared to show at least three officers manhandling Nikita Sorokin, who is running for the local legislative assembly. Several other monitors are also seen being forcibly removed from the site.

Golos earlier reported some 2,000 procedural violations as well as lax measures for guarding ballots at polling stations, people voting multiple times, as well as dozens of reported incidents of ballot stuffing.

With reporting by RFE/RL correspondents in Moscow, Current Time, RFE/RLs Tatar-Bashkir Service, RFE/RLs North Caucasus Service, Meduza, AP, and Reuters
Hundreds joined the annual LGBT Pride parade in Belgrade on September 18. Participants held banners with slogans such as "Love is a law," referring to their demand that Serbia allow the registration of same-sex unions. Unlike previous years, the march was not joined by Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, who is openly gay. And just like previous marches, the police cordoned off far-right protesters who were burning the rainbow flag.
MOSCOW -- Heres the first thing you need to know about the now-concluded election campaign for Russias State Duma: Its been carefully managed from the start, with the opposition largely barred from running and a crackdown on government opponents that shows no sign of abating.

According to preliminary results released September 19, shortly after the last polls closed across Russias 11 time zones, United Russia, the party endorsed by President Vladimir Putin, was on track to at least retain its majority in the lower house of parliament.

Thats despite seeing the partys share of the vote shrink from the 54 percent it won in 2016. And it comes with the partys popularity sinking to the lowest levels since it was established some two decades ago.

New People, a party formed with alleged Kremlin oversight to introduce fresh faces to politics, was expected to become the only new party to make it into parliament.

Ahead of the vote, the field had been purged of almost all genuine opposition and independent candidates. No observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe -- the most respected international election monitor -- were present.

As Russians reflect on what has been a messy and opaque election season, heres what you need to know about the vote.

The Winners

United Russia, the party backed by Putin, was in trouble before this vote.

Its approval rating had been steadily slipping for months, due in no small part to relentless corruption exposes by the team of jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, who coined the term the party of crooks and thieves nearly a decade ago.

But in the aftermath of a massive crackdown on Navalnys movement and on the broader opposition in Russia, and the exclusion of its strongest rivals from the vote, United Russia was on track to retain its majority in the State Duma, according to early results.

That also makes a winner of Putin himself, who had relied on a stacked parliament to push through controversial initiatives like last years dubious referendum on resetting his presidential term limits and paving the way for him to potentially rule until 2036.

But pushing through constitutional amendments requires a supermajority -- which United Russia had held.

Preliminary results show the party was on track to get that, but as of the early hours after polls closed, it wasnt certain.

The Losers

It has been an uphill struggle for the opposition, which has faced repeated waves of mass arrests and criminal cases against its members throughout the country.

Navalny has languished in prison since February. All of his top aides have fled the country since his network was declared an extremist organization and outlawed by the government in June.

Analysts say it was the looming election season that prompted the authorities to accelerate a war of attrition against critics and opposition activists.

In previous elections, opposition groups had fielded candidates throughout the country, though most faced serious barriers that made campaigning difficult.

This year, however, all but a token few were permitted to even run.

Ahead of the elections, a message to supporters on Navalnys blog read: If United Russia wins, our country can expect another five years of poverty, five years of repression, five lost years.

But with United Russias victory all but confirmed, the lack of any major protests during three days of voting does not bode well for an opposition movement that has often relied on street activism to pressure the state.

It seems unlikely that Navalnys network will be able to rally street protests to challenge the Duma vote on the scale that they rallied after Navalny was arrested in January -- not to mention the enormous demonstrations that Navalny rallied in 2011-2012 after disputed Duma elections.

So as the party of power prepares to celebrate its victory, the opposition seems to be out of ideas to crash the party. At least for the moment.

The Damned

The oppositions biggest hope to influence the results was through Navalnys strategy of Smart Voting, which guided supporters to back candidates most likely to defeat United Russias candidates in various districts.

In past years, Smart Voting was promoted via e-mail, social media, and word of mouth. This year, Navalnys team invested in a high-tech downloadable app.

But on September 17, Apple and Google scrubbed the app from their online stores, apparently under Kremlin pressure, and Google-owned YouTube removed an important video by Navalnys team promoting the strategy. Google also restricted access to a Google Doc that included the Smart Voting endorsement. The popular messaging app Telegram made similar restrictions on Navalny endorsements.

Writing on Twitter, Navalny aide Ivan Zhdanov called the U.S. tech companies moves a shameful act of political censorship.

Many analysts and opposition activists described the restrictions as a watershed moment for an already embattled opposition movement that has long relied on YouTube and other foreign platforms as a way of spotlighting injustice and spreading their message outside the reach of the governments heavy hand.

Both Apple and Google have faced an onslaught of criticism since their decisions became public, but they also revealed a lot about their willingness to toe the Kremlin line when their employees in Russia face intimidation and even threats of criminal prosecution by the authorities.

Blatant Falsifications

A decade ago, Moscow was rocked by massive anti-government protests in the aftermath of Duma elections that were also marred by widespread allegations of fraud. The protests helped catapult Navalny to national prominence.

In neighboring Belarus in August 2020, even starker evidence of mass vote-rigging almost toppled that countrys dictator, Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

The Kremlin did not want a repeat of either of those scenarios this year.

Ahead of the elections, many analysts predicted that the authorities would do their utmost to minimize clear violations on election days. Barring opposition candidates from competing and blocking Navalnys Smart Voting app, according to this logic, made falsifications unnecessary.

That hasnt quite worked out.

During three days of voting, social media has been full of footage of apparent blatant ballot-stuffing, with clips surfacing from various parts of Russia.

If these were supposed to be elections of a new type, unscathed by evidence of fraud, it wasnt to be.

The question is whether the falsifications made the difference in tilting victory toward United Russia, or whether they were merely just localized symptoms of wider, persistent, unaddressed problems with Russian election conduct.

Given that the countrys leading election-monitoring NGO, Golos, has been kneecapped, branded a foreign agent by Russian authorities, we may never know the answer to that.

A Trial Run For 2024?

While securing a United Russia majority, or supermajority in the Duma, was the immediate priority, the really big test for the Kremlin will come three years from now, in 2024.

Thats when Putins current term expires.

As of right now, its an open question whether he will seek another term, something that the United Russia-dominated Duma cleared the way for last year.

By 2024, Putin will be 71, and will have held power as president or prime minister for the previous 24 years.

His support among the public has been relatively stable throughout the past seven years, according to most opinion polls, but if it markedly slips over the next two, the Kremlins so-called political technologists may have to work overtime to ensure his victory despite the odds.

Another plausible scenario is Putin taking on a supra-presidency role, allowing him to leave the presidency but retain ultimate authority. But that would potentially require more constitutional changes from a pliant Duma. And identifying a would-be successor could also be messy.

The electronic voting system trialed nationwide during this election has been widely criticized as facilitating fraud, but it looks like its here to stay.

That means it may be a big part of the electoral arsenal in 2024, too.

Reported and written by staff and contributors in Moscow and Prague.
Platinum Guild International (PGI), in its annual report The Platinum Jewellery Business Review (PJBR), analysed the retail sales of platinum jewellery, trade performance and consumer sentiments in its four key International markets - China, India, Japan and the USA - concluding that Chinas economy maintained its recovery momentum into Q2 2021. In India, the economy bounced back, despite the disruptions caused by the second wave of COVID-19, and business started to reopen in the first week of June. Japans GDP for Q2 rebounded and delivered better than expected growth. In the US, GDP recovered to pre-pandemic levels despite potential headwinds from a new COVID variant. Platinum jewellery sales of PGIs strategic partners saw a notable increase in Q2.

Studying the individual markets, PGIs conclusions are as below:

China: While recovery slowed in Q2 against last years strong rebound, Chinas economic growth slowed to 7.9% YoY in Q2, after registering 18.3% YoY growth in Q1, due to COVID-19 resurgence, supply chain disruptions; manufacturing output disruptions; higher raw material costs, and continued moderation in domestic consumption. To sustain domestic-driven growth, the Peoples Bank of China cut its reserve requirement ratio (RRR) and released about $154 billion into long-term liquidity. Platinum fabrication declined; Branded collections drove the platinum business and partly offset the sharp decline of generic products which faced competition from gold. Platinum gem-sets enjoyed good momentum due to pent-up bridal demand and the launch of new collections and designs.

According to the Review, the total platinum transactions via the Shanghai Gold Exchange increased by 70% YoY to 17.0 tonnes in Q2 2021, reaching a new quarterly high, which offset the decline in Q1 and led to a 20% increase reaching 28.9 tonnes in H1. China customs data showed that net platinum imports also increased by 68% YoY to 32.6 tonnes in Q2 2021, offsetting the decline in Q1 and leading to an 18% increase to 53.2 tonnes in H1. Hong Kongs net import volume of platinum, an indication of unofficial imports for jewellery use, increased by 115% YoY to 2.9 tonnes in Q2 2021 and 5.3 tonnes in H1 2021. Retail sales volume of platinum jewellery proved more resilient than fabrication. The sales volume of PGI retail partners declined by 15% YoY in Q2 2021, which offset the growth of 42% YoY in Q1 (adjusted) and led to an increase of 6% YoY in H1 2021.

India: In India, business reopened since June amidst another disrupted quarter. The new Delta variant caused another lockdown that reduced sales and traffic in Q2 and retailers are prepared for business in Q3. Platinum jewellery sales from strategic partners to stay flat or register a small growth compared with Q2 2020. The current situation index fell to a new all-time low as consumer perception of the general economic situation and employment scenario lowered further. The future expectations index also showed a similar trend, driven by a sharp fall in expectations on the general economic situation.

PGIs key strategic partners have taken to social media and mobile messaging to build awareness about the reopening of their stores and to assure their customers about the vaccination of store staff and updated safety protocols. The focus of all strategic partners is to ensure vaccination of all their front-end employees as a priority. Around 70-80% of their total workforce is vaccinated.

Key strategic partners have seen business coming back in June after the April-May lockdown. PGI partners in major metropolitan areas have reported recovery of 50%+ in June while it was at 60-70% in tier two cities where the incidence of COVID-19 was less. Sales in Q2 2021 are estimated to stay flat or post a small growth compared with Q2 2020, although no actual data are reported due to store closures. Strategic partners aim to optimise immediate demand with wedding dates and key festivals in the JulySeptember period. They have already planned promotions, marketing and retail activations for Q3.

Japan: Platinum jewellery sales in Japan delivered a strong rebound. Retail sales in Japan were up marginally by 0.1% YoY in June, below market expectations of 0.2% but still marking the fourth straight month of growth in Japans retail trade, although at the weakest pace after 11.9% YoY in April and 8.3% YoY in May. Retail sales gained 3.1% in June, the highest in four months, after two months of decline in April (-4.6%) and May (-0.3%). Japans consumer confidence index reversed its upward trend in April and May on the new wave of COVID-19 cases and the announcement of the third State of Emergency and improved to 37.4% in June. Two-thirds of H1 2021 was under the State of Emergency for nine major prefectures. However, none of the measures to date has been as restrictive as they were during the first State of Emergency in Q2 2020, resulting in a continued increase in foot traffic, especially with the Olympic Games taking place in Japan during the summer. This has benefited asset type jewellery and high-ticket platinum pieces. Against a low base in Q2 2020, unit sales of platinum recovered by 68.5% YoY in Q2, driven by earrings/pierced, pendant/necklaces and bridal jewellery. All sales channels except door-to-door grew, with the highest recovery in department stores by 218% YoY, as they were largely closed for the majority of Q2 2020 with a sharp decline in sales. Unit sales of all price points for platinum jewellery grew, compared with the disrupted quarter last year, led by pieces priced over $10K, $1K-2K and $500-1K, especially via contemporary chains and department stores. The outlook for Q3 was cautiously optimistic as the vaccination rate has increased, especially among older age groups.

US: In the US, platinum jewellery sales soared along with strong trade sentiment. US retail sales increased in June as demand for goods remained strong even as spending is shifting back to services. Sales surged 18.7% YoY in June, after 28% YoY in May and 53% in April, and are now well above their pre-pandemic level. The jewellery industry enjoyed sustained recovery thanks to a rebound in consumer sentiment on the back of vaccination rollouts and economic recovery. PGIs strategic partners saw exceptional growth in Q2, and platinum expanded its presence among major and independent retail chains.

Platinum jewellery demand gained strong momentum in Q2 against a low base of last year, with most companies recovering back to 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Some are reporting Q2 2021 was the best quarterly performance in the companys history. Platinum jewellery sales of PGI USAs strategic partners had the fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in Q2 2021. Total platinum jewellery ounce sales from PGI strategic partners jumped by 48% YoY, while unit sales went up by 100% YoY. Sales value also hiked by over 150% YoY. As consumer spending on jewellery continued to grow, retailers leveraged platinum to benefit from higher ticket prices. Among platinum jewellery sales, gemstone fashion jewellery continued to outperform the other categories, with triple-digit growth in units and value. Engagement jewellery and wedding bands also delivered high double-digit growth, thanks to postponed weddings and engagements and unit sales of platinum crowns enjoyed an impressive rebound of ~70% YoY. Platinum jewellery, especially branded collections in the major and independent chains has grown and delivered impressive results. PGI also worked with new business development partners to continue to ensure dedicated platinum strategies across all distribution channels. One of PGI USAs branded jewellery partners reported a 61% YoY increase in platinum business as of the end of May. Despite the concerns of the next wave of the new variant that could hamper the recovery of business and retail sales, the potential negative impact on travel and experiential spending could continue to support jewellery demand, and platinum is well-placed and leveraged by retailers to capture high-spending consumers.

The PGI Consumer Sentiment Survey: The survey concluded that in Q2 2021 demand sentiment for precious jewellery remains stable in most markets, especially Bridal and gifting drive the increase in average spending on precious jewellery. Compared to a year ago when many countries were hit by the first wave of COVID-19, there is also a recovery in average expenditure on precious jewellery in Q2 2021 driven by bridal and gifting, despite a reduced number of consumers in the survey.

China leads the growth in bridal jewellery, with average spending rising by over 20% YoY in Q2, while Japan reports a notable increase in average expenditure on precious jewellery for gifting by over 10% YoY. Confidence in in-person shopping has improved in the US. Even with the effect of the pandemic and the prevalence of online and contactless shopping, consumers in the US still showed a strong preference for purchasing jewellery in an offline retail store. Confidence in in-person shopping has improved that 63% of Americans are now feeling most comfortable due to high vaccinations with 70% of the respondents feeling most comfortable to shop in-person at a jewellery store, increased from 35% back in Q4 2020. The cross-market survey interviewed over 2,000 jewellery buyers and wearers aged 18 to 65 from PGIs four key markets China, India, Japan and the US. PGI identified five key findings for the platinum jewellery industry in Q2 2021.

The demand sentiment for precious jewellery remains stable for China, Japan and the US, and Chinese consumers show the highest consumption sentiment in Q2. 78% of Chinese, 66% of Indians and 59% of Americans surveyed said they purchased non-bridal precious jewellery within the past 12 months, and over 25% of them have purchased within the past three months. Compared to the previous quarter, China shows greater spending intention for precious jewellery in Q2 among the four markets, as 31% of Chinese report they are willing to spend more on precious jewellery. Bridal and gifting drive the increase in average spending on precious jewellery. China leads the growth in bridal jewellery, with average spending rising by over 20% YoY in Q2, while Japan reports a notable increase in average expenditure on precious jewellery for gifting by over 10% YoY. Confidence in in-person shopping has improved that 63% of Americans are now feeling most comfortable due to high vaccinations especially females aged 56-65, with 70% of the respondents feeling most comfortable to shop in-person at a jewellery store, increased from 35% back in Q4 2020.

Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
Today, almost all jewellery companies have their own wholesale websites, online stores, and social media pages. But a year ago, GOLDNET.MARKET, the first jewellery wholesale marketplace appeared in Russia, a new effective tool for the jewellery market, business communication of the industry professionals and for the promotion of their jewellery goods in Russia and the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union) countries.

Vladimir Pilyushin, the editor-in-chief of the Russian Jeweller magazine, who is also one of the founders of GOLDNET.MARKET told the industry information agency Rough&Polished how this project works under the new conditions.

What is the state of the Russian jewellery market today?

I would characterize the current market situation as mixed. Some companies are quite stable - orders have reached the pre-pandemic level, and have exceeded it for some items. Some companies are shutting down or preparing to close down their businesses. But this is nothing new - it is not the first time that crises have tested the jewellers strength. And every time, the business finds ways to restore and further develop the industry. Today, in the new post-Covid (hopefully) conditions, two significant factors can be identified that affect the state and the nearest development of the industry. First, the growth of sales in the exclusive jewellery segment and the associated creation of brands, as well as strengthening of their value in the mind of consumers. Second, an increasing number of manufacturing companies are deciding to make direct-to-consumer sales. Moreover, this is typical not only for Russia, this trend is noted as a global one by the analysts of the international consulting company McKinsey in the annual report on the development level and trends in the jewellery industry.

A year ago, after conducting extensive market research, you presented your universal platform concept - a wholesale jewellery marketplace. You had the opportunity to adjust the platform to satisfy the requirements of its participants. How does the project work?

Over the past years, we have conducted a total of over 300 in-depth interviews with market participants and expanded the capabilities of our GOLDNET.MARKET platform. I would like to remind that so far, only the professionals of the jewellery market (B2B) had business communication on the website. When registering, a participant should choose the role of a Seller or a Buyer. For each of these categories, a personal area was developed, where the Seller uploads its goods with their description, sets the rules for displaying them - for all visitors or upon request, and so on. The Buyer can see the goods, sort them in accordance with the peculiarities of its business, subscribe to new goods offered by the companies that are of interest to the Buyer, send requests for the purchase terms and conditions of the selected goods - that is, the Buyer makes the personal area suitable for optimal work. So, we have improved the functions and in October, at the request of the market participants, we expanded the platforms capabilities and are launching retail sales. Now, when registering, the companies do not need to choose the role - in a single personal area, they are able to sell goods by wholesale and retail and to make purchases for their company. For registered users, the system does everything automatically, they do not have to register again. Actually, the platform is divided into open (retail) and closed (wholesale) sections. And inside the system, there are more opportunities for professional market players.

We assume that soon, not only professionals, but also retail buyers will be quite active on our platform. One way or another, this is a global trend that people begin to trust more the niche marketplaces, aggregators (whatever you can call them) - those who are professionally more experienced in their particular field. I would like to remind you that we have been on the jewellery market since 1996 and we know our business very well.

According to Google Analytics, more than six hundred unique visitors visit our platform. One day, super activity was registered - the number of visitors jumped to almost 50,000. I fully admit it was a planned attack. But one way or another, the system withstood it, coped with it, and all services worked correctly. We have practically equal number of retailers and the number of manufacturers on the website. Small orders come regularly, mostly for lower-end goods, but we are satisfied because the process has started, the confidence of market professionals in the platform is growing.

How are transactions made on the platform? Are transactions carried out on it?

No, at present, we work as a showcase, or rather, as a virtual exhibition. On our platform, it is possible to view new items and best-selling products in one personal Account, without jumping from one website to another, and select the goods you need and send the list of selected goods to the supplier with a request regarding the delivery time and the transaction terms. Further negotiations and the transaction itself are carried out tete-a-tete.

It is clear that the jewellery business is specific: it is not enough to look at the photo of a jewellery piece, it is better to touch the item and look at it. But if you know the manufacturer, you know the quality it provides, you know its strengths and weaknesses, so, the format we offered suits both parties quite well.

In addition, we have such a good function: as soon as a vendor places new products, all retailers and wholesalers registered on the platform are notified of this. In fact, the system to a certain extent does the work usually made by managers and notifies the clients.

Of course, we want and are working to provide business with the opportunity to develop a lot of different activity areas. One of them is a shop-in-shop, when a company does not need to work with its own website, but for a certain monthly fee it works on our one, maybe with our domain name or with its own one, the system is suitable for this!

Moreover, the platform has a serious capacity in terms of its functions. For example, we work with several companies that do not want to make their own websites and do not want their products to be displayed in the public domain. So, our system is so flexible that it allows to work selectively, that is, only clients of a certain company have access to its section of the platform and view the products. As soon as the company is ready to work publicly, it can switch to a general mode of work with wholesalers - this function is already included in the system, and it works: it is possible to demonstrate part of the products in the public domain, and to open part of them upon request (for example, new items that should not be in the public domain for obvious reasons). The company evaluates and decides whether it is necessary to give access to a particular wholesaler.

Perhaps, it was difficult to develop such a complex system, wasnt it?

We have done a lot ... Well, the public domain - thats clear. Big problem is with pricing, because there are no open prices, but they are given in the wholesale catalogue; the next steps include the possibility of pricing used in case of using a tolling scheme, as well as in case of deferral of repayment, trade on commission, and other ways ... In addition, this summer, we started testing (with three companies) the goods that we have in the inventory and the goods provided by request - we call it traffic light. Although most of them now work by request, and few companies keep inventories, with the exception of large-scale companies, nevertheless, this information is very important for a wholesaler. In the personal Account, companies can upload their documents: an assay test, a company profile - everything that is required by law - and the companies have already begun to post documents, after September 1, a field will appear for entering an account number in the SIIS PMPS (State integrated information system in the field of control over the circulation of precious metals and precious stones). The platform allows a wholesaler, for example, to immediately see the forms of contracts, the samples according to which the wholesaler works with this company: the assay test, the company profile, TIN (taxpayer ID number) and the OGRN code (Primary State Registration Number) - all this information. It is quite convenient, because everything is in one place, everything is available. But this applies to registered users only.

Do you have users outside the Russian Federation, how do you work with them?

Yes, there are several users from Kazakhstan, Turkey, and even a girl from the USA. Unfortunately, at this stage, we can only register foreign clients manually, because the programme does not allow registration if there is no legal entity and TIN in Russia.

Today, we realized that the system has been adapted to work not only within a separate country - Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, etc. - but also between countries. And here, there are great opportunities that allow the integration with each other.

And what about the opportunities in the B2C segment?

This trend, in fact, arose during the coronavirus, and is explained by the fact that many manufacturers are tired of retail that does not pay commission in time, does not fulfill agreements on deferral of repayment, asks to exchange a certain amount of goods for new designs, etc. The manufacturers began to refuse such wholesalers, to reduce their production, and work either in real money or with the reliable partners they have been working for years. In this regard, they began to trade on WB and OZON, create their own online stores, sell via them, and organize delivery. We are closely following these trends, and I hope that we will present a full-fledged retail catalogue by the October exhibition.

In your opinion, how does the situation with the introduction of SIIS PMPS influence the market sentiment?

In anticipation of the changes that were to come on September 1, everyone was seriously worried. And there were reasons for that. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Flun Fagimovich Gumerov and Eduard Yuryevich Utkin for their selfless efforts in promoting and lobbying the interests of the industry - they have already done a lot. It seems to me that the entire jewellery community should be very grateful to them personally and to the Russian Jewellers Guild Association.

Are there many St. Petersburg companies among your clients?

If we take the market across the country - and it has certain statistics, for example, regarding Kostroma, Moscow, Yekaterinburg, St. Petersburg, Yakutsk, Perm - indeed, on our platform there is a slight bias towards St. Petersburg because we are originally from this city. But as the project develops, the companies from other regions of our country add to this list all the time, and in the near future, it will all be statistically equal.

What makes St. Petersburg jewellery companies differ from the rest? The Yakut companies jewellery, for example, has a prevailing national flavour. What makes the St. Petersburg companies different? Maybe, the quality level, or different stylistic features...

You know, almost all the companies make high quality jewellery today. There are many companies and jewellers in St. Petersburg, it is impossible to combine them within the framework of a particular style. But I would like to point out one distinguishing feature of the St. Petersburg school, in my opinion, it is the intellectuality. In the works of jewellers, both those in the high art, and those in mass-production, each line is precise and substantiated, the works are characterized by restrained special features, there is no excessive decoration. As a proof, I will refer to the words of the famous art critic M. N. Lopato who believed that the main feature of the St. Petersburg school lies in its impressionability and open-mindness, which allows melting different styles and manners in the crucible of the Russian mentality, creating their own artistic phenomena. For those who are interested in domestic and world jewellery trends, it will be interesting to get acquainted with our magazine Russian Jeweller that is on the website Russian Jeweller.

Speaking about a style, design, I always remember Karl Gustavovich Faberge. Our publishing house once reprinted the catalogues of the company that were published in 1899, 1906 and 1914. So, as such, there is still no Faberge style, because even in the Faberge catalogues it is written Art Nouveau item, item in the style of Louis XIV, and so on. Therefore, as such, the Faberge style, to my mind, is a generalized concept of high quality and incredible branding.

Galina Semyonova for Rough&Polished
Andrey Grachev, Vice President of Norilsk Nickel, speaks about the main principles of the interaction with the indigenous peoples of the Far North

By Boris Kumyshev

(rg.ru) - Recently, many global companies have tried - and now some Russian companies are trying - to be guided by the principles of ESG practices, which include the constructive interaction with the indigenous peoples (ESG is a set of criteria to assess the environmental and social responsibility as well as the corporate governance of a business - ed.). Is Norilsk Nickel involved in the new trend?

Andrey Grachev: For Norilsk Nickel, these principles are not a tribute paid to todays trends. We did not start to adhere to them today or yesterday but we have been developing our relations with the indigenous peoples of the North for more than 80 years, since the beginning of the smelters operation. We were always interested in their needs, helped and supported them. We lived and keep on living together.

Taimyr is a huge area covering 880 thousand square kilometers, which is equal to two and a half Germanys areas, it is an indigenous communitys homeland and the area for the traditional use of natural resources by 10,000 indigenous people and five indigenous ethnic groups - the Dolgans, Nenets, Enets, Nganasans and Evenks.

We consider it our duty to provide help and support in preserving the traditional way of life, and we build our relations with the indigenous community on the principles of good-neighborly relations and constant dialogue. It is impossible to understand the needs of this region and the indigenous people while sitting in European and Moscow offices thousands of kilometers away from these places. There is a great risk of having a stereotypical, traditional formulaic perception like there exists an indigenous community and there is an industry that conflicts with the locals.

You seem to look on the bright side of everything. But there was a fuel spill last year. The community lands have been affected.

Andrey Grachev: As soon as the accident occurred, Norilsk Nickel proactively raised the issue of compensation. The calculation of the size of the potential - we underline, the potential - losses caused to the indigenous peoples of the North due to the diesel oil spill at Thermal Power Plant (TPP)-3 of the Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company (NTEC) was carried out within the framework of an ethnological expert examination organized by the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East and the Arctic Development Project Office (ADPO).

Within the framework of the ethnological expert examination, 58 communities of indigenous minorities of the North (IMN), fishing in Lake Pyasino and the Pyasina River, were identified to get the compensation for possible damage to the traditional use of nature. It should be emphasized that the decision on the lists of those who should get the compensations was made by the indigenous people. And some communities have not been included in the lists after being checked by their colleagues and members of the communities.

When assessing the impact on the original habitat of the indigenous minorities of the North, the experts relied on the methods worked out by the Ministry of Economic Development of the RF. For the projected estimates, the methods of system analysis were used including a mathematical model for calculating the maximum possible spread of diesel fuel that was developed by the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (SkolTech), and the damage was calculated for 5 years. Moreover, with an increase in the number of communities laying claims to get the compensation, we did not divide the total amount of the calculated damage into an increasing number of claimants but fixed it at the level of 250,000 rubles per person.

It should be noted that for the first time, the ethnological expert examination was carried out to assess not the planned economic activity, but the potential impact of the environmental pollution on the traditional use of natural resources by the indigenous peoples of the North. Thus, Norilsk Nickel is introducing a new practice in the Russian Arctic and setting new standards of relations with local communities.

For the moment, the compensation payments in the amount of more than 190 mn rubles have been transferred to the settlement accounts of the indigenous minorities of the North.

Is this compensation the declared program of support to the indigenous peoples?

Andrey Grachev: Not at all! Its levels and amount of aid and its content are completely different. The compensations are one-off payments, and the program to promote the development of the indigenous minorities of Taimyr is a long-term project.

In 2020, at the initiative of the RF Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia, and Far East and the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Taimyr, an ethnological expert examination of the factors of the sustainable development of the indigenous peoples began. The Arctic Development Project Office (ADPO) did the organizational work at the first stage. Based on the results of the ethnological expert examination, Norilsk Nickel, together with the indigenous minorities of the North and on the basis of their proposals, developed a program for the support and development of the indigenous minorities of Taimyr with an emphasis on the settlements of Ust-Avam and Volochanka that are historically underdeveloped ones.

The program of help and development of the indigenous minorities of the North includes more than 40 measures to improve the quality of life in the settlements and to develop the communities crafts including the construction of 18 residential houses and the houses of culture in Ust-Avam and Volochanka within three years, the acquisition of fish and venison processing workshop equipment, freezers, the equipment for fur dressing and souvenir manufacturing, the study and registration of fish resources of the Pyasina River water bodies and the providing the quotas to the communities, as well as the creation of a tourist visitor center in Ust-Avam. A project of particular complexity and importance from the point of view of preserving the original culture of the indigenous peoples of Taimyr is the restoration of the lost domestic reindeer husbandry in the Avam tundra.

All these projects are not just lines in the Companys budget, but joint activities that can be effectively carried out only in close contact with the communities and families of the indigenous minorities of the North.

The projects for the development and support of social initiatives are also envisaged and the Company is implementing a grant project World of Taimyr. Largely, it is innovative in its essence and management.

The program is designed for 5 years. About 2 bn rubles are provided for its financing. Our program is beyond comparison in Russia in terms of funding, coverage of the spheres of life and economic activity of the indigenous peoples, and, most importantly, the quality of the support provided.

How is this serious project managed?

Andrey Grachev: Norilsk Nickel maintains a direct and constant dialogue with the indigenous peoples of the North, together with the leaders of the indigenous minorities communities of the North, develops the programs for the development of the traditional use of nature and the preservation of the original culture. I would like to emphasize - we do this together!

This principle is taken as the basis for the implementation of the program. A department for work with indigenous minorities of the North has been set up, headed by a lady representative of the indigenous people. At the suggestion of the community members, the Coordinating Council of the Indigenous Minorities of the North was established under the head of the Norilsk Division of the Company. The chairmen of 58 communities and families of the indigenous minorities of the North, representatives of regional and municipal authorities have been invited to take part in it. On August 6 this year, a regular meeting was held, at which, by the way, an additional 100 mn rubles were allocated, including for preparing the communities for the winter season.

That is, the finances are distributed jointly?

Andrey Grachev: And not only the finances. One cannot measure everything in money. Especially, in human relations. Especially, in the Arctic. An important joint initiative of the Company and the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs is the School of Public Diplomacy at the MGIMO. The representatives of the indigenous peoples can learn to interact with government authorities and industrial companies, promote their interests for the purpose of the economic development of the traditional use of nature and crafts, tourism development, and represent Russia in the international arena. Twenty children from the indigenous minorities of the North study annually at the expense of the Company at the Norilsk State Industrial Institute.

The creation of the Enets written language and grammar by the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Taimyr and the Siberian Federal University with the support of Norilsk Nickel, and the ABC-book already published is a significant contribution to the preservation of the ancient cultures of Taimyr. Can this be measured in money only?

If there is a language, there exists a nationality. And for Norilsk Nickel, it is important to work for the purpose of its preservation and development. There is no other way in the Arctic.

Why, then, does Norilsk Nickel periodically become the object of criticism of members of various public organizations and human rights activists?

Andrey Grachev: First of all, we are becoming objects of criticism abroad. At home, in the Taimyr Dolgano-Nenets District, the attitude towards Norilsk Nickel is changing significantly as our five-year program is being implemented. In Switzerland, Germany, and the United States, the perception of our policy relating to the indigenous minorities of the North has not changed much yet. And the situation with the coronavirus does not allow us to invite human rights and other activists now so that they could get acquainted with the real situation in Taimyr, to show our projects aimed at our interaction with the indigenous communities and in the field of ecology.

On the other hand, a lot has changed over the past few years in the best practices for the interaction between the global companies and the indigenous peoples. Norilsk Nickel is in line with this process. And, maybe, the Company even sets new trends.

I absolutely agree with Andrey Golovnev, Director of the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, who believes that the industrial giants should take the indigenous peoples not just as those who need to be patted on the back and given subsidies from time to time, but as real partners. In his opinion, Norilsk Nickel is now on the track in this direction and is participating in generating the future strategy of ethnocultural policy.

Does Norilsk Nickel limit its support to the indigenous peoples to the Taimyr Peninsula only?

Andrey Grachev: Of course, we dont. On June 5, within the framework of SPIEF-2021, Norilsk Nickel and the Kola Sami Association signed the Agreement on Interaction and Cooperation. The document assumes support from the Company for the projects related to the preservation and development of the Sami language, culture, and traditional economic activities of the indigenous peoples of the Murmansk Region.

In 2019, Norilsk Nickel supported the publication of the Almanac of Sami Literature and helped to build a memorial dedicated to the feat of the soldiers of the Sami reindeer transport battalions - the defenders of the Soviet Arctic.

It is important for us that within the framework of the current agreement, the programs to support the Sami language and literature are envisaged already this year.

Although Norilsk Nickel does not develop the lands of traditional use of nature belonging to the indigenous minorities of the North, the Company implements the environmental, charity and social projects aimed at preserving their culture, developing a traditional way of life and crafts in the regions where the Company operates. Our relations are systemic, trusting and our attitude is protective.

Probably, all of our policies and practices in relation to the indigenous peoples can be characterized by an absolutely right Dolgan proverb saying that tea is stronger if it is shared with a good friend.


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Close

Tomorrow will mark the sixth month of the Volcanic Eruption that's presently fascinating spectators close to Reykjavik in Iceland, making it the longest this country has experienced and witnessed in over five decades.

As specified in a Phys.org report, the first lava started spewing out of a fissure near Mount Fagradalsfjall on March 19 on "Reykjanes peninsula to the southwest Reykjavic."

And the succeeding spectacle that ranges from only a slow drip of lava at times to more dramatic spurts akin to the geyser of rocks and stones at others has turned out to be a major tourist attraction that draws thousands of visitors thus far, the Iceland Tourist Board said.

The sixth volcanic eruption in Iceland in 20 years is already longer than the previous Holuhraun eruption, as reported in NASA's Earth Observatory site, in the island's center-east, which lasted from the latter part of August in 2014 through February 2015.

READ ALSO: Drones Save Lives By Diving Into Volcanoes - For Science

6-Month Eruption

According to Thorvaldur Thordarson, half a year "is a reasonably long eruption." The lava field that has shaped this time has been named Fagradalshraun, which means "beautiful valley of lava," and its name is derived from a nearby Mount Fagradalsfjall.

Nearly 143 million cubic meters of lava have been emitted out thus far. However, that is, in fact, relatively small, representing just below a tenth of the Holuhraun eruption's volume, which emitted the biggest basalt lava low in more than 200 years in Iceland.

According to geophysicist Halldor Geirsson, the latest eruption from the Institute of Earth Science is special in the sense that it has kept a comparatively steady outflow; therefore, it has been turning quite strong.

He added that the usual behavior known from volcanoes in Iceland is that they began really "active and pour out lava," The outflow decreases over time until it stops.

Essentially, the longest-ever eruption occurred over 50 years back, on Surtsey island just off the southern coast, and lasted almost four years, from November 1963 until the middle of 1967.

Subsided but Recurred

After it subsided for nine days, Samachar Central reported, the lava recurred at Fagradalshraun early this month, occasionally erupting red-hot from the cater and accompanied by a dominant plume of smoke.

It accumulated in fiery tunnels underneath the solidified surface, developing pockets that ultimately gave way and spread out similar to a wave onto the shore.

The actual number of visitors hiking to the rough hills to observe the spectacle is perhaps, even higher than the approximated 300,000, as the initial counter installed on the paths leading to the area was only set up five days following the eruption.

During the first month, ten fissures opened up, creating seven smaller craters, of which just a pair of them remaining visible.

Far from End

Just one crater remains active, reported AFP via the MSN News, measuring 1,100 feet, the Institute of Earth Science said, only a few dozen meters short of the highest peak in the surrounding site.

Nonetheless, the volcano is not exhibiting any sign of vanishing anytime soon. Geirsson explained, there appears to be still adequate magma from whatever reservoir the eruption taps. Therefore, he added, it could continue for a long time.

The onset of the volcanic eruption in Iceland is shown on Traveller in the Whole World's YouTube video below:

RELATED ARTICLE: Researchers Create a New Technique in Reconstructing Past Volcanic Activities

Check out more news and information on Volcanoes in Science Times.
The breakable items were the worst  dishes, glasses, picture frames. Her heart sank when she heard them rattling as the two conveyor belts, one at ankle height and one at waist height, continuously glided by.

Yesenia Barreras job at the Amazon warehouse was to remove individual items from boxes, scan them, prep them for delivery, place them in a tote and then carry them 10 feet away to another conveyor belt.

Fragile goods had to be encased in bubble wrap; liquids had to be wrapped in plastic to prevent spills. Those extra steps slowed her down, making it hard to meet her quota of processing 100 items an hour.

My body was having to rush to do everything right, said Barrera, 23, who worked at an Amazon fulfillment center in Rialto (San Bernardino County) from mid-2018 until she was abruptly let go in January 2019 for too much time off task, although she said she never received any warnings. I was lifting items off the conveyor belt, bending and twisting a lot. It took a toll.

Now a proposed California law, Assembly Bill 701, would clamp down on warehouse speed quotas, saying they cannot jeopardize health and safety, such as by impelling workers to take risky shortcuts or to skip mandatory rest breaks. It would ban penalties and retaliation related to productivity rates. It also would force warehousing companies to detail their quotas to employees and regulators, and create legal paths for employees to challenge working conditions.

The first-of-its-kind bill is aimed at all warehouse distribution centers, but Amazon is clearly the main target. Both of Californias legislative bodies passed AB701, but Gov. Gavin Newsom hasnt said if he will sign it by the Oct. 10 deadline. The bill will be evaluated on its merits, his office said in an email.

The pandemic has been a boon to e-commerce giant Amazon, now the nations second-largest employer after Walmart with 950,000 U.S. workers and a plan to hire 125,000 more for warehouse and transportation jobs, which were recently boosted to start at $18 an hour.

Behind the scenes, rapid delivery of Amazon orders involves warehouse workers who must process goods quickly or risk being disciplined or fired. Some say they must skip restroom breaks and suffer on-the-job injuries in the frantic pace to make rate.

Barrera, who earned $15 an hour as a seasonal worker, meaning she had no benefits such as insurance or sick time, said she often skipped personal needs such as using the restroom  a five-minute walk away  or getting a drink of water.

She also dreaded the heavy items  cases of soda, multipacks of detergent, sacks of dog food, weights for working out.

I was usually at the back of the line, so I ended up with the boxes everyone else was avoiding heavier items and ones that took longer to prep, said Barrera, now an organizer with the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, which tries to improve working conditions in the industry and supports AB701.

While the bills backers say it will protect workers in a fast-growing industry where speed has become paramount and conditions can be harsh, numerous business groups oppose the measure, saying it is micromanagement that will hurt business and consumers alike.

Amazon would not comment on the bill but said employee health and safety is its top priority, and it invests heavily in safety measures. Fewer than 1% of employees are terminated for performance issues, the company said.

AB701 is too far-reaching and could have a lot of unintended consequences, said Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association. We already have cracks in the supply chain because of COVID; this could continue to strain it which would affect the end users, the consumers of California.

The bill would affect distribution centers across multiple industries, driving up prices for all kinds of goods, including fresh food, Michelin said. She is also concerned that it could unleash a new wave of lawsuits, making California inhospitable for warehouse operators.

But those who support the bill say its crucial to prevent workplace injuries. A variety of reports from news organizations and groups such as the labor-backed Strategic Organizing Center based on data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration show Amazon workers get injured at a higher rate than those at other warehouses.

Workers are getting hurt, said Christian Castro, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Federation of Labor, which is backing the bill  and hoping to organize Amazon warehouse workers. Our dependence on e-commerce has grown exponentially. As companies like Amazon shorten delivery times, it puts more pressure on workers. There is constant stress to keep up and not get fired.

Amazon said the multiple reports on higher injury rates were flawed.

These types of injuries are unfortunately common across the industry, spokesperson Rachael Lightly said in an email. She said research showed that workers ages 18 to 24  the range of many of Amazons new employees  were found to be most likely in comparison to any other generation to claim a work-related MSD, or musculoskeletal disorder. Therefore, the data is skewed, she said.

Still, the company wants to improve and has hired 6,200 safety professionals and invested millions in safety measures and improvements, Lightly said.

Amazon documents show it had 153,000 workers in California as of late 2020, many of whom work in its 60 fulfillment and sorting centers and 50 delivery stations (the last point before packages are loaded). Its major warehouses are heavily concentrated in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, near the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. It has warehouses throughout the Bay Area, but some of the largest ones serving this region are located just outside it, in the San Joaquin Valley town of Tracy.

Ellen Reese, chair of the labor studies program at UC Riverside, is co-authoring a book about Amazons impact on communities, and she previously co-edited one called The Cost of Free Shipping: Amazon in the Global Economy.

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.

After Reese and her associates interviewed 82 current or former Amazon warehouse workers in the Inland Empire, she found some common themes.

A lot of them were very concerned with the work rates and feel that under that pressure they are often cutting corners around safety guidelines, she said.

Interviewees discussed the high rate of injuries, including muscle strains, repetitive motion injuries and hearing damage from loud environments, she said.

Many workers felt they didnt have time to use the restroom; thats not good for the body, she said. Warehouses are enormous, so the bathrooms can be quite a walk away. In this situation some pee in bottles and trash cans.

One 24-year-old woman, a sortation associate at an Amazon warehouse in Los Angeles, said she injured her knee at work, leading to a six-month medical leave during which she had to fight the company to get workers compensation. She asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation at her job and was granted anonymity in accordance with Chronicle policies on anonymous sources.

Her job involves grabbing packaged orders from a conveyor belt to scan them and sort them just before they are put on trucks for delivery. She is a blue badge, meaning a full-time employee.

We have to work at a certain pace, so were moving really fast  bending, kneeling, trying to scan upwards of 350 to 400 packages an hour, she said. She performed fewer tasks per item than Barrera and hence had a much higher quota. The (mandatory rate) changes every day depending on how big the volume is. There are managers walking back and forth announcing what the rate is. If you dont scan fast enough, they come into your aisle and say you have to scan faster.

On the day she was injured, a manager came three different times to say, Youre not meeting your rate; I believe in you; I know you can scan faster, she said. I felt so pressured; I was just grabbing packages, reaching, kneeling and bending. One package I grabbed, bent over and reached to put it away, and I twisted and popped my knee.

She kept working, but by that night, she could barely walk. She went to the emergency room, where a doctor gave her a knee immobilizer and crutches. Her supervisors said she had to report her injury in person, so the next day she hobbled down from her second-story apartment and drove to work, where she was asked to see a company-approved doctor via video, who had her self-examine by touching her knee.

Im too young to have a knee injury, but it still bothers me, she said. Its not just me; a lot of co-workers have blown out their backs while scanning or have to tape their shoulders every day so they wont pop out.

She is counting on AB701 to improve conditions.

I hope it takes into consideration how fast we can move as people and not as robots, she said. For me, working as fast as I was led to safety shortcuts, not even prioritizing my own health and safety. I hope that me and my co-workers across California dont have to choose between their safety and their rate.

Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid
Paulie Spacco believes anyone infected with the coronavirus should just let the body do its thing and build antibodies, even though an 18-month pandemic and the deaths of 1 in 500 Americans point to the dangers of following such a strategy.

Spacco, a Vacaville resident and small-business owner in his 60s, and his friend Gregorio Serrao, in his 70s, both say they have no intention of getting vaccinated and oppose restricting peoples activities to try to control the spread of COVID-19. Over sandwiches recently at La Borgata Italian Deli on Vacavilles Main Street, the two dismissed evidence proving that masks work to help block transmission of virus-laden droplets.

At this point, if you get sick, thats on you, Serrao said. And its just inevitable, they agreed, that youre going to lose some people.

Their views, which are at odds with national health advice about the coronavirus, are not hard to find in Solano County, a Bay Area outlier when it comes to the pandemic almost from the start.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

The inland expanse dotted with suburbs and medium-size cities is the least vaccinated of the Bay Areas nine counties. Just 54% of its 450,000 residents are fully vaccinated, compared with 67% in Napa and Sonoma, the counties with the next-lowest rate. It has a high daily infection rate  currently 18.6 cases per 100,000 people, the highest of any Bay Area county except Napa according to state data  and a hospitalization rate two to three times higher than that of other local counties.

And while the countys case numbers, like those throughout the Bay Area, have shown improvement lately, the approach of local leaders  who have been less willing to restrict residents activities and impose mandates  has consistently set Solano apart.

It is the only Bay Area county that doesnt require universal masking in indoor public settings, although two of its cities  Vallejo and Benicia  have imposed mandates. Solano lagged behind several other Bay Area counties in imposing stay-home orders last year, waiting until the state required it. Tuesday, Solano supervisors voted down a proposal requiring that county employees be vaccinated, saying it should be a personal choice.

Currently only unvaccinated people are required to wear masks in indoor public settings in Solano County, in line with state policies.

Many residents and officials say they want the county to act more aggressively. Supervisor Monica Brown, for instance, whose district covers Benicia and part of Vallejo, supports a broader mask mandate.

Our health care workers are still being inundated with COVID-19 cases, she said at a contentious board of supervisors meeting on Tuesday, noting that its impossible to know whether a maskless person is vaccinated.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

Supervisor Mitch Mashburn said that with young children and immunocompromised people in his house, he wears a mask to be safe. Still, he doesnt think its the role of the board to force people to be vaccinated or mask up.

People have the right to make medical decisions about their own body, and we, I dont feel, as a governmental entity  specifically a board of supervisors  we dont have the right to make those decisions for them, he said at the meeting. Should we encourage it? Absolutely.

Supervisor Erin Hannigan, who wants the county to do more on masks, questioned that logic.

We are not playing God, trying to be a dictator or anything like that, I think thats pretty clear, Hannigan said after some public commenters made reference to conspiracy theories and said that mask and vaccine mandates violate freedom. But I kind of resent a comment about, my body, my choice. ... If you make the choice not to get vaccinated, it isnt a choice that only affects you. That is a choice that affects others.

A recent visit to downtown Vacaville showed that some people were wearing masks, but face coverings were far less common than in San Francisco. Masks are markedly more prominent across Interstate 80 at the Nut Tree outlet stores, which draw shoppers from outside the county.

A Chronicle reporter found many people unwilling to even talk about what they said are contentious pandemic issues in what they consider their politically purple county.

Some business owners worried that expressing an opinion would alienate customers who think differently. One bartender said its easier to just assume people are vaccinated than debate the matter.

But many people were insistent that they want to see all restrictions lifted and to let the virus run its course.

Tamara Carpenter of Vacaville, who says she is unvaccinated and unwilling to wear a mask, just wants life to return to normal. She homeschools her two children and thinks mask and vaccine mandates are overreaching and perpetuate anxiety.

Its bad for kids to grow up in fear, she said, her 6-year-old daughter hanging onto her arm as they ran errands downtown.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

Dr. Bela Matyas, the county health officer, said he believes its sufficient for Solano County to follow the state requirement, which mandates mask-wearing only for unvaccinated people in indoor public settings.

Matyas said in an interview that contact tracing shows the virus spreading mainly at private gatherings, not public settings.

I very much believe in the value of masks, he said. But there is no evidence to support that indoor retail space is where the disease is spreading.

Dr. George Rutherford, a UCSF infectious disease doctor, disagreed, pointing to data from San Diego County. An analysis there from last fall found that bars and restaurants were linked to about 10% of positive cases, and retail spaces were linked to 8%.

Benicia Mayor Steve Young told The Chronicle by email that the countys strategy does not make sense.

I dont understand how the circumstances could be so different in Solano County than the rest of the Bay Area, he said. Surely people in the other eight counties have been going to parties and family gatherings as well, yet case counts are lower in those other counties. I find it implausible that the virus is spreading only in social settings and never inside businesses.

Dr. Seth Kaufman, chief medical officer at NorthBay Healthcare, whose NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield treats COVID patients, is not optimistic about whats to come.

We hope to see a downward trend but do anticipate another spike coming in the next month or two, he said. Hes concerned that the countys low vaccination rate leaves it vulnerable to new variants.

Kaufman said that a number of hospital employees have gotten infected, aggravating a shortage in staffing.

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.

As elsewhere, serious COVID-19 cases in Solano County are overwhelmingly among the unvaccinated, who account for about 80% of COVID-19 admissions at NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield and Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center, the hospitals said.

The countys vaccination rates have been improving recently, increasing at a faster rate than in the rest of the Bay Area. County officials credit that to the states vaccine mandates for health care workers, more parents vaccinating children and greater public confidence following full FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine.

As to vaccine holdouts, county officials and health experts say misinformation and lack of trust in government and the health care system play a role, along with religious reasons. Some people believe they dont need vaccination if theyve had COVID-19 already, a belief that runs counter to public health messaging.

Vaccination rates are higher in areas of the county closer to the central Bay Area, Matyas noted. In Benicia, 83% of those 12 and older have had at least one shot; in Vallejo its 80%.

Matyas also linked reluctance toward vaccinations to racial and political factors.

Latino and Black residents, who together make up 40% of the countys population, have the lowest vaccination rates among racial or ethnic groups, county data suggests.

Politically, Solano and neighboring Napa County have the highest percentage of registered Republicans in the Bay Area, at 22%. Solano was the only Bay Area county where more than one-third of voters backed the failed recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom. Surveys have shown Republicans far less likely to get the shots than Democrats.

Solanos COVID case numbers and policies can have an effect on the rest of the Bay Area, UCSFs Rutherford said. Its location on the outskirts of the Bay Area may lessen its impact on the other counties, but theres at least some back-and-forth, he said.

Within the county, as the delta variant continues to bring sickness and death, some residents say they are desperate for more county action.

One, a woman who called into Tuesdays supervisors meeting, said she is a hairdresser and that many people she interacts with at her salon are unvaccinated and wont wear a mask, putting her and her children at risk.

I just think its completely unfair that (enforcing masks) is constantly being left up to us now, she said.

Another Vacaville resident, who identified himself at the meeting only as Edward, agreed.

Contrary to what many people have stated here, we all know that its not a violation of the Constitution, he said. If we really want to help each other and be good Americans, we would be wearing masks and getting vaccinated.

Chronicle staff writer Susie Neilson contributed to this report.

Kellie Hwang and Danielle Echeverria are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com
Nine Oakland police officers have been disciplined for engaging with a racist and sexist Instagram account set up by a former officer, officials said.

City officials released a statement summarizing the findings of a lengthy investigation into the Instagram account, one that had already prompted the Police Department to add to its sexual harassment and workplace behavior training and to increase oversight of employee social media use.

The investigations outcome could also be a linchpin in deciding whether Oaklands Police Department can put an end to nearly two decades of federal oversight.

The Instagram account posted deeply offensive content in the form of memes that criticized policies and cultural changes at the department. In January, the Oaklandside revealed an Instagram account under the username @crimereductionteam, which posted sexist and racist commentary, as well as criticism of OPD policies meant to prevent brutality and corruption.

The creator of the account, who was not named in the report, appeared to be intimately familiar with the department, and specifically the crime reduction teams, the city said. The names of the disciplined officers were also not made public.

Mayor Libby Schaaf and City Administrator Ed Reiskin hired a third-party investigator to determine who created the Instagram account and if any current officers had engaged with content posted to it.

Discipline ranged from a three-day unpaid suspension to a 25-day unpaid suspension for personnel ranging in rank from officer to lieutenant.

Schaaf said in a statement that she wholeheartedly and strongly condemns any behavior that supports or engages with sexist and racist tropes.

She added that sexist and racist behaviors are far too prevalent in our culture and have no place in our public safety institutions.

The findings come less than a month after attorneys indicated that the department could be nearing the end of 18 years of federal oversight. A court-mandated federal monitor has overseen the department after the Riders scandal in 2003, when a group of rogue officers was accused of beating and framing Oakland citizens of crimes.

But one of the plaintiffs attorneys expressed concern in August about the Instagram scandal. In a court hearing earlier this month, John Burris and James Chanin, the plaintiffs attorneys, said they will produce a report on the case. If the report shows that racist, misogyny, and cultural rot exist in the department, it will hinder the city from reaching full compliance, according to the judge.

The city said Friday that investigators seized more than 140 department-issued cell phones and studied all their contents and online histories. They interviewed every officer on the crime reduction teams, individuals in specialized units, and every officer in patrol and investigative units who intersected with personnel on the crime reduction teams.

Investigators determined that the account was created by a former Oakland police officer, who was not identified, shortly after the officer was terminated for violating department policies.

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.

Nine other officers were found to have violated department policies, including accessing inappropriate material on department-issued equipment, including content unrelated to the Instagram account, sexual harassment or other conduct, failure to perform duties and responsibilities, and failure to report violations.

Of those nine officers, two have left the department and work in other law enforcement agencies. The city said those agencies have been notified of the investigations findings.

All employees will now report work-related social media accounts to the departments Office of Inspector General and are required to provide passwords and usernames to their work-related accounts. The inspector general can audit content of department-issued technology at anytime.

Employees are also banned from having personal social media accounts on their work-issued technology.

The department plans to develop cultural competency training with Stanford University for staff and bring in outside experts to hold extra sexual harassment and inappropriate workplace behavior training.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
BILOXI, Miss. (AP)  An early Saturday shooting at a Mississippi casino has left one person dead and another in custody, Biloxi Police said.

It happened around 12:30 a.m. inside the Golden Nugget Casino. Police said they received a number of 911 calls about a man shooting inside the casino.

Officers arrested Jereme Lamond Jones, 30, of Mobile, Alabama, on a charge of first-degree murder after he allegedly shot a man multiple times on the gaming floor, police said. No other injuries were reported.

The victim, a 41-year-old man from Gulfport, Mississippi, was pronounced dead at the scene just before 1 a.m. His name has not been released yet.

Investigators said the victim and Jones argued outside the casino and then ran into the building. The victim was shot at close range, police said. It's unclear if the men knew each other.

Biloxi police and officers from surrounding jurisdictions responded and arrested Jones near the Biloxi Bay Bridge, armed with a pistol, police said.

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.

Jones is being held at the Harrison County Jail. Bond was set at $1 million. It was unknown if he's represented by an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Biloxi Police Department. Tips can also be submitted via email to ciu@biloxi.ms.us or to Mississippi Crime Stoppers.
Amid record-setting wildfires, an upsurge in COVID cases and a gubernatorial recall election, severe restrictions on homebuilding in Californias cities continue to cause major housing shortages and unaffordable costs. After a brief price drop during COVID, median rents and home sale prices are again on the rise, putting home ownership further out of most households reach and exacerbating the nations worst homelessness crisis.

And yet meaningful housing solutions are emerging. Gavin Newsoms recent signing of a spate of new bills to legalize more dense housing has made headlines. But another less-discussed plan is also afloat.

Every eight years, California cities are required by state law to create long-term plans for accommodating more housing. In these plans, or housing elements, cities must set a strategy for meeting a housing growth target, pare back restrictions that discourage homebuilding, and actively reverse patterns of racial segregation. This year, cities across Southern California must finalize housing elements that encourage 1.3 million more homes by 2029. Next year, Bay Area cities must complete their plans to allow 440,000 more homes by 2031.

These housing elements, paired with the new state laws that legalize duplexes and fast-track modest zoning reforms, have the potential to lower housing costs, decrease homelessness, expand economic opportunity, and reduce segregation in our communities. Unfortunately, city governments in Southern California are currently making a mockery of this process, in flagrant defiance of state law. If theyre not stopped, NIMBY city governments in the Bay Area, like Palo Alto and Atherton, will almost certainly follow suit.

SoCal cities like Pasadena have started a vicious tug-of-war with the state by submitting draft housing plans that dont meet the states requirements. These cities, often high-income enclaves with influential homeowner groups and few renters, are using sleight-of-hand tactics to superficially comply with the law, while doing little to allow more housing in practice.

Effectively, they are treating state housing law as optional.

Over the past 8 months, weve reviewed 22 cities draft housing plans and discovered numerous bad-faith practices. If South Pasadenas housing element is to be believed, for instance, utility easements just big enough to hold a telephone pole, vacant parcels of railroad track, and City Hall itself will soon host dense housing development.

Under Beverly Hills fantastical plan, the historic Saban Theater and Neiman Marcus flagship department store will somehow disappear to make way for modest apartment buildings.

San Diego, meanwhile, listed an active cemetery among its housing growth sites, suggesting that the city will literally allow more homes over their dead bodies.

These tricks are meant to convince the state that cities can achieve enough housing growth without allowing denser housing in more places. But its all a mirage  and an embarrassingly obvious one intended to maintain the status quo.

Fortunately, a growing number of cities are bucking their old slow-growth policies and creating draft housing elements that genuinely promote strong, equitable development. Los Angeles housing element includes a sophisticated economic model that demonstrates how the city will only achieve 10% of its housing growth target in a business as usual scenario without policy reform. The city has committed to rezoning for 220,000 more homes, particularly in high-resource areas that have accommodated little new housing in recent decades. Sacramento and Berkeley are also encouraging modest housing growth without changing the appearance of low-density residential neighborhoods.

But these positive stories are still outliers. And it will take state action to rein in scofflaw cities.

The job currently falls to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to make recalcitrant cities adopt reasonable plans. HCD has generally done a hard job well: earlier this summer, the agency critiqued poor drafts from Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Redondo Beach, signaling that it will withhold final approval without major improvements.

But HCD has also sent mixed messages. When San Diego submitted a laughably bad housing element in September 2020, HCD refused to certify the plan and demanded significant amendments. However, just this week, HCD approved San Diegos updated housing element, even though the city failed to make the fixes that the agency had initially demanded.

When push comes to shove, HCD will need more political support to hold cities accountable. This means that Gov. Newsom must join the tug-of-war on the side of housing reformers. As a gubernatorial candidate in 2018, Newsom set a goal of creating 3.5 million homes by 2025. But homebuilding has actually declined under Newsoms watch. Hell need to fight to achieve his signature campaign promise. Going toe-to-toe with out-of-touch NIMBYs would show that sorely needed determination.

Californias tug-of-war over housing has to end. Every city should do its part to make the Golden State more affordable and welcoming to all. If they refuse to do that, then at a bare minimum, they need to follow the law.

Anthony Dedousis is the policy and research director at Abundant Housing LA. Jes McBride is the program director at the Campaign for Fair Housing Elements. Jon Wizard is a city councilmember in Seaside, California and the policy director at the Campaign for Fair Housing Elements.
The 2022 campaign in California started 15 seconds after the recall election ended, so lets look forward by examining what some have learned from our 75-day, $276 million-and-counting exercise in democracy  or as history may remember it, a colossal waste of time, money and energy.

Four lessons that have already risen to the top involve Republican messaging, working-class men, Latinos and abortion.

We start with Matt Shupe, one of Californias most connected Republican communications strategists. He was a consultant for the Rescue California campaign, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconers recall run and the California Republican Party.

Shupes tweet posted in the wake of the recall debacle is an insight into how some Republicans worry about the future of the state GOP.

What will we change moving forward? How will we adapt? We cannot continue to do the same thing over and over and over again hoping that maybe next time it will be different, Shupe wrote. Were not even fighting the last war; were fighting the last centurys war.

The frustrating part to Shupe is that he expressed largely the same views after Newsom shellacked his previous client, San Diego businessman John Cox, in the 2018 governors race. Little has changed.

The recall failed miserably, and the top GOP choice was talk show host Larry Elder, who enraptured the Donald Trump-aligned base of the GOP but few beyond it. Elder won 26% of all votes cast.

The party base is always going to want someone they agree with 100% of the time, Shupe told me. But when registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 2 to 1, we need someone that can appeal to voters that may not agree with you 90% of the time.

Worse, Shupe bemoaned that many Republicans appear not to have participated at all. Only 3.7 million people voted yes on the recall, roughly half as many as backed Trump in 2020 in California. And while some party leaders promised more outreach to Latino voters and campaigns promised better use of social media, not enough of that was done, he said.

So expect a weekend of soul-searching, crying-in-bourbons and  since this is politics  finger-pointing at the three-day California Republican Party convention that begins Friday in San Diego. Shupe prefers to see something more constructive. He wishes the state party would undertake the same type of comprehensive self-examination that the Republican National Committee did to examine why Barack Obama won re-election in 2012.

We really need to be introspective and figure out what we can do better next time, because we keep running these campaigns in the same type of ways, using the same talking points, Shupe said, and the results are actually getting worse.

Chris Stirewalt, a senior fellow with the conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank, saw another warning sign for Republicans in the recall when it comes to what he calls a key part of their constituency: working-class men.

This is what Republicans tell us is their ambition is  to be the lunch-pail party. Well, you know who is a very hard group to get to the polls? Working-class men, Stirewalt said.

The problem is that Elder was eating his own seed corn when it came to those voters. When he complained about widespread voter fraud  of which there has been no evidence  it had the effect of discouraging core GOP voters from casting ballots during an election when one was mailed to every registered voter, Stirewalt said.

According to exit polls, 55% of non-college-educated white voters supported recalling Newsom, while 45% were opposed. That difference could have been wider.

If the Republicans had been smart, they would have been encouraging people (to vote), Stirewalt said. You have a ballot in your house. How hard is it to drop it in the mailbox? Youve already got a stamp on it; just put it in the mail.

California is so massive that statewide campaigns have traditionally relied on TV ads to make their points. Newsoms anti-recall campaign, which raised nearly $80 million or almost four times as much as his top challengers combined, certainly saturated the airwaves with ads. But for well-funded campaigns, the days of mass-media-only campaigns are coming to an end, Oscar Lopez, political director for the 700,000-member Service Employees International Union California, told me.

A key to Newsom surviving the recall was unions partnering with 90 local community organizations on his behalf to have 1.5 million conversations at the door with voters over the last eight weeks of the campaign, said Lindsay Hopkins, who was the coordinated campaign director for the anti-recall campaign, overseeing all the field operations.

Key to reaching voters  particularly voters of color, she said  was having culturally competent messengers from the campaign hold those conversations. The SEIU was a pivotal player in this field campaign, as roughly two-thirds of its members are people of color.

During their conversations, Democrats learned that Latino voters, in particular, supported the strong actions Newsom took against the pandemic. So when Democratic activists return to those same voters to court them during next years House midterm elections, they will remind them that every Republican House member in California voted against the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief packages that President Biden signed into law this year.

Lopez said the message at the door will be: If Republicans had their way, California wouldnt have had the resources they needed to reopen schools safely.

While many votes still remain to be counted, grassroots efforts paid dividends in key counties, said Sonja Diaz, founding director of the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Initiative, which is doing deep dives into the Latino vote. In Merced County, roughly 3 in 4 Latino voters opposed the recall, Diaz said, which helped offset the 3 in 4 white voters there who supported it.

Newsom attacked Elders opposition to abortion rights, and it resonated with voters. So look for Democratic House candidates in California to aggressively push their support for abortion rights next year  especially with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear a Mississippi abortion case this term that could effectively cripple the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision.

Its going to be an incredibly compelling issue, said Dave Jacobson, a Los Angeles Democratic consultant who is advising more than a dozen campaigns nationally. including House candidates in California. Democrats should exploit it and essentially make it a wedge issue in a given race.

Stirewalt said opposing abortion rights could hurt Republicans with suburban women, which could affect newly elected GOP House members in Orange County, like Reps. Young Kim and Michelle Steel.

If they dont have suburban white women, they have a problem, and no issue will cut quite so potently on that narrow demographic as the idea of Roe vs. Wade being overturned and abortion being effectively outlawed, Stirewalt said. So this is bad news for Republicans.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
The colorful history of lowriders in the Bay Area is on display in San Franciscos Mission District, where the cars have long been part of Latino culture.

Around 50 custom classic Cadillacs, Chevrolets and a few embellished Harley-Davidsons decorated Mission Street over the weekend in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the creation of the San Francisco Lowrider Council. Hundreds of visitors and lowrider enthusiasts gathered in the Mission to experience the past and present of low-riding.

Mission District resident Roberto Hernandez, 65, founded the council in 1981 to unite rival clubs and organize against police brutality. The councils vibrant history, with photos from the early 1980s, intricately painted mini car replicas, and other pieces of lowrider art are on view in the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts until Monday.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the council has concentrated on giving back to its beloved community. In San Francisco, Latinos have borne a disproportionate brunt of the illnesses and deaths associated with COVID-19.

Mike Kai Chen/Special to The Chronicle

Last year, after receiving a distress call from a friend whod lost her job and only had a days worth of groceries, Hernandez and the council helped found the Mission Food Hub  a program that provides free groceries to primarily Latino families.

Last month, the crew held their annual King of the Streets Lowrider Car Show in partnership with the citys health department and offered free vaccination to anyone who attended.

We understand that people have issues with the vaccine, said Hernandez. But being who we are, we have a lot of love, so weve used our love to educate people to mask up, get tested and get the vaccine.

Mike Kai Chen/Special to The Chronicle

San Franciscos lowrider community is no stranger to adversity. Forty years ago Hernandez and other lowriders were harassed, cited and arrested by the San Francisco Police Department. Hernandez said at one point, police declared martial law on Mission Street to clear the street of cars and pedestrians.

In 1979, Hernandez, who said he was beaten by police and arrested 113 times, rolled up to court with his crew in lowriders to file a civil suit against the department.

After presenting ample photo evidence of riders being harassed and illegally detained, which is on display at Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, the crew won the case and were granted them the right to cruise.

Mike Kai Chen/Special to The Chronicle

We were able to show that we were being discriminated against while white males in San Francisco on the west side were racing for pink slips on the Great Highway and police did nothing to them. Yet here we are driving low and slow, and we were being harassed, Hernandez said.

On Saturday, the scene was drastically different. Police officers patrolled Mission Street admiring the painted cars and chatting with some of the owners. Former San Francisco Low Creations Car Club President Fernando Velasco, recently retired from his job at the San Francisco Sheriffs Department.

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.

Its funny because I spent more time on the hood of my car getting jacked about driving a lowrider and now here I am on the other side, he said.

Velasco, a self-proclaimed car kid born and raised in the Mission, is working on a 1976 Chevy Caprice to complement his 1972 cherry-red Buick Riviera.

Mike Kai Chen/Special to The Chronicle

His fellow club member and friend Robert Dulaney  the current president of Low Creations  shares the same passion for turning a piece of metal on four wheels into a work of art. Dulaney has a 1972 show Cadillac and is currently building another from 1982 with a working fish tank in the trunk.

We call (the building process) cup-of-noodles. A lot of people went through cup-of-noodles to put our cars together, Velasco said. You wind everything down to be able to put it into the cars.

Ryce Stoughtenborough is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ryce.stoughtenborough@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rstoughts
LATEST, Aug. 19, 3:36 p.m. (Associated Press): Authorities say a body discovered Sunday in Wyoming is believed to be Gabrielle Gabby Petito.

The FBI said the body was found by law enforcement agents who had spent the past two days searching campgrounds.

The cause of death not yet been determined, said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Charles Jones.

Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified, Jones said.



An undeveloped camping area on the east side of Grand Teton bordering national forest land will remain closed until further notice while the investigation continues, Jones said.

Jones said investigators are still seeking information from anyone who may have seen Petito or her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, around some camping sites located on the parks eastern boundary, the same site that was the subject of a law enforcement search efforts over the weekend.

Petito and Laundrie, left in July on a cross-country trek in a converted van to visit national parks in the U.S. West. Police said Laundrie was alone when he drove the van back to his parents home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1.

Laundrie has been identified as a person of interest in the case. He was last seen Tuesday by family members in Florida, and investigators have been searching for him for the past two days in a 24,000-acre wildlife reserve near Sarasota, Florida.

---

A Facebook post that speculated missing "van life" blogger Gabby Petito could be in Lodi, Calif., is incorrect, both police and Petito's family say.

The photos, which show a young blond woman in and around a truck stop, originated from a post on the Lodi Crime & Police Scanner Facebook group. The caption indicated the woman allegedly asked strangers if they knew where her family was. Because of her resemblance in age and appearance to Petito, the post was reshared by a user speculating it could be the missing woman.

Petito, 22, and her boyfriend Brian Laundrie left in July on a cross-country trek in a converted van to visit national parks in the U.S. West. The couples trek in the Fort Transit van began from Long Island. They intended to reach Oregon by the end of October according to their social media accounts, but Petito vanished after her last known contact with family in late August from Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, authorities said.

The case is dominating national headlines and sparking the interest of countless online sleuths, who are flooding message boards and social media with speculation about Petito's whereabouts. The post of the woman at the Lodi-area truck stop received thousands of comments, prompting the Facebook account belonging to Petito's father Joseph to confirm it was not his daughter.

"Its not her," he wrote in a comment on the viral post. "I appreciate all your help."

Police also followed up on the lead, and were able to identify the woman as someone else.

"We have been getting numerous inquiries regarding the woman pictured in the screenshot below. We can confirm that the woman pictured here is NOT Gabby Petito. This picture was taken on September 1, 2021, and is related to a call for service in Acampo, CA," the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Facebook.

READ MORE: Bodycam shows Gabby Petito and her boyfriend argued before vanishing

The FBI in Denver said Saturday that agents were conducting ground surveys at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, with help from the National Park Service and local law enforcement agencies, seeking clues to Petito's disappearance. Her last known contact was from the national park known for its mountainous terrain.

AP

Police said Laundrie was alone when he drove the van back to his parents home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1. Petitos family filed a missing persons report Sept. 11 with police in Suffolk County, New York.

Now also missing is Laundrie. More than 50 North Port police officers, FBI agents and members of other law enforcement agencies are currently searching the 24,000-acre Carlton Reserve in the Sarasota, Florida area of the Gulf Coast. Investigators are hopeful Laundrie was somewhere in the wildlife reserve. Depending on his skills, he could survive out in the reserve for some time, said police spokesperson Josh Taylor at a news conference.
SAN FRANCISCO  Apple, known among its Silicon Valley peers for a secretive corporate culture in which workers are expected to be in lock step with management, is suddenly facing an issue that would have been unthinkable a few years ago: employee unrest.

On Friday, Tim Cook, Apples CEO, answered questions from workers in an all-staff meeting for the first time since the public surfacing of employee concerns over topics ranging from pay equity to whether the company should assert itself more on political matters like Texas restrictive abortion law.

Cook answered only two of what activist employees said were a number of questions they had wanted to ask in a meeting broadcast to employees around the world, according to a recording obtained by The New York Times. But his response was a notable acknowledgment that the workplace and social issues that have been roiling Silicon Valley for several years have taken root at Apple.

Over the past month, more than 500 people who said they were current and former Apple employees have submitted accounts of verbal abuse, sexual harassment, retaliation and discrimination at work, among other issues, to an employee-activist group that calls itself #AppleToo, said Cher Scarlett and Janneke Parrish, two Apple employees who help lead the group.

The group has begun posting some of the anonymous stories online and has been encouraging colleagues to contact state and federal labor officials with their complaints. Their issues, as well as those of eight current and former employees who spoke to the Times, vary; among them are workplace conditions, unequal pay and the companys business practices.

A common theme is that Apples secrecy has created a culture that discourages employees from speaking out about their workplace concerns  not with co-workers, not with the press and not on social media. Complaints about problematic managers or colleagues are frequently dismissed, and workers are afraid to criticize how the company does business, the employees who spoke to the Times said.

Apple has this culture of secrecy that is toxic, said Christine Dehus, who worked at Apple for five years and left in August. On one hand, yes, I understand the secrecy piece is important for product security, to surprise and delight customers. But it bleeds into other areas of the culture where it is prohibitive and damaging.

Cook and Deirdre OBrien, Apples human resources chief, said in response to a question about pay equity Friday that Apple regularly scrutinized its compensation practices to ensure it paid employees fairly.

When we find any gaps at all, which sometimes we do, we close them, OBrien said.

Asked what Apple was doing to protect its employees from Texas abortion restrictions, Cook said that the company was looking into whether it could aid the legal fight against the new law and that its medical insurance would help pay for Apple workers in Texas if they needed to travel to other states for an abortion.

Cooks comments received a mixed reception from Apple employees on Slack, the workplace message board, Parrish said. Some employees cheered for Cook, while others, including her, were disappointed.

Parrish said she had submitted a question about what concrete steps Apple had taken to ensure that pay gaps were resolved and that more women and people of color were being promoted to leadership roles. With the answers Tim gave today, we werent heard, she said.

Apple has about 160,000 employees around the world, and it was unclear if the newly public complaints reflected systemic problems or isolated issues that happen at many larger corporations.

We are and have always been deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace, the company said in a statement. We take all concerns seriously and we thoroughly investigate whenever a concern is raised and, out of respect for the privacy of any individuals involved, we do not discuss specific employee matters.

While the airing of Apples workplace issues is remarkable to many people who have followed the company over the years, employee activism has become commonplace in Silicon Valley.

Three years ago, Google employees marched out of their offices around the world to protest sexual harassment policies. Last year, Facebook employees protested their companys handling of posts by President Donald Trump. And some companies have explicitly banned discussions that arent work-related.

ERICA YOON/NYT

But at Apple, the rank and file had until recently appeared to be doing their jobs with little fuss.

Secrecy was a trait pushed by the companys late co-founder, Steve Jobs, who was obsessed with preventing leaks about Apples new products to maximize the publics surprise when he unveiled them onstage. The employees who spoke to the Times said that, over time, that culture had extended to the broader workplace.

Never have I met people more terrified to speak out against their employer, said Scarlett, who joined Apple as a software engineer in April and has worked at eight other companies.

An Apple spokesperson pointed to a company policy that said employees could speak freely about your wages, hours or working conditions.

Slack has been a key organizing tool for workers, several current and former employees told the Times. Apples siloed culture kept different teams of employees separate from one another, another result of efforts to prevent leaks. There was no wide-scale, popular internal message board for employees to communicate with one another, until Apple began using Slack in 2019.

When employees were told to work from home at the beginning of the pandemic, Slack became particularly popular. For a lot of us, this was the first chance to interact with people outside our own silo, Parrish said. Previously, none of us were aware that anybody else was going through this.

The complaints seem to be making an impact. When Apple this year hired Antonio Garcia Martinez, a former Facebook manager, more than 2,000 employees signed a protest letter to management because of what they called overtly racist and sexist remarks in a book he had written, based in part on his time at Facebook. Within days, Apple fired him. Garcia Martinez declined to comment on the specifics of his case.

In May, hundreds of employees signed a letter urging Apple to publicly support Palestinians during a recent conflict with Israel. And a corporate Slack channel that was set up to organize efforts to push Apple to be more flexible about remote-work arrangements once the pandemic ended now has about 7,500 employees on it.

Beyond the group activism, Apple is dealing with individual fights that are slipping into public view.

Ashley Gjovik, a former engineering program manager at Apple for six years, said she had complained to Apple for months about what she believed was inadequate testing for toxic chemicals at her office, as well as sexist comments from a manager.

After taking her complaints public this year, Gjovik was placed on leave and later fired. She said Apple had told her that she was fired for leaking product information and not cooperating with its investigation. She has filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Justice Department, she said.

Apple declined to comment on specific employees cases.

Dehus, who worked at Apple to mitigate the impact of mining valuable minerals in conflict zones, said she had left Apple after spending several years fighting a decision to reassign her to a role that she said had involved more work for less pay. She said Apple had begun trying to reassign her after she complained that the companys work on the minerals was not, in some cases, leading to meaningful change in some war-torn countries.

Richard Dahan, who is deaf, said he had struggled at his former job at an Apple Store in Maryland for six years because his manager refused to provide a sign-language interpreter for him to communicate with customers, which federal law requires under some circumstances. He said that he had communicated with customers by typing on an iPad, and that some customers had refused to work with him as a result. When he told his manager, the manager said it was the customers right, he said.

Would it be OK if they said they didnt want to work with a person of color? Dahan asked in an interview via a sign-language interpreter.

He was eventually assigned an interpreter. But by that time, he said, upper management viewed him as a complainer and refused to promote him.

Their culture is: Drink our Kool-Aid, buy into what were telling you, and well promote you, he said. But if youre asking for anything or making noise, then they wont.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
- Info: See incident reports from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.

- Maps: View maps from the U.S. Forest Service.

- Evacuations: Find the latest information from Tulare County.

- KNP Complex Fire information line: 559-640-7824.

The KNP Complex wildfire raging inside the Sequoia National Forest has pushed into a grove of some of California's most famous and beloved trees.

Flames have been spotted within the Giant Forest, a grove that contains the Four Guardsmen and the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree on earth by volume. On Friday, fire crews wrapped as many trees as they could in fire-resistant aluminum blankets before high winds forced them to leave the area. Over 2,000 ancient trees live within the grove.

Associated Press

Once you get fire burning inside the tree, that will result in mortality, said Jon Wallace, the operations section chief for the KNP Complex.

The fire began on September 10, sparked by lightning. On Friday, high winds exploded the blaze, which went from under 18,000 acres on Saturday to 21,777 acres by Sunday morning. There is no containment.

"The fire reached a small area of the Giant Forest [Friday], in the area known as the Four Guardsmen, where trees had been thoroughly prepped in recent days," Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks said in an incident report Saturday. "The General Sherman Tree did not see fire yesterday. Hotshot crews are assessing on the ground this morning to ascertain if conditions are stable enough for more crews to reengage in this area."

As of Sunday afternoon, the extent of any damage is currently unknown. An escorted media tour into the park was canceled after the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for high winds, creating the potential for dangerous conditions.

The General Sherman Tree has lived and watched over thousands of years of California history. It's believed to be at least 2,300 years old. Although it's not the tallest tree on earth, it is the largest if you calculate its volume. According to the National Park Service, the tree is 275 feet tall and over 36 feet in diameter.

Noah Berger/AP

Noah Berger/AP

A red flag warning is in effect Sunday for more gusting winds. Fire crews are hoping their backfires near the Giant Forest on Generals Highway will help burn through some vegetation and create a protective barrier around the grove. They are also working on a bulldozer line around the community of Three Rivers, which was evacuated earlier in the week.

Giant sequoias are adapted to fire, which can help them thrive by releasing seeds from their cones and creating clearings that allow young sequoias to grow. But the extraordinary intensity of fires  fueled by climate change  can overwhelm the trees. To the south, the Windy Fire grew to 19 square miles on the Tule River Indian Reservation and in Giant Sequoia National Monument, where it has burned into the Peyrone grove of sequoias and threatens others.

The fire also had reached Long Meadow Grove, where two decades ago then-President Clinton signed a proclamation establishing its Trail of 100 Giant Sequoias as a national monument.

Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag

Fire officials havent yet been able to determine how much damage was done to the groves, which are in remote and hard-to-reach areas. They said crews were doing everything they can to protect the trail by removing needles, leaves and other fuels from around the base of the trees.

Last year, the Castle Fire killed an estimated 7,500 to 10,600 large sequoias, according to the National Park Service. That was an estimated 10% to 14% of all the sequoias in the world.

PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Historic drought tied to climate change is making wildfires harder to fight. It has killed millions of trees in California alone. Scientists say climate change has made the West much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Drew Altizer and Natalie Schrik of DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

After a year away from the stage, the San Francisco Opera is back.

On Sept. 10, the SF Opera held their first show in over a year at the War Memorial Opera House. In a simultaneous broadcast to Oracle Park where opera lovers could revel in the range of vocal musical notes from the outfield grass, the performers presented "Live and In Concert: The Homecoming." A fitting title, indeed.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  Two South Dakota state prison inmates who drove away from a community service project are back in custody, authorities said Sunday.

Thomas Wilson, 32, and Peyton Laird, 22, were assigned to the task in Sioux Falls when they stole a car and drove away Friday morning, according to state Department of Corrections officials.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  The bodies of three people who were trying to illegally cross into Poland from Belarus were found in the border region and another body of a woman was found on Belarus side, Poland's prime minister said Sunday.

Premier Mateusz Morawiecki gave no other details but said on Facebook that he's in touch with the interior minister and head of the Border Guards and that any potential links between these dramatic events and Belarusian provocations on Poland's eastern border will be examined.

European Union members Poland and Lithuania are facing increasing migrant pressures on their borders with Belarus, which are part of the blocs eastern border. They say its a hybrid attack by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenkos regime in Minsk that is aimed at destabilizing the 27-nation EU.

In one case Sunday, local police spokeswoman Edyta Pacuk told regional Radio 5 that residents picking mushrooms in the forest near Poland's border with Belarus and Lithuania came across three Iraqi men, one of whom was dead. The two other men were taken into police custody and hospitalized.

Border Guards spokeswoman Anna Michalska told The Associated Press that the bodies of two other foreigners were also found near the border with Belarus.

Prosecutors have opened investigations into the three deaths, the Border Guards said on Twitter.

In a separate incident, eight migrants  three women and five men  who got stuck in the swamps near Poland's border with Belarus were saved Sunday by the joint efforts of Poland's border guards, police, firefighters, military and airborne ambulance service, Michalska told Polish media. Seven of the migrants were taken to the hospital.

According to the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, Belarusian Border Guards said in a statement that the body of a woman was found near the village of Lesnoye, close to the border with Poland, and that three children and two adults were with the body. According to Belarus Border Guards, the people said they were threatened with weapons and forced to cross from Poland to Belarus, Gazeta Wyborcza reported.

Belarus authorities have invited a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to the site, Gazeta Wyborcza said.

Poland and Lithuania are building razor wire fences, have increased border patrols and have introduced a temporary state of emergency along their borders to stop illegal migration.

Michalska said over 3,800 attempts at illegal crossings from Belarus have been foiled so far in September, over 320 on Saturday alone.

___

Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.
PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) 

Immigrant rights activists in Massachusetts are planning to rally near historic Plymouth Rock and outside a local jail to call on the facility to stop housing federal immigration detainees.

Organizers on Thursday evening will hold a vigil at the waterfront Pilgrim Memorial State Park followed by a march and rally at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility.

The jail is the lone remaining facility housing immigration detainees in the state, with some 77 in custody as of late last month, according to federal data.

Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald recently notified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that his office was terminating a program that deputizes some of its staff to act as federal immigration agents. But he said the jail would continue to house immigration detainees, as it has since the 1990s, despite calls from activists.

Immigration rights groups say ending the jail's contract with ICE and releasing immigration detainees is the only way to address critical health risks posed by COVID-19, as well as deprivations of liberty and legal rights" at the facility.

March organizers include former detainees, family members of current detainees and groups including the Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network, the AMOR network and the FANG Collective.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Last year, no leaders came at all. This year will be quite different  sort of.

With the coronavirus pandemic still raging in many parts of the world, leaders from more than 100 nations are heading to New York this week for the United Nations' annual high-level gathering  a COVID-inflected, semi-locked down affair that takes place in one of the pandemic's hardest-hit cities of all. It will be a departure from the last in-person meeting of the General Assembly in 2019  and far different, too, from last year's all-virtual version.

Awaiting them: daunting challenges enough to scare anyone who runs a country, from an escalating climate crisis and severe vaccine inequities to Afghanistans future under its new Taliban rulers and worsening conflicts in Myanmar and the Tigray region of Ethiopia.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has pointed to many other signs of a more chaotic, insecure and dangerous world: rising poverty and hunger; technologys advances without guard rails like lethal autonomous weapons; the risks of climate breakdown and nuclear war; and growing inequality, discrimination and injustice bringing people into the streets to protest while conspiracy theories and lies fuel deep divisions within societies.

The U.N. chief keeps repeating that the world is at a pivotal moment and must shift gears to a greener and safer world. To do that, leaders need to give multilateralism teeth, starting with joint action to reverse the global failure to tackle COVID-19 in 2020 and to ensure that 70% of the worlds population is vaccinated in the first half of 2022.

But as is often true with the United Nations, it remains to be seen whether the high-level meetings, which start Monday and end Sept. 27, make actual progress.

After COVID-19 forced leaders to deliver remote, pre-recorded speeches at last years meeting, more than 100 heads of state and government and more than two dozen ministers decided to come to New York this year despite the pandemic. That reflects the United Nations unique role as a global town square for all 193 member countries, whether tiny or vast, weak or powerful.

The assemblys annual gathering of world leaders  called the General Debate  has always been a place where presidents, prime ministers, monarchs and other top officials can discuss local, regional and global concerns at public or private meetings and receptions, and over lunches and dinners. In other words, it creates a space to carry out the delicate business of diplomacy face to face, considered far more productive than virtual meetings online.

Richard Gowan, U.N. director of the International Crisis Group, said the General Assemblys first in-person meeting since the pandemic began  though about 60 leaders have opted to deliver pre-recorded speeches  is not only symbolic but an opportunity to show that international cooperation matters.

For leaders from poorer countries, this is also a rare opportunity to speak publicly about the ongoing aftershocks of COVID-19, he said. Its also, frankly, quite fun to come to New York. A lot of these leaders have been stuck in their capitals.

After four years of Donald Trump representing the United States at the meetings, this week will see Joe Biden make his first appearance as president at Tuesdays opening of the General Debate. Gowan said the really significant question is exactly how he frames relations with China.

He wont be as forthright in criticism of China as Trump was, especially in 2019 and 2020, Gowan said. But I think that Biden will try and cast China as a country that is challenging the rules-based world order and a country that should not be trusted with leadership of the international system."

The pandemic is not only something for world leaders to discuss but also for them to deal with on the ground: A key issue ahead of the meetings has been COVID-19 entry requirements for leaders to the United States  and to the U.N. headquarters itself.

By tradition, the first speaker after the secretary-general delivers his state of the world report is Brazil. Its president, Jair Bolsonaro, who isnt vaccinated, reiterated Thursday he doesnt plan to get the shot any time soon. Bolsonaro's justification: He had COVID-19 and thus, he says, he has a high level of antibodies.

Entering the United States requires a vaccination or a recent COVID-19 test, but New York City has a vaccination requirement for convention centers, and it considers the General Assembly hall  which isn't technically U.S. soil  to be one of those.

Assembly President Abdulla Shahid said in a letter Thursday that the U.N. is relying on an honor system only. That means there will be no New York City police checking people entering U.N. headquarters.

Many diplomats say they will be closely watching the last scheduled speakers on the final day, Sept. 27, because each has something contentious percolating.

North Korea just tested new cruise missiles that could deliver nuclear weapons. In Myanmar, generals ousted the democratically elected government in February. Guinea's military toppled the democratically elected president a month ago. And in Afghanistan, the Taliban took power on Aug. 15 when the Afghan army didn't put up a fight as the last U.S. troops were withdrawing from the country after 20 years of war.

The credentials of Myanmars current ambassador, from the countrys ousted democratic government, are being challenged by the military junta, but U.N. officials say the General Assemblys Credentials Committee wont meet to hear the challenge until after the week's meetings conclude. And the Taliban havent yet submitted a letter challenging the credentials of the previous governments ambassador.

Among those delivering prerecorded statements this year will be the presidents of Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. French President Emmanuel Macron was supposed to deliver a pre-recorded statement, but the government said Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will now deliver the countrys address in person on the final day.

France and China have reacted angrily to the surprise announcement by Biden, alongside the leaders of Australia and Britain, of a deal to provide Australia with at least eight nuclear-powered submarines. Australia had signed a contract worth at least $66 billion for a dozen French conventional diesel-electric submarines and their construction was already under way.

France, the United States' oldest ally, responded by recalling its ambassadors from the U.S. and Australia on Friday, and the dispute's implications for Asian and global security are certain to be hot topics in private meetings this week.

The action begins Monday morning when the secretary-general brings world leaders and the global pop sensation band BTS together to put a spotlight on the 17 U.N. goals for 2030 ranging from ending poverty and protecting the planet to achieving gender equality, providing every child a quality education and ensuring healthy lives for all people.

An hour later, some 40 world leaders will attend a closed meeting on climate change co-chaired by Guterres and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the run-up to Novembers major climate event in Glasgow, Scotland.

We need urgent progress on cash, cars, coal and trees, said Britains U.N. ambassador, Barbara Woodward. That means raising $100 billion to help vulnerable countries deal with climate change and getting ambitious plans from countries on cutting emissions, she said.

Louis Charbonneau, U.N. director for Human Rights Watch, said world leaders must address human rights crises as well.

They should be clear that there can be no business as usual with serious rights abusers and support U.N. action that will impose real costs, he said. Abusive leaders around the globe need to know that that the world is watching, and that they may one day be held to account for grave violations."

___

Edith M. Lederer, chief U.N. correspondent for The Associated Press, has been reporting internationally for nearly 50 years. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EdithLedererAP
AUBURN, Ala. (AP)  Auburn University plans to hold a town hall on sexual assault following a trio of recent reported cases that prompted a protest by dozens of students and advocates.

Representatives from campus security, student affairs, the Auburn Police Division and other offices will be on hand for the event, set for Wednesday, the Opelika-Auburn News reported.
BOSTON (AP)  A bill that would scrap the MCAS test as a graduation requirement in Massachusetts is the subject of a virtual public hearing at the Statehouse on Monday.

The bill would replace the standardized test with what supporters describe as a broader and democratically determined framework to measure school quality, along with more authentic forms of demonstrating student achievement.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  South Carolina's capital city will not allow people to carry guns in the open during protests, festivals or other events that need a city permit.

The resolution passed unanimously earlier this month by the Columbia City Council also bans the open carrying of guns in city-owned buildings without written permission from the city manager, The State newspaper reported,
CAIRO (AP)  Forces loyal to a powerful Libyan commander said two military planes crashed on Sunday over a village in eastern Libya, killing at least two officers.

The self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces, led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter, said the helicopters collided in the air over the village of Msus, 130 kilometers (81 miles) southeast of the city of Benghazi.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has removed three Superfund sites in Bloomington from an agency priority list, saying cleanup work at the PCB-tainted sites is now complete.

The EPA said monitoring will continue at the three sites, which were contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. The EPA says those toxic industrial chemicals can damage the nervous and reproductive systems and can cause cancer.
ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP)  Monique Jackson of New Orleans certainly has a story to tell her newborn son, Brooks Richard Jackson, about his birth.

Shell be able to tell him about it his entire life, said Dr. Barry Bieber, who delivered Brooks at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital on Sept. 2. That she had to go somewhere else to have him. We were certainly glad to help her out.

Jackson and her family, husband Kelly and daughter Olivia, 2, evacuated New Orleans late Saturday night on Aug. 28, the day before Hurricane Ida hit Southeast Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane.

I had a planned induction in New Orleans for Aug. 30, said Jackson from her sister Cortney Alstons home in Alexandria. And the storm was supposed to hit that day.

Because of the planned induction, she called her doctor to see what she should do. Should she stay in town since the storm was supposed to hit the day of her induction or should she risk evacuating?

This is my second pregnancy, said Jackson. And my first pregnancy, my daughter came early at 27 weeks. She was 2 pounds when she was delivered so she was premature.

Because of that, they also expected Brooks to come early. But Jackson made it to 39 weeks and was preparing for an induction.

Her doctor told her she could stay in New Orleans or evacuate and take the chance of having the baby in another city.

Had I stayed in New Orleans, I wasnt sure if I would be able to even get to the hospital because of the flooding around the hospital, she said. So there was a gamble of whether to stay and potentially risk having him in a home with no electricity and not being able to get to the hospital.

She asked the hospital if they would see her early and they told her no because they were canceling appointments in the obstetrics department due to the coming storm and they didnt know when they would be able to get her back in.

So I had decided to stay in New Orleans and we were going to bunker down and just kind of take it and see what happens, Jackson said. And hope that it cleared and I was able to get in by Tuesday or Wednesday for the induction.

But at the last minute, on the Saturday night before Hurricane Ida hit, she and her husband decided it would be in their best interest to evacuate to Alexandria, where Jackson is originally from, and pray that the storm didnt come this way.

We left at about 10:30 at night and got here about 2:30 in the morning, she said. And then the storm came and luckily Alexandria was in the clear.

After the storm, Jackson started calling around town looking for a doctor. Since she was so far along, some doctors didnt want to take her on as a patient.

Then, she found Dr. Bieber who came recommended by colleagues of her doctor and who had also delivered babies for three of her sisters.

I reached out to his office, and prayerfully he saw me. And they planned my induction for that day  Sept. 2, said Jackson. So I went into Cabrini, got induced and my baby was delivered. And hes healthy and were still in Alexandria.

It was a really special experience for us because anytime we are able to help someone out, I think myself and the nurses who were able to take care of her, probably got almost as much joy out of her birth as she did because it was such a nice time and we just felt so honored to be able to help her out, said Dr. Bieber.

When he and his staff found out about her situation, they told her they would be happy to take care of her.

We helped out a lot of people in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina came through. So this was something that we knew we were probably going to have the opportunity to help, he said. And while were not first responders on the scene in New Orleans helping out down there, we were able to do our part here locally.

Originally the Jacksons planned on going to Houston.

I knew the hospitals there were great and reputable and it was more likely that it would hit Alexandria than Houston, said Jackson referring to Hurricane Ida.

But because of the evacuation, commute times were measuring about 11 1/2-12 hours.

I have a 2-year-old and a Doberman, and its me and my husband, she said. And I was 39 weeks pregnant so sitting in a car for 12 hours was just not ideal. So we took the shorter route to Alexandria and just hoped and prayed and it missed Alexandria. So we got lucky here.

Having Brooks in Alexandria where she has family proved to be a pleasant experience for everyone.

Brooks was born weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces and 21 inches long. He was healthy and got to go home, though it was to his aunts home where the Jacksons stayed in two rooms belonging to her nephews.

Alston rounded up some friends on Facebook and they donated items such as diapers, a bassinet, a baby bathtub and other essential items.

I think having her here and my family and friends around us to help make it feel like home has been tremendously helpful, said Jackson.

Especially for my 2-year-old whos had family and cousins to distract her so she didnt feel totally like her world was rocked by bringing home a new baby in addition to being displaced from her home.

Olivia is taking it to being a big sister like a champ.

Shes excited to have a new baby brother and we are, too, said Jackson. We are happy that hes here.

Having her family close by while she gave birth turned out to be a silver lining for the Jacksons because their family wouldnt have been able to travel to New Orleans because of COVID.

It would have been just a little bit more difficult for them to meet him and welcome him into this world, she said.

On Sept. 10, the Jacksons returned to New Orleans with their newest addition.

He was born at 39 weeks so we made it full term for him, said Jackson. Thank God, because my first baby spent 73 days in the NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) and that would have been a long stay for us in Alexandria had he had to stay in NICU.

Their house has electricity and is in good condition despite having some minor damage but there is no flooding.

Dr. Bieber said he hoped that Jacksons experience here would have been similar to the one she would have had in New Orleans.

He was a beautiful boy, he said. The parents were just as nice as they could be. They just seemed to take it all in stride. They really seemed to adjust well. He was just a healthy boy. He was no worse for the wear, I think.

The one great thing about Central Louisiana is the location, said Bieber.

When people on the coast have difficulties with storms and so forth, were able to help them, he said. We did it a lot in 2005. We did some last year. Its kind of our mission to be able to help.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Former U.S. Rep. James Bilbray, a Democrat from Nevada who served four terms in Congress, has died, state officials said Sunday. He was 83.

The cause of death wasnt immediately released.

Nevada lost a giant, Gov. Steve Sisolak said in a tweet. Jim Bilbray was a good friend, who I respected and loved. Through his years of public service to the state, I know his legacy will live on.

Bilbray was born in Nevada in 1938 and attended UNLV although he received his undergraduate degree from American University in Washington and got his law degree from the Washington College of Law in 1964.

He was first admitted to the Nevada Bar in 1965 and was elected in 1980 to the Nevada state Senate where he served for six years.

Bilbray was elected to Congress in 1986 from Nevadas 1st District, replacing Harry Reid who had been elected to the U.S. Senate.

Bilbray was defeated in his 1994 reelection bid for a fifth term.

Funeral plans and a complete list of Bilbrays survivors werent immediately available Sunday.
MONTGOMERY, Vt. (AP)  Four new roadside markers have been installed to help tell the history of the northern Vermont town of Montgomery.

Three markers have been placed near covered bridges in the community that is sometimes known as the covered bridge capital of Vermont," the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation said.
THOMSON, Ga. (AP)  A 98-year-old World War II veteran who took part in the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge and witnessed the German surrender during the war has been honored by France.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Louis Graziano was given the French Legion of Honor during a ceremony on Friday in Thomson, Georgia, where he lives. The honor has been given to many American World War II veterans as recognition for the role they played in liberating France from German occupation.

Hundreds of friends and family gathered for the ceremony which was held at the First United Methodist Church Family Life Center.

France is what it is today, a free and sovereign country, thanks to the bravery of such veterans and thanks to America, said Vincent Hommeril, consul general of France in Atlanta, according to the newspaper. You are a true hero. Your example is an inspiration for the future and your legacy provides a moral compass for generations to come.

Graziano was born in 1923 to Italian immigrant parents in East Aurora, New York. He was working at his sister's beauty parlor as a hairstylist in 1943 when he was drafted by the army. In 1944, he took part in the June 6 invasion of Normandy.

In a video interview with the American Veterans Center and posted Youtube, Graziano described how he came ashore in the third wave of American troops on Omaha Beach.

I drove a gasoline truck ... onto the beach and I jumped out of it real quick and got my guns and flame thrower," Graziano said. He laid down on the ground of the beach there with the dead soldiers.

As German gunfire rained down, he crawled over to the cliffs. Using his flamethrower he shot up the cliff to take out a machine gun. After D-Day, Graziano took part in weeks of fighting across Normandy and months later took part in the Battle of the Bulge, where he nearly lost his feet to frostbite.

He later became the utilities foreman for the 102nd Infantry Field Artillery Battalion, Special Headquarters Command in Reims, according to a blog on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

As part of his job he was responsible for all American-occupied buildings in Reims, including the Little Red Schoolhouse where the Germans signed the surrender documents. After witnessing the signing of the surrender documents, Graziano took the Germans to another room to meet Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Graziano said during the video interview that he was honored to witness the surrender, and thought of the men who had fought and died to bring about the victory.

Graziano also met his future wife, Eula Bobbie Shaneyfelt, while he was in Reims. She was a staff sergeant in the Women's Army Corps. The pair eventually moved back to the United States, where they raised five children, and Graziano opened his own hair parlor in Thomson. His wife passed away in 2007. Graziano has also written a book about his experiences titled A Patriot's Memoirs of World War II."
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  At Oregons Capitol hundreds gathered to protest Gov. Kate Browns COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates.

The Statesman Journal reports that on Saturday people at the rally lined both sides of Court Street in front of the Capitol building, and filled the first block of the mall during about two hours of speeches, then marched through downtown Salem during the peaceful event.

Protesters identified themselves as health care workers, teachers, emergency services workers and state employees.

Gov. Kate Brown has ordered those groups to be vaccinated by Oct. 18. She ordered a statewide outdoor mask mandate on Aug. 24.

Apparently Im not essential anymore. On Oct. 18, Gov. Kate Browns going to take my job, said Adam Cunningham, an instructor at the Oregon State Police Academy. Ill be terminated because I refuse to give her and the state information about my personally held religious beliefs and my medical history.

Luke Yamaguchi, is a functional nutritionist who works in Albany, said: It should go without saying that mandated medicine has no place in a free country.

The rally was organized by Oregonians for Medical Freedom, a political action committee that works to protect vaccine exemptions.
RINGGOLD, Va. (AP)  Authorities in Virginia are investigating the fatal shooting of a juvenile at a county fair.

The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office said the shooting happened Saturday night at the Danville-Pittsylvania County Fair.

The Danville Register & Bee reports that the sheriffs office is withholding the identity of the victim.

Authorities did not disclose exactly where the shooting occurred, only that it happened at the fairgrounds in Ringgold. A news release also did not provide an exact time of the incident.

A post on the fairs Facebook page said a fight broke out in the parking lot and ended in a young man losing his life to a senseless act of gun violence.

We are deeply saddened by last nights events, and our prayers go out to the young mans family, the post read.

The shooting wont impact the fair's schedule this week, organizers said. It is scheduled to run through Saturday.

It has always been and always will be our goal with the fair to bring joy, happiness, love and laughter to Danville, Pittsylvania County and surrounding communities, organizers said.

Investigators did not provide any details on a possible suspect. Pittsylvania County Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
CANNONSBURG, Ky. (AP)  Rachel Blevins has just begun her sophomore year at Boyd County High School, but she has already had an experiment sent to the International Space Station.

Blevinss mom found out about a space camp in Lexington that happened to be during fall break in 2019. She knew her daughter loved space and learning about the subject.

Blevins headed to Lexington for a couple days where she designed a project or experiment that could possibly be sent to space. She worked with two girls from Lexington and two boys from North Carolina to think out the idea that would be presented to Michelle Lucas.

Lucas has more than a decade of experience working with NASA. She is also the founder and president of Higher Orbits, which operated the Go For Launch! program in which Blevins took part.

After the two days in Lexington, Blevins and her group were chosen as the local level winners. In the end, the group would compete nationally against six groups and come out on top. Blevins recalled watching a Facebook Live video and finding out her project would be going to space.

Blevins and her group looked at termites and microgravity. Blevins confidently explained that termites are a significant producer of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. The creature produce approximately 44 billion pounds of atmospheric methane annually, she shared, adding that is a reason for climate change.

So we wanted to send termites up into space and see their methane levels and their behavior, Blevins said.

The project was launched in October 2020, after being delayed from a spring launch due to COVID-19. In 2020, the experiment left earths orbit, but the payload card, or data card, broke and the astronauts were unable to complete the experiment as no data was available.

However, this technical difficulty led to Blevins being able to travel to the Kennedy Space Center for a relaunch.

I got to go to the Kennedy Space Center and do a presentation about my experiment, she said. I was fortunate enough to go and see the Space X Dragon launch at the Kennedy Space Center.

Blevins has experienced the unforgettable.

It was amazing, she said. Just to be there and to be of some importance. It was an amazing experience just to be able to see a rocket got up to space, that had my experiment on it. I was so proud of myself.

Blevins mom, Kara, was also incredibly proud of her daughter.

It costs about $55,000 to launch one of these experiments into space, so it was very exciting and quite an honor, said Kara. She gave presentations, spoke in front of lots of people and gave her presentation from one of the other girls from Lexington and answered questions about their project and more specific things. Its kind of a cool opportunity that she had and was given, and an honor for Boyd County High School.

The high schooler has received word on the results of the experiment, which made its way to the International Space Station this summer. After the 30 day experiment it was found that the termites behavior did change.

Whenever the termites died, they would either crawl in a corner or the other termites would bring them to that corner because whenever they were deconstructing the box, they found a bunch of termite dust in that one corner, Blevins explained.

The road toward space doesnt stop with this experiment for Blevins. She hopes to pursue the subject more as she finished high school and looks for a career.

I would love to pursue space, but I dont necessarily know what I want to do yet, because space is such a broad spectrum, said Blevins.

She could be a NASA trainer, and aeronautical engineer, she could work at NASA or Space X or Blue Origins, she listed.

Theres so many opportunities, she said. Theres so many jobs, its really hard to choose one. Ive got a little bit of time to figure out what I want to do.

She has just under three years left of high school before she officially starts to navigate choosing a college major and finding a specific career path. Her space studies arent waiting that long.

Blevins will head off to Huntsville, Alabama, where the Marshall Space Center is located, and will attend a week long space camp at the University of Alabama that is attended by students from around the world.

Im really excited about that, said Blevins. I get to learn about space and engineering. Im really excited. Im really excited.

Her excitement is rooted in the discovery and unknown that space has and the expanse of it all.

Its mind-blowing how big everything is, she passionately stated. I cant even wrap my head around how big the sun is and to think about how big the universe is, its mind-boggling. It blows my mind and its a mystery that I just want to pursue.

The mystery and the unknown keeps Blevins coming back for more.

We dont even know about the planets and these other galaxies, these billions of galaxies, the mystery of life, we dont know whats out there and what God has created. Thats what keeps me going about space is the mystery of it, said Blevins.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A Missouri man was convicted of several felonies after the woman he shot in the head testified against him.

The Jackson County Prosecutors Office said Saturday that Louis Watts was found guilty Friday of first-degree domestic assault, unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree burglary, stealing and two counts of armed criminal action
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  The New Mexico Ethics Commission has dismissed a complaint against a state lawmaker that accused him of violating the Governmental Conduct Act.

In its ruling, the commission said the allegations of misconduct lacked factual support.
DURHAM, N.C. (AP)  A North Carolina firefighter has died after battling COVID-19 for more than a month.

The Durham Fire Department announced the death of 45-year-old Jeremy Klemm in a Facebook post Sunday morning. The 15-year employee died late Saturday.

He will be missed greatly, the fire department said in its Facebook posting.

Klemm began his career with the Durham Fire Department on Feb. 27, 2006, after graduating from Fire Academy 19. He was promoted to fire driver on Jan. 2, 2020, and was last assigned to the Engine 8 A-Shift.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  New Mexicos film industry has come roaring back to life this year and it has so far managed to avoid significant COVID-19 outbreaks.

Many credit the stringent protocols put in place by the industry, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

Film and TV productions in New Mexico got the green light to resume in September 2020.

According to the New Mexico Film Office, from Sept. 1, 2020, through Sept. 1, 2021, there have been 176,598 COVID tests administered throughout the various productions. Of those, 183 were positive.

This is a testament to the film industry as they want to mitigate and remain safe, said Amber Dodson, New Mexico Film Office director. There have been less than eight productions that have paused for their own safety during the last year.

As of Aug. 31, there were 18 film and 24 TV productions in various phases currently in the state.

When the film industry paused in March 2020, leaders spent months developing protocols that would be put in place when it resumed.

In June 2020, the White Paper was created by a Task Force of the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee describing health and safety guidelines to resume film and TV production.

It outlines protective measures to be used, including regular screening, diagnostic testing, use of personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting work sites and appropriate response should an employee contract COVID-19 or be exposed to it.

The New Mexico Film Office also created Back2One, which promotes increasingly safe and healthy work practices and workplaces for the film/TV community, specifically in regard to the spread of infectious diseases. It also ushers in a smart and safe return to production and help ensure sustained success.

Dodson said one example of a protocol put in place for a New Mexico production is that each production has to give the Film Office its test results and if someone tests positive, the state has to be notified within four hours.

Heather Shreckengost is a health and safety manager for Tareco S/4 and works daily to ensure that productions are following the rules.

The studios are the ones who write and develop the protocols, Shreckengost said. They do vary by production. My main role is to ensure that all on set are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) properly.

Being on set has changed in the last year.

When the cameras are rolling, masks dont have to be worn, Shreckengost explains.

Once filming stops, the masks have to come back on, she said. Everyone also has to maintain a safe distance of at least 6 feet. It can be difficult with small shooting locations, but thats when size limitations are put into effect.

Shreckengosts job varies from day to day, though the one constant is ensuring everyones safety on set.

I have to make sure we have enough PPE, as well as training anyone on set with how to properly wear a mask, she said. I order specialty items such as commercial grade air purifiers. As we move locations, the logistics have to be done in advance before anyone starts filming.

Dodson said COVID-19 has changed the way productions operate.

She said most days are shorter because testing takes up more time.

Ive actually heard from producers that because of COVID, its made for longer production schedules, Dodson said. Each production is hiring extra staff. Productions are shooting for more days.

Dodson also credits the film industrys ability to pivot quickly for its success in having a low transmission rate.

Productions are nimble and efficient, Dodson said. It serves each production well to be as safe and as stringent as possible. They dont want to miss a single moment of their time because it costs money to shut down a production.

Shreckengost also keeps track of the COVID variants that pop up in the state.

We do adjust to keep everyone safe, she said. We have to treat everyone as if they are an exposure risk. If we get shut down, it costs productions a lot of money. Then theres the health aspect of it too. It helps to have a team that is committed to implement and execute the protocols.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)  Police in Kansas City, Kansas, are investigating a fatal shooting.

The shooting was reported shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday. Kansas City Kansas Police spokesman Tom Tomasic said the shooting was reported near North 3rd Street and Richmond Avenue.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  The Sacramento Police Department has made public video footage Saturday from a police shooting at a home last week that left a man dead..

Officers were called out at 8:15 p.m. Sept. 6 to a home across the street from Hiram Johnson High School, initially for a welfare check, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Police shot and killed Derek Pearson, 53, about 5:10 a.m. Sept. 7, after several hours spent negotiating with him while he was barricaded inside the home.

The department released audio from a 911 call to police dispatchers requesting a welfare check on Pearson, the Bee reported.

Just have received some very strange messages, some disturbing messages, so I was hoping someone could check on this person, the caller told dispatchers.

Department officials said in a narrated and pre-edited video release that officers were investigating another report of threats that potentially involved Pearson around the same time the 911 call was made, the Bee reported.

Bodycam footage from an officer approaching the home shows Pearson identifying himself and telling police to leave.

You are not welcome here. Please leave, he said. Pearson also expressed fears that someone was trying to kill him, and asked for protection.

The officers backed away with their pistols drawn moments later, saying that Pearson was seen racking a rifle inside and pointing it at them, the Bee reported.

Crisis negotiation and SWAT teams were called out to the home and made contact with Pearson several times via phone.

Police footage shows officers taking cover in armored vehicles as shots ring out in the early-morning hours of Sept. 7, the Bee reported. An officer had been asking over a loudspeaker for him to come out peacefully when the shooting broke out.

About 5:10 a.m. Sept. 7, Pearson came out of the home nearly 9 hours after the welfare check was requested.

Video from an armored vehicle shows Pearson coming out through a garage, holding what appears to be a rifle, the Bee reported. As he lifts it up and points it toward police, officers unleash a volley of bullets. Pearson falls to the floor.

The Police Department said that three officers opened fire and Pearson was hit at least once. Officers attempted first aid but he was pronounced dead by fire personnel.

No officers or any other people were injured, police told the Bee.

The officer-involved shooting is being investigated by the police department.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP)  As Arizona's biggest hospitals fill up with COVID-19 cases, physicians in some of the state's smaller or more rural communities fear it's their patients who need specialty care who will pay the ultimate price.

From Bisbee up to Flagstaff, smaller hospitals are trying to maintain the delicate balance of caring for patients without having to transfer them to major hospitals in Tucson or Phoenix. The state's largest health care providers have been deluged with virus-infected patients  most of whom are unvaccinated  as well as patients who put off care during the early months of the pandemic. The inability to find a bed has left smaller facilities such as Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital in Green Valley frustrated.

A Tucson gastroenterologist drove to Green Valley last week to operate on a patient who couldn't be transferred anywhere in the state to get the surgery. The hospital has filed a complaint with the Arizona Department of Health Services about the inability to transfer, the Arizona Daily Star reported.

We started calling the hospitals in Tucson and Phoenix, and every single one turned us down, said Stephen Harris, CEO of Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital, told the newspaper. The patient lived only because this doctor was nice enough, was human enough to save his life.

Harris said there's no quick way to find out if hospitals are full. Staff have to spend a lot of time just making phone call after phone call.

In Cochise County, Dr. Cristian Laguillo, a senior physician with Copper Queen Community Hospital in Bisbee, said he has never felt this helpless trying to assist patients  even while serving a tour in Afghanistan as a combat medic.

A patient who needed cardiothoracic and pulmonary expertise and surgery last weekend died before Laguillo could find an ICU bed in an appropriate hospital.

I did everything I could to save him," Laguillo said.

Dr. Julia Brown, director of emergency services at the Bisbee hospital, couldn't find transfer beds available in Tucson over the last week.

Dr. Heidi L. Lodge, chief of staff and director of the Douglas Clinic, had three patients recently die because they couldn't get to a facility with more specialized care in time. She expects to see more instances of this.

We understand the need to ration care in the times of a pandemic, but currently care is being rationed in favor of COVID patients by using the (surge) line. The line has proven invaluable to us, but we need to be able to use this asset for all patients requiring a higher level of care," Lodge said.

The surge line in Arizona was created in April 2020 by the state Department of Health Services to facilitate transfers of COVID-19 patients across the state. But it's meant to be used to track down beds for COVID-19 patients.

Laguillo thinks the state surge line has to change to be for all patients in critical need, not just virus patients.

We need the same type of service now more than ever for every patient, not just the COVID patients, he said.

Northern Arizona Healthcare, the provider that serves 700,000 people in Arizona's high country, is limiting the volume of booked surgeries so nobody will have to be transferred, according to Josh Tinkle, chief operating officer. During a briefing Wednesday, Tinkle said Northern Arizona Healthcare is fortunate to be able to provide several surgery specialties.

The big challenge across the state, everywhere is just full. You cant really transfer anybody unless youre on a waiting list and you really need to, Tinkle said.

Officials at nearly all of Tucson's hospitals say they can receive patients. But none provided information on whether they have had to decline patient transfers recently, the Daily Star reported.

We accept transfers from in and out of the Tucson area when we have the space and staff to accommodate them, said Becky Armendariz, a spokeswoman for Banner Health. This has been our practice throughout the pandemic, and it has continued.

The inability to accept patient transfers is a crisis nationally. Washington state is facing its own COVID-19 crisis and has little capacity to help neighboring Idaho deal with an overwhelming surge of cases driven by unvaccinated people, according to state hospital executives and doctors there.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Senators are asking the public to submit proposed maps on new districts in South Carolina based on the 2020 U.S. Census as a special House committee wraps up a series of public meetings on redistricting across the state.

Lawmakers are using the Census data to draw maps for the 46 state Senate districts, 124 state House districts and seven U.S. House districts.

A Senate subcommittee on Friday approved criteria for drawing the districts, turning aside proposals from Sen. Dick Harpootlian to make districts as equal in population as possible instead of within 5% and to make protecting incumbents the least important priority.

"Whether we get back or not is up to how we represent our constituency, not how we drew our districts," the Columbia Democrat said before his proposals failed to come up for a vote Friday.

The Senate called a special session starting Oct. 12 to deal in part with redistricting, but Senate Judiciary Chairman Luke Rankin told the subcommittee members the full maps might not be ready by then. The subcommittee set an Oct. 8 deadline for maps submitted by the public.

The House is still hearing from the public about what they should emphasize when drawing districts.

A House ad-hoc committee will hold its last three meetings outside Columbia this week. The committee has five Republicans and three Democrats.

This weeks House hearings are Monday at the Aiken Tech Amphitheater in Graniteville; Tuesday at Piedmont Tech's Medford Center in Greenwood; and Wednesday at Orangeburg Tech's Roquemore Auditorium in Orangeburg. All meetings start at 6 p.m.

A similar Senate subcommittee already held 10 hearings across the state.

The two chambers usually dont alter the other chambers map. Both chambers will work together on the U.S. House map.

The House has not indicated when it may hold a redistricting special session.

South Carolina added nearly 500,000 people from 2010 to 2020 to become the 23rd largest state in the U.S. with 5.1 million people, according to the Census.

Much of that growth was along the coast and the suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina. Twenty-four of South Carolinas 46 counties lost population, mostly in rural areas.
SIOUX FALLS, SD. (AP)  Authorities say a Sioux Falls man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after he was convicted for dealing large quantities of methamphetamine.

Christopher Walker, 50, was indicted by a federal grand jury in January on a charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. He pleaded guilty in June.
AMMAN (AP)  Syrias defense minister met on Sunday with Jordan's army chief in Amman, the Jordanian capital, after Syrian troops captured several rebel-held areas near Jordans border, state media reported.

The Hala Akhbar news site, which is linked to Jordans military, reported that the meeting between Jordanian Gen. Yousef Huneiti and Syrian Gen. Ali Ayoub was to increase coordination in the field of border security to serve the interests of the two brotherly countries.

The recent push by Syrian troops in the countrys south is the biggest since government forces captured wide areas along the border in 2018, including the Nassib border crossing.

The crossing with Jordan was reopened in 2018, months after it fell under Syrian government control. Syrian rebels had seized the site in 2015, severing a lifeline for the government in Damascus and disrupting a major trade route linking Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and the oil-rich Gulf countries.

Ayoubs visit came nearly two weeks after Syrian forces entered the rebel-held district of the volatile southern city of Daraa as part of a truce negotiated by Russia to end weeks of fighting. In the days that followed, Syrian troops captured rebel-held parts of several villages near Daraa.

The latest push by Syrian troops brings all parts of southern Syria under full government control.

Petra, Jordans state news agency, said Huneiti and Ayoub discussed border security, the situation in southern Syria, fighting terrorism and confronting narcotics smuggling.

Syrian state TV said the visit came at the invitation of Jordans army commander, adding that Ayoub was accompanied by top army officers. It said the talks focused on fighting terrorism and border control.

Jordan is a close Western ally and has long been seen as an island of stability in the turbulent Mideast. The kingdom hosts more than 650,000 Syrian refugees.

Earlier this month, ministers from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt said after meeting in Amman that Egyptian natural gas should reach Lebanon through Jordan and Syria as soon as next month, after maintenance of pipelines and the review of a deal interrupted 10 years ago.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  Female employees in the Kabul city government have been told to stay home, with work only allowed for those who cannot be replaced by men, the interim mayor of Afghanistan's capital said Sunday, detailing the latest restrictions on women by the new Taliban rulers.

Witnesses, meanwhile, said an explosion targeted a Taliban vehicle in the eastern provincial city of Jalalabad, and hospital officials said five people were killed in the second such deadly blast in as many days in the Islamic State stronghold.

The decision to prevent most female city workers from returning to their jobs is another sign that the Taliban, who overran Kabul last month, are enforcing their harsh interpretation of Islam despite initial promises by some that they would be tolerant and inclusive. In their previous rule in the 1990s, the Taliban had barred girls and women from schools, jobs and public life.

In recent days, the new Taliban government issued several decrees rolling back the rights of girls and women. It told female middle- and high school students that they could not return to school for the time being, while boys in those grades resumed studies this weekend. Female university students were informed that studies would take place in gender-segregated settings from now on, and that they must abide by a strict Islamic dress code. Under the U.S.-backed government deposed by the Taliban, university studies had been co-ed, for the most part.

On Friday, the Taliban shut down the Women's Affairs Ministry, replacing it with a ministry for the propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice" and tasked with enforcing Islamic law.

On Sunday, just over a dozen women staged a protest outside the ministry, holding up signs calling for the participation of women in public life. A society in which women are not active is (sic) dead society," one sign read.

The protest lasted for about 10 minutes. After a short verbal confrontation with a man, the women got into cars and left, as Taliban in two cars observed from nearby. Over the past months, Taliban fighters had broken up several womens protests by force.

Elsewhere, about 30 women, many of them young, held a news conference in a basement of a home tucked away in a Kabul neighborhood. Marzia Ahmadi, a rights activist and government employee now forced to sit at home, said they would demand the Taliban re-open public spaces to women.

Its our right, she said. We want to talk to them. We want to tell them that we have the same rights as they have."

Most of the participants said they would try to leave the country if they had an opportunity.

The explosion Sunday in Jalalabad was the second attack in two days to target the Taliban in the Islamic State group stronghold. The Taliban and IS extremists are enemies and fought each other even before the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan last month.

Hospital officials in Jalalabad said they received the bodies of five people killed in the explosion. Among the dead were two civilians, including a child, and three others who according to witnesses were in a targeted border police vehicle and were believed to be Taliban.

The Taliban were not immediately available for comment about possible casualties among their ranks.

On Saturday, three explosions targeted Taliban vehicles in Jalalabad, killing three people and wounding 20, witnesses said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

With the Taliban facing major economic and security problems as they attempt to govern, a growing challenge by IS militants would further stretch their resources.

Also on Sunday, interim Kabul Mayor Hamdullah Namony gave his first news conference since being appointed by the Taliban.

He said that before the Taliban takeover last month, just under one-third of close to 3,000 city employees were women, and that they had worked in all departments.

Namony said the female employees have been ordered to stay home, pending a further decision. He said exceptions were made for women who could not be replaced by men, including some in the design and engineering departments and the attendants of public toilets for women. Namony did not say how many female employees were forced to stay home.

There are some areas that men cant do it, we have to ask our female staff to fulfill their duties, there is no alternative for it, he said.

Across Afghanistan, women in many areas have been told to stay home from jobs, both in the public and private sectors. However, the Taliban have not yet announced a uniform policy. The comments by the Kabul mayor were unusually specific and affected a large female work force that had been involved in running a sprawling city of more than 5 million people.

Namony also said the new government has begun removing security barriers in Kabul, a city that has endured frequent bombing and shooting attacks over the years. Such barriers  erected near ministries, embassies and private homes of politicians and warlords  had been commonplace in Kabul for years.

The mayor said private citizens would be charged for the work of taking down the barriers. While he said most barriers had been removed, reporters touring the city noted that barriers outside most government installations and embassies had been left in place.

The Taliban have tried to present themselves as guarantors of security, in hopes that this will win them support from a public still widely suspicious of their intentions. Under the previous government, a rise in crime had been a major concern for ordinary Afghans.

Perhaps the toughest challenge faced by the new Taliban rulers is the accelerated economic downturn. Even before the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan was plagued by major problems, including large-scale poverty, drought and heavy reliance on foreign aid for the state budget.

In a sign of growing desperation, street markets have sprung up in Kabul where residents are selling their belongings. Some of the sellers are Afghans hoping to leave the country, while others are forced to offer their meager belongings in hopes of getting money for the next meal.

Our people need help, they need jobs, they need immediate help, they are not selling their household belongings for choice here, said Kabul resident Zahid Ismail Khan, who was watching the activity in one of the impromptu markets.

For a short-term people might try to find a way to live, but they would have no other choice to turn to begging in a longer term, he said.

___

Associated Press writer Rahim Faiez in Istanbul contributed.
TORONTO (AP)  On the final campaign day of a tight election battle, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned that his Conservative opponents would weaken the nation's battle against the pandemic and said Canadians need a government that follows science.

Polls indicate Trudeaus Liberal Party is in a close race with the rival Conservatives and that it is unlikely on Monday to get the outright majority needed to govern without relying on an opposition party to remain in power.

We do not need a Conservative government that wont be able to show the leadership of vaccinations and on science that we need to end this, Trudeau said at a campaign stop in Montreal on Sunday.

Conservative leader Erin OToole has refused to say how many of his party's candidates are unvaccinated and Trudeau has been reminding Canadians of that at every opportunity.

OToole has described candidates' vaccine choice as a personal health decision, but a growing number of vaccinated Canadians are becoming increasingly upset with those who refuse to get vaccinated.

Trudeau supports making vaccines mandatory for Canadians to travel by air or rail, something the Conservatives oppose. And Trudeau has pointed out that Alberta, run by a Conservative provincial government, is in crisis.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, an ally of OToole, said the province might run out of beds and staff for intensive care units within days. Kenney has apologized for the dire situation and is now reluctantly introducing a vaccine passport and imposing a mandatory work-from-home order two months after lifting nearly all restrictions.

Trudeau gambled and called an early election to capitalize on his governments handling of the pandemic. But the opposition has been relentless in accusing him of calling it for his own personal ambition.

This pandemic election is vain, risky and selfish, OToole said at a campaign stop in Ontario on Saturday.

A Conservative victory would represent a rebuke of Trudeau, whose opponent has a fraction of his name recognition. OToole, 47, is a military veteran, former lawyer and a member of Parliament for nine years.

The 49-year-old Trudeau channeled the star power of his father, the Liberal icon and late prime minister Pierre Trudeau, when he won in 2015, but a combination of high expectations, overexposure and scandal have contributed to fatigue.

A Liberal majority is possible but its not the most likely scenario," said Daniel Beland a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. It is clear that the issue of vaccination mandates has allowed the Liberals to score points against the Conservatives, who keep emphasizing personal freedom."
SANAA, Yemen (AP)  The United Nations, the United States and the United Kingdom on Sunday condemned the executions of nine Yemenis by the countrys Houthi rebels over allegations that they were involved in the killing of a senior Houthi official in an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition more than three years ago.

The Iranian-backed Houthis on Saturday publicity executed the nine by firing squad. Hundreds of people, mostly Houthis and their supporters, attended the execution in Tahrir Square in the rebel-held capital of Sanaa.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the trial in which the nine were convicted and sentenced to death did not meet the requirements of fair trial and due process," according to a statement from Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the U.N. chief.

Dujarric said the secretary general deeply regrets the executions, which caused outrage across Yemen including in Sanaa, where people usually refrain from criticizing the Houthis for fear of reprisals.

Rebel leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthis Supreme Revolutionary Council, tweeted that they have rejected the U.N.s challenge to the rebel-controlled judiciary.

The nine were among more than 60 people the Houthis accused of involvement in the targeted killing of Saleh al-Samad in April 2018. They were charged with spying for the Saudi-led coalition, which has been waging war against the rebels for years in an effort to bring back Yemens internationally recognized government to power.

Al-Samad, who held the post of president in the Houthi-backed political body, was killed along with six companions in an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition in the coastal city of Hodeida.

The U.S.s top diplomat in Yemen, Cathy Westley, called the trial sham after years of torture and abuse of the executed people.

This outrageous action is another example of the Houthi indifference to basic human rights ... This barbarism must end, Westley said in a message posted on the embassys Twitter account.

The British Embassy in Yemen also condemned the brutal Houthi execution," which showed blatant disregard" for a fair trial and due process.

The nine, including a 17-year-old boy, were arrested months after al-Samads killing. They were held for months in undisclosed places where they suffered inhumane treatment, according to Abdel-Majeed Sabra, a Yemeni lawyer representing one of the people executed.

The U.N. chief also condemned the killing of at least six people from the same family when a suspected airstrike by the by the Saudi-led coalition hit their vehicle Saturday in an area between the provinces of Shabwa and Bayda.

He urged Yemen's warring sides to stop fighting and encouraged the parties to engage with the U.N. in good faith and without preconditions to relaunch talks for a peaceful settlement to the conflict.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, when the Houthis swept across much of the north and seized Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile. The Saudi-led coalition entered the war the following year on the side of the government.

The stalemated conflict has killed more than 130,000 people and spawned the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.
For nearly all transgender or gender nonconforming people, correcting a well-intentioned person when they inadvertently use the wrong pronoun can be highly fraught. Bring it up and youre likely to derail a pleasant conversation. Let it go and youll probably brood about it all afternoon.

But when youre the first-ever high-ranking trans cleric of a major Christian denomination, tasked with caring for people whose level of familiarity with trans issues could fall anywhere, its much tougher.

For the Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer, who was installed on Sunday, Sept. 12, as the Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), and who uses they/them pronouns, progress has meant a sort of learning what not to hear.

Regardless of how people talk to me, as long as it was kind, it was OK, they say. Anytime I would correct pronouns when I was trying to talk pastorally to people, I was turning the subject from them to me, and then they feel like they need to apologize publicly  which draws even more attention to it.

Tact is one thing, but feeling the need to apologize for clearly stating your pronouns is a form of internalized transphobia, the bishop maintains. And they feel a responsibility to demonstrate how to right this wrong.

I have a trans child, for whom, if they isnt used, will be in tears for days, Rohrer says. That has given me the permission to be really public about it: Nope, youre going to use they, because if you screw up with me, Im going to have grace about it. Letting people know my pronouns and my name is great.

Not on every piece of stationery, they add, but enough that people can Google it.

Gareth Gooch Photography

In terms of identity and breaking barriers, its almost always difficult navigating the scrutiny that goes along with being the first anyone to do anything. And this isnt Rohrers first time. In 2017, they became the first transgender chaplain with the San Francisco Police Department, at a time when the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the cops had grown strained over scandals involving officers sending homophobic texts and the rising awareness of racist police violence. Rohrer believed their (voluntary) position was well-suited to bring about a more constructive atmosphere.

I really affirm the idea of being in the strategic place to critique all systems of power, those making the largest decisions, they say. What I learned from being in lots of different listening sessions, theres a full variety of LGBTQ+ folks in the Bay Area, and I saw that diversity of thinking around what people want in policing, what people thought safety was, what people thought was a crime.

At the request of unhoused LGBTQ+ youth, Rohrer helped put together a potluck with LGBTQ+ officers  some of whom had experienced homelessness themselves, and who attended out of uniform. Rohrer expected a grumpy conversation, but the officers listened for three hours, and by the end, some of the kids were asking for information on how to become cops.

Summing up that detente between representatives of two groups who are often at odds, Rohrer says, The progress of the world is dependent on every new generation believing that theyre right so strongly that it moves the world forward.

Such tensions are not as inflamed as they were even a year ago. But Rohrers installation as bishop comes as vast tracts of the Sierra Pacific Synods territory are on hair-trigger alert for destructive wildfires, which generate spiritual crises of their own. Rohrer sees the conflagrations as a source of trauma requiring specialized pastoral care  especially for first responders.

Every time a bell rings and they have to put on their uniform, they get this rush of adrenaline or cortisone to the brain, which is what happens when you give birth, they say over coffee at Judahlicious in the Outer Sunset, three days before their formal installation at Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill. The normal person has 11 critical incidents where they experience trauma in their life. For first responders, its over 300.

Gareth Gooch Photography

Firefighters are far likelier than the general population to develop cancer, Rohrer says, and thats before factoring in any carcinogens workers may inhale in the line of duty. This has been on the bishops mind a great deal as theyve embarked on a listening tour throughout fire-ravaged Northern California, in an effort to visit all 188 evangelical Lutheran congregations in the wide territory  everything from the Oregon border to Visalia, and east to Elko, Nevada  that their synod covers. The establishment of a Lutheran chaplaincy corps to assist with spiritual disaster relief is among their priorities as bishop, alongside ministering to the unhoused and to LGBTQ+ youth.

The tour, with 5,000 miles logged so far, has brought them to the more conservative quadrants of the state where one might expect a colder reaction to a transgender progressive from San Francisco, but Rohrer said they haven't found that to be the case.

My staff works really hard to make sure that when I visit places, they have a gender-neutral sign on the bathroom, and that people use they and them [pronouns], Rohrer says. Im kind of like, Dont force people to do that! But theyre like, We dont want you to die a death of a thousand paper cuts. We want you to not flinch when people are talking, so you can be prepared for the hard stuff. We want you to be good at this.

Rohrer was elected to their position, not appointed, so the welcoming reception makes sense to some extent. And as a denomination, the ELCA has officially committed to studying gender violence and its impacts since 2018. But the outpouring of warmth was still a surprise.

At almost every congregation we go to, someones like, Im here because I love my grandkid and I want my grandkid to know it, so Im going to love you a lot right now! Rohrer says. And thats the best. Thats what keeps people alive.

After growing up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, they moved to Berkeley, and their understanding of their own gender identity went hand-in-hand with the development of their call to service, Rohrer says. While northern Plains states arent known for their commitment to lefty values either, Rohrers next homecoming is the result of an official invitation.

It turns out South Dakota is the sister synod of the Sierra Pacific Synod, so my first trip as bishop will be to spend a week, they say. Theyre making me a distinguished alum. Im going to spend a week at my alma mater, Augustana, visiting religion classes and helping at worship.

Gareth Gooch Photography

The connotations of the word evangelical notwithstanding, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America is among the most progressive and ecumenical mainstream Protestant churches in the country, considerably more so than other Lutheran affiliations. Theologically, ELCA is also in full communion with the Episcopal Church, hence the ceremony at Grace Cathedral in the presence of numerous supporters and other clergy.

Calling that communion unity but not uniformity, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton  herself the first female presiding bishop of the entire ELCA  noted that Rohrers installation as bishop is one of seven in the next month, representing a new phase for the church in its call to aid the most marginal and disadvantaged.

Ive known them for many years, Marc Andrus, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California, said Saturday, adding that hes always been impressed with their commitment to justice at the ground level. They radiate joy and welcome.

To that end, Rohrers theology seems almost disarmingly simple, with comparatively few thou-shalt-nots.

For me, the list goes back to Jesus list: love your neighbor, love yourself, love God and care for your community. That doesnt mean I havent ever had moments of self-doubt or existential crises, they say. When I go to church, it is to remind me that God has named me and claimed me, not to chastise me for what I havent accomplished that week. ... Were all imperfect humans who mess it up every once in a while, but in our best moments, our Lutheran faith community is like cheerleaders: Live your full fabulousness.

Wise words, but hard won. Rohrer confesses to grappling with internalized transphobia when deliberating over what to wear on the job. Would their haircut and nonstandard uniform interfere with, or distract from, their ability to do pastoral work outside LGBTQ+ populations? (At Judahlicious, they sport a black velvet jacket and a large cross with an amethyst set in the center, as Welsh tradition holds that amethyst brings prudent judgment.)

Whether I come in sneakers and a T-shirt that says Bishop or the most formal French-cuff-version of bishop-wear, people are most interested in the fact that Im present with them and being authentic, they say.

Peter-Astrid Kane (they/them) is the communications manager for San Francisco Pride and a former editor of SF Weekly.
"According to the project implementing engineers, the progress of the work in the Bangladesh side is very slow. Only 50 per cent work on the Bangladesh side has been completed and there is no information when the remaining work on the other side of the border would be completed," Taranikanti told IANS.

Tripura government's Principal Secretary in-charge of the Transport Department Sriram Taranikanti said that the first phase work on the Indian (Tripura) side of the project would be completed this year and the second phase would be finished by June next year.

He said that after the completion of the Agartala (India)-Akhaura (Bangladesh) railway project Tripura and other northeastern states would not only be connected with the Bangladesh railway network, the region would be linked with the Chittagong international sea port of that country.

"Cost and time would be saved greatly in ferrying goods and heavy machinery between the northeast region and the rest of the country and abroad using the Bangladesh railway network and ports," he said.

Union Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister B. L. Verma on Thursday visited the Agartala-Akhaura railway project and asked the IRCON, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and engineers and officials to step up the pace so that the entire work on the Indian side can be completed by June 2022 without further delay.

The Union minister told the engineers and officials that the Agartala-Akhaura railway project has national and international importance.

The government-owned IRCON, under the Ministry of Railways, has been executing the project for which the Development of North Eastern Region Ministry and India's Ministry External Affairs (MEA) are bearing the entire cost (Rs 1,000 crore) of the project on either side.

The Agartala-Akhaura railway line would facilitate ferrying of goods to and from both the countries and greatly benefit India's land-locked northeastern states.

IRCON Chief General Manager (Works) Vinod Kumar Gupta said that the journey time between Agartala and Kolkata, via Bangladesh, would be reduced by a third, from 1,613-km through mountainous northeastern states via Siliguri (West Bengal) to a mere 514 km.

"Around 1100 km distance would be reduced and 22 hours journey time would be saved when people and goods from northeast India would go to Kolkata via Bangladesh and vice-versa," Gupta said.

Another IRCON engineer said that work on the Agartala-Akhaura railway project was on and after the ongoing monsoon (June-September), the pace of work would be stepped-up.

"The fresh target of completion of the project on the Indian side has been re-scheduled to June 2022," a top official told IANS.

The official refusing to be named said that linking with the existing Agartala railway station, of the 12.24 km India-Bangladesh new railway line, 5.46 km railway track would be laid in India (on the outskirts of the capital city Agartala) and 6.78 km railway line would be placed on the Bangladesh side.

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb recently held a meeting with the IRCON officials and engineers led by Director (works) Jogesh Mishra and Agartala-Akhaura railway project head Raman Singla (Assistant General Manager) and directed them to complete the project at the earliest.

The IRCON official said that on the Indian side, 3.1 km portion of the railway track would be elevated to avoid 26 acres of farm land and habitations.

The IRCON, which has widespread operations in several states in India and in other countries, including Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, UK and Sri Lanka, is now also executing the 86.87 km long Khulna-Mongla rail line project between India and Bangladesh along West Bengal.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is the nodal agency of the Agartala-Akhaura railway project, which was finalised in January 2010 when Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina met then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during her visit to New Delhi.

According to the experts, economists, traders and leaders of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, economic activity between northeast India and Bangladesh would get a big boost after the completion of the railway project.

Tripura University's Head of the Economic Department Ashish Nath said that after the execution of this project, the growing trade and economic activity between the northeastern states and Bangladesh would increase further, benefiting both sides.

"All the previous rail links, existing till the partition of India and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) must be restored for the all round benefit of the two countries," Nath told IANS.

Currently, India and Bangladesh have four rail links with West Bengal.

The existing railway line in the mountainous terrain from Guwahati passes through Lumding in Nagaon district (in central Assam) and southern Assam connecting Agartala and parts of Manipur and Mizoram with the rest of the country.

In October 2008, with the extension of the metre gauge track up to Agartala through southern Assam, Tripura became the first state capital in the northeast to be brought on India's rail map after the country's independence.

Later, the metre gauge line was converted into broad gauge and extended up to southern Tripura's bordering town Sabroom, which is just 72 km away from Chittagong international sea port in Bangladesh.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in)

--IANS

sc/bg
One report states that Argentina has officially included $664 million in funding for the purchase of 12 PAC JF-17A Block III fighters from Pakistan in a draft budget for 2022, Geo Tv reported.

New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) Argentina has planned to buy 12 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan, as per media reports.

The budget has been presented in the country's Parliament, said the news report.

However, this does not mean that the deal has been finalised as Argentina has not signed on the sale accord yet, but it shows the country's intention to buy the fighter aircraft from Pakistan.

Argentina had tried to buy jets from a few other countries in the world over the past couple of years but always fallen short due to a lack of funds or British objections.

Most recently last year, the UK blocked the sale of South Korean fighter jets to Argentina.

The Argentine Defence Minister described the move as British "imperial pride" before posting "Malvinas Argentinas" on Twitter.

According to the UK Defence Journal, the JF-17 Thunder is a single-engine multi-role combat aircraft developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation of China.

The builders say that the JF-17 can be used for multiple roles, including interception, ground attack, anti-ship, and aerial reconnaissance.

More than half of the JF-17 airframe, including its front fuselage, wings, and vertical stabiliser, is produced in Pakistan, whereas 42 per cent is produced in China, with the final assembly taking place in Pakistan, the report said.

--IANS

san/ksk/
The prisoners, according to Israeli authorities, were affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. According to the Times of Israel, the leader of the group, Zakaria Zubeidi, was "a former commander in Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade." That Zubeidi and three others (at the time of writing) have been arrested is a separate chapter. Kabul and Gilboa establish without any shadow of a doubt a reality all too common in history: limits to power. In this instance, the US globally and its ally Israel, regionally -- particularly considering its stalemate with Arab militias like Hezbollah.

Massive intelligence failure attended both the events. True, a jailbreak cannot be compared with the reconquest of a country but that is not the way Palestinians see it. The Times of Israel reports: "The escape is considered a highly symbolic success for the terror groups. It is being celebrated with 'euphoria' among Palestinians."

The Taliban, likewise, in the initial flush are folk heroes in Afghanistan and beyond having done a David on Goliath. To bring out the irony in sharp focus on the US debacle in Afghanistan, recall the January 29, 2002, State of the Union address by President George W Bush. The President sketched in bold colours the 'Axis of Evil.' Ironies upon ironies attend that speech. Bush welcomes Hamid Karzai as "leader of liberated Afghanistan." Karzai is now under house arrest. Bush gloats "Terrorists who once occupied Afghanistan now occupy cells at Guantanamo Bay." There is a disconcerting update on this too. Not only have the Taliban returned to power in Kabul, at least five in the new Kabul power structure were released from Guantanamo Bay in 2015.

What does all this portend? Is a phase of Imperialism coming full circle? One cannot expect US President Joe Biden to say it in quite that language, but what else does one make of his promise to end "never ending" wars. American youth, who are now 20 years of age, have never seen "America at peace." Suicide rate among military veterans as high as 18 per day? Biden clearly abhors this data.

The problem, of course is, that Biden is only the President, not the system. Even so he is proceeding with some sense of the consensus he has forged around him. For him to declassify the secret FBI report which reveals the connection of Saudi Nationals to 9/11, indicates a sharp departure from past practice. Remember the days of George W Bush and his buddy Saudi Ambassador Bandar bin Sultan, or Bandar Bush as he was called because of his chumminess with the President? Those days seem like ancient history, days when Israel and Saudi Arabia were equally sacrosanct. Both had to be protected from bad copy.

And now even military protection is being withdrawn. In recent weeks the US removed its most advanced missile defense system, and Patriot batteries from the Kingdom which faces attacks from, say, Houthis in Yemen. Troop reductions from Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan have also been confirmed by the Pentagon. Departure from Afghanistan will remain vivid in our minds for years. Despite these stories every American strategist will tell you "the Middle East is not being abandoned." There is that 'over the horizon' capability which includes updated drones. British premier Boris Johnson calls it "outside-in" ability.

Israel, which is busy adjusting to limits on its power as a concept, must place in its calculus the US distancing itself from the Arab theatre. Yes, support for Israel in the US remains durable -- Jewish control of banks, media, institutes of learning, election, finance. What is not so well known is what Noam Chomsky describes as much the most powerful support for Israel -- Christian Zionism. Former Israeli Ambassador in the US, Ron Dermer, has urged Israel to prioritise maintaining the support of the American evangelical Christian. It must be assiduously wooed. "People must understand that the backbone of support for Israel in the US is the evangelical Christian." The quote is from The Palestinian Policy Network, Al-Shabaka. Israel can breathe easy because there is no indication of Biden distancing himself from this line of thinking.

US thinning out from the region will accentuate popular perception of Israel's exclusive support base inside the US. As Israel rolls its eyes around to size up the neighbourhood for subtle adjustments, it will find to its chagrin, Iran undiminished. Houthis in Yemen, Hashd al Shaabi in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon, groups supportive of President Assad in Syria and increasing reports of Iranian role in Afghanistan, initiated by the late Quds Commander, Qasem Soleimani -- all of these enhance Iran's position in the region. The cookie in Afghanistan having crumbled the way it has, Iran's role in this theatre may in the future be of interest to the US.

The launch of AUKUS (Australia, UK and US), an idea borrowed conceptually from ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand and US) against the Soviet Union, shows the urgency Biden accords to what Barack Obama called 'pivot to Asia'. The pivot was of much greater saliency. West Asia, though still important, had placed a disproportionate demand on Washington's attention. The nuclear deal conferred on Tehran the kind of legitimacy that was to have enabled it to balance power in the region. This would be in concert with Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt, Turkey. The regional balance of power would then require less day-to-day attention, freeing Washington to pay greater attention to the pivot. That appears to be the route on Biden's GPS."

(Saeed Naqvi is a senior commentator on political and diplomatic issues. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached on saeednaqvi@hotmail.com)

--IANS

naqvi/am
There were 12 acting awards given out during todays telecast. Not one of them went to an actor who was not white.

That should not in and of itself be taken as proof of racism, though it no doubt will be by some. But it is curious.

Given the weight of campaigning around #Oscarsowhite over the past five or six years and its flow on to other awards ceremonies, theres no way the voters of the Television Academy could have been ignorant of the value placed on representation and diversity. And there was no shortage of people of colour among the nominees: Jurnee Smollett and Jonathan Majors from Lovecraft Country, Sterling K Brown for This Is Us, Rege-Jean Page for Bridgerton, Michaela Coel, Cynthia Erivo, Giancarlo Esposito, Rosie Perez and many more.

Nominated, but overlooked: Lovecraft Countrys Jurnee Smollett. Credit:AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

The fact that none of them got over the line proves nothing, but it does sit uncomfortably against the very pronounced celebration of diversity on display at the ceremony, from the choice of Cedric the (not-very-entertaining) Entertainer as host to the valiant efforts of Academy chair Frank Scherma to win back the audiences attention with earnestness when Conan OBrien had stolen it away with an off-camera gag.

Its so great to see that television and the stories we tell are finally becoming a reflection of every part of our society, Scherma said. Voices of black, Latinx, Asian-American and Indigenous creators, along with the LGBTQIA+, neuro-diverse and disabled communities, are being heard by larger audiences than ever before ... weve only started this next evolution where content is an authentic representation of who we all are as a global population.

And yet here we are, basking in the realisation that it was all white on the night. (NB: Im talking only about the acting categories; Michaela Coel and RuPaul and Hamilton all flew the flag for diversity elsewhere.)

Does it mean anything? Well, maybe, maybe not. It may be a reflection of genre preferences as much as ethno-racial bias, though there may also be a correlation between the two. But the lack of transparency around who votes makes such things hard to assess.

The Academy has said it does not [track] the ethnicity, religion or other such information on industry members, which is a handy way of not having to divulge data on the diversity of its membership base of 25,000 industry professionals. But the fact it enlisted the help of an outside consultancy in March to develop a strategic plan around diversity and inclusion suggests it knows it has a problem.

Its fair to assume that problem is not that its members arent white enough.

You could of course make a perfectly valid case that each of the acting winners today was worthy, and that ethnicity, race, cultural background played no part in it. But you could also argue differently, that there is a problem, that for all the progress of recent times, and all the platitudes about inclusion, Emmy is still rather pale of face.
For the many Australians deeply concerned about the growing climate emergency, its been a tough year. As nations like the United States and the United Kingdom have pledged to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Australia continues to be a climate pariah  refusing to commit to more ambitious targets despite being one of the worlds biggest carbon per capita emitters and the third largest exporter of fossil fuels.

Instead, the Morrison government has continued to actively support the expansion of fossil fuel industries at the expense of renewables.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

In May, the federal resources minister, Keith Pitt, blocked public funding for a new wind farm and battery green energy hub in Queensland. Then in July, he approved a $175 million loan of public money to finance a new coal mine in the state that will extract 15 million tons a year.

Australias fossil fuel companies also still benefit from significant tax breaks, with 59 fossil fuel companies paying no tax in 2018 -19.
Independent senator Rex Patrick has joined the Labor opposition in calling on former Morrison government minister Christian Porter to disclose the identity of anonymous donors who helped fund his since-settled defamation case against the ABC.

Mr Porter, then industry minister, disclosed last week that he had used a structure he described as a blind trust to receive and administer donations from anonymous benefactors to help pay his legal bills.

He said at the time he had no access to information about the conduct and funding of the trust.

Independent Senator Rex Patrick. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

After he resigned from the ministry on Sunday, Mr Porter released a statement saying that whilst I have no right of access to the funding or the conduct of the trust, on my request the trustee provided me an assurance that none of the contributors were lobbyists or prohibited foreign entities.

Mr Porter said donors had contributed to a trust on the basis of confidentiality and a belief that their contribution would remain confidential.

No doubt the desire of some, possibly many, of those contributors to remain anonymous was driven by a natural desire to avoid the inevitable fact that for supporting me, the trial by mob would inevitably turn on them if they were identified, he said.

Mr Porter withdrew his defamation action against the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan earlier this year after the parties reached a settlement.

Speaking to the ABCs Patricia Karvelas this afternoon, Senator Patrick said:

He has an obligation to the people of Australia [to reveal the donors]; its an awful precedent that an MP can receive a blind contribution, any MP could potentially receive that, and I dont think that is something the Australian public would accept in any way, shape or form. Ultimately, if Christian Porter doesnt want to disclose, the matter falls back to the Prime Minister who is the leader of the Liberal Party and ultimately he would have the ability to do something. Failing that, if the Prime Minister cant lead or show leadership on this, itll be a matter for the people of [Mr Porters WA electorate of] Pearce.

Asked whether a backbencher had different disclosure obligations to a minister, Senator Patrick said it was a subtly different test.

Former Industry Minister Christian Porter. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

As a minister you cant accept gifts and [thats] the fundamental problem with what he did as the industry minister, he said.

But for an MP, there is still a requirement to disclose donations or anything that might give [rise] to a concern about conflict of interest. [Voters] have a right to know about any cause of conflict of interest ... the public have the right to know. And its incumbent upon Mr Porter now to disclose the benefit ... and assistance.

Mr Porter has maintained he did not believe he had breached ministerial standards and would not step down from his seat. He has nominated for preselection as the Liberal candidate for Pearce at the next federal election.
Perhaps Macron should have spoken to Malcolm Turnbull before accepting assurances from Scott Morrison? Dawn Comninos, Bronte No advice needed on Porter, it was obvious he had to go The Prime Ministers claim that he is ready to take hard decisions regarding Christian Porters acceptance of an unspecified sum of money from an unknown source towards his legal costs was belied by what he did and, more importantly, didnt do after Mr Porter revealed the gift last week (Christian Porter resigns from frontbench, smh.con.au, September 19). It was obviously wrong for Mr Porter to accept such a gift and expect to remain in the cabinet, so why did the Prime Minister ask the secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to adjudicate the issue? Did Mr Morrison believe that there were any circumstances where such gifts could be acceptable Maurice Critchley, Kenthurst According to Mr Morrison, ... [Porter] has taken the decision which errs on the side of upholding the highest standards. Really? Once again left to the minister, with no boundaries or standards set by the PM. I think highest standards and Morrison government are oxymoronic concepts. John Burman, Port Macquarie So, what next for Porter  a diplomatic posting perhaps? Beatrice Scheepers, Leichhardt

Twice this year we have seen the PM refer important issues to his own department for advice, in the cases of Brittany Higgins and Christian Porter. Both should have taken 24 hours at most to sort out. Instead, the head of the department did goodness knows what. I think he should have a performance review. Ian Shepherd, Elizabeth Bay Why did the Prime Minister need to seek legal advice on the matter of Christian Porter accepting an anonymous donation to help pay his legal bills when this behaviour was obviously unacceptable to our standards of accountability? This action would only have obfuscated the matter or worse, presented some weasel legal words designed to defend the indefensible. Leo Sorbello, West Ryde Scott Morrisons indecision about what to do about Christian Porters acceptance of an anonymous trust payment for his legal fees illustrated his inability to deal with troublesome issues. This Porter problem was not so easy to either pass on or to make go away by ignoring it, as he usually does. Yet, a PM who believes strongly in ministerial standards shouldnt need any time at all to see that Porter had to go. Christine Perrott, Armidale The PM was making inquiries on whether it would be OK for Christian Porter to stay in cabinet if he repaid the anonymous donation. The trouble was knowing who to repay it to. Charmain Brinks, Newcastle MPs ambition not a dirty word

Is Kristina Keneally ambitious (Keneallys relentless ambition damages Labor, September 18-19)? Of course she is. The pertinent question in regard to any politicians ambition is what they are ambitious to achieve and on whose behalf. Is Keneally relentless? I would hope so.

Politics is a tough game and the weak fall by the wayside. When did you last hear of a male politician damned in the media for his ambition? You can object to NSW Labors endorsement of Keneally in Fowler on a number of grounds  a womans ambition isnt one of them. Amanda Lohrey, Falmouth (Tas) Ive noticed a difference in the Labor Party preselection battle in the seat of Fowler compared with the past. This time, many people from the partys Left and Right back the anointed one, seeing her as someone who is an articulate and forceful speaker. However, within my circle of acquaintances and friends who are from an ethnic background and support Labor, there is a different perspective about Keneally. They are opposed to her being forced on to the western suburbs community at the expense of Tu Le, a local who lives and works within that area.

It seems that the mainly Anglo members of both the Right and Left still dont seem to get it that cultural diversity within the party is required and the days of sending in a nice white Anglo articulate person to represent mostly multicultural areas are over. The ALPs decision to place Keneally into Fowler is a mistake. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury Not all views are equal I am obviously missing something with your correspondents and journalists, not to mention the mayors in hot spots, all complaining about the unequal experience of COVID-19 (So, fresh air is good for seaside folk but not LGAs of concern? September 18-19)  for society is unequal, even in normal times. Marx tried to fix this problem in the 19th century and we all know how well that worked out. If Bondi Beach is within five kilometres of your small flat, why wouldnt you go for a dip and a sunbake? As John Laws said back in the 1960s, society will never be equal because not everyone can have a house with a water view. Sad, but true. Lyndall Nelson, South Turramurra Hold out for 90%

There is strong evidence that a 90 per cent vaccination rate before lifting restrictions significantly will make a huge difference in reducing COVID-19 deaths, cases of long COVID, and non-COVID suffering and deaths caused by overwhelmed hospitals (Worst hit by outbreak, Fairfield shows signs of turning around, September 18-19). It will also protect swathes of health workers from mental anguish. Ninety per cent can surely be quickly achieved given the flood of vaccines coming and the pent-up demand. Given rising deaths, now is the time to act more cautiously. Brewis Atkinson, Tyabb (Vic) Square peg, round hole Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello suggests Siena in Italy and its magnificent Piazza del Campo as a model for Sydneys al fresco push (Alfresco strategy to revive Sydney, September 18-19) and claims lightheartedly (one hopes) that: Even Piazza del Campo started with one bloke, a glass of wine and a good idea. But the Campo was a town planning exercise by Sienas 13th century governing Council of Nine. It remains original to this day  no added furniture  people happily stretched out on its medieval bricks sans alcohol. Restaurants line the edge but are hardly noticeable. Will NSW emulate, and keep Sydneys large public spaces open? Linda Bergin, Millers Point Sense of playground duty Im afraid I didnt quite feel the same as your correspondent (Letters, September 18-19) in relation to playground duty when I was teaching. Indeed, when I moved to London in the late 1960s and discovered parents were paid to come and do such duties, I was absolutely elated. I actually had time to eat my lunch without suffering from indigestion, go to the toilet and even leave the school premises without fearing the weather would change and I had to race back. The playground supervisors even helped children dress for all weathers, which ensured children could go outside in the fresh air irrespective of the weather. Alas, on returning to teaching in Sydney, it was once more back to what here is considered the norm. Mary Lawson, Marrickville

Dementia-friendly support Dementia Action Week, a time to focus on the needs of people living with dementia and their carers, begins today. In Australia, dementia is the second leading cause of death and the leading cause for women. About 436,000 people have dementia and 70 per cent of people with dementia live in the community. According to Dementia Australia, if no cure is found, 1.1million people will have dementia by 2058. People with dementia have more physical health problems than others of the same age. They have more hospital admissions than other older people and have died disproportionately in the COVID-19 pandemic. Dementia-friendly communities promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with dementia and their carers so that they can live the best quality of life possible. Is your community dementia-friendly? Meg Pickup, Ballina State status We have an ideal new logo for NSW number plates (Postscript, September 18-19): the State of Disappointment. Col Shephard, Yamba Top notch

Given Quade Coopers second magical performance, leading to another Wallabies victory over the Springboks, consult Tony Abbott about restoring imperial honours so we can award Cooper a knighthood. David Griffiths, Wollongong Jingle hells In suggesting Australians overseas might get home by Christmas (Stranded could return for Christmas, September 18-19), the NSW government avoided specifying which Christmas. Tim Parker, Balmain A step forward Perhaps now the French have withdrawn their ambassador, we have an opportunity to consider reclaiming La Perouse and changing the name back to Gooriwal, by which the Muruora-dial people knew the area before 1788. Brian ODonnell, Burrado
Sydneys hotspot local government areas will have the same outdoor gathering rules as the rest of the city from Monday amid decreasing case numbers, but NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned the states hospitals may be technically overwhelmed next month as ICUs prepare to surge up to three times their usual capacity.

NSW recorded another 1083 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, and another 13 deaths  the states highest number of deaths in one day so far.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejikilan at the 11am press conference on Sunday. Credit:Edwina Pickles

Among the dead was an unvaccinated man in his 40s who died at home in western Sydney, and was only diagnosed with COVID-19 after his death. Nine of the 13 deaths had not received the vaccine, while two had received both doses but were older patients with underlying conditions, NSW Healths Jeremy McAnulty said during the update on Sunday.

Despite the record deaths, Dr McAnulty said the new case numbers, the lowest since last month, were very encouraging.
Domestic violence victims are disclosing their abuse at vaccination appointments because its one of the few times they can leave their homes, while counselling services and refuges are struggling to meet demand as COVID-19 restrictions trap women in dangerous situations.

Margherita Basile, the manager of Sydney Womens Counselling Centre at Campsie, said waitlists had been closed for three weeks and her organisation had been forced to turn down 85 requests for counselling in the past month due to insufficient resources as the number of women seeking help grows.

We are turning away many, many, many, people, she said. [They are] mostly looking for help around domestic and family violence, and mental health issues, which are exacerbating each other. COVID-19 has made things a lot worse; theyre trapped.

Domestic violence services have been forced to turn women away. Credit:Gabriele Charotte

Ms Basile said women were experiencing more severe emotional and psychological abuse. Restrictions, particularly in hotspot areas where exercise was until recently limited to an hour, had reduced their opportunities to seek help.
Parents have been warned to brace for continuing temporary school closures when their children return to classrooms next month, as local COVID-19 cases will still require schools to shut for one or two days to undergo cleaning and contact tracing.

The Education Department is preparing COVID-19 mitigation measures for when school resumes but deputy secretary Ruth Owen said NSW public school classrooms would not be fitted with air purifiers despite them being part of the plan in Victoria.

There are also no immediate plans for rapid antigen testing  which has been used in Britain to prevent whole cohorts of students being sent home to isolate  to be implemented in public schools.

Students in New York, where all schools will be fitted with air purifiers as a COVID-safety measure. Credit:AP

Ms Owen told an online webinar for parents last week that the department had tried to learn from global examples such as the US, Canada, Britain and Singapore, and pick the best of those conditions.
A woman in her 30s was found dead in a forest cabin on the states Mid North Coast on Saturday.

Police are investigating a suspected domestic violence incident after the 34-year-old womans body was found in a cabin on Pole Dump Forest Road in the Bulga Forest, near Port Macquarie, about 11.30am.

A NSW Police spokesperson said there were initial reports of injuries to the womans head and that her death was being treated as suspicious.

A 38-year-old man who was known to the woman was spoken to at the scene and has since been taken to Taree police station for questioning. No charges had been laid on Sunday morning.

Police have established a second crime scene about three kilometres west of the cabin, on Old Blue Knob Road, where a silver Holden Rodeo ute was found just off the road.
Scientists are putting out the call for schools to sign up to help search for Australias missing insects.

Only about 30 per cent of Australias insect species have even been catalogued, let alone studied in detail, and the race is on in the scientific community to get a clearer picture of the countrys insect biodiversity.

USC ecologist Dr Andy Howe says schools can help scientists find undiscovered insect species.

A new Insect Investigators program led by the South Australian museum is now calling for 50 schools across Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia to join an official program to help scientists find and catalogue insects.

University of the Sunshine Coast insect ecologist Andy Howe is co-ordinating the Queensland arm of the project and says it is designed to directly involve children in collecting the insects.
Detectives have laid a murder charge after a young man was killed in Logan, south of Brisbane, on Friday in a hit-and-run fuelled by road rage, according to police.

Emergency services were called to Wembley Road near Greenfern Drive at Browns Plains about 3pm in response to reports that a pedestrian had been hit by a car.

The Browns Plains intersection where the incident occurred. Credit:Google

It will be alleged the victim, a 25-year-old local man, was driving a light-blue 2003 Toyota sedan and the alleged offender, a 20-year-old man, was driving a white 2013 Audi wagon.

Police do not believe either of the men involved knew each other prior to Fridays incident.
Australias richest man agrees. If you keep doing the same thing, the same way, you get the same result, Dr Forrest said. We know that we have to think and act differently to get the results the world needs for the planet to stop cooking. It comes down to deep trust which we have in our colleagues and empowering them. Forrest has committed to transfer up to 10 per cent of Fortescues enormous profits to FFI.

Loading The miners recent annual results indicate $US1 billion ($1.4 billion) is waiting in the kitty for possible investments. Dr Forrest wants a light-speed organisation based on professional freedoms and responsibilities. Instead of ticking boxes on company forms, FFI workers must ask themselves if they are acting in the best interests of FFI, according to the FFI Culture document seen by WAtoday. There is plenty of leeway in how to answer that question.

This is not a hoax, this is not a joke, this is not some gimmick, the document says. However, life at FFI is not a free for all, and workers must use the flexibility within the constraints of getting the job done. Interestingly, before taking leave the workers are instructed they must make sure they have appointed someone smarter than themselves to maintain momentum in their absence. At FFI we work hard and fast to achieve the great things that others just talk about.

And great things involve nothing less than tackling climate change by decarbonising what a renewable power grid cannot: heavy transport and industry. The solution is hydrogen that, whether burnt for heat or consumed in a fuel cell for electricity, emits nothing but water vapour. In particular, Dr Forrest wants green hydrogen made by separating hydrogen from water with renewable electricity. He says the alternative of blue hydrogen, made from gas with the significant carbon dioxide emissions either buried or offset by planting trees, is a lie and calls its proponents such as Santos and Woodside are fossils. Dr Forrests green pursuit is ambitious on multiple fronts: moving from mining ore to developing technology; simultaneously greening trains, trucks and ships as well as cement and steel; and doing it all in a hurry.

Every minute a screen at FFIs Perth office counts down to the first production of green ammonia, a hydrogen product, in Tasmania by June 30, 2023. As well as excessive precision, the countdown demonstrates an aggressive schedule. Fortescues proposed 250-megawatt plant at Bell Bay is 25 times the size of most announced in Australia to date and so far published progress is just a non-binding land deal. Workers have no boss FFI offers a flat hierarchy with no reporting lines and connectivity through the whole organisation. Professor Anseel is sceptical about the absence of managers.

Loading Somebody needs to take responsibility for decisions, he said. US online shoe store Zappos famously adopted a holocracy of self-management. Every decision ended up in endless meetings and talks because nobody makes a decision and everything needs to be endlessly discussed, Professor Anseel said. But FFI chief executive Julie Shuttleworth said her workers were not constrained by reporting lines.

People are empowered to go directly to their target  to move across functions, geographies and reporting lines to get the job done, she said. We have clusters of achievement and a small number of clear, empowered decision-making clusters. Netflixs culture became famous when it was published as a slide deck in 2009. One Netflix dictum that adequate performance gets a generous severance package appears in the FFI document as FFI is generous to its people and kind when it lets them go with two months pay offered if the employee is not wanted after their six-month probation period. Talk in Perth engineering circles suggests FFI is paying similar to Netflixs top-of-the-market rates for talent.

Loading Such a culture can also become very cutthroat, according to Professor Anseel. Everyone wants to get results because you want to stay in the company because youre paid very well, Professor Anseel said. He said Zappos had been compared to a kindergarten playground where cliques formed and those on the outer were bullied. Im not saying its going to go that way, Professor Anseel said, but added that careful management would be required to avoid a corporate jungle.
Drivers use these facilities for meal breaks, while some pass the time during standby shifts  back-up shifts to plug holes when drivers call in sick. Without anywhere else to go during lockdown, the drivers use the gym and showers in these areas, watch TV or find a spot for a snooze. There are sometimes up to 50 drivers in a small room, drivers say. Social distancing is not enforced. Often, only about half of the drivers wear masks. A photo sent by one shows people gathering in a drivers room in Flinders Street on Tuesday last week, just days after the outbreak. Former deputy chief health officer Allen Cheng said these were challenges facing many workplaces, particularly hospitals. He said the key was ensuring tea rooms were ventilated, with limits on the number of people who could enter and widespread use of QR codes. Having workers operate in bubbles to reduce the risk of transmission would help, he said. Tea rooms are very well recognised as a place where transmission occurs and thats in every industry, the infectious diseases expert and Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation co-chair said. Its a pretty high-risk area.

Word spreads V/Line is now in the throes of a disaster scenario. The rail system has been largely shut down for 10 days, with about 300 drivers isolating over several days. Disruptions are expected for weeks. Drivers say they are receiving texts at midnight from V/Line instructing them not to come to work. Many miss the texts on their company phones, which they switch off at home or leave in their lockers. Word of the outbreak has spread quickly among drivers. A closed Facebook page for drivers blew up with the news and people who were in the Tissue Box with the infected driver started isolating before they were contacted by the Health Department and V/Line.

Metro chief executive Raymond OFlaherty said the company had learnt lessons from the V/Line outbreak, which could easily have happened at Metro. Both Metro and V/Line are looking to add more meal rooms, segregate workers and ramp up antigen and temperature testing. Metro wants to roll out antigen tests for its 125 train controllers, who are crucial in running the network. Controllers can work from a secret disaster site if their room becomes an exposure site. Metro also ran scenario planning last week amid the V/Line outbreak, requiring managers to respond to a situation in which six front-line staff test positive to COVID-19. The company realised it needs to train more people to do contract tracing and is developing a bespoke training program. Shutdown

Mr OFlaherty said he did not believe a full shutdown of the suburban network was likely due to the high number of drivers who were on standby. But the closure of one or a group of lines during outbreaks was conceivable. Loading Well never be able to remove all the risk we are exposed to, but if something does happen, I want to avoid a scenario where I have to shut down the entire network. We want to make sure if there is an outbreak at Metro, it would be a scaling back if we have to do something, so wed be able to contain the outbreak to a bubble of people. Thats the objective here. Both operators will look to buses to fill gaps when trains are down due to COVID-19 outbreaks. Bus drivers are more exposed to commuters than tram and train drivers, due to the vehicles smaller size and the lack of a separate compartment with ventilation system. But a key factor shielding the bus network from total shutdown is the lack of any centralised depot for drivers and fleets, with many bus companies operating separate facilities across the state.

There have been few COVID-19 cases in the public transport sector, despite thousands of workers continuing to show up on the railways throughout the pandemic, mixing with commuters and colleagues. Of the more than 16,000 employees at Metro, V/Line and Yarra and in the bus network, there have been only 45 cases since the start of the pandemic. But in the face of the highly infectious Delta strain, operators must constantly rethink policies, with Metros Mr OFlaherty signalling he believes mandatory vaccines have merit in the sector. The regional rail operator has suspended one-on-one training activities and is reviewing its training and COVID-safe procedures. The Transport Departments head of transport services, Nick Foa, said operators COVID-safe plans continue to evolve and commuters could be assured public transport was safe, with strong protection in place such as deep cleaning, hand sanitisers, mandatory masks, QR codes, extra services and information on capacity ... keeping them safe as they make their essential journeys.
Some of Victorias most marginalised citizens are being caught up in an ugly turf war between rival groups of disability accommodation and support businesses that are competing for the right to access their lucrative funding packages under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Amid allegations of abuse and disability accommodation residents being taken in the night to homes run by rival providers, an Age investigation has found the NDIS has spawned a poorly regulated pop-up accommodation industry, especially in outer Melbourne.

Parvinder Kaur is the manager of Sydenham Grace and Meadowbrook Supported Residential Services. Credit:Eddie Jim

Federal and state governments pay NDIS businesses to provide services such as assisting with daily personal tasks, outings, transport and skills development to people with NDIS packages, which can be worth more than $100,000 per year. Some live in state-regulated but privately run supported residential services that house several-thousand Victorians with disabilities and mental illness.

Parvinder Kaur is the manager of two supported residential services, Sydenham Grace and Meadowbrook in Melbournes outer north-west, and is also the owner of Grace Disability Services, which provides NDIS-funded support to people with disabilities at hers and other facilities.
The Victorian government has unveiled its road map to ease restrictions once vaccination targets are reached.

In this article, you will find details of Victorias road map out of lockdown and a run-through of the new rules for the state. It will be updated as new information becomes available, so please check back for the latest details.

Make no mistake, we are opening this place up, Premier Daniel Andrews said on Sunday.

Many of the rules being loosened depend on vaccination coverage, with two clear goals of hitting 70 per cent and 80 per cent full vaccination for Victorians aged 16 years and over.
Former attorney-general Christian Porter has resigned from federal cabinet rather than reveal more details about people who secretly financially supported his legal battle against the ABC, promising to stay in Federal Parliament and saving Prime Minister Scott Morrison from a potentially devastating byelection.

Less than a week since Mr Porter declared a blind trust was being used to help pay the undisclosed cost of his defamation case against the broadcaster and its reporter Louise Milligan, the West Australian MP stepped down as industry, science and technology minister.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Christian Porters resignation from the cabinet on Sunday. Credit:Edwina Pickles, Alex Ellinghausen

On Sunday afternoon Mr Morrison said after talks with Mr Porter, who had served as WAs treasurer and had been considered a possible premier of that state, the MP had decided to move to the backbench.

He made the move before an inquiry by the head of Mr Morrisons own department into whether Mr Porter had breached ministerial standards had reported to the Prime Minister.
Sydneys hardest-hit COVID-19 hotspots have had the highest demand for loan laptops to allow school students to learn from home, with more than one-third of the 22,600 devices needed in five council areas.

The Department of Education has sent devices and internet dongles to students without access to computers, with about 8000 needed in Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Campbelltown and Liverpool.

The five hotspot areas were also sent thousands of internet dongles to allow students to access online learning, according to data released to the NSW upper houses inquiry into the states handling of the pandemic.

NSW Labors education spokeswoman Prue Car said the distribution breakdown of the devices and dongles were another stark example of how the Delta outbreak had divided Sydney.
An Australian man and his Thai wife sentenced to death for trafficking half a tonne of crystal methylamphetamine for the Hells Angels have been acquitted after four years in a Bangkok jail.

Luke Cook, 37, from Duncraig in Western Australia, arrived in Sydney on a Thai Airways flight on Sunday after being cleared by the Supreme Court in Bangkok last week.

Luke Cook at Bangkok airport with wife Kanyarat Wechapitak. He arrived in Sydney on Sunday after being cleared of drug trafficking, for which he had been sentenced to death.

Pleading his innocence since being jailed in 2017, the father of two had been convicted on the evidence provided by an Australian now wanted on a warrant for sex trafficking.

Cook, who was an offshore worker as well as running a bar and guest house in the coastal Thai town Pattaya, was accompanied to the departure gate at Bangkok airport by Australian embassy officials and will be held in quarantine in Sydney for a fortnight before being re-united with his two sons.
Palu: Indonesias most wanted militant, who had ties to the Islamic State group, has been killed in a jungle shootout with security forces.

Ali Kalora was one of two militants killed in the raid, said Central Sulawesis regional military chief Geneneral Farid Makruf. He identified the other suspected extremist as Jaka Ramadan.

A police officer shows a wanted poster displaying the photos of two militants Ali Kalora, top left, and Jaka Ramadan, bottom left, who were killed during a shootout with security forces. Credit:AP Photo/Mohammad Taufan

The two men were fatally shot late Saturday by a joint team of military and police officers in Central Sulawesi provinces mountainous Parigi Moutong district, Makruf said. It borders Poso district, considered an extremist hotbed in the province.

Ali Kalora was the most wanted terrorist and leader of MIT, Makruf said, referring to the Indonesian acronym of the East Indonesia Mujahideen network, a militant group that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2014.
Amid the flurry of defence announcements over the past week, Australias shift in language about Taiwan has gone under the radar.

In the joint statement from Australian and US defence and foreign ministers, Taiwan is described  for the first time  as a leading democracy and a critical partner for both countries. This follows the Prime Ministers commitment to co-ordinate action with other liberal democracies in the region.

Tensions between China and Taiwan have been rising. Credit:Getty

The commitment to strengthen ties with Taiwan tells a story about Australias larger regional project. In that context, Taiwan may also end up one of the clearest beneficiaries from the decision by Australia to join the AUKUS trilateral initiative that includes building nuclear-powered submarines with the US and UK.

Long-range submarines represent a means to increasing defence capabilities, not just in territorial waters but to defend Australias interests in the wider region. Critically, those wider interests revolve around deterrence  demonstrating a willingness to respond to aggression and defend against military expansion.
La Palma: A volcano erupted on La Palma in the Spanish Canary Islands on Sunday, sending jets of lava and a plume of smoke and ash into the air and streaming in rivers towards houses in two villages from the Cumbre Vieja national park in the south of the island.

Authorities had begun evacuating the infirm and some farm animals from surrounding villages before the eruption at 3.15pm local time (11pm AEST) on a wooded slope in the sparsely populated Cabeza de Vaca area, according to the Canary Islands government.

A volcano on Spains Atlantic Ocean island of La Palma erupted on Sunday after a week-long build-up of seismic activity. Credit:AP

Two hours later, with rivers of lava edging down the hillside, the municipality issued a mandatory evacuation order for four villages, including El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane. Soldiers were deployed to help. Residents were asked to keep mobile phone use to a minimum.

After nightfall, video footage showed fountains of lava shooting hundreds of metres into the sky, and at least three incandescent orange rivers of molten rock pouring down the hill, tearing gashes into woods and farmland, and spreading as they reached lower ground.
The Middle East, so often in the news for its problems, has, during the past year, pioneered a major historic breakthrough likely to have enduring effects, in the form of the Abraham Accords.

These US-brokered normalisation agreements between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were signed at the White House on September 15, 2020, and later joined by Sudan in October and Morocco in December.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, and Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. Credit:AP

Significantly Oman and Saudi Arabia have supported the Accords in word, deed or both, and are widely considered likely to formally join them at some point.

The path-breaking Accords displayed a pragmatic coming together of key regional players keen to overcome what divides them and focus on those common interests which unite them.
Windsor, Ontario: As the Canadian Prime Minister stepped off his campaign bus at the University of Windsors campus, the feeble chants of Trudeau, Trudeau from his red-clad supporters were quickly drowned out by an angry crowd of anti-vaccine protesters.

Get out of Windsor, you f---ing traitor, one woman shouted into her megaphone. Behind her, a man drove by in a white truck with f--- Trudeau scrawled across it.

It was as clear an illustration as any of the bitter divisions the election campaign here has exposed.

When he called the snap election last month, Mr Trudeau hoped that his double-digit lead in the polls would regain him the majority he lost in 2019.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM) :---The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) is calling on residents and the business community to closely monitor weather reports over the weekend due to the approach of a low-pressure system that could become a tropical depression. The system continues to show signs of organization.



According to the Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten (MDS), the low-pressure system was located on Saturday over 600 miles east-southeast of Sint Maarten.



The weather system is expected to be near Sint Maarten on Monday and Tuesday.



For official weather-related information, check out the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/



MDS could issue special advisories if it becomes necessary.



Residents and businesses are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for the remaining weeks of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, ODM which falls under the Fire Department (Ministry of General Affairs) headed by Fire Chief/National Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson, said on Saturday.



The remaining storm names for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season are: Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor and Wanda.



The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and how to prepare for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your Hurricane Season Readiness Guide and Hurricane Tracking Chart.



Listen to the Government Radio station  107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane.
In decades past, advertising used to be the predominant form of businesses communicating with and attracting a large number of customers. While still crucial, today, advertising has taken a backseat to the attention a business or brand can receive by doing good for their community and those in it. That attention, when generated for (and from) the right reasons, can provide business leaders and professionals with the positive recognition they need to not only retain and acquire more loyal customers, but also the positive recognition necessary for any brand to continue growing as a successful business in todays world.

Related: Why Philanthropy is Good Business

Doing good helps foster impactful relationships

Whenever a business begins brainstorming ways for how it can do good in its community, the best place to start is by addressing concerns members in that community have. For instance, are its public schools under-supplied? Are there animal shelters or sanctuaries in need of charitable donations? By pinpointing ways in which a business can do good in its community in such a way that provides the maximum positive impact possible to the members of that community, those individuals begin to take notice and respond in kind.

As an example, Cody Pierce, vice president of marketing for Pizza Ranch based in Orange City, Iowa, began hosting community impact nights at his restaurants. These events allowed members of the local community to not only voice concerns about issues in their community, but also to put their heads together to discover and implement solutions for them, such as raising money for school trips. Similarly, Pierce hosted the impact nights on evenings that were traditionally slow for the restaurants, and would donate 5 to 20% of that nights tips towards the cause his community members were rallying around.

By engaging with his community in this way, Pierce was not only able to generate more revenue for his business, but he was able to do so in a way that left a positive impact on his community. This laid the foundation for more members of his community to view his business in a way that was positive for the community as a whole.

Related: Why Doing Good for Others Does Good for Your Business

Doing good bolsters employee engagement

Your businesss work to do good for your community doesnt only leave a positive impact on the community itself. It also provides ways for your employees to become more engaged, both in your business and within the community. By giving your employees a way to give back, businesses often see a boost to their employees morale as part of a collaborative effort to inspire and help others.

Over the past decade, there have been hundreds of reports and studies (if not more) generated that show a distinct correlation between how engaged employees feel and their performance in the workplace. Unsurprisingly, the data shows us that when employees feel more engaged in their work, they strive to perform better. For customers, this means that the employees they interact with are more likely to work harder to solve their problems, resulting in improved customer loyalty and retention which can serve as its own positive form of organic advertisement for a business.

Similarly, this helps the business grow and increase its profits through both more productive employees and more satisfied customers. One study published in 2012 showed, a reciprocal relationship between job attitudes and business performance, but especially so for companies that maintained their philanthropic community engagement programs for longer periods of time (two years or more). In this way, businesses that implement charitable initiatives in their communities not only allow for further opportunities to engage and build meaningful relationships with their customers, but do so in a similar manner with their employees.

Related: 4 Ways Your Company Benefits from Giving Back

Doing good boosts your bottom line

When businesses can operate in ways that improve their employee engagement while also offering solutions to problems faced by those within their communities, those businesses are then able to witness how these initiatives can provide a similar positive impact to their own bottom line.

Allow me to clarify: In todays hyper-digital world, building and positively impacting a community around a specific brand or business allows for customers to feel as if they are a part of something larger and more meaningful than themselves as individuals  it invites them to become a part of your businesss story. Humans are social creatures, and while recent digital innovations have connected the world and those in it like never before, they have likewise left a vacuum for social interaction within that digital space. Brands that can tap into this are able to set themselves apart from their competitors by creating a space where their customers and employees alike feel more connected, and thus, more valued.

Value is a two-way street: It cannot be received without being given and vice-versa. When a businesss employees feel more connected to and valued by their employer, their workplace performance improves. Similarly, when a businesss customers feel more connected to and valued by the brands they choose to do business with, they are more likely to continue doing business with that brand in the future. Both of these factors play a part in the business itself improving its own bottom line in creating a more profitable venture, and both can  in many cases  begin when a business is committed to doing good in its community.

Each business existing today is a comprehensive system of people, procedures and profits. Doing good through enacting philanthropic and charitable initiatives is simply one way that businesses can better blend these three aspects, but also one through which they can create better and more meaningful ways to engage with their community. This, in turn, leads to an overall more positive outcome for the business, its customers, employees and communities.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
5 events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Connecticut

Here are Hispanic Heritage Month events, celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, around the state.
WILTON  A proposal for a new Connecticut Humane Society regional headquarters along Route 7 was generally supported by the Planning and Zoning Commission, yet panned by nearby residents earlier this week.

The building will be more than 14,200 square feet and feature spaces for animals to stay, an animal care clinic and an enclosed outdoor space for the dogs kept at the facility to roam.

Following an initial presentation with the Wilton Inland Wetlands Commission, representatives of the CT Humane Society proposal sat before members of the zoning commission and detailed the lands topography, nearby traffic flow, material selection and other site specifics.

Chairman Rick Tomasetti said that the initial pre-application process with the commission went about as well as we could have expected.

The zoning commission will need to allow for a text amendment to be made to their current regulations in order for the nonprofit to move forward with its plan. Tomasetti seemed open to the text amendment, adding that it is in line with the towns Plan of Conservation and Development of being a little bit more forward-thinking.

Other commission members agreed.

Commission member Christopher Pagliaro deemed the proposal a model application. Commissioner Eric Fanwick also believed the proposal to be satisfactory.

Some, like Pagliaro, Florence Johnson and Jill Warren raised the question of inabilities to turn left out of the property with the lack of a traffic light at the intersection. Despite raising the concern, their tones were still generally supportive.

First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice said Thursday that, while unfamiliar with the specifics of the proposal, she is keenly aware that leaving New Street and turning on to Route 7 is difficult. She added that residents might be better suited exiting the other way to Route 107.

Tomasetti said during his review that Route 7 needs improvements, but the commission in general shouldnt stop applications because the state-owned road has aspects that need to be addressed. Vanderslice said Thursday that some of the towns most prevalent headaches with Danbury Road happen at the intersection of Pimpewaug Road, as well as near the high school.

Many of the commissions questions were echoed by nearby town residents.

Several residents of New Street, located across from the lot in question and comprising one-half of the nearest intersection, said the societys traffic projections were unrealistic. There is something very wrong about that, one resident claimed.

Another New Street resident, Eileen Fitzgerald, echoed the left turn concerns. She stated that making a left turn from the New Street and Route 7 intersection, looking to move southbound, typically takes her five to ten minutes with the absence of a traffic light. She claimed that it could be a major accident waiting to happen.

Further public concerns included the buildings modern architecture breaking up the historic feel of the homes and buildings around it, as well as possible noise from the dogs when theyre outside.

Attorney Jim Murphy, who is representing the nonprofit, said that they would not respond at the meeting, but would be addressing the questions of the residents at a future meeting. Because of this, the public hearing portion remains open.
PALU, Indonesia (AP)  The bodies of Indonesias most wanted militant with ties to the Islamic State group and a follower, who were killed in a jungle shootout with security forces, were evacuated early Sunday to a police hospital for further investigation, police said.

The military earlier said the militants killed late Saturday were Ali Kalora, leader of the East Indonesia Mujahideen network that has claimed several killings of police officers and minority Christians, and another suspected extremist, Jaka Ramadan, also known as Ikrima.

The two men were fatally shot by a joint team of military and police officers in Central Sulawesi provinces mountainous Parigi Moutong district. It borders Poso district, considered an extremist hotbed in the province.

Several pictures obtained by The Associated Press from authorities showed an M16 rifle and backpacks laid near their bloodied bodies. The Central Sulawesi Police Chief Rudy Sufahriadi told a news conference on Sunday that security forces also seized two ready-to-use bombs from their backpacks, which also contained food and camping tools.

He said the bodies of Kalora and his follower have been evacuated to a police hospital in Palu, the provincial capital, after the rugged terrain and darkness hampered earlier evacuation efforts from the scene of the shootout in the forested village of Astina.

We urged the other four wanted terrorists to immediately surrender and dare to take responsibility for their actions before the law, said Sufahriadi, referring to remaining members of the East Indonesia Mujahideen who are still at large in the jungle on Sulawesi island.

The militant group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2014, and Indonesia has intensified its security operations in the area in recent months to try to capture its members, particularly the leader, Kalora.

Two months ago, security forces killed two suspected members in a raid in the same mountainous district, several days after authorities claimed that Kalora and three group members planned to surrender. The surrender was reportedly cancelled after other members rejected the plan.

Kalora had eluded capture for more than a decade. He took over leadership of the group from Abu Wardah Santoso, who was killed by security forces in July 2016. Dozens of other leaders and members have been killed or captured since then, including a number of people from China's ethnic Uyghur minority who had joined the Santoso-led group.

In May, the militants killed four Christians in a village in Poso district, including one who was beheaded. Authorities said the attack was in revenge for the killings in March of two militants, including Santosos son.

Santoso was wanted for running a radical training camp in Poso, where a Muslim-Christian conflict killed at least 1,000 people from 1998 to 2002. He was linked to a number of deadly attacks against police officers and Christians.

Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation, has kept up a crackdown on militants since bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly Western and Asian tourists.

Militant attacks on foreigners in Indonesia have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller, less deadly strikes targeting the government, mainly police and anti-terrorism forces, and people militants consider to be infidels, inspired by Islamic State group tactics abroad.

____

Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (AP)  Growing up in Atlanta, Megan Ross spent every spare moment climbing trees, looking under rocks and observing creatures in the pond down the street from her home.

Winter visits to her grandparents place in New Hampshire meant hours staring out a window at a busy bird feeder and snowshoeing to a nearby beaver lodge.

The experiences set Ross on a path that reached new heights Sept. 8 when Lincoln Park Zoo announced she will become its next president and chief executive officer.

The appointment marks two firsts in the zoos 153-year history: first female to lead the zoo and first scientist in that role.

When I think about being the first woman scientist leader at the zoo, what I think about is perhaps some young kids out there might realize if you love animals theres lots of different career paths. Not all of them are being a veterinarian. You can do lots of different things such as what I did, which was study animal behavior, Ross told the Chicago Sun-Times.

But theres another level of importance, she acknowledged.

The zoo field, in general, has a large percentage of women in it, Ross said. For example, at Lincoln Park Zoo, I think were 68% female, and so when youre in an industry or a field where theres a lot of female representation, I would have expected there would be more female representation in the highest levels of zoos and aquariums. And there are many women who are leaders of zoos and aquariums, but I would say its certainly not reflective of how many women are actually in the field. I think we still have a little bit of a ways to go there.

Ross, who currently runs day-to-day operations at the zoo, officially takes the reins Jan. 1 from her longtime mentor, Kevin Bell, whos 69 and plans to retire.

Bells departure will be a loss. Hes been with Lincoln Park Zoo for 45 years. Having basically grown up on the grounds of the Bronx Zoo, where his father worked, Bell knows the job in a way few others can.

But Bell has no doubt that Ross, right out of the gate, will be better at the job than he was when he took over in 1995.

The Lincoln Park Zoological Society, the nonprofit that runs the free zoo, considered a national search for a new leader but concluded it wasnt necessary.

We knew we couldnt get anyone better, Bell said. She is a science nerd but has the capability of talking to non-scientists. And the tough thing for any head of a nonprofit is, you have to be able to relate well to donors, and shes got the personality that will do that very well.

C. John Mostofi, board chairman of the society, said We couldnt be more proud of the selection.

Ross received her doctorate from the Georgia Institute of Technology after conducting a study on the effects of ultraviolet light on bird behavior (birds see ultraviolet light as a fourth primary color that humans do not).

She got her dream job in 2000 as Lincoln Park Zoos curator of birds and soon after had an Aha! moment while listening to animal keepers argue about penguin aggression and whether extra rocks should be added to the habitat when it was not breeding season.

You know, we could study that, Ross told the keepers. We could collect data when they dont have the rocks and when they do have the rocks and see if theres more aggression, she said. And it was that moment that really made me feel like I had a lot to offer Lincoln Park Zoo and the zoo community in how I was approaching how we cared for animals.

Ross, 47, lives in Evanston with her husband, Steve; their 14-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son; and two dogs.

Steve Ross is a primatologist who oversees Lincoln Park Zoos conservation work and research concerning chimpanzees and gorillas.

Hes very interested in how animals are similar to humans, and Im very interested in how animals are so different from us, Megan Ross said.

Her other interests include reading (currently a murder mystery novel), hiking, lying in a hammock in her yard, needlepoint and watching Marvel superhero shows with her family.

As for Bell, hes going to take an honest-to-goodness vacation after he retires.

Much of his previous travel consisted of going on safari with zoo donors.

Its been a great life, he said.
NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP)  A Connecticut restaurant is taking an unorthodox approach to addressing staff shortages: robot servers to serve meals.

The operator of the New London location of the Shaking Crab told The Day that the ocean-themed restaurant will use regular waiters and waitresses to explain the menu and take orders but that the robots will deliver the meals to the tables.

Gulshan Soni told the newspaper the robots can be summoned with a bell, and said the innovation is partly for showmanship and to draw in customers with something unique, and partly to address staffing shortages being experienced across the industry. The four robots cost between $6,000 and $22,000, he said.

The restaurant is scheduled to open to the public in early October. The Shaking Crab has more than two dozen locations in the northeastern U.S. and China, according to its website.
PEKIN, Ill. (AP)  An Illinois woman accused of resenting a boyfriend's 4-year-old son was sentenced to 75 years in prison for killing the boy.

Lesli Jett was portrayed as a selfish drug abuser who didn't like being at the East Peoria home with Tate Thurman. The boy had multiples bruises and abrasions when he died in 2020.
JIM THORPE  Folks going into the Carbon County Courthouse may have to deal with some noise and other inconveniences as an elevator modernization project moves forward this year.

The county commissioners looked at two options with work either being done during the day with offices open and court in session, or at night, when no one is in the courthouse, which would not disrupt court activities.

Night work, however, would cost 29% more than work done during normal business hours, Commissioner Rocky Ahner said.

The difference is $93,011, and thats without additional for sheriffs deputies to be on duty at night, which Ahner said adds another $18,900 to $373,288 price tag. The same work done during the day will cost $280,277, Ahner said.

The commissioners are currently looking at spending $6.87 million on a 10- to 12-month courthouse renovation, and that same percentage on this project would take that up to $9.5 million, he said.

Ahner said he didnt want to set a precedent with all of the courthouse renovations being done at night. He did acknowledge that they may have to shift some work to night, but not an entire project.

His fellow commissioners agreed with moving ahead with the day-time option on the elevator project bids.

They awarded contracts as follows: general construction, Bognet Inc. of Hazle Twp., $68,777; electrical construction, Billitier Electric of Rochester, New York, $47,500; and elevator contract, Current Elevator Technology of Milford, $164,000.

The commissioners hoped to start the work in October, and it will continue for six weeks.

Other

In other business, the commissioners:
Four Lehigh Valley Health Network hospitals have been recognized by the American Heart Associations Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Achievement Award program for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

Lehigh Valley HospitalSchuylkill, Lehigh Valley HospitalHazleton, Lehigh Valley HospitalCedar Crest and Lehigh Valley HospitalPocono were honored by the AHA for their performance in 2020.

Lehigh Valley HospitalMuhlenberg, Lehigh Valley HospitalHazleton, Lehigh Valley HospitalSchuylkill and Lehigh Valley HospitalPocono are all certified primary stroke centers. A primary stroke center is a hospital that has developed special procedures to rapidly diagnose and treat a stroke emergency.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and speeding recovery times.
Nurses at OCH hold one of the baskets of goodies with thank you notes from grateful community members.
Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (469) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (809) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (950) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sep 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (174)
Prime Minister Florin Citu says it is left to be seen whether the National Liberal Party (PNL) could still collaborate with the Save Romania Union - Party of Liberty, Unity and Solidarity (USR PLUS) after the latter endorsed the censure motion alongside the Alliance for Romanians' Union (AUR), nonetheless he points out the alliance between the two parties represents a dangerous precedent, agerpres reports.

The specifications came after the PNL National Political Bureau (BPN) on Saturday adopted a resolution calling on USR PLUS to "immediately and completely denounce" any collaboration or joint political action with AUR, which they characterise as "an extremist, xenophobic and anti-European formation."

"We'll see then. If they go further along with AUR... PNL has very clearly said what is thinks about those who collaborate with extremist parties, we'll see then. (...) [The resolution] has been adopted because it was my colleagues' proposal. Both in Europe, in the European Parliament, as well as in Romania, there are very many question marks and questions raised on this alliance. In Germany this kind of extremist parties do not have access to anything, therefore no one legitimises them. In Romania there is a dangerous precedent, and I believe everyone is looking at this situation as being a dangerous precedent," he said.On the other hand, Citu voiced himself surprised that a new resolution denying any form of collaboration with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) had been voted again at the BPN meeting."First of all, for us the primary solution is the right wing government together with USR and UDMR [the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania]. This resolution today, at the president's proposal, was pointless, as one BPN meeting before, we had voted that we would never govern with PSD, therefore there are two things... But we voted the one today, too," said Citu.
Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu will participate from Monday until September 24, within the delegation headed by President Klaus Iohannis, in the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, on the sidelines of which he will be attending a series of multilateral meetings, agerpres reports.

"Our country's participation at the highest level in the current session of the UN General Assembly reconfirms our country's constant endorsement of the efficient and pragmatic multilateral diplomacy, as landmark of Romania's foreign policy, alongside the strict observance of international law and order based on regulations, as well as the desire to consolidate Romania's contribution to the UN activities, including by intensifying the bilateral collaboration with other member states of the organisation of all world regions," reads a Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) release sent to AGERPRES on Sunday.

The agenda of the Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the 76th UNGA session includes the participation in a series of multilateral meetings organised in this context, on topics such as the prospects of international humanitarian law and the role of the International Criminal Court in combatting impunity and consolidating the rule of law principal on a global level, as well as in other multilateral cooperation formats, such as the Alliance for Multilateralism."Furthermore, Minister Bogdan Aurescu will participate in a meeting of EU foreign ministers, mainly dealing with the situation in Afghanistan, with a focus on the recent developments in regards to the domestic and security situation, as well as regional cooperation. Moreover, the European ministers will approach the recent developments in Sahel and the Indo-Pacific region," the source shows.A distinct chapter will be devoted to Romania's attributions as President-in-Office of the Community of Democracies (2019-2022), through Minister Aurescu's hosting the tenth ministerial meeting.Besides the level representatives of the participating states in the Community of Democracies, the ministerial meeting will also see the participation of President of the 76th UNGA session Abdulla Shahid, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, CoD Secretary General Thomas Garrett, as well as civil society and youth organisations representatives.Under the CoD ministerial meeting topic this year - "Democracy and Resilience: Shared Goals," the Romanian presidency of the Community of Democracies plans to provide a proper framework for the further advancement of the democratic values on a global level, especially in the context of the current challenges democracies are facing worldwide, as well as the premises to continue the sustained action of consolidated democracies to make their efforts to consolidate democratic resilience more dynamic and more efficient.A special attention will be granted to the bilateral meetings with counterparts from countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia, South and East Asia, the Middle East Africa and states in the Pacific and the Caribbean, ranging within Romania's goal on the development and consolidation of the relations with the states in these regions.Minister Bogdan Aurescu's presence in New York will allow organising meetings with representatives of Jewish organisations in the U.S., traditional actions for the Romanian chief diplomat on the occasion of the participation in the UNGA sessions, MAE also points out.
Recently a Russian blogger displayed photos of the equipment of a self-propelled artillery battalion left unattended in a field near a railroad station. The weapons are 2S19 152mm self-propelled guns, which are the standard self-propelled artillery for the Russian army. The battalion was apparently part of a recent mobilization exercise that moved a lot of combat vehicles to locations near the eastern Ukraine border as part of an effort to persuade Ukraine to negotiate a favorable (for Russia) settlement to the stalemated 2014 Russian effort to seize two Ukrainian provinces. The Ukrainians responded more energetically to the attempted takeover than Russia expected and there has been a stalemate ever since.

The seemingly abandoned artillery battalion is probably one of the many victims of a shortage of Russian railroad flatcars. This shortage is made worse when the government carries out one of these mobilization exercises because the railroads are state-owned and run by a paramilitary organization that exists to follow orders instantly and without question. That does not always work, especially in peacetime when such mobilizations hurt the economy. Russia depends on the railroads because there are few highways. People living where the untended artillery battalion sits in the open hope it is temporary. Thats because since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, abandoned armored vehicles, warplanes and ships have become a local problem in many parts of Russia. A lot of the abandoned gear was Cold War era surplus the government could not or would not deal with. There is less of this now, but it still happens. The unattended 2S19 battalion near the Ukraine border may be waiting to be moved to the Belarus border, where another massive concentration of troops and equipment is planned, to support an ally rather than threaten a less-cooperative one.

The 2S19 entered service in 1989 and was in production from until 2019 with over 1,100 built. A thousand were delivered to Russian forces while over a hundred were exported to seven countries. A replacement has been developed but there is less demand for this type of vehicle as more nations, including Russia, adopt GPS guided rockets. As a recent design, 2S19s contain a lot of valuable components that can be easily removed and sold to black market traders. Getting caught looting a military vehicle results in some severe penalties. There are criminal gangs that specialize in this sort of thing and it may be some time before it becomes known if these unattended vehicles did suffer from looters. Russian media does not report such things and even Russian bloggers rarely report this openly because that recently became a crime.

A lot of bad news is reported. For example, a decade ago Russia planned to spend $650 billion to modernize their armed forces by 2020. This was part of a dramatic effort to permanently cut the Russian military loose from their Cold War past. This required scrapping over 10 million tons of obsolete weapons, including over 20,000 tanks, over 100,000 other armored vehicles and artillery, hundreds of ships and thousands of aircraft. During the 1990s, this stuff was just left to rot in open fields, remote airbases and dingy corners of ports and naval bases. After 2000, Russia spent about fifty million dollars a year providing some security, and minimal upkeep for much of this stuff. For a long time, there was the hope that the abandoned weapons might be useful if there was another major war. By 2010 it was clear that there would never be enough active-duty troops to operate the abandoned gear. After the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia was still around after losing half its population but with a growing list of debts. In the 1990s there was not enough cash to maintain a million active duty military personnel, which was a fifth of what the Soviet Union military had. The 14 new nations created when the Soviet Union fell apart also inherited a lot of Soviet weapons but Russia got most of them as well as most of the Soviet era high command. These generals and admirals opposed writing off most of these weapons and wasted a lot of money in a failed attempt to safeguard and maintain more of this old gear than they really needed. After 2000 it was agreed that what could not be used had to be disposed of. More than half the equipment to be scrapped was considered obsolete (by Russian standards). Nearly all of it is considered obsolete by Western standards. The rest of the world has picked over this pile of Cold War surplus since 1991 and bought what they thought might be useful. That made hardly a dent in the pile of abandoned weapons and equipment.

In addition to the hardware, there are millions of tons of Soviet era munitions that must be dismantled and disposed of. The explosives and rocket propellant in these devices must be carefully deactivated (or just blown up). This is an expensive process, and the government estimated that it would cost billions of dollars to get it done.

The Russians know it is possible to carry out such a huge and complex disposal effort because since 1991 they have been monitoring a small firm in Germany that has dismantled, for scrap and spare parts, over 14,000 armored vehicles. Most were tanks and armored personnel carriers, and about half the vehicles were from the former East German Army, whose armored vehicles were Russian designs usually manufactured in Russia. This force, and all its Russian equipment, became surplus when the two Germanys merged in 1990. The West German Army had nearly 10,000 armored vehicles, and most of these have been scrapped because of the end of the Cold War in 1991 and a disarmament treaty (Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, or CFE) that limited the number of armored vehicles Russia and Western nations could maintain in Europe. While Western nations scrapped lots of gear to get down to the treaty limits, and replaced some of it with new stuff, Russia moved their surplus gear further east, beyond the "treaty line."

While most of the German scrap metal went into the furnace to be recycled, many engines were sold off as spare parts for remaining vehicles of the same type, or for other uses. Some of the steel is very high quality, and was melted down for industrial and consumer items that require quality steel. Also removed and sorted were other types of metal, like copper. Many automotive and electrical components were also removed intact for reuse.

The work was monitored by Russian CFE inspectors, and photo satellites, to ensure that combat vehicles were destroyed. It takes 2-3 days to take apart a tank. Some components must be cut into pieces that will fit into the furnace. No special tools are required for disassembly, just a lot of hard work. The firm doing all the work was called, not surprisingly, the Battle Tank Dismantling Corporation. It was located 300 kilometers southwest of Berlin. Russia took note and planned to establish several similar Russian dismantling operations, to take apart and melt down the Cold War weapons once and for all.

Germany had the cash and determination to rid themselves of all these rusting reminders of the Cold War. Russia was broke and less bothered by all those decaying reminders of when Russia, as the Soviet Union, was a superpower that could man and maintain that many weapons. Not all Russians agree with that, especially in areas with more people, like the railroad station near the Ukraine border.
The U.S. Air Force spent $549 million on aircraft for the Afghan Air Force, most of which were junked a few years later at a scrap value of $40,257, according to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. (U.S. Air Force)

DAYTON, Ohio (Tribune News Service)  The U.S. Air Force spent $549 million on aircraft for the Afghan Air Force, most of which were junked a few years later at a scrap value of $40,257  a project that involved officials at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

This is according to a recent report from a federal watchdog agency which concluded that no one has been held accountable for that waste.

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction says Wright-Patterson officials were involved in awarding the contract for the G222 transport planes, ending it and investigating what went wrong.

Those officials include a retired Wright-Patterson general who the report accuses of violating federal law by going to work for the vendor that provided the planes, Alenia North America.

The report does not name the general, but the description identifies him as former Air Force Security Assistance Center commander Brig. Gen. Joseph Reheiser.

Reheiser referred all questions to his attorney, Jonathan Sack, who provided a statement: Gen. Reheiser disagrees with a suggestion in the February 2021 SIGAR Report that he had conflicting interests or otherwise acted inappropriately while in government service or the private sector. That the G222 program did not succeed was a great disappointment to everyone involved, including Gen. Reheiser, but it was not the result of bad faith or lack of hard work.

The U.S. Department of Justice last year declined to prosecute Reheiser, according to the report.

Federal prosecutors wont comment on that decision. The SIGAR report quotes Justice Department officials as saying convictions for such law violations are unheard of, and the general already received a verbal reprimand.

Federal prosecutors also declined to bring a civil case against Alenia. The U.S. government accepted the aircraft in spite of clear problems, the report says, weakening any lawsuit.

Unfortunately, no one involved in the program was held accountable for the failure of the G222 program, the report concludes.

Alenia North America was renamed Leonardo US Aircraft, a subsidiary of the Italian company Leonardo. Leonardo continues to be a U.S. military contractor, including a $176 million contract last year for 32 helicopters.

Officials with Leonardo in Rome said in a statement: Leonardo fundamentally disagrees with SIGARs opinions set forth in its G222 report, which contains factual errors and faulty analysis. Leonardo was a dedicated government contractor and worked diligently in its attempts to make the program successful.

SIGAR officials declined to make agency head John Sopko  a former Montgomery County prosecutor  available for an interview with the Dayton Daily News. But in an interview with NPR in August as the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, he said the special inspector general has detailed failings in reconstruction since it was formed by Congress in 2008.

We cant rewind the clock in Afghanistan, Sopko said. But we are doing similar work in other countries. And we should learn from the 20 years, not try to forget it and wash it away or sweep it under the rug.

The G222 debacle was cited in a SIGAR report released in August, detailing lessons learned in 20 years of attempting to rebuild Afghanistan. That report says the U.S. government spent $145 billion to rebuild Afghanistan, including its security forces. The U.S. spent another $837 billion on warfighting. During this time, 2,443 American troops and 1,144 allied troops lost their lives  along with at least 66,000 Afghan troops and 48,000 Afghan civilians.

The August SIGAR report says the problem with the G222 contract was a theme in Afghanistan reconstruction projects: rushed execution aiming for short-term gains without taking the time to ensure those gains were sustainable.

Mandy Smithberger with the Project on Government Oversight, said the special inspector generals findings underline issues Congress should address, including lax penalties for violations of revolving doors ethics laws, and a need for a full accounting of missteps in Afghanistan.

The reason (the G222 program) is a big deal is its emblematic of lots of little things that occurred in our reconstruction efforts, she said.

A sole source contract

U.S. military commanders in Afghanistan in 2006 said the Afghan Air Force had an urgent need for medium airlift capability. They identified old G222 planes in Italy that they thought could meet that mission.

The plan was for U.S. Air Force pilots and crew to train Afghan personnel, then give them the planes to last through 2022. Among other things, they would be used to transport Afghanistans president and members of parliament.

Commanders in Afghanistan submitted the request to the Air Force Security Assistance Center at Wright-Patt, overseen by Reheiser. That security center has since been renamed the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate. It is still based here.

The directorate guides foreign military partners during the process of purchasing U.S. weapons systems and construction of support facilities. Its role with the G222 was to identify a contracting center to award the contract and provide program management. It ultimately chose an office at Robins Air Force Base.

Contracting officials at Robins issued a sole-sole source contract to buy the planes from Alenia North America, the U.S. arm of an Italian company, instead of seeking competitive bids.

The special inspector general criticized that decision instead of one which would have led to a competitive bid process. That process would have taken longer but required additional controls. SIGAR says this was done because the money for the project would expire at the end of 2008. Air Force officials said in their official response to the report said it was because the need for the aircraft was urgent.

Air Force officials were under immense pressure to deliver on the contract, the report says. It quotes a 2008 email from a Air Force deputy undersecretary to Reheiser and others saying: Failure is NOT an option here.

This rush led them to overlook obvious problems, the report says. For example, the planes were grounded for years in the open near the sea in Italy. AFSAC and Alenia claimed enough spare parts existed to support the planes for 10 years, but that wasnt true, the report says. And it says Pentagon inspections of the aircraft before they were delivered were inadequate.

A lot of stuff they (Alenia) signed up for they couldnt do and didnt understand the consequences, the report quotes an unnamed contracting official as saying.

Where we failed

The planes started arriving in Afghanistan in 2009, without enough spare parts. We started cannibalizing aircraft for parts almost on day one, the report quotes another contract official as saying.

But the planes operated well, at first.

We flew members of Parliament to Pakistan, and we did airdrop resupply... There was nothing that we did not accomplish that first year. It was amazing, amazing success, the report quotes an Air Force officer as saying. So I think we proved the operational validity of the airplane in Afghanistan. What we couldnt do was sustain it, and thats where we failed.

By 2012, 16 planes had been delivered to Afghanistan, and problems mounted. Often, six of them were cannibalized for spare parts to keep the others flying, the report says.

Complaints form Air Force pilots and others led to multiple investigations by defense oversight agencies.

After reports of near-fatal mishaps, Lt. Gen. David Goldfein, commander of the U.S. Air Force Central Command in the region, ordered an investigation. The findings issued in April 2012 found the planes were poorly suited for Afghanistans harsh environment. It also found shortcomings with the refurbishment and maintenance of the planes.

The Department of Defense Inspector General also investigated and in January 2013 issued a report saying Air Force officials didnt properly plan for long-term sustainment when they bought the planes.

The number of aircraft able to fly on any given day varied from zero to three because of problems associated with the maintenance and spare parts, that report says.

Wright-Patterson commander ends contract, planes scrapped

A draft of that report was provided to Air Force Life Cycle Management officials at Wright-Patt in 2012. Officials here with the Mobility and Training Aircraft Directorate are responsible for sustaining and upgrading mobility aircraft.

At that point, the Air Force had obligated $486.1 million on the G222. Wright-Patterson officials said if the project continued through 2022, as planned, the total cost would be $830 million; the inspector general estimated it would actually be about $200 million more than that.

The Department of Defense inspector general wrote that NATO commanders and Air Force program managers have not effectively managed the G222 program and have not determined the cost or availability of spare parts to sustain the aircraft. As a result, (they) may spend about $200 million in Afghanistan Security Forces Funds on spare parts for an aircraft that may not be sustainable.

After receiving this draft report, Kevin Buckley, Air Force Program Executive Officer for Mobility at Wright-Patterson, directed the contract not to be renewed in March 2013.

After failed attempts to find a buyer, the 16 planes at Kabul International Airport were sold to an Afghan scrap company for $40,257. Four more G222s that hadnt been delivered remain parked at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

AFRL review finds refurbishment shortfalls

Multiple reviews of what went wrong continued. Teams from the Air Force Research Lab at Wright-Patterson assisted in 2015 with inspecting the planes at Ramstein. The inspection found multiple examples of improper refurbishment, the special inspector general report says.

The four aircraft examined exhibited hazardous conditions which compromise their airworthiness. There is clear and compelling evidence the subject aircraft were not refurbished ... in accordance with commonly accepted standards, the team concluded, according to the SIGAR report.

In 2016, these findings were presented to representatives from the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of Ohio for potential prosecution, the report says. Officials with the local U.S. Attorneys Office say they reviewed the civil case, not the criminal case.

Oversight added of Afghanistan projects

Officials at Wright-Patterson would not answer questions from the Dayton Daily News about the G222. They pointed to the Pentagons response in the special inspector generals report.

The G222 program was intended to address a bona fide requirement, but failed broadly in execution, says the response from Kenneth Handelman, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense of the Afghanistan region. In the 2007-2008 timeframe, while the G222 program was in development, a resurgent Taliban led to pressure from the highest levels of the U.S. government to accelerate Afghan aviation capability. The urgency contributed to some of the management weaknesses documented previously.

It says systemic oversight failures with programs like the G222 led Congress to create a Afghanistan Resources Oversight Council in 2010. And it says the Secretary of Defense has increased oversight of such programs.

WPAFB general gets verbal reprimand

SIGARs findings about Reheisers involvement in the G222 program came after a previous investigation by the Secretary of the Air Force Inspector General found he violated post-employment restrictions.

Reheiser was commander of the Air Force Security Assistance Center at Wright-Patterson from June 2007 to his retirement in June 2009. He then became vice president of air mobility programs at Alenia, and ended up managing the G222 contract for the company.

Reheisers attorney noted that nothing in the report accuses the general of being in contact with Alenia before leaving the Air Force. The attorney said Reheiser had no contact with the company until after he retired in late 2009 and was hired to work on a different program. He said Reheiser only started working on the G222 when the initial program manager left in mid-2010.

Federal law prohibits military contracting officers from working on matters they handled while a government employee for two years after leaving government service. Violating this law can lead to civil actions or prison time.

The Air Force inspector general found Reheiser knowingly made, with intent to influence, communications to employees of the United States on behalf of Alenia North America in connection with the G222 contract, however they found he unwittingly violated the ban, the SIGAR report says.

Reheiser received a verbal reprimand in September 2013.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice would not comment on the special inspector generals report, but said they do prosecute conflict of interest cases and cited a case two months ago in Washington D.C. involving a U.S. park police sergeant.

WPAFB provides ethics guidance

Contracting personnel, including program managers and contracting officers, receive annual ethics training, which includes identifying conflicts of interest, a statement from Wright-Patterson officials says.

It says personnel are trained to seek legal advice if questions arise. Government acquisition personnel also file annual financial disclosure statements.

The SIGAR report says Reheiser requested and received post-government employment ethics guidance from Wright-Patterson legal personnel before and after retiring.

Reheiser told Air Force investigators he didnt recall getting guidance after retiring or having discussions with ethics counselors regarding post-government employment restrictions, the special inspector generals report says.

SIGAR says Reheiser downplayed his role with the G222 program, saying: I dont remember having any specific meetings or anything about this program.

But it says a contracting officer at Robins Air Force Base told SIGAR the general was the only person they dealt with at Wright-Patterson about the G222 contract. Officials at both bases said Reheiser was significantly involved with the program while on active duty, the report says.

Reheisers rank and connections created an appearance of impropriety while worked for Alenia, the special inspector generals report says, leaving some with the perception he used his influence to improve assessments of Alenias performance and release held payments.

Boondoggles without consequence

Smithberger, with the Project on Government Oversight, said violations of ethics laws often result in no more than a slap on the wrist.

One of the global concerns we have had around a lot of revolving doors and ethics laws is they arent very strictly enforced, she said. Even the appearance of a conflict of interest creates doubts about the integrity of the process.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office this month released a report on how acquisitions officials leaving the Pentagon for contractors can lead to conflict of interest and affect public confidence in the government.

The report looked at 14 major defense contractors and found they hired about 1,700 recent former DOD military and civilian officials who were high-ranking or worked in acquisitions.

It found DOD has improved guidance and training for post-government employment restrictions and recommended expanding its regulations to cover lobbying. This is one of several reforms to revolving door laws proposed.

In addition to these reforms, Smithberger said what needs to happen now is follow-up reports to make sure increased oversight pledged by the Air Force is effective.

And she said Congress should authorize an independent commission to make sure we learn from mistakes made over two decades in Afghanistan  including with the G222 contract.

Youre not going to discourage wasteful spending if you have boondoggles like this, but there arent any consequences, she said.

(c)2021 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)

Visit the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio) at www.daytondailynews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Coast Guard and the Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Department rescued six boaters after their 30-foot white pleasure craft struck a fixed aid to navigation in the vicinity of Ham Island, on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. (U.S. Coast Guard)

(Tribune News Service)  Six people were rescued early Sunday morning when their 30-foot boat struck a fixed navigational aid near Ham Island, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

A good samaritan called the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay Command Center at about 12:18 a.m. to report hearing a large crash and calls for help, officials said.

A boat from the Coast Guard station in Beach Haven, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from the Coast Guard station in Atlantic City, a jet ski crew from Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Department and Beach Haven Police Department shore crews responded.

The Beach Haven boat crew and the Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Department jet ski crew rescued the six boaters from the water. Each had sustained several unspecified injuries from the crash, officials said.

Emergency crews onshore took the boaters to various local hospitals. Local and state police could not immediately provide details on the victims and their injuries.

A marine safety broadcast was issued to mariners to be on the lookout for debris from the crash. Coast Guard crews are working to fix the navigational aid.

2021 Advance Local Media LLC.

Visit nj.com.
Currently, the Coast Guards Great Lakes District commands only one heavy icebreaker, the USCGC Mackinaw, shown here at Millard D. Olds Memorial Moorings, the cutter's home-port of Cheboygan, Mich., in 2013. (Stephen Elliot/U.S. Coast Guard.)

(Tribune News Service)  Hopes for building a $350 million, state-of-the-art Great Lakes heavy icebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard have moved out of committee and will be voted on by the full U.S. House of Representatives as part of President Bidens $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill.

Our nations defensive capabilities, manufacturing industries, and economic vitality depend on the ability of vessels to reliably, safely, and efficiently navigate the more than 2,000 miles of shipping lanes of the Great Lakes region, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) said.

She was one of four co-chairs of the bipartisan House Great Lakes Task Force who co-signed a July 28 letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy calling upon the government to fund a new icebreaker. Also signing that letter were U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D., Mich.), U.S. Rep. David Joyce (R., Ohio) and U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R., Mich.).

The letter states that changing climate patterns are resulting in fluctuating lake levels, more frequent winters with heavy ice cover, and a higher intensity and frequency of extreme storms.

These conditions impact ice thickness and create unpredictable ice flows, the letter states. Both ice cover and severe storms cause closures of critical waterways across the region, stalling shipping traffic.

Currently, the Coast Guards Great Lakes District commands only one heavy icebreaker, the USCGC Mackinaw. A second one will double the Coast Guards capacity to clear Great Lakes shipping lanes of ice, Ms. Kapturs office said.

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority has lobbied for an additional icebreaker for years, as has the Lake Carriers Association, American Great Lakes Ports Association and other industry groups, Joe Cappel, the port authoritys vice president of business development, said.

Meanwhile, the latest statistics show a continued upward movement of Great Lakes shipping this year.

The 20.7 million metric tons of cargo shipped through the St. Lawrence Seaway from the Seaways 2021 opening on March 22 through Aug. 31 represent a 5.2 percent increase over the same time in 2020.

Iron ore, steel, and cement are among the commodities on the rise, according to the Great Lakes Seaway Partnership, a coalition of U.S. and Canadian maritime organizations.

Iron ore exports to high-demand countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea experienced a 29 percent tonnage increase compared to the same months of 2020, Craig H. Middlebrook, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. deputy administrator, said.

Grain exports to Europe, South America, and Asia are expected to be high as fall harvest arrives, especially with corn and soybean yields up over 2020, he said.

Mr. Cappel noted that the Port of Toledo is home to several very active grain terminals, including one of the largest flour mills in the world operated by Mondelez.

He said cargo through the Toledo port exceeded 2020 totals by more than 25 percent, surpassing six million tons through August for the first time since 2011.

Mr. Cappel attributed much of that to the new Cleveland-Cliffs Toledo Direct Reduction Plant, formerly known as Cleveland-Cliffs HBI.

He said iron ore produced by that facility has really helped elevate the Port to the next level.

Its exciting to think about the potential of this Port as we look toward the future, Mr. Cappel said.

The Chamber of Marine Commerce issued the same figures in a separate news release, stating that shipments of iron ore, steel, cement, and stone surged through the region.

Great Lakes- St. Lawrence ships and ports specialize in efficiently transporting the metals and minerals that are now fueling North Americas manufacturing and general economic recovery, Bruce Burrows, Chamber of Marine Commerce president and chief executive officer, said. We expect this surge in materials through our trade corridor to continue in the coming months.

(c)2021 The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)

Visit The Blade (Toledo, Ohio) at www.toledoblade.com
Syrian and Iraqi women are seen near the market in al-Hol, a camp housing displaced people in Hasakah province in northeast Syria. (Nicole Tung//for The Washington Post)

AL-HOL CAMP, Syria  The killings have taken on a creeping sense of inevitability, guards say. No one admits to hearing them, let alone knowing who is responsible.

On a recent morning, officials inside al-Hol detention camp said it was still too dangerous to try recovering the latest pair of corpses discovered overnight. Were still investigating, said an exhausted camp guard, slumping in her office chair, her shirt rumpled and ponytail messy after a night without sleep.

Since January, officials report, more than 70 people have been killed inside northeast Syrias al-Hol camp, which houses 62,000 family members of Islamic State fighters and others detained during the collapse of its self-declared caliphate more than two years ago.

Al-Hol has become an ever more dangerous and desperate place. Religious militancy is on the rise, imperiling those who are not as fanatical. Killings are often blamed on hard-line women who take advantage of the fragile security to enforce their strictures and settle scores. Security sweeps to confiscate handguns, knives and other weapons have made little difference, according to officials at the camp, which is run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Tensions between captives and captors are boiling.

Mohamed Bashir, a supervisor for some of the guards, furrowed his brow as he ticked off recent attacks on his fingers: Ambushes against troops. Rocks thrown at aid workers. A gold shop, just outside his office on the edge of the communal market, was ransacked in July. Women in the camp often need money to buy provisions and, sometimes, to pay smugglers to get them out.

They took gold; they took dollars, Bashir said, wearily placing a hand to his temple.

Hours later, another person was killed on the edge of the same market, local media reported, providing no other details.

In the swirling dust, theres little left of the dreams once harbored by many of these detainees  Syrians, Iraqis and other foreigners from dozens of countries around the world  but vengeance and fear and a desperate wish to go home.

- - -

Relatives of Warda Obeid, a 60-year-old grandmother from Iraq's Anbar province, carry her body to a cemetery near al-Hol camp. Her nephew Saken Obeid, at right, in white, said she had died of a heart condition for which adequate treatment at the camp was unavailable. (Nicole Tung/for The Washington Post)

Al-Hol was not built for this. It opened in the 1990s as a small camp for displaced Iraqis.

But as the final battle raged between the U.S.-backed forces and defenders of the ISIS caliphate in early 2019, and captured militants were carted off to prison, their families were brought here. Within weeks, the camp population was 55,000, and a humanitarian disaster was unfolding.

Worse was to come.

As spring turned to summer that year, aid workers struggled to cope and some of the camps most radical women started trying to reimpose the ISIS rules on the families around them. Among the most radical were the Iraqis, who now make up nearly half the camps population.

Women who removed their black face coverings were tried in kangaroo courts inside the tents. Signs of post-traumatic stress syndrome rippled through the camps children, who received little psychological support despite having survived terrors inside ISIS and violence outside it.

What are we meant to do? asked a 52-year-old Iraqi woman, who did not share her name. Two handbags stuffed with personal documents were slung across her black abaya. You cant just leave us here and hope that we die. She said she had requested repatriation to Iraq but received no answer.

Other women on the market street were Syrian, and from all corners of the country.

We need these people back home. We cant cope with them here, said Bashir, shuffling through a sheaf of identification papers on his desk.

- - -

Three women and a child walk near the market in al-Hol camp. (Nicole Tung/for The Washington Post)

Most foreign governments have done little to bring their nationals home from al-Hol camp.

But efforts are underway by the Kurdish-led local authority and Arab tribes in this part of Syria to reduce the temperature inside the camp by sending Syrians home. Thousands of Syrian men, women and children have already departed the camp after local tribesmen vouched for the returnees, guaranteeing they could be reintegrated into their home villages and towns.

No one else has the power to do this, said tribal leader Sheikh Mohamed Turki al-Swiyan, interviewed in the northern city of Raqqa with a family he had helped to leave the camp. Presidents rise and fall. Princes take up arms and kill each other. Only the tribes here are constants.

But the process is riddled with problems. In some cases, officials said, tribal leaders have sponsored individuals they do not know or from outside their community, in return for payments from their families, and some of those returnees have since disappeared.

Many of the former detainees are coming back to communities still reeling from the Islamic States brutal rule and, in many cases, to neighborhoods battered by the war.

Members of three families that had returned to Raqqa, once the ISIS capital, described lives of destitution and ostracized isolation, saying their neighbors ignored or taunted them. Mothers from the local community are wary of letting their children play with the returnees. The doors of neighbors who once shared meals now stay closed.

They should have provided us with help when we came back, said Fatima Mustafa, 47, sitting on the floor of her familys spartan home. Without work, many returnees are sinking deeper into debt.

The neighbors saw that we were just women without our men. Surely they should have given us aid, Mustafa said.

Elsewhere in the city, an older woman, Umm Shaima, whose daughter had returned from al-Hol, twisted her fingers between nervous hands as she spoke. They can say what they like; were not hurting anyone, she said as her grandchildren stood quietly in the doorway.

Residents of Raqqa interviewed nearby had little sympathy. What do they expect? asked one man, Mustafa Hamed, as he showed reporters around his home. It had been badly damaged in a U.S.-led coalition airstrike during the fight against the militants. A wire sparked and the ceiling sagged dangerously as his 7-year-old daughter Janna played below it.

Near the citys main hospital, where the militants had once garrisoned, Hassan Mustafa shrugged when asked about the returnees. They killed people and now were back here giving all we have to rebuild. You think we have time to think about them?

His brother Ali agreed. They should go back to their camp, he said. No one wants them here.

- - -

Shaimaa, 5, plays in a window frame at the home of her grandmother, Umm Shaimaa, in Raqqa. Shaimaa, her siblings and her mother, who is Syrian, were all brought back from al-Hol camp to Raqqa as part of a returnee program facilitated by tribal leaders. But children like Shaimaa, who was born to a Saudi father in the Islamic State, have no documentation and no official nationality, as citizenship can only be transferred through the father. (Nicole Tung/for The Washington Post)

The Iraqi government says it is trying to bring home its nationals held in al-Hol. But the initiative is so politically fraught in Iraq that the first major operation to repatriate them, earlier this summer, transferred fewer than 400 people, according to Iraqi officials.

Among those who had hoped to join them was Warda Obeid, 60, a grandmother from Iraqs sprawling desert province of Anbar. But her health had deteriorated as the months of waiting wore on, her family said. Her diabetes worsened first. Doctors diagnosed a heart condition. Medicine was in short supply. Last month, she died.

Obeid was laid to rest on a rocky outcrop of land overlooking the camp. Her family dug the grave under a camp guards watchful eye.

Her body arrived on the back of a truck, wrapped in a fleece blanket.

She just wanted to see Iraq again, said her 50-year old nephew Saken, as his brothers and cousins dug the pit for her. She was tired. She wanted to go home.

On the horizon, a storm appeared to gather out of nowhere and before long, it was whipping up desert sand as the family dug faster and more frantically. Soon, the camp was engulfed.

Saken shook his head, hand on hip. This place ... he said, trailing off. The dust cloud grew nearer, its shape clear against the slate-gray sky. The family kept digging; a young man cursed.

We cant stay here, Obeid sighed. There must be a solution.

The Washington Posts Mustafa al-Ali contributed to this report.
Andrea Dotts, 24, is a certified high school teacher but came to work at Begin With Us Pre-K Center in Altoona, Pa., at the start of the new school year. (Jeff Swensen/for The Washington Post)

South Shore Stars early childhood program in Weymouth, Mass., received zero applicants this summer for its preschool teacher positions. It was a big change from when Director Jennifer Curtis was superintendent of a local school district and routinely had 200 people apply for elementary school jobs.

The problem, Curtis said, is day care workers typically make about $12 an hour and work a demanding job year-round. Public schools and other employers, who are also scrambling to hire workers, are poaching child care workers by offering thousands of dollars more a year and better benefits. A nearby Dunkin starts pay at $14 an hour.

People tell Curtis theyll come to South Shore Stars as a last resort if they cant find anything else.

Hiring and retaining good workers has been tough in the child care industry for years, but it is escalating into a crisis. Pandemic-fueled staffing challenges threaten to hold back the recovery, as the staffing problems at day cares have a ripple effect across the economy. Without enough staff, day cares are turning away children, leaving parents  especially mothers  unable to return to work.

Nearly 1.6 million moms of children under 17 are still missing from the labor force. They dropped out during the pandemic to care for children and have not been able to return to work as the school and day care situation remains chaotic, especially for unvaccinated children under the age of 12. There are still COVID outbreaks occurring at schools, and some childcares and after-school programs remain closed or they are accepting fewer children.

Even the White House is concerned. In a new report this past week, President Joe Bidens Treasury Department called the current child care system unworkable with high costs for parents, low wages for workers and not enough spots for kids.

Child care is a textbook example of a broken market, said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, a mother herself. She pointed out that families pay, on average, 13% of their income on child care for young kids, yet day care workers earn so little they rank in the bottom 2% of all professions. Biden has proposed the largest federal investment ever in child care in an effort to transform the sector.

This is a crisis, said Diane Barber, executive director of the Pennsylvania Child Care Association. Parents are looking for child care, but now its this Catch-22. We dont have the staff, so we cant open the classrooms, so families cant go back to work because they cant find child care.

The numbers are staggering: The child care services industry is still down 126,700 workers  more than a 10% decline from pre-pandemic levels, Labor Department data shows. While many industries complain they cant find enough workers, the hiring situation is more dire in child-care than restaurants right now.

Young women in their late teens and 20s who are typically drawn to work at day-care centers are opting instead to take jobs as administrative assistants, retail clerks and bank tellers, according to interviews with former workers and day care owners. Veteran child care workers are quitting. One day care worker interviewed for this article quit in the past week. Several others indicated they are contemplating exiting soon. More than 10,000 workers have left the industry since June, Labor Department data show.

The pay is absolute crap for whats required for the position, said Tanzie Roberts, who quit in June. I cant afford to live on my own and work the child care jobs that I am qualified for.

Roberts now works from her Florida home doing administrative work for a tech company. She says she really misses working with kids but could not survive on the low wage at the day care. Her new job does not expose her to COVID and pays more than $15 an hour with health insurance  a significant increase from the $11.45 she made working at a national chain day-care center.

More than a third of child care providers are considering quitting or closing down their business within the next year, as a sense of hopelessness permeates the industry, according to a report last month from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Over half of minority-owned centers are in danger of shutting, the report warns. Barber, who runs the child care group in Pennsylvania, says she now spends much of her day trying to talk day care owners off the ledge so they dont close.

Jolie Cover started Begin With Us 30 years ago in Altoona, Pa., and describes 2021 as the hardest year in her career. (Jeff Swensen/for The Washington Post) Kelly Soyka, 34, serves a meal at Begin With Us Pre-K Center in Altoona, Pa. (Jeff Swensen/for The Washington Post) Alessa Morgan, 3, leaves her pre-school program at Begin With Us Pre-K Center in Altoona, Pa. (Jeff Swensen/for The Washington Post) Chelsea Hallinan, 37, organizes children's take-home packets while they nap at the Begin With Us Pre-K Center in Altoona, Pa. (Jeff Swensen/for The Washington Post)

Centers that serve working-class families or those in rural areas are especially in danger of closing as directors say they cant raise costs.

We dont have our toddler room open right now. Even the infant room isnt currently full, because we dont have enough staff, said Sky Purdin, director of development at Jasmin Child Care and Preschool in Fargo, N.D., which serves low-income families. We cant match Walmart offering $15 or up. We are a small child care center and we are not able to provide benefits. People are going to jobs that have benefits.

For years, there have been calls to pay child care workers more, as the median pay in the industry  $25,460 a year, according to the Labor Department  is below the poverty line for a family of four. During the coronavirus pandemic, the work has become even harder as staff must ensure kids as young as two and three wear masks and dont touch each other.

The reason child care centers pay less than service sector jobs is tied to their business model. Staffing costs are by far the biggest budget item at day-care centers, as many must abide by local laws that mandate one caregiver per three to five kids, depending on the ages of the kids and the area of the country. Childcare labor costs can be as much as 50 to 60%t of a day-care budget, according to a Treasury report. By contrast, restaurant labor costs tend to be about 30% of their budgets.

A study conducted during the pandemic by Philip Sirinides, director of the Institute of State and Regional Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg, found labor costs account for 80% of a child care centers budget. Raising pay for workers typically requires hiking fees for parents.

Child care providers have very narrow margins. They have to be at full capacity. Thats the only way the business model works for them, said Sirinides.

Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., approved $39 billion in child care relief in March as part of the Democrats American Rescue Plan, with the bulk of the money going toward stabilization funds that child care centers can use for anything from worker pay to fixing the roof to buying masks. Months later, only 14 states have their applications up and running so child care centers can apply for funding, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The funding is viewed as a short-term fix by economists and day care owners who say it would not be enough to permanently raise pay in the industry.

Im already known as the most expensive day care in town, said Jordyn Rossignol, owner of Miss Jordyns Child Development Center in rural Caribou, Maine. We need significant public investment to stay open. The days of only surviving off tuition from parents and off the backs of working families is done.

Rossignol said she has lost 24 staff members since the pandemic started. Nearly all told her they quit because they can make more money elsewhere. She pays $12.15 to $14 an hour, depending on experience. Among her former employees, two are working as bank tellers now, one went to a trucking company. Many became nannies. Her best toddler teacher now works across the street at a paint store.

Biden and top Democrats in Congress want to spend about $450 billion on child care as part of a sweeping $3.5 trillion bill, which would be the largest ever investment in federally backed child care programs. The legislation would reduce child care costs for low and middle-income families, and offer higher wages to caregivers, while providing free prekindergarten to all 3- and 4-year-olds.

Republicans and some moderate Democrats, such as Sen. Joe Manchin III from West Virginia, are balking at the high price of the overall bill. They want to see a smaller package, where aid is more targeted to those most in need. Manchin said Its not the federal governments responsibility to educate all our children, to reporters from his state in May.

Roberts, the former child care worker who quit in June, grew up dreaming of becoming a teacher. But she says it was disheartening to learn that day care workers with 20 years more experience than her still made less than $15 an hour. During the pandemic when she had to get toddlers to keep their masks on and not touch each other, she was given a raise of 15 cents per hour.

A day care worker named Danielle in central Florida who is in her 30s said she is thinking of quitting. She asked that her full name not be used for fear of retribution from her employer, a national child care chain. Her job does not offer health insurance. She babysits and grooms pets on weekends to make ends meet.

I make $11 an hour and Im exhausted, Danielle texted on a brief break. My credit cards are almost maxed out and my savings are dwindling. Its not looking good ... I stay because I love the kiddos. It breaks my heart to think about having to find a new job.

Another problem that child care providers cite in hiring staff is increased difficulty in obtaining the necessary criminal background checks for workers during the pandemic, especially from state government offices. Child care centers are required to fingerprint potential hires and check to ensure a new hire is not listed on the sex offender registry and has not committed child neglect or abuse in any state they lived in during the past five years. Some states have been especially slow to release background checks during the pandemic, numerous child care directors and advocates told The Washington Post.

Still, the top concern in the industry is how to raise pay. Among college graduates, those who major in early childhood education earn the least out of 137 majors, according to a report from Georgetown Universitys Center on Education and the Workforce.

Jolie Cover called this the hardest year in her 30 years running Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool in Altoona, Pa. She is struggling to get applicants with even an associates degree or basic certificate.

Our country needs to look at what we really value. We should value our youngest learners, Cover said. Our youngest kids should be cared for and educated in settings that are no less than what they receive in K-12 school districts.

The Washington Posts Andrew Van Dam contributed to this report.
The General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park wrapped in aluminum. (Southern Area Blue Incident Management Team)

The largest tree in the world has lived through millennia, has been named for a Civil War general, and has shaded a socialist commune that briefly called it Marx. Now the centerpiece of Sequoia National Park is endangered by the California wildfires burning nearby.

The KNP Complex Fire  which comprises the Colony and Paradise fires  is torching the Sierra Nevada area and leading firefighters to wrap the giant trees in aluminum to protect them from the inferno that began Sept. 9 and had burned through 17,900 acres as of Saturday night.

The sequoias, believed to be some of the worlds most ancient, became a national landmark in the mid-19th century. Hamilton, General Grant, General Sherman and others are named for American leaders, and their histories enmeshed with the then-nascent countrys history and politics.

Sequoias, which can live to be about 3,000 years old, had already been known by the Native American tribes that inhabited the Sierra Nevada. Then, in the mid-1800s, the giant trees became a tourist attraction after a hunter had an encounter with what newspapers of the time deemed the Sylvan Mastodon or the Vegetable Monster.

According to a 1975 National Park Service history briefing, the crew of an 1833 expedition into the Sierra Nevada is credited as being the first group of White people to spot the sequoias, but it never reported the discovery. Almost two decades later, Augustus T. Dowd, a hunter tasked with feeding Gold Rush miners, chased a wounded bear into the woods and walked into a sequoia grove.

News spread fast, describing trees that dwarfed people. It was the equivalent of finding a unicorn or Big Foot, said Daegen Miller, a historian and author of This Radical Land: A Natural History of American Dissent.

Over the next several years, explorers, loggers, scientists and tourists flocked to the land of the massive trees. Carriage trips through the sequoias catered to sightseers, and hotels attracted Ralph Waldo Emerson and other environmentalists of the time.

The enormous trees, Miller said, caused a frenzy because the United States had a lack of pride in its offerings.

White Americans felt really insecure because they felt like they didnt have the culture that Europe had with its Roman ruins and old antiquities, he said. But when the sequoias burst into the American imagination, all of a sudden a lot of folks in the United States were like: Wow, Europe doesnt have these trees that are several thousands of years old and hundreds of feet tall. No one has ever seen trees quite like this before.

The issue then became how to name the new source of American grandeur. When specimens of the trees shipped to the East Coast got lost, British scientists beat everyone to the chase  naming the trees Wellingtonia gigantea for the Duke of Wellington in 1853. But Americans werent going to have that, Miller said. Instead they adopted the name given by a French scientist: Sequoia gigantea, in honor of Sequoyah, the Native American creator of the Cherokee writing system.

Gen. William Sherman, head-and-shoulders portrait, engraving by J.C. Buttre. (Library of Congress)

The study of these trees continued as the Civil War divided the nation. Although California was largely removed from the conflict raging to the east, its mostly pro-Union stance led to trees being named for some of the Armys most prominent leaders. The second- and fourth-largest sequoias in the country were named in 1867 for Gen. Ulysses Grant, who would become president, and for Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated two years prior.

Those trees named for American giants of the time pale in comparison to General Sherman, whose volume 52,508 cubic feet makes it the largest single-stem tree in the world. The 275-foot tree now estimated to be between 2,200 and 2,700 years old, was named in 1879 for William Tecumseh Sherman, a Union Army general and commander during the Indian Wars.

Known for his sense of military strategy and as a loyal friend to Grant, Sherman is hailed for his role leading to the Confederacys surrender  yet his tactics were often brutal. Employing scorched-earth tactics, Shermans march through Georgia and the Carolinas devastated cities and communities. Sherman, as an officer in the American Indian Wars, urged U.S. troops to exterminate all the brutes.

The trees name, Miller said, is one of the paradoxes in American culture. Its species name originated from a Cherokee man. The emblematic tree honors a general who killed Native Americans.

So you get General Sherman, one of the most feared Indian fighters in the U.S., whose middle name, Tecumseh, is after an Indian resistance fighter, whose name then gets put onto a tree called the sequoia, brings out all these layers of irony, Miller said. Its a really rich episode with many layers of irony and a tragedy, and the way that certain historical stories got erased or closed in a very specific way for specific political and cultural reasons.

The ginormous trees current name is not the only one it has had. For five years, it was Karl Marx.

From 1886 to 1892, the Kaweah Colony, a socialist commune established itself amid the Sierra Nevadas sequoia groves after its organizer, Charles Kellar, heard of the vast timber region dotted with giant trees, the Fresno Bee reported in 1936. With 40 colonists, Kellar organized a community whose economy was based on sustainable logging. But the colonys utopian dream began faltering when it began selling lumber.

That caught the attention of the head of the Southern Pacific Railroad, who saw the commune as an economic competitor because the railroad was the main lumber transporter from Oregon to the valley, Miller said.

According to Miller, the Southern Pacific Railroad began pushing for the area to become a national park. In 1890, President Benjamin Harrison signed into law the creation of Sequoia, Yosemite and General Grant parks  with two of the first three national parks in the country protecting the sequoias and pushing out the Kaweah Colony.

Since then, the tree has been known by its original U.S. name, General Sherman. Its history, Miller says, underscores how Americans use land for a sense of identity.

We look at the environment for our sense of home, and the way we name things opens up deeply fundamental questions to who we think we are, he said. Theres a politics to this culture, and its the politics that tells us who we are and whats important about the world.

Whether it is called General Sherman or Karl Marx, Miller said, the tree has framed centuries of American history that a fire cannot burn down.

Were seeing this moment where, again, people are rallying around it, Miller said. Theres something really heartening to see that we care.
A T-45C Goshawk jet trainer aircraft in Kingsville, Texas, Nov. 19, 2020. A T-45C Goshawk jet crashed Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Lake Worth, Texas, during a routine training flight from Corpus Christi International Airport. (Michelle Tucker/U.S. Navy)

LAKE WORTH, Texas  A military training jet crashed Sunday in a neighborhood near Fort Worth, Texas, injuring the two pilots and damaging three homes but not seriously hurting anyone on the ground, authorities said.

Both pilots managed to eject from the plane before it crashed in Lake Worth, which is just west of Fort Worth, authorities said at a news conference.

"This incident could have been much worse knowing that this plane went down in a residential area," Lake Worth Fire Chief Ryan Arthur said of the crash, which was reported to authorities shortly before 11 a.m.

One of the pilots was electrocuted after being caught in power lines, Lake Worth police said in a statement, adding that "although badly burnt, the pilot was conscious, alert and breathing." Police said the the second pilot was found in a wooded area a short distance away. Both were taken to area hospitals.

The chief of naval air training in Corpus Christi said in a Facebook post Sunday evening that the instructor pilot was in stable condition, while the student naval aviator was in serious condition.

Police said that three people in the neighborhood sustained minor injuries, and at least one was taken to the hospital.

The jet was a Navy T-45C Goshawk assigned to Training Air Wing 2 at Naval Air Station Kingsville, about 420 miles (676 kilometers) south of Lake Worth, the chief of naval air training said in the post. The post says they were conducting a routine training flight that originated from the Corpus Christi International Airport, about 350 miles (563 kilometers) south of Lake Worth along the Gulf Coast.

Three homes were damaged and three residents of those homes were treated at the scene and released, the Fort Worth Fire Department said. The crash cut power to 44 homes in the area, and utility crews were working to restore it.

"We are incredibly fortunate that the plane crashed in the backyards of the homes and not the residences themselves," the Fort Worth department said.

Two off-duty Fort Worth firefighters witnessed the crash and were the first on the scene, where they were able to tend to the injured pilots, the department said.

Arthur said the people who live in the damaged homes will be displaced because of the crash.

The neighborhood is near the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base. Officials said multiple representatives from the military were at the crash scene. Attempts to reach the naval air station for comment were not immediately successful Sunday.

"Our hearts go out to these military members and their families," Police Chief J.T. Manoushagian said.

"I would imagine that for a pilot, this is the day that you dread, that you hope never comes," he said.

Mary Joyner, whose mother lives near the crash site, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that they were sitting at the kitchen table when they heard a "ba-boom" and the power went out. Stepping into the front yard, she saw a plume of black smoke and smelled a metallic aroma

Joyner said she grew up in the house and her family was accustomed to the daily sound of planes flying overhead.

"You live here all your life, you know it can happen, the planes are right here," Joyner said. "You always have the thought."
Chris Brannigan, who is walking 1,200 miles barefoot from Maine to North Carolina to raise research funding for his daughters rare disease, stands with Farmington Town Council member Brian Connolly outside The Jackson Lab at the UConn Health campus on Sunday Sept. 19, 2021. (Amanda Blanco, Hartford Courant/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  The babys seizures began the night her parents brought her home from the hospital.

I cannot explain to you how frightening and terrifying it is to see your child in pain, mouth open, trying to scream but not even being able to produce a noise, said Chris Brannigan, the girls father and a major in the British Army.

From there, it kept going, he said. There were many nights we sat beside her bed and we werent sure if she was going to make it to the following morning. ... Her hands [would] turn blue, her face [would] turn blue, and she was struggling for breath.

It would be nearly a decade before Brannigan and his wife, Hengameh Delfaninejad, learned their daughter Hasti, now 9 years old, has a rare genetic disorder called Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Resulting from a random, typically nonhereditary genetic mutation, the disease affects about one in every 10,000 live births in the U.S. and can severely impact a persons mental and physical development, and life span. There is no known cure or treatment for the disease.

In an effort to raise funds and awareness for treatment research, Brannigan, who lives in the U.K., began in late August a 1,200-mile Barefoot March down the East Coast. He started at The Jackson Laboratory headquarters in Bar Harbor, Maine, and will end at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., in late October. The family started working with Jacksons Rare and Orphan Disease Center in Bar Harbor several years ago to research their daughters condition.

By the time Brannigan stopped by Jacksons campus at UConn Health in Farmington on Sunday morning, he had already walked about 380 miles, carrying a 55-pound survival kit that includes the tent where he sleeps, said lab director Dr. Charles Lee.

Youve taken 60,000 steps per day, endured blisters on your feet, heavy traffic and torrential rain to get here, said Lee, addressing Brannigan at a small ceremony outside the lab building.

Combined, about 7,000 rare diseases affect nearly 30 million Americans, said. Dr. Juan Salazar, physician-in-chief at Connecticut Childrens, which is working with Jackson and UConn Health to find rare disease cures through gene therapy. But more than 90% of those diseases are without a single FDA-approved treatment, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and it can take about seven years to diagnose a person with such a disease.

Chris mentioned how difficult and how long it was to make the diagnosis for his daughter, and that is something we need to change, said Salazar.

Brannigan and Delfaninejad launched a charity in 2020 called Hope for Hasti. As of Sunday afternoon, the fathers march had raised about 53,215, or about $73,120, of the familys 100,000 goal. Proceeds will go toward the completion of a research project at Jackson and future clinical trials.

Our journey is not done yet, he said. Were working toward a gene therapy for CdLS, and were hoping there will be many more therapies in the future for children who have this condition.

ablanco@courant.com

2021 Hartford Courant.

Visit courant.com.
Rosemarie May speaks about her son during a gathering of the Gold Star Mothers and Families in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Sept. 18, 2021. (Nigel Cook, News-Journal/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Rosemarie May held a portrait of her 22-year-old son frozen in time and in youth in an Army uniform. The picture was taken nearly four decades ago but the love and the grief were still fresh.

I brought my sons picture along. 1984 I kissed him goodbye said Ill see you in a couple of years  the 82-year-old mother said. Well, it was six weeks that I got the call from Germany.

Russell Lapp, 22, her youngest of three sons, had been working on an Army truck when it rolled off the jacks and on top of him. He died three weeks later.

Its so hard, May said. I know its been a long time, but its hard. The thing I miss most of all is him coming in the front door and saying Hi Mom. Thats what I miss.

May is a Gold Star mother, one of several Gold Star mothers, fathers and families who gathered Saturday at the Grille at Riverview in New Smyrna Beach. The Gold Star designation means that a son or daughter has died while serving the United States in the military.

The event was hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4250 in New Smyrna Beach, said retired Marine Colonel Ken Martin.

Martin said that Congress in 1936 designated the last Sunday of September as Gold Star Mothers Day. President Obama changed the name to Gold Star Mothers and Families Day.

Martin wrote in an email that the post chose Saturday for the gathering because Gold Star families have many other events on that weekend. The VFW post also chose the weekend before the official date because Gold Star Mothers have many other events during their weekend, he wrote.

Martin, who saw combat in Vietnam, told the story of a Marine who was killed in a firefight there. He said he met someone later while visiting the Marines grave in South Carolina who told him that he had been an only child and his mother had died one year after he was buried  of a broken heart.

I think a lot of people here could understand that, Martin said.

Karen Anderson listens to a story during a gathering of the Gold Star Mothers and Families in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Sept. 18, 2021. (Nigel Cook, News-Journal/TNS) Ken Martin speaks during a gathering of the Gold Star Mothers and Families in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Sept. 18, 2021. (Nigel Cook, News-Journal/TNS)

Martin said the camaraderie in warfare is incredibly intense.

A lot of people say that service men go out and die for their country, they are patriotic and they are dying for the good old red, white and blue. No, no, Martin said. They are dying mainly because they are following orders but mostly also they are dying for their unit, they are dying for their comrades. Your sons and daughters, they died with their friends right next to them. Their best friends.

Blaine Redding, 70, is a Vietnam veteran who raised his two sons in Nebraska and they deployed together in 2010. They were in the same unit known as the No Slack, part of the Armys Second Battalion, 327th Infrantry out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. One son would not return.

On June 7, 2020, his son, Blaine Edward Redding, 22, was among five soldiers killed when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle in Afghanistan. He would have been 34 on September 10.

Redding said said he enjoys meeting other Gold Star families.

You can talk to the other Gold Stars and it helps with the loss, Redding said.

Tim Stanford, 62, of Palm Coast, said his son Luke Stanford, 27, served in Iraq and was a sergeant in the U.S. Army with the 911 Engineer Battalion when he died in 2008 in an accident in the United States.

Everybody else here has gone through a similar situation I have. Your child dies, they knock on your door. They are with you. They hold your hand and then they are gone. And we feel alone, Stanford.

People have come up to me and said Oh, whats that license plate, Gold Star license plate? Oh congratulations! like I just got a star in school, Stanford said.

He said that gatherings like the one Saturday mean a lot to him and his wife and show that people care.

Lisa Cooks son, Marc Whisenant, was in the Army when he died at the age of 23 in Kuwait.

Since he was three years old he wanted to be a tank driver and thats what he did. He went in and he did that for six years and then he came home, she said.

But Whisenant was recalled and went to Kuwait where he died when his Humvee rolled over.

He was a great kid, Cook said. He was very active in the community, he was in scouts, he always volunteered, he graduated from Spruce Creek. I miss him everyday.

2021 www.news-journalonline.com.

Visit news-journalonline.com.
The USS Arizona Memorial on December 5, 2003, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Ronen Zilberman, Getty Images/TNS)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Tribune News Service)  A Colorado man is determined that human remains from the USS Arizona are DNA tested and identified after a Pentagon agency in February suggested exhuming 85 gravesites marked "unknown" and entombing the dead in the sunken battleship at Pearl Harbor.

Randy Stratton  son of Donald Stratton, who survived the surprise attack the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, aboard the USS Arizona despite suffering burns to more than 60% of his body  wants descendants of the deceased to decided what happens with the remains. And because of the actions of U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., that may be a possibility.

Lamborn added an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act earlier this month proposing that all USS Arizona unknowns buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu be identified.

Lamborn is also asking that the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency  which is tasked with locating, recovering and identifying deceased military personnel from war zones throughout the world  allow assistance from the private sector to identify the dead.

Lamborn is confident the amendment has strong support, and he doesn't expect any problems on the House floor.

"I hope this brings closure to the families," he said.

When the USS Arizona was hit by a bomb that ignited the ship's own forward ammunition magazines, temperatures reached as high as 8,000 Fahrenheit  three times that of lava  cremating most of the crew, Jay Blount, a spokesman for the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, told TIME Magazine in 2019. Of the 1,512 crew, 1,177 died, including more than 900 who went down with the ship and are entombed.

When the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency received pushback about the idea of entombing the USS Arizona unknowns, the organization decided not to try to identify them at all, according to Stratton, who said that created more problems, since the agency had already identified unknowns from other ships, including the USS Oklahoma, another casualty of the Pearl Harbor attack.

That's when Stratton, who recently moved from Colorado Springs to Castle Rock, reached out to Lamborn.

"When you say no man left behind, Doug Lamborn took that to heart and made sure that the family members are going to be able to see their loved ones honored," Stratton said. His father, Donald Stratton, died in February 2020 at the age of 97.

If COVID-19 regulations allow, Stratton and other family members plan to be at Pearl Harbor this December for the 80th anniversary of the bombing.

He also plans to visit the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

"We are going to tour all the unknown graves and talk to them personally and let them know that they are going to be coming home soon," Stratton said.

Earlier this year Stratton posted on Twitter asking if anyone knew anything about DNA. He quickly heard back from George Heinrichs, CEO of ANDE Corp. in Longmont.

After hearing what Stratton was attempting, Heinrichs said the company  which makes rapid DNA testing units roughly the size of a microwave that produce results in under two hours  would gladly help. And he offered to help free of cost.

"When I heard the story of the people who served on the USS Arizona that they weren't identified yet, it just seemed crazy to me," Heinrichs said. "We will offer our technology and resources to get it done because I believe we owe it to them."

ANDE Corp.'s equipment was used by the military to quickly identify Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, in 2019 when he blew himself up.

Their equipment was also used to help identify the more than 80 people who died in Paradise, California, in late 2018 during the Camp Fire.

"Normally, that process, if they do it at all, takes years, particularly with remains that have been burned at the temperatures of that fire," Heinrichs said. "Using our technology, we can process the remains and give you an ID."

Identifying sailors and Marines from 80 years ago is possible, but it requires digging up the remains and comparing them to family DNA samples, which will need to be collected.

"I think we have a high probability of identifying the remains that are there," Heinrichs said. "And if we're diligent in getting the reference database built with family members, hopefully we'll be equally successful identifying all the exact individuals."

In the past few days, Stratton said numerous county sheriff's offices have volunteered to collect DNA samples once this initiative really gets going.

But for now, Stratton can be reached at www.facebook.com/ussarizonasurvivor or ussarizonaunknowns@gmail.com.

Heinrichs said ANDE Corp. is looking at ways to ensure privacy for those who provide DNA samples.

"I'm excited to get this done," Heinrichs said. "This will warm my heart."

 2021 Colorado Springs Gazette. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Bay of Plenty

We are on the hunt for a Welder to join a heavy and light engineering company on a temp/casual basis.. so if you are in between...



View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz
Three people were rescued from the water following a boat capsizing on the Kaituna Bar on Saturday.

The boat went out through the Kaituna entrance towards the open sea and was overturned by one of the waves breaking on the Kaituna Bar.

"At 0632 this morning Coastguard was alerted of a vessel that had overturned on the Kaituna Bar putting a family of three adults in the water," writes a Coastguard New Zealand spokesperson on the Coastguard New Zealand Facebook page on Saturday.



"A distress relay was sent out and Coastguard Maketu was urgently paged.

"A nearby vessel responded to the distress relay and were on the scene moments before Coastguard and were able to pick all three people out of the water, who were all wearing lifejackets."

The three people were then transferred onto the Coastguard Rescue Vessel and taken ashore where they were treated by an awaiting ambulance and have since been released.

"Other than being cold and in shock, they are otherwise safe and well. Coastguard Maketu then went back out to retrieve the families capsized vessel."
A Tauranga parent is horrified to learn that their son has been attending class all week with Auckland students who travelled to Tauranga during the Auckland Alert Level 4 lockdown.

Three students who travelled from Auckland to Tauranga earlier last week have been attending classes at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.

We all expected that we are safe here in Tauranga, says the parent. Thats why we have this border control. No one thought this would be happening.

Toi Ohomai have confirmed that the Auckland students have been on campus attending classes with Tauranga students.

We have been made aware of three students who attended our Windermere campus this week after travelling from Auckland, says Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Chief Executive Leon Fourie.

The students arrived in Tauranga on Monday September 13 and went straight to their class on campus. It has been confirmed by Toi Ohomai that they attended four classes during the week.

On Friday September 17, Toi Ohomai was made aware of the students travel history and immediately stood them down from class.

Prior to leaving Auckland, the students contacted the Ministry of Health for guidance, produced negative COVID tests, and relevant documents to border staff and were permitted to travel through, says Fourie.

As soon as Toi Ohomai was made aware of the students travel history, as a precautionary measure they were immediately stood down from class and instructed to self-isolate at home. They have all since returned a second negative test yesterday. As an additional precaution, the students will not be returning to campus until 14 days since they arrived in Tauranga.

The Tauranga parent is outraged that this situation has been allowed to happen.

Where does it come that students are essential? They are not essential workers. Is this happening all throughout NZ? says the parent.

We have a friend whose daughter is refused to come out of Auckland to see her father in Tauranga who has been given weeks to live. How do we have these double standards? The Aucklanders are all there doing their bit. And the rest of the country are assuming that we are safe? How can this be rubberstamped by health officials?

SunLive received a separate report from a reader who was also attending the same classes that they were unaware the students had arrived from Auckland during Aucklands Alert Level 4 and expressed concern that the Auckland students were in close proximity to other students each day.

Police have also confirmed that the group of three travelled from Auckland to Tauranga.

Police are aware of three people who travelled from Auckland to Tauranga earlier this week, says a Police spokesperson.

Police have spoken to the group and the matter has been referred to the local health authorities.

SunLive requested further information from the Ministry of Health.

"Police have spoken to the group and the matter has been referred to the local health authorities. The people have returned negative tests," says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

Two people have been arrested after allegedly travelling from Auckland to Wellington during alert level 4.

A police spokesperson confirmed a 24-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man had been arrested in Wellington on Saturday after allegedly travelling from Auckland in breach of alert level restrictions.

They have been charged with failing to comply with order (Covid-19) and are expected to appear in Wellington District Court on Monday, says the Police spokesperson.

As the matter is before the court, police are not in a position to provide anything further at this time.

This is the latest in a string of alleged lockdown breaches police have dealt with. On Thursday, three essential workers were arrested in Ohakune after travelling from Auckland to Turoa ski field, police say.

Police had charged them with failing to comply with Covid-19 restrictions and taking, obtaining or using a document for pecuniary advantage. The trio were bailed and are set to appear at Auckland District Court on September 23.

Last week, an Auckland couple allegedly used their essential service exemptions to travel to Wanaka.

Another Aucklander who travelled to Whakatane this week made headlines, as well as a polytech student after travelling from Auckland to attend class in Taranaki.
Two boats have run aground on Mayor Island.

William Barnes was passing on Sunday afternoon when he saw the boats beached near each other.

"It was about 2pm," says William. "Omapu Bay I think, not 100 per cent sure."

He doesn't know how the boats came to have run aground.

"Not a clue. Trying to figure out how they managed it."

William posted the photo to the NZ Big Game Fishing Facebook group which has over 32,000 members, accompanying the photo with the caption "new dry dock at Mayor Island". Comments came thick and fast.

Some wondered if it was the Mayor Island boat works, or a new resort on the island for the summer. Another suggested it was people following Level 4 protocols with land based fishing only.

One of the commenters wrote that seven passengers were transferred by them to the coastguard boat on Sunday morning.

The photo was also shared to the Clevedon Game Fishing Club Facebook group where a member of the group identified the boats, writing that one went aground first, and the other had a broken anchor at 10pm on Saturday night. A commenter wrote that efforts had been made on Saturday night to pull the boats off the beach.

SunLive has contacted NZ Coastguard for more information.

At the scene? Phone 0800 SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz
Police are continuing to work through their DNA phase in a bid to find the mother of a baby girl whose body was found at a recycling facility in Onehunga a month ago.

Detectives have been working hard to try to identify the baby girl and her mother since the newborn was found on August 16, says Auckland City Police Detective Inspector Scott Beard.

Police have secured a significant amount of CCTV footage from various trucks coming into the Recycling Plant, but are no closer to establishing what suburb the baby girl has come from and what recycling truck she came in.

Given there was no way to determine for certain the newborn came to the recycling facility in the blue bag she was found near, and that there are several suburbs where such blue bags are used, Police are hoping their DNA phase will lead to some answers, says Detective Inspector Beard.

Police are working closely with the ESR forensic scientists in their DNA phase and narrowing down over 300 potential familial links.

These potential contacts are from all over the country, and enquiries have been made in Christchurch and Hamilton as well as across Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland, says Beard.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard says Police would like to thank those in the community who have been offering support.

Police have been overwhelmed with those people in the wider community showing their respects for the baby girl.

One of the two teddy bears, and a traditional Kahu Huruhuru for the baby girl to wear at her funeral. Photo: NZ Police.

Some members of the community have also chosen to name the baby Anahera, which means Angel and at the same time provided two teddy bears and a traditional Kahu Huruhuru for the baby girl to wear at her eventual funeral.

Detective Inspector Scott Beards says Police continue to appeal for the mother of the baby, or anyone who may know she is, to do the right thing and contact Police.

We know someone knows what happened and we urge them, or anyone who suspects they may know who her mother is to come forward and speak to us.

Anyone with information is urged to contact 105 quoting file number 210816/2825 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.
CrAzY dRiVeR Team-BHP Support



Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 15,306 Thanked: 56,369 Times

View My Garage





Re: Skoda Kushaq Style AT variant to get 6 airbags & TPMS Quote: octane_100 Originally Posted by People who bought it, did so out of their own free will! It was only matter of time that this addition would have happened. Crying foul at Skoda is not fair



If six airbags was the biggest priority - there was always the option of waiting for Taigun as well. It was known that Skoda will add 6 airbags at a later point, after the Taigun is launched with that feature differentiation. If people still found it worth their money, a future update isn't going to change that!



Volkswagen and Skoda are both trying to sell the same product with two different packaging. I believe this was done intentionally to avoid sibling rivalry, at least during the initial media frenzy - Volkswagen getting a fully loaded 1.5 DSG and Skoda getting a fully loaded 1.5 DSG manual. Want a simpler example for them trying hard to differentiate? Skoda had claimed their roof rails are only cosmetic, whereas VW clearly claimed they are functional. But the Kushaq owner's manual shows the Skoda has functional ones just the same.



There will never be an end to buyer's remorse if we start crying for every feature update.



Fact is - Skoda hasn't set the sales charts on fire and the bookings are just about enough for their sales targets - 10000 bookings for the Kushaq and Taigun both this week, clearly shows customers favouring the Taigun over it's cousin, even though the Kushaq got a clear first-mover advantage. Now with the Astor also in the fray, the Skoda top-end automatic looks barebones in comparison and needs a boost of features soon enough. Along with the PR failure over the EPC issues - it is no wonder they are acting fast on feature updates.



These are the initial blockbuster months for sales. I'd rather see them doing well after a couple of quick course corrections - rather than wait till mid-life refresh to provide updates and end up losing sales. 2.0 plan was a huge investment and there is a chance they might wind up and leave (like the Americans) if these products don't fetch returns. Agree.If six airbags was the biggest priority - there was always the option of waiting for Taigun as well. It was known that Skoda will add 6 airbags at a later point, after the Taigun is launched with that feature differentiation. If people still found it worth their money, a future update isn't going to change that!Volkswagen and Skoda are both trying to sell the same product with two different packaging. I believe this was done intentionally to avoid sibling rivalry, at least during the initial media frenzy - Volkswagen getting a fully loaded 1.5 DSG and Skoda getting a fully loaded 1.5 DSG manual. Want a simpler example for them trying hard to differentiate? Skoda had claimed their roof rails are only cosmetic, whereas VW clearly claimed they are functional. But the Kushaq owner's manual shows the Skoda has functional ones just the same.There will never be an end to buyer's remorse if we start crying for every feature update.Fact is - Skoda hasn't set the sales charts on fire and the bookings are just about enough for their sales targets - 10000 bookings for the Kushaq and Taigun both this week, clearly shows customers favouring the Taigun over it's cousin, even though the Kushaq got a clear first-mover advantage. Now with the Astor also in the fray, the Skoda top-end automatic looks barebones in comparison and needs a boost of features soon enough. Along with the PR failure over the EPC issues - it is no wonder they are acting fast on feature updates.These are the initial blockbuster months for sales. I'd rather see them doing well after a couple of quick course corrections - rather than wait till mid-life refresh to provide updates and end up losing sales. 2.0 plan was a huge investment and there is a chance they might wind up and leave (like the Americans) if these products don't fetch returns.
thirdmainroad BHPian

Join Date: May 2019 Location: Chennai Posts: 85 Thanked: 580 Times





Hello,



I am XXXXX , holder of Motor Vehicle Policy No HBA /008XXXX. Phone number XXXXX

The policy covers my Honda WVR 1.5 VX MT, iDtec Registration Number TN XX X XXX, Chassis no XXXXX.



The policy is Valid till 20/09/2021.



I lost one of my car keys on 09/09/2021 at approximately 10 AM when I was walking near my house in Vettuvankeni, Chennai 600115.



My policy covers Key Loss, which was an addon I paid for.



I went to the nearest police Station, J8, Neelankarai, pin 600115 and submitted a written complaint for which I was given a CSR receipt by the police. on 09/09/2021.



Mr Roshan Ali, phone number XXXX surveyor appointed by you informs me that claim cannot be processed with CSR, but only FIR.



The police and lawyers have informed me that legally, for Key Loss, only CSR can be granted by police and not FIR.



Therefore, kindly instruct your surveyor, Mr Roshan Ali, to accept and process the claim with the police CSR report.



Or please provide me in writing that for Key Loss, Police FIR is needed and Police CSR is not accepted - (note FIR for key loss cannot be legally obtained) such that I may take further action against you for wrongfully denying valid claim.



Thanking you,



XXXX



Quote: rpmmachine Originally Posted by

As i can understand that you were in market and someone snatched your bag in which you lost some money and your Car key. It can be registered under Bag lifting/Theft.

Please do check the other subjects/reasons mentioned there on the website, select which ever suits you and register FIR.

Hope this is helpful .



On a side note , there was fraud transaction of 2.5 lakhs on my Debit card when i was out of India. Police refused to issue FIR and Axis bank fraud department accepted the normal police document with stamp of local police station. Dear Thirdmainroad, There is an option to Register FIR online in Chennai. (Your profile says you are from Chennai)As i can understand that you were in market and someone snatched your bag in which you lost some money and your Car key. It can be registered under Bag lifting/Theft.Please do check the other subjects/reasons mentioned there on the website, select which ever suits you and register FIR.Hope this is helpfulOn a side note , there was fraud transaction of 2.5 lakhs on my Debit card when i was out of India. Police refused to issue FIR and Axis bank fraud department accepted the normal police document with stamp of local police station.



Was thinking that with their FIR "policy," for Lost keys it may mean that Key replacement might be covered only if a key is stollen.



However, on their site, it says policy will cover even if key is miss-placed.



So going to have to dance with them a bit!



https://www.bajajallianz.com/general...ent-cover.html



Forgetful Much? Think About A Key Replacement Cover

Sample this: It is a busy morning and you have an urgent meeting slated soon. Just when you dash for your car, you realize that you cannot find the keys. You run from pillar to post, and eventually conclude that you must have misplaced the keys somewhere.



Now this is not a good spot where you can be in, considering keys nowadays are sophisticated and can only be made/duplicated by the manufacturer. In such a situation, chances are you would have to shell out a considerable sum from your pocket in order to get an alternative set of lock an keys. However, with a Key Replacement Cover, a financial crisis is averted.



MOD NOTE : Quoted post trimmed and back to back posts merged.



To know how to multi-quote, click here.



We advise you to read the Forum Rules and Posting Etiquettes before proceeding any further. Sent the below mail to Bajaj Allainz customer care and the area Grievance Redressal Officer. Thing is my insurance expires on 20/09/21, and its almost 18/09/2021 now. However, claim has been filed. Will keep updating here.Hello,I am XXXXX , holder of Motor Vehicle Policy No HBA /008XXXX. Phone number XXXXXThe policy covers my Honda WVR 1.5 VX MT, iDtec Registration Number TN XX X XXX, Chassis no XXXXX.The policy is Valid till 20/09/2021.I lost one of my car keys on 09/09/2021 at approximately 10 AM when I was walking near my house in Vettuvankeni, Chennai 600115.My policy covers Key Loss, which was an addon I paid for.I went to the nearest police Station, J8, Neelankarai, pin 600115 and submitted a written complaint for which I was given a CSR receipt by the police. on 09/09/2021.Mr Roshan Ali, phone number XXXX surveyor appointed by you informs me that claim cannot be processed with CSR, but only FIR.The police and lawyers have informed me that legally, for Key Loss, only CSR can be granted by police and not FIR.Therefore, kindly instruct your surveyor, Mr Roshan Ali, to accept and process the claim with the police CSR report.Or please provide me in writing that for Key Loss, Police FIR is needed and Police CSR is not accepted - (note FIR for key loss cannot be legally obtained) such that I may take further action against you for wrongfully denying valid claim.Thanking you,XXXXShould have done just that! SighWas thinking that with their FIR "policy," for Lost keys it may mean that Key replacement might be covered only if a key is stollen.However, on their site, it says policy will cover even if key is miss-placed.So going to have to dance with them a bit!Forgetful Much? Think About A Key Replacement CoverSample this: It is a busy morning and you have an urgent meeting slated soon. Just when you dash for your car, you realize that you cannot find the keys. You run from pillar to post, and eventually conclude that you must have misplaced the keys somewhere.Now this is not a good spot where you can be in, considering keys nowadays are sophisticated and can only be made/duplicated by the manufacturer. In such a situation, chances are you would have to shell out a considerable sum from your pocket in order to get an alternative set of lock an keys. However, with a Key Replacement Cover, a financial crisis is averted.To know how to multi-quote,We advise you to read theandbefore proceeding any further. Last edited by Sheel : 19th September 2021 at 11:28 . Reason: Mod note attached.
drsnt BHPian

Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bokaro Steel Posts: 323 Thanked: 279 Times

Re: No insurance for non-RTO electric two wheelers like the Okinawa Quote: Shreyans_Jain Originally Posted by Only those EVs which are limited to 25kmph are allowed to be used without registration. For bigger/faster/more powerful ones, proper registration and insurance are mandatory, just like any petrol scooter.



In the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), in rule 2, in clause (u), for the proviso, the following shall be substituted, namely:-

"Provided that a two-wheeled battery-operated vehicle shall not be deemed to be a motor vehicle if all the following conditions are verified and authorized by any testing agency specified in rule 126, namely:-

(a) the vehicle is equipped with an electric motor having thirty-minute power less than 0.25 kW;

(b) Maximum speed of the vehicle is less than 25 km/hr;

(c) Vehicle is fitted with suitable brakes and retro-reflective devices, i.e. one white reflector in the front and one red

reflector at the rear;

(d) unladen weight (excluding battery weight) of the vehicle is not more than 60 kg;

(e) in case of pedal assisted vehicle equipped with an auxiliary electric motor, in addition to above, the thirty minute power of the motor is less than 0.25 kW, whose output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/hr, or sooner if the cyclist stops pedalling".





While the rule specifies speed limit, I have personally seen such vehicles clearly doing 30-35 kmph. The vehicles I test drove many reached 35kmph. Probably a bypass to rule as it specifies "the thirty-minute power of the motor is less than 0.25 kW". Not a technical expert so I believe that there might be some loophole to the "thirty-minute power" thing. Learned members might be able to decode this technically.

Regards Quoting the relevant rule from Central Motor Vehicles Rules for knowledge of members regarding non-RTO vehicles.In the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), in rule 2, in clause (u), for the proviso, the following shall be substituted, namely:-"Provided that a two-wheeled battery-operated vehicle shall not be deemed to be a motor vehicle if all the following conditions are verified and authorized by any testing agency specified in rule 126, namely:-(a) the vehicle is equipped with an electric motor having thirty-minute power less than 0.25 kW;(b) Maximum speed of the vehicle is less than 25 km/hr;(c) Vehicle is fitted with suitable brakes and retro-reflective devices, i.e. one white reflector in the front and one redreflector at the rear;(d) unladen weight (excluding battery weight) of the vehicle is not more than 60 kg;(e) in case of pedal assisted vehicle equipped with an auxiliary electric motor, in addition to above, the thirty minute power of the motor is less than 0.25 kW, whose output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/hr, or sooner if the cyclist stops pedalling".While the rule specifies speed limit, I have personally seen such vehicles clearly doing 30-35 kmph. The vehicles I test drove many reached 35kmph. Probably a bypass to rule as it specifies "the thirty-minute power of the motor is less than 0.25 kW". Not a technical expert so I believe that there might be some loophole to the "thirty-minute power" thing. Learned members might be able to decode this technically.Regards
SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, himself adds a whopping $50 million to Inspiration4's donation to the St. Jude Children Research Hospital, which further helped the latter to achieve its fundraising goal of $200 million.

The donation from the Tesla and SpaceX founder and CEO comes as the crew of the successful mission returned to Earth after three days in the orbit of the Earth, according to CNBC.

SpaceX Inspiration4 Mission

It is worth noting that the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission is the first-ever all-civilian space flight without any professional astronaut on board.

But the mission did not only achieve that monumental milestone. It also extended a helping hand to the efforts of St. Jude Children Research Hospital to assist kids who are battling the effects of cancer during their youth.

The Inspiration4 mission launched last Wednesday, Sept. 15, via the SpaceX Falcon 9 and the Crew Dragon spacecraft that was made especially for the all-civilian crew, which flaunted that largest window in a rocket.

The crew was composed of Jared Isaacman, Chris Sembroski, Hayley Arceneaux, and Sian Proctor.

One of the Inspiration4 crew members, Arceneaux, even brought a puppy stuffed toy based on the therapy dogs of the St. Jude Hospital.

Inspiration4 Donation to St. Jude Children Research Hospital

As per Teslarati, the latest donation is on top of the $100 million that the initial mission commander and the Chief Executive Officer of Shift4Payments, Jared Isaacman.

Not just that, the public was able to raise a total of $60.2 million for the St. Jude Children Research Hospital.

As such, the total fundraised for the kids at the St. Jude Hospital is now to the tune of $210 million with Musk's $50 million capping it off. Thus, it is now more than $10.2 million than the initial goal.

Read Also: SpaceX's Inspiration4 to Fly NFTs, Ukulele, Time Magazine to Space and Auction it on Earth

Elon Musk Inspiration4 Donation

As Inspiration4 splashes down to the Atlantic Ocean as they land back to Earth, Musk announces his slice of the pie in the St. Jude fundraising.

The official Twitter account of Inspiration4 announced the comeback of the whole four-man all-civilian crew, further noting that they are "Happy. Healthy. Home."

The tweet further added that the return to Earth is not the end of the Inspiration4 mission, asking the public to help them reach the $200 million fundraising goal for St. Jude.

In an Elon Musk fashion, the billionaire replied to the tweet of Inspiration4, saying that he will be donating an additional $50 million to the St. Jude fundraising.

Related Article: SpaceX's Inspiration4 is Launching Next Week Aboard the Dragon, And the Mission is a Go

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The open beta for Starlink satellite internet will arrive in October, according to the latest tweet of Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX.

In October 2020, the private space agency officially unveiled its first public beta test. Musk plans to launch about 12,000 internet satellites that will provide a global network service.

SpaceX Will Open Starlink Beta Phase Next Month

According to a report by The Verge on Saturday, Sept.18, Musk has previously revealed in August that 100,000 terminals of satellite internet will be shipped in 14 countries.

Next month  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 17, 2021

Moreover, SpaceX shared its plans for the worldwide expansion of its internet service. Most importantly, the 100,000 satellites will eventually grow in numbers to serve more users globally.

Musk predicted that by the time that the open beta phase concludes, the population of Starlink users could reach 500,000.

Next month, we will witness if his prediction will come true.

Initially, SpaceX will target those users who are based in rural areas. Its Starlink internet is said to have an impressive speed that is much better than the standard internet provider.

Starlink network boasts its 20Mbps upload speed, in addition to its 100Mbps download speed.

SpaceX Starlink Pricing

From another report by Ars Technica, the beta user will be requested to pay a fee of $499 intended for the user terminal. This fee is a one-time payment.

Besides the user terminal, the consumer will receive a router and a mounting tripod. With the addition of these accessories, there will be an extra monthly fee of $99.

At the time of writing, SpaceX has not yet updated its pricing options for the users. When the beta arrives in October, more details about it will be announced.

As per Gwynne Shotwell, the president of SpaceX, the company is swerving away from the "tiered pricing" of its service. They are sticking to this option to provide more transparency to all consumers.

Back in April, Shotwell said that they would maintain the Starlink in beta phase until they improve its service to a high level.

What we know so far about Musk's space venture is its capability to release 12,000 satellites in space.

SpaceX eyes to launch another batch of 30,000 satellites through a request from the Federal Communications Commission.

Read Also: SpaceX Inspiration4 Crew's Puppy Stuffed Toy Based on Real-Life Hospital Dogs Flies to Orbit

Elon Musk Says Starlink Project Will Operate Around September

In June, Musk stated that his internet-providing satellite service will be offering more coverage to all users by September. In line with the venture, Shotwell aims to deliver more internet access even to the far-flung areas on Earth.

The internet has become a necessity for all individuals who want to stay connected online. SpaceX recorded that last May, there were more than 500,000 Starlink orders that came from the customers.

At that time, what SpaceX wants to happen is by 2027, the internet satellites in space would be around 42,000.

Indeed, Musk's SpaceX is currently on a big mission. The role of Starlink would be a big contribution in the field of the internet that would reach all sectors from around the world.

Related Article: SpaceX: Falcon 9 Rocket's 10th Launch to Send 60 Starlink Satellites into Orbit

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Renewable energy is the future of the United States, at least according to the current administration.

Current US president Joe Biden has called for a major change in the American energy sector, all in an attempt to help with the climate crisis.

The White House has recently announced their plans for the country to heavily invest in renewable energy sources, specifically solar, with their main goal being to generate almost half of the entire nation's energy demand from it by 2050.

However, these plans have been slammed by Carbon Infrastructure Partners (CIP) managing partner Craig Golinowski.

According to him, the White House's plan to produce 1,050 to 1,570 gigawatts purely by solar power is not "financially feasible," reported The Express.

Golinowski claimed that even if renewable energy is the future, it still can't compete with the total energy output of fossil fuels right now. He then further said that if the US does decide to push through with this plan, they will be facing a massive energy crisis.

This green energy plan is an extremely massive undertaking.

Estimates by the US Department of Energy say that over 3.1 million solar panels produce just one gigawatt of power. That's equivalent to 346 wind turbines.

Still, it hasn't slowed down the increase in the popularity of renewable energy sources there. Right now, Americans are actually buying more and more into them, with solar leading the race.

According to CNBC, there was a record-high number of solar installations across the United States last year. This could mainly be attributed to decreased costs and policies such as tax incentives.

But should the POTUS Joe Biden administration's plan succeed, it will provide something way more than just clean energy. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm claimed that the deployment of these solar panels would create over 1.5 million jobs.

Read also: Apple Achieves 100% Renewable Energy in Retail Stores, Offices, Data Centers, and Co-located Facilities in 43 Countries

Renewable Energy Critics: What's Their Gripe About It?

Golinowski is just one of many critics of renewable energy sources, and they often cite similar reasons as to why current targets for the implementation of renewables aren't feasible.

Perhaps their biggest concern is the alleged intermittent quality of green energy generation.

Solar panels, for one, obviously cannot collect sunlight at night. Wind turbines, on the other hand, require excellent weather conditions to produce enough power.

Still, they can't really deny that solar and wind have become cheaper than coal, and that the harmful environmental effects of hundreds of years' worth of fossil fuel use have started to rear their ugly heads.

The World Is Adopting Renewables At A Rapid Pace

America needs to hurry up with their green energy revolution, because much of the developed world has now adopted renewables.

Europe, for instance, now generates 38% of its electricity from solar, wind, hydroelectric, and bioenergy sources.

If the Europeans managed to do it (and keep doing it), then there's no reason for the US to not do it themselves.

Related: Heimdal Uses Renewable Energy to Get CO2, Cement from Seawater; Startup to Debut Carbon-Free Materials

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google Pixel Fold's release during the Android 12.1 launch is likely to occur as the codename of the foldable phone was found inside the code of the Android 12.1

As per 9to5Google, it turns out that Google is working on another foldable device aside from the previous rumored Pixel Fold that carries the codename "Passport."

With much further digging, the news outlet that focuses on topics involving Google discovered that the search engine giant has another foldable phone in the works that goes by the name "Jumbojack."

Google Pixel Foldable Phone: Codename Passport

The initial rumored Google foldable phone was first revealed via the codename "Passport," which was expected to make its debut before the end of 2021.

However, more information about the upcoming Google Pixel Fold unraveled as the Beta of the Android 12 started rolling out.

Now, the upcoming release of Android in October known as the 12.1 is likely to include the Pixel foldable, according to TechRadar.

Another Google foldable device was seen at the code of the mid-cycle release of Android, "Jumbojack."

The codename Jumbojack device seems to feature two displays with the other screen hiding when the phone is folded--which is similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.

With these kinds of details showing up in the upcoming Android update, the device is likely coming along with it, 9to5Google further suggested in the same report.

It is to further note that the codename "Jumbojack" could be a reference to the cheeseburger from Jack in the Box.

However, it is still unclear if this suggests that the upcoming Google Pixel Fold will be sporting the "hamburger style" of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, instead of the same design as the Galaxy Z Fold.

Android 12.1 and Foldable Phone Experience

Meanwhile, XDA-Developers reported that Android 12.1 is expected to bring more foldable phone improvements along with it, including the split-screen divider and the taskbar under the screen.

What's more, Android 12.1 will also be home to other fold phone experiences like the unfolding animation of the user interface.

That said, the first Google Pixel Fold device is likely to see the light of the day along with the Android 12 and the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro sometime in October, which is a few weeks from now.

Read Also: Google Pixel 6 Pro Leaks Surprisingly Comes From Actual Developer, But Deletes Post After-What Details Were Revealed?

Google Pixel Fold Display

NotebookCheck further added that the Pixel Fold and the Google Pixel 6 Pro will launch together, flaunting the Samsung LTPO OLED displays.

Other high-end flagships, such as the OnePlus 9 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro line up similarly feature the LTPO OLED panels from Samsung Display, the panel division of the South Korean giant.

Related Article: Latest Google Pixel 6 Pro Leak Reveals Periscope Zoom Camera, 12GB RAM, Reverse Wireless Charging, and MORE

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google Stadia support will now be expanded for Samsung flagship phones and tablets. Besides Samsung Galaxy S21 and Galaxy Note 20, 11 more new gadgets are currently added to the lineup.

You are no longer required to play the Stadia games through an experiment in some of the latest tabs and mobile devices from Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S21 and Note 20 to Receive Stadia Support

From 9to5Google's report, there is an updated list of Samsung devices that are currently supported by the Stadia app. At the moment, the usual products that are Stadia-supported came from the South Korean tech giant, Google Pixel, and OnePlus.

Additionally, there are still popular phones and tablets that obtain the same support from Stadia.

Samsung Galaxy S21 and Note 20 are only a few of the latest additions in the updated Stadia-backed devices.

11 New Samsung Devices That Are Now Stadia-Supported

It's interesting to know that 11 Samsung gadgets have been included in the existing group of devices that are compatible with Google Stadia. Somehow, there were reports in 2020 that Samsung Galaxy Tab A and Tab S5e are operating on Stadia outside the experimental setup.

Elsewhere, it's worth noting that the list confirmed that the Samsung tablets have entered the Google Stadia lineup for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Android tablet is not yet officially backed up by Stadia, in addition to the discontinued 12.3-inch Pixel Slate tablet.

Here's the list of the new Samsung devices that recently adopted Google Stadia, according to Android Central's report on Sunday, Sept.19.

Samsung Galaxy S21

Samsung Galaxy S21+

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Tab A

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7

Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+



Read Also: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 100x Zoom Trick: Capturing HD Moon Photo Without Tripod-- How to Do It in Other Phones

Will There Be Samsung S21 FE?

The previous reports about the Galaxy S21 FE showed some problems with its launch date. In June, we reported that the production suspension of S21 Fan Edition was still undecided amid the global chip shortage.

The only thing that we knew at that time is its delayed launch due to the issue with processor manufacturing. Also, it will be reportedly powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset.

The following month, a new report about the Samsung flagship arose.

According to the report, the S21 FE will only be available to two markets amid many delays. The tech giant will only release it in the United States and Europe during that time.

As per the most recent report from Money Control, the S21 FE support page was discovered to have gone live on the German website of the smartphone manufacturer.

This hinted that the launch of the Samsung flagship could be around October under the model number SM-G990B/DS.

Related Article: Google Announces Stadia's Touch-Focused Game 'Humankind' Release and Fi $400 Discount on Galaxy Flip 3

This article is owned by Tech Times

Writte by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
NVIDIA just developed a new AI-powered rendering technique for games, and they're bringing it first to "Elder Scrolls Online."

The popular Bethesda MMO will be the first-ever game to get official support for NVIDIA's brand-new DLAA, or Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing, reports NME.

Aside from DLAA, "Elder Scrolls Online" will also be getting support for DLSS. But in order to get the option, you will need either an RTX 2000 or RTX 3000 series graphics card for it.

NVIDIA seems to be pretty proud of their DLAA software, with creative director Rich Lambert claiming in a Sept. 17 live stream that it would offer "incredible anti-aliasing" options for the "Elder Scrolls" MMO.

Anti-aliasing is a video game graphics option that smooths out the edges of 3D-rendered graphics by taking out jagged lines, or "jaggies," out of the equation.

The result is a much smoother image where individual pixels are almost impossible to spot, especially around the edges of any specific image.

"Elder Scrolls Online" lead graphics designer Alex Tardif excitedly brought the NVIDIA DLAA news to Twitter shortly after the stream, thanking Team Green for the implementation. He also went on to say that DLAA might not be something every game needs, but it makes much more sense when used in "Elder Scrolls Online," reports PC Gamer.

Here is the Twitter thread with Tardif:

We are adding a new option for NVIDIA DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing), using their DL technology, but without the upscaling component, at full resolution for some fantastic AA quality. On RTX cards people run ESO at high fps already, so a pure AA option works well! (2/3)  Alex Tardif (@longbool) September 17, 2021

According to Tardif, NVIDIA DLAA works well enough with RTX cards because gamers who own them can already run "Elder Scrolls Online" at high FPS anyway. This means that unlike DLSS, DLAA will not be offering a performance boost and will instead be a purely visual upgrade.

Read also: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Cards With A Different GPU Die Spotted

NVIDIA DLAA: How Does It Differ?

Anti-aliasing is a common drawback of rendering 3D images via individual pixels. With DLAA, however, NVIDIA is doing it a little differently this time.

Think of NVIDIA DLAA as simply DLSS without the upscaling part.

DLSS offered a performance bump in supported games by rendering them at a lower resolution, then using AI to artificially upscale it to the monitor's target resolution without any considerable loss in quality compared to native res.

DLSS has helped many gamers run some of the most demanding PC titles, such as "Red Dead Redemption 2," with higher frame rates and maximum graphics settings with not much problem.

But DLAA is only going to focus on the aliasing part, meaning it won't be rendering games at lower resolutions to achieve the desired AA smoothing effect.

The developers of "Elder Scrolls Online" are absolutely fawning over the tech.

Lambert was quoted as saying that NVIDIA's solution brings "absolutely incredible anti-aliasing." He even goes as far as saying that the tech is "unbelievable" and "crazy good," reports WCCFTech.

There's no word on whether NVIDIA will bring DLAA tech to other games. But perhaps it's only a matter of time. It's likely going to be the same situation with DLSS' initial release on the RTX 2000 series three years ago.

Related: NVIDIA RTX 4000 GPUs Already Finalized for Possible 2022 Launch

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Amazon and Nike advertised on numerous websites that promote misinformation about COVID and other conspiracy theories, claims a recent report.

As per Insider, giant companies, such as Amazon, Nike, Asos, and even Ted Baker--among others, were caught advertising on some of the websites that intentionally promoted COVID-19 misinformation.

The advertising information unraveled from the research in The Bureau of Investigative Journalism that it recently published.

Amazon, Nike Advertise on COVID Misinformation Sites

The report further revealed that both Nike and Amazon, among other prominent firms, have been advertising on sites that specifically promoted conspiracy theories involving COVID-19.

Some of the misinformation claims that the novel coronavirus was engineered by some powerful figures, as well as false data insisting that COVID-19 vaccines have been claiming thousands of lost lives.

Amazon Ads on Misinformation Sites

The ads of the e-commerce giant, Amazon, have sprouted like mushrooms on misinformation websites.

Some of them even falsely claiming that Bill Gates said those mRNA vaccines, such as Moderna and Pfizer, are "toxic."

It is to note that the co-founder of Microsoft has been a common part of similar conspiracy theories.

To be exact, the Amazon ads have been seen in a total of 30 fake news websites, which is half of the almost 60 misinformation websites that carry ads from major brands like Nike.

It is worth noting that Amazon, Nike has yet to issue a statement to the recent report.

Read Also: Amazon Ticketless Palm-Scanning Tech Could Head to Sports Stadiums, Music Venues, and Live Entertainment

Ads on Misinformation Sites

On top of that, Walgreens, eBay, and Honda ads have also been found on these misinformation platforms.

American Honda, the Japanese maker, said in a report of The Observer, that they "are currently working to determine how our advertising may have appeared on the websites in question."

The popular carmaker further assured the public that the company will never support the spread of COVID-19 misinformation.

Aside from these firms, the ads of the US Department of Veteran Affairs also popped up on two misinformation sites.

The Department of Veteran Affairs or DVA went on to explain in the report of The Bureau of Investigative Journalism that "the tempo of new information and websites that come online daily makes it extremely difficult to guarantee that our ads won't appear" on misinformation spreading sites.

DVA further noted that it proactively blocks the ads on these kinds of sites.

Not just that, the research also showed other organizations, including educational institutions, and charities on the conspiracy websites.

Elsewhere, YouTube has already launched a crackdown campaign on COVID-19 misinformation on the platform, purging more than 1 million videos.

Meanwhile, the refusal of Reddit to kick out the misinformation communities among its subreddits has sparked a widespread protest.

Related Article: Top 5 Best Workout Apps for Beginners to Start a Healthy Lifestyle: Nike, Fitbit, and MORE

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Darrell Domangue remembers the hurricane that ripped apart his home and his livelihood in vivid scenes as if watching a movie.

That's partially due to gaps in his memory caused by injuries he suffered while riding out Hurricane Ida on his 36-foot, steel hull boat in the Terrebonne Parish fishing village of Cocodrie.

Domangue, 56, remembers watching the two houses on either side of his own literally fly away as the Category 4 storm stalled over the coastal community and ripped structures from pilings. Later, a different house floating down the bayou slammed into his fishing boat, instantly snapping the ropes tying it to shore and flipping it with Domangue trapped in the cabin. Domangue remembers taking in four "breaths of water" and giving up.

"I said, 'Wow, this is how it's going to end right here. I ain't going to make it, Domangue said.

The next thing he remembers is holding onto a plastic container as he floated down the Bayou Petit Caillou when a piece of debris hit him hard in the back of the head. Then he was sitting on top of a four-wheeler tire, bleeding from both ears, as debris continued slamming into him. And finally, he found his way back to his "soaking wet, no roof" house and fell asleep in a sopping wet bed. He would eventually wake up in a puddle of his own blood and find his way to a shed where three other fishers in a similar predicament had taken refuge, coming across an alligator along the way. The four men were rescued after calling for help on the one phone that hadn't been lost in the bayou.

On Friday, more than two weeks after the Aug. 29 hurricane, Domangue examined his destroyed boat, trying to determine how he escaped from the cabin after it capsized. He found a small, shattered window in the cabin that he's still convinced he didn't fit through.

"There's no way on God's green earth that I can fit through that little bitty crack," Domangue said. "And the other window's still closed."

+67 As resources pour in for Hurricane Ida victims, those in bayou region feel forgotten Life has been returning to normal for many who were in Hurricane Ida's path since the Category 4 storm made landfall two weeks ago near Port F

Evacuation orders mean little to commercial fishers like Domangue who rely on Louisiana's coast to earn a living. They're no stranger to strong storms, and they often choose to ride out hurricanes on their boats in an attempt to protect their livelihoods at a time when rising insurance costs often outweigh the compensation they can provide in the aftermath of a disaster.

Domangue, a shrimper and crabber who also operates a bait shop, comes from a long line of commercial fishers. His family's modest home, which was ripped wide open by Ida, has survived countless hurricanes in the 120 years since his grandfather built it.

"I was just trying to save every little thing I could and ended up losing it anyway," Domangue said. "It's hard to leave when you got nothing else. I know other people will say it's just material things, but to us poor people, the material things is all we got besides one another. That's our living."

Domangue didn't have insurance on his home, boat or bait shop.

He, his wife and his 13-year-old daughter are staying with family in Houma until they can rebuild. Domangue didn't seek medical care for his injuries after the storm, partially because of transportation limitations and partially because of overcrowding and damage to the few hospitals in the region.

"I have nothing to fall back on, and I have no education," Domangue said. "I don't think a minimum wage job is going to help me rebuild my house. I'm going to have to find some way, some how. If anyone gives me anything, I'm putting it all back into my boat. My boat can build my house. That's all I know how to do is work for what I want."

Domangue is just one of the commercial fishers who is struggling to navigate life after Hurricane Ida.

Even those who managed to save their boats and protect their homes from Ida's destructive winds will still be out of work for several months due to the storm's impact to the natural habitat and the infrastructure that supports the fishing industry.

"We going to be out probably for the rest of the year, if not longer," said Shaun Lirette, a shrimper based in the nearby community of Chauvin. "There's so much debris in the water, we're not going to be able to get out for a while."

Lirette, 40, rode out the storm with about 15 people on his 60-foot, steel hull boat he estimates is worth $500,000. The boat survived the storm better than his house, which had the roof ripped off.

"The boat's made out of steel. That's why we stay on it during hurricanes," Lirette said. "But this one was worse than any other. Way worse. I wasn't afraid of being on the boat. I was just worried about the windows blowing out."

Even though he'll be able to return to work sooner than those who lost everything, Lirette estimates he'll take a $100,000 hit to his business.

U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, called for the Department of Commerce to declare a fishery disaster because of Ida's impact to both biological resources and fishery infrastructure. Such a declaration would provide targeted relief to one of the most impacted sectors of Louisiana's economy, with funds aiding in recovery for commercial and recreational fishers.

"Fishing is a way of life and equally an integral part of our state's economy," Graves wrote in his Sept. 7 letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

"High winds, heavy rains and storm surges resulted in the destruction of fisheries infrastructure, vessels, ice houses, shrimp sheds, marinas, processing facilities, gear, a loss of catch and many other impacts. Low dissolved-oxygen conditions resulting in fish kills have already been observed and the habitat destruction is immeasurable."

More seafood is harvested offshore and brought to land in Louisiana than any other state in the contiguous United States, according to the Louisiana Seafood Marketing and Promotion Board. Louisiana fishers harvest more than 1 million total pounds of seafood per year out of the 3.6 billion pounds landed per year across the country's mainland. Louisiana's offshore seafood catch is more than that of the next three top-producing states combined.

Inside info on doing business in Acadiana We'll keep you posted on the Acadiana economy. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

About 41% of seafood landed in the United States comes through the Gulf, and 71% of that seafood comes through Louisiana, according to the marketing organization.

Although most national attention has been on New Orleans in the aftermath of Ida, the hurricane's impact to coastal fishing communities will ripple across the state and country.

"What's often lost to people who are New Orleans residents is how much Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes actually contribute to their economy," said Louisiana Rep. Tanner Magee, R-Houma. "I think they think it's the other way around  and I'm not saying they don't contribute  but they have these big, famous restaurants that are predominantly selling what's caught in Terrebonne Parish or Lafourche Parish or Plaquemines Parish. These coastal parishes make up the bulk of the seafood not just for New Orleans but really for the United States. Even Maryland crabcakes are supplemented by Louisiana crabs."

Ty Trosclair, who operates a charter fishing business out of Cocodrie, said he expects to be out of work until at least next summer.

"We boost the local economy down here," Trosclair said. "We've never had damage like this from a hurricane."

Trosclair, 40, left the Cocodrie area ahead of Ida's arrival and returned after the storm to find that a tidal surge had flipped his $135,000 boat and left it on top of a nearby levee. As he cleaned up his family's property in the aftermath, he had no way to retrieve his boat and decided to let his insurance company handle the recovery.

His parents operate Cecil Lapeyrouse Grocery, a 107-year-old business named to the National Registry of Historic Places earlier this year. The grocery store, which is popular among fishers and tourists, took on 2 feet of floodwater during Hurricane Ida.

"We've only flooded once before, in 1926, but at that time, they didn't name them. It was just a serious hurricane," said Cecil Lapeyrouse. "Then Ida comes and everything's in shambles, everything's blown everywhere."

Even without damage to the store or their home, the Lapeyrouses would likely have taken a huge hit to their livelihood due to the widespread destruction of fishing camps and homes in the area.

Many of the community's permanent residents have temporarily relocated, and the vast majority of those who have camps in the area won't be able to use them for at least a few months. Still, those who are returning to salvage what's left are eagerly anticipating the store's return.

"We must have gotten 10 calls within a week of Ida when the phones barely work," said Etta Lapeyrouse, Cecil's wife. "And they leave me a voicemail: 'When you going to reopen the store?' They want it open, and we want it open. We're going to reopen it if we can get it all cleaned, but that mud is something."

State Rep. Zee Zeringue, R-Houma, whose district also covers Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, said those who benefit from Louisiana's seafood industry are often the first to question why commercial fishers don't move away after a major hurricane.

"There's no other contiguous state that produces more seafood in terms of dollar value and poundage," Zeringue said. "And to produce that seafood, you have to live along the coast. People aren't driving from Baton Rouge to go fish shrimp and oysters and all of that, so that's why it's so important we talk about the effects, the unintended consequences when flood insurance and all of these other things are so high people can't afford it. That has ramifications down the line."

Melissa and Kimothy Guy, who live in the same coastal fishing village as Domangue, continue to salvage what's left of their home and boat with help from neighbors and volunteers.

"Our little community, our area where we live at, we have to take care of ourselves and fend for ourselves because nobody else do," said Melissa Guy.

A week ago, a group helped them turn over their 55-foot steel hull boat that capsized with Kimothy Guy inside during Hurricane Ida.

+19 Commercial fisher recalls riding out Hurricane Ida in his boat before 140 mph winds flipped it Kimothy Guy was on full display Tuesday afternoon as he hung clothes from a line in the living room of his hurricane-ravaged home in the Terre

Although she evacuated during Ida, her husband stayed behind on his fishing boat in an attempt to save his livelihood. He and Domangue, along with two other fishers in the area, managed to escape from their destroyed boats and ride the storm out together in a shed as the hurricane raged on.

Like Domangue, Kimothy Guy has no intention of leaving the devastation and destruction behind and starting somewhere new.

"I ain't got no choice. I have to stay," Guy said. "That's all I ever did all my life, commercial fish. That's what I do for a living. I'm a water person. I need the water to survive."
Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission
In a crime that authorities described as heartless, vicious, hideous and evil, three Ethel men will be tried separately in the 2019 slaying of a 73-year-old woman in her Zachary home.

Brothers Adrian and Courtland Curtis and friend Donevan Brown are charged with second-degree murder and aggravated burglary in the killing of Frances Jane Schultz.

Schultz, who was bound with duct tape and shot in the head multiple times, was found by her husband of 54 years in the living room of their Brian Road residence after he returned from a funeral for an old friend March 21, 2019.

A Jan. 24 date has been set for the first trial, and East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said Wednesday that his office plans to try Adrian Curtis then.

+3 Husband returns from funeral to find wife tied up and shot to death in their Zachary home Art Schultz attended a funeral for an old friend Thursday evening and stopped at McDonald's to pick up a fish sandwich for his wife before ret

Shultz's husband had previously hired Adrian Curtis, 26, to help bale hay, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux has said. Art Schultz had a hay-baling business on the couple's property and also kept horses, often hiring help to assist him, the sheriff said.

Gautreaux said Adrian Curtis became a suspect because at the Schultz house his nickname and phone number were written on a notepad, which the couple often used to write down important information or notes to each other. Art Schultz later told investigators the note was not there when he had left the home that day for the funeral; he recognized the handwriting as his wife's.

Investigators believe Frances Schultz wrote down Adrian Curtis' name that night when he first approached her, possibly thinking he had come to complete some work, the sheriff said.

Adrian Curtis told investigators that Brown, 25, drove him and his brother to the Schultz home, the men's arrest warrants state. Once there, Adrian Curtis said, his brother used his shoulder to force his way through the home's front storm door and then dragged Frances Schultz into the living room.

All three men tied her up with duct tape, binding her arms and legs, and covering her eyes and mouth, the reports say. The front door into the home showed signs of forced entry with the glass apparently kicked out.

The men then rummaged through the residence, opening drawers and closets looking for valuables. According to their arrest reports, the men took two guns as well as a solitaire diamond ring. Gautreaux has said other valuables were taken.

Investigators believe Courtland Curtis, 27, used one of the stolen guns to shoot Schultz in the head multiple times, the sheriff said.

Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

+8 3 arrested in 'hideous, evil' robbery, shooting of Zachary woman who was found tied up in her home Authorities arrested three Ethel men in the brutal killing and robbery of a 73-year-old Zachary woman who was found bound and fatally shot in 

Moore, the district attorney, said his office and the lawyers for the three men agreed that the defendants should be tried separately, citing a 1968 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Bruton v. United States, a Missouri case.

The high court held that a defendant was deprived of his rights under the Confrontation Clause if a confession by his codefendant was introduced in their joint trial, regardless of whether the jury received instructions only to consider it against the confessor.

"The Bruton case ruled that confessions of an accomplice or co-defendant which contain an admission or statement implicating another accomplice (who was also on trial) were prejudicial and violated Bruton's 6th Amendment right to cross-examination," Moore wrote in an email.

In the Frances Schultz case, investigators also able to match DNA from her fingernails with Adrian Curtis, according to arrest documents. There were many signs a struggle occurred between the woman and her assailants, the documents say.

The Curtis brothers and Brown would be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. Prosecutors have chosen not to seek the death penalty because Art Schultz wants to see his wife's killers brought to justice before his life ends, and death penalty cases take years to litigate.

Gautreaux called the crime totally heartless and vicious at a March 29, 2019, press conference announcing the arrests of the three men. Zachary Police Chief David McDavid labeled the crime hideous and evil.

Art Schultz spoke to The Advocate the morning after his wife was murdered and said he attended a funeral for an old friend the evening before and stopped at McDonald's to pick up a fish sandwich, fries and a Coke for his wife. He said he tried calling her a few times while driving home but received no answer. He said he wasn't worried because he had never before felt unsafe in their rural community.

When he arrived, he found his wife  whom he described as a `good country girl who would do anything for anybody'  tied up in the living room and suffering from head injuries.

Gautreaux has said it was fortunate Art Schultz was not home at the time the three men came to the home; otherwise, deputies might have investigated a double homicide.
Staff members of the University Medical Center enjoy a moment in the sun as they gather on the top level of the parking garage to watch the Blue Angles of the U.S. Navy fly in formation to honor those on the front line of the fight against the coronavirus in New Orleans, La. Wednesday, May 6, 2020. The flyover by F-18 fighter jets traveled over the New Orleans Metro area, Slidell, the North Shore and then back over New Orleans before departing over St. Bernard Parish. ORG XMIT: BAT2005061509520043
I heard recently of a young clergy colleague who upon learning that an elderly ladys husband had died some months before coming to his church said to her: Im sorry to hear that he passed.

She looked astounded and said, No, you dont understand. Hes dead!

The euphemism is a generational thing to a large degree, sprinkled with a tendency to want to appear up with the jargon.

We humans have always tried to be gentle with each other and ourselves when it comes to speaking about death and dying. Down through the ages indirect language has helped us to both avoid and cope with reality. Ones closeness to a deceased person or their loved ones tempers our language somewhat but I confess to being exasperated by the use of passed to describe a persons death. Passed what? Out? A kidney stone perhaps? Their VCE? And where did he/she pass? In the street? On foot? In which direction? If euphemise we must, let it have some semblance of meaning.

Granted, its a fine line we walk when talking about death and tactlessness shouldnt be encouraged. There is a time for beating around the bush and a time when directness helps. Humour occasionally releases the steam valve in times of sadness, but passed is neither funny nor pastorally supportive.
In what must be a massive frustration for federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese, another ALP factional fight has broken into civil war on the Left, distracting attention away from the clear failures of the Morrison government.

That the deputy leader of the ALP in the Senate and former NSW premier, Kristina Keneally has been parachuted into the safe seat of Fowler  in a move that has displaced and disappointed an obviously outstanding local candidate, Tu Le, a human rights lawyer and the daughter of Vietnamese refugees  should not surprise many. Professional politics has always ridden roughshod over local communities.

Labor senator Kristina Keneally is a former NSW premier. Credit:Rhett Wyman

But this nasty bout of intra-Left fighting carries significant implications for the future of Labor, and its ability to maintain a sufficient voter base to support the alternative party of government in our Westminster system.

Last week, I found myself caught up in this fight, after posting what I thought was a fairly obvious rhetorical question on Twitter: Could anyone imagine that a man of Keneallys seniority within the party would be scrapping for pre-selection six months out from a federal election? I anticipated (and received) the usual denial from men that gender had anything to do with it, despite the obvious double standard: Bob Carr stitched up the top spot on the Senate ticket on his entry to Federal Parliament, and no one would have successfully challenged the position of my old boss, and Keneallys predecessor, as deputy Senate leader, Stephen Conroy.
All schools in greater Sydney will see a staggered return from October 25 as the NSW government moves to erase the COVID fault lines that have divided the city and angered local leaders and MPs in hotspots.

After weeks of criticism over a divided Sydney, the 12 hotspot areas will be given the same freedoms as the rest of the city from Monday in an attempt to ease simmering tensions in the south-west and western suburbs.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she stands by the difficult decision to impose harsher lockdowns on south-west and western Sydney Credit:Edwina Pickles

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said from Monday, there would no longer be a time limit on outdoor exercise and people will be able to gather outside with five fully vaccinated adults in areas of concern.

Shopping can be done within local government areas, not just five kilometres from home, and people can attend a small wedding. A persons singles bubble buddy can live in greater Sydney.
Australian peacekeeping soldiers keep a watch as East Timorese refugees are moved from Dili Airport to the safe haven of the stadium in Dili. Credit:AP Pool

Dili, Monday - The thugs disappeared quickly from Dilis streets. When the first Australian soldiers arrived today in full combat dress, their rifles at the ready, the militiamen pretended they were the very refugees they had terrorised for weeks.

Some of the killers, rapists and looters walked in small groups along debris-strewn streets waving at the Australians who began arriving shortly after dawn in huge cargo planes from Townsville and Darwin in what will probably become Australias most significant military operation since World War II.

But the militia no longer carried the rifles given to them by the Indonesian armed forces or brandished their machetes, knives or home-made pistols. A couple were confronted by heavily armed New Zealand soldiers on Dilis docks but handed over their pistols without argument.

They are basically cowards, said Irish journalist Robert Carroll, who has spent the past nine days hiding in Dili and the towns surrounding mountains. They ran away when real soldiers arrived.

The night before, the militia had emptied their rifles into the air as they had every night since the United Nations announced that 78.5 per cent of eligible East Timorese rejected Indonesias rule and voted to become the worlds newest independent state. They set alight or trashed the few buildings still habitable in the town, from which 70,000 people have fled.

But as hundreds of foreign troops arrived, tense and ready for action, the bullies disappeared and the fires were burning themselves out.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Its the evening of November 16, 2016, and Barack Obama and Angela Merkel have just sat down for a private dinner inside Berlins swanky Hotel Adlon - the place where Michael Jackson once dangled his nine-month-old son over a fourth-floor balcony. Donald Trump had won the White House a fortnight earlier and Obama flew to the German capital to say farewell and ask a favour: to guard against the impending turbulence, would Merkel delay her planned retirement in 2017 and run for a fourth term as Chancellor? Merkel was already thinking about it and announced her plans to seek re-election just a few days later. Angela Merkel and Barack Obama at the Berlin dinner of 2016. Credit:Getty Five years after that fateful dinner, Merkel is finally headed for the exit, bowing out of politics after national elections this Sunday. Her departure represents a shifting of the tectonic plates running beneath Germany, Europe and the international political landscape. Over her 16 years in office she has earned a swag of nicknames: the worlds most powerful woman, chancellor of the free world, the Queen of Europe, the Merkelator, and the liberal wests last defender. In Germany, she is affectionately known as Mutti - short for mummy. She has also been a feminist icon - albeit a reluctant one. Having repeatedly avoided the topic, Merkel, 67, declared herself a feminist for the first time only last week. I think she is a trailblazer - a real icon for women around the world, says Australias first female prime minister Julia Gillard. I cant count the number of times Ive seen a photo in the international media of Chancellor Merkel at an event where shes the only woman in the image. Its striking and it has an impact.

Advertisement

She has also been a remarkable leader of Germany. Not many leaders in the modern age are in office for so long, and consequently can make the depth of contribution she has. Obama was one of four US presidents Merkel dealt with. Seven Australian prime ministers have also come and gone, so too five British prime ministers and four French presidents. Angela Merkel checks her notes during a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2018. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen She presided over a huge expansion of the German economy, dragged her conservative Christian Democratic Union party to the political centre, and helped hold the European Union together during Brexit, the eurozone debt crisis and Russias annexation of Crimea. She was also perceived to be the leader of the free world when American took a mental leave of absence under Trump, says Matthew Qvortrup, her biographer. One of the defining photographs of the Merkel era is of the Chancellor leaning over a table staring down a petulant-looking Trump as other world leaders watch on. Angela Merkel deals with Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Canada in 2018. Credit:Getty She also helped keep alive the Paris Agreement on climate change, she kept alive a commitment to multilateralism and she kept alive pressure on Vladimir Putin, Qvortrup says. That in itself is not glamorous work but all this amounts to quite a legacy.

Advertisement

Loading There is also much to admire about her own personal journey. Raised in Communist East Germany, the fiercely intelligent Merkel studied physics and chemistry and worked as a research scientist before entering politics. Germanys first female chancellor, Merkel remained grounded: she lives in a modest Berlin flat with her theoretical chemistry professor husband Joachim Sauer and would sometimes be photographed doing her grocery shopping. But there are stains on her record, too. Her surprise decision to phase out nuclear power in Germany following the Fukushima disaster was considered rushed and unnecessary and her credentials on climate change leave a lot to be desired. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which will allow gas to be sent directly from Russia to Germany, bypassing Ukraine and other countries, is deeply unpopular with allies including the United States. Her insistence on allowing 1 million Syrian refugees into Germany opened the door to far-right forces and caused widespread domestic anger. While much of that has subsided thanks to a successful integration program, the decision remains contested. Merkel has also come under fire for not doing enough to distance herself and Germanys economic self-interest from China, Hungarian strongman Prime Minister Viktor Orban and an increasingly anti-democratic Poland. Matthias Matthijs, an associate professor of international political economy at Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, says Merkels accolades are often unwarranted.

Advertisement

She has huge moral standing in Europe, Matthijs says. If she can be tough on Russia with sanctions after Ukraine and Crimea, I dont see why she couldnt have done more to deal with Hungary and Poland. Matthijs believes economic self-interest has driven much of Merkels decision-making, which he and other critics believe has been marked by procrastination and dithering. Often, he says, Merkel did the minimum necessary to keep things from falling apart. For her part, Merkel has previously said many small steps can achieve big objectives. Im not giving her an F, Matthijs says. Im not giving her an A either. If Im a German bourgeois industrialist, I would give her an A-minus or an A, and if Im a Greenpeace activist or NGO worker I would probably give her way worse grades. Anybody who can win four electoral victories and basically outsmart all her opponents within the party and outside of her party in German politics is impressive. But what she gets credit for I think is sometimes not deserved. Angela Merkel departs the Bundestag in Berlin. Credit:Bloomberg Constanze Stelzenmuller, the Fritz Stern Chair at the Brookings Insitutes Centre on the United States and Europe Foreign Policy, agrees Merkels legacy is inconclusive.

Advertisement

Merkel cares strongly about policies, relationships, and institutions, Stelzenmuller says. But she is that rare thing: a politician who isnt needy or vain. If she cares about her legacy, she cares about the outcome, not about what that means for her image. Stelzenmueller believes there is still much to admire. When Merkel once asked a one-star general what it was like working for the scientist-turned Chancellor, the man replied: Its like working next to a nuclear power plant. It just runs, and runs, and runs. While experts may debate the good and bad, German voters appear to have made up their minds. Unlike most leaders, Merkel is going out arguably at the peak of her popularity and would have almost certainly won a fifth term under the Christian Democratic Union umbrella had she contested next Sundays poll. The race to succeed Merkel is down to three candidates: Armin Laschet of Merkels centre-right Christian Democractic Union, Olaf Scholz of the centre-left Social Democrats, and Annalena Baerbock of the Greens. Laschet has been a dreadful campaigner and lacks Merkels magnetism, allowing Scholz to surge and putting him in the best position to lead a coalition government after Sunday. Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats (SPD), Annalena Baerbock of the Greens Party and Armin Laschet of the Christian Democractic Union (CDU) meet for a television debate. Credit:Getty If negotiations over the governments makeup drags into December, Merkel would overtake her mentor Helmut Kohl for the title of postwar Germanys longest-serving chancellor.

Advertisement
Washington: Three jabs will soon be regarded as necessary for people to gain maximum protection against COVID-19, Dr Anthony Fauci says.

The statement by the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases demonstrated his tacit backing for countries already seeking to give booster vaccinations to over-50s.

Top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci. Credit:AP Pool

It came as the US Food and Drug Administrations advisory panel rejected a plan to offer Pfizer booster shots to Americans aged over 16.

They later approved offering a third dose of Pfizers vaccine to everyone aged 65 and above, but surprised many by rejecting an initial proposal by the drug company, backed by President Joe Bidens administration, to offer them to everyone aged 16 and over.
Photo: YAIZA CARRETERO/EYEEM/GETTY IMAGES

In the fall of 2010, Kirstie Campbell, a 32-year-old aid worker from Edinburgh, met a colleague named Mick Lorentzen at the bar of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. Campbell and Lorentzen were both working for the United Nations World Food Programme, providing humanitarian relief to victims of Pakistans recent floods, one of the worst natural disasters in the countrys history. Campbell mentioned that although she had worked for the WFP on and off for the past five years, she was still on short-term contracts, some lasting just 30 days. Campbell said that Lorentzen, who ran the WFPs security unit and said he was a former British Royal Marine, suggested that she work for him on a fixed-term contract, which comes with better working conditions and a pension. You know I can get you that job, he said, adding, So when should we go and have sex?

Campbell recalled being alarmed but not wanting to draw attention, she would later tell investigators. Hiding her phone underneath the table, she texted a friend who was with other aid workers in the bar, asking for help. When the friend walked over and invited Campbell and Lorentzen to join the larger group, Lorentzen, who is physically imposing at about six and a half feet tall and 250 pounds, told the friend they would not be joining him. The friend left, and Campbell again tried texting for help. Lorentzen leaned over and, she recalled, whispered in her ear, You fucked up, you fucked up.

Campbell left the bar. Later, she was hesitant to do anything about what happened. She said Lorentzen had told her that his security officers had been accused of sexual harassment but that those complaints all go across my desk. Also, Lorentzen was head of security; his job was keeping track of everyones whereabouts at all times, including Campbells.

A week or so after the encounter at the hotel bar, Campbell said she told her immediate supervisor that Lorentzen had offered her a job in exchange for sex. Soon after, Campbell spoke to a WFP counselor, who took notes and seemed concerned, until she named Lorentzen as the man who had harassed her. The counselor closed his notebook. I am terribly sorry, she recalled him saying. There is nothing I can do. He is my boss. The counselor tried to comfort Campbell by telling her that Lorentzen was moving to a new position at the United Nations Department of Safety and Security, the agencys security-services arm.

Campbell considered filing a formal complaint with the WFPs ombudsman. Lorentzen, however, had told her that he was a close associate of the WFPs executive director who, Campbell believed, was in turn close to the ombudsman. Campbells belief rested on the fact that they were both Americans in an organization where factions form along national lines. (Any suggestion that the ombudsman could value the views of one person above another is based on misconception, a WFP spokesperson said this month.) Campbell decided not to report the incident until the WFP named a new ombudsman. By the time that happened, six years had elapsed; she had finished her contract in Islamabad and gone on to work for the WFP on Libyan and Syrian aid. When Campbell finally looked into filing a formal complaint, she learned that the six-month statute of limitations had long since passed. She had left the agency and eventually left humanitarian work altogether. Years later, an outside investigator would substantiate a sexual-harassment allegation against Lorentzen, but not the one made by Campbell.

Campbell working for the WFP in 2011. Photo: Courtesy of Kirstie Campbell

The U.N.s attempts to balance its lofty mission with its responsibilities as a sprawling global employer have led to deep contradictions. According to its standards of conduct, the United Nations and the specialized agencies embody the highest aspirations of the peoples of the world. But its more than 100,000 staff, thousands of volunteers and interns, and tens of thousands of contractors are governed by varying, and at times inconsistent, sets of regulations that often contravene host-country laws. This idea that we are special is undermining us, a longtime U.N. manager who has served in both the field as well as headquarters told me. We are special, yes, but the organization is also made up of human beings, and human beings screw up.

Since 2017, when the global Me Too movement took off, I have encountered 43 workers who reported they had experienced sexual harassment during their time at the organization. Eighteen reported experiencing violence that the U.N. would classify as a sexual assault. Eight said they were raped, including two who said they had been raped more than once. U.N. workers described being sexually harassed or assaulted at a workshop on emergency management in Norway, during an internship in Spain, on missions in Ethiopia and Somalia, and in the U.N.-headquarter cities of Vienna, Nairobi, Geneva, and New York. The victims of harassment and assault, the vast majority of whom were women with precarious employment status, included an administrative assistant in Pakistan and a legal intern in Cambodia. They identified the alleged perpetrators as U.N. workers investigating human-rights violations in Syria, expanding womens access to reproductive health care in South Sudan, negotiating the Paris climate agreement, and building cases against war criminals at the Hague. They named security officers, spokespeople, hiring managers, and human-rights lawyers.

In the course of my reporting, I have watched as the U.N., not unlike other closed organizations facing abuse scandals, such as the Catholic Church and USA Gymnastics, vowed to reform itself. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued multiple policy statements on how his organization would combat the scourge of sexual abuse within the U.N. Three high-ranking officials  all women  were named to address issues regarding victims rights, sexual exploitation, and sexual harassment and abuse. There have been some policy changes, such as lifting the statute of limitations, which deterred Campbell from reporting; extending access to the U.N.s internal justice system to cover people who arent currently employees; and introducing a screening database meant to ensure that those who are let go from one U.N. agency for sexual misconduct are not rehired at another. There have been changes in firings: In 2016, one person was separated from service from the U.N. Secretariat for sexual harassment or assault. In 2019, that number rose to ten. My heart goes out to every member of our personnel who has been assaulted, harassed, or abused in the course of their work over the years, Secretary-General Guterres told New York Magazine this month. These appalling crimes go against everything the United Nations stands for, and we will do our utmost to investigate all allegations and bring those responsible to justice, he said.

Whats more important, saving millions of children or potential abuse?

Despite such proclamations, U.N. staffers told me the day-to-day working environment inside the organization has remained mostly unchanged. The U.N.s Office of Internal Oversight Services still only has nine investigators for all sexual-assault claims. It is these nebulous discussions of jobs and offices that the U.N. likes to hide behind, Priyanka Chirimar, a human-rights lawyer who worked for various U.N. war-crimes tribunals, told me. High-profile announcements are a standard U.N. response to a public scandal. In fact, by early 2021, one position born of such an announcement  an executive coordinator to address sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination at the U.N. Women agency  had been dissolved entirely. The Guardian reported that the official who had occupied it, Purna Sen, said that the U.N. had put the issue of sexual harassment on the back burner. (When asked, a representative of the U.N. Women agency said the position had been a time-limited special assignment.)

The U.N. is by design ill-suited for disciplining its employees. It cannot unilaterally make policies for its various agencies, which span multiple continents, sociocultural norms, and economic realities. The internal justice system answers to the General Assembly, which appoints the secretary-general, who does not have authority over the goings-on at U.N. agencies, some of which avail themselves of the International Labour Organization for settling disputes, while others use the dispute and appeals tribunals, which in turn draw on findings from the Office of Internal Oversight Services, which can only investigate  not sanction  employees accused of misconduct. And so on.

Even when the internal justice process makes a finding, it cannot reinforce sanctions beyond the remit of what a human-resources department can do. The U.N., contrary to right-wing fever dreams, is not a government and has no power to make criminal prosecutions. The United Nations does not have a mandate to criminally prosecute its personnel or maintain a prison system to incarcerate them, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the secretary-general.

In 2018, I met the World Food Programmes executive director, David Beasley, at the agencys office in Washington, D.C. Beasley, a former governor of South Carolina who joined the WFP in April 2017, told me that the organization was at times overwhelmed by humanitarian crises, implying it could not be held responsible for the actions of every one of its employees. When I arrived, there were four nations facing famine. There were 80 million people we were trying to feed, he said. Twenty-nine million on the brink of starvation we werent even getting to. Sixteen thousand employees. When I arrived, Rome was burning. So you gotta tell me whats more important, saving millions of children or potential abuse? He paused, then answered his own question: Actually, both. And neither one should be neglected.

Diplomatic immunity has been around for as long as states have needed to forge alliances and secure one anothers people safe passage. It is mentioned in ancient texts including the Indian epic Ramayana, the Herodotus histories, and the Quran. A few historical events (such as the French Revolution and the Iran hostage crisis) aside, diplomatic immunity has largely been respected by most modern states. The U.N.s topmost ranks have complete diplomatic immunity, which means they are protected even when not performing official U.N. duties. Everyday U.N. workers  attached to the U.N. refugee agency, the childrens fund, the development program, the World Health Organization, or the Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (known by its acronym UNESCO), along with 35 other bodies  have functional immunity against prosecution by host governments when conducting official business only. This functional immunity means that any act that has criminal ramifications under a host countrys law can be referred to local authorities. Yet, in practice, that seldom happens. In the past 14 years, the U.N. has referred just 33 cases of sexual abuse and exploitation to national authorities globally. Over that same period, it received 120 reports of sexual abuse and exploitation in Haiti alone.

Many of the women and men I spoke with said they did not formally report sexual misconduct because they had little faith in a system they called byzantine, haphazard, and unreliable. Some U.N. agencies abide by the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt, while others have a lighter burden of proof: that of providing clear and convincing evidence. The system has been criticized as unfair by alleged perpetrators as well: In the words of one staffer, who was accused of sexual assault and denied the allegation, The U.N.s system has no clear standards for adjudicating guilt or innocence.

There is no real penalty for committing sexual harassment. The U.N. is its own judge.

Victims told me the U.N. did not allow them, or make them aware of, certain basic rights that are afforded to citizens of most democratic countries, such as the right to counsel during interviews or the right to a speedy trial. Some U.N. workers told me they were stranded in bureaucratic limbo, operating in a liminal space with no access to the local courts of the countries in which they served, far from the legal system back home, where they would have the option to bring forward a civil suit or pursue a criminal claim. For the thousands of U.N. contractors, consultants, interns, volunteers, and workers on short-term contracts, reporting an assault appears to be even more precarious. Campbell, the former WFP worker, told me that contractors and consultants hired by the U.N. work without job security or a pension, have limited health insurance, and are often put on mandatory leave following a rotation because they dont qualify as full-time employees.

How to best address employee misconduct has tested the organization from the start. The first U.N. body designed to handle allegations of employee misconduct began hearing complaints in 1950, five years after the U.N.s founding. The U.N.s internal justice system was partially staffed by volunteers, some of whom had no legal training. It didnt meet year-round, and its judgments could not be appealed. The tribunal would not review a complaint of sexual harassment until 1991, when Catherine Claxton, an American employee, accused Luis Maria Gomez, a top administrator, of closing the door to his office at the U.N. headquarters in New York, grabbing her breasts and buttocks, and forcibly kissing her. Claxtons claim leaked to the press, and defense lawyer Alan Dershowitz was hired to represent Gomez. Claxtons claims were upheld by U.N. investigators, and she was paid a $94,000 settlement by the U.N. Gomez resigned but kept his pension, and was later invited back to work as a senior adviser with a reported daily allowance of $200, though the offer was rescinded after the case attracted international outrage. In the middle of New York City, the 1994 New York Times op-ed page read, 7,000 employees work beyond the reach or protection of the law. They can be harassed, discriminated against or fired, and they have nowhere to turn. Their employer is not some sweatshop in Chinatown but the Secretariat of the United Nations.

The next high-profile scandal came in 2004, when Cynthia Brzak, an American U.N. staff worker, filed a sexual-harassment complaint against Ruud Lubbers, the former prime minister of the Netherlands, who was then the head of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. According to Brzak, after a meeting in the agencys Geneva headquarters in 2003, Lubbers grabbed her from behind and pressed his groin into her buttocks. After Brzak filed her complaint, U.N. investigators were tasked with reviewing the allegations and uncovered five other harassment allegations against Lubbers, all of which Lubbers denied. Lubbers voluntarily resigned in 2005, but only after receiving pressure from higher-ups. Afterward, Lubbers vociferously denied any wrongdoing. In 2006, Brzak filed a suit in a New York court against Lubbers for retaliation. Both the district and appeals courts dismissed the suit, citing the diplomatic immunity of senior U.N. officials.

Mark Gough, who began working for the U.N. in 1996 and served as the U.N.s deputy director for investigations from 2006 to 2008, a job that involves reviewing harassment claims, told me that after the Lubbers case began, investigators started referring all sexual-harassment complaints involving senior officials directly to the assistant secretary-generals office instead of going through standard channels. When Gough began his tenure at the U.N., Senior officials were a protected species, he told me. Among the worst punishments was moving offenders laterally, a practice which became less common, but still persisted, during his time as deputy director. If someone was a bad egg, you offered them up to another division or promoted him. Ed Flaherty, the lawyer who represented Brzak, told me that, despite decades of complaints, the U.N. system fails employees who are harassed. There is no real penalty for committing sexual harassment, Flaherty said. The U.N. is its own judge. You cant be the judge in your own case. That is a fundamental aspect of any developed legal system. The U.N. doesnt abide by that.

The U.N. distinguishes between sexual exploitation and abuse, defined as acts committed against the local population they are there to serve, called beneficiaries, and sexual misconduct, which encompasses sexual harassment and assault perpetrated against staff. The U.N. argues, correctly, that it does not have prosecutorial authority over peacekeepers, who are on loan to them from member states. And yet the distinction comes as cold comfort to local communities, to whom all peacekeepers appear wearing the same blue helmet and serving under a singular U.N. flag, both of which bear the same U.N. emblem: a world map encircled by white olive wreaths against a smoke-blue backdrop. It shouldnt matter who the victim is. The nature of the act should determine the crime, a diplomat at the U.N., who asked not to be named as he is not authorized to speak, told me.

Despite good-faith reform efforts, the current U.N. system for adjudicating sexual-misconduct claims among its staff retains a core structural flaw: It is a supranational body operating in a world bound by nation-states. Chirimar, the human-rights lawyer, told me that a very simple way of looking at the U.N. is to see it as a state. The state owes you health care, education, legal protection, and other things. When we work for the U.N., the U.N. takes over those responsibilities. We become global citizens. We become citizens of the U.N.

Mission environments can be strange parallel universes where, in the lingo of U.N. workers, geographically single men keep mission wives and run deuxieme bureaux, or second offices. In many remote posts, U.N. workers live in walled-off enclosures filled with trailers and tentsthat serve as both lodging and office space. These compounds function more or less around the clock, and there is little boundary between ones personal and professional lives.

In such settings, workers feared that speaking out about their alleged abuse would harm those they had dedicated their lives to helping. Many described not wanting to inflict reputational damage on their agencies and worried that filing complaints would distract from their mission. They worried too that whatever they had experienced paled in comparison to the human suffering they routinely witnessed in their work. Those who had been harassed noted they hadnt been assaulted. Those who had been assaulted often stressed that they hadnt been raped. Those who had been raped pointed out that they hadnt been raped by multiple assailants or multiple times. All who spoke said they were choosing to share their experiences after having exhausted all other recourses to justice. They, like the institutions they belonged to, frequently subscribed to the utilitarian logic of doing the greatest possible good for the greatest number of people, at times at the cost of their own private lives. Victims were made to feel that formally complaining would take away from the U.N.s larger mission of world peace. And so, even four years into Me Too, they remained conflicted.

Women and men who said they were assaulted on overseas missions observed patterns emerging after they filed formal complaints. Almost every victim said U.N. investigators never clearly explained to them the standards of proof or why, exactly, their claims were rejected. In some instances, U.N. colleagues were dismissive of those who spoke up, telling them they were being difficult or delicate. They made me feel like I was crazy when I reported him, Elizabeth Lang, a OIOS employee who reported harassment that took place in 2009, told me. They made me feel like I was a liar. They made me feel like I was a hysterical woman. In recent years, many unresolved cases have yielded some kind of sanction, reflecting shifts taking place within the organization. But the victories were pyrrhic: Victims reported being maligned during investigations; watching their alleged assailants get promoted while their cases lingered; or receiving financial compensation, but only after years in deliberation.

Often, the best-case scenario for an alleged victim is that the U.N. refers a dispute to a national authority. An NGO worker who asked not to be identified told me she was drugged and anally raped by a U.N. Development Programme communications specialist, Karim Elkorany, after a party in a hotel in Baghdad in 2016. U.N. investigation records show that after she reported the incident, she was asked by UNDP investigators when she had started drinking at the party, how regularly she drank, and if she had ever had anal sex in the past. (A spokesperson for UNDP said that all our investigators are highly trained to ensure that interviews, especially ones related to incidents of sexual misconduct, are conducted with the utmost sensitivity.) Elkorany was placed on leave by UNDP by the end of 2016, but was officially still employed at the U.N. until he resigned in 2018. UNDP referred the case to the FBI, and, in 2020, Elkorany was charged in a Manhattan court for making false statements during questioning by the FBI in an effort to conceal his drugging and sexual assault of multiple women while he worked for the U.N., according to the DOJ (Elkorany did not respond to requests for comment, though he pleaded not guilty last year.)

More often, victims said they faced opprobrium from those they were meant to get support from. Another woman, who asked not to be named, described being raped twice by U.N. workers while working overseas, first with an aid organization and later with the U.N. She said that a U.N. worker whom she had never met before raped her while they were both working on tsunami relief in Indonesia in 2004. Five years later, after she was deployed to Afghanistan to work for the U.N., a colleague asked her to join him on a visit to a Kabul bazaar two weeks after she arrived in the country. Before departing, he invited her to his room for tea, where he began undressing her. She resisted, and in the violent altercation that followed, he ripped her underwear off. She told me that she eventually submitted. I was scared, she said. I thought, Hes going to do it. Ill let him do it, get it over with, and deal with it after. So he did it. He rolled off. After he finished, he goes, Okay, lets go to the market. 

The woman reported the rape to the discipline-and-conduct unit, where she said she was discouraged from filing anything official.  Why did you go back to his house?  she recalled being asked.  Didnt you think this was going to happen?  Six years later, she was having a drink with a female colleague at the Delegates Lounge, a bar at the U.N. headquarters in New York, when two men came by to speak with them. She looked at their name tags and realized that one of them was the man who had raped her in Kabul. Later she told her colleague, who persuaded the woman to lodge a formal complaint, which she did in 2016. According to the OIOS, a comprehensive investigation was conducted into both the allegation of rape and the allegations of cover-up; however we were unable to satisfy ourselves to the requisite standard that misconduct had occurred. The reports were issued in 2017, but the complainant never heard about the outcome of her case: She says that OIOS tried to call her once, while she was at a medical appointment, and they told her theyd call back, but she never heard from them again. In 2021, she was still waiting.

In a third case, a staff member for the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA) told me she was in Burkina Faso in 2016 for an agency meeting when a more senior colleague invited her to join him for drinks and suggested she meet him in his hotel room. When she arrived, his door was open. As soon as she stepped into his room, she told me, she felt something was off. I think theres been a mistake here, she recalled telling him, before turning around to leave. But he wouldnt let me leave. He grabbed me. She escaped his grip and reached for the door, but he restrained her again and then raped her.

A week later, when she traveled to New York for agency business, she told a superior what had happened, and after a few months of deliberating, she formally reported the incident to the UNFPAs internal-investigations unit. Its agents promised to look into her complaint but did not contact her again for seven months. While she was waiting for the results, her assailant was promoted within the agency. Eleven months after the attack, she received an email informing her that the U.N. found her allegations to be unsubstantiated. She asked why and was told that the information was confidential. UNFPA is responsible for preventing gender-based violence and supporting survivors, but I got no support from the organization, she told me.

The next turns in her case show the ups and downs of the organizations recent reform efforts: By May 2020, her alleged assailant had been dismissed by the UNFPA for misconduct. In 2021, however, the matter is still the subject of ongoing litigation, showing how the process can spread over years. The alleged perpetrator denies the allegation and the UNFPA declined to comment.

Another case demonstrates that even when a U.N. investigation substantiates an allegation, the U.N. has little to offer victims in the event that their alleged assailant leaves the service. A former U.N. volunteer in the Democratic Republic of Congo told me that in 2016, an inebriated superior put his hand between her legs and tried to kiss her after she offered him a ride home. The next week, when she confronted him about what had happened, he accused her of being one of those women before telling her, Whatever your account of the events, I am not going to accept it.

The former volunteer filed a complaint with the U.N. Investigators contacted and interviewed her promptly, but she didnt receive an update for the next two years. In parallel, she tried filing a criminal report in her home country but was told the police had no jurisdiction. In 2020, she was informed that U.N. investigators had substantiated her claim, despite the accused perpetrators continued denials. But because he had already resigned from his post and significant time had elapsed, the only thing left to do was make a note of the event in his file.

In nearly all cases, victims described the experience of moving through the U.N.s internal justice system as enervating and wounding. Those who remained at their jobs expressed ambivalence about their posts. Those who left found new lives and new careers, sometimes on different continents, away from the war zones, humanitarian crises, and sense of mission that had set things in motion long ago. One former employee for the U.N. refugee agency who asked not to be named said she was harassed by her boss in four out of nine countries they traveled to for work a few years ago. This included being solicited for information regarding her sexual experiences in Amman; being shown revealing photos of other women in Geneva; being solicited for sexual intercourse in Nairobi; and being sent a link to a woman simulating a hand job, a link to phallic images, and another link to a website featuring audio clips of female orgasms. I didnt know what to do because I was always on few-month contracts, she told me.

The former employee filed a sexual-harassment case in 2018. Investigators found that sexual harassment had not occurred but that the accused had failed to act as a role model. As a result, he was demoted, barred from being promoted for four years, and provided with training in matters related to professional conduct. (When contacted, the accused denied the allegations, saying that he had been disciplined for limited managerial experience but nothing related to harassment.) The former employee was never contacted about the result of her case; UNHCR only informed her after New York began making inquiries, admitting that the failure to contact her was an oversight. There was a judgment of misconduct, she told me, but I somewhat feel there was no real outcome.

The U.N.s response to sexual harassment and assault is encumbered by the realities of multilateralism, where 193 member states of the General Assembly must establish consensus before a decision can be made. And then there are the dynamics of a bureaucracy with infinite tiers. A U.N. task force developed a model policy for how to handle sexual harassment and assault almost four years ago, for example, yet adopting it has stalled across agencies. Member states may support a cause but not release sufficient funds for programs to be implemented. I dont know of a single secretary-general who hasnt ultimately been driven to despair by the powers of the Fifth Committee, former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd told me, referring to the budget committee that is controlled by member states. Nicola Dahrendorf, who ran a U.N. office addressing allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse in the Central African Republic and the DRC, said that the pace of change at the worlds largest intergovernmental organization is necessarily going to be glacial. What you get at the end is a simplified version of what people set out to do because it has to reflect various peoples interests.

The U.N. emerged as a postwar institution built for victor states to safeguard victor interests, and its governing body has remained largely unchanged since. By contrast, the mission of its humanitarian-aid and development agencies is, in many ways, an exercise in redistributing wealth from the developed world to the developing world. This contradiction, the inequalities that are at the core of the enterprise, may be a reason why true parity has remained elusive. As James Lang, a former UNDP consultant on gender, violence, and rights, told me, An institution that is built on hierarchy is probably going to allow for sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is going to be used as a tool to maintain that power in the system.

U.N. staffers past and present told me they feared that if they spoke up in the current atmosphere, they would be contributing to the dismantling of an organization many of them had first revered as Model U.N. participants. Several  like Kirstie Campbell, or a UNICEF worker who told me she had slept with a UNICEF flag over her bed as a youth  described how their identities were enmeshed with an organization that was deeply flawed but also genuinely beloved. They wanted to avoid scandals like the one at Oxfam Great Britain, which in 2018 was accused of covering up an investigation into staff members hiring sex workers for orgies during earthquake-relief operations in Haiti in 2010. One of the staff members accused was the former country director, who resigned following an internal investigation. The U.K. Charity Commission, which regulates the aid industry, launched a statutory inquiry. Actress Minnie Driver cut ties with the charity, as did Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Oxfams chief executive accused critics of having an anti-aid agenda, fueling further backlash. Within 11 days, Oxfam lost 7,000 donors, which amounted to more than $20 million in funding for operations and relief programs. Haiti temporarily suspended Oxfam GBs right to work in the country, and Oxfam GB agreed to stop bidding for U.K. government funding until it could show that it met its high standards. After a three year ban, Oxfam GB was allowed to apply for funding once more  only for new allegations of sexual exploitation, this time in the DRC, to surface one month later

In September 2016, Campbell was home in Edinburgh recovering from her years in the field when she saw online that Lorentzen had been promoted and was now working as the WFPs country director in Afghanistan. She alerted a friend in Kabul, who, a few months later, put her in contact with a woman who said that Lorentzen had also propositioned her. The woman decided to file an official complaint, with Campbell serving as a supporting witness. Ten months after the woman filed, WFP hired investigators from an outside firm to review the case. The external investigators substantiated the Kabul allegations against Lorentzen  not Campbells  and in January 2018, the WFP suspended Lorentzen. Two months later, he was summarily dismissed by the WFP. The agency declined to say why, citing privacy rules. That July, Campbell received an email informing her that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate your claim of sexual harassment against Mr. Mick Lorentzen. (Repeated attempts to contact Lorentzen went unanswered. A spokesperson for WFP said that the agency cannot comment on individual cases.)

In 2018, I went to Kabul to interview U.N. employees about stories like Campbells. Not long after I arrived, I received a call from Jane Howard, a WFP spokeswoman, who told me that reaching out to WFP workers to ask about their experience of sexual harassment and assault was inappropriate and asked me to stop. (When asked in 2021, a spokesman for WFP denied this took place.) The WFP sent out an email to staff, titled holding lines, containing step-by-step instructions for how to respond to press inquiries. The same year, WFP announced it was eliminating the statute of limitations for filing complaints. Complaints flooded in. A WFP consultant who was interviewed regarding one of these cases said that investigators told her they were looking at more cases because the press will come after us. (WFP does not initiate or reopen investigations due to media interest, a spokesperson said in response to a request for comment.)

Miles away from the field  both physically and psychically  and years after leaving it, Campbell still feels deeply disappointed. I gave every single shred of my everything, she said from her mothers flat in Edinburgh, where she now lives. Campbell had been pushed out of an institution she had loved  a strange collateral damage to that institutions efforts to elevate women, eradicate gender-based violence, and, crucially, save the world from itself.

Since returning home, she has become a forager, for sea buckthorn berries specifically. Ive gone from feeding the poor to living off berries, she joked of her new profession. She first came across the plant in Pakistan, where she met Lorentzen. Sea buckthorn berries grow best in harsh conditions, where other plants cannot survive, she told me.

Campbell had found something approximating peace, but there was still a part of her that was angry about how things had come to pass. Her anger was primarily directed at the institution that failed her, and the sexual harassment and abuse of power that distracted her from her original mission of helping others. In her work, she expected to witness trauma; not to become a victim herself. You sign up for the dead bodies turning up, she told me. What you dont sign up for, she continued, were those abusers, who were coming to abuse us.

Reporting was facilitated by a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Additional reporting by Alice Markham-Cantor.


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Assume That Technology Is Weaponized Against You: Casey Fleming on the China Threat

In this special episode, we sat down with two guests: Casey Fleming, CEO of BlackOps Partners Corporation on cybersecurity, and former counterterrorism officer Drew Berquist, who also hosts his own show. They touch on the changing landscape of counterterrorism, from what we learned in the 20 years in Afghanistan to how that will affect adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party going forward.

Berquist said, Afghanistan is more dangerous right now than it was pre 911. Weve given the Taliban more power than theyve ever had, more territory than theyve ever had, more money than theyve ever had, more equipment than theyve ever had. And were also kind of recognizing them, whether the governments going to outright say that or not, were essentially recognizing them as legitimate, giving them additional aid. Theres reports of additional $64 million in humanitarian aid, which will never go to its intended recipients, this week. So weve really created a very, very dangerous situation. And to think that theres not a lot of people in that country. Now theres 19 provinces that have all kinds of training camps already. ISIS-K, obviously their Haqqanis have been there, will continue to be there. To think that thats not going to bite people in the West  and possibly us is foolhardy. Its not a smart plan.

And as to the Chinese Communist Party taking advantage of the 20 years the United States was focused on Afghanistan to catch up, Fleming said, Just look at the history, okay. Look at when somebody says, Hey, you know, dont follow their words, follow their actions. Back in 2001  a U.S. Navy plane was flying in international waters off of Hainan Island in China. And a Chinese fighter pilot forced them down to land on Hainan Island. So what they did was they forced the crew into jail for I think it was probably 10 days, but they basically blueprinted the aircraft.

He added, So theres a tremendous thirst for technology.  Its my opinion, you can bet that a lot of that technology that was left on the ground in Afghanistan is already on its way to China, with a nice payment to the Taliban, and whoever else, whether its ISIS, whoever else has control of some of those assets. And from our understanding, there was quite a list of assets that were left on the ground. And those assets are our intellectual property and our technology that the taxpayers paid for. So thats something thats very concerning.

Watch the full episode on EpochTV.

Have other topics you want us to cover? Drop us a line: chinainfocus@ntdtv.org

And if youd like to buy us a coffee: https://donorbox.org/china-in-focus

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter.

Follow us:

EpochTV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus

EpochTV Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus
Remains Recovered in Search for Missing Woman Gabby Petito: Authorities

A body discovered by law enforcement agents on Sunday in Wyoming is believed to be missing woman Gabby Petito, who disappeared while on a cross-country trek with her boyfriend, authorities said.

The body was found in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming after a two day search, the FBI said, noting that the cause of death is yet to be determined.

Earlier today, human remains were discovered consistent with Gabrielle Petito, FBI Supervisory Special Agent said. Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified of this discovery.

Law enforcement officials conduct a search for Brian Laundrie in the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota, Fla., on Sept. 18, 2021. (North Port Police Department via AP)

Petitos father, Joseph Petito, shared a picture of his daughter with wings on Twitter shortly after the FBIs latest update.

#GABBYPETITO she touched the world, the post said.

Petito and her 23-year-old boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, in July took a converted van from Long Island, New York, to travel across the country and visit national parks, leaving online reviews of campsites along the way. Officials started investigating Petitos disappearance on Sept. 11 when her family reported her missing.

Authorities have identified Laundrie as a person of interest in Petitos disappearance, Jones said, noting that investigators are still seeking information from anyone who may have seen the pair around some camping sites in Teton Park.

More than 50 law enforcement officers on Sunday continued their search for Laundrie at the vast Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, Florida, which has more than 100 miles of trails and campgrounds. He was last seen by family members in Florida on Tuesday.

North Port police in a statement emphasized that the 23-year-old is not wanted for a crime despite being a person of interest in 22-year-old Petitos disappearance.

Attorney Richard Benson Stafford, a spokesman for Petitos family, asked in a statement that the family be given room to grieve, adding that they would make a public statement later.

The pair were childhood sweethearts and met while growing up on Long Island. According to their social media accounts, they planned to reach Oregon by the end of October.

Authorities said Petito was last in contact with her family in late August from Teton Park.

Police in Utah last week released body camera footage involving an Aug. 12 incident between Laurie and Petito after officers responded to a 911 call involving a domestic incident.

I have really bad OCD. I was apologizing to him saying Im sorry, Im so mean, Petito told the responding officer in the footage, referring to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Weve been fighting all morning. He wouldnt let me in the car before  he told me I needed to calm down.

In this screenshot from a police camera video, Brian Laundrie talks to a police officer after police pulled over the van he was traveling in with his girlfriend, Gabrielle Gabby Petito, near the entrance to Arches National Park, Utah, on Aug. 12, 2021. (The Moab Police Department via AP)

Petito just gets worked up sometimes, I try to distance myself from her. I locked the car, Laundrie told the Moab Police Department officer.

According to a police report obtained by the New York Post, the 911 call wasnt made by either Laundrie or Petito.

The FBI and our partners extend our heartfelt condolences to Gabbys family and loved ones. This is an incredibly difficult time for them, and our thoughts are with them as they mourn the loss of their daughter, FBI Denver added in a statement.
Large excavators are dwarfed by the face of the Loy Yang Open Cut coal mine in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria, on Aug. 13, 2009. (PAUL CROCK/AFP via Getty Images)

Body Recovered From Queensland Coal Mine

The body of a miner who died when a roof collapsed a coal mine in central Queensland has been recovered.

We can confirm that Queensland Police Service has recovered the body of our deceased co-worker, Graham Dawson, 62, from Crinum underground mine this afternoon, operator Mastermyne said in a statement on Saturday.

All operational activities at the Sojitzs Gregory Crinum mine remain suspended and will not resume until further notice, and in consultation with Dawsons family.

Sunday marks a century since 75 people were killed in an explosion at Mount Mulligan coal mine, about 160 kilometres west of Cairns.

Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the centenary is significant in light of the death at the Gregory Crinum mine.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping our resources workers safe, Stewart told AAP ahead of the centenary event.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on at a news conference inside the Downing Street Briefing Room in London on July 12, 2021. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/Pool via Reuters)

Boris Johnson Accused of Taking Casual Approach to National Security

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of adopting a more casual approach to Britains national security as lawmakers warned the Whitehall machine was unable to cope with more than one major crisis at a time.

The Joint Committee on National Security Strategymade up of senior MPs and peerssaid the fall of Afghanistan had shown the current system was inadequate to the task.

However, it said that reforms to the National Security Council (NSC) meant the prime minister would slash the time he spent leading its meetings by around two-thirds.

In a highly critical report, the committee said the lack of preparation for the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan could only be described as a systemic failure.

The NSC was originally established in 2010 by David Cameron with weekly meetings bringing together senior ministers and defence and intelligence chiefs chaired by the prime minister.

However, the committee said a review by national security adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove of the way it operated would in the future result in Johnson chairing only around half its meetings.

Most concerningly, the new model for the NSC risks becoming a halfway house: it is neither a slower-paced forum for tackling the most fundamental questions facing UK national security, nor a weekly meeting of senior ministersconvened and brokered by the prime ministerto tackle the most pressing issues, the report said.

The committee said that its the prime ministers personal investment of time and authority that lends credibility to the NSC and its cross-government structures.

Yet under the new system, the prime minister will spend roughly 65 [percent] less time in NSC meetings than under the previous practice of weekly meetings when Parliament is in session, the report reads.

In our initial assessment, therefore, this is a retrograde step that suggests a more casual approach to national security.

The report said there was already a troubling lack of clarity about the role and remit of the NSC, with witnesses describing a loose, unstructured cross-government approach, with weak oversight from the centre and unclear prioritisation of risks.

When the COVID-19 crisis broke, its structures were swiftly abandoned in favour of ad-hoc arrangements and improvisationa move the committee said was a serious mistake.

It said that when the Afghan crisis broke over the summer, it showed the government was unable to prepare for and respond to two national security crises simultaneously.

With one expert witness warning of a one-in-six chance of an existential catastrophe over the next 100 yearsfrom extreme climate change scenarios to nuclear conflictthe committee said there was an urgent need for reform.

The committee chair, former foreign secretary Dame Margaret Beckett, said the whole point of the NSC is that it is supposed to prepare for, and act upon, a long-term view of our national security risks.

It should be above the hurly-burly of daily concerns, she said.

But when two eventsthe COVID-19 pandemic and Afghanistandemonstrated yet again what a dangerous world we now live in, weaknesses in the structures of the National Security Council were exposed.

Beckett paid tribute to the medical and military personnel and the civil servants who have worked hard in the two crises, before adding their brave efforts cannot mask the fundamental need for the centre of government to get a grip on national security planning.

A government spokesman said the national security machinery was being strengthened following the Integrated Review of foreign and defence policy earlier this year.

The prime minister is clear that the first duty of the government is to provide security for the people of the UK, which he is absolutely committed to delivering, the spokesman said.

The prime minister and his government have just agreed [on] a unique trilateral defence arrangement with Australia and the United States, he added.

The national security machinery is being strengthened in response to the Integrated Review as well as events such as COVID and Afghanistan as necessary.

By Gavin Cordon
Chinese leader Xi Jinping (L) being greeted in Pyongyang by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is shown on a large screen outside a shopping mall in Beijing on June 20, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP)

Chinas Exports to North Korea Up for 3rd Straight Month

Chinas exports to North Korea grew for the third straight month in August, taking up a quarter of the overall volume of 2021 to date, Chinas General Administration of Customs reported on Sept. 18.

Chinese shipments to North Korea saw a 30 percent increase to $22.5 million in August from $16.8 million in July, although exports were almost 10 times higher two years earlier, before the pandemic hit. Exports to North Korea in 2019 totaled $2.74 billion.

China accounts for more than 90 percent of North Koreas foreign trade, despite United Nations sanctions against the country. Data show 96.3 percent of North Koreas imports in 2020 were from China.

Since 2006, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been prioritizing its nuclear arsenal to boost national defense. The U.N. has banned Pyongyang from importing weapons, oil, and gas products, as well as from selling metals, seafood, coal, and textiles.

It remains unclear whether the products China is trading with North Korea are in line with U.N. sanctions.

China imported $6.2 million in goods from North Korea in August, up from $4.1 million in July, Chinas customs data show.

The records tracked official trade only, excluding cross-border smuggling between the two neighboring countries.

Early in 2020, North Korea was also one of the first countries to shut its borders and halted trade with China following the start of the pandemic.
Maj. Gen. Chen Wei (L) receives an award from Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a ceremony to honour people who fought against the pandemic, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sept. 8, 2020. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese COVID Vaccine Based on Technology Developed Jointly by Fired Winnipeg Scientist, PLA Major General: Expert

The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese company CanSino, which Ottawa partnered with before the deal fell through, used technology developed in a 2016 paper on Ebola by a now-fired scientist from a government laboratory in Winnipeg and a Chinese major general, according to an expert.

The governments partnership on the clinical development of the CanSino vaccine, first announced on May 12, 2020, fell apart on Aug. 26, 2020, after Beijing blocked the shipment of the vaccine to Canada.

CanSinos vaccine was developed in partnership with Chinas Peoples Liberation Army, an effort that was led by Maj. Gen. Chen Wei, a military medical scientist. Chen was lauded by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in September 2020 and honoured in a ceremony for her role in developing the vaccine.

Dr. Xiangguo Qiu, a scientist at the National Microbiology Lab (NML) in Winnipeg who has since been fired, has collaborated with Chen, and the two have published their research in scientific journals, including one in 2016 on an adenovirus vaccine for Ebola. A 2017 correction to the paper says Qiu and Chen contributed equally to this paper.

Qiu and her husband and fellow scientist Keding Cheng, along with a group of Chinese students, were escorted from the NML in July 2019 amid a police investigation. The couple was formally fired from the lab in January 2021.

A logo of CanSino Biologics Inc is pictured on the companys headquarters in Tianjin, China, on Aug. 17, 2020. (Reuters/Thomas Peter)

The federal government has refused to provide details of why Qiu and Cheng were fired, citing privacy and national security concerns.

Joe Wang, who formerly spearheaded a vaccine development program for SARS in Canada with one of the worlds leading pharmaceutical companies, says its clear the CanSino COVID-19 vaccine is based on the same adenovirus technology described in the 2016 paper by Qiu and Chen. Wang is currently the president of NTD Television Canada, a sister media outlet of The Epoch Times in Canada.

Both the Ebola vaccine [described in the paper] and CanSinos COVID vaccine are recombinant vaccines. A recombinant vaccine is a construct of an antigen genetically engineered into a vector. One can have the same vector with different antigens targeting different pathogens, Wang said.

In the case of the CanSino COVID vaccine, it uses an adenovirus vector technology similar to the one used for Ebola.

In addition, Wang says, CanSinos CEO and co-founder, Xuefeng Yu, is also listed as an author of the paper.

Yu, a McGill graduate, worked at the Canadian offices of the major pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur from 1998 to 2010, with his last position there being director.

CanSino patented its COVID-19 vaccine on Aug. 11, 2020.

Conservatives have criticized the Liberal government for partnering with the Chinese company in vaccine development, saying it raises security concerns and also contributed to Canadas slow vaccine rollout compared to other countries.

CSIS [Canadian Security Intelligence Service] had been flagging CanSino as a national security threat for years, but the Liberals turned a blind eye to our Canadian experts, Tory Leader Erin OToole wrote in a December 2020 commentary in the National Post. After undoubtedly extracting useful Canadian vaccine research, China broke off relations and refused to ship samples.

The Liberals have defended their deal with CanSino, saying they signed deals with other manufacturers before the CanSino partnership fell through.

We put all our eggs in as many different baskets as possible, and that is how we have the most diverse portfolio of vaccines and more doses potentially per capita than any other country in the world. We have been there for Canadians, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in the House of Commons on Dec. 2, 2020.

Intellectual Property Concerns

Before she was terminated from her position at the NML, Qiu travelled to Chinas Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in an official capacity several times and provided training on level 4 lab safety. She also arranged the shipment of Ebola and Henipah virus samples to WIV from NML in March 2019, with permission from NML authorities.

The National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in a file photo. (The Canadian Press/John Woods)

A spokesperson with the Public Health Agency of Canada, which oversees the NML, previously told The Epoch Times that the samples were sent to WIV for the purposes of scientific research.

When asked if there were any intellectual property-related agreements before samples were sent, spokesperson Mark Johnson said, It was determined that intellectual property protections were not required for the sharing of these samples given that the purpose of the transfer was to facilitate research to benefit human health and advance scientific inquiry on preventing and treating infectious diseases.

Qiu and Maj. Gen. Chen, who is a leading bioweapons expert at Chinas Academy of Military Science, published another scientific paper on the Ebola virus submitted to the journal mAbs in January 2020, with Qius affiliation with the NML listed in her credentials. This was after July 2019 when Qiu and her husband were escorted out of the lab, but before they were formally fired.

Conservatives have asked the Liberal government whether Qiu and Cheng passed on any intellectual property to China.

Did the two Canadian government scientists fired from the Winnipeg lab pass on Canadian intellectual property to China, including to the Wuhan Institute of Virology? Michael Chong, a Conservative candidate who is seeking reelection in Wellington-Halton Hills, said in a statement on Sept. 17. Chong was the Conservatives foreign affairs critic before the election was called.

Chong also asked for confirmation as to whether the Chinese military ever gained physical access to the NML. The Globe and Mail reported earlier this year that scientists at the NML have collaborated with Chinese military researchers on deadly pathogens and that a Chinese military researcher, Feihu Yan, worked at the lab for a period of time.

Despite repeated requests by opposition parties, the Liberal government has refused to provide details of why Qiu and Cheng were fired from the NML, citing privacy and national security concerns.

MPs in the House of Commons issued an order requiring the government to disclose the information, but the government took the Speaker of the House to court to withhold the documents. The government dropped the court case after an election was called on Aug. 15 and the Parliament was dissolved.

The Tories are accusing the Liberals of calling the election to hide the details of what happened at the NML and reports of collaboration with Maj. Gen. Chen.

We now know why Justin Trudeau called this early $600 million election, risking the health of Canadians in the middle of a fourth wave of the pandemic: to prevent the release of the Winnipeg lab documents to Parliament, and cover up what happened at the Winnipeg lab, Chong said.

The Liberal Party didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.
Torsten Trey, the executive director of Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting, speaks at an event in Taipei, Taiwan, on Feb. 27, 2013. (Chen Pochou/Epoch Times)

Chinese Regimes Forced Organ Harvesting Could Spread to Other Countries, NGO Director Warns

The communist regime in China has plans to export its horrific practice of forced organ harvesting as soon as its able to tear down ethical standards in the transplant industry established by the West, Dr. Torsten Trey warns.

Trey, founder and executive director of Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH), sounded the warning during a recent interview with EpochTVs Crossroads program. For decades, the Chinese regime has persecuted prisoners of conscience in order to drive its industrial-scale operations to supply harvested organs to the transplant market, he said.

Given Chinas ambitions to dominate many industries, Trey said, Beijing has also sought to become the leader in the transplant sector.

In Western countries, we follow ethical standards for the benefit of the patient. There is a purpose of it, that comes with waiting time, he said. It is based on free voluntary consent as a foundation to donate organs.

This concept of free voluntary consent is basically destroyed in the concept of forced organ harvesting.

In other words, he said that the Chinese regime sees Western medical standards as a threat to its practice of forced organ harvesting.

So China is highly interested in tearing down this [Western] system to basically make forced organ harvesting the common standard in transplant medicine, he said.

China has been one of the top destinations for transplant tourism, as Chinese hospitals offer organ transplants with very short wait times, while claiming that their organs originate from the countrys voluntary donation system. Beijing claims it hasnt sourced organs from executed prisoners since 2015.

However, a London-based peoples tribunal refuted the CCPs claim in a 2019 report. It concluded that the stated-sanctioned practice of forced organ harvesting was happening on a significant scale in China, with Falun Gong practitioners being the main source of organs.

Adherents of Falun Gong, a spiritual practice also known as Falun Dafa, have been targets of persecution by the Chinese regime since 1999.

Allegations of forced organ harvesting from detained Falun Gong adherents first emerged in 2006.

Once China becomes the leading voice in the transplant sector, it would set new standards in the transplant field, Trey said. At that point, he warned that Beijing would be unrestricted in its pursuit to eradicate prisoners of conscience without international scrutiny or criticism.

Trey said he had the chance to speak to several people who were nearly victims of Chinas forced organ harvesting in recent years.

Some said they repeatedly received blood tests while in detention in China, while one former detainee said the police admitted to him when he was given a blood test that his organs could be harvested.

Trey said he has also seen reports of missing organs from the bodies of dead detainees in China.

In 2016, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.Res. 343, which also called for an end to the Chinese regimes practice of organ harvesting.

In March, new legislation was introduced in both the Senate (S.602) and the House (H.R.1592) to combat forced organ harvesting and human trafficking. If approved, it would authorize the U.S. government to deny or revoke the passports of people who engage in the illegal purchase of organs. It would also prohibit the U.S. export of organ transplant surgery devices to foreign entities associated with the crime.

There has been international support calling for China to end its practice of forced organ harvesting. Trey said his organization organized a global petition for six years ending in 2018, collecting more than 3 million signatures and calling on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to help end the practice in China.

Now we want to have the United Nations and independent investigators to go on the ground [in China], to go into these camps in China to investigate, Trey said.

Frank Fang journalist Follow Frank Fang is a Taiwan-based journalist. He covers news in China and Taiwan. He holds a Master's degree in materials science from Tsinghua University in Taiwan.
Community College Enrollment Plunges Following Onset of Pandemic

Enrollment at U.S. community colleges suffered a steep decline after the arrival of the CCP virus last year, falling 11.3 percent in the spring of 2021 compared to the year-earlier period.

In the same time frame, among community college students aged 18 to 20, enrollment plunged an even bigger 14.6 percent, Caleb Rider reports at The College Fix, drawing upon data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Columbia Universitys Community College Research Center, and EducationData.org. Community college students in that age range make up more than 40 percent of all undergraduates.

Davis Jenkins, a senior research scholar and research professor at Columbias Teachers College, told The Guardian newspaper that the slide in college enrollment among graduating high school students is chilling.

Delaying college really diminishes your chance of completing college, he said. Particularly if community college enrollment is declining, you take away the opportunity of college for millions of students.

Its going to increase the divide between education have and have-nots.

California experienced the largest drop this past spring of all the states, as its community college and university headcount fell by around 123,000 students.

California is doing worse than the national averages by 1 or 2 percentage points in terms of the declines this spring compared with last, Doug Shapiro, executive director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, told the Los Angeles Times.

Paul Feist, spokesman for California Community College Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley, said the pandemic disrupted students lives in a myriad of ways that made it difficult or impossible for many of them to continue with their college educations.

A state community college student survey reported that 41 percent faced a change in employment during the pandemic; around 19 percent experienced a reduction in work hours, 22 percent were laid off or furloughed, Feist said.

The downward trend isnt new. From 2009 to 2019, enrollment at 2-year institutions fell to 5.6 million students from 7.5 million, representing a 26 percent decrease over that 10-year period. By contrast, at the same time, enrollment at 4-year institutions rose 10 percent, climbing to 11 million students from 9.9 million.

But the single-year 11.3 percent drop came the year after pandemic-mitigation tactics such as lockdowns and social distancing took effect and after March 2020, when many colleges shifted to online-only learning in an effort to contain the virus.

Many Americans look to community colleges as cheaper, less time-consuming, more practical alternatives to traditional universities, which, while they may provide intellectual challenges, tend to offer little in the way of real-world experience useful in the workplace.

Students spend on average $25,615 for an academic year at a 4-year public institution and $53,949 for a traditional private university.

Community colleges, on the other hand, cost the student an average of about $10,300 per year, making them considerably more affordable than 4-year schools.

The drop in community college enrollment may be related to the difficult economic environment that has persisted since pandemic-mitigation measures went into effect. About 80 percent of community college students workabout half of them full-timeand come from low-income families. About 23 percent of dependent students and 47 percent of independent students at community colleges come from families with incomes below $20,000.
Dire Shortage of Skilled Tradespeople Looming in Canada

The need to tap into new pools of talent in the skilled trades is urgent, says report

Canada has a shortage of tradespeople that will worsen this decade unless educators, employers, and policy-makers respond, according to a recent report by the Royal Bank of Canada.

Educators, employers, and policy-makers will need to address chronic problems in the trades pipeline, tap into underused pools of talent, and address a widening digital skills gap amid rapid technological advances in the workplace, states the report titled Powering Up: Preparing Canadas skilled trades for a post-pandemic economy.

The report says the nation could be 100,000 skilled tradespeople short within five years, including at least 10,000 in the 56 Red Seal trades and the rest in the 250 provincially regulated trades. Workers in trades critical to the anticipated infrastructure boom amid post-pandemic economic recovery, including industrial mechanics, welders, and boilermakers, are in particularly severe shortage.

In addition, by 2028, over 700,000 skilled tradespeople are expected to retire. In manufacturing alone, one-quarter of the workforce is aged 55 or over, and less than 10 percent are under 25.

Jayson Myers, CEO of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (N-Gen), who was quoted in the report, told The Epoch Times that better direction in high school would result in more tradespeople.

Were losing a lot of people, a lot of really potentially highly skilled, motivated kids that dont know where to go. One thing thats really shocking in Canada is that the average age of apprenticeships is something like 27. Thats basically 10 years lost out of a life. Were not providing the guidance that people need, Myers said.

Were losing a lot of kids that like to learn with their hands and like to learn by doing things, and dont like an academic career.

The RBC report said a perception problem persists that associates the trades with heavy, dirty physical work best suited to students who lack the aptitude for white-collar careers. In addition, Women made up just 11 percent of new registrants for apprenticeship programs in 2019 and continue to represent less than 4 percent of workers in the most in-demand trades.

Immigration has not solved the problem, according to the report, which noted that immigrants make up more than 21 percent of the Canadian population but accounted fo only 8.7 percent of apprentices in 2018. Then in 2019, Canada fell short of its goal of bringing in 3,000 skilled tradespeople and admitted only 2,365 through the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Myers said many students enter apprenticeship programs in Europe at the age of 14 or 15. For Canada, he believes better collaboration would be more effective than pouring more tax dollars into trades training.

Sometimes they give out a lot of money. Everybody takes the money and then hunkers down, and its a siloed approach to education and training. I think we really need to think more about collaborative approaches, he said.

Weve got to  motivate kids and bring them in, and a part of that is making sure that the education system is working closely with industry, even when it comes to bringing in speakers to the classroom who can talk about what theyre doing, or organizing school trips once they can, or maybe its a virtual tour of a manufacturing facility to see what its all about.

This approach is greatly needed, since according to the RBC report, the four Western provinces and Atlantic Canada are projected to have shortfalls in certification completions and requirements in the Red Seals trades by 2025.

In particular, the future of manufacturing is going to be much more technology intensive, much more digital. So everybody is competing right now for people with digital skills, tech skills.  And its not just in manufacturing, its in construction, its mining, resource development, and so forth, Myers said.

The CEO said N-Gen has been remarkably successful at helping companies to improve the skill levels of their employees, gain more skills, and better manage operations. For such companies, the needs of the future have already arrived.

What weve tried to do then is work with them, help them understand what their requirements are, and then help them select what training programs might be best suited for each individual employee and for the type of company that they want to run. There are a lot of training programs out there, and a part of it is just navigating your way through, Myers explained.

What youre seeing is a lot of industry-led initiatives that are not necessarily circumventing the college system or the university system. Those are important for the basics, but for onsite training, or manageable training, a lot of thats online now and is being developed by industry.

The RBC report noted that indigenous Canadians currently make up a greater proportion of apprentices than their share of the population. And given that they are the fastest-growing cohort of Canadian youth, they have the potential to be an even bigger presence in the skilled trades workforce of the future.
Escondido Road Rage Shooting Suspect Dies After Being Shot by Police Officer

A man involved in a road rage shooting in Escondido, California, died Friday night after being shot by the police during a chase, authorities say.

The suspect, a 38-year-old male Escondido resident, fired a handgun from his vehicle into another vehicle occupied by a 20-year-old male driver and a 15-year-old passenger on Sept. 17 around 5 p.m., according to the Escondido Police Department.

The driver suffered a mild gunshot wound and sought medical care at Palomar Medical Center. He was later discharged from the hospital.

At around 6:10 pm, police found the suspects vehicle in the area of Washington Ave and Citrus Ave. The suspect fled the police in his vehicle, and a chase ensued.

About 7 minutes later, the suspects vehicle crashed at the intersection of Bear Valley Pkwy and Encino Drive. At the end of the car chase an officer-involved shooting occurred, the department said.

The suspect was found in possession of a semi-automatic handgun. He was transported to Palomar Medical Center after the shooting and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The name of the police officer involved in the shooting will be released at a later time.

The relationship between the suspect, the initial shooting victim, and the passenger is unknown.
EXCLUSIVE: Communist Chinas Effort to Influence Mayors, Governors, Lawmakers | Facts Matter

We sat down with the former acting director of national intelligence under President Donald Trump and discussed how the Chinese Communist Party is working to undermine America from within.

Stay tuned for our newsletter so you wont miss out on our exclusive videos and private events.

Facts Matter is an Epoch Times show available on YouTube.

Follow Roman on Instagram: @epoch.times.roman

Follow EpochTV on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus

Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV

Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv

Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV

Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV

Parler: https://parler.com/#/user/EpochTV
NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci listens during a Senate Appropriations Labor, Health, and Human Services Subcommittee hearing looking into the budget estimates for National Institute of Health and state of medical research on Capitol Hill on May 26, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool/Getty Images)

Fauci: Officials Will Decide on COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendation for Children Aged 5 to 11 Soon

Biden administration COVID-19 adviser Anthony Fauci said that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will likely make a decision on whether to recommend COVID-19 vaccines for children under the age of 12 in the fall.

Regulators should have data in the coming weeks to see whether shots for children aged 5 and 11 are needed, he told ABC News This Week on Sept. 19.

Sometime in the next few weeks, as we get into October, well be able to see the vaccines for children get enough data to be presented for safety and immunogenicity, said Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who has conducted hundreds of media interviews since the pandemic began in early 2020.

Fauci has received significant criticism in recent months over whether his agency knowingly provided funding to gain-of-function researchers working at a virology lab in Wuhan, China.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized vaccinations for children aged 12 and older earlier in 2021. Some school districts, including the one overseeing public schools in Los Angeles, have made it mandatory for children returning to class to get fully vaccinated.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said that the firm, which makes one of the most widely used COVID-19 vaccines in the world, will likely release clinical data on vaccines for children aged 6 months to 5 years in October. COVID-19 vaccine data for children aged 5 to 11 will come sooner, he said.

Federal government health officials have argued that younger children should get vaccinated due to the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19.

Currently, there are still trials ongoing, and so the agency has to wait for the company to submit the data for those trials, FDA vaccine regulator Peter Marks said Aug. 23. We certainly want to make sure that we get it right.

On Sept. 17, the FDAs vaccine advisory panel voted overwhelmingly against recommending booster shots for the general public and instead voted to recommend them to individuals aged 65 and older. During that meeting, a number of scientists expressed concern for booster-associated side-effects among younger people and children.

Dr. James Hildreth, a voting member on the FDA expert panel, said that he has a serious concern of myocarditis in young people. Another expert, Dr. Melinda Wharton, said she does not feel comfortable with recommending boosters to younger people due to the risk of myocarditis.

Researchers discovered in August that COVID-19 vaccines used in the United States are more likely to land teenage boys in the hospital than COVID-19 itself. When analyzing reports submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), scientists discovered that males between the ages of 12 and 15 without a serious underlying health condition were up to six times more likely to be hospitalized after getting their second Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine dose than from a COVID-19 infection.
Community members protest the city of Orange's decision to shut down Mary's Kitchen, a soup kitchen for the homeless, in Orange, Calif., on July 13, 2021. (Chris Karr/The Epoch Times)

Federal Judge Blocks Eviction of Homeless Services Provider Marys Kitchen

SANTA ANA, Calif.A hearing on a request for an injunction to block Orange from shutting down the Marys Kitchen homeless services provider is scheduled for Sept. 30 in a Santa Ana federal courtroom.

U.S. District Judge David O. Carter approved a request for a temporary restraining order on Sept. 17, noting that Marys Kitchen is the sole homeless service provider for adults without minor children in Orange and has operated in the city for nearly 36 years, starting in 1986.

Marys Kitchens agreement with the city to use its property started in 1993 and has been renewed several times over the years, Carter said in his ruling.

The number of patrons served has grown from approximately 65 per day in 2004 to approximately 200 per day in 2019, Carter wrote. The city has celebrated the work of Marys Kitchen on its website, as has the county of Orange in reports submitted to the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development to receive federal funding.

The city extended its license agreement with Marys Kitchen for another five years in June 2019. Carter said the extension was done because officials concluded the nonprofit was well organized and efficiently run.

According to Carter, city officials also noted in the license agreement extension that Marys Kitchens volunteers were very dedicated and that the facility is impressively neat and clean.

The patrons were also for the most part behaved and orderly, officials said, according to Carter. At that time, city officials noted that loitering continued to pose a challenge, but that Marys Kitchen officials worked closely with police, and surveillance security cameras were installed.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down much of the facilitys interior space and cut down the services to food, mail pick-up, and bathroom usage, Carter said.

During this time, the city experienced record rates of death in its homeless population, he wrote.

The city sent a notice of violation of the agreement with Marys Kitchen in September 2020. The notice alleged violations such as lodging on private property, causing traffic congestion, damage to city property, trespassing, and drug and alcohol use. The notice also alleged loitering through the night and officials requested the hiring of private security.

Marys Kitchen reopened in December during the height of the coronavirus pandemics winter surge, which was overloading hospitals and fueling mounting deaths. A private security firm was hired then and from January through June, 80 arrests were made near Marys Kitchen for violations such as public drinking, trespassing, drug possession, and outstanding warrants, according to Carter.

Community members protest the city of Oranges decision to shut down Marys Kitchen, a soup kitchen for the homeless, in Orange, Calif., on July 13, 2021. (Chris Karr/The Epoch Times)

Marys Kitchen officials asked the city in April to expand its services to become a navigation center, which would allow it to assist in finding permanent shelter for local transients, Carter said. The city didnt respond, and instead the city manager on June 18 terminated the lease.

City officials said then that Marys Kitchen only serves to enable homelessness and can no longer be supported by the city.

An approved affordable housing project next door made Marys Kitchen incompatible, according to the city. Marys Kitchen was scheduled to get out of the space by Sept. 18.

Carter ruled that the city denied due process for Marys Kitchen. He also noted that Marys Kitchen over the years has invested substantial resources in its current location over several decades, including physical infrastructure that cannot be moved.

Eviction would cause Marys Kitchen to lose its location and tens of thousands of dollars of infrastructure investments, Carter said.

The transients who rely on Marys Kitchen would also lose valuable services, and these dangers are compounded as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Carter said.

Carter rejected the citys argument that it provides similar and enhanced services and said he is not certain that said resources currently exist and would in fact offset the harm that would arise from closing Marys Kitchen.

City officials argued that other shelters in northern Orange County in nearby cities are sufficient to meet the need. But Carter said Marys Kitchen clients are regularly transported from those shelters to Orange to receive services not provided at those other shelters.

The city argued that it has 160 beds available with a future project to build 64 new housing units, but Marys Kitchen serves about 300 clients in its location at 517 W. Struck Ave., Carter noted.

The damage to Marys Kitchen by shutting it down would be substantial and irreparable, but the harm to the city would be minor, Carter said. Shutting it down would further strain already-burdened city services by spreading unhoused individuals throughout the city and county, making delivery of targeted services more challenging.

Paul Sitkoff, a city spokesman, said on Sept. 15 that an attorney for the city has reviewed the filing and believes it to be without merit.

On Sept. 17, Sitkoff said the city would comply with the TRO, and is working on a response. That response is still in development.

The attorneys representing Marys Kitchen were the same ones involved in the lawsuit to clear the riverbed in Anaheim that led to a major settlement in the county allowing for cities to clear out homeless encampments while providing shelter for transients.

The services Marys Kitchen provides include meals, an address for transients to have benefits mailed to them, a place to clean up and use the bathroom, charging stations for electronic devices, clothes and laundry, and medical appointments.

After the city issued a notice to vacate the property, officials offered services to the homeless for the first time last month, the attorneys for Marys Kitchen said.

That occurred only once in the last month and appeared to be more hype for the media than help for the guests of Marys Kitchen, the attorneys said in the court papers. They also said there was no one available to help enroll the participants in the states program to provide shelter.
In this screenshot from a police camera video, Gabrielle Gabby Petito talks to a police officer after police pulled over the van she was traveling in with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, near the entrance to Arches National Park, Utah, on Aug. 12, 2021. (The Moab Police Department via AP)

Gabby Petitos Boyfriend Goes Missing as Searches Continue for Woman

Police in North Port, Florida, on Sunday continued their search of a wildlife reserve for Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the disappearance of missing woman Gabby Petito, while the FBI is continuing to hunt for clues in a national park in Wyoming.

The search for Laundrie, who is Petitos 23-year-old boyfriend, continues Sunday morning in the Carlton Reserve, said North Port Police in a tweet. A team of more than 50 looking for anything of note after his parents say this is where he went. We continue to corroborate all info in the search for him.

Officials on Sunday morning deployed K-9 search dogs in a bid to find Laundrie, video footage showed.

The search for Brian Laundrie continues Sunday morning in the Carlton Reserve. A team of more than 50 looking for anything of note after his parents say this is where he went. We continue to corroborate all info in the search for him and Gabby. 1-800-CALL-FBI. pic.twitter.com/20nt70mezz  North Port Police (@NorthPortPolice) September 19, 2021

The FBI on Saturday, meanwhile, said that its agents and other law enforcement agencies were carrying out surveys in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

The FBIs Denver office and Wyoming-based agents have been conducting ground surveys at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area, according to a Twitter post by the agency.

Around the same time, the agency released a missing person poster and photo of Petito, saying the pair were traveling in a white 2012 Ford Transit van with a number of stickers on the back and Florida license plate QFTG03.

Gabby & her boyfriend were traveling in a white 2012 Ford Transit van with a variety of stickers on the back with Florida plate QFTG03. The FBI has a Missing Person poster that includes photos of Gabby & her van available for review or download here: https://t.co/FEblNZY2tP.  FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) September 19, 2021

The disappearance of Laundrie is certainly a twist in the case, said Josh Taylor, a North Point Police spokesperson.

Were hopeful that hes out here, Taylor told local media on Saturday. Certainly, weve prepared for all different possibilities, but our goal is to locate him and bring him back to North Port.

The #FBIDenver Field Office and its Wyoming Resident Agencies, in coordination with the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Teton County Sheriffs Office & Jackson Police Department, have been conducting ground surveys at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area. pic.twitter.com/95HjWcEuDU  FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) September 19, 2021

Laundrie is not wanted for a crime, law enforcement officials have said. Officials started investigating Petitos disappearance on Sept. 11 when she was reported missing by her family.

Before his disappearance, Laundrie has not been cooperative with investigators, police have said.

Petito and Laundry were traveling on a cross-country road trip through several states and left online reviews of campsites. Body camera footage from an officer in Utah was released last week, showing the officer speaking with both Laundrie and Petito.

I have really bad OCD. I was apologizing to him saying Im sorry Im so mean, Petito told the responding officer in Aug. 12 footage, referring to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Weve been fighting all morning. He wouldnt let me in the car before  he told me I needed to calm down.
Police officers stay in front of the entrance to the Jewish Community bodybuilding in Hagen, Germany, on Sept. 16, 2021. (Henning Kaiser/dpa via AP)

German Police Detain Teen After Yom Kippur Synagogue Threat

BERLINA 16-year-old boy was detained Thursday in connection with a possible plan for an Islamic extremist attack on a synagogue in the German city of Hagen, authorities said.

The detention took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism, and two years after a deadly attack in another German city on the Yom Kippur holiday.

Police cordoned off the synagogue on Wednesday and a worship service planned for the evening was called off.

Officials had received very serious and concrete information that there could be an attack on the synagogue during Yom Kippur, said Herbert Reul, the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia state, where Hagen is located. The tip pointed to an Islamist-motivated threat situation, and named the possible timing and suspect, he added.

Police using sniffer dogs found no dangerous objects in or around the synagogue, Reul said. On Thursday morning, the 16-year-old, a Syrian national who lives in Hagen, was detained. Three other people were detained in a raid on an apartment, the minister said.

Those threereportedly the teenagers father and two brotherswere released on Thursday evening and are currently not under suspicion, prosecutors told news agency dpa. They said the boy allegedly acknowledged having had contact with a bomb-building expert via the messaging app Telegram, but denied having intended to attack the synagogue.

Investigators didnt find any bomb components in a search of the teenagers home, but did seize cellphones and other materials that they will now evaluate.

Reul didnt say where the tip on the alleged threat came from.

News magazine Der Spiegel reported, without identifying sources, that it came from a foreign intelligence service. It said the teenager told someone in an online chat that he was planning an attack with explosives on a synagogue, and the probe led investigators to the 16-year-old.

Two years ago on Yom Kippur, a German extremist attacked a synagogue in the eastern German city of Halle. That attack is considered one of the worst anti-Semitic assaults in the countrys post-war history.

The attacker repeatedly tried, but failed, to force his way into the synagogue with 52 worshippers inside. He then shot and killed a 40-year-old woman in the street outside and a 20-year-old man at a nearby kebab shop.

He posted an anti-Semitic screed before carrying out the Oct. 9, 2019, attack in the eastern German city of Halle and broadcast the shooting live on a popular gaming site.

German Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht sharply condemned the foiled Hagen attack.

It is intolerable that Jews are again exposed to such a horrible threat and that they cannot celebrate the start of their highest holiday, Yom Kippur, together, the minister said.
Parts of the structure of a ship are seen at Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, on May 29, 2018. (Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)

Hyundai Heavy Industries Shares Jump Above IPO Price on Debut

SEOULHyundai Heavy Industries shares closed 86 percent above their initial public offering (IPO) price on their trading debut in South Korea on Friday.

The shipbuilder, one of the largest in the world, raised $935 million from its IPO, with much of the proceeds set to fund investments in new technology.

A total of 1,633 domestic and foreign institutional investors placed bids to acquire shares earlier this month, valuing total bids at 1,130 trillion won ($962.3 billion), according to Hyundai Heavy.

The institutional book for the IPO had been 1,836 times coveredthe second-largest for an IPO in South Korea after SKIET earlier this year.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the surge in container ship fares has spread to ship orders, raising ship prices, said Meritz Securities analyst Kim Hyun.

If stronger green regulations and testing of new fuels lead to increased demand for eco-friendly ships that replace older fleets, Hyundai, which makes both ships and engines, is well-placed to be competitive.

Hyundai Heavy plans to use about 760 billion won ($647 million) of the proceeds to invest in future technologies, including eco-friendly ships and digital ship technology, smart shipyards, and hydrogen infrastructure.

Hyundai Heavy Industries Group is still awaiting regulatory approvals from South Korea, Japan, and the European Union for its planned acquisition of rival Daewoo Shipbuilding, after the deal was announced in 2019.

($1 = 1,174.2200 won)

By Joyce Lee and Jihoon Lee
HOUSTON, TexasAngela Hayes was full of praise after she attended the classical Chinese dance and music performance, Shen Yun Performing Arts, at the Wortham Center Brown Theater in Houston, Texas, on Sept. 18.

Hayes, with nearly 30 years as a dance educator in a Texas public school and then as the director of a performing arts group, said Shen Yun was spectacular.

I not only appreciated the beautiful movement but the artistry that goes into the production, she said. Hayes loved how the stories flowed from depicting traditional culture to more recent events in China.

Traditional Chinese culture was brought to the brink of extinction after the Chinese Communist Party came to power in 1949. New York-based Shen Yun aims to present China before Communism and revive traditional Chinese culture through dance and music. It also presents dances that illustrate the present-day persecution of the ancient Chinese spiritual group Falun Dafa, whose beliefs reach way back to the beginning of time.

The dance is spectacular. Theyre beautifully trained, you can tell that  everything that they were doing was lovely, Hayes said. There was lovely attention to detail. [It] was just an all-around fabulous performance.

The former dance educator trained in ballet remarked how fluid, effortless, and synchronized, dancers movements were. Its part of their breath, its part of their movement, there is no disconnect, she said. Its lovely to watch.

Hayes was very impressed by the way Shen Yun coordinated the performance.

It inspires us to think beautiful thoughts, it inspired us to think higher.  Angela Hayes

I loved the flow of the soloist to the ensemble, back and forth. The storytelling was lovely  it was very sweet and honest, and it was inspirational.

There was a message, she added. It inspires us to think beautiful thoughts, it inspired us to think higher. [We should go] beyond modern times and think of the beauty of the world.

I feel the spirituality came very much through. I saw the beauty of the country, dances, and the legends. Thats what really touched my heart.

I felt like I was seeing kindred soulsbecause I was an artist myself. I was seeing artists on stages, I was seeing them in the moments of joy, in the moments of sadness. I just love the way they spoke to me, she said.

The destruction of traditional Chinese culture by the Chinese Communist Party saddened Hayes.

As very conservative persons here in the United States, we are struggling. We are in the same kind of spiritual war right now. One of the messages  throughout, was to look past these modern thoughts, and to go back to the divine, and to think about what is true artistry  what beauty is in movement, what beauty is in the experience of song and [musicality].

Many of the pieces utilize Shen Yuns patented technology that brings its animated digital backdrop to life. I got very fascinated by the screen, the technology of the screen, and how it was integrated, then the cleverness of the way it was staged. It was very beautiful to watch and I was so impressed to see that they actually patented the technology  the live-action with the video.

With the experienced eye of a dancer, Hayes extolled Shen Yuns costumesthe spectacular, vibrant colorsand the way color was used to create experiences throughout the performance.

Reporting by Mary Mann and Diane Cordemans.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Lenore Skenazy: How Overparenting Is Crippling the Next Generation

If youre not thinking about that worst-case scenario as a parent, youre considered evil, says Lenore Skenazy. We have a society that has dedicated itself to making sure that children wont have to deal with anything scary or bad.

Neurotic parenting is preventing children from developing emotionally and becoming independent, says Lenore Skenazy, founder of the Free Range Kids movement and president of the Let Grow nonprofit.

Once dubbed Americas Worst Mom after letting her 9-year-old son take the New York subway alone, shes featured in the new documentary Chasing Childhood.

Jan Jekielek: Lenore Skenazy, such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders.

Lenore Skenazy: Thank you, Yan.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, I am extremely happy to be speaking with you today. A topic that is very different from our usual fare here on America Thought Leaders.

Mrs. Skenazy: Yes, not China

Mr. Jekielek: Right. Free range parenting, has it become a dictionary word now?

Mrs. Skenazy: It is in the dictionary, yes.

Mr. Jekielek: You have a statistic, okay and I have to start us off here because I thought that was fascinating. You were talking in the film Chasing Childhood, which is wonderful, I just watched it. You said something like crime has been going down, and statistically for someones child to be abducted, it would take something like 750,000 years.

Mrs. Skenazy: Youre stepping on the punchline here, man. You have to ask somebody: Hey, Jan. How long do you think it would take, if you left your kid outside, how long do you think it would take before theyd be abducted by a stranger? And then when I ask this to audiences, you know, people raise their hand and they say, I dont know, 24 hours. And some people say 20 minutes; some people think two minutes.

And then once in a while, somebody will say, 10 years. And Ill say, Well, youre close, except that it actually is [more]. Statistically if you wanted your kid to be kidnapped by a stranger, how long would you have to keep them out there for it to be likely to happen? And the answer is, as you were saying, 750,000 years.

And you know, after the first 100,000 or so, hes not really a kid anymore. Im not even sure if their bones are left there, but anyways, its a very long time. And I love my statistic because it tries to put into perspective just how rare this crime is that sort of dominates our brains.

But Ive found in years and years of talking about it, not 750,000 but a long time, it doesnt really change things. Unfortunately you can be as well-versed as you like in the numbers and reality, and it change peoples fears, alas.

Mr. Jekielek: Its fascinating. Some years agoand I vaguely remember this happeningyou wrote a column basically: why I let my nine-year-old ride the subway alone. You got in big trouble.

Mrs. Skenazy: Yes.

Mr. Jekielek: But now, I guess the big question is why did you get in big trouble?

Mrs. Skenazy: Oh, thats interesting, yes.

Mr. Jekielek: And how has that changed? Thats the topic of our episode today.

Mrs. Skenazy: The reason I got in trouble is because I said it out loud. Two days after I wrote the column, which was in the New York Sun, I was on the Today Show, MSNBC, Fox News, and NPR. You know, its not a political thing here. It was interesting to everyone, defending myself.

AI got the nickname Americas worst mom, which is always fun to show somebody if youre sitting next to them on the bus. Im like, Google Americas worst mom. They do it, and they think Im going to kill them.

But the reason I got into trouble is because when I was on these shows I said, Listen, I didnt do it because I dont care about my kid living or dying. I did it because I trust him. I trust the city. I trust strangers. And I didnt go to the very darkest place because I was constantly asked, like to this day asked: But what if he had never come home? Thats what they always ask.

But he did. Why are we talking about that? Its like if youre not thinking about that worst case scenario as a parent, youre considered evil, youre considered in denial at best and absolutely uncaring and heartless at worst, because somehow the knee-jerk thing were supposed to do these days is imagine our kids dead, and its all our fault.

I know Im putting it pretty boldly, and I havent drawn you there slowly with a lot of arguments and discussion, and well get there, but really I was going to write a book called Stop Imagining Your Kids Dead, because thats really become an obsession of American parents, and Id say the media.

Mr. Jekielek: In the film, I think its Dr. Peter Gray that talks about how were kind of living in a social experiment because for all of human history, essentially, children had considerable freedom aside from child slavery and some of these horrible scenarios, but for the majority of history. But today, and in one or two generationsI think you say one, Im counting twosomething really changed dramatically.

Mrs. Skenazy: Exactly what youre saying. Peter Gray whos one of the co-founders with me of Let Grow, which is the nonprofit I run thats trying to bring independence back to childhood. Hes an evolutionary psychologist, who teaches at Boston College.

He has studied play throughout history, and its role in kids lives. Its how the kids learn to make something happen. Its how they learn to get along. Its how they learn to compromise. Its how they learn to hold themselves together so that they dont have to go home a crying mess and can keep playing whatever game theyre playing.

And we have replaced that with something that might look like play, but its really adult-run, and thats whats so different. I mean, if youre going to lacrosse or soccer or Kumon or chess, whatever it is, theres an adult showing: this is what youre going to do now. And when youre done, Ill evaluate it. We can all have fun, and we can have snacks at the end.

But theres no chance for the kids to figure out all the messiness of how to get along, and to take that out of kids lives, which is an instinct that was put in there, thats its as deeply embedded and as important to the human species as the drive to procreate, right?

You want to keep the species going, and one way mother nature made that happen is by putting this drive to play into kids so that they will learn about their environment and figure out how to deal with things.

One of the examples that another play expert, a guy named Stuart Brown, talks about is that all animals play. Like gazelle, when theyre very little start doing what looks like tag. One is running and the other is chasing, and then they turn around and the other ones chasing them. And thats stupid, right? Theres the gazelle out in the field where a lion can get them, and theyre wasting all their energy. Theyre going to have to eat way more gazelle chow. Why is there that instinct to do that when they could just be sitting quietly next to their moms and reading a wonderful book?

The reason that mother nature made them do that is because they need that even more. They need that time playing and interacting with the other animals and the environment for them to survive as a species. Thats the same with us, and were not doing it. We are giving kids a lot of chance to be good students, whether its a baseball or in the classroom, but were not giving them a chance to come up with anything on their own and make it happen.

Mr. Jekielek: Through the fairly short history of American Thought Leaders, this show, Ive interviewed a lot of people on a lot of topics, but one topic which I havent really talked to anyone about until today is, the only way to call it is, a safety-est culture that is developed. And I think these things are deeply connected. Its not just for kids that there is this safety-ism for lack of a better term. Its just something thats been on my mind, and I think it feeds into a lot of concerning social phenomena that Im seeing.

Mrs. Skenazy: Lets just talk about what I was reading today. There was a New York Times article in a column called Modern Love. This one woman was writing about how her husband became obsessed with danger, every danger that could possibly face their child. When the baby was four months old, there was a little spot on the kids lips, the dad went and Googled it and he was convinced that this was cancer, and the child was going to die.

When they were growing their blueberries in the backyard, he was convinced that the ground is leached with chemicals, and they cant eat those blueberries or hell die. And he put some wood in their wood-burning ovenwhich I think is scarier than anything the kids going to touch the wood-burning ovenbut anyways, he put the wood in there ,and he realized it was old scrap wood, and maybe it had arsenic in it, and he was convinced the child was going to die.

They finally went to a shrink who helped him realize that this is obsessive compulsive disorder. Youre convinced that everything leads to death, and that its all your fault.

I was thinking hes not the only one. Because youre in a society that is telling you almost every day that almost everything that your child is doing could be a disaster unless you are hypervigilant.

I decided, let me look up, whats the latest thing that CPSC, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning parents about? Last month, the most recent thing that I thought was interesting that they were warning parents about was little socks for your child with a pompom on the ankle. Why was this dangerous?

Mr. Jekielek: They can swallow it; it gets lodged in their throat?

Mrs. Skenazy: What, the whole sock or?

Mr. Jekielek: The pom-pom.

Mrs. Skenazy: The pom-pom, yes. Theres a job waiting for you in DC, there you go. Exactly that. And I think, by the time you have an entire government agency warning you that pom-poms are deadly, theres something amiss, right?

I went a little back further on the CPSC site, and last month, the month before it had warned about some kids sandals, because one of the little toggles could fall off. And once again, that posed a choking hazard.

Really its almost a parlor game except the people are really being driven crazy. Come up with a reason that almost anything is a danger. The flag could fall over; this could explode. You could have eaten a non-organic grape this morning, and who knows whats happening to your system now. Its an OCD culture.

What is OCD? Obsessive compulsive, you feel like if you do certain things and youre obsessed with doing them, you can make things safe. You have Parents Magazine, which every month comes up with something new for us to worry about. I was looking at that again too. They had the top 10 safety dangers in your home, top 10 home health hazards I think they did, because what is alliteration if not a selling point. And what was number one?

Mr. Jekielek: Well, I think the hot wood burning stove definitely would be at the top of the list because you cant usually tell. I mean, Ive definitely been on the receiving end of that.

Mrs. Skenazy: Oh, and here you are today.

Mr. Jekielek: Yes

Mrs. Skenazy: Incredible. Right, they must have not burned arsenic

Mr. Jekielek: But what was it?

Mrs. Skenazy: The top one was the laundry hamper of course. Because?

Mr. Jekielek: Its a cage?

Mrs. Skenazy: Sort of, thats something I would worry about. No, in a way it is. They were talking about a particular kind of laundry hamper, as if everybody has this particular hamper, which is a cylinder, and theres a piece of wire that goes around it that holds it up. I dont know if youve seen these.

Mr. Jekielek: Yes.

Mrs. Skenazy: Anyways, the point was, what if your child is playing with the laundry hamper and somehow the wire comes loose from the hamper and your child is right there where the wire comes out and it slices their eyes? That was literally the worry.

That to me was really interesting, not only because they actually found some doctor who had once treated somebody for having their eyes sliced open from a hamper, but there was no sense of: isnt this weird, were worrying parents about almost the least likely thing that could happen to their child? And were telling them, you better be vigilant about this now too.

Already youre worried about the leaching of the chemicals, and youre worried about in the bed, so a crib cant have any blankets or toys or bumpers or pillow or anything anymore, less that somehow cover the kid and hurt their breathing. And you cant have drop side crib because somehow those were more dangerous, even though 3 million used to be sold.

I dont want to get into this Consumer Product Safety Commission thing completely.

Mr. Jekielek: Sure.

Mrs. Skenazy: But the point is that there is no one saying: hang on a second, thats a little crazy, or thats a little much, or maybe we dont have to worry about laundry hampers. Instead, you are rewarded for coming intoI was just reading Parents Magazine. Look whats on the cover, top 10 health hazards, and the laundry hamper is there.

So whatever your original question was, safety-ism has taken over, and ironically there dont seem to be any brakes that are working when it comes to that.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, what this reminds me of is from years ago. I remember hearing about this is maybe the archetypal story, the McDonalds coffee.

Mrs. Skenazy: The hot coffee, yes.

Mr. Jekielek: Its dangerous because its hot, right? Its the obvious thing, but someone sued, someone won, and that created these kinds of warnings, which are obvious, but maybe not obvious to everybody. Is that what creates this? How did we get here? Thats the question.

Mrs. Skenazy: Theres a lot of ways we got there, but in terms of what youre talking about there is sort of fear of litigation. If anybody can sue about anythingand I actually dont know the whole story about McDonalds. Ive heard it from both sides, and sometimes it sounds like, well, thats a completely sane lawsuit and sometimes it sounds the opposite.

But when you are worried that there are also no brakes on what you can sue forI mean, some guy in D.C. sued the dry cleaner for 200 and something million dollars, because hed ruined his pants.

You worry that not only is sanity lacking in the magazines for parents, but sanity is lacking in the court system, and theres nobody with the authority to say: excuse me, this is crazy. It was a pair of pants. Go out and buy a new pair. Give them $50, goodbye.

Then you have to almost think like a crazy person, what could somebody be crazy enough to sue me about? And you play Jiu-Jitsu. Its sort of like doctors have to order all sorts of extra tests that they dont really think that a client needs, a patient needs, but what if there is something that they missed? Its a one in a thousand chance, but well do the test anyway. So theres a lot of defensiveness in terms of fearing outlandish litigation.

Mr. Jekielek: Were seeing this manifest through this whole COVID pandemic too. You want to reduce the risk to zero, which frankly, in my understanding is not remotely possible.

Mrs. Skenazy: Yes, COVID is something that just confuses me entirely. Almost worse than the McDonalds coffee thing, I can see both sides.

But in terms of the idea of reducing risk to zero, I think thats exactly the issue here. It is driving parents crazy the idea that they can control for everything, and we cant.

My favorite thinker about this is a professor of religion named Alan Lovitz. Hes at James Madison University. What he said struck me as really interesting, and we can talk about it for a second, which is that when you have a more religious society or when we were a more religious society, religion covered more of our lives: what you could do, eat, where, say, who youd marry, where youd live, all that stuff.

That has sort of shrunk. We still care about religion, but not as much in terms of how we live our everyday life and make our everyday decisions. That left this vast swath of decision-making back to us. And we had to fill it in with something that would better be right. We got very, very nervous because if anything went wrong, it was on us.

The reason we are so nervous is because you cant say, something terrible happened, but God works in mysterious ways, or theres a greater plan we dont understand, or even, fate is fickle. If you could realize that its not all in your control, you can relax a little because if something goes horribly wrong, God forbid, its not all on you and people understand, and theres some sympathy and theres some support.

But when it is all on you, and we are in this very judgmental era when we think anything that goes wrong is your fault as a parent, you have to feel like you must control everything, because if anything goes wrong, its because you werent paying enough attention, you didnt read the latest study, you didnt read the latest magazine. Theres a million books published every year on parenting.

In our society, every individual is supposedly able to create a perfect zero-danger society, zero-danger for their own kids. And thats a big mandate that used to be somebody elses mandate, and now its on our shoulders.

Mr. Jekielek: Something that you document extensively in this film is that theres a huge actual cost when this play, when this freedom to just figure stuff out, is taken away from children.

Ill talk a little bit here, I had a very unusual childhood in this respect because on one hand, my mother will be watching this and shell comment, but basically a very over-protective mom, very caring. On the other hand, I had other parts of my life where I had an amount of freedom that most adults werent aware of.

So I got to see both sides, and I was also very rebellious. But Im incredibly grateful for those opportunities, even though some of them, when I look back, I kind of open my eyes pretty wide thinking, oh my goodness, we did that.

Mrs. Skenazy: Yes. I have to say first of all, its so cool that you were rebellious, because rebellious people can grow up and have ties and even a little pocket protector.

Whats interesting is when I ask people about what they loved doing as a kid and they reminisce, and then I ask, was your mom there? Nobody says yes. Thats because we used to have this thing called our lives, right? It wasnt our lives that were under constant supervision or teachable moments with our parents all the time. We would hop on our bikes.

Let me ask you one other question about your childhood, and then Ill give you my little theory about this. Do you remember a time when something went wrong?

Mr. Jekielek: I remember a lot of things going wrong and having to deal with it. You might be talking about learning problem solving skills?

Mrs. Skenazy: Thats exactly it, yes.

Mr. Jekielek: There was a lot of learning of problem solving on the fly thats for sure. But as I said, I was kind of kid who needed to touch the hot pot before I understood that it was really something I shouldnt do.

Mrs. Skenazy: Everybody does, thats why its once burned, twice shy. Everybody knows. Its a saying thats been around for a long time. I talk to people who study play. One of the things they talk about is that we think kids are playing when theres the plastic fruit and theres the little toy stove, which will never get hot.

What about all the other things that you associate with your childhood? Theres probably the smell of the forest, the feel of the weird sticky stuff on the tree and the leaves and pulling apart a flower and getting stung by a bee.

Life is so rich, and we keep editing it down because: dont touch that, its dangerous. Ill be with you. Here, touch this, honey. Ive touched it first, its fine. This is a tree; tree starts with T. Theres something very different about exploring the world on your own and letting curiosity blossom and teachable moments when somebody is showing you everything and helping you and turning it into a lesson.

We stopped trusting kids curiosity and what theyll do when they are maybe given a little too much freedom and maybe get into a couple of scrapes. We think, I have to be there, what if something bad happens? Thats what phones are for. What if theres an emergency?

And suddenly everything becomes an emergency. Were always there. Its a way of taking away a really valuable part of childhood, which is learning how to deal. Being interested, following your instincts, finding out that doesnt work and then fixing it.

Mr. Jekielek: Now, two vantage points. One thought I have is I also lived both in very, very rural areasin Canada, we would call it first nationsand then in the deep city. Were here, and theres a big difference between city kids and country kids.

A lot of country kids seem, at least in my experience, to have a lot more responsibilities put on them and are able to deal with a lot more situations. Theres kids in the 4-H club that are raising their own animals.

Mrs. Skenazy: Yes, 4-H is amazing

Mr. Jekielek: And you just wouldnt see something like that typically in the city. Theres of course exceptions to this. Is there a city-country divide here?

Mrs. Skenazy: There probably is. First of all, I think 4-H is so cool. I also like the boy scouts. My kids were Boy Scouts here in New York City. Weirdly enough, I just have to tell you, they kept their equipment across from the church across from the Waldorf Astoria. They would take the subway down to the Staten Island ferry, they would take the ferry, and then they would take a cab, and theyd be in the wilderness. So theres always a way to find wilderness anywhere.

In terms of country parents being immune from our culture of safety-ism, I have to say I dont think so. I think that they have these pockets of things which are like 4-H just like we have Boy Scouts here.

One of the superintendents who had his district do the Let Grow project, which Ill talk about more later, its where kids get the homework assignment to go home and do something on their own without their parents. Its literally a homework assignment because thats the only way we find that parents are willing to let go of their kids and let them do something new.

The superintendent called me up and said: I have to do this project. He says he was in Moscow. I was like Moscow? Hes like, no Moscow, Kansas, population 299. H was worriedhed been the superintendent forever and everthat he was starting to see kids driven to the school from houses he could see from the school.

Thats really interesting to me because that suggestsI never get mad at helicopter parents because I feel like if were all doing the same thing, must drive child two blocks to school or must stand by child at bus stop in safe suburb, theres something that has changed in the culture that is making parents feel that this is their duty and this is the only thing thats safe enough. Population 299, and the parents were driving the kids to school.

Mr. Jekielek: Talking again about two and a half plus years of doing American Thought Leaders, if theres one thing thats been impressed on me greatly throughout, its how powerful social pressure or

Mrs. Skenazy: Norms.

Mr. Jekielek: Yes. How powerful it is across all sorts of realities that people experience. I completely understand what youre saying, because parents are wondering: if Im not careful, well, everyone judge me.

Mrs. Skenazy: Right, right. Its the fear of judgment. The fear of judgmenand Judgment with a big Jis really interesting to me.

The other day I was out doing a podcast, and it was a husband and wife who are homeschoolers. They want to give their kids more freedom, and they believe in the whole free range, let grow ethos. I cant remember if the husband or the wife said, But if I let my kid walk to the store and something happens, something bad happens, I could never forgive myself.

Whats interesting to me about that is two things. Once again, its going straight to the worst case scenario, the child dies. And it almost skips over the child dying to the guilt, and seeing it only through the lens of something terrible having happened and never being able to get over my own self-loathing.

Its really a strange construct that people are going through when theyre thinking. Even the father who was afraid for the children when hed put the piece of wood in the stoveafraid if it was arsenic, that he could never forgive himself.

Theres something very deep, not even about the judgment of other parents, but your own self, never being able to live with yourself anymore. Why are we always going there? I actually dont know. If you know, tell me. I was asking a bunch of psychiatrists the other day. I dont know.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, youre saying this has changed. And all these things seem to have changed quite a bit because this isnt what people used to be thinking about as much one or two generations ago.

Mrs. Skenazy: Right. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, quit her job to stay home with me and my sister, so I would say she was very almost, I would say, worried. I think Im part helicopter too. Im never saying that Im not. You can tell Im a nervous person.

But nonetheless, she let me walk to school alone at age five, because that was the social norm. And the guy who was the crossing guard was a 10-year-old, because that was the norm. And today I was just talking to some people.

Weve tried to change the laws in a lot of different states, and weve had success in three states so far. We were talking to some lawmakers, some policymakers, in Virginia. The law there says they dont specify exactly when you are allowed or not allowed to let your kid outside, which Im glad about.

But it said maybe some ten-year-olds are extremely mature and could be allowed to stay home alone for a little bit, and there are some 15-year-olds who couldnt. I think there are some five-year-olds who are ready to stay home alone for 20 minutes.

And to already put it at twice that age and to even undermine it by saying maybe if youre super mature, if youre the best person on earth, maybe you could stay home alone and watch a video for 20 minutes while mom goes and gets the rotisserie chicken. Thats already just this new norm.

The thinking was that that kids could handle some things, and now the assumption is that kids cant handle anything, even being alone in their own home at age eight, nine or 10.

In Virginia, the actual law in some of the counties or the actual policy is that no child under age nine is allowed to be home even in their own yard alone. Like you cant be alone in the yard at age nine. Thats a country thats gone crazy with safety-ism.

Mr. Jekielek: This is actually a really interesting piece of this whole puzzle, that its not just one state or a few. Theres laws in many states that actually in a way force parents for legitimate fear of having social services come and take your kid if you do something, if youre one of these rare parents that actually wants to give a little more agency.

Mrs. Skenazy: Rare, right. Or if youre a parent who doesnt have a ton of money, and youre working two jobs, and you cant afford a babysitter, and you know that your 8-year-old is going to be fine being alone from 15:30 to 17:30 when you get off your second shift. That shouldnt be a crime either.

It should be up to the parent to decide when their kid is ready. And so what we like is a law that says you are neglectful if you are putting your child in obvious, likely, and serious danger. And if youre notyes, somebody could break into your house if your kid is eight, but if your kids outside with you, a drunk driver could hit them.

You cant go by the least likely most horrible thing that could possibly happen, having that be what determines whether youve been safe or not, whether youve put the child in a safe circumstance.

We passed laws in Utah, Texas, and Oklahoma that are called Reasonable Childhood Independence laws that basically say that its up to the parent to decide when their kid is ready for some independence. Unless theyre putting them in actual danger, its up to them.

The other laws in 47 states, its not like all the laws are horrible, but they are open-ended. Parents are left not knowing. A lot of laws say, you must give your child proper supervision until they are ready. Well, what are we saying here? I think its proper supervision to let my 7-year-old stay home with her 8-year-old sister, but if you dont, then Im sunk.

Were trying to narrow the neglect laws so that they are more clear, and also leave most of the decision in the parents hands, unless they are obviously doing a bad job, a terrible job.

Mr. Jekielek: You know, kids need to separate at some point, right? I guess the big question is when is that? For kids now that point isI dont know if its college, it might be. Thats where suddenly youre off.

Mrs. Skenazy: Im not even sure youre off then, but yes.

Mr. Jekielek: Potentially its a very unusual, unexpected, crazy life. What does that create? You were talking in the film about this mental health crisis among the kids. I dont know if thats partially because of the measurement [of the issue in kids minds]. Im sure part of it is real in a situation where kids just arent used to having to deal with a lot of serious issues. But its all taken care of for them.

Mrs. Skenazy: Yes. Youve basically summed up everything that I am thinking, which is that when you dont have a chance to prove yourself to your parents and to yourself, that you are capable of taking care of some minor things along the way.

The definition of anxiety is thinking that therell be something that you cant handle thats scary and horrible and that you wont be able to deal. So youre afraid that something is going to happen, and youre afraid that you will be unable to deal with it.

We have a society that is sort of dedicated itself to making sure that children wont have to deal with anything scary or bad, or if something comes up, theres already somebody there to help them through it. And so what theyre not getting is the opportunity to face little problems along the way, and get used to them and realize that wasnt so bad.

If you dont realize anything isnt so bad, its still so bad. That wasnt so bad means you thought it was going to be so bad and yet now you have the proof that it wasnt. And once again, I have to go back to my favorite whipping boy, which is Parents Magazine. They had an article on playdates.

Lets just talk about playdates for a second. Did you ever go on a playdate?

Mr. Jekielek: Well, I dont know if that was the term, but, there would be like a slumber party, that would be definitely something parents would organize.

Mrs. Skenazy: Thats a party.

Mr. Jekielek: Or a birthday party. So those arent playdates.

Mrs. Skenazy: No, a playdate is when two kids get together and play and often theres two adults watching them, and heres why. Parents Magazine, which I realize is an obsession of mine, had an article on play dates, and it was the Playdate Playbook.

One question that a reader had asked was: my kid is ready to stay home alone, and sometimes she does. Shes that age, but now she has a playdate over, can I still leave and run an errand? And Parents Magazines said, whoa, absolutely not. Because first of all, your child could get hurt, physically hurt, and they gave an example of some kid who once got burned by microwave macaroni.

And then the second example was what if theres a spat? You want to be able to jump in before anyones feelings get to hurt. Whats interesting to me about that is when were talking about child depression and anxiety, youre creating an extremely anxious child with the advice from Parents Magazine.

If youre telling a kid, no, you cant even handle an argument with your friend, a spat in the midst of playing Barbies or dress up, what youre telling them is that they have absolutely no inner strength whatsoever. An argument is so damaging, being upset or uncomfortable for a few minutes with your friend on a play date is so bad, that you must avoid it at all costs.

Its driving the parent crazy because now they have to be listening. Are they having a spat? They seem to be kind of arguing or maybe theyre just excited, I cant tell. And the other kid is having another playdate and what if I missed him having a spat? Youre driving the parent crazy by telling them this is the level of attention they must be paying to all their childs interactions.

And then youre taking away the opportunity for a kid to get used to one of the many things that theyre going to have in their life, which is an argument with a friend. Youre telling them that theyre fragile because they cant handle it, and youre keeping them fragile because they havent handled it, youve been there instead.

One of the things that Peter Gray, the venerated Peter Gray, says is that children are built to encounter the world and that includes all the good stuff and a good dollop of the bad stuff too.

And if you only have the parties and the sleepovers and the Chucky Cheese, and you never have the arguments, the betrayals, a little bit of teasing or frustration or disappointment, you dont have the warp and the weft. You only have one way of the threads going, and thats not a strong net.

Psychologically youve been deprived of developing the entire structure thats going to hold you up for the rest of your life, which is I can deal with that, That reminds me of that time, or That was horrible, but I lived. To try to make kids lives absolutely frustration, sadness, and risk free is to try to keep the kid on the umbilical cord embryonic, and then send them off while theyre still like this and say, good luck kid.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, youre making me think of in the Buddhist tradition, suffering is considered positive, right? Of course that might be taken further than a lot of people would want, even you.

Mrs. Skenazy: Yes, I sure hate it. Its not like I like suffering, I hate seeing my kids frustrated or when they dont look up from their phones when theyre crossing the street, I go insane. But I think, one of the unspoken reasons that this culture is so obsessed with safety and child danger is that we spend so much time with our kids.

We see all the stupid things they do. Your mom wasnt in the forest with you, which allowed you to be in the forest and take some risks and make some friends and have some adventures and maybe a couple scars and be the host of a TV show. As opposed to now, if shed been watching you. Jan, come down from there. Jan, thats not, dont touch that. Jan, dont eat that. Go say youre sorry.

If theres an adult always intervening, its an adult whos doing the learning. Theres an expression in teaching: whoever is doing the activity is doing the learning. And if the parent is the one making peace and solving the problems, youre this lump.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, and the question that immediately comes to my mind, looking at how our society seems to be evolving is, does this somehow create more compliant people?

Mrs. Skenazy: More compliant? I think it creates people whoremember that Parents Magazine article, basically the child was not to be uncomfortable. Theyre going to experience the discomfort of friction with a friend, and your job as a parent was to make that go away.

If discomfort is illegal or so awful that kids dont feel they should have to deal with it, what youre creating is a society that is hypersensitive and quick to look for somebody to come in and do what mom used to do.

When I was unhappy, mom would be here. Now wheres the HR department? Wheres the dean? So I think thats whats happening. Im not positive, but I feel like when youve taught children that discomfort is the same as danger, they exaggerate. They dont mean to, but they exaggerate whatever is making them unhappy is something that somebody else should be quickly fixing.

Mr. Jekielek: Fascinating. Youve had some legal wins; you were describing legislation that you managed to get passed. Thats incredible.

Mrs. Skenazy: In three states, yes. It is incredible; its really hard to pass a law. We got so close in Colorado. We passed our law, passed unanimously in the House, and it was about to go to the Senate, and then came COVID-19. And in South Carolina, it had passed the Senate.

I have to say that this is a bipartisan law, like in Nevada where it passed one House and not the other, same as Colorado, we had a Democrat, a black gay Democrat mom of one, and a white straight Republican grandma of 20 co-sponsoring the law.

As one of them said: if you see both of us sponsoring a law, its either really good or really bad, because its so strange. We had the same thing, we actually had a black and a white, a Democrat and Republican in Colorado too, because this is a parenting issue, this is a civil rights issue. Why would we want laws that keep us from trusting our kids to grow? So I think were going to have a lot more success this year trying another five states.

Mr. Jekielek: In addition to this kind of legal work, we see this in the film, Chasing Childhood, you go into communities that are interested in parents that are thinking: Ive got a little too far. Lets get Lenore over here and help us figure out how to be more normal. How does that work? And do you have some examples of how that has worked?

Mrs. Skenazy: Right. For 10 years, I went around as the Free Range Mom giving my talks and people would nod along and nothing would change. And so I formed Let Grow with me Peter Gray, Dan Shackman, who used to be the chairman of the board of FIRE, which fights for free speech on campus, and Jonathan Haidt who co-wrote the The Coddling of the American Mind, which is sitting right behind me there.

Together we started Let Grow, and our goal was to change behavior because this whole conversation is not going to change things, even though Im here, because I want to change things.

What changes things is when a parent lets their kid go, whether theyre gripping the seat or relaxed. When you let your kid go and do something on their own, and the kid comes back and they brought the juice for dinner, or they climbed a tree, or they bring home a squirrel, whatever it is, youre so happy that you dont remember why you didnt let it happen before.

It really feels like amnesia. Its like, why did I never let you play outside before? But now youre having so much fun; youre finding all these bugs. The Let Grow project is this free thing that we want schools to try. All the materials are at letgrow.org. You press a button under school projects. You press it, and it spits out the pages.

It is this homework assignment. A teacher just has to give it to the class; a principal gives it to the teachers; a superintendent gives it to all the schools. The kids go home and they say, I have to do something new on my own, and all the other kids are doing it. Then the parent will go along. The teacher said to do it; youre not the only one. If something goes wrong, youre not to blame. Get the blame thing going.

Its re-normalizing the idea of letting go, because thats whats changed. Parents Magazine has said, be there for every single second of the play date, listening in on every syllable. Were saying no. The school is saying let them go.

Schools are doing the project because theyve seen the kids getting really, really anxious and sometimes very passive because they dont want to do anything wrong, and theyre awaiting orders. This is not good in the classroom. You want kids who are curious and alive and excited, and what weve heardtheres a teacher who did the Let Grow project in a Title I school. Title I is high poverty school.

He said a couple of great things. He was a third grade teacher there. On days when kids were coming to tell him what theyd done for the Let Grow project, they ran up the stairs, because they were so excited: Mr. Carlson, I learned how to ride a bike, or I learned how to make tortillas, or I taught my sister, how to bake muffins or I climbed a tree! Theyre so proud.

And also the kids who are not necessarily succeeding at school, kids who were bored, kids who werent doing well academically [got into it]. There was one kid who started making an amphibious vehicle. He wanted to take a little Tikes wagon and make it float. Hed come in and everybody was excited, did you do it? Is it floating? No, it sunk again. Oh, well, what are you going to try? Well, this time were trying marshmallows, whatever it was.

So it changed the dynamics in the room too, because it wasnt just school anymore. The whole kid, the kid whos creative or brave or wacky, has something to bring to school that is successful and is really who he is. Hes not just the bad student, hes more than that.

In this particular school, where a lot of the parents didnt speak English, the parents started texting photos of their kids making things or learning how to paint the door, helping with a project at home. It really just blows the roof off the school. Unsuccessful kids become successful and parents start realizing: thats my kid!

The Let Grow project: theres no downside, it doesnt take much class time, and its free. Then Peter Gray, the guy whos studied play all his life said after school, even if a kid wants to go play outside like you did, most of the time they cant because either theyre in an afterschool program or their parents dont think its safe or they end up on their electronics.

How can we get kids playing if we think that playing is so important? If thats how they learn how to get along. Lets have free play before or after the school day and have an adult there to watch, but they dont solve the arguments, they dont organize the games.

We started doing this at schools, not we, schools do it. Once again, you download all the instructions; theyre pretty easy. Once again, a Title I school, this was down in South Carolina. And there was a kid who was in the principals office three times in one week, which is a kid whos having trouble at school.

So Kevin, who was running the play club, invited him to come to play club. Then he started second guessing himself: maybe I shouldnt have, what if he ruins it for everybody? Hes in a bad place.

But the kid came to play club and sure enough, at first, everyone was flinching when they saw him, because hes sort of the bad kid, but one kid started to play with him.

Some other kids started to play with him, and by the time play club was over and hes going back into school, he was grinning. This kid was grinning. The other teacher with Kevin who was watching was crying because shed never seen him smile.

That was interesting, and I dont know how long the rest of that year was, but Kevin said that for the rest of that school year, the kid was not at the principals office. Theres something thats so important about play. Its really formative, but its also possible that some of this anxiety and this depression that were hearing about in kids is because theyre not playing.

Its sort of like, youre at the zoo. You have your food and you have your toys, but you dont have a chance to really be fully what you were meant to be, what you are meant to be by nature.

One last example from a play club. Kids had made a giant pile of leaves; everybodys taking turns jumping in it. Its really fun, everybodys having fun, until one kid goes and sits in the middle. Like total jerk, right? Im not moving. Get out of the way. No. Come on, youre in the way, we want to play. No. And kids just there. And so the kids finallyI dont know if they talk with each other or how they figured it outbut they started jumping around him, and the kid got bored and he left.

Thats why we recommend play club, because what happened is the kid did not get the attention he wanted, and the children problem solved. They figured out whats the problem. The kid wants attention. Hes in our way. What if we ignore him and jump around him? And it worked.

The opposite would have been if the teacher had gone and said: now Fred, you have to move. So Freds getting all the attention, and the kids are having an adult solve their problem again.

If you want to raise a society where kids become adults who solve their own problems and dont wait for the authorities and dont call HR and learn how to get along and think of brilliant new ideas that might be a solution to a problem that people didnt have, you need to have practice. And play is the ultimate practice for being a functioning adult.

Mr. Jekielek: Its amazing. We grapple with so many social societal issues here on the show, I wonder if this sort of thing isnt actually perhaps even more important than lots of the issues.

Mrs. Skenazy: We think of kids as playing they want to be like grownups, but what are they doing? Theyre organizing a game, its boring, they want to change the rules: lets vote. Okay, lets change whos going to be first base or lets play backwards.

Its possible that democracy is a reflection of childrens successfully playing. If you dont have children playing, and if you have somebody telling them where to be all the time, youre not preparing them for democracy; youre preparing them for something else.

Mr. Jekielek: Fascinating. Lenore Skenazy, such a pleasure to have you on.

Mrs. Skenazy: This was great Jan. I was ready to go for another two hours, but we can talk afterwards.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Subscribe to the American Thought Leaders newsletter so you never miss an episode.

You can also follow American Thought Leaders on Parler, Facebook, or YouTube. If youd like to donate to support our work, you can do so here.

Find out where you can watch us on cable TV: https://www.ntd.com/tv-providers.html

Follow EpochTV on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus

Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV

Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv

Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV

Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV

Parler: https://parler.com/#/user/EpochTV
2 Pilots Injured After Military Aircraft Crashes Into Houses in Lake Worth, Texas

A military aircraft crashed into a residential area in a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas, on Sept. 19, leaving two pilots injured, three homes severely damaged, and several people being treated for injuries, officials said.

The Lake Worth Fire Department wrote on Twitter that the crash occurred during a military training exercise. The agency said that the plane, which wasnt identified, went down around the 4000 blocks of Tejas Trail and Dakota Trail.

The two pilots ejected before the plane crashed into the lake.

This incident could have been much worse knowing that this plane went down in a residential area, Lake Worth Fire Chief Ryan Arthur said of the crash, which was reported to authorities shortly before 11 a.m. local time.

One of the pilots was electrocuted after being caught in power lines, Lake Worth police said in a statement, adding that although badly burnt, the pilot was conscious, alert and breathing. Police said the second pilot was found in a wooded area a short distance away. Both were taken to area hospitals.

The chief of naval air training in Corpus Christi said in a Facebook post Sunday evening that the instructor pilot was in stable condition, while the student naval aviator was in serious condition.

Lake Worth Police Chief J.T. Manoushagian told WFAA-TV that homes in the area are being evacuated. About 1,300 customers in the neighborhood are without power, officials told the station.

Witnesses told KXAS-5 that two people appeared to have ejected from the aircraft. One of them was seriously injured after getting tangled in power lines.

I was in my car on [State Highway] 199 right in front of the donut shop when the pilot landed on the powerlines, Cara Camp said. While driving, I heard a loud explosion and debris was hitting the car.

FWFD PIO on scene of a military training aircraft crash in Lake Worth,TX. 2 homes heavily damaged, currently 2-3 patients being treated at this time.  Fort Worth Fire Department (@FortWorthFire) September 19, 2021

I knew there are old ladies in that house that it happened at and I was banging on their door but they wouldnt come out because they thought it was just a car, so I grabbed them out, Deramus said, according to KXAS. The house behind that, I ran over to the next street and got that lady out of that house because shes paralyzed and she needed to get out.

Im having anxiety, but all I wanted to do was save those old ladies because Ive known them since I was really, really, little, she said. Theyre OK physically.

Another woman posted video footage from the scene, saying that she couldnt believe we just saw a plane crash in Lake Worth, adding to please pray for the victims.

The neighborhood is located about a mile north of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. It isnt clear where the plane is based, however.

No further details were immediately available.

Lake Worth is located northwest of Fort Worth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A space suit is seen during a press conference displaying the next generation of space suits as parts of the Artemis program in Washington, on Oct. 15, 2019. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

NASA Awards SpaceX, Blue Origin, and 3 Other Companies $146 Million in Contracts to Go to the Moon

The space agency this Tuesday awarded 5 contracts to design the new lunar lander

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, better known as NASA, announced this week the award of five contracts for $146 million to U.S. companies, including Elon Musks SpaceX and Jeff Bezos Blue Origin, to design lunar landers.

Artist concept of Artemis astronaut stepping onto the moon. (NASA)

As reported by Forbes, these private companies will work over the next 15 months on various projects for the development of the Artemis program to ensure the return of humanity to the moon in 2024.

To know more: Elon Musk accuses Jeff Bezos of hiring pressure groups in process against NASA

Contracts are well distributed, according to the statement from NASA:

SpaceX: $9.4 million

Blue Origin: $25.6 million

Dynetics: $40.8 million

Lockheed Martin: $35.2 million

Northrop Grumman: $34.8 million

The idea is that the five companies develop sustainable models of landing modules to regularly transport astronauts to the moon. Much of what is designed for Earths satellite will apply to future missions to Mars.

Learn More: Jeff Bezos Blue Origin Employees Are Leaving The Company

Last April, NASA awarded SpaceX a contract for $2.89 billion to fly astronauts to the moon, a decision that has been questioned and debated by Blue Origin, who also competed for that contract.
Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, testifies during the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing in Washington on Sept. 9, 2020. (Greg Nash/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

NIH Director Collins Believes Pfizer Booster Shots Will Be Expanded Despite FDA Panels Recommendation

U.S. National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins said he believes COVID-19 vaccine booster use will be expanded despite a panel of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) experts recommending against them for the general population.

An overwhelming majority of the panel voted against recommending Pfizers COVID-19 booster for most of the general population, although later approved them for individuals aged 65 and older. Some scientists on the panel expressed concern that side effects associated with the vaccine such as myocarditis, a type of heart inflammation, arent properly understood and suggested that young people dont need boosters for now.

But in an interview on Sept. 19, Collins, whose agency doesnt oversee the FDA, said that the booster doses will likely be approved in the future.

I think the big news is that they actually did approve the initiation of boosters, and remember theyre taking a snapshot of right now. Were going to see what happens in the coming weeks, Collins told Fox News Sunday.

It would surprise me if it does not become clear over the next few weeks, that administration of boosters may need to be enlarged.

For the claim, Collins referenced studies and data published in Israel and the United States, which Pfizer also cited to make its arguments in favor of booster doses to the FDA.

Based upon the data that weve already seen both in the U.S. and in Israel, its clear that waning of the effectiveness of those vaccines is a reality, and we need to respond to it, Collins said, adding that he would be surprised if the boosters are not recommended for individuals younger than 65. However, he told the broadcaster that he isnt sure if absolutely everyone will be recommended to get boosters.

Im a little troubled that people are complaining that the process isnt working for them, he said. The process is to look at the data have the experts consider it, and then make their best judgment at that point, recognizing that the judgments may change.

On Sept. 17, the FDAs vaccine advisory panel voted 163 against providing booster doses of Pfizers vaccine after an hours-long discussion in which many scientists struck a skeptical tone. However, they voted 180 to recommend boosters, or third doses, to the 65-and-older age group.

We are not bound at FDA by your vote, just so you understand that. We can tweak this as need be, Dr. Peter Marks, the agencys top vaccine official, said after the votes were cast.

Before that, Dr. James Hildreth, a voting member on the FDA expert panel, said he has a serious concern of myocarditis in young people. The FDA previously issued warnings that, while rare, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, both of which are built on mRNA technology, could cause myocarditis or pericarditis among younger recipients.

I honestly dont think there is enough good quality data at this point to make an informed decision, Brittany Kmush, an epidemiologist at Syracuse University, said of the Israeli study, noting the 12-day follow-up period and the variability of the authors estimates.

Another FDA advisor, Dr. Melinda Wharton, meanwhile, echoed Hildreths concerns and said she would not feel comfortable with recommending boosters to younger people due to the risk of myocarditis. Younger people arent at risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 or becoming severe breakthrough cases, she noted.
Matt Braynard (C), executive director of 'Look Ahead America,' gestures as protesters gather for the "Justice for J6" rally in Washington on Sept. 18, 2021. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

Over 400 Protesters at Justice for J6 Rally Hear That Jan. 6 Was Stupid and Wrong

Peaceful assembly is what terrifies oppressors, says organizer

A protest at the U.S. Capitol, which organizers said was to protect Americans civil rights, ended without incident on Sept. 18, despite verbal clashes between protesters and counter protesters, and four arrests before and after the rally.

Event organizer Matt Braynard, a former Trump aide who now heads the non-profit Look Ahead America, said the event was a civil rights protest calling for attention to the disparate treatment of non-violent Jan. 6 protesters when compared to others, such as those protesting Justice Brett Kavanaughwho also entered congressional buildings on Capitol Hill to exercise their First Amendment right while public servants were there working.

He pushed back on many media outlets characterization of the event, which he said described the rally as being in support of the violent people who attacked and killed police officers on Jan. 6.

That is absolutely not what this is about. That has been misrepresented continuously, he told attendees, while also pushing back against pundits claiming that his event would be a false flag event.

Braynard said that Look Ahead America stood alongside Americans supporting the trial and imprisonment of Jan. 6 rioters who had committed acts of violence. But he said that a subset of those arrested on Jan. 6 were charged with non-violent crimes, but have been held for more than eight months after Jan. 6 without due process. He said the event was to call for fair trials and for their civil rights to be respected.

The event began with a prayer: No matter which side of the political spectrum youre on  you understand and know that God is in our presence, and that we understand and feel his presence in our lives, and accept His peace and His goodness and His love in our lives. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the national anthem.

Braynard didnt mince words at the rally. He told the audience that while many Americans were upset on Jan. 6, the reaction at the Capitol was stupid and it was wrong.

We condemn political violence in all of its forms. We condemn the political violence that happened on Jan. 6, he said.

Anybody who engaged in violent or property destruction that day deserves to be tried with a speedy trial, and if found guilty, locked up for a long time, he told a crowd of over 400 people, not including law enforcement and news media who appeared to outnumber protesters. Theres no argument from anybody on this side on this issue.

Matt Braynard, executive director of Look Ahead America, speaks to the press at an event supporting equal treatment under the law for non-violent charged over Jan. 6 protests at the Justice for J6 rally near the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Sept. 18, 2021. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) estimated that approximately 400 to 450 people had gathered inside the police perimeter for the rally. Earlier in the week, a Department of Homeland Security official said around 700 were expected to attend.

The USCP said on Sept. 13 it was joining forces with local and federal law enforcement agencies to secure the Capitol on Sept. 19 in response to concerning online chatter about the protest. Department Chief Tom Manger urged any potential trouble-makers to stay home, while promising to protect everyones First Amendment right to peacefully protest.

Temporary fencing was re-erected around the Capitol Building ahead of the protest, similar to what was erected after Jan. 6. Early on Sept. 18, roads were closed by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), USCP officers were deployed in full riot gear, and the National Guard was put on standby.

According to the USCP, their officers made two arrests on the morning of the event related to outstanding felony extraditable warrants from Texas, and two arrests for possession of a knife and possession of a firearmwhich are prohibited on Capitol grounds. One of the arrests, captured by Braynards cameraperson, was of a masked man shortly after the rally finished.

The USCP did report a clash between protesters and counterprotesters, who Capitol police said were separated without incident.

No sitting members of Congress attended the rally. Former President Donald Trump did not endorse the event, but did say in his own statement on Thursday that he supports the people being persecuted so unfairly relating to the January 6th protest.

Two Republican House candidates did speak at the event despite pressure from political leadership not to participate, Braynard said.

Joe Kent, a retired Green Beret and Gold Star husband who is challenging Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-D.C.) who voted to impeach Trump in the 2022 midterm elections, said that he was extremely grateful to the USCP officers present on Jan. 6.

They are not our enemies. Our enemies are those that will deny people of their Constitutional rights and then take a narrative that labels all of us as terrorists or insurrectionists for just questioning things, he said.

Its our God-given right and duty as Americans to actually question things, to question their narrative, he added, warning that America is on its way to becoming a banana republic.

Its banana republic regimes that hold political prisoners without due process. #JusticeforJ6  pic.twitter.com/ZtuBoPUSaY  Joe Kent for WA-3 (@joekent16jan19) September 18, 2021

That happens overseas all the time, Kent warned. Unfortunately, we conducted operations like that when I was in Iraq serving overseas, and it did nothing but further radicalize people. It is very dangerous  This is a slippery slope and we are on it right now.

Our fellow Americans, regardless of what walk of life theyre from, what political party theyre from, have the God-given right to due process. Thats in our Constitution. Those rights were given by God, not by man. Man cannot take them away, he said.

Mike Collins, who is running for Congress in Georgia, said that rule of law in American should mean that laws apply to each and every American equally, not politically.

I dont want to pretend to know whos innocent and whos guilty, he said of Jan. 6. But Ill tell you what I do see: I see people who are being held for non-violent crimes and they deserve their day in court  they deserve to have their Sixth and Eighth Amendments upheld. Otherwise, they are political prisoners and they are being using to suppress law-abiding American citizens from expressing their First Amendment rights.

Ahead of the rally, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who also voted to impeach Trump, had characterized the event as a Republican celebration of cop killers. Meanwhile, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a Sept. 15 statement that there is a wish by some to continue the assault on the U.S. Capitol with misinformation and malice, alluding to the event as another attempt to defile our national purpose.

Rally co-host Cara Castronuova, former Golden Glove boxer-turned-investigative reporter for Newsmax, expressed her disappointment at Congresss response to the event.

Im sick and tired of the narrative that the people that support these prisoners and that the people who support justice in America are white supremacists, she said, noting that she is a feminist of Chinese and Italian heritage who has voted Obama, Clinton, and Trump. Its a means to distract and divide us. Im asking the mainstream media to please stop distracting and dividing the American people. We have more in common than different. According to you, we should be enemies.

Two officers and four protesters died during and following the Capitol breach. USCP officer Brian Sicknick died from natural causes on Jan. 7, and officer Howie Liebengood died of suicide on Jan. 9. Two older male protesters, Kevin Greeson and Benjamin Phillips, died from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease on Capitol grounds, while two female protesters, Ashley Babbitt and Roseanne Boyland, died at the Capitol building in the chaos of the breach.

Boylands death was reported by the D.C. police departments chief medical examiner, Dr. Francisco Diaz, as an accidental acute amphetamine intoxication. According to media reports, Boylands family members said she took prescription Adderall daily, which contains amphetamine. Castronuova told the rally that she had reason to believe that Boylands death may have been due to other factors. According to media reports, Boyland had also been crushed by people trampling over her in a clash between police and protesters, and paramedics were unsuccessful in reviving her. The Epoch Times has reached out to D.C. police for comment.

This Is What Terrifies Them

Braynard concluded the rally by saying that their demands were not about Trump, Biden, or the election, but justice and equal treatment under the law, no matter a persons political views.

According to The Associated Press, around 63 Jan. 6 defendants are being detained in federal custody awaiting trial or sentencing hearings.

Braynard also urged his fellow Americans to embrace peaceful protests going forward to help us make this a better country.

This is a dirty secret, OK? When you are upset about a political problem, youre angry, [the political leadership] actually want you to do what happened on Jan. 6. They want violence from us, they want us to cross the line.

Its easier to deal with the political opposition when its violent, he explained. But whats the thing that weve learnt from people like Gandhi, or Martin Luther King, or the civil rights movement in this country? Ill tell you what terrifies them: this is what terrifies thema peaceful assembly of the America First right.

Were operating within the law, we respect the Constitution, we love the First Amendment, we love our police officers who had a very difficult job. When we show up at school board meetings and use our First Amendment rights, when we educate our legislators, when we come to Washington and demand justice, peacefully, orderly, this is what terrifies them. This is why they didnt want you to come, Braynard said.
Demonstrators gather for the "Justice for J6" rally in Washington on Sept. 18, 2021. (Pedro Uugarte/AFP via Getty Images)

Police, Media Appear to Outnumber Justice for J6 Protesters on Capitol Hill

Law enforcement officers and members of the media appeared to outnumber protesters during the Justice for J6 rally in Washington on Sept. 18 in support of those who have been detained by the federal government for their alleged roles in the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Only a few hundred people attended the event, according to video footage and photos. U.S. Capitol Police confirmed to news outlets that between 400 and 500 people showed up.

The protesters found themselves in the midst of numerous officers clad in riot gear, along with plainclothes police and law enforcement on bicycles and horses.

Several arrests were made by U.S. Capitol Police, the agency said in a Twitter post, including one after someone spotted what appeared to be a handgun on a man in the crowd. Capitol Police officers detained the suspect, although it isnt clear why the man was at the demonstration.

Two individuals in a vehicle with a Louisiana license plate were arrested on Sept. 18 with extraditable warrants out of Texas, Capitol Police said. One individual was accused of possession of a firearm, and the other was accused of a probation violation.

Police in riot gear provide security as demonstrators gather for the Justice for J6 rally in Washington on Sept. 18, 2021. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite the low turnout at the pro-Jan. 6 rally, Justice for J6 drew significant media coverage and social media engagement. While some media outlets on Sept. 19 blared that the small crowd size was a sign that former President Donald Trumps influence is decreasing, Trump last week suggested that people shouldnt attend the event.

On Saturday, thats a setup, Trump told the Federalist, appearing to preempt the claims that his political influence is waning. If people dont show up theyll say, Oh, its a lack of spirit. And if people do show up theyll be harassed.

Trump on Sept. 17 said that he believes individuals who are being detained or prosecuted for taking part in the Jan. 6 protest and breach are being persecuted by the federal government.

In addition to everything else, it has proven conclusively that we are a two-tiered system of justice, Trump wrote in a statement. In the end, however, JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL!

Over the past few months, concerns have been raised about several dozen individuals who were arrested and then detained in a federal jail in Washington over their alleged role in the Jan. 6 incident.

Lawyers and family members for some of the defendants told EpochTV in July that some detainees are being subjected to solitary confinement 23 hours per day, are being denied medical care, and are being blocked from accessing their defense counsel.

The conditions theyve faced, meanwhile, have alarmed some Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

Solitary confinement is a form of punishment that is cruel and psychologically damaging, Warren said in an interview published in April. And were talking about people who havent been convicted of anything yet.
HOUSTON, TexasAfter a long wait, Houstons Shen Yun fans were treated to a much-anticipated performance at the Wortham Center Brown Theater.

Hailing from New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts revives traditional Chinese culture as it was before the communist takeover. Its dance and live orchestral performances have graced the top stages across five continents.

John Terry Kulisek, a retired police chief from Newburgh, New York, was among the audience members at the opening performance on Saturday, Sept. 18.

The choreography is unbelievable.  John Terry Kulisek

The choreography is unbelievable, Kulisek commented. They take your breath away sometimes.

Shen Yun performances are a unique blend of classical Chinese dance, song, live musical accompaniment, and a patented digital backdrop.

Kulisek recommends that everybody see it, particularly because Shen Yun needs to be experienced first-hand.

Its hard to describe, he said. You can never describe the colors, the dance, the choreography, the singing, and the music  They have to be here to see it.

Unfortunately, the performances are not allowed to be shown in the Chinese mainland due to the Chinese Communist Partys oppression of traditional cultureparticularly that of religion.

Its a shame that more people dont get to see this, Kulisek said. My heart goes out to the Chinese people.

Pharmacy owner Blake Torres attending the Sept. 18 afternoon performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts, in Houston. (Sherry Dong/The Epoch Times)

Pharmacy owner Blake Torres appreciated the spiritual themes in the show. As part of its mission, Shen Yun Performing Arts calls to attention the attacks against persons of faith in China today.

I didnt know about the religions and the different beliefs that they have, Torres said. So it was really interesting for me to learn these things.

He continued: As a Christian, I see a lot of similarities in our beliefs, such as a Creator of the world, and how we just believe  God wants everything to be good, He loves everyone and you see that in their performances.

Shen Yuns performances often show historical stories from ancient China where virtuous people are rewarded by deities for their acts of courage and kindness.

It doesnt matter what religion you are, I think we all have similarities, and  I think thats what this is trying to show, is that we are all the same, and we all need to be a part of that and show kindness towards everyone, Torres said.

Beth and Mike Kugler enjoying Shen Yun Performing Arts at Houstons Wortham Center Brown Theater, on Sept. 18, 2021. (Sophia Zheng/The Epoch Times)

Retired director of finance Mike Kugler and his wife Beth, a former registered nurse, attended Shen Yun for a second time at the invitation of their children. Their first experience with Shen Yun was at least 5 years ago.

The dancing was absolutely elegant. It just flows, Mrs. Kugler said. Its gorgeous.

Chinese classical dance has the hallmark of being extremely expressive, boasting a variety of challenging flips, turns, and gestures. The name Shen Yun translates roughly as the beauty of heavenly beings dancing.

I think the name fits, said Mr. Kugler. Beautiful.

Mrs. Kugler was touched that the performers are so dedicated to their history and bringing their culture back to life.

That really gets me, she said.

Reporting by Sophia Zheng, Sherry Dong, and Epoch Times Staff

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
A security guard opens the door to the Whole Women's Health Clinic in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sept. 1, 2021. (LM Otero/AP Photo)

Texas Doctor Who Performed Abortion in Violation of New Law Writes Op-Ed

A Texas doctor who performed an abortion in violation of a new state law and faces the prospect of a private-action lawsuit for damages of up to $10,000 published an op-ed in The Washington Post on Sept. 19.

Dr. Alan Braid wrote that he has performed abortions in Texas since 1973, the year when the Supreme Court outlawed most state limits on abortion until 22 weeks of pregnancy. The passage of the new Texas law shut down 80 percent of the abortion business at his two clinics, Braid wrote, adding that the situation for him is 1972 all over again.

And that is why, on the morning of Sept. 6, I provided an abortion to a woman who, though still in her first trimester, was beyond the states new limit. I acted because I had a duty of care to this patient, as I do for all patients, and because she has a fundamental right to receive this care, Braid wrote.

Unlike other so-called fetal heartbeat bills, the legislation in Texas withstood scrutiny by the Supreme Court because it expressly prohibits the state from enforcing the law. The Texas bill, known as S.B. 8, instead makes it legal for private citizens to sue the people involved in providing the abortion for up to $10,000 each.

Braids clinics are represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights in a federal lawsuit challenging S.B. 8.

I understand that by providing an abortion beyond the new legal limit, I am taking a personal risk, but its something I believe in strongly, Braid wrote. I have daughters, granddaughters, and nieces. I believe abortion is an essential part of health care.

While Braid referred to abortion as health care, opponents of the procedure view it as the killing of unborn children. As of January, an estimated 62.5 million abortions have been performed in the United States since the Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973.

After the Supreme Court declined to take up the challenge to S.B. 8, some Republican-led states began to work on their own similar versions of the bill. Views on abortion are split sharply along political lines, with the vast majority of Democrats for it and Republicans against it.

Braid didnt say whether a private action lawsuit has been brought against him for performing the abortion and its unclear if such an action has been filed in Texas. The first such lawsuit would likely become a secondary testing ground for S.B. 8.
House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) joins fellow Democrats from the House and Senate to announce new legislation to end excessive use of force by police and make it easier to identify, track, and prosecute police misconduct at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 8, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Top House Democrats: $3.5 Trillion Spending Bill Likely Will Be Smaller

Several top House Democrats have conceded they will likely reduce the White House-backed $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill after several moderate members of the party expressed opposition to the measure.

Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the third-ranking House Democrat, told CNN that the number could be lower.

So it may be $3.5 (trillion), it may be really close to that or maybe closer to something else. So I think that we ought to really focus on the American people to think about what takes to get us in a good place and then let the numbers take care of themselves, Clyburn said on CNNs State of the Union program on Sunday.

Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), have set Sept. 27 as a deadline to vote on an infrastructure package. But Clyburn said that Congress probably wont meet the deadline.

The question is, are we going to work to get to our goal for Sept. 27? he said. Yes, we are going to work hard to reach that goal, and sometimes you have to kind of stop the clock to get to the goal. Well do whats necessary to get there.

House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) echoed his comments in a Sunday Fox News interview, saying it will be somewhat less than $3.5 trillion. And he noted that I would say were probably going to slip past the Sept. 27 date, sometime into early October would be my best guess.

Some moderate members including Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) said they wont support the $3.5 trillion measure in its current form. Since Democrats have a slim 50-50 majority, any defection could potentially tank the measure.

Republicans have remained in total opposition to the massive spending package, which Democrats say can be passed via the budget reconciliation process.

These are not frivolous matters. If we have a desperate deficiency in social infrastructure in this country, access to affordable child care, the absence of early childhood education, the infrastructure for senior care, Yarmuth also said, I think thats what we need to focus on, not the money.

It comes as the White House recently issued a warning in a letter to states that the United States could enter recession territory if the U.S. hits the debt ceiling.

Hitting the debt ceiling could cause a recession, the White House said in a letter (pdf) to state and local governments that was released on Sept. 17. Economic growth would falter, unemployment would rise, and the labor market could lose millions of jobs.
A satellite view of Tropical Storm Peter over the Atlantic Ocean at 1:40 p.m. ET on Sept. 19, 2021. (NOAA)

Tropical Storms Peter and Rose Form Over Atlantic Ocean

Forecasters said Tropical Storm Peter formed over the Atlantic Ocean early Sunday and Tropical Depression Seventeen intensified into Tropical Storm Rose Sunday afternoon, over the far eastern Atlantic, becoming the 16th and 17th storms of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.

Peter was centered about 350 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said in a 5 p.m. ET advisory.

The tropical storm was expected to bring rain to the islands, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, through Tuesday. Forecasters expected 1 to 3 inches of rainfall through Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds were around 45 mph and Peter was moving west-northwest at 17 mph. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect.

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Seventeen formed early Sunday and strengthened into Tropical Storm Rose in the afternoon. Forecasters said it was over the far eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean, about 370 miles west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands.

Rose had maximum sustained winds around 40 mph and was moving north-northwest at 16 mph. There were no immediate threats to land, forecasters said.

Only two other Atlantic hurricane seasons have had 16 named storms by Sept. 19 since the satellite era began in 1966. Those were the 2005 and 2020 seasons, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
Afghanistan's U.N. ambassador Ghulam Isaczai addresses the United Nations Security Council regarding the situation in Afghanistan at the United Nations in New York City, New York, on Aug. 16, 2021. (Andrew Kelly/File Photo/Reuters)

UN Afghanistan Mission Extended, Afghan Envoy Asks to Keep Seat

UNITED NATIONSThe United Nations Security Council extended the U.N. political mission of Afghanistans former government on Friday for six months to allow for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to work out what changes might be needed after the Taliban seized control of the country.

The annual mandate for the mission, known as UNAMA, was due to expire on Friday. A month ago the Taliban returned to power20 years after they were ousted by a U.S.-led campaign following the Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaeda attacks on the United States.

Taliban officials say they do not intend to repeat the harsh fundamentalist rule of 1996 to 2001, but have struggled to convince the outside world that they have really changed. They formed a male government of Taliban veterans and U.N.-sanctioned terrorists and there are widespread reports of human rights abuses.

In a unanimously adopted resolution the 15-member Security Council stressed the need for an inclusive and representative government. It also pushed the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, and upholding human rights, including for women, children and minorities.

Read More Afghan Foreign Ministry Responds to Talibans Cabinet Announcement as 2 Governments Claim Power

Under previous Taliban rule, women could not work, girls were banned from school and women had to cover their faces and be accompanied by a male relative when they left home.

The Security Council asked Guterres to report by Jan. 31, 2022 on strategic and operational recommendations for the mandate of UNAMA, in light of recent political, security and social developments.

Afghanistans UN Seat

Guterres said last month that the Talibans desire for international recognition is the only leverage other countries have to press for inclusive government and respect for rights, particularly for women.

The U.N. ambassador representing Afghanistans ousted government this week asked to remain in the countrys U.N. seat in New York, a U.N. spokesperson said on Friday, setting up a showdown if the Taliban tries to appoint their own envoy.

Ambassador Ghulam Isaczai sent Guterres the names of Afghanistans delegation for the new General Assembly session, Guterres spokesperson Farhan Haq said. It was not immediately clear if the Taliban would put forward their own U.N. envoy.

Isaczai sent his accreditation request on Wednesday, Haq said, a day after the new General Assembly session started. Dozens of world leaders will be in New York next week for the annual U.N. gathering and Isaczai is scheduled to address the final day of the meeting on Sept. 27.

U.N. credentials are dealt with by a nine-member committee appointed annually. The committee, named on Tuesday, is made up of the Bahamas, Bhutan, Chile, China, Namibia, Russia, Sierra Leone, Sweden, and the United States.

The committee traditionally meets in October or November to assess the credentials of all U.N. members before submitting a report for General Assembly approval before the end of the year. The committee and General Assembly usually operate by the committees consensus on credentials, diplomats said.

Until a decision is made, Isaczai will remain in the seat, according to the General Assembly rules. When the Taliban last ruled, the ambassador of the Afghan government they toppled remained the U.N. envoy after the credentials committee deferred its decision on rival claims to the seat.

By Michelle Nichols
UN Says Venezuelan Courts Are Involved in Human Rights Violations

By Antonio Maria Delgado

From Miami Herald

Venezuelas justice system is exceedingly unjust, with its courts being used as a tool of repression used to arbitrarily jail activists and political opponents to the Nicolas Maduro regime while turning a blind eye to a growing number of human rights violations, a United Nations report said Thursday.

In a 200-page report presented in Geneva on Thursday, the U.N. Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela said that Maduros intelligence agencies routinely persecute activists and political adversaries, falsifying evidence to arrest them for political reasons and even using torture, force disappearances, and extrajudicial executions.

The mission said that members of the judiciary share the responsibility with Maduro and other high-ranking regime officials for the human rights violations.

The recurrent due process violations in Venezuela reveal a judiciary lacking independence that has allowed serious human rights violations against regime opponents to go unchecked, the report said.

Judges and prosecutors have played, through their acts and omissions, an important role in the grave violations of human rights abuses committed by diverse actors of the Venezuelan state against supposed or real adversaries, mission President Marta Valinas said.

The mission said it has reason to believe that high-ranking government officials, including Maduro and top ministers, have ordered, participated, or failed to stop human rights violations from being committed.

The U.N. group was appointed to investigate a series of grave claims allegedly perpetrated in Venezuela, including extrajudicial executions, forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture, and sexual violence. Most of those actions were directed toward government critics or high-profile individuals whose actions are perceived as a threat to the regime, and enforced by the court system.

Amid Venezuelas profound human rights crisis, the independence of the judiciary has become deeply eroded, jeopardizing its role in imparting justice and safeguarding individual rights, Valinas said. Our latest investigation found reasonable grounds to believe that, under intensifying political pressure, judges and prosecutors have, through their acts and omissions, played a significant role in serious violations and crimes against real and perceived opponents committed by various State actors in Venezuela.

Of the many cases of human rights violations cases reviewed, the commission found no evidence of high-level officials being investigated or prosecuted for their alleged involvement.

The report specifically mentions the 2015 death of opposition leader Fernando Alban, who fell to his death from the 10th floor while detained in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service headquarters, and the 2018 death of military officer Rafael Acosta Arevalo in a Venezuelan courtroom after he was severely tortured by security forces.

The overwhelming majority of human rights violations and crimes we previously documented targeting government opponents have not resulted in thorough investigations, prosecutions and convictions of all those allegedly responsible, said Francisco Cox Vial, a member of the U.N. mission.

The centrality of the justice system to the Venezuelan human rights crisis cannot be overstated. Had prosecutorial and judicial actors performed their constitutional role appropriately, they could have either prevented the crimes and violations from being committed, or placed rigorous impediments upon public security and intelligence services ability to commit them.

According to the mission, judges ordered pretrial detention as a routine rather than an exceptional measure, while prosecutors and judges at times sustained detention and criminal charges based on supporting evidence that did not indicate criminal acts or demonstrate the defendants participation.

In some cases, judges provided legal cover for illegal arrests by issuing arrest warrants retroactively.

The mission also found reasonable grounds to believe that high-level Venezuelan political actors have exerted significant influence over the judiciary.

Sources from within the judiciary reported that judges at all levels routinely receive orders on how to decide their cases. Those orders, at times, come directly from senior government figures and are channeled via the Supreme Tribunal of Justice leadership.

Judges who refused to give in to political pressure have been vilified and intimidated. The report mentioned the 2009 arrest and prosecution of Judge Maria Lourdes Afiuni.

This has resulted in a climate of fear, the report said. Nearly half of the former judges and prosecutors interviewed, along with many of their family members, have had to leave Venezuela fearing for their safety; many others declined to speak to the mission out of fear of reprisals, it said.

2021 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
United Airlines CEO Prepared to Require Passenger Vaccinations If Biden Mandates It

United Airlines chief executive officer said his company will mandate passengers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination if President Joe Biden says so.

Scott Kirby told CBS News Face the Nation on Sept. 19 that he would support such a mandate even though it would also cause inconvenience for vaccinated passengers.

I think the administrations doing a really admirable job of trying to find all the levers to push to get the whole country vaccinated, he said. I think the administrations perspective has been that getting people vaccinated at work, its a one-shot, and you can really get a high percentage of the country, as opposed to making it a burden on people that are vaccinatedevery time you get on a plane, a train, any kind of public transportationto prove that youre vaccinated.

More than a week ago, Biden announced that he would direct the federal government to potentially impose penalties on many private-sector employees and businesses to either force workers to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing or get the vaccine. So far, the White House hasnt signaled that it would mandate that passengers who travel on planes get vaccinated.

United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz (L) and President Scott Kirby testify before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure about oversight of U.S. airline customer service on May 2, 2017. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

For now, I think their approach of focusing on the employment and focusing on work is probably the right way to go, he said. But they get great data and science, and if they tell us that they want us to check everyone were prepared to do that as well.

United Airlines, which has among the strictest COVID-19 policies for workers, became the first major airline to mandate the vaccine among its nearly 70,000 employees. COVID-19 is the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

According to recent United memos sent to employees who have applied for vaccine exemptions, they will have to become fully vaccinated against the virus within five weeks or they will be separated from the company.

Given our focus on safety and the steep increases in COVID infections, hospitalizations, and deaths, all employees whose request is approved will be placed on temporary, unpaid personal leave on October 2 while specific safety measures for unvaccinated employees are instituted, United told its workers in the memos, which were obtained this month by The Epoch Times.

Following Bidens announcement, a number of Republican-led states have said they would file lawsuits against the administration. Last week, Arizona became the first state to sue, arguing that imposing a vaccine requirement on private employees would violate the equal protection clause of the Constitutions 14th Amendment.

Last week, Kirby told CNN that approximately 90 percent of the firms employees have shown proof of their vaccination status.
Illegal immigrants sheltering under the Del Rio International Bridge that connects with Ciudad Acuna in Mexico are seen in the border community of Del Rio, Texas, on Sept. 18, 2021. (Handout via Reuters)

US Authorities Accelerate Removal of Haitians at Border With Mexico

CIUDAD ACUNA, MexicoU.S. authorities moved some 2,000 people to other immigration processing stations on Friday from a Texas border town that has been overwhelmed by an influx of Haitian and other illegal immigrants, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Saturday.

Such transfers will continue in order to ensure that irregular migrants are swiftly taken into custody, processed, and removed from the United States consistent with our laws and policy, DHS said in a statement.

While some migrants seeking jobs and safety have been making their way to the United States for weeks or months, it is only in recent days that the number converging on Del Rio, Texas, has drawn widespread attention, posing a humanitarian and political challenge for the Biden administration.

DHS said that in response to the illegal immigrants sheltering in increasingly poor conditions under the Del Rio International Bridge that connects the Texas city with Ciudad Acuna in Mexico, it was accelerating flights to Haiti and other destinations within the next 72 hours.

DHS added it was working with nations where the migrants began their journeysfor many of the Haitians, countries such as Brazil and Chileto accept returned migrants. Officials on both sides of the border said most of the migrants were Haitians.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry expressed solidarity with the mass of migrants at the border in a series of posts on social media late on Saturday, saying arrangements have already been made to warmly receive those who return to the Caribbean nation.

I share their suffering and say to them welcome home, he wrote.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection was sending 400 additional agents to the Del Rio sector in the coming days, DHS said, after the border agency said on Friday that due to the influx it was temporarily closing Del Rios port of entry and rerouting traffic to Eagle Pass, 57 miles (92 km) east.

We have reiterated that our borders are not open, and people should not make the dangerous journey, a DHS spokesperson told Reuters.

Del Rios mayor, Bruno Lozano, said in a video on Saturday night that there were now just over 14,000 illegal immigrants under the bridge.

As it became clear U.S. authorities were sending the migrants back to their homelands, Mexican police officers began asking the illegal immigrants who were buying food in Ciudad Acuna to return to the American side of the river on Saturday morning, according to Reuters witnesses. The migrants argued they needed supplies, and police eventually relented.

Poor Conditions

On the Texas side, Haitians have been joined by Cubans, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans under the Del Rio bridge, where migrants say conditions are deteriorating.

There is urine, feces, and we are sleeping next to garbage, said Venezuelan migrant Michael Vargas, 30, who has been at the camp with his wife and two children for three days.

Vargas said they had been given ticket number 16,000 and authorities were currently processing number 9,800. He said people were being separated into three groups: single men, single women, and families.

Jeff Jeune, a 27-year-old Haitian, was among several illegal immigrants who said it was taking longer to process families than single adults, leaving young children sleeping on the ground in clobbering 99 degree Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) heat. Jeune said his two sons, ages 1 and 10, had fallen ill with fever and cold-like symptoms.

In two photos sent to Reuters by a migrant at the camp, dozens of adults and children are shown squeezed together under the bridge, some sitting on cardboard or thin blankets spread on the packed dirt. Belongings were stacked in neat piles. There appear to be tents made of reeds and wooden sticks in the background.

Typically, illegal immigrants who arrive at the border and turn themselves in to officials can claim asylum if they fear being returned to their home country, triggering a long court process. The Trump administration whittled away at protections, arguing many asylum claims were false.

A sweeping U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health order known as Title 42, issued under the Trump administration at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, allows most illegal immigrants to be quickly expelled without a chance of claiming asylum. President Joe Biden has kept that rule in place though he exempted unaccompanied minors and his administration has not been expelling most families.

A judge ruled Thursday the policy could not be applied to families, but the ruling does not go into effect for two weeks and the Biden administration is appealing it in court.

A mass expulsion of Haitians at Del Rio is sure to anger immigration advocates who say such returns are inhumane considering the conditions in Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. In July, Haitis president was assassinated, and in August a major earthquake and powerful storm hit the country.

The Biden administration extended temporary deportation relief to around 150,000 Haitians in the United States earlier this year. That relief does not apply to new arrivals. Deportation and expulsion differ technicallyexpulsion is much quicker.

U.S. officials briefly halted removals to Haiti following an Aug. 14 earthquake.

The number of Haitian migrants arriving at the U.S.Mexico border has been steadily rising this year along with an overall increase in migrants, according to CBP data.

Many of the Haitians interviewed by Reuters said they used to live in South America and were headed north now because they could not attain legal status or struggled to secure decent jobs. Several told Reuters they followed routes shared on WhatsApp to reach Del Rio.

More than a dozen Haitians in southern Mexicos Tapachula, near the border with Guatemala, told Reuters on Friday that messages in WhatsApp groups spread lies about the ease of crossing the border.

By Alexandra Ulmer and Kristina Cooke
Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, on Sept. 17, 2021. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

US Sanctions Iran Hezbollah-Linked Chinese Companies

The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned several Chinese entities and individuals based in China for financing Iran-related terrorist activities.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Treasury Department posted on its website on Sept. 17 that its imposing sanctions on members of the networks that finance the terrorist organization Hezbollah in Lebanon and Kuwait. The United States has also sanctioned members of international financial facilitators and front company networks that provide financial support to Hezbollah and Iran.

Several of the sanctioned companies are based in Hong Kong, including PCA Xiang Gang Ltd.; Damineh Optic Ltd.; China 49 Group Co. Ltd.; Taiwan Be Charm Trading Co., Ltd.; and Black Drop Intl Co., Ltd.

Those companies are either directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or directed by Morteza Minaye Hashemi, an Iranian businessman living in China whos also on the sanctions list. Hashemi is accused by the U.S. government of funding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF).

Hashemi, who controls a number of companies in Hong Kong and mainland China, was helped by two Chinese nationals, Yan Su Xuan and Song Jing, according to the Treasury Departments statement. They opened a bank account for Hashemi under his instructions and are the owners of the company on paper. Yan also purchased military-civil, dual-use products from the United States on behalf of Hashemi to ship to Iran.

The two other companies now under sanctionsVictory Somo Group (HK) Ltd. and Yummy Be Charm Trading (HK) Ltd.are owned or controlled by Song. Hashemi also has supervised the financing and management of the companies.

The Treasury Department stated that it will seize the properties of the sanctioned individuals and entities in the United States and prohibit all transactions with them.

The department stated that Hashemi used his access to the international financial system to launder money for IRGC-QF and Hezbollah. Hashemi worked with Mohammad Reza Kazemi to launder tens of millions of dollars for IRGC-QF and Hezbollah through foreign exchange and gold sales.

Regarding the new sanctions, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that Hezbollah used revenues generated by the financial networks to fund terrorist activities and to perpetuate instability in Lebanon and throughout the region.

Blinken called on governments around the world to take measures to ensure that Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations arent allowed to have access to financial institutions.

The United States will not relent in targeting these networks, and we will continue to take action to disrupt their activities, he said.
Lava pours out of a volcano in the Cumbre Vieja national park at El Paso, on the Canary Island of La Palma, on Sept. 19, 2021. (FORTA/Screenshot via Reuters)

Volcano Erupts on Atlantic Ocean Island as Swarm of Hundreds of Earthquakes Recorded

A volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma erupted on Sept. 19, the islands government confirmed, coming days after hundreds of earthquakes were recorded in the area.

A large column of smoke rose up after the eruption at 3:15 p.m. local time inside Cumbre Vieja National Park, according to the Canary Islands government and the Canary Islands Volcanology Institute. Authorities had evacuated around 40 people and farm animals surrounding the volcano.

A plume of smoke rises following the eruption of a volcano in Cumbre Vieja National Park at El Paso in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, on Sept. 19, 2021. (Borja Suarez/Reuters)

A 3.2-magnitude earthquake was reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in the area on Sept. 18. Several more tremors were detected on the morning of Sept. 19.

The Scientific Committee of the Volcano Risk Prevention Plan noted to media outlets that stronger earthquakes are likely to be felt and may cause damage to buildings.

El volcan de La Palma ensenando la patita https://t.co/gsL1ixOpUR  Amaral Stan Account (@Roma_manola) September 19, 2021

Video footage of the eruption shows the volcano sending lava high into the air. Other pictures and videos show that a fissure emerged in the volcano, with flowing lava overtaking forests and farmland.

Authorities issued a mandatory evacuation order for four villages, including El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane. Soldiers were deployed to help, and residents were asked to keep mobile phone use to a minimum.

Spains Civil Guard wrote in a tweet that it would take part in the evacuation of between 5,000 to 10,000 people from villages near the volcano, including El Paso and Los Llanos de Ariadne.

According to Volcano Discovery, the eruption was the first on the island since 1971. The earliest recorded volcanic eruption on La Palma occurred in the 15th century, officials said.

More than 22,000 tremors were reported by officials in the area, Reuters reported.

Lava and smoke are seen following the eruption of a volcano in the Cumbre Vieja national park at El Paso, on the Canary Island of La Palma, on Sept. 19, 2021. (Borja Suarez/Reuters)

Whats most likely is that the magma has found a way toward the surface and it is very likely that it will end up reaching it, Luca DAuria, the head of the Volcano Monitoring Department at the Canary Islands Volcano Institute, told Deutsche Welle.

La Palma has approximately 83,000 residents and draws some tourists every year. Its also one of eight islands in the Canary Islands archipelago. At their nearest point to Africa, the islands are 60 miles from Morocco.

About a decade ago, several earthquakes hit the nearby island of El Hierro. An underwater volcanic eruption was also recorded.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs holds up the new iPad as he speaks during an Apple Special Event at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2010. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Why Didnt Steve Jobs Let His Children Use iPads?

How addicted are you to your cellphone? How much time do you spend in front of a screen? Would you let your children do the same? Steve Jobs thought it was not a good idea, so he did not let his children use iPads and iPhones, and technology in general.

In 2010, a New York Times reporter had a conversation that revealed a lot about the life of the founder of Apple. Nick Bilton commented, Your kids must love the iPad, right? after the launch of the device. Jobs replied: They havent used it. We limit the amount of technology our children use at home.

Any special reason? According to Walter Isaacson, the author of the Steve Jobs biography, the family focused more on history or reading, as well as activities that had to do with technology.

Isaacson explained: Every night Steve insisted on dining at the big kitchen table, talking about books, history, and a variety of other things. Nobody ever took out an iPad or a computer. The kids didnt seem addicted to the devices.

Its Not the Only One

A large number of CEOs and prominent figures of Silicon Valley companies significantly reduce the time their children spend in contact with technology.

For example, Bill Gates did not give his children cellphones until they were 14 years old. In addition, their use was prohibited during lunch, dinner, and before sleeping.

This combo shows file photos of deceased Apple chief executive Steve Jobs (L), in 2007, Microsofts former head Bill Gates (R) during the opening keynote at the RSA conference at San Franciscos Moscone Center on Feb. 6, 2007. (Tony Avelar/AFP/Getty Images)

The recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics is to limit technology according to the age of the children, since there is a fear that the use of the devices will become compulsive and uncontrolled.

According to the authors of the book Screen Schooled and several former employees of technology companies, when devices are used compulsively, it ends creativity and limits social relationships.

What Do They Know That We Dont?

Indeed, many people who have or had to do with technological development restrict its use at home. A former Google executive, Tristan Harris, even warned of the tricks that websites like Facebook or YouTube use to hold our attention without us noticing.

In 2020, the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma caused a furor by revealing how social networks work and make us addicted.

There is a phrase that stands out in the film: There are two industries that call their customers users: illegal drugs and software.

It seems Steve Jobs saw this coming.

The film describes the addiction and negative impacts of social networks in our daily life, which is closely linked to the devices with which we interact. In addition, testimonials in the film explain how social media companies play with our emotions and behaviors.

What Are the Risks?

Various studies indicate that addiction to screens leads to problems with concentration, vision, sleep, low tolerance for frustration and, in some cases, low self-esteem.
MIDDLETOWN  The girlfriend of a city man charged in a May homicide said she received a disrespectful phone call in the moments leading up to the fatal confrontation, according to a newly unsealed arrest warrant in the case.

Matthew O'Banner, 20, is facing charges of murder and first-degree assault in the May 16 shooting that killed 25-year-old Tylon Hardy and injured a 17-year-old, police said.

After the shooting, O'Banner originally agreed to turn himself in to Middletown police, but then vanished for two months before being apprehended in New Jersey, court documents show.

Michelle Sanders, O'Banners 54-year-old mother, and his girlfriend, Alexandra Vazquez, 21, have also been charged with interfering with the police investigation. Sanders is also charged with second-degree hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence and drug possession, records show.

According to OBanners arrest warrant, which was unsealed this week, his girlfriend was on the phone with another woman the day of the shooting when a man interjected, making disrespectful and threatening comments.

(The man) was so disrespectful toward Vazquez that she began crying, the warrant said. OBanner was intermittently present during the telephone call, and was able to hear portions of what was being said to her by (him).

The warrant said Vazquez told police the man warned, they were all pulling up and dont even trip, Im coming. The warrant said Vazquez told investigators she was afraid because she knew of (his) violent reputation.

Police said they obtained security video footage from inside OBanners home that revealed Vazquez and Sanders feared the confrontation would turn violent, according to the warrant. The warrant stated the video showed the women begging OBanner not to engage with the man.

Shortly thereafter, Vazquez said she heard a commotion outside of her residence, and saw that (the man) had arrived with Hardy, the warrant stated.

Vazquez said she went outside and saw the woman she had been on the phone with as well as the man who made the comments along with other people she did not recognize, the warrant stated.

Video from a neighbors security camera showed Vazquez arguing with the man, who said he wanted to fight OBanner, the warrant stated.

After a loud argument, Vazquez said another car pulled up and the man who got out was attacked by the original group, which was confirmed by video footage, the warrant stated.

As people, including Hardy, began to circle around the physical altercation, the video showed OBanner exiting the front door of a Stirling Court home with a gun in his hand, the warrant stated.

The video showed Vazquez running toward OBanner, yelling for him to put it away, the warrant stated.

While the previously mentioned parties were fighting, a shooter began opening fire, the warrant said, adding Vazquez could not provide descriptions about the shooter, the persons location or clothing.

The video showed Hardy dropping to the ground after the shooter fired four shots in the direction of the crowd, the warrant stated. The warrant stated OBanner jumped off the porch and began chasing the fleeing men  firing another two shots.

Another three fainter gunshot sounds were heard, of unknown origin, as they were not captured by video, the warrant stated.

As police arrived, officers found Hardy unresponsive and bleeding from his mouth and ears, the warrant stated. He died a short time later.

Police were also notified of a second gunshot victim arriving at Middlesex Hospital, the warrant stated. The teen was then flown to Hartford Hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the right side of his back and two in his right forearm, the warrant stated.

OBanner, who is being held on $1 million bond, is expected to return Oct. 5 to state Superior Court in Middletown.

joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com
PARIS (AP)  French President Emmanuel Macron will speak in the coming days with President Joe Biden in their first contact since a major diplomatic crisis erupted between France and the United States over a submarine deal with Australia, an official said Sunday.

The phone call is at the request of Biden, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said, adding that there was shock and anger at first in France over news of the deal. But now it's time to try to move forward, he said.

What the French now call a grave crisis erupted over the sudden, surprise end to a 2016 contract worth at least $66 billion between France and Australia to build 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines. Instead, Australia signed on with the United States and Britain for eight nuclear-powered submarines. France insists it was not informed of the deal in advance.

France recalled its ambassadors from the United States and Australia in a sign of the seriousness of the crisis.

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met Sunday with the two ambassadors to discuss the strategic consequences of the current crisis, the ministry said without elaborating.

Whats at play in this affair, this crisis  are strategic issues before being commercial issues, Attal told BFMTV. The question is ... the forces present, the balance, in the Indo-Pacific where part of our future is at play, and our relations with China.

The deal by the United States reflects the American pivot toward the Indo-Pacific region, seen as increasingly strategic as China bolsters its influence there. Yet France feels the deal steps on its feet in a region where it has long had a strong presence that it, too, is working to bolster, in addition to a five-year contract with Australia.

France is a country of the Indo-Pacific, Attal said, noting the French territory of New Caledonia, the French citizens living in the region and the French military forces based there.

The Indo-Pacific is also an issue for Europe, he said.

Macron will be seeking explanations from Biden about what led to a major rupture in confidence, the spokesman added. There was a moment of shock, of anger ... Now, we must advance.

On Friday night, Le Drian railed against what France views as a betrayal marked by duplicity, disdain and lies in the submarine affair.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Sunday that France would have had every reason to know that we have deep and grave concerns about the capability of Frances Attack class subs, which he said can't meet Australia's strategic interests.
BELLEVILLE  Successsuccess, co-founder of Metro Area Professional Organization (MAPO) said Saturday, of the nonprofits return to its in-person Honors Dinner Celebration.

Starting with a procession of board members and honored guests at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows banquet center, followed by a Flair Flags ballroom entry from the Genesis Dance Ministry, to the final ecumenical farewell, MAPOs 11th Honors Dinner was a success.

COVID set us back, but God opened it again for us to come together for 2021, said MAPO co-founder Dr. Dorothy Owens, who founded the organization with her husband, Rev. John Q. Owens, formerly a pastor in Alton.

If all goes well, if COVID-19 doesnt derail it, we will see our supporters at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville May 21, 2022.

Dorothy Owens is an educator who retired from SIUE. Almost 12 years ago, the Owenses, of Maryville, founded MAPO with a mission to help the homeless and the hungry. At the end of the event, David and Marion Hoskins, MAPO outreach coordinators, announced the recipients of items collected for their nonprofit centers, including Alton Youth and Family Services, Oasis Womens Center, Chestnut Health Center and Collinsville Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

This year the Metro Area Professional Organization honored more than two dozen individuals, as always in the categories of government, clergy, community, education, justice, business, medical, media, as well as rising stars. MAPO also awarded scholarships to students at Madison High School, Collinsville High School and St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley.

Emcee former East St. Louis mayor Alvin Parks Jr. introduced the Owenses, followed by the first female elected mayor of Belleville, Patty Gregory, also an honoree in government.

Im honored to have all of you in our beautiful city, she said. Thank you for inviting me to be here, especially Drs. John Q. Owens and Dorothy Owens and MAPO for doing the best work of God  helping the homeless and the hungry, moving the community forward.

From the last year, most important is health, family, friends and community, Gregory said. We show this not only to our community, but to the whole nation when in service to God.

At the Honors Dinner newly elected mayors from the Metro East were recognized, with Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy, OFallon Mayor Herb Roach and Alton Mayor David Goins addressing the audience. Maryville Mayor Craig Short introduced the officials.

I didnt come here to preach, but I just cant help it, Goins said. "In spite of COVID, you got to keep it moving. At the final bell, you will hear, Well done.

Saturday was the first time that some of the mayors met. At the end of the celebration, they picked up d0nated items to the centers announced by the Hoskins to take to their respective cities and agencies, one of which had a representative from Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois.

Maryville-based MAPO is composed of professional and para-professional communities overseen by a board, of which The Intelligencer managing editor Brittany Johnson sits. Volunteers use their time for planning and securing help for those who need guidance in order to achieve a well-rounded life through the use of tools, and religious, secular, educational and social networking. Membership dues are $50 per member, per year.

We are a nonprofit organization, and our mission is to be a support system for people who are in distress, Dorothy Owens said. We service ten centers that work with people who are homeless or hungry and in need of supplies. When COVID kicked in, we worked hard with providing masks and sanitizers.

We also give academic scholarships to our youth to further their education. Weve been around for over a decade, so we are quite proud of our work.

For more information, call 618-799-8020, email mrsdo75@aol.com or visit https://www.metro-mapo.org/.
Photo: Brooklyn Bridge dedicated bike lane opening, Sept. 14, 2021. Photo courtesy of NYC DOT.

Some of the items that caught our eye on the Lower East Side in the past week:

The Brooklyn Bridge dedicated bike lane finally makes its debut. [Gothamist]

Local City Council member Carlina Rivera remains a contender to become the next Council speaker. An endorsement from Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez could help her with Brooklyn power brokers. [Politico]

At Cha Kee inn Chinatown, chef Akiko Thurnauer has developed an inventive Japanese-influenced Cantonese menu. [Eater]

The Contra and Ends Meats team collaborate on a new burger spot at the Market Line. [Eater]

Mid Autumn Festival begins on Tuesday. Here are some of the spots in Chinatown to buy your mooncakes. [6sqft]

Snakehead, a film set in Chinatown and depicting the real-life human trafficker known as Sister Ping, wins praise at the Toronto Film Festival. [Hollywood Reporter]

Howl Arts rolls out its new space at 250 Bowery. [EV Grieve]

NADA opens a new space in the East Broadway Mall with a show highlighting the fading Bowery Lighting District. [Hyperallergic]

A new photo exhibit celebrates the women of NYCHA. [Channel 11]

Joanna Samuels leaves her post on the Lower East Side as head of the Manny Cantor Center to run the Marlene Myerson JCC. [The Forward]

A glimpse of what back to school looked like on the Lower East Side in the early 1900s. [Urban Archive]
Government prepares to recruit Thais to address labour shortage

BANGKOK: The Thai government aims to promote employment for Thais in industries facing labour shortages and is preparing to recruit Thais to fill more than 400,000 jobs left vacant by migrant workers due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

COVID-19economics

By National News Bureau of Thailand

Sunday 19 September 2021, 12:37PM

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin. Photo: NNT

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said on Saturday (Sept 18) that several industries are in need of labourers, as migrant workers have been prohibited from returning to Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports state news agency NNT.

Imports of migrant workers were suspended in March last year when the pandemic worsened, resulting in labour shortages, and employing Thai workers was one way of dealing with the problem.

He said that Thais aged up to 35 with high school level or lower education should be considered. Thai labourers will get salaries based on their educational level, as well as overtime and other welfare schemes.

Mr Suchart said there is strong demand for both Thai and migrant workers in several industries, including apparel, canned food and electronics.

The Department of Employment (DoE) will survey employment demands among business operators who want to hire Thais as substitutes for migrant workers. So far, 112,759 Thais have registered for jobs with the department, he said.
Southern Thai prison sealed off after more COVID cases found

NAKHON SRI THAMMARAT: The Correctional Institute for Young Offenders in Muang district of Nakhon Sri Thammarat province has been sealed off after 130 more COVID-19 infections were found among detainees, provincial governor Kraisorn Wisitwong said on Sunday (Sept 19)

COVID-19Coronavirushealth

By Bangkok Post

Sunday 19 September 2021, 04:27PM

Wardens stand outside the closed Correctional Institution for Young Offenders in Muang district of Nakhon Sri Thammarat on Sunday (Sept 19). Photo: Nujaree Rakrun / Bangkok Post

The new cases increased the number of COVID-19 infections in the prison from 1,195 to 1325, or over 50% of its population of 2,315.



Mr Kraisorn said he had ordered the installation of a field hospital inside the facility to treat the inmates with mild symptoms, reports Bangkok Post.



The 61 officials who work inside the prison had so far not been infected, but all were to be regularly tested for the virus.



The prison for young offenders would not take new inmates during this time, he said. The newcomers would instead be temporarily moved to nearby prisons.



Inmates who are due to be released are required to be placed in quarantine for 14 days and undergo COVID-19 testing three times before being freed.
EDWARDSVILLE  A Granite City man with a history of auto-related felonies has been charged with reckless homicide stemming from a fatal May 30 accident while allegedly fleeing from police in a stolen car.

John M. Shea, 31, of Granite City, was charged Sept. 17 with reckless homicide, a Class 3 felony; offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony; and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony.

The case was presented by the Illinois State Police.

According to court documents, on May 30 Shea was northbound on Illinois 111 in Pontoon Beach in a stolen 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis attempting to flee from a Pontoon Beach police officer.

He was involved in an accident that caused the death of Brandon Hagopian, 36, of Granite City. Hagopian was taken to Saint Louis University Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Bail was set at $100,000.

On June 3, Shea was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 3 felony, presented by the Collinsville Police Department related to Fridays charges.

According to court documents, on May 30 Shea allegedly was driving the stolen Marquis and fleeing a Collinsville Police officer, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles above the posted speed limit.

Shea has a 2017 Madison County conviction for aggravated fleeing and eluding. He also has faced a number of other charges this year, primarily related to motor vehicle theft and fleeing police officers.

On Feb. 26 he was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony, in a case out of Granite City.

On April 9 Shea allegedly was found to be in possession of a stolen 2001 Ford F-150 and attempted to elude a Pontoon Beach police officer.

On April 12 Shea was charged with offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony, and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony on a case presented by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force.

On Aug. 24, Granite City Police allege Shea was found to be in possession of a stolen 2019 Dodge Ram and tried to flee from a Granite City police officer, disobeying several traffic control devices and reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.

On Aug. 26 Shea was charged with two counts of offenses relating to motor vehicles and unlawful use of vehicle identification, all Class 3 felonies, as well as three counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, and aggravated assault, all Class 4 felonies.

Court documents also state that on Aug. 19 Shea was found to be in possession of a stolen 1999 Hartland flatbed trailer and license plates that had been removed from the vehicle for which they were registered. He also was charged with trying to strike a Granite City police officer  the same officer as the July 24 incident  with a motor vehicle and trying to flee in a Chevrolet Silverado, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles above the posted speed limit.
MOOSE, Wyo. (AP)  Authorities say a body discovered Sunday in Wyoming is believed to be Gabrielle Gabby Petito.

The FBI said the body was found by law enforcement agents who had spent the past two days searching campgrounds.

The cause of death not yet been determined, said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Charles Jones.

Jones said investigators are still seeking information from anyone who may have seen Petito or Laundrie around some camping sites located on the parks eastern boundary, the same site that was the subject of a law enforcement search efforts over the weekend.

Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, left in July on a cross-country trek in a converted van to visit national parks in the U.S. West. Police said Laundrie was alone when he drove the van back to his parents home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1.

Laundrie has been identified as a person of interest in the case. He was last seen Tuesday by family members in Florida, and investigators have been searching for him for the past two days in a 24,000-acre wildlife reserve near Sarasota, Florida.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP)  More than 50 law enforcement officers on Sunday started a second day of searching in a vast wildlife area near Florida's Gulf Coast for a 23-year-old man that authorities consider a person of interest in the disappearance of his girlfriend who went missing while on a cross-country trek.

The search for Brian Laundrie resumed at the more than 24,000-acre (9,712-hectare) Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, Florida, a wildlife area with more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of trails, as well as campgrounds.

Laundrie and Gabrielle Gabby" Petito, 22, left in July on a cross-country trek in a converted van to visit national parks in the U.S. West. Police said Laundrie was alone when he drove the van back to his parents home in North Port, Florida, on Sept. 1. Petitos family filed a missing persons report Sept. 11 with police in Suffolk County, New York.

Laundrie has been identified as a person of interest in the case.

It is important to note that while Brian is a person of interest in Gabbys disappearance, he is not wanted for a crime, North Port police said in a statement. It added that the investigation is now a multiple missing person case.

Laundries family members told investigators that the last time they saw him was on Tuesday when they believe he went to the wildlife reserve in the Sarasota area.

Petitos family had been pleading for the Laundrie family to tell them where their son last saw her. Petito and Laundrie were childhood sweethearts who met while growing up on Long Island, New York. His parents later moved to North Port, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) south of Sarasota.

The couples trek in the Fort Transit van began in July from Long Island. They intended to reach Oregon by the end of October according to their social media accounts, but Petito vanished after her last known contact with family in late August from Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, authorities said.

The FBI in Denver said Saturday that agents have begun conducting ground surveys at Grand Teton National Park, with help from the National Park Service and local law enforcement agencies, seeking clues to Petitos disappearance.

FBI agents tweeted that they were focusing on an undeveloped camping area near Spread Creek on the east boundary of the park, which was closed to the public during the surveys. They urged anybody who had been there between Aug. 27 and 30, and had seen Petito, Laundrie or their vehicle, to contact them.
1921: In 1915, Scranton architect Edward Langley won a design competition against five other firms to design a new home for the Scranton Life Insurance Co. Completed in 1916, the imposing Collegiate Gothic structure at Spruce Street and Adams Avenue housed the main offices of the insurance company as well as more than 100 other offices, including doctors, dentists, investment brokers, tailors and lawyers. Adjacent to the Scranton Life Building on Adams is the Farr Building, an office building owned by Congressman John R. Farr. Offices in the Farr Building included steamship agents, the Lackawanna County headquarters of Republican Women and the Young Men's Italian Club.

2021: The Scranton Life Insurance Co. sold its building in 1948 to a New Jersey realty company; it changed hands several times before it was purchased by Scranton developer Anthony Rinaldi. Today, the building has retail space on the ground floor and offices on the upper levels. Tenants in the Farr Building dwindled until only a hair salon remained in the 1980s. It was demolished in 1990 to make room for additional parking.
MEG BEAL, Westerly volleyball, senior: Beal had 13 aces and 28 assists in three Westerly victories. Beal also contributed 15 digs for the Bulldogs.

ZOOT BOSCHWITZ, Chariho football, senior: Boschwitz completed 14 of 16 passes for 176 yards in the Chargers 42-6 win over Central Falls/Blacksone Valley Prep. Boschwitz threw three touchdown passes.

MADDIE PERKINS, Wheeler girls soccer, senior: Perkins scored two goals and assisted on another in the Lions 3-0 victory against Tourtellotte.

WILL SAWIN, Stonington boys soccer, senior: Sawin, a senior, scored four goals and assisted on three others in a pair of Stonington victories. For the season, Sawin has 11 goals and 10 assists for the Bears.

Vote

View Results
A total of 67 suspected fraudsters were arrested in the first half of this year in the battle against the growing tide of financial fraud.

Several of those arrested were involved in scams exploiting the pandemic, according to the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), a specialist fraud team funded by the banking and finance industry.

The unit prevented around 85million from being stolen from the public, up from 20million for the whole of last year. In addition, 24 organised criminal gangs were 'disrupted'.

Coronavirus fraud: Several of those arrested were involved in scams exploiting the pandemic, according to the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit

The DCPCU is made up of officers from the City of London Police and Metropolitan Police Service and staff from banking industry association UK Finance.

They have been fighting a growing number of fraud cases as criminals seek to profit from the pandemic.

One criminal was sentenced to more than four years in prison for sending thousands of scam texts purporting to be from the NHS about a vaccine, which he then used to harvest people's personal and financial details.

Cases of scams, which involve fraudsters pretending to be from a bank or official organisation, have more than doubled in the first half of this year, to 33,115.

A total of 129.4million was stolen through th

is type of fraud alone, up from 57.9million over the same period last year. Temporary commander Clinton Blackburn, from the City of London Police, warns that criminals continue to use the pandemic to prey on people's fears. He says: 'It's essential the public remains vigilant before parting with any money or personal details.'

The Mail on Sunday has fought for more resources to be employed in our 'Nail the scammers' campaign.
Refund: ABTA delayed in deciding who was liable for the axed cruise

Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

P.W. writes: We booked through JTA Travel for a trip with Cruise and Maritime Voyages. Because of the pandemic, the trip was cancelled, and we agreed with JTA Travel to rebook for a later date, but then Cruise and Maritime ceased trading.

We were told we would get a full refund of the 2,670 cost as customers were protected by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

However, ABTA itself says JTA Travel must repay us, so we are caught between the two.

Tony Hetherington replies: It is never nice to be trapped between two businesses, with each agreeing you are entitled to a refund, but at the same time blaming each other for failing to fork out the cash.

What this comes down to is the question of whether JTA Travel was acting as a travel agent or a tour operator. If it was just a booking agent, then ABTA's compensation scheme would cover your losses.

But if JTA Travel went beyond this and organised far more than just your cruise booking, then it could be classed as a tour operator, and since it is still in business from its Birmingham base, it would be responsible for refunding you.

ABTA's verdict was that JTA Travel should foot the bill. It explained: 'Our decision was based upon the travel documentation which confirmed that JTA were acting as the tour operator, and as such they retain full liability for your travel arrangements or any refund due to you.'

Not surprisingly, JTA Travel was unhappy with this. It would not pay up, and said it was consulting its lawyers. And all it would tell me was that it was having 'ongoing conversations' with ABTA. It refused to accept your version of events, but at the same time refused to say what was wrong with what you told me.

Surely though, ABTA has the power to order JTA Travel to pay up or face expulsion and the loss of the valuable reassurance that ABTA membership offers its customers? This is a simple question, but trying to get a simple answer from ABTA was like trying to nail jelly to the wall.

ABTA pointed me towards its code of conduct. This runs to 16 pages with two further documents on top, and a 47-page guide which is where I eventually found that ABTA expects refunds to be issued within 14 days, and certainly no later than 30 days.

But then ABTA pulled the rug out from under its own feet, admitting to me that despite ruling that JTA Travel was a tour operator and should issue a refund, in fact it was still in discussions with the Birmingham business.

Holidaymakers rely heavily on ABTA to regulate its members and, if necessary, enforce its rulings. Failing to enforce its decisions, and then having second thoughts, is not reassuring.

ABTA gave you the clear impression it had made up its mind and ordered JTA Travel to repay you. But it beat about the bush when I asked about its enforcement powers. And finally it went back to chewing this over with JTA Travel, just as it was doing months ago.

Then, at the very last minute, along has come an unexpected fairy godmother in the shape of Tesco Bank. You paid for the cruise with your Tesco Bank card, and strictly speaking, you are far too late to ask the bank to snatch back the cash. But this is exactly what the bank has done.

Because you have been messed about by both ABTA and JTA Travel, Tesco Bank is going to credit your card with the full 2,670.

The bank will then fight it out with JTA Travel, and you have told me you will help with all the evidence that is needed. Whoever wins that fight, it strikes me that ABTA will be the real loser in terms of its reputation.

Why all this hassle to axe bank's insurance?

L.B. writes: For many years we have had a Lloyds Bank current account which came with free insurance for mobile phone, travel, AA breakdown and card loss.

We have never used the insurance, so when Lloyds said it intended to charge 14.95 a month in future, we decided to cancel the cover.

However, our branch says we need to close the account and open a new one, and that first we must make an appointment to discuss this with a consultant.

Options: According to Lloyds, the insurance can be cancelled via internet banking, or by telephone

Tony Hetherington replies: According to Lloyds, the insurance can be cancelled via internet banking, which you do not have, or by telephone, though you found the number was permanently engaged. The third option was cancellation of the insurance by going to your branch, but when you did this the manager and staff said they could not simply delete the insurance. You would have to have a meeting with a 'consultant', who I imagine is a salesperson.

I asked the bank to explain, and a spokesman told me you could switch to a Classic Account with the same sort code and account number, so all your direct debits and similar arrangements would be unchanged.

But you still had to make an appointment to see a consultant, even though the bank itself was shifting the goalposts and a meeting might involve time off work.

The bank's complaints department has now credited your account with 30 by way of saying sorry for poor service, and if you wish to stay with Lloyds, staff say they will arrange to call you rather than expect you to call them.

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.
Palm oil is a controversial commodity, but Indonesia-based plantation owner MP Evans prides itself on sustainable production, planting with care, treating workers properly and supporting local communities.

The company strives to look after investors too, maintaining or increasing its dividend every year for the past quarter of a century.

This year will be no exception. Last week, unveiling a 588 per cent increase in half-year profits to $41million (30 million), chairman Peter Hadsley-Chaplain announced a doubling of the interim dividend to 10p and pledged to increase the annual payout by 36 per cent to 30p.

Controversial: MP Evans prides itself on sustainable production, planting with care, treating workers properly and supporting local communities

Further increases are expected in subsequent years. The palm oil price is rising and MP Evans is in growth mode, increasing production, opening new mills and buying more land to ensure continued expansion.

Hadsley-Chaplain joined the company in 1988 after his father had already been there for 41 years.

This near 80-year connection gives him a particular perspective, focused on steady and consistent expansion.

Midas verdict: Midas tipped MP Evans in 2011 when the shares were 4.20. The price has waxed and waned since, but closed last week at 7.88, with investors having enjoyed decent dividends. Existing shareholders should stick with the firm. New investors could dip their toes in too.

Traded on: AIM Ticker: MPE Contact: mpevans.co.uk or 01892 676146
Rolls-Royce is developing a nuclear reactor that it hopes will be capable of powering mining operations on the Moon and even Mars, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Dave Gordon, head of the company's defence division, said it is studying how a micro-nuclear reactor could be used to propel rockets while in space at huge speeds. He revealed that Rolls-Royce is investigating whether that technology could then be redeployed to provide energy for drilling, processing and storage for socalled 'Moon mining'.

Valuable natural resources on the Moon include water, which can be converted to rocket fuel, and rare elements and metals that are used in energy production and electrical goods back on Earth.

The nuclear technology could eventually pave the way for 'Mars mining', Gordon added. Once developed, Rolls-Royce will likely hunt for specialists in rockets and mining with which to partner.

The British engineering giant launched a joint study into nuclear power options for space rockets with the UK Space Agency earlier this year.

As part of this, Rolls-Royce set itself an ambition to halve journey times to Mars to three months.

Gordon said the project had shot up Rolls-Royce's agenda thanks to space exploration work by billionaires Jeff Bezos, who founded Amazon, and Elon Musk, the brains behind Tesla electric cars.

'If we were having this conversation a couple of years ago, you'd have looked at me in a bemused way,' he told the MoS at the Defence and Security Equipment International arms fair in London.

'But now because of the work that companies like [Bezos's] Blue Origin, and [Musk's] SpaceX are doing, it suddenly becomes not just credible, but actually there's a demand there.' He added: 'We're the only company on the planet that does mechanical, electrical, and nuclear. We're the only one that does a full end-to-end lifecycle of nuclear capability.'

Gordon said Rolls-Royce could draw on its experience in developing nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Navy for 60 years.

He added that submarines were similar to spacecraft as they are 'non-air breathing environments, long endurance, super reliable with a very dense power source'.

The engineer's nuclear-powered submarine capabilities were in focus last week as Britain and the US announced they would help Australia build eight new vessels, angering China and France.

Rolls-Royce and fellow UK firm BAE Systems are seen as contenders to work on the subs.

Hot stuff: The Rolls-Royce micro reactor connected to power to a moon base

The Moon's main resources include helium-3, a rare element used in industries such as nuclear fusion which could power onward journeys deeper in to space, using the Moon as a refuelling station.

The Moon also boasts water, which could be used to sustain life and can be converted to rocket fuel, and rare earth metals used in electronics such as smartphones and the latest cars. Currently 90 per cent of the world's rare earth metal supply comes from China.

Methods of storage and transportation of resources mined on the Moon back to Earth is a key debate among researchers.

Gordon said: 'There's a huge shortage of rare earth metals. We know they exist on other planets because they all formed from the same thing. This genuinely isn't rocket science. So mining asteroids, the Moon and Mars will happen, hopefully, in my lifetime.'

The nuclear reactor would only be used in space. It would be launched from Earth as payload on a normal rocket up to earth orbit. Then, the reactor system would then be 'switched on' to provide propulsion to travel from earth orbit to Mars.

A big space ship can be constructed in earth orbit in a similar way to the international space station, using several normal rocket launches to take everything up there. When completed, the reactor would be used for super high speed propulsion to Mars.

No nation can claim sovereignty of the Moon under the Outer Space Treaty, signed in 1967, but the US and Soviet Union brought back lunar soil samples in the 1960s and 1970s. Nuclear systems have been used on the Moon before. In 1969, the crew of Apollo 12 used a generator to provide the electricity to operate scientific instruments.

Gordon, 53, said nuclear power was the obvious choice of power source, particularly in exploration: 'The further you go away from the sun, solar is less useful. If you've got a dense, reliable source [like nuclear], it seems credible. So we've been speaking to the UK Space Agency about it.'

Designs for the micro-reactor, seen by The Mail on Sunday, show a device powered by a 'poppy seed' size of uranium coated in silicon and housed in metal and connected to a Stirling engine allowing the heat to be converted into electricity.

Gordon admitted that to bring the project to fruition would take 'hundreds of millions of pounds', but that early stage work could be achieved for far less.

Rolls-Royce hopes to produce a demonstration vehicle by the end of the decade. It says it could lead to 10,000 jobs being created across the UK supply chain.

China's already on the dark side

China's involvement in the race to mine on the Moon should put Western nations 'on alert', MPs and academics have said.

Beijing has launched a series of unmanned trips to the dark side of the Moon to collect samples, including the Chang'e 5 mission late last year.

The Communist state has also said it wants to build a human-friendly lunar base between 2036 and 2045, which could be used for mining.

Tobias Ellwood, Conservative chairman of the Commons defence select committee, said: 'We are in a soft power war. China can cause huge amounts of damage in space  taking out satellites used for navigation, communication and financial transactions. They're beginning to mine the dark side of the moon and you cannot trust their intentions.'

Dr Mark Hilborne, of the Space Security Research Group at King's College London, added: 'You do not want China to get a stranglehold on the Moon's assets. Western powers should be on alert.'
Shareholders in British Airways owner IAG should be worried about a looming crunch for BA's giant 30billion (25.8billion) pension scheme, industry experts have warned.

The trustees of BA's pension scheme agreed the airline could defer 450million of pension contributions over the past year as it faced Covid travel restrictions.

But that deal expires at the end of September and BA is set to resume paying contributions of 41million each month from October 1.

Heading into turbulence: Shareholders in British Airways owner IAG should be worried about a looming crunch for BA's giant 25.8billion pension scheme

The huge bill will pile pressure on BA's battered finances at the worst possible time as speculation mounts that it could have to raise further cash from shareholders.

Separately, The Mail on Sunday can reveal that major hedge funds have turned against the company.

Marshall Wace has more than halved its holding in IAG to 1.3 per cent, down from 3 per cent last October. Meanwhile, US giant Citadel has built up a major short position against IAG since the spring, betting 54million on the share price falling.

IAG's shares are now 149.5p, down 31 per cent since April.

John Ralfe, an independent pensions consultant, said: 'The pensions agreement was always a short-term fix and the problem hasn't gone away.

'This should be a real worry for shareholders because when you look at the size of the pension liabilities, it's more than the value of the entire company. So BA can't keep kicking this issue down the road.' BA's 25.8billion pension liabilities  the estimated value of payouts it will need to make to retired staff  dwarf IAG's 7.07billion stock market value.

Its two retirement schemes  the 8.5billion Airways Pension Scheme (APS) and the 22.2billion New Airways Pension Scheme (NAPS)  are among the country's largest, corporate, defined benefit schemes, with 85,000 members between them. They closed to new members in 1984 and 2018 respectively.

BA's pension contributions are based on a valuation of its schemes every three years. The latest valuation, in 2018, showed a 2.7billion deficit in its NAPS and a 683million surplus in the APS. The next valuation, due by next June, will be used to calculate the repayment plan for the contributions deferred during the pandemic.

In July, IAG's finance chief Steve Gunning said it was still 'early days' for discussions on the remaining BA pensions deficit and the recovery plan.

IAG contributed 32million to its pension schemes over the six months to June 2021, compared to 182million in the same period last year, and has committed to paying 1.28billion to NAPS over the next five years.

BA's pension scheme is run by US investment giant BlackRock. IAG's latest annual report for 2020 showed assets in the NAPS scheme are invested across classes including private equity, hedge funds, property and derivatives.

As part of BA's agreement with the NAPS trustees to defer payments over the last year, BA agreed that it would not pay a dividend to parent company IAG before 2024.

When BA resumes paying a dividend to IAG from 2024, it will have to pay a pension contribution equivalent to 50 per cent of the dividend until the deferred 450million has been paid off.

IAG has returned almost 4.1billion to shareholders since 2015 but has frozen shareholder payouts since last April. In July, IAG chief executive Luis Gallego said the group is 'determined' to resume payouts as soon as possible.

A BA spokesman said last night: 'The next triennial valuation is due to be completed by June 2022 and we will make an announcement at the appropriate time.'

BA's pensions crunch comes as analysts at Credit Suisse and HSBC say parent company IAG could launch a rights issue after easyJet's recent 1.2billion cash call.

Hedge funds Marshall Wace and Citadel declined to comment.

Pilots reject BA airline deal at Gatwick

British Airways faces a setback over its plans to launch a short-haul airline at Gatwick after talks on pilots' pay broke down.

Pilots represented by the Balpa union had opened a vote this month on proposed contracts for around 160 pilots who could be employed by BA's new airline from next summer.

But last night Balpa said it had withdrawn its support for the deal because BA had 'refused to produce a satisfactory employment contract' for pilots. BA captains at Gatwick typically earn around 100,000 a year and First Officers earn around 50,000.

As part of cost-saving moves by BA, they are being asked to agree to flexible contracts that are expected to see pilots working part-time or on a seasonal basis. BA boss Sean Doyle warned this month that the airline could sell its short-haul take-off and landing slots at Gatwick if it cannot agree a deal with unions.

BA said it remains 'committed to dialogue with all interested parties'.
The music industry's most powerful executive has claimed Universal Music Group is 'at the very beginning of the next wave of growth' ahead of its $40billion stock market listing this week.

Sir Lucian Grainge told The Mail on Sunday online music streaming had revived the sector and the Amsterdam listing of the label  home to Taylor Swift and Katy Perry  validated his determination to persist in an industry which had repeatedly been written off as doomed.

He hit back at suggestions that Universal's stock market debut could be its peak as a business, saying: 'I see a long runway ahead both for paid and ad-supported streaming.

Music to the ears: Sir Lucian Grainge said online streaming had revived the sector

'And then when you look at all the new ways we're generating revenue for artists  in games, health and social  and you combine that with opportunities to monetise so-called 'superfans' in e-commerce, merchandise, non-fungible tokens and digital goods  it's easy to see that we're at the beginning of the next wave of growth.'

Grainge, 61, said the listing 'represents a validation of the belief I've had in this industry since I began my career'. He added: 'I can't tell you how many times people told me the music business was over. Call me an optimist, but I just knew they were wrong.

'So when in the face of a declining industry, when people were running for the hills, we doubled down on artist investments, on expanding globally, on acquiring amazing assets like EMI... I just knew it would come back.'

Grainge, who will net a 123million cash bonus from the listing, has led UMG for a decade and last year recovered from near death after contracting coronavirus.

The float comes at a delicate time for the UK music industry.

After an inquiry into the streaming market, MPs on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport select committee called for a 'complete reset of streaming that enshrines in law [artists'] rights to a fair share of the earnings' from streaming, claiming they receive 'pitiful returns'.

It recommended Government order a full investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority.

Grainge declined to discuss the inquiry, but said: 'Streaming has fundamentally changed the industry's financial profile and the size of the addressable market for music. Fans' listening and engagement are increasing and, as the industry grows, the rewards of success for artists increase as well.

'And we believe that we dramatically increase the odds for an artist's success. The results speak for themselves.'

This week's listing will see French conglomerate Vivendi spin out UMG. The newly-listed group will count American hedge fund manager Bill Ackman's Pershing Square and China's Tencent among its investors.
Santander's prolonged search for a new chief executive could force Nathan Bostock to stay in the role beyond the end of the year.

The process for finding the next boss is under way, but one headhunter said a replacement for current chief Bostock is 'unlikely' to be in place before 2022.

Santander, Britain's fifth-largest bank, had originally said in April that Bostock 'will step down as CEO towards the end of the year and start his new role when a successor has been appointed'.

Change of plan: Santander had originally said in April that Nathan Bostock 'will step down as CEO towards the end of the year

He is set to become head of investment platforms at Banco Santander, the bank's Spanish parent company. However, this move will be delayed if his replacement is not found before January.

The Mail on Sunday revealed earlier this year that Tony Prestedge, who was deputy chief executive and was widely tipped for the top job, had left the bank.

Before joining Santander last September, Prestedge had held the same position at Nationwide Building Society and had seemingly been lined up as Bostock's successor.

His mysterious departure after less than a year at the bank is understood to have thrown Bostock's succession plans into turmoil. Santander chairman William Vereker, who was Theresa May's UK business envoy, is leading the selection process.

Susan Allen, who was chief executive of retail and business banking, was another contender. However, she left in the summer to join Barclays.

Santander said: 'The search for our CEO is ongoing and progressing well.'
The UK economy could take a 30billion hit and see a worsening of supply shortages if the Government imposes another lockdown, economists have warned.

Boris Johnson has vowed that Britain will not be plunged into another full lockdown, but has refused to rule out a 'Plan B' option featuring 'light touch' measures, such as vaccine passports, masks and working from home.

Panmure Gordon chief economist Simon French said: 'The unlikely but unofficial Plan C is a full lockdown, if a vaccine-beating variant emerges. That would knock the bottom out of commuter hubs and cause even more problems with supply chains as people switch away from spending on services and towards buying products.'

Signing off: Boris Johnson has vowed that Britain will not be plunged into another full lockdown, but has refused to rule out a 'Plan B' option

French forecasts seven per cent growth in GDP  about 140billion  for 2021 if the Covid situation does not worsen. He said a Plan B approach would hit spending on businesses from cinemas to hairdressers, knocking up to 10billion off output, and a hard lockdown similar to the first three months of the year could cost 30billion.

Neil Shearing, group chief economist at Capital Economics, said: 'The economy has become more resilient to lockdowns and the impact will be milder than with the first lockdown.'

GDP plummeted by 20.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2020  during the UK's toughest lockdown  but dropped by only 1.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year.

Nomura chief UK economist George Buckley does not expect the economy to return to pre-pandemic health until next spring.
Reopening after lockdown should have been a time for business owners to get all-important income flowing back into their bank accounts. But the recruitment crisis, which has led to vacancies running at record levels, is hampering the efforts of many small and medium-sized enterprises.

According to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, the hardest-hit sectors include lorry drivers, nurses, IT workers, care staff, nursery teachers, chefs, cleaners, carpenters and retail assistants.

The pandemic and post-Brexit regulations are the two main reasons for the dearth of potential recruits.

Fears: Lauren Prentice needs more teachers for her after-school cookery firm

Last week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed job vacancies rose above one million in the three months to August, the first time since it started monitoring job adverts 20 years ago.

Sharon Birch, 55, director of Footprints Learning for Life nursery in Hartlepool, says: 'It's a huge problem. I'm recruiting for staff and had 50 applications.

'I invited ten for interview and only three turned up. It's so frustrating. I can spend weeks recruiting just one staff member and only after months of looking was I able to find and recruit a cook.'

Several long-standing staff reassessed their life goals during the pandemic and moved on, which Sharon says she understands. But she adds: 'It's a big loss for the business, especially when it is so difficult to get replacements.'

Former police officer Sharon spends 70 to 80 per cent of her business's income on staff wages, but with margins so tight she can only afford to pay just above the minimum wage. It is more than most of her competitors, but not enough in a sector which requires nursery staff to have two years' training, good GCSE grades, and is highly regulated.

To attract candidates, Sharon has refreshed her website, promotes the company on social media and offers staff perks such as childcare discounts, flexible working hours and nights out.

She even buys staff occasional cakes and chocolate. 'We're poor in assets, but rich in ambition,' she says. 'You'd never go into this sector for the money.'

Lauren Prentice, 31, founded Nutritional Ninjas in 2017 to provide after-school cookery clubs to primary schools around London and the South East.

'Children aren't taught to cook in primary school,' says Lauren. 'Yes, it's part of the National Curriculum, but pupils can end up just doing occasional classes. It's not nearly enough, so we provide hour-long cookery lessons after school. The schools love it, the parents love it and, of course, the kids really enjoy it.'

While the teaching job pays well  25 an hour  Lauren is struggling to find staff. She explains: 'We thought it would be easy to recruit after lockdown, so we're not sure why we're finding it so difficult. I have ten teachers, but I need at least five more.

'As a result, we're having to turn down work. The lack of new recruits is holding us back.' Lauren has stepped up her efforts by running adverts on social media as well as using recruitment agencies and asking teachers for referrals. But she is running into the same problems as nursery owner Sharon.

She says: 'People don't turn up for interviews or will accept a job and then not turn up, often without telling me.'

When Neil Sheth graduated from university, salary was the only thing he cared about. Now, the former investment banker and founder of digital marketing business Bubbli Digital and Writefully is changing his recruitment process and company's working practices to try to attract employees.

'We're really having problems recruiting,' he says. 'So we're putting a lot of time and effort into LinkedIn, approaching people directly.'

Neil is also testing out headhunting app Workable and asking business partners for referrals. 'There is no point in trying to attract people on salary alone,' says London-based Neil, now 37.

'These days, 21- year-olds want a more rounded experience  they want to be happy at work. So, we offer core working hours which are 11am to 3pm and then people can work their remaining hours around that.'

Emma Jones, founder of business network Enterprise Nation, says: 'My advice to small business owners is to join a small business network where you can find other entrepreneurs who are more than happy to help out.'
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng will tomorrow hold an emergency summit with energy bosses to thrash out a plan to fix the fuel crisis, which has sparked fears of major food shortages.

There is growing alarm that the food and drink industry could be badly hit by the closure of two fertiliser plants  in Teesside and Cheshire  due to gas price rises.

A by-product of the fertiliser production process is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is used in fizzy drinks and beer, as well as by the meat industry to stun animals before slaughter, in food packaging to extend shelf life and keep deliveries chilled. If supplies of CO2 run short, it raises the prospect of meat disappearing from supermarket shelves within weeks.

The British Meat Processors Association has now warned that the industry will only be able to continue for two weeks at most before stocks of CO2 run out, the Sun reports.

The association's boss Nick Allen said: 'Everyone is outraged these fertiliser plants can shut down without warning and take something so essential to the supply chain off-stream just like that.'

Ranjit Singh Boparan, the owner of Bernard Matthews and 2 Sisters Food Group, warned the supply of Christmas turkeys was at risk, adding: The CO2 issue is a massive body blow and puts us at breaking point. Ocado, the online grocer, told customers this weekend that it had a limited stock of frozen items due to a national shortage of dry ice  solid CO2.

The two fertiliser plants closed last week are run by the US firm CF Industries and produce around 60 per cent of Britains CO2.

They were shut when a spike in energy costs  caused by low supplies and storage levels of gas  caused its operating costs to rocket.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng (pictured) will tomorrow hold an emergency summit with energy bosses to thrash out a plan to fix the fuel crisis, which has sparked fears of major food shortages

As well as the food and drink industries, CO2 from the plants is used by hospitals and the nuclear power industry.

Four more small energy firms could go bust amid the UK's rocketing energy prices One million customers could be set for a new energy supplier as four small firms could go bust as early as next week amid skyrocketing energy prices. The rising cost of supplying energy has left the four firms unable to power their customer's homes. The four suppliers have requested larger businesses to prepare for a takeover of their supply, reports the BBC. Earlier this week, People's Energy, based in Edinburgh, and Utility Point from Dorset announced they had ceased trading. More than 570,000 customers and 1,000 businesses will have been affected by the change. At the start of 2021, there were 70 suppliers providing energy to homes across the UK - although experts anticipate this number dropping to 10 by 2022. Industry group Oil & Gas UK warned wholesale prices for gas have risen 250 per cent since January - with a 70pc boom since August. Advertisement

A by-product of the fertiliser production process is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is used in fizzy drinks and beer, as well as by the meat industry to stun animals before slaughter, in food packaging to extend shelf life and keep deliveries chilled. If supplies of CO2 run short, it raises the prospect of meat disappearing from supermarket shelves within weeks.

Ocado, the online grocer, told customers this weekend that it had a 'limited stock' of frozen items due to a national shortage of dry ice  solid CO2.

Andrew Opie, of the British Retail Consortium, yesterday said: This could not come at a worse time, with the shortfall of 90,000 HGV drivers already putting severe pressure on food production and distribution.

Ahead of tomorrows summit, Mr Kwarteng spent yesterday calling energy firms individually.

Last night, in a bid to ease anxieties, he said: I was reassured that security of supply was not a cause for immediate concern within the industry. The UK benefits from having a diverse range of gas supply sources, with sufficient capacity to more than meet demand.

Mr Kwarteng and Greg Hands, the new Energy Minister, will tomorrow ask 20 of Britains biggest energy companies to help stop bills soaring over the winter. Firms invited to the 90-minute roundtable include National Grid, energy suppliers Centrica, Ovo and Bulb, and regulator Ofgem.

One energy boss said Ministers could cut bills by around 150 per year if they axed the green taxes on electricity, which make up around 23 per cent of their total.

Another industry source said the energy price cap could be reviewed more frequently, up from twice a year currently. The cap is announced two months in advance, potentially leaving smaller suppliers unable to cover the cost of energy they have committed to supply. Five small suppliers have gone bust since August.

A lack of CO2 means that those working in the meat industry are unable to stun their animals before slaughtering them - as well as increasing the shelf life of packaged foods (stock image)

One energy boss said Ministers could cut bills by around 150 per year if they axed the green taxes on electricity, which make up around 23 per cent of their total.

Another industry source said the energy price cap could be reviewed more frequently, up from twice a year currently. The cap is announced two months in advance, potentially leaving smaller suppliers unable to cover the cost of energy they have committed to supply. Five small suppliers have gone bust since August.

The spike in gas prices has been caused by factors including low reserves after last years cold winter, reduced supply from Russia, rising EU carbon prices, and low solar and wind energy output this month.

Last Friday, more than 40 MEPs accused Russian energy giant Gazprom of hiking gas prices to undermine Britain and the EUs recovery from the pandemic.

But Mr Kwarteng said Britain is not dependent on Russian oil and gas, adding: Our largest source of energy is from domestic production and the majority of imports come from reliable suppliers such as Norway. We do not expect supply emergencies this winter.

A by-product of the fertiliser production process is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is used in fizzy drinks and beer, as well as by the meat industry to stun animals before slaughter, in food packaging to extend shelf life and keep deliveries chilled. If supplies of CO2 run short, it raises the prospect of meat disappearing from supermarket shelves within weeks.

Ocado, the online grocer, told customers this weekend that it had a 'limited stock' of frozen items due to a national shortage of dry ice  solid CO2.

The two fertiliser plants closed last week are run by the US firm CF Industries and produce around 60 per cent of Britain's CO2.

They were shut when a spike in energy costs  caused by low supplies and storage levels of gas  caused its operating costs to rocket.
The American Italian Heritage Museum sits inside an old church building on Central Avenue in Colonie. Much like the people it represents, the building has blended into the scenery while still having a distinct identity of its own.

The credit for this goes to Philip DiNovo. A retired professor from SUNY Morrisville, he felt the need to record and preserve his Italian heritage for himself and for immigrants in the generations to come. With this in mind he started an association for Italian immigrants in 1979.

But as an educator, DiNovo soon realized that in order to illustrate and reinforce history, the Italian American community needed a museum as well.

As an educator, I knew it would be a great vehicle for education and records, he said. And that's proven to be true, because people come in and there's a lot of things that they're not aware of. For example, there are two signers of the Declaration of Independence (of Italian descent). I have three degrees and I never realized that until later in life.

DiNovo discovered that Italian history in the United States was largely fragmented, that people did not know much beyond the histories of their own families. For example, the first Italians came to the U.S. in 1624, something he felt is not widely known.

And I think that many ethnic groups will say that theyve been left out of the history books, and that their messages are not known by the public. So, we're blessed to have a museum, he said.

DiNovo started the museum in 1985 in an old, empty convent building in Utica. He asked the pastor if he could use the building rent-free. The pastor agreed, providing that the museum paid all the maintenance costs for the building.

The museum stayed in Utica for 13 years. But in 1998, when DiNovo retired, he saw that changes needed to be made for the museum to survive as a cultural institution. To begin with, the museum was costly to own and maintain, even without the rent. Moreover, the Capital Region had a larger Italian American population

I could see the writing on the wall that Albany would be a better place, he said. With it being the capital, and also the home to all the universities and colleges, and the heart, really, of upstate New York.

But a new museum would cost money that DiNovo didnt have and so he made the difficult decision to close the museum in Utica and move the exhibits into storage.

In 2004, DiNovo and his team purchased a building on Central Avenue that was once a Catholic church, Our Lady of Mercy, which incidentally was built by Italian immigrant laborers in 1922. It came with a crippling mortgage, but he persisted.

We bought three buildings, he said. It's a campus. It took us five years to (re)model the building, which was a real challenge, in order to meet all the requirements of the building codes and handicap accessibility.

In 2009, the museum opened. It includes a Hall of History, two rooms which tell the story of Italian immigrants, one to honor Italian folk art and to exhibit old photos, music and arts rooms, an exhibit to honor veterans and a gift shop.

Five years later came a cultural center on the buildings second floor. It includes an art gallery, a memorial chapel, a library and classrooms where Italian language courses and cooking classes are offered.

But despite humble beginnings and a rocky climb up, the institution has survived, becoming a testament and means to honor the Italian American journey. According to DiNovo, the museum has members from 45 states.

We are not a local museum because we tell the story of immigration, DiNovo said. The purpose of the museum is to honor the Italians story and their contributions as Americans. We did that for the Italian community across the nation.
BETHLEHEM  As I've mentioned a handful of times over the years, I grew up as honest-to-goodness poor kid.

The primary reason was an absentee father who couldn't be bothered to throw a little child support our way. So, there were periods when we depended on food stamps and welfare checks to get by. That's hardly unusual, I know.

We never lived in public housing when I was a kid. But my mother lives in public housing for seniors now, and I'm likely to get my back up when somebody disparages people living where the rent is subsidized. There's no shame in wanting a place to live that's better than you can afford. But there is shame in looking down on poor people from a place of relative privilege.

Which brings me to the nasty verbiage that somehow appeared on the Bethlehem Republican Committee's website as part of a reform plan that sought to ban "affordable housing" in the affluent town south of Albany.

"These housing projects will only bring in people who do not pay taxes, creating a further strain on our taxpayers and our schools," the item said. "In addition, these units bring drugs and crime, making them a detriment to our town. We do not want Bethlehem to become like Albany."

It's really something that such an unkind and ungenerous message came out of a town that shares a name with that other Bethlehem. More than two millennia have passed, and there's still no room at the inn.

Not that everyone in town agrees. As the Times Union's Massarah Mikati reported, Republicans in Bethlehem quickly apologized for and disavowed the post, which went up Wednesday and came down the next day. The Republican Committee also claimed it showed up on the website without authorization.

"It was unauthorized, we didn't approve it," Republican Committee Chair Jim Carriero said, adding the post "was viciously, inappropriately done."

Well, he was right about the viciousness. Reserve some skepticism for the claim about it being unauthorized, though, given that we were offered no explanation for how the post ended up on the website. Carriero declined to share who posted the plan or that person's role in the party.

Democrats in the town of 35,000 pounced, of course, and appropriately so. Joanne Cunningham, chair of the Bethlehem Democratic Committee, said the language "was just terrible and blatantly racist."

Terrible, yes. Was it racist?

Well, put it this way: If you read the part about not wanting Bethlehem to become like Albany out loud, a pack of dogs would arrive at your feet. But let's also remember that there are misconceptions about who is poor in this country.

More white people live in poverty than any other group, in fact, and it is whites who benefit in the greatest numbers from government programs designed to lift up the poor  as I know from personal experience. Without programs such as free school lunches, there might have been days growing up when I didn't eat.

True, the poverty rate among Black and Latino Americans, 21 and 17 percent, respectively, is roughly double the 9 percent poverty rate among non-Hispanic whites, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. It doesn't diminish those racial disparities to note that poor people have much in common, whatever the color of their skin. Hungry is hungry.

Of course, in Bethlehem there aren't many poor people of any race or ethnicity and, judging from the Republican Committee post, some would prefer to keep it that way.

That's nothing new. Wealthier suburbs, including many that brag about how progressive they are, have long used exclusive zoning and other tactics to keep the poor  or even the working and middle classes  on the far side of some highway, railroad track or whatever other barrier is handy. Pull up the drawbridge!

With our classism so deeply entrenched, some will always tar everyone who is poor with bromides about crime and drugs, though it is wealthier people who fuel the drug trade. Some will forever repeat tropes about welfare mothers and the poor not working or paying taxes. Nothing I write will erase those attitudes.

But I will put in a word for compassion and humility. Both were entirely missing from the Bethlehem Republican Committee's post, but they are prominent in the words spoken by the man from that other Bethlehem, the fellow who preached love for the poor.

They are also present in a familiar proverb: There but for the grace of God go I.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
Two soldiers from the same unit are about to be reunited at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville 71 years after they were killed in action.

Army Cpl. Walter A. Smead of Hadley will be interred Monday, Sept. 20, in the same sacred place where Army Cpl. Clifford Johnson of Valatie is buried. Johnson was buried on May 20.

Both soldiers were serving with the 57th Field Artillery of the 7th Division when they were killed in action during the Korean War at the Chosin Reservoir.

They were part of an element of the 1,777-soldier 31st Regimental Combat Team during the battle. A total of 1,392 ended up missing in action, killed or taken as prisoners of war, according to Army records. That team was part of a United Nations force of 30,000 troops that was attacked by more than 120,000 Chinese soldiers as they attempted to withdraw.

Their task force did manage to fight off attacks of the Chinese 80th and 81st divisions before trying to break away from the attackers on Dec. 1, 1950.

Smead and Johnson were originally listed as missing in action on Dec. 6, 1950. They were added to the presumed dead list on Dec. 31, 1953.

The Chosin battle went from Nov. 27, 1950 through Dec. 13, 1950.

After Smead enlisted in the Army on May 13, 1944 during World War II, he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division and fought in Italy.

His next assignment was with A Battery, 57th Field Artillery, 7th Infantry Division in Korea in 1950.

Both Smead and Johnson were privates first class at the time of their deaths. Both were promoted to corporal posthumously.

In 2018 during a summit between President Donald Trump and North Korea's Chairman Kim Jong-un, the North Koreans turned over 55 boxes containing the remains of American troops for return to the United States.

Smeads remains were identified using DNA technology and anthropological analysis in the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency laboratory at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii on March 16, 2021.

Smeads friends may call from 11 a.m. until noon, Monday, Sept. 20, at the Densmore Funeral Home, Inc., 7 Sherman Ave. Corinth. Members of the Horace D. Washburn American Legion Post 533 of Corinth will conduct a service at 11:45 a.m. A celebration of Smeads life will then be held at noon. At 12:45 p.m., Smead's remains will be escorted to the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery by members of the Patriot Guard Riders of New York. A committal service with full military honors provided by the Army takes place at 2 p.m. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville.

Smead earned a Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, the European Theater of Operations Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Johnson served as a field wireman with the Headquarters Battery, 57th Field Artillery Battalion., 7th Infantry Division.

He was listed missing in action until his remains were accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on April 16, 2020.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Johnson enlisted in the Army on Oct. 3, 1949. He earned a Purple Heart, an Army Good Conduct Ribbon, an Army Good Conduct Medal, a Combat Infantryman Badge, a Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, a Republic of Korea Presidential Citation, a Korean War Service Medal, and an Army Presidential Unit Citation.

COVID-19 vaccination records access for veterans

Veterans can access VA records of their COVID-19 vaccinations via a Premium MyHealthVet account. The account will enable the veteran to download a copy of vaccine records. This works best on a desktop computer or laptop.

Steps to follow:

Click on Health Records;

Click on VA Blue Ribbon Report or VA Health Summary;

Download or share your information.

For VA Blue Button: Select a date range to include in your report. Select VA immunizations.

After you submit a request, youll receive links to a PDF and a plain text version of your report to download.

For a VA health summary, get started by selecting immunizations from the table of contents. You can edit the date range or type of vaccine information you may want. After you submit your request, youll receive links to a PDF and an XML file version of your report to download. Each file contains a list of your immunizations.

News of your troops and units can be sent to Times Union, Terry Brown, Duty Calls, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or brownt@gmail.com.

Mug 1: CPL. WALTER SMEAD

Mug 2: CPL. CLIFFORD JOHNSON
For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Omaha World-Herald.
For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.).
Here's a quick roundup on a recent blaze that's worth a second look . . .

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

ATF investigating fire at Harlem Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating after a fire damaged a church in Kansas City, Missouri. According to spokesman Jason Spreitzer, with KCFD, the fire happened at Harlem Baptist Church at around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Spreitzer said the church did not experience a total loss.

ATF, local agencies investigating suspicious fire at KCMO church KASNAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating a Saturday morning fire at a Kansas City church. The Harlem Baptist Church caught fire Saturday morning around 9:30. It was quickly upgraded to a two-alarm fire.

Federal agents, KCFD investigating fire at Harlem Baptist Church Federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are helping Kansas City Police Bomb and Arson Detectives and the Kansas City Fire Department with a suspicious fire at the Harlem Baptist Church. The church is off North Baltimore Avenue and near Charles B Wheeler Downtown Airport, north of the Missouri River.

Developing . . .
The last Saturday of Summer is typically a news desert but right now we share some captivating stories on the topic of legal consequences, police action and street life.

Check the www.TonysKansasCity.com compilation . . .

TKC Improves As Dating Material By Comparison

Jackson County man found guilty after shooting ex girlfriend in the head twice KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A jury found a Jackson County man guilty on several felony charges after he shot his ex girlfriend twice in the head. On Friday, a Jackson County jury returned a guilty verdict for Louis Watts on six crimes, including domestic assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action.

Family Seeks Justice After Tragedy

Metro family still want answers in 2020 murder of transgender woman INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - The family of a transgender woman want to know what happened to her. It's been exactly a year since the body of Aerrion Burnett was found lifeless on the side of the road in Independence.

Street Life Danger Postscript

KCMO Motorcycle hit-and-run leaves person with life threatening injuries KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- One person sustained life threatening injuries after a mini-motorcycle wreck Friday night. The accident occurred near 29th Street and Jackson around 9 p.m. Friday. According to the crash report, a mini-motorcycle was travling north on Jackson when a Dodge Grand Caravan turned onto the 29th Street/Interstate 70 ramp and ran over a mini-motorcycle and its driver.

Saturday Inferno Aftermath

Driver killed in fiery crash early Saturday in south Kansas City Kansas City police are investigating a fiery crash that killed a man early Saturday on the city's south side.Police were called just before 2 a.m. to the crash at south U.S. 71 Highway and Bannister Road.Accident investigators said a black Dodge Ram 1500 was traveling south on U.S.

Corpse Investigation In The Dotte

Police investigating what led to the death of a man Saturday morning KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Police are investigating the death of man found in a house near N. 21st Place and Longwood Ave. Just before 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning officers were called to the residence on an unknown nature call. When they arrived, they found a black male, who had died, inside the residence.

Street Life Tradition

KC police: 'Independence Avenue bridge feasts again' KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Yet another truck has hit the Independence Avenue bridge and been torn apart. The Kansas City Police Department posted pictures on Twitter. They said, "Happy Monday Kansas City; the Independence Ave bridge feasts again...#undefeated." The police department did not mention any injuries.

Show-Me J6 Postscript

Missouri man pleads guilty to misdemeanor in Capitol riot WASHINGTON (AP) - A Missouri man who p osted on Snapchat and Facebook that he was inside the U.S. Capitol during the deadly riot has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. Twenty-nine-year-old Nicholas Reimler, of Valley Park in St. Louis County, admitted Friday to one count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Developing . . .
Sorry, we can't work up any (self) righteous outrage over this bit of cash assistance given that there are likely more than a few KICK-ASS TKC READERS among the beneficiaries of freebie Prez Biden bucks.

Check the money line and note our highlight . . .

"On average, the city says people have received more than $4,000 of assistance for rent, gas, water, electricity and internet bills. The new center assisted 40 people on Friday. And to date, the city has given out more than $10 million."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .
The Kansas leader defeated the extreme right wing in her state by staying above the fray and calmly responding in the face of far-too-aggressive extremists who turned away just about every female voter in the state.

Credit where it's due . . . Whilst we often disagree with many of her policy decisions - Especially, her record in handling KDOL tech issues during the worst days of the COVID crisis . . . There's no denying that she's a smart politico who has a track record of successfully diffusing a great deal of red state outrage.

We'll see if GOP challengers can calmly counter her tactics . . . But the social media discourse predictably succumbs to rage-pr0n and in order to garner attention . . . Which is a big part of the reason the GOP lost against her the first time.

Here's her very cautious money quote . . .

From the first day of this pandemic, Governor Kelly has consistently done everything in her power to keep Kansas families safe, kids in school, businesses open and the economy growing  including aggressively leading the charge to get as many shots in arms as possible after the arrival of the vaccine. As this announcement will impact many Kansans, we are still waiting on additional guidance on what this plan means for our residents, and our administration needs to thoroughly review it further before we comment on specifics. In the meantime, Kansas families can rest assured that the Governor will continue to make any decisions relating to COVID-19 based on science, not politics.

KANSAS GOVERNOR LAURA KELLY

##########

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .
Here's the best coverage of a local tragedy and a glimpse at the outpouring of sympathy, solidarity and support from the community . . .

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .

Public pays respects as body of fallen Independence officer escorted from hospital Members of the public lined a route Saturday afternoon to pay respects to fallen Independence police Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans.A motorcade escorted his body from the hospital to the medical examiner's office."I thought it was very important to come out today.
"How should I calculate '10 days before'?"

LONG ANSWER:

Let me help you. A day is going from 0:01 am till 24:00 and in every month the days are numbered starting from one.

10 days before: you look at the end you arrive and then check that in the 10 days before that day. Example: Today is the 20th of September. 10 days before therefore would be the period from the 10th -19th. If you left on the 9th a red list country, you still have been in that country on the 9th. So that day does not count.

"Is 240 hours acceptable" The answer is in the question. It is written days and not hours. So the days are counting. So in most cases, you might have been more than 240 hours out of the red country.

SHORT ANSWER: No. If it is written days, full days days is what counts and not hours, minutes, seconds, or billion oscillations of the caesium atom.
Dining options: After-hours, Reservations

Description: In the first quarter of 2010, Rui Paula returned to his homeland, OPorto, with the opening of the DOP restaurant. The new space is situated in the Palace of the Arts - Talent Factory, in Largo de S. Domingos in the historic city center, classified as World Heritage. This building is full of history. It began as the S. Domingos Convent and remained active since the fourteenth century, as a venue for auctions and council meetings. In 1834, served as the headquarters of the Lisbon (later Portugal Bank), and between 1934 and 1989 hosted the Douro Insurance Company. The Palace of Arts, now under the jurisdiction of the Youth Foundation, aims to "establish itself as a center of creativity and innovation of national and international excellence, professionally promoting young designers / artists, and be the dynamic center of the historic center as a cluster of arts and creative industries, enhancing its ability to attract creative professionals and tourism." The concept of the Palace of Arts fits perfectly in the Rui Paula project, who understands the gastronomy field as a creation with a strong cultural component. DOP has been designed to operate as a good taste, space cosmopolitan and yet familiar, and the generator of exciting dining experiences. The restaurant, with capacity for 65 people is provided with the latest equipment and has two distinct and complementary spaces: one show cooking, where the service is faster and more economical, and a traditional but innovative cuisine and dinning room.
We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:

Windows: Internet Explorer , Mozilla Firefox , Google Chrome . Mac: Safari .
Neighbourhood: Central Area/City Area

Description: The English House, By Marco Pierre White is a one-of-a-kind restaurant and bar interior that combines the best of Straits Chinese and classic Singapore shophouse design elements indigenous to this part of the world, with whimsical English touches that are an homage to Whites culture. The menu of elevated British comfort food, in particular, reflects the restaurateurs philosophy. I think food should be food. Generous, hearty, delicious, he says. Im not in the business of gastronomy, Im in the business of selling a night out. And I want The English House to be a place where the atmosphere, service and food come together, creating a memorable experience.
Neighbourhood: Marina Centre

Description: Located on level three of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, the name Colony alludes to the seafarious voyage that the British took to travel to the East Indies for trade and commerce in the late eighteenth century. Vintage maps and postcards which adorn the walls and decorative ornate leafing evoke the nostalgia of a bygone era, while eight different open concept kitchens, coupled with 'live' culinary showmanship, will bring diners on a multi-sensory journey through Singapore's heritage cuisines including Malaysian, Indonesian, Indian, Chinese and Western, with dishes that reflect the flavours of the nation's rich colonial past. Colony can seat a maximum of 260 persons and boasts a dynamic space that can be configured to accommodate groups of various sizes. The restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner daily, and vintage Champagne brunch on Sundays.
The location is absolutely stunning, with beautiful views of the mountains from the outside deck! The place has a wonderfully relaxed vibe, attributable to the friendly and welcoming proprietors. Great home cooked breakfast! The rooms are extremely clean and well decorated. The property is beautifully landscaped, and has a beautiful deck and patio. It's about a 15- to 20-minute drive, but after dealing with the touristy crowds and traffic on The Spit, it was a delightful place to return to! And since I was there in mid-July (when the days were really long), I spent wonderful relaxing evenings sitting out on the patio until the sun went down at 11pm.



Don't be put off by the semi-industrial area you need to drive through to get there - once you arrive, you'll be amazed by the beautiful setting!



If you visit Homer, don't restrict yourself to The Split. There are wonderful shops, restaurants and sights in the town itself. And a great Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings! Or take a day trip to Halibut Cove!
There are 24 new Covid-19 cases in the community in New Zealand on Sunday, all of which are in Auckland, Director of Public Health Caroline McElnay has confirmed.

Source: 1 NEWS

The total number of cases in this outbreak is now 1050, of which 361 remain active.

Twenty-one of the new cases have been epidemiologically linked to the outbreak. The remaining three are under investigation.

There are now 13 people with Covid-19 in hospital, including four in intensive care. There are seven cases at Middlemore Hospital, five at Auckland City Hospital and one at North Shore Hospital.

There are 1215 contacts currently being managed, of which 85 per cent have been contacted and 87 per cent have received at least one test.

Your playlist will load after this ad

Currently there are 134 locations of interest on the Ministry of Healths website.

"We do expect a number of further cases in the coming days as some of the new recent cases do come from large households," McElnay said.

"What we know about Delta is that's it's more infectious so we do expect more household contacts to subsequently test positive, but these contacts are already in isolation."

On Saturday, 13,833 tests for the coronavirus were processed in New Zealand, adding to a total of 3.23 million in New Zealand since the pandemic began.

Also on Saturday, there were 53,386 Covid-19 doses administered in New Zealand, made up of 28,946 first doses and 24,440 second doses.

More than 4.68 million doses have been administered in New Zealand in total.

There are no new border cases.

However two previously reported cases have been re-classified as not being cases, resulting in a net increase of 22 cases on Sunday.

This means the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in New Zealand since the pandemic began is 3704.

There was a positive wastewater detection in a sample from Pukekohe collected on Wednesday, which follows a positive detection a week earlier then non-detection on Friday.

"The result is believed to be linked to known cases in the area," the Ministry of Health said.

Auckland remains in Alert Level 4, while the rest of the country is at Level 2. Cabinet will meet on Monday to review the country's alert levels.

McElnay was joined by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for Sunday's update.
facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter

Published Sept. 19, 2021

ULM students rehearse for The Glass Menagerie, which will be presented Sept. 23-26 at Spyker Theatre. Cast members are, standing, from left, Cherie Mialaret, Abigail Hawthorn and Callan Saldutto; and seated, clockwise from center, Abigail McClung, Kade Matkins, Gabe Wright, and Rebekah Johnson. VAPA Photo

'The Glass Menagerie' is first stage play in eight years

Live theatre returns to the University of Louisiana Monroe with the Tennessee Williams classic, The Glass Menagerie, presented by the School of Visual and Performing Arts in the College of Arts, Education, and Sciences.

Performance dates are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Sept. 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. All performances are in Spyker Theatre.

Want to go? WHAT: VAPAs The Glass Menagerie WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 23, Friday, Sept. 24, Saturday, Sept. 25; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26 WHERE: Spyker Theatre at ULM TICKETS: Free for ULM students with ID, $5 general admission, tickets at Eventbrite.com

Admission is free for ULM students with ID, general admission is $5 and tickets are available at Eventbrite.com.

The play is directed by Mark Ross Clark, DMA, Professor of Music and Theatre. Clark said this is the first play presented by VAPA in eight years.

"For this occasion, we chose one of the classic plays of the 20th century, a play that has been revived on Broadway five times, The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams. We held auditions on the evenings of the first two days of class, Aug. 15 and 16. It is a tribute to the devotion and talent of our chosen student actors that in five weeks they have rehearsed and memorized this substantial 116-page play."

Cast, crew, and staff

The performance is double-cast, except for of the role of Tom, played in all shows by Kade Matkins of Monroe, a junior in computer science.

Thursday and Saturday cast

Amanda  Abigail McClung of Monroe, a sophomore in communications

Laura  Rebekah Johnson of Livingston, a sophomore in pre-Pharmacy

Jim the Gentleman Caller  Callan Saldutto from Canada, a sophomore in accounting

Friday and Sunday cast

Amanda  Cherie Mialaret of Mandeville, a junior in public relations

Laura  Abigail Hawthorne of Monroe, a sophomore in pre-social work

Jim  Gabe Wright of Kansas City, Mo., a senior in pre-professional health studies.

Student production staff include stage manager Sarah Johnson, a freshman in CAES, and stage crew Jonathan Hannon, Brittany Penn, and Allison Newton.

ULM production staff are technical director Steven Burnside, costumer Margaret Hall, and producer Derle Long, VAPA director.

Setting

The music reflects the sounds from the post-WWII years of the late 1940s. Recordings of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and others set the atmosphere of the family living in a one-bedroom apartment in downtown St. Louis, Mo.

Amanda, the mother, continues to relive her old Southern past; daughter Laura is physically and emotionally damaged, with a collection of glass figurines; and Tom, the son, is narrator, and brings home an old friend, Jim, as a blind date for Laura, who is still smitten by memories of him.

All of the scenes are snapshots of Tom's own memories of what happened at this time in his family. It is called a memory play, woven together by recordings of great swing music sounds of the time, Clark said.
(@FahadShabbir)

Kabul, Sept 19 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2021 ) :A pickup truck carrying Taliban fighters was the target of a bomb in the Afghan city of Jalalabad Sunday, local media reported, a day after at least two people were killed in a series of blasts in the area.

Witnesses told local media that several wounded Taliban fighters were taken to hospital after the explosion, which one journalist said happened near an interchange for transport to and from the capital, Kabul.

Further details were not immediately available.

At least two people were killed in Jalalabad on Saturday in the first deadly blasts since the last US forces withdrew from Afghanistan on August 30.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Berlin, Sept 19 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2021 ) :With a week to go until election day, Germany's top parties will face off in a televised debate on Sunday with the race to succeed Angela Merkel in a dead heat.

The frontrunner by a hair, Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats turned in solid if low-key performances in the previous two debates and came out on top in post-broadcast viewer surveys.

Armin Laschet of Merkel's conservatives attempted unsuccessfully in both of the previous confrontations to claw back a poll lead he enjoyed until July when a series of gaffes sent his approval rating into free fall.

Veteran Christian Democrat Wolfgang Schaeuble, speaker of the German parliament, admitted this week the party had lost momentum, creating a downward spiral for its image in the media.

"It's like when your car is stuck in sand," he told the weekly Die Zeit. "With every attempt to get out you dig yourself in deeper." The Social Democrats with around 25-percent support currently have a two-to-six point lead over Laschet's CDU-CSU bloc, meaning the outcome is still considered wide open given likely shifts as the returns come in next Sunday.

With the number of undecided voters estimated at around 40 percent, Laschet will have one last chance with the debate to land a knock-out punch or lure Scholz, 63, into a rare misstep.

- Red line - The two will be joined in the ring by Green candidate Annalena Baerbock, who after a strong start in the spring is now polling in the teens -- a reversal widely attributed to her relative inexperience in politics.

However she has proven popular among young voters and her party may play a crucial kingmaker role in the post-election coalition haggling to form a government.

Laschet, 60, has tried out two Primary lines of attack against Scholz, who has to the frustration of the conservatives presented himself as the rightful heir to Merkel with his moderate, cool-headed approach to governance.

The first is an accusation that Scholz would be ready to form a coalition with the far-left Die Linke party in order to cobble together a ruling three-way majority with the Greens.

While Scholz and Baerbock have said that Die Linke's opposition to NATO would be a red line in any coalition talks, they have not explicitly ruled out working with the party, which is polling at around six percent.

- 'Influence climate crisis' - Laschet, the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia state, Germany's most populous, has also tried to grill Scholz over a probe into an anti-money laundering agency overseen by his ministry.

He has called the investigation the latest example of the minister falling short of his oversight duties in a series of recent financial scandals.

Scholz, who will face a parliamentary inquiry on the issue on Monday, has sharply rejected the accusation.

The popular Merkel, who is retiring from politics, has largely stayed out of the race but recently stepped up appearances with Laschet to offer his ailing campaign a lift.

Scholz, for his part, has promised stability and continuity after 16 years of Merkel-led governments, three out of four of them in partnership with the Social Democrats.

But he has said that he will shift attention to a growing cleft between rich and poor in Europe's top economy by lifting the minimum wage and addressing a housing crunch with new construction. He's hammered home a theme of "respect" for those left behind during years of robust growth.

Meanwhile Baerbock, 40, has accused both major parties of failing Germans on the Greens' signature issue of climate protection.

She has said the next government "will be the last that can still actively influence the climate crisis" and pledged that any coalition her party would join would need to strongly boost investment in reducing emissions.
Geneva, Sept 19 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2021 ) :Paris denied Swiss media reports Sunday that a long-planned meeting between the countries' presidents in Paris had been called off due to French anger about Bern's decision to purchase US, not French, fighter jets.

Two Swiss dailies, Le Matin Dimanche and SonntagsZeitung, reported that the French had pulled the plug on Swiss President and Economic Affairs Minister Guy Parmelin's talks with President Emmanuel Macron in November.

Citing unnamed diplomatic sources, both newspapers said that France had opted to drop the meeting due to anger over how the Swiss had conducted their negotiations in the run-up to their June decision to buy 36 Lockheed Martin F35A jets.

According to the sources, Paris charged that the Swiss defence ministry had continued negotiations with other manufacturers, including with French Rafale maker Dassault, after the decision had already been reached to buy the US fighters.

Both the French government and Parmelin's office at the economic affairs ministry denied that the meeting had been officially cancelled, stressing that the scheduling had not been completed.

"It was never cancelled and especially not due to the reasons mentioned," the Elysee Palace in Paris said.

It explained that President Macron had agreed in principle at the start of the year to a meeting with his Swiss counterpart, and that the Swiss had proposed a date in November.

"We told them this summer that November would be complicated," the Elysee said, adding that the final date for the meeting "has not been set yet." Parmelin's office also insisted that since the scheduling had not been finalised, the change of plans was not considered "a cancellation of a confirmed appointment."It also highlighted that the visit had not been billed as a state visit, but simply as "a working visit by the president".

The reports come as France is locked in a tense standoff with the United States and Australia over Canberra's decision to break a deal for French submarines in favour of American nuclear-powered vessels.
Kano, Nigeria, Sept 19 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2021 ) :Gunmen who kidnapped more than 100 students from a high school in northwest Nigeria months ago have released 10 more of the hostages, the head of a parents association said on Sunday.

Scores of assailants stormed Bethel Baptist High School on July 5 on the outskirts of Kaduna city, abducting 121 students who were sleeping in their dorms.

The incident was part of a string of kidnappings by armed gangs known locally as bandits terrorising northwest and central Nigeria, looting, stealing cattle and seizing residents.

The gangs have recently targeted schools and colleges, abducting students to squeeze ransoms from parents and authorities.

Joseph Hayab, the head of the high school's parents association, said 10 students were freed on Saturday, as kidnappers release the hostages in batches.

He told AFP they had been reunited with their families.

So far 100 of the kidnapped students have been freed or escaped from their abductors.

"We still have 21 students in the hands of the captors and we hope to secure their release soon," he said.

Hayab said the negotiations with the abductors were "frustrating and agonising" as they keep releasing the hostages in batches and parents "are forced to pay hefty sums every time a batch is freed." More than 1,000 students and pupils have been abducted in the north since December, though most were released after negotiations.

Last month, bandits freed 93 pupils abducted from an Islamic seminary in central Niger state after three months in captivity, following a ransom payment.

President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired general, has faced criticism for his government's inability to end growing insecurity in the vast west African nation of some 210 million people.
Manila, Sept 19 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2021 ) :Philippine boxer-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao declared Sunday he will run for president in 2022, ending months of speculation about whether the legendary fighter would seek the country's top job.

"The time is now -- we are ready to rise to the challenge of leadership," said Pacquiao, as he accepted the nomination of a rival faction in President Rodrigo Duterte's ruling party.
ANKARA. 19 Sept (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2021 ) :Turkey has administered nearly 104.9 million coronavirus vaccine jabs since the country launched an immunization drive in January, according to official figures released Sunday.

Some 52.6 million people have gotten their first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, while more than 41.9 million are fully vaccinated, the Health Ministry said.

The data showed that 84.74% of the country's adult population has received at least one dose of a two-shot vaccine.

Turkey has also given third booster shots to over 9.78 million people.

Separately, the ministry reported 26,161 new coronavirus cases, while as many as 221 more people lost their fight against the disease in the last 24 hours.

As many as 335,244 tests for the virus were done over the past day.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter: "Case numbers should be compared with the average one week ago, not the day before." He urged everyone to follow the measures to curb the virus' spread and get vaccinated.

Since December 2019, the pandemic has claimed over 4.68 million lives in at least 192 countries and regions, with almost 227.8 million cases reported worldwide, according to the US' Johns Hopkins University.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2021 ) :Germany has appreciated the positive role played by Pakistan in bringing about the Doha Process for stability, peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.

In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan, German ambassador to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck said it has been acknowledged by the United Stated, the world community and Germany also recognizes this very positive role of Pakistan, said a press release issued on Sunday.

The ambassador expressed confidence that Islamabad would continue playing a very constructive role in Afghanistan in future.

He said that the government of Pakistan and armed forces were quite engaged in trying to convince Taliban to bring about an inclusive government in Afghanistan, adding that Pakistan was aware of its potential importance and role in the whole of region.

The German envoy said an inclusive government in Kabul was critical for peace and stability of that country.

To a question about role of Afghanistan's neighbours, the German ambassador said none of them wanted instability in Afghanistan as it was a recipe of political disaster. There was a genuine understanding that peace and stability in Afghanistan was of vital interest to the region, Schlagheck remarked.

On terrorism, the German Ambassador said the menace emanating from Afghanistan and spreading to region was of very much importance.

When asked about the recent visit of German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to Pakistan, he said the visit was focused on bilateral relations and the evolving regional situation, including Afghanistan.

Schlagheck said Afghanistan was one of the major issues of discussion in meetings of the German Foreign Minister with Pakistani leadership.

The German ambassador said Taliban were as much a reality in Afghanistan as well as the precarious humanitarian situation in the country. He said Germany being a responsible partner of international community was ready to play its role in Afghanistan.

The ambassador said it was very much important that Taliban were willing to discard their old lenses.

He said Germany was willing to engage with Afghanistan, however, the question of recognition was not on agenda at the moment.

He said Taliban would be judged by their deeds and actions for recognition.

To a question concerning reservations of some Western countries regarding Taliban, he said treatment of women and minorities in Afghanistan and the question of inclusive government in the country were some of the issues the world was looking at.

Schlagheck said at the recent Geneva Conference on Afghanistan, Germany pledged 100 million Euros in aid for helping out Afghanistan.

He said they were pondering to add another 500 million Euros into that, but that has not yet been formally announced.

Regarding the policy of Germany for Afghans who want to settle in that country, he said they have to take care of those Afghans first who are at risk after rendering their services for German interests.

In addition, he said, many vulnerable Afghans including journalists, human rights activists were airlifted to Germany.He said Pakistani government was very helpful in this regard and deserved praise for their facilitation.

Speaking about relations between Pakistan and Germany, Bernhard Schlagheck said Germany and Pakistan had been enjoying friendly and amicable relations since the establishment of their diplomatic relations seventy years ago and there was a scope to further widen these in diverse sectors.

He said both countries have strong bilateral contacts manifested by visit of German ship to Karachi port last week, a German business delegation currently on visit to Karachi and Islamabad and German Foreign Minister's visit to Pakistan lately.

Similarly, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Germany this year.

He said German business persons were looking for trade as well as investment opportunities in the promising market of Pakistan, adding that, the business outlook of Pakistan was outstanding, he remarked.

He told the interviewer that Pakistan and Germany have robust trade relations marked by volume of three billion Euros. There were also intensive people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation between Islamabad and Berlin.

Schlagheck said Germany has invested roughly four billion Euros over the years in Pakistan in development aid.

He said aid priority has now been shifted according to requirements of the Pakistani government. Currently, the main focus is on climate change, alternative energy including solar and power production and other areas.

Appreciating the steps taken by the incumbent government to make the country greener,Schlagheck said Islamabad can be a role model in a clean and green approach to nature and environment. In solar energy production, both countries can enhance cooperation further.

Schlagheck said Pakistan was blessed with ample sunshine and can increase the solar share in its alternative energy mix.

Regarding cooperation in auto sector, the German ambassador said both sides were exploring and discussing further avenues in this regard. In not too distant future, he said, German car manufacturers might enter into the Pakistani market.

Bernhard said Germany was also cooperating with Pakistan in training the Pakistani youth in learning technical skills.

In addition, Germany has been providing vaccines to many developing countries including Pakistan through Covax.

He said German broadcaster Deutsche Welle has been cooperating with Pakistani media organizations, adding that DW has some programs under which Pakistani journalists can be invited to Germany to get further media training.

He said that German airlines were in consultation with Pakistani authorities to start flights to and from Pakistan. However, no decision has been made as yet.

The German ambassador said people-to-people contacts were very important in development of bilateral relations.

He said tourism and academic exchanges were important as over 5,000 Pakistani students are studying in German educational institutions, adding, Pakistani students can learn German language free of charge in Germany. Besides, the German universities also offer scholarships for international students at various levels.

He said a thriving Pakistani community of 70,000 comprising traders and skilled people is playing a decent role in the development of the German society. This also plays a bridge between the two countries.
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2021 ) :Pak-Afghan Cooperation Forum (PACF), on behalf of the Pakistan government on Sunday dispatched 17 trucks loaded with 300 ton edibles to Afghanistan on the humanitarian basis.

Briefing media at the at Pak-Afghan border Torkham, Chairman, Pak-Afghan Cooperation Forum (PACF) Habibullah Khan Khattak, said "Afghans are our Muslim brothers and neighbors and we have centuries old relations with them." He said that the 40 years long war in Afghanistan ruined the economy, agriculture and administrative infrastructure of the country and the sudden withdrawal of international aid agencies put the entire population at risk.

Habibullah said, last year's drought also added to the miseries of Afghan people who were facing humanitarian crisis.

The situation can result into a humanitarian catastrophe, if an immediate and effective steps are not taken, he added.

Khattak further said that Pak Afghan Cooperation Forum is a Trust established to assist Afghan population in the hour of need.

"We aim not only to provide immediate humanitarian assistance in form of food, medicine and non-food items to the people of Afghanistan, but to help them to stand on their own feet and make their homeland a peaceful, stable and responsible member of global community", Khattak added.

"Our activities not limited to coordinate all humanitarian assistance but includes procurement, storage, transportation, and distribution of rations, medicine or shelter for the needy people of Afghanistan as well as interact with prospective donors and beneficiaries at organizational and individual levels and undertake any other such assignment that is helpful in rebuilding Afghanistan," said Khattak.

"With the help of various philanthropists and the Government of Pakistan, we have managed to lift 32 tons flour, six tons cooking oil, two tons medicine through C-130." Khattak said.

Similarly, he said they are dispatching an aid convoy of 17 trucks loaded with a total of 300 tons edible items including 65 tons sugar, three tons pulses, 190 tons flour, 11 tons cooking oil and 31 tons rice.

This is the first step towards this noble cause, he said expressing hope that in the coming days they will also provide support in education, health and livelihood.

He said this package is a clear message to people of Afghanistan that the people and Government of Pakistan will never forget them in the difficult times.

It is also a message to the world that instead of adopting the policy of 'wait and see' they must come forward to help these Afghan people, he said.

He appealed to all philanthropists within Pakistan and across the globe, to come forward and help them through generous donations to avert this humanitarian crisis.

Later, the Consul General of Pakistan at Jalalabad Abidullah and Regional Head Ministry of Industries and Private Sectors Maulvi Mubariz received the edible loaded trucks and thanked the government of Pakistan and Pak Afghan Cooperation Forum (PACF) for helping Afghan people at this critical juncture.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th September, 2021) Approximately 200 people gathered on Saturday in downtown Washington to participate in the Justice for J6 rally in support of people arrested after the January 6 riot, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

The rally began at noon (16:00 GMT) at Union Square near Capitol Hill. There were roughly 200 people present half an hour after the protest started. Earlier in the week, the US Department of Homeland Security predicted that some 700 people would participate in the protest.

The exact number of protesters is hard to determine due to the presence of many reporters as well as people with opposing political views.

The latter are immediately removed by the police to prevent clashes among protesters.

At least 100 police officers are deployed at the square, with a helicopter circling over the US Capitol. A law enforcement spokesperson told Sputnik that there was no threat of organized riots and violence.

The rally, organized by the Look Ahead America group supporting former President Donald Trump, intends to bring public attention and support to some 600 arrested, kept in detention and charged with crimes in relation to the January 6 events at the Capitol.
(UroToday.com) Following the presentation from Dr. Armstrong of the final overall survival analysis of ARCHES examining the role of enzalutamide in metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), Dr. Oudard provided an invited discussion to contextualize these results in the Proffered Paper session of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Congress focusing on prostate cancer genitourinary tumors.

Dr. Oudard began by highlighting the rapidly evolving disease space in mCSPC. While ADT was described for this indication in 1941, no further therapies demonstrated benefit until 2014 when the CHAARTED trial demonstrated a survival benefit for the use of docetaxel. Since that time, seven further trials have reported positive results and supported the role of abiraterone, enzalutamide, apalutamide, and combinatorial approaches in this disease space.

Based on these data, he emphasized that upfront docetaxel in mCSPC improves overall survival with an absolute overall survival benefit of 9% at 4-years, based on pooled results from 2993 men with 2198 events. Similarly, there is a substantial (14% at 3-years) overall survival benefit from the upfront use of abiraterone (based on 2201 men and 774 events). Further, based on single studies, both enzalutamide (ENZAMET) and apalutamide (TITAN) have shown overall survival benefits.

In terms of comparative data, only an indirect comparison of these treatments is available, suggesting that, in terms of overall survival, abiraterone and docetaxel are similarly efficacious when added to ADT, though with different toxicity profiles. Thus, according to 2020 ESMO guidelines, each of these systemic agents is recommended (strength I, A). Further, among those with low-volume disease, radiotherapy to the primary tumor is also recommended on the basis of subgroup analyses from STAMPEDE.

Based on the final analysis of the ARCHES trial, Dr. Oudard asked whats new? This report provides more mature data from this cohort, with demonstrated improved overall survival by an absolute difference of 4% at 2 years, 9% at 3 years, and 14% at 4 years. He emphasized that overall survival benefits increased with ongoing follow-up.

In subgroup analyses, he emphasized that the magnitude of effect was larger among those with high-volume disease. Additionally, among those who received prior docetaxel before randomization, the benefit of enzalutamide is no longer significant, though power in this group is limited due to small sample size. Finally, among the 11% of patients with visceral metastasis, Dr. Oudard emphasized that the benefit of enzalutamide was again not statistically significant.

Moving to adverse events, he highlighted that enzalutamide toxicity was similar to the pattern we are used to seeing based on its indication in mCRPC.

Dr. Oudard then compared this report of the ARCHES trial to previous publications examining all treatment options in this disease space. In general, across all the studies, the evidence of overall survival benefit depends on the duration of follow-up.

However, he emphasized that these studies cannot be compared directly, given that they enrolled somewhat different populations of patients. While LATITUDE enrolled 100% newly diagnosed de novo mCSPC, STAPEDE included 94% newly diagnosed patients, TITAN included 85% newly diagnosed patients, CHAARTED included 73%, GETUG-15 included 70%, ENZAMET included 60%, and ARCHES included 67%. The disease biology of newly diagnosed mCPSC differs substantially, and has a substantially worse prognosis, than that of recurrent disease.

In terms of the importance of disease volume, Dr. Oudard emphasized that this is not entirely clear in mCSPC. While CHAARTED demonstrated that the benefit of docetaxel was among those with high-volume disease, the analysis from STAMPEDE showed a benefit to docetaxel regardless of disease. Similarly, the STAMPEDE analysis examining abiraterone showed a benefit independent of volume while LATITUDE included only high-risk patients and cannot provide these subset data. In TITAN, analyses favoured a benefit of apalutamide in the high-volume group though was not powered to assess this. The data are even muddier for enzalutamide as the ENZAMET analysis favoured its use in low-volume disease and the ARCHES analysis favour high-volume. However, it is clear that disease volume is important when considering the role of local prostate radiotherapy in patients with metastatic disease with the benefit of this approach restricted to patients with low-volume disease.

Considering the type of metastasis, Dr. Oudard demonstrated that all of these trials using novel hormonal approaches have demonstrated an attenuated (and non-significant) effect of treatment in patients with visceral disease.

Dr. Oudard then moved to the question of whether we should combine agents with proven benefit, namely docetaxel and enzalutamide. On the basis of data from ENZAMET (which notably were not directly randomized), failed to demonstrate a survival benefit to the addition of enzalutamide for patients who also received docetaxel. Similarly, in the subgroup of patients in ARCHES who had previously received docetaxel, no significant benefit to the use of enzalutamide was demonstrated.

Dr. Oudard then considered the question of how to chose between ADT + docetaxel or ADT + a novel hormonal therapy. This remains a debated topic without strong evidence to guide decision making. However, he highlighted the importance of considering disease-related pain, pre-existing comorbidity, the risks of polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions, and particularly patient preference in well-informed patients. He further highlighted the eagerly awaited PEACE-1 data which will be presented September 19th at the ESMO meeting and should inform the role of combinations of docetaxel and abiraterone and local radiotherapy and the ARASENS trial which will examine the role of the combination of docetaxel and darolutamide.

Presented by: Stephane Oudard, MD, PhD, is Professor of Oncology and Chief of the Oncology Clinical Research Unit at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, France.

Related Content: ESMO 2021: Final Overall Survival Analysis From ARCHES: A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Enzalutamide + ADT in Men With mHSPC
Men carry bags as people attempt to cross the Rio Grande with food and supplies (AFP or licensors)

Pope Francis prays for victims of flooding in Mexico as well as for all those unjustly held in foreign countries.

By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis on Sunday turned his thoughts to the many victims of flooding in Mexico's Hidalgo State, where over 17 people died.

After the recitation of the Marian prayer in St Peter's Square, the Pope expressed his closeness especially to those in the Tula Hospital, and "to their beloved ones".

Heavy rainfall on 7 September caused the Tula and Rosas rivers to break their banks in the municipality of Tula in Hidalgo State.

Flood waters swept through streets and into buildings, including the hospital of the Mexican Institute of Social Security. Flooding also knocked out power in the area including the hospital which was caring for several COVID-19 patients. 17 patients died.

Praying for those far from home
The President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors opens a safeguarding conference in the Polish city of Warsaw, and reiterates Pope Francis invitation for the Church in Eastern and Central Europe to undergo a pastoral conversion.

By Devin Watkins

Listening to, acknowledging survivors and sincerely seeking their pardon are indispensable steps on this journey of renewal.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley kicked off a 4-day conference in Warsaw with that exhortation to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which the Cardinal heads up, is holding the event on 19-22 September under the theme: Our Common Mission of Safeguarding Gods Children.

Conversion a heart of Church renewal

In his opening address to participants, who represent Church institutions across nearly 20 nations, Cardinal OMalley spoke about the importance of pastoral conversion as a missionary path for the entire Church, an emphasis the Pope himself often makes.

Conversion at both the personal and institutional level is at the heart of the process of renewal and is essential for what Pope Francis calls a missionary transformation of the Church, said the Cardinal.

He said the invitation to conversion is an essential theme at the conference which hopes to renew the Church in the face of sexual abuse across Central and Eastern Europe.

We must work for change that will be incorporated in all aspects of the Churchs life, said the Cardinal, combatting sexual abuse wherever it has occurred regardless of the status or office of the person who has committed the crime.

Listening heart

Cardinal OMalley then offered three steps to assist Church leaders in their ministry to safeguard and care for minors and vulnerable persons.

The firstlisteningrequires a heart that is willing to acknowledge the truth of what has happened.

When someone who has been abused by clergy, religious or other persons in the Church tells their story, we must receive them and their testimony with the utmost reverence, he said.

The Cardinal also called for the creation and improvement of clear channels of communication and encounter where abuse survivors can contact the Church if they so desire.

He praised the many dioceses which have set up dedicated phone lines or email accounts for survivors or their family members to contact.

However, added the Cardinal, if a diocese does not receive much response after establishing these means of contact, it does not mean the reality of sexual abuse by clergy or religious is not present.

Rather, dioceses should seek to adapt their lines of communication for the local culture. It is important that we all maintain a focus on providing accessible, welcoming and non-judgmental opportunities for survivors and their loved ones to contact and engage in dialogue with the local Church.

Acknowledging abuse survivors

The next step in the process of renewalacknowledging survivorsmeans the Church must provide honest and clear recognition of those who have been abused.

Cardinal OMalley said defensiveness is not a correct response and should be replaced with a deep listening to the survivor, with a willingness to understand more fully what they have experienced.

One obstacle to this listening process, added the Cardinal, is a misguided concern for the reputation of the institutional Church.

While pastors do hold responsibility for the protection of the Church, and in many cases have suffered or given their lives in defense of the faith, said Cardinal OMalley, a skeptical and sometimes even demeaning response to the testimony of abuse can cause serious damage to the people the Church is called to hold as a priority for pastoral care and concern, namely, those broken and wounded by abusive ministers within the Church itself.

Vulnerability in the face of wrongs committed by the Churchs ministers, added the Cardinal, is a common sentiment, though it can be also become a experience of Gods action in our world that brings healing.

Seeking forgiveness

The third and final stepseeking forgivenessrequires Church leaders to imitate Jesus who was moved when He saw the needs of the people.

Cardinal OMalley said many survivors have been unjustly treated and have been rejected in their suffering by the Church itself, adding that they can instead play a leading role in building up the Church.

By adopting the role of protagonists in our communities, survivors can provide an important insight to Gospel truth that opens the way for a new evangelization, even of the Church itself, he said.

Though each abuse survivors journey is deeply personal and unique, the Churchs ministers must seek pardon from all those impacted by sexual abuse.

Recovering credibility without defensiveness

Finally, the President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors called on the Church in Central and Eastern Europe to continue along the path of pastoral conversion, so that the Church might recover credibility and promote healing.

The journey of learning, concluded Cardinal OMalley, will be ongoing throughout our lives.

With the assistance of dedicated and competent people like those gathered here and many others in the region who are committed to the process of healing and reconciliation, said the Cardinal, I am confident we are on the right path and can make meaningful progress, always putting concern for and the needs of the survivors first as we move forward.
As a conference on safeguarding minors and vulnerable adults within the Church kicks off in Warsaw, Poland, Jesuit Father Hans Zollner describes the efforts already being made to protect the Churchs most vulnerable members.

By Devin Watkins

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is holding a conference to assist Church leaders in safeguarding her most vulnerable members.

The 4-day event, taking place from 19-22 September in the Polish capital of Warsaw, gathers Catholic representatives from across Central and Eastern Europe.

According to a consultant for the Pontifical Commission and one of the event's organizers, the conferences goal is to show that the Church has to engage and commit in the protection of minors and other vulnerable people in any place or region of the world.

Fr. Hans Zollner, SJ, the Director of the "Institute of Anthropology. Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care (IADC)" at the Pontifical Gregorian University, spoke to Vatican News about the Warsaw conference.

Special regional history

The Jesuit priest expressed his satisfaction that the Church in Central and Eastern Europe is hosting a major conference on safeguarding.

The region, he said, has a special history, since the Churches there have been under siege for decades under the reign of communism, and there has certainly been some difficulties there in dealing openly with criticism, with wrongdoing, and with handling cases of abuse.

Listen to the full interview

Difficult topic to talk about

Fr. Zollner admitted that the topic of sexuality is one that many people in cultures throughout the world have difficulty discussing openly, even with close family members.

People dont feel very comfortable speaking about sexuality, he said, let alone sexual misbehavior, and let alone sexual misbehavior of authority figures like priests, religious, and other people within the Church.

Central and Eastern Europe is not different in that regard, he added.

However, the regions history sets an additional dampener on peoples ability to speak about and report abuse.

The communists were certainly spying on people, and the Church was a stronghold of freedom, said Fr. Zollner. But, you could retain that freedom only if you didnt really trust the authorities and law enforcement.

Mistrust of the state

People who grew up in the Eastern Bloc knew they were the enemy to the government and law enforcement.

The justice system was not independent, and the media was inclined to enhance any stories about allegations of misconduct in the Church.

Another aspect that is often overlooked, according to Fr. Zollner, is that psychology and psychiatry were employed to punish those who opposed the communist government.

They were sent to so-called psychiatry clinics, but sometimes they were just used to imprison people and to torture them.

These many elements of repression led the people in Eastern and Central Europe to mistrust state authorities, the media, and psychiatry.

Steps forward

Fr. Zollner went on to say that the safeguarding conference in Warsaw is hoping to confront these challenges and set up a Country Report.

We would expect each nations Bishops Conference to produce an annual report on their dealing with cases, the number of allegations, and the proceedings against those who have been accused.

Several other nations around the world have already set up such annual reports, and the Commission for the Protection of Minors is hoping to see the Bishops in Eastern and Central Europe implement a similar mechanism.

Fr. Zollner pointed out that the situation in every country is very different. Some are majority Catholic countries, like Slovakia, Croatia, and Poland, while others have tiny Catholic minorities, such as Albania or Bulgaria.

These differences mean the financial and personnel resources available to local Churches vary widely across the region, as well as the cultural attitudes toward speaking out about sexuality and sexual abuse.

A long journey toward a change of mentality

Despite the wide range of situations facing the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, much has already been done regarding the protection of minors and vulnerable adults, according to Fr. Zollner.

All the Bishops Conferencesto the best of my knowledgehave established their proper guidelines for dealing with cases and for promoting safeguarding, he said.

One keynote address at the Warsaw conference will highlight the Catholic academic institutions which have begun to address the safeguarding of minors in their curricula.

Some of those universities are already offering courses on the topic, of which some are prepared in collaboration with the Institute of Anthropology, which Fr. Zollner heads up at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Those offering safeguarding courses include the Catholic Universities in Ukraine at Lviv, in Croatia at Zagreb, and in Slovakia at Ruzomberok.

Though much has been done, concluded Fr. Zollner, we have to acknowledge that this will be a long journey, but there are already some people and institutions that are already working toward a change of mentality and for the implementation of effective measures against abuse.
Canadians are heading to the polls on Sept. 20 after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called an early election in what is widely believed to be an attempt to secure a majority government. Had Trudeau not called an election he would have served as Prime Minister of Canada for another two years.

Canada is home to numerous federal political parties; however, the top two parties, Trudeaus Liberal Party of Canada and Erin OTooles Conservative Party of Canada, enjoy the majority of seats in parliament and that is not expected to change following the election on Monday with polls indicating an election result that looks more like the status quo.

While managing the ongoing pandemic, securing affordable child care services and climate change are the top issues Canadians are talking about, foreign policy, particularly how Canada contends with Communist China, is attracting significant attention by Canadians and the two leading parties have a vastly different approach to, and history with, the red regime.

The context surrounding this election, as it pertains to China, includes the ongoing crisis of the two Michaels.

Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, two Canadian citizens, have spent over 1000 days in the Chinese prison system due to what many believe are baseless accusations of espionage by the Chinese government. Its widely speculated that the two were apprehended as a form of hostage diplomacy wielded in an attempt to secure the release of Meng Wanzhou, a Huawei executive currently under house arrest and confined to one of her homes in the British Columbia interior, who is facing extradition hearings to determine whether or not she will face charges in the United States for allegedly breaching Iranian sanctions and misleading investors.

In addition, Canadas intelligence apparatus, led by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)  Canadas version of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  has come out and branded communist China as a threat to Canadian national security and even went as far as to reference China specifically in a public appearance in Feb. 2021 stating that China was actively attempting to influence public policy and the electoral process in Canada in an attempt to undermine Canadas democratic system.

Liberal cooperation with the CCP

Trudeau, who has served as Canadas Prime Minister for the past 6-years has a long history of working with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

On Sept. 14, The Globe and Mail published an article detailing how the Prime Ministers memoir, Common Ground was published and distributed by a Communist Party-owned publisher in China. The Prime Ministers memoir was rebranded with a new title The Legend Continues for distribution in China.

While Trudeau says he played no role in the deal with the Chinese governments press, the optics do not serve the Prime Minister well.

More damning is a report by Canadian news outlet Rebel News, that Trudeau allowed Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) to send troops for cold weather training to Canadas CFB Petawawa military base in Ontario, Canada.

Trudeau reportedly raged at the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for cancelling the training after China kidnapped Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, Rebel News reported.

Trudeau also faced significant backlash when early in his first term as Prime Minister he brought Canada into the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a move that was carried out despite significant opposition by Canadas number one ally, the United States.

The Liberal platform is mostly silent on Chinas aggression stating only that they would respond to the behavior of authoritarian states such as China, Russia and Iran and that it would develop a coordinated response on matters such as the arbitrary detention of Canadian nationals and foreign interference in elections.

Erin OToole, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, speaks during a campaign stop on September 18, 2021 in Dundas, Ontario, Canada. Canadians head to the polls Monday following a month of campaigning by the party leaders, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a snap election in an attempt to bolster his mandate. (Image: Cole Burston/Getty Images)

The conservative approach

When the topic of China was raised during a live televised debate Erin OToole, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada said, Canadas voice has been absent. We have not worked with our allies on Huawei. We have not stood up for the 300,000 Canadians in Hong Kong. Weve not fought for the two Michaels and put pressure on the communist regime. We have not stood up for human rights. You did not show up for a vote declaring genocide towards the Uyghur people. You didnt show up.

OToole, who enjoys the benefit of never having to have to contend with the CCP in the past, promised in his platform to stand up to Chinas aggressions with a coalition of democracies and to work with allies to address threats from China, Russia and Iran.

In addition, the Conservative Partys platform includes no longer prioritizing trade with China, treating Chinas persecution of Uighurs as genocide, targeting Chinas foreign influence operations in Canada, banning Huawei from the construction of Canadas 5G network, sanctioning Chinas most serious human rights offenders, withdrawing Canada from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank championed by the CCP, and supporting Hong Kong protestors

On Taiwan, the Conservatives advocate greater political cooperation with Taiwan and to change Canadas diplomatic representative offices in Taiwan.

In Canadian federal elections, foreign policy is usually a third-tier priority in party platforms; however, when it comes to China, this election round appears to be different.

Regardless of the election outcome, the issue of the CCP will carry a much heavier weight in the minds of Canadians than it did in the past.
Music Time in Africa is VOAs longest running English language program. Since 1965, this award-winning program has featured pan African music that spans all genres and generations. Ethnomusicologist and Host Heather Maxwell keeps you up to date on whats happening in African music with exclusive interviews, cultural information, and of course, great music -- including rare recordings from the Leo Sarkisian Library of African Music.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador wants to leave questions of human rights and democracy to the United Nations, as part of his continuing criticisms of the Organization of American States.

Lopez Obrador spoke Saturday at the meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, or CELAC, which includes almost all of the countries in the region except Brazil. Unlike the OAS, the U.S. and Canada don't belong to CELAC.

The summit took up questions plaguing the region, like mass migration and the coronavirus pandemic. But some leaders angered by the OAS' criticism of leftist regimes in the region have hoped CELAC could replace it.

Lopez Obrador has suggested the OAS is interventionist and a tool of the United States. But he did not formally propose leaving the organization. Rather, he opposed any kind of sanctions and said questions of human rights and democracy should only be considered if a country accused of violations requests that.

"Controversies over democracy and human rights should be worked out in truly neutral forums created by the countries of the Americas, and the last word should be left to the specialized agencies of United Nations," Lopez Obrador said.

President Luis Lacalle of Uruguay defended the OAS.

"You can disagree with how it is managed, but you cannot discount the organization," said Lacalle, who also openly and by name criticized Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua for anti-democratic practices.

El Salvadoran Vice President Felix Ulloa criticized what he called partisan behavior in the OAS, but noted "we are not expecting, nor do we think that a substitute will emerge from this."

Panama Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes called attention to the region's problem of migration. Mouynes said that while only about 800 migrants were entering Panama a few months ago  mainly from Colombia  now about 20,000 are arriving every month. Panama is struggling to feed and care for the influx.

"This phenomenon can only be handled in a regional manner," Mouynes said.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was one of the unexpected leaders who arrived late Friday in Mexico City for the meeting. This is his first trip outside Venezuela since the U.S. government indicted him on drug trafficking and terrorism charges in March 2020 and offered a reward of up to $15 million for him.

Maduro challenged Uruguay's Lacalle to a debate on democracy.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel railed against the criticism of his country's crackdown on protests in July. He called the demonstrations "an opportunistic campaign of slander, financed by U.S. federal funds and which still threatens the stability, integrity and sovereignty of my country."

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, whom U.S. prosecutors have signaled as having funded his political ascent with bribes from drug traffickers, spoke in a lengthy defense of his record. He has not been formally charged, and he accused the Drug Enforcement Administration of having employed drug traffickers who testified about his alleged drug ties.

"There has been a tsunami, and avalanche of false testimonies," Hernandez said.

He has denied any wrongdoing. His brother, former federal lawmaker Juan Antonio "Tony" Hernandez, was sentenced in New York in March to life in prison.

Newly inaugurated Peruvian President Pedro Castillo gave a fairly moderate address in his first summit appearance since taking office, focusing on Peru's status as one of the countries with the world's highest COVID-19 death tolls, which Castillo put at "more than 200,000."

Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a taped message to the meeting that "China will continue to provide assistance to Latin American and Caribbean countries to the best of its ability, to help them defeat the virus at an early date." Chinese coronavirus vaccines have been used by some countries in the region.
Hundreds of Boko Haram militants attacked a military post in southern Niger overnight, killing 16 soldiers and wounding nine more, the defense ministry said on Wednesday.

About 50 of the Islamist militants were killed in the resulting combat in the West African country's Diffa region and significant quantities of weapons were recovered, the ministry said in a statement.

The Boko Haram insurgency broke out in northeastern Nigeria in 2009, but violence frequently spills over into neighboring Chad, Niger and Cameroon in the Lake Chad Basin.

In December, an attack blamed on Boko Haram killed 28 people and burned 800 homes in the Diffa region.
Africa's Sahel region is seeing the worst effects of climate warming anywhere on the planet, according to the United Nations.

Farmers bear the brunt of the changes because 80% of the Sahel's economy is agrarian.

Art Melody, a musician in Burkina Faso who raps in the local Djula and Moore languages, knows from experience the negative impact on farm production because he is a farmer himself. His songs convey the fear and emotion felt by millions of people across the region because of the impact of global warming.

Art Melody says his grandparents have told him the rainy season used to start in April but now can start in July, so there is less rain and more heat.

The U.N. says the impact of desertification and drought on farmers is one of several factors causing the Sahel conflict in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Combatants include terror groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida.

More than two million people have been displaced because of the fighting, and more than 20,000 people have been killed since 2012, according to data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.

"When there's a drought, it's a disaster, it's hell," said Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification. "When that situation happens, you have two options  flight or fight. Either you flee because there is no way you can produce anymore, or you fight with your neighbors for the limited resources that are still there."

Conflicts often arise between ethnic groups that traditionally grow crops and those that herd livestock, since land usually cannot be used for both purposes.

While that is a major obstacle, new techniques and technologies can help integrate agricultural production with livestock farming through agro-ecological actions, says Marc Gnasonre, a representative of a Burkinabe farmers union.

As for Art Melody, his songs attempt to raise awareness of the plight of farmers because, he says, if people's eyes are closed, they will always end up destroying everything, whether it is plants or human relationships.

Until the effects of climate change in the Sahel are mitigated, farming will likely get harder and the Sahel's conflict will likely get worse.


Saturday, August 21, is the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, a day that is unfortunately relevant in Burkina Faso which is engaged in fighting Islamist militants. One Burkinabe nonprofit, Go Paga, is helping widows and orphans grappling with the loss of husbands and fathers to rebuild their lives.

Some 1.3 million people have been displaced in Burkina Fasos conflict since it began in 2015, and more than 6,000 killed, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Burkinabe military personnel are among the dead, killed fighting terror groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida.

Loretta Ilboudou is the widow of a soldier killed in that fight. She says it was on December 24, 2019. She and her family were preparing for Christmas. Her husbands uncles arrived in the morning, but she wasnt informed of his death until that evening. She said she suspected something but wasn't told anything to begin with.

Her husband died during a terrorist attack on the town of Arbinda. The couple had a daughter who was just a few months old at the time.

Her husband was a nice person, she says, a bit shy, and very serious about his work. He spent a lot of time with his family. They used to go on outings on his days off.

A nonprofit called Go Paga is helping widows like Ilboudou. Its pilot project, launched in February, provides them with support so they can make a living.

Fadima Kambou, the founder of Go Paga, says the program is about teaching the women to fish, not giving them the fish. It's about empowering themselves and their children afterward. The aim is for Burkina Faso to have a system of care that supports what the state already provides for these widows, Kambou adds.

Terrorism victims like Ilboudou face complex issues, says Fionnuala Ni Aolain, United Nations special rapporteur for protecting the human rights of terrorism victims.

So, we get a lot of good wishes for victims of terrorism, and we get a lot of expressions of great sorrow for their sorrow. But in many ways  and I think both speak directly about widows  the reality is that victims of terrorism, particularly women who have been victims, need concrete and practical support, she said.

Today, IIboudou is an intern at an insurance company. She hopes to be fully employed so she can support her daughter.

Now, she says she feels ready to move forward and she says she wishes other women had this chance.

Beginning in September, Go Paga plans to roll out its program to support all military widows in the country.
Cameroonian and Nigerian authorities have agreed to jointly fight armed separatists in both countries. The nations' top security and government officials announced the deal during an emergency security meeting that ended Thursday in Nigeria's capital, Abuja. The meeting was convened after Anglophone separatists in Cameroon and the Indigenous People of Biafra in Nigeria said they would join forces to fight for independence.

Babagana Monguno, national security adviser to Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari, said Thursday secessionist groups are uniting to destabilize Cameroon and Nigeria. The retired major general spoke at the end of the eighth session of the Cameroon-Nigeria transborder meeting in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.



Monguno said the neighboring countries will jointly combat the rebels operating within their borders.

"President Muhammadu Buhari reassures you [Cameroon] that Nigeria's territory will never be used by any group of secessionists to destabilize another friendly sovereign country. In addition, we would work closely together to ensure that any real or perceived attempt to form any alliances between secessionist groups in Nigeria and Cameroon are decisively dealt with," Monguno said.

Speaking on Cameroonian state radio, CRTV, Monguno said Nigeria will continue to support the efforts of Cameroonian authorities to stop the separatist crisis in Cameroons English-speaking western regions. The United Nations says at least 3,000 people have been killed and 550,000 civilians displaced in Cameroon and in Nigeria by the separatist crisis that escalated into an armed conflict in 2017.

Governors from the Nigerian states that border Cameroon and Cameroonian regions bordering Nigeria also took part in the Abuja meeting.

Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji led Cameroons delegation. Nji said militaries of the two countries are already at work to map out ways of stopping separatists operating in Cameroon and in Nigeria. He said the two countries have decided to provide jobs and improve the livelihoods of people in border areas. He said poverty is driving many civilians to join separatist groups in pursuit of food and better living conditions.

"To eradicate transborder insecurity in all its forms or, I believe, to reduce it to minimum, our security forces must intensify intelligence gathering and information sharing. It must include measures to check religious radicalism, foster education and promote economic and social development projects along our common border," he said.

Nji said Cameroon is sincerely grateful for Buharis permanent commitment never to allow any part of Nigerian territory to serve as a safe haven for terrorists and separatist groups against its neighbor, Cameroon.

This week's Cameroonian-Nigerian security meeting is the first since Cameroons English-speaking separatists said they were partnering with the Indigenous People of Biafra, a group that wants a breakaway state in southeast Nigeria.

Capo Daniel, deputy defense chief of the Ambazonia Defense Forces, a rebel group in Cameroons English-speaking North-West and South-West regions, said the Ambazonia Defense Forces and Indigenous People of Biafra are determined to foster an alliance the Nigerian and Cameroonian separatist groups created in April.

"The alliance generates solidarity between the military wing of the IPOB, that is the Eastern Security Network and the Ambazonia Defense Forces. We will continue to intensify the collaboration in areas such as operating training camps, exchanges in military trainers, open exchange of weapons and military personnel, as well as sharing intelligence across the border," Daniel said.

The Indigenous People of Biafra has not issued a statement on the terms of their collaboration with the Ambazonia Defense Forces. Videos shared on social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp, though, appear to show people claiming to be officials of the rebel groups meeting. Cameroon and Nigeria say rebel and secessionist groups from the two countries have been meeting and trafficking in weapons.

Nigeria shares a 1,975-kilometer border with Cameroon. Militaries of the two countries have been jointly fighting violent crises since 2010. Nigerias northeastern states of Borno and Adamawa and Cameroon's Far North region on Nigerias border report regular Boko Haram terrorist attacks.

Cameroon says separatists use porous borders to import weapons through Nigeria and collaboration between the Ambazonia Defense Forces and Indigenous People of Biafra is making the security situation very uncertain.

Other security challenges include conflicts over illegal exploitation of natural resources, highway robbery, drug and human trafficking, illicit trafficking of firearms, and agricultural conflicts.

The Cameroon-Nigeria Transborder Security Committee was created in 2012 in Nigeria to strengthen security in both countries.
Authorities in Cameroon say weapons traffickers arrested last week in Nigeria have been arming Cameroon's Anglophone separatists.

Cameroons military said Thursday that some of the 40 arms traffickers arrested by police in Nigeria last week are regular suppliers of weapons to rebel groups in Cameroon.

The 40 were arrested in the Nigerian border town of Ikom and charged with various crimes, including supplying guns, ammunition and explosives to separatists.

Separatists have been fighting to create an English-speaking state in the western regions of Cameroon, a majority Francophone country, since 2017.

Frank Mba, the Nigerian Police Force public relations officer, said some of the weapons intercepted were destined for the separatists.

"The suspect, in this case Ntui Lambert, was arrested in Ikom in Cross River state while trying to smuggle or traffic these explosives to Cameroon. He is believed to be working with some secessionist groups in Cameroon. This is not his first time supplying them with dynamites and other arms-related items," Mba said.

In an interview broadcast by Cameroon state television, Mba said 13 AK-47 rifles, 750 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and 58 packages of explosives suspected to be dynamite were seized.

He said criminal gangs and separatist groups in Cameroon and Nigeria use dynamite to attack government troops.

The 40 suspects have been charged with terrorism funding, arms trafficking, cybercrimes and abductions.

Thirty-six-year old suspect Ntui Lambert told local media he is a trafficker. He said his father is Cameroonian and his mother Nigerian.

"I was arrested in possession of dynamites, explosives and live ammunition of AK-47, with a Thuraya phone. They arrested me alongside three others. The people [police] that arrested me transferred me to Owerri and from Owerri, they [the police] sent me to Abuja," he said.

Lambert did not say whether the weapons were destined for Cameroonian separatist groups.

Authorities suspect the arms were meant for the main separatist group, the Ambazonia Defense Forces.

ADF deputy defense chief Capo Daniel said the group is not intimidated by the arrests.

"If the Nigerian government and the Cameroonian government think that they are going to stop us from trafficking weapons and affect our ability to liberate and defend our people, this collaboration between Cameroon and Nigeria will fail woefully," Daniel said.

Cameroonian and Nigerian authorities who met in the Nigerian capital Abuja last week agreed to jointly fight armed separatists in both countries.

Officials from the two countries said Anglophone separatists in Cameroon and the Indigenous People of Biafra, a group that wants a breakaway state in southeast Nigeria, are joining forces to fight for the independence of their respective regions.
Since her birth on Senegal's coast, the ocean has always given Ndeye Yacine Dieng life. Her grandfather was a fisherman, and her grandmother and mother processed fish. Like generations of women, she now helps support her family in the small community of Bargny by drying, smoking, salting and fermenting the catch brought home by male villagers. They were baptized by fish, these women say.

But when the pandemic struck, boats that once took as many as 50 men out to sea carried only a few. Many residents were too terrified to leave their houses, let alone fish, for fear of catching the virus. When the local women did manage to get their hands on fish to process, they lacked the usual buyers, as markets shut down and neighboring landlocked countries closed their borders. Without savings, many families went from three meals a day to one or two.

Dieng is among more than a thousand women in Bargny, and many more in the other villages dotting Senegal's sandy coast, who process fish  the crucial link in a chain that constitutes one of the country's largest exports and employs hundreds of thousands of its residents.

"It was catastrophic  all of our lives changed," Dieng said. But, she noted, "Our community is a community of solidarity."

That spirit sounds throughout Senegal with the motto "Teranga," a word in the Wolof language for hospitality, community and solidarity. Across the country, people tell each other: "on est ensemble," a French phrase meaning "we are in this together."

This story is part of a yearlong series on how the pandemic is impacting women in Africa, most acutely in the least developed countries. AP's series is funded by the European Journalism Centre's European Development Journalism Grants program, which is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. AP is responsible for all content.

Last month, the first true fishing season since the pandemic devastated the industry kicked off, bringing renewed hope to the processors, their families and the village. The brightly painted vast wooden fishing boats called pirogues once again are each carrying dozens of men to sea, and people swarm the beach to help the fishermen carry in their loads for purchase.

But the challenges from the coronavirus  and so much more  remain. Rising seas and climate change threaten the livelihoods and homes of those along the coast, and many can't afford to build new homes or move inland. A steel processing plant rising near Bargny's beach raises fears about pollution and will join a cement factory that also is nearby, though advocates argue they are needed to replace resources depleted by overfishing.

"Since there is COVID, we live in fear," said Dieng, 64, who has seven adult children. "Most of the people here and women processors have lived a difficult life. ... We are exhausted. But now, little by little, it's getting better."

Dieng and her fellow processors weathered the pandemic by relying on each other. They're accustomed to being breadwinners  one expert estimated that each working woman in Senegal feeds seven or eight family members. Before the pandemic, a good season could bring Dieng 500,000 FCFA ($1,000). Last year, she said, she made little to nothing.

Dieng's husband teaches the Quran at the mosque next door to their home, and the couple pooled their money with their children, with one son finding work repairing TVs. Other women got help from family abroad or rented out parts of their refrigerators for storage.

They survived, but they missed their work, which isn't just a job  it is their heritage. "Processing is a pride," Dieng said.

Most fishing in Senegal is small-scale, and carried out in traditional, generations-old methods, as old as the ways Dieng and other villagers process the fish. They refer to it as artisanal fishing. Once processed, the fish is sold to local and international buyers, and preserving it means it lasts longer than fresh and is cheaper for all who purchase it. In Senegal alone, the fish accounts for more than half of protein eaten by its 16 million residents  key for food security in this West African country.

Industrial fishing is carried out in Senegal's waters as well, via motorized vessels and trawlers instead of the traditional pirogues, and more than two dozen companies also specialize in industrial processing in the country alongside fishmeal factories and canning plants. The fishmeal factories price women like Dieng out by paying more for the fish and depleting resources  5 kilos of fish are needed for 1 kilo of fishmeal, a lower-grade powder-like product used for farm animals and pets.

Senegal's government also has agreements with other countries allowing them to fish off the country's coast and imposing limits on what they can haul in, but monitoring what these large boats from Europe, China and Russia harvest has proven difficult. The villages say the outsiders are devastating the local supply.

Dieng has become a local leader and mentor whose neighbors increasingly come to her for advice on everything from money woes to their marriages, and she and others are now part of a rising collective voice of women in Senegal working for change along the coast and beyond.

Senegal has designated land near Bargny as an economic zone in its efforts to invest in redevelopment. Dieng's neighbor Fatou Samba is a town councilor and president of the Association of Women Processors of Fish Products, and she's testified about the challenges in artisanal fishing. She hopes to stop much of the expansion of big industry as fishmeal companies scoop up fish and send the product to Europe and Asia.

"If we let ourselves be outdone, within two or three years, women will not have work anymore," Samba said. "We are not against the creation of a project that will develop Senegal. But we are against projects that must make women lose the right to work."

Samba also warns of the effects of climate change, with rising tides eroding Senegal's coast and forcing fisherman to seek their catch further out to sea. Samba and Dieng have each lost at least half of their seaside homes as water gutted rooms during the rainy seasons of the past decade.

In addition to their laborious work processing fish, Samba and other women handle the bulk of the work at home.

"Especially in Africa, women are fighters. Women are workers. Women are family leaders," Samba said. "Therefore, women must be empowered."

Dieng, Samba and other women want to be heard  by the government, and by the companies building projects near them. They want better financing, protection of their fish and processing sites, and improved health regulations.

These women open their doors to family, friends, neighbors and even strangers who are eager to hear about the work they take such pride in, and which they want preserved  to help put food on the table for their families and to pay school fees for their children so they can have a future that might not involve fish. But while they're happy to talk about the work, they hesitate to focus on themselves. Community is what they are most comfortable with.

Late last month, when word spread that fishermen were finally coming back to Bargny with catches, Dieng and others hurried to meet the pirogues, tethered by ropes to the beach. It was the longest Dieng had been away from the catch. She bought enough to have her haul carried by horse-drawn cart to the plot of land she and friends claimed along acres of black sand. Then she started the work she's known for decades.

Once the fish were piled onto the ground, the women smoothed them out with a small, flat piece of wood. They covered them in light brown peanut shells, bought by the sack, and then lit embers in a bowl and placed those on the shells, which started to burn. Smoke billowed everywhere, a sign of progress. But it also made trying to breathe as brutal as toiling under the hot sun  even tougher during Ramadan, when the women are fasting.

The women stoked the fire, and after feeling confident it would smoke for hours, stepped away. After a day or so, they returned to turn the fish and let it dry in the sun. Another day passed, and the women returned to clean it. Finally, the fish was packaged in vast nets, sold and taken away in trucks.

The pandemic has taught villagers a crucial lesson: Money from fish may not always be there, so it's important to try to save some of their earnings.

The pandemic also is not over, so Dieng and other women go door to door to raise awareness and urge people to get vaccinated. Like many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Senegal imposed strict measures at the start of the pandemic. The government was widely commended for its overall handling of the pandemic, and curfews have been lifted and restrictions largely eased. But the country has had more than 40,000 cases, and both volunteer and government campaigns aim to keep another wave at bay.

At the end of a long day of work, and before she goes home to break fast of Ramadan with her family, Dieng stands in front of her smoking fish and records a video she hopes will to motivate the women working in the industry.

"It's our gold. This site is all, this site is everything for us," Dieng said of the coast and its vital importance to Bargny. "All the women must rise up. ... We must work, to always work and work again for our tomorrows, for our future."
Malawi's Constitutional Court has agreed to hear a challenge to last year's presidential election rerun from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party. President Lazarus Chakwera defeated the DPP's Peter Mutharika in the rerun after the court nullified the 2019 election, which Mutharika had won. The DPP argues the rerun should also be nullified after the High Court quashed the appointment of four DPP commissioners to the Malawi Electoral Commission.

This past June, the High Court quashed the appointment of four DPP commissioners Jean Mathanga, Linda Kunje, Steven Duwa and Arthur Nanthuru, saying their appointment was invalid and unconstitutional.

The court acted after the governing Malawi Congress Party had challenged the appointment of the commissioners.

In his ruling, Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda further said the quashing of the appointments did not affect the validity of the June 2020 re-run presidential election.

But the opposition DPP said Nyirenda erred in his ruling because he touched on issues beyond his mandate.

The party wants the court to also invalidate the rerun election because it was managed by commissioners who it says were wrongly appointed.

They argue that the Malawi Constitution does not recognize an election that was presided over by undeserving commissioners.

Charles Mhango is a lawyer for the opposition DPP.

My clients believe strongly that the elections that took place on 23rd June, electing President Chakwera, is also null and void because the principal of the law is very clear; out of nothing, come nothing, he said.

Critics fear the case will result in another long and protracted legal battle which will cost the government a lot of money.

They believe the case could have been avoided had the government listened to the advice of the former attorney general, Chikosa Silungwe, that the government should recognize the commissioners.

Osman Kennedy, a law lecturer at Blantyre International University, told VOA that serious implications will happen only if the court rules in favor of the DPP.

Because what will happen is that we will revert back to 2020 when Mutharika was the president. Because the court may say no, if you [President Chakwera] were elected by the commission that was illegal, then you were not elected, then you were no longer the president and therefore we are reverting the status quo back to Mutharika and Chilima respectively.'

Social commentator Humphrey Mvula said the case demonstrates failure by political leaders to accept electoral defeat.

Our challenge as most African countries including Malawi is that we rarely accept that we have lost the elections. We always want to fight and always want the court to tell us that we have lost the elections. Even at that time, we have been able to trash the decision of the court," he said.

Former president Mutharika has said he does not recognize the results of the rerun election he lost to Chakwera.

In the meantime, the Constitutional Court has set Monday next week to decide whether to proceed with the case and if so, how.
A recent report found that community leaders in Burkina Faso are exploiting internally displaced women, demanding sex or money in return for food aid. One local official said these reported incidents could be the "tip of the iceberg" in a displacement crisis of 1.3 million people.

At an unofficial camp in the Centre North region, IDPs say they do not receive food aid from the state or nonprofits. One woman, who is not being named for her safety, said she has been forced to take desperate measures in order to eat.

She said she stayed in the shelters for six months without having enough to eat unless she had sex with people distributing food. Many women in the area, she said, were contracting sexual diseases as a result. She survived in these conditions until her husband came back and they were able to rent a small house.

A report last month by The New Humanitarian, a media outlet focusing on humanitarian issues, found that eight IDPs had been forced into sex in exchange for food aid in the Centre North region.

"From the reporting that I did and the women that I spoke to, it seemed like everyone knew that this was happening," said Sam Mednick, a reporter with The New Humanitarian. "Few people were really willing to talk about it. The women I spoke to said they knew other women who had also registered for food and were having a hard time finding food assistance and thought they were being propositioned in the same way that they had been  either for sex or for money in order to add their names to the registration lists."

The report also said an inter-nonprofit system to prevent and address sexual exploitation and abuse is not fully set up.

A local official from a town with a large IDP population, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told VOA the size of the sex-for-food scandal is likely much bigger than has been reported so far.

He said that there are so many women who approach them to express their concerns, but he does not have the exact number. He estimates between 20 to 30 displaced women have reached out so far.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which provides much of the aid, refused to give an on-camera interview, but did respond to questions via email. Asked why the system for preventing cases of sex-for-food aid had not been properly set up, the response was: "The Government of Burkina Faso, supported by the U.N., has a toll-free number for filing complaints in all cases of sexual or gender-based abuse.  Focal points are in place to detect any sign of sexual abuse or exploitation and humanitarian and other workers are trained on their responsibilities and accountability."

Burkina Faso's ministry for humanitarian affairs did not respond to VOA's request for comment.


South Africa's jailed former president Jacob Zuma has been placed on medical parole because of his ill health, the government's correctional services department said on Sunday.

Last month prison authorities said Zuma, serving a 15-month sentence in Estcourt prison for contempt of court, underwent unspecified surgery at an outside hospital where he had been sent for observation. He remained in hospital with more operations planned.

The 79-year old's eligibility for medical parole follows a medical report received by the Department of Correctional Services, it said in a statement.

"Medical parole placement for Mr. Zuma means that he will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections, whereby he must comply with a specific set of conditions and will be subjected to supervision until his sentence expires," the department added.

Its spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo said that Zuma, who was imprisoned in early July, was still in hospital but could go home to continue receiving medical care. He gave no details on Zuma's illness, his parole conditions nor whether his health had deteriorated since surgery.

Mzwanele Manyi, a spokesperson for the Jacob Zuma Foundation, said it welcomed the decision of the parole board and a more detailed statement would be issued after consultation with Zuma's legal team.

Zuma was jailed for defying a Constitutional Court order to give evidence at an inquiry investigating high-level corruption during his nine years in office until 2018.

When Zuma handed himself in on July 7, protests by his supporters escalated into riots involving looting and arson that President Cyril Ramaphosa described as an "insurrection."


Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok arrived in Juba on Thursday for two days of talks aimed at bolstering peace efforts in South Sudan amid a political crisis within the SPLM/A-IO group led by South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar where his former chief of staff, General Simon Gatwech, recently announced he had ousted Machar as chairman of the party and commander-in-chief of its forces. Deadly fighting ensued from the split.

Officials from Khartoum and Juba are expected to discuss bilateral ties between the two countries and the implementation of the Juba peace deal signed last year between Sudan's transitional government and several armed groups.

Sudanese Foreign Affairs Minister Mariam al-Mahdi, who accompanied Hamdok, told reporters at Juba International Airport that the Sudan leadership is concerned about the slow implementation of the South Sudan peace deal.

"We are observing the very positive development that is taking place, but there is still very observed slowness," al-Mahdi said. "People are very concerned to revitalize and to support further the government of South Sudan to implement the agreement."

Hamdok is scheduled to meet with South Sudan President Salva Kiir, Machar and other political players as well as diplomats from the United States, Britain and Norway.

Hamdok's visit comes after one by Workneh Gebeyehu, the head of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional group trying to advance the peace process.

During his visit to Juba last week, Workneh said that the internal troubles within the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) needed to be resolved quickly.

Fighting broke out within the SPLM/A-IO after Simon Gatwech Dual, Machar's former chief of general staff, declared on August 4 that Machar was ousted as the party's leader.

Top members of Machar's faction, including former deputy Henry Odwar, later switched their allegiance to Gatwech, accusing Machar of single-handedly running all party affairs.

Following a meeting of IGAD ministers last week, the regional body said in a statement that the SPLM/A-IO split is beyond an intraparty crisis and could have significant immediate and long-term implications for the 2018 peace deal.

South Sudan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Beatrice Khamisa, speaking Thursday while standing alongside Hamdok, said officials would discuss the SPLM/A-IO and bilateral issues.

"We have over the years signed cooperation agreements between South Sudan and Sudan," she said. "I think those will be examined by various ministers in South Sudan and their counterparts."

Juba and Khartoum have signed cooperation agreements on citizenship, border issues and trade.


Authorities in Uganda have suspended 54 aid groups, accusing them of failing to comply with regulations. In return, the heads of the accused groups say they are being harassed for political purposes.

Addressing journalists Friday in Kampala, Steven Okello, the executive director for the National Bureau of Non-Government Organizations, said the 54 NGOs were not complying with the country's NGO law.

He said some organizations are operating with expired permits, some have failed to file annual tax returns, and others are operating without registering. He said all must halt their operations with immediate effect.

Okello, speaking at Uganda's Media Center, cited examples.

"The first one is Chapter Four Uganda that has not filed returns from 2016-2020. The second is Citizens Coalition for Democracy in Uganda, commonly known as CCEDDU. Now CCEDDU does not only have issues with the filing of returns, they have issues like they proceeded to observe elections without accreditation from the Electoral Commission," he said.

In December 2020, the executive director of human rights group Chapter Four, Nicholas Opio, was arrested on allegations of money laundering.

At the time, the organization was reportedly collecting evidence surrounding the killings and arrests that occurred during two days of protests in Uganda that began on November 18.

Reaction from aid groups

A top official of the Citizens' Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda, Miria Matembe, says they have only failed to file tax returns for one year because of COVID-19.

"And we went into lockdown. And the challenges have been quite a lot. And if within that year, you are a bit late in submitting returns, I do not think that that should earn us a suspension. So, me, I'm thinking, maybe, I don't know whether there could be another reason behind as you may imagine," Matembe said.

Godber Tumushabe heads a research group, the Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies, which the NGO Bureau says is operating without registration.

Godber says a suspension letter received Friday morning accused the NGO of not disclosing its activities.

He argues that by law, his organization is only required to register and comply with requirements under the Companies Act and not the NGO Bureau.

He says the NGO Bureau was instituted by the government to harass organizations.

"The NGO Bureau has been consistently used as a tool to politically and administratively harass Ugandan NGOs and Ugandan NGO leaders. And actually even pro-democracy activists," Godber said.

Okello says all district NGO monitoring committees have been put on alert to ensure all the NGOs named do not operate.

Previous government action

This is not the first time the government has targeted NGOs.

In February, several NGOs were forced to either close or scale down activities after the government ordered the suspension of the International NGO Democratic Governance Facility.

Eight development partners formed the DGF in 2011 to provide well-coordinated support to state and non-state entities in order to strengthen pro-democracy campaigns and protect human rights.

In suspending the DGF, President Yoweri Museveni said that the fund was exclusively foreign managed, and that its activities were calculated to subvert the government.
The United States military has confirmed that it carried out another airstrike against al-Shabab militants, its third in less than two weeks.



Sundays strike was in support of Somali government forces in the vicinity of Qeycad, in the central Galmudug state, according to the U.S. military.



The Somali government earlier reported the strike was in an area where federal and U.S.-trained forces were fighting the militants. There was no word on whether militants were injured or killed.



This is another major blow to al-Shababs means to wage war against the Somali people, a statement by the Information Ministry of Somalia said.



The airstrikes destroyed a large al-Shabab firing position engaging Danab and SNA (Somali National Army) forces as they approached, the statement added.



Danab or lightning are Somali commandos trained by the U.S.



Both the U.S. and Somali government said there were no civilian casualties.



Al-Shabab, however, said in a statement published online that government forces, supported by the United States, did not succeed in Sundays fighting.



Previous airstrikes took place July 20 and 23 in the same vicinity.



These are the first airstrikes against al-Shabab in Somalia since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January.


The first vice president of Tanzania's Zanzibar Island, Seif Sharif Hamad, died Wednesday morning, weeks after being hospitalized with COVID-19.

Announcing the death Wednesday, Zanzibar's President Hussein Mwinyi said he had learned with great sadness of the passing of Hamad, a prominent politician who was also the chairman of the Alliance for Change and Transparency party.

"On behalf of the people of Zanzibar, I take this opportunity to pass my condolences to the family, relatives, Alliance for Change and Transparency party, and to all the people of Zanzibar and ask them to stay calm during this mourning period," Mwinyi said.

Mwinyi declared seven days of a national mourning and said flags will be flown at half-staff.

The cause of death has not been made public, but on January 31, Hamad was hospitalized in the archipelago after testing positive for COVID-19.

He became the first person to declare his COVID-19 status in Tanzania since April 29, 2020, as authorities dismissed the idea the virus was present in the country.

On a Twitter post, Tanzania's President John Magufuli sent his condolences to Zanzibar's president and the people of Zanzibar, saying he was saddened by Hamad's passing. He did not mention a cause of death.

"I have received with profound shock the news of the death of Hon. Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, the first vice president of Zanzibar," he tweeted.

Hamad was challenging Mwinyi in the October polls in the election that the opposition claims was full of fraud. In December, Hamad was sworn in as the first vice president of Zanzibar as part of a unity government.


Haiti's government published a draft new constitution Wednesday and again promoted the idea that such reform is needed as the country remains mired in crisis since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

"A new constitution would not be a panacea to resolve all of our problems," Prime Minister Ariel Henry said. "But if we manage to agree on this way of organizing governance in a more balanced and efficient way, it will be a point of departure for other agreements on the future of our country.

Haitian politicians and everyday people are deeply divided over how their poor and disaster-prone nation should be run right now, as it tries to recover from the killing of Moise in his residence on July 7.

The government formed after the assassination, led by Henry, wants general elections to be held as soon as possible, while the opposition says there should be a transitional government for two years.

Besides legislative elections -- which actually should have been held in 2018 but were delayed -- and presidential elections, the government wants to push through a constitutional reform that Moise had already begun.

The new charter would strengthen the powers of the president, at the expense of parliament.

It would do away with the position of prime minister and create a vice presidency, which would be filled at the same time as the president in a single round of voting.

Such an arrangement is designed to help Haiti avoid the gridlock it is painfully used to in getting things done: now, every time there is a new government, parliament needs to approve the prime minister's policy agenda, and this is always tied up in endless debate among lawmakers.

Defenders of the new constitution say it would help battle the chronic problem of corruption by making it easier to hold trials in regular courts of government officials, cabinet ministers and the president once he or she leaves office.

As it stands now, the rarely used procedure for trying such officials is for the lower house of parliament to bring charges and the senate to hold a trial.

"Immunity is not synonymous with impunity," said Mona Jean, a lawyer who sits on the committee that drafted the new constitution. "A government job must not be a source of illicit enrichment."

Henry did not specify how he thinks the new constitution should be voted on.

Moise had proposed a referendum, scheduled by the electoral administration for Nov. 7, but the idea proved controversial, with critics saying it violates the current constitution.

It was written in 1987 after the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship and forbids "any popular consultation aimed at modifying the constitution through a referendum."
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Sunday the French government would have known Canberra had "deep and grave concerns" about French submarines before the deal was torn up last week.

France is furious at Australia's decision to withdraw from a multibillion-dollar deal to build French submarines in favor of American nuclear-powered vessels, recalling its ambassadors from Canberra and Washington and accusing its allies of "lying" about their plans.

Morrison said he understood the French government's "disappointment" but said he had raised issues with the deal "some months ago," as had other Australian government ministers.

"I think they would have had every reason to know that we had deep and grave concerns that the capability being delivered by the Attack Class submarine was not going to meet our strategic interests and we made very clear that we would be making a decision based on our strategic national interest," he told a press conference in Sydney.

Morrison said it would have been "negligent" to proceed with the deal against intelligence and defense advice and that doing so would be counter to Australia's strategic interests.

"I don't regret the decision to put Australia's national interest first. Never will," he said.

Speaking to Sky News Australia earlier on Sunday, Defense Minister Peter Dutton said his government had been "upfront, open and honest" with France that it had concerns about the deal, which was over-budget and years behind schedule.

Dutton said he understood the "French upset" but added that "suggestions that the concerns haven't been flagged by the Australian government just defy, frankly, what's on the public record and certainly what was said publicly over a long period of time."

"The government has had those concerns, we've expressed them, and we want to work very closely with the French, and we'll continue to do that into the future," he said.

Dutton said he had personally expressed those concerns to his French counterpart, Florence Parly, and highlighted Australia's "need to act in our national interest," which he said was acquiring the nuclear-powered submarines.

"And given the changing circumstances in the Indo-Pacific, not just now but over the coming years, we had to make a decision that was in our national interest and that's exactly what we've done," he added.

Canberra was unable to buy French nuclear-powered vessels because they require charging while the American submarines do not, making only the latter suitable for nuclear-free Australia, Dutton said.

With Australia's new submarine fleet not expected to be operational for decades, Dutton said the country may consider leasing or buying existing submarines from the United States or Britain in the interim.

Australia will get the nuclear-powered submarines as part of a new defense alliance announced with the United States and Britain on Wednesday, in a pact widely seen as aimed at countering the rise of China.
Australia is defending its decision to join a tripartite alliance with the United States and Britain despite an angry reaction from France.

Australia said Sunday it regrets France's decision to immediately recall its ambassadors to Canberra and Washington in response to a new deal that will make Australia only the seventh country to have nuclear-powered submarines.

Australia scrapped a multibillion-dollar defense contract with France after joining the new AUKUS alliance with the U.S. and Britain.

It will, instead, build a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines with help from the U.S. and the U.K. The pact is widely seen as an effort to counter China's influence in the contested South China Sea.

Australian officials said they werent sure the Attack Class, diesel-powered submarines it had ordered from France were up to the job.

Prime minister Scott Morrison said it would have been "negligent" to go ahead with the deal, which was already reported to have been much delayed, against advice from Australias intelligence agencies and its military.

Australia's new submarine fleet isnt expected to be in service for decades, and it could lease or buy vessels from the United States or Britain in the meantime.

Morrison said the alliance would boost regional security.

This is seen as a positive move that contributes to peace and stability. All countries will invest in their own defense capabilities, and, indeed, China does in theirs and as we know they have invested heavily in those capabilities, he said.

Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton Sunday defended Canberras handling of the multibillion-dollar submarine contract with France, describing his government as "upfront, open and honest" in its dealings with Paris.

France does not agree.

It really is a stab in the back. We built a relationship of trust with Australia, and this trust was betrayed, said French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The animosity could have wider implications. France said it would be unable to trust Australia in talks on forging a free trade agreement with the European Union, although EU officials have insisted negotiations will continue.

Herve Lemahieu, the director of research at the Lowy Institute, an independent think tank based in Sydney, says Frances response to the AUKUS alliance was unexpected, but he is urging French president Emmanuel Macron not to overreact.

It is quite unprecedented for France, or any country, to recall two ambassadors simultaneously from two different countries. France has to be careful not to overplay its hand. Their anger is legitimate and understandable but must not be allowed to take control of their foreign policy. It is not clear, for example, if [French president Emmanuel] Macron speaks for all of Europe given the silence of other EU capitals," he said.

Lemahieu says that Chinas military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region could also face a greater challenge from the new AUKUS alliance.

The Chinese will read it as an escalatory act. Theres no question it will escalate great power competition, and now the question is does it create more stability or less stability? And that will be a key question for other countries in the Indo-Pacific, he said.

China has accused the new alliance partners of having a Cold War mentality.
Despite doubts about the effectiveness of Chinas COVID-19 vaccines, the global vaccine shortage is giving China an international soft power boost.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this week via the official Xinhua News Agency that it had delivered 1.1 billion vaccine doses to more than 100 countries during the pandemic.

This component of Chinese soft power, a tool used to deepen friendships abroad and vie for recognition over its archrival, the United States, despite festering disputes, could help boost Chinas image in vaccine-recipient countries that cannot easily source doses from other places, observers said.

They work, maybe, less effectively and efficiently and timely than the vaccines that are produced in the Western countries but nonetheless they offer a certain level of immunization thats always better than no immunization at all, said Fabrizio Bozzato, senior research fellow at the Tokyo-based Sasakawa Peace Foundations Ocean Policy Research Institute.

It appears that Chinas vaccine diplomacy is working very well, to the detriment of the West, given the impression that its keeping the best weapons against COVID-19 to themselves, Bozzato said. China will enjoy an image as a reliable partner thats willing to help, he said.

Limited effectiveness, widespread availability

Of the vaccines developed in China, the World Health Organization calls Sinovac doses 51% effective against symptomatic infections and Sinopharm vaccine 79% effective. Specific data points, especially on the effectiveness against the delta variant, are few, said John Swartzberg, a clinical professor emeritus at the University of California-Berkeley's School of Public Health. However, Chinese formulas work better than no vaccine, he said.

Within the year, China plans to offer a cumulative 2 billion vaccine doses abroad and this can totally be done, Xinhua says. Southeast Asia alone has received 360 million doses to date, it adds.

Xinhua says China has established vaccine plants in 15 countries, a boon to low-cost distribution. Sinovac was one of the worlds first pharmaceutical firms to develop a mass-market vaccine last year.

The United States is accelerating plans to distribute more vaccines. In June, the U.S. purchased 500 million doses to be distributed by COVAX, the WHO-backed initiative for low and middle-income countries. As of August, the U.S. government had donated 110 million doses overseas.

But that has done little to satisfy critics such as New York-based advocacy group Amnesty international, who say Western countries are hoarding vaccines for their own populations.

In a June statement, the group criticized the bilateral purchase agreements between wealthy countries and pharmaceutical companies, saying instead of facing up to their international obligations by waiving intellectual property rules for vaccines, tests and treatments, and sharing lifesaving technology, G-7 leaders have opted for more of the same paltry half-measures.

Media reports say President Joe Biden is expected to announce plans next week at the U.N. General Assembly for countries to pledge resources to vaccinate 70% of the world by September 2022. According to the World Health Organization, that will require about 11 billion doses.

And that effort could still run into supply bottlenecks.

Pfizer, a top name in the United States, points to obstacles offshore in vaccine packing, distribution and cold storage, but company CEO Albert Bourla said in an open letter that Pfizer is continuing to work around the clock so we can bring the vaccine to the world as quickly, efficiently and equitably as possible.

Many people in poorer parts of the world where COVID-19 cases continue to multiply are getting the Chinese shots with few side effects and a sense that any breakthrough infections would be mild, according to analysts and people from affected countries.

Historys not going to look very kindly on Chinas reluctance to be more forthcoming with their data, but history may be pretty kind to China if China just produces a lot of this vaccine and makes it available worldwide, Swartzberg said.

Some Indonesians can choose only between a Chinese vaccine or none, said Paramitaningrum, an international relations lecturer at Bina Nusantara University in Jakarta. She and her aging parents got the Chinese vaccines earlier in the year.

Chinas image isnt getting worse, Paramitaningrum said. That kind of anti-Chinese sentiment is still there, but I could say it has low percentage  only for some particular reasons  but in general they are OK, she said.

Vaccines not expected to cure old disputes

In some countries, Chinas vaccine diplomacy is not enough to erase pre-existing disputes.

Indonesians and Filipinos resent Chinese expansion in the 3.5 million-square-kilometer South China Sea where maritime sovereignty claims overlap. China, backed by Asias strongest military, has built artificial islands on shoals and reefs that Manila claims. Chinese ships also sail through waters that Jakarta says fall within its exclusive economic zone.

Other countries are embroiled in trade and investment flaps with China while people in much of the world bristle toward China as the coronaviruss source.

The widespread availability of low-cost or donated Chinese medical aid wont neutralize those issues but could temper any new flare-ups, analysts believe.

Most vaccines introduced in Brazil earlier this year came from Sinovac, and Brazilian researchers said in December after a clinical trial that the vaccine was more than 50% effective.

Still, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said May 5 that the pandemic could be "chemical warfare" waged by a fast-growing nation widely presumed to mean China.

But heads of state in the Philippines and Vietnam, another normally outspoken South China Sea claimant, have not engaged in anti-China comments.

Common Filipinos take a pragmatic through guarded view. Many prefer non-Chinese vaccines but cannot tell clinics which brand to administer, domestic news website Inquirer.net reports.

The president, the executive of the country, its his decision to bring in Sinovac, but on the ground the people, thats really their last choice, said Marivic Arcega, operator of an animal feed distributor in the Manila suburb of Cavite. She got an AstraZeneca shot while her husband got Sinovac.

In Vietnam, which began accepting Chinese vaccines in June, a lot of people are refusing the shots despite their countrys first major COVID-19 outbreak that began in June, said Jack Nguyen, partner at the business advisory firm Mazars in Ho Chi Minh City.
A leading party in Mondays Canadian election has caught the attention of authorities in Beijing with pledges to take a much tougher line on China if elected.

The platform of the opposition Conservative Party, whose leader Erin OToole is contending to become prime minister in the Sept. 20 election, mentions the Chinese government 31 times -- none of them favorably.

That contrast with the platform of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus ruling Liberal Party, which mentions China only once in spite of simmering tensions over the detention of a high-profile Chinese executive in Vancouver and Chinas arrests of two Canadians.

The Conservatives are promising to withdraw from the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Bank, reduce any of Canadas dependence on China, and ban Chinese technology company Huawei from having anything to do with Canadian 5G networks.

Promising to stand up to the Communist government of China, the Conservative platform also levels criticism at Chinese policy on matters of trade, the environment, territorial Arctic claims and relations with Taiwan.

Chinas ambassador to Canada has been quoted as saying Beijing is opposed to the smearing of China. Chinese state media have said if the Conservatives were to form a government, implementing the platform would invite counterstrikes.

Lynette Ong, a political scientist who specializes in China at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, said the Conservatives  popularly known as Tories  are attempting to capitalize on the current hostile opinion toward China.

However, she said, the reaction from the Chinese government is miscalculated.

I think the purpose is trying to appeal to a certain segment of Canadian voters trying to get them to not vote for the Tories, she said. But I'm not sure whether Canadian voters will actually buy into that sort of rhetoric.



Stewart Prest, a political scientist at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, said the Conservatives took the same approach years ago, but when they actually formed a government after a previous election, they watered down their criticisms of China.

He expects the Conservatives, if elected this time, to do the same thing.

These kinds of messages are, are meant to project a kind of strength into to show that the perhaps they would be more principled in their approach to foreign policy than the Liberals that they're trying to draw contrast with, he said.

Paul Evans, of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia, said this is a way for the Conservatives to put Canadas relations with China into the election. He believes if elected, they would try to implement their platform.

So this is not just wishful thinking out there, he said. There's a there's a lot of thought that has gone into it. And a lot of calculation about the right way to approach a more repressive and assertive China.

Evans said the obvious preference for the Chinese government would be for the Liberals and Trudeau to be reelected. He echoed Ongs thoughts that comments against the Conservatives may not work in their favor.

Meng Wanzhou, Huaweis chief financial officer, has been forced for almost two years to stay in Vancouver while Canadian courts consider a U.S. request for her extradition to the United States. Shortly after her arrest at Vancouver International Airport on Dec. 1, 2018, two Canadians were arrested in China on allegations of spying. Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, known as the two Michaels, are still in Chinese custody.

The Canadian election is Monday, although with many people casting votes in advance and by mail, the final result might not be immediately known.






New Zealand is easing the coronavirus lockdown for nearly the entire country first imposed last month after the Pacific nation reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case in six months.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday that the nationwide alert level will be lowered to Level 2, allowing schools, businesses and offices to reopen.

The new orders will not apply to Auckland, New Zealands largest city and the epicenter of the current outbreak that began when a 58-year-old man tested positive for the delta variant of COVID-19 in mid-August. The nation has posted 821 confirmed COVID-19 cases during the current outbreak, including 20 new cases on Monday.

Auckland will remain under strict stay-at-home orders until September 14, keeping all schools, offices and businesses shut down with only essential services remaining operational.

Prime Minister Ardern has embraced a strategy of totally eliminating COVID-19, saying it was necessary to go hard with the strict lockdown in order to prevent a widespread outbreak. New Zealand imposed a strict lockdown in the early days of the pandemic that has led to just 3,814 confirmed infections and just 27 deaths among its five million citizens.

Only 25 to 30 percent of all New Zealanders have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Officials say the government is nearing a final agreement to secure more doses of the two-shot Pfizer vaccine within days.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced Tuesday that beginning September 15, travelers from mainland China and the nearby enclave of Macao will be allowed to enter the semi-autonomous city without a mandatory quarantine. Lam told reporters that it will allow a total of 2,000 travelers from both places on a daily basis, but they will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to arrival.

Lam also said Hong Kong residents will be allowed to return to the city from the mainland without undergoing quarantine, so long as they did not travel to any high-risk areas.

The new changes are part of the governments new Come2HK program aimed at reviving the citys tourism industry, which sustained major losses during the first year of the pandemic as Hong Kong pursued a zero-Covid elimination strategy. But the city will continue to impose travel restrictions on travelers from foreign countries, prompting growing frustration among Hong Kongs business community.

Some information for this report came from the Associated Press and Reuters.
Health authorities in Fiji said a six-month-old baby has become the youngest victim of a worsening coronavirus outbreak. Hundreds of new infections are being reported every day and officials have warned the virus was likely to remain in Fiji as an endemic disease like the common flu.

Cases of COVID-19 have been reported across Fiji, a South Pacific archipelago that lies about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand.

The government confirmed 396 new cases by late Sunday. The World Health Organization has reported more than 45,000 coronavirus cases in Fiji since the pandemic began, while Fijian health officials have said 479 people have died. The vast majority of fatalities have come since the latest outbreak began in April. Among the victims are a six-month old baby and an eleven-year-old girl.

Fijis coronavirus emergency is centered on the main island of Viti Levu. So far, authorities have said the second largest island, Vanua Levu, has escaped the worst of the pandemic. However, former Fiji health minister Dr. Neil Sharma told Radio New Zealand that the island was ill-prepared should infections increase.

Vanua Levu has a much smaller population, but the health facilities are very limited; one divisional hospital in the north and a sub-divisional hospital, which are rather small. They would eventually fall short of supplies. The virus has been moving faster than our strategic planning has gone, Sharma said,

Senior officials fear that the coronavirus will never be eliminated in Fiji and will become endemic. About a million people live in Fiji. The government says more than 45% of eligible people were fully vaccinated, far more than in neighboring Australia and New Zealand.

In New Caledonia, doctors and employers have called for compulsory coronavirus inoculations, fearing a catastrophe if the delta variant was to reach that South Pacific island nation.

It closed its international borders in March last year and remains free of COVID-19 but just a third of the population of about 300,000 has been inoculated, according to authorities. The kingdom of Tonga has also recorded no coronavirus cases.

It is a different story in other parts of the Pacific. The U.S. territory of Guam has recorded 9,500 infections and 145 deaths since the pandemic began. Papua New Guinea has reported 18,000 COVID-19 cases and 192 fatalities, according to the WHO.
Hong Kong has seen an alarming reduction in its population over the last 12 months, as people leave in the wake of the pandemic and the citys political turmoil.

According to data released by the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kongs population has declined by 1.2%, equating to 89,200 people. Its the biggest decrease in Hong Kongs population in 60 years, AFP reported.

It comes after Beijing imposed a national security law on the city, cracking down on political dissidents following the anti-government protests in 2019.

Kacey Wong, a visual artist and activist from Hong Kong, recently relocated to Taiwan, citing the far-reaching effects of the security law. He told VOA over the phone that he wants to live somewhere that has 100% freedom of expression, he said. For me Taiwan provides that opportunity, he added.

One of Hong Kongs well-known artists, Wong, 51, is known for his flair for the visual arts embodied with social activism and politics. But he hasn't gone unnoticed by Beijing, as his name appeared in state-controlled newspaper Ta Kung Pao  which is thought to be Chinas wanted list for those who may have broken the security law.

After seeing dozens of lawmakers arrested under the security law, Wong believes that the so-called red line of the law in Hong Kong has become so ambiguous that its becoming untenable to live with.

People are saying its not the red line anymore, its the red sea. Its a zone that you cannot avoid, he said.

Wong pointed to how supporters are being targeted for wearing black t-shirts and yellow face mask. The two colors are associated with the pro-democracy movement, and wearing them is seen as a method of protest against the government.

Supporters of the movement have used other methods too, such as publicly reading Apple Dailys pro-democracy newspaper, before its closure in June.

A government spokesman said the high numbers of those leaving the city are not all necessarily emigrating and the population decline is also due to the lack of new arrivals, a Hong Kong-based newspaper, the South China Morning Post reported.

Additionally, Hong Kong has also had the COVID-19 pandemic to contend with, and although the city has recorded only 12,000 cases with 200 people dead, strict quarantine measures remain.

British visa

An offer of citizenship made by Britain for millions of Hong Kong residents has contributed to thousands leaving, the data suggests.

Following activation of the security law, the British Government announced it would extend the rights of British National Overseas, or BNO, passport holders in Hong Kong, with nearly 3 million residents eligible. The scheme allows Hong Kong residents born before 1997 a pathway to citizenship after five years.

An assessment by the British Government estimated that by 2026 up to 300,000 could apply to emigrate, with 34,000 having already applied between January and March.

One Hong Kong resident told VOA that she recently relocated to Taiwan but there is the BNO option, too.

Jenny, which isnt her real name, said she was arrested during the protests in 2019 and decided to leave Hong Kong last July, fearing jail.

Im not sure whether I would get a fair trial or not, she said.

Hong Kongs Security Bureau recently told VOA in an email that people were not being targeted based on their political or professional affiliation.

Any law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law, for the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. It would be contrary to the rule of law to suggest that people or entities of certain sectors or professions could be above the law, the bureau said.

Activists self-exiled

Dozens of lawmakers and activists are facing jail under the security law in Hong Kong, but several managed to flee overseas.

Ted Hui, a former lawmaker in Hong Kongs mini-parliament, the Legislative Council, left for Australia in late 2020. He was facing nine charges and believes he was being investigated under the security law.

In the past year, I think the intensity is getting stronger and stronger and level of enforcement. Its no doubt to me now, a year after the introduction of the NSL, 100% it is the death of one country two systems, a total collapse of Hong Kongs freedoms. Not any autonomy at all, Hui told VOA in June.

Teachers union disbanded

The political climate in Hong Kong has also pressured civil society groups into closing. Last week the Civil Human Rights Front disbanded. The group was responsible for some of Hong Kongs largest-ever street protests.

Hong Kongs Professional Teachers Union also disbanded earlier this month after the government cut ties with the union and accused it of spreading anti-Beijing and anti-government sentiment.

The education sector has come under scrutiny ever since the security law was passed, and Hong Kong schools were ordered to remove materials that may violate the legislation.

One teacher, who requested anonymity fearing retaliation, told VOA that there are concerns that investigations could be launched if umbrellas were used during practical activities in the classroom. Umbrellas were deployed by protesters during street protests and became symbolic during the pro-democracy movement.

Another teacher quit their role at the Chinese University of Hong Kong citing self-censorship fears and being misreported if discussing texts such as George Orwell.

I stopped at the university because I felt theres no way that wed be able to have the kind of in-class discussions we used before the national security law, the teacher told VOA.
Swedish police said Monday they had arrested two women linked to Islamic State after they flew back from Syria, as media reported that one was being investigated for war crimes.

Stockholm police spokesman Ola Osterling said the prosecutor leading the investigation into the two women had ordered their arrest.

"We executed that decision when the plane arrived in Stockholm in the afternoon," Osterling told AFP. A third woman had been taken in for questioning, he added.

A statement Monday from the Prosecution Authority said multiple investigations were underway against men and women returning from areas that had been controlled by Islamic State.

"The international crimes that are relevant for people returning from IS-controlled areas are war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity," public prosecutor Reena Devgun said in the statement.

"Sweden has an international commitment to investigate and prosecute these crimes," she added.

The Prosecution Authority added that it could not comment on individual cases or the number of investigations underway.

But public broadcaster SVT reported that at least one of the women arrested was being investigated for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

SVT also reported that the women who had returned Monday had been staying in camps in northern Syria but were deported after Kurdish authorities decided they did not have enough evidence to prosecute them.


The top U.S. infectious disease expert said Sunday he believes millions of Americans who have already been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus will eventually need a booster shot to remain sufficiently inoculated.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Bidens top medical adviser, told NBCs Meet the Press show that ultimately the real proper regimen will turn out to be the original two shots, plus a boost, a third shot of the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna vaccines or a second shot from the earlier single Johnson & Johnson inoculation.

On Friday, a panel of U.S. health experts rejected giving a third Pfizer dose to all Americans but recommended them for people 65 and older and those with serious health issues.The panel held off on a decision on boosters for those who had been administered Moderna or Johnson & Johnson shots.

Fauci said a booster shot decision for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson recipients is literally a couple to a few weeks away. We're working on that right now to get the data to the [Food & Drug Administration], so they can examine it and make a determination about the boosters for those people. They're not being left behind by any means.

In all, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 181 million Americans are fully inoculated, but another estimated 70 million people 12 and older remain unvaccinated, either because they are opposed to vaccinations or skeptical of them, think they wont catch the virus, wary of government officials urging them to get inoculated or some other reason.

Since mid-August, more than 2 million people have already received a booster shot, according to the agency, mainly because the government said people with serious health issues should do so, but also apparently because thousands of people who arent ill felt the necessity to get a booster, walked into a clinic and received another jab in the arm.

I believe that there's a good chance that as we get into the coming months into the next year that you will see the data pointing to the benefit of having a much broader blanket of people getting a booster shot, he said. We don't know that for sure now, and that's the reason why data are going to continue to come to the FDA, and they're going to continue to evaluate.

But until that happens, Fauci told CNNs State of the Union show that he strongly recommends that those who have been vaccinated, unless they fall into an already approved category for a booster shot, wait their turn rather than showing up at a clinic and asking for a shot.

Biden recently ordered businesses with 100 or more workers to mandate coronavirus vaccinations for their workers or require weekly testing, and mandatory jabs for 2.5 million workers for the national government, without the option of weekly tests for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

Fauci told NBC that the possibility of a vaccine mandate for air travelers is still on the table right now.

But Bidens vaccination mandate for an estimated 80 million workers remains controversial, with numerous Republican state governors saying they view it as an overreach by Biden.

Republican Governor Tate Reeves of the southern state of Mississippi told CNN, If this president has the authority to require mandates, what power doesnt he have?

This is not something Im going to allow him to do, Reeves said, promising to file suit against the mandate when Biden issues his formal order.

We believe in personal responsibility, Reeves said, urging his states residents to talk to their physicians before deciding whether to get inoculated.

At the moment, Mississippi, if it were a country, would have the second worst per capita coronavirus death rate in the world, behind only Peru.

Reeves called the death rate statistic a lagging indicator, which is sad.

But he added, Our case numbers have fallen dramatically in the last two weeks, suggesting that the death rate would eventually fall in tandem.
Four people were found dead Sunday on the Belarus-Polish border according to officials from both countries, a week after Warsaw imposed a state of emergency following an influx of migrants.

Poland's border guards added that they had also discovered eight exhausted migrants stuck in marshy terrain elsewhere along the border. Seven of them were hospitalized.

In recent months thousands of migrants, mainly from the Middle East, have crossed or tried to cross the border from Belarus into the neighboring European Union member states of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

The EU suspects the influx is being orchestrated by Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko in retaliation against sanctions on his government.

"Today (Sunday) the bodies of three people were discovered in the border region with Belarus," Poland's border guards tweeted on Sunday.

The individuals were found in three different places and were "likely illegal immigrants," border guard spokeswoman Anna Michalska told the Polish news agency PAP.

A fourth body, of an Iraqi woman, was found Sunday on the Belarus side of the border.

"The body of a woman of non-Slavic appearance was discovered within a meter of the Belarus-Poland border," a Belarusian border official told state news agency Belta.

The acting head of the Usovo border post, Yevgeny Omes, said there were "clear signs" on the ground of the body being dragged from Poland into Belarus.

Belta said that three children, a man and an elderly woman were found near the body. They are all Iraqi citizens, Belta added.

Belta reported that the dead woman's husband said that Polish law enforcement drove them to the border and "under threat" forced them to cross over to the Belarusian side.

Poland's border guards tweeted earlier Sunday that they had also spent several hours rescuing migrants stuck in swampland off the river Suprasl by the border with Belarus.

"Eight immigrants (five men and three women) were saved, seven of them hospitalized," the border guards tweeted, adding that firefighters, rescuers and police officers also took part in the operation.

They also said Saturday was an intense day, noting 324 attempts to illegally cross the border from Belarus to Poland.

Poland last week imposed a 30-day emergency measure that bans non-residents from the area along its border with Belarus, the first time the country has used such a measure since the fall of communism in 1989.

It has also sent thousands of soldiers to the border and started building a barbed wire fence.

In early August, Belarus said it discovered a dead Iraqi man near its border with Lithuania, claiming he was murdered.

Western governments have placed several sets of sanctions on Belarus over a crackdown on dissent that began when protests erupted across the country following a disputed election last year.
France says U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are planning to talk in the next few days about the diplomatic standoff that was triggered between the two old allies when Australia cancelled a submarine contract with Paris in favor of a new security alliance with the United States and Britain.

A French government spokesman said Sunday that the U.S. leader asked to speak with Macron and that a call would occur soon. Gabriel Attal told news channel BFM TV that France wants "clarification" over the cancellation of an order that it had with Australia.

Paris has expressed shock that Australia last week abandoned its $66 billion 2016 contract for French majority state-owned Naval Group to build 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines, although Australia says it has for months voiced concerns about the deal. The French spokesman said Paris is seeking discussions over reparations for the canceled deal.

The French-Australian deal collapsed as the U.S., Australia and Britain, already long-time allies, jointly announced a new security alliance that would build an Australian fleet of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.

France, angered by the snub, recalled its ambassadors from Washington and Canberra, but not London.

On Sunday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his country was concerned the conventional submarines it ordered from France would not meet its strategic needs. He blamed the end of the deal with France on rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, although he did not specifically refer to China's massive military buildup that the U.S. has expressed concerns about.

China has denounced the sharing of such U.S. and British nuclear technology as irresponsible.

Morrison said Sunday at a news conference that he understood France's disappointment over the cancellation of the order, but said, "Australia's national interest comes first."

"It must come first and did come first and Australia's interests are best served by the trilateral partnership I've been able to form with President Biden and (British) Prime Minister (Boris) Johnson," he said.

Referring to the French submarines, Morrison said, The capability that the Attack class submarines were going to provide was not what Australia needed to protect our sovereign interests.

He said France "would have had every reason to know that we have deep and grave concerns that the capability being delivered by the Attack class submarine was not going to meet our strategic interests and we have made very clear that we would be making a decision based on our strategic national interest."

On Saturday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told the France 2 television network that ending the deal with Australia was a "crisis."

"There has been lying, duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt. This will not do. Things are not going well between us; they're not going well at all," he said.

The French submarine builder Naval Group said 500 of its employees in Australia and another 650 in France are affected by the end of the pact with Australia.

Some material in this report came from Reuters and the Associated Press.
France has canceled a meeting between Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly and her British counterpart planned for this week after Australia scrapped a submarine order with Paris in favor of a deal with Washington and London, two sources familiar with the matter said.

Parly personally took the decision to drop the bilateral meeting with British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, the sources said.

The French defense ministry could not be immediately reached. The British defense ministry declined comment.

The sources confirmed an earlier report in the Guardian newspaper that the meeting had been canceled.

The scrapping of the multibillion-dollar submarine contract, struck in 2016, has triggered a diplomatic row, with Paris recalling its ambassadors from Washington and Canberra.

France claims not to have been consulted by its allies, while Australia says it had made clear to Paris for months its concerns over the contract.

French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden will speak by telephone in the coming days to discuss the crisis, the French government's spokesman said on Sunday.
Greece has opened a new migrant holding camp to ease longstanding overcrowded conditions that authorities themselves have called a disgrace. The project has humanitarian organization and migration advocates fuming, calling the European Union-funded project an "audacious" example of Europe's reluctance to effectively address illegal migration, especially in light of a new surge of Afghan migrants anticipated in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

Speaking against the backdrop of the new camp, with its soaring fence and barbed wire, Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis said the facility on the island of Samos would provide asylum seekers a safer, more humane stay.

"Were now implementing a new model in the camps, these closed controlled centers which provide on the one hand much better living conditions, a lot more space for each asylum seeker with all the necessary facilities and the kind of standard of living you would expect from a European Union country... but at the same time increase security provision for the benefit of asylum seekers, staff and the local communities," he said.

The new facility cost about $50 million and is largely funded by the European Union. It will house up to 3,000 people, with the first batch of some 550 refugees scheduled to move in on Monday  moved out from an older camp that critics have long decried as among the worst on the Continent for being overcrowded and filthy, with little access to bathrooms and hot water.

Rimmed with barbed-wire fencing, surveillance cameras, X-ray scanners, and magnetic doors, and tucked away miles in the rugged highlands of Samos, the new camp, say human rights advocates and aid workers, looks less homey than authorities and the EU are making it out to be.

Iorgos Karagiannis, of Doctors Without Borders, the aid group also known by its French acronym, MSF says: "For us its a jail. Its a declaration of powerful policies preferred by EU leaders, rather than the care, induction and assurance of asylum."

Just a couple of miles from the Turkish coast, Samos has been inundated with refugees since more than a million people, mainly Syrians, streamed into Europe in 2015, marking the biggest migration push since World War II.

Four other Greek islands faced similar fates, left to house accommodate hundreds of thousands of people, to the distress of local communities. Now, the center-right government in Athens says it will make all those camps obsolete, replacing them with new detention centers by the end of next year.

In a separate statement, the MSF said the project marked a perfect illustration of how criminal the EU policy is on immigration, preferring, as MSF puts it, to hold and detain people escaping violence, punishing them for wanting to be safe.

MSF billed the project a disgrace and warned that it would add to the trauma of displaced people, as Europe braces for a fresh migratory push following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

Since coming to power, the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has taken a hard line on migration. While migratory flows have dropped more than 80% in recent years, largely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government in Athens has vowed to block any further illegal entries.

Earlier this month, it tripled the size of a soaring wall along its land frontiers with Turkey. It is also considering setting up floating barricades across the Aegean to block rickety rafts from sneaking in with migrants.

What is unclear is the position Turkey will take, Greek government officials tell VOA.

With tensions brewing anew between the two age-old foes, some officials fear Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may use the migrant issue to put new pressure on the European Union for more financial aid.

Greece fears that if Erdogan doesnt get what he wants from the EU, he might allow migrants to leave Turkey unimpeded.
India will resume exports of COVID-19 vaccines starting next month, lifting the curbs it placed in April as it grappled with a deadly second wave of the pandemic.

Indian Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told reporters Monday the government will prioritize the global vaccine-sharing initiative, COVAX, and its neighboring countries as it begins shipping out vaccines.

The surplus supply of vaccines will be used to fulfil Indias commitment towards the world for putting up a collective fight against COVID-19, he said.

India, the worlds largest vaccine producer, had been expected to be a major supplier of affordable COVID-19 vaccines to low- and middle-income countries through the COVAX initiative.

But after supplying 66 million doses to about 100 countries, New Delhi halted exports as an exponential rise in infections in April prompted it to turn the focus on vaccinating its own population.

The curbs had been a massive blow to countries that have been struggling to vaccinate their populations.

The announcement on resumption of exports comes days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a summit meeting of the Quad nations in Washington, where vaccine supplies and combating the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to be discussed.

Mandaviya said the country will produce 300 million doses next month and 1 billion over the next three months. He also said that vaccinating its own citizens will remain a priority.

After a stumbling start, partly due to a shortage of vaccines, Indias inoculation program has picked up momentum, and companies have ramped up production.

However, India still has a way to go before it inoculates its adult population of 900 million. About two-thirds of the country has received one dose, while about 20% have been fully inoculated. The target is to cover all adults by the end of the year.

But hopes are rising that India will emerge as a major global supplier in the coming months as new production facilities come up, and the basket of vaccines to be made in the country expands.

The worlds largest vaccine producer, the Serum Institute of India, which had committed to make millions of doses of the affordable AstraZeneca vaccine for COVAX, is set to ramp up production to 200 million doses next month  nearly three times its output in April when India halted exports.

Indian companies are also set to produce millions of doses of both domestically developed vaccines and those developed overseas such as Johnson & Johnson and Russias Sputnik V.

It may look like a presumptuous statement, but we will immunize many countries next year, and these will be with affordable shots. There is no confusion in that. India is committed to it, and I see no difficulty at all, N.K. Arora, head of the national technical advisory group on immunization, told VOA. We will have several billion doses available next year.

Eyes will also be on the Quad summit to see how it makes headway on the vaccine initiative announced in March under which the four countries  the United States, India, Japan and Australia  decided to produce 1 billion doses in India by 2022 with financial backing from the U.S. and Japan.

The summit will be a good opportunity to take stock and expedite that initiative. Some conversations have happened. Let us see what progress is made, an official in the Foreign Ministry who did not want to be named, said.
Indonesia's most wanted militant with ties to the Islamic State group was killed Saturday in a shootout with security forces, the Indonesian military said, in a sweeping counterterrorism campaign against extremists in the remote mountain jungles.

Ali Kalora was one of two militants killed in the raid, said Central Sulawesi's regional military chief, Brigadier General Farid Makruf. He identified the other suspected extremist as Jaka Ramadan.

The two men were fatally shot late Saturday by a joint team of military and police officers in Central Sulawesi province's mountainous Parigi Moutong district, Makruf said. It borders Poso district, considered an extremist hotbed in the province.

"Ali Kalora was the most wanted terrorist and leader of MIT," Makruf said, referring to the Indonesian acronym of the East Indonesia Mujahedeen, a militant group that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2014.

He said that security forces were searching for four remaining suspected members of the group.

Saturday's shootout occurred two months after security forces killed two suspected members of the group during a pre-dawn raid in the same mountainous district.

The East Indonesia Mujahedeen has claimed responsibility for several killings of police officers and minority Christians.

Security operations in the area have intensified in recent months to try to capture members of the network, targeting Kalora.

Kalora had eluded capture for more than a decade. He took over from Abu Wardah Santoso, who was killed by security forces in July 2016. Dozens of other leaders and members of the group have been killed or captured since then.

In May, the militants killed four Christians in a village in Poso district, including one who was beheaded. Authorities said the attack was in revenge for the killing in March of two militants, including Santoso's son.

Makruf said that rugged terrain and darkness have hampered efforts to evacuate the two bodies from the scene of the shootout in the forested village of Astina. He said the bodies of Kalora and his follower would be taken by helicopter on Sunday morning for further investigation and identification.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, has kept up a crackdown on militants since bombings on the tourist island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly foreigners.

Militant attacks on foreigners in Indonesia have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller, less deadly strikes targeting the government, mainly police and anti-terrorism forces, and people militants consider to be infidels, inspired by Islamic State group tactics abroad.
The mayor of Johannesburg was killed in a car accident as he returned from campaigning with South Africa's president on Saturday, just over a month after being elected, his office said in a statement.

Jolidee Matongo, 46, was returning from a voter registration drive in Soweto township ahead of local elections when the accident happened.

"It is hard to comprehend this tragedy, given the vitality and passion with which Mayor Matongo interacted with me and residents of Soweto so shortly before his death," President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a tweet.

"Nothing could prepare any of us for this sudden loss, which has deprived our nation's economic center of its second Executive Mayor in two months."

Matongo's predecessor died from Covid-19 complications in July, and Matongo was elected on August 10.

Gauteng province premier David Makhura, who was also at the Soweto voter registration drive, said the news had left him "shocked and shattered."

"[Matongo] executed his duties with a cool and calm demeanor and remained committed to selflessly serving the citizens of Johannesburg," he added.

Photos posted on social media by Ramaphosa and Matongo himself from earlier in the afternoon showed the two men walking around Soweto talking to residents, Matongo dressed in a bright yellow tracksuit with the African National Congress party's logo on it.

Matongo was born in Soweto, according to the City of Johannesburg's website, and became a member of the ANC Youth League after taking up student politics at the age of 13.

Matongo's office said more details on the accident would be released "in due time."
The Kremlin-backed ruling United Russia party was on track to a comfortable victory in Russias lower house of parliament, after three days of voting marred by irregularities and allegations of ballot tampering ended on September 19.

With almost 40 % of ballots counted, the Central Election Commission said early on September 20 that United Russia, which backs President Vladimir Putin, had won just over 45% of the vote for the new State Duma.

Its closest rival, the Communist Party, had around 22% and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party received around 8.5%. Two other parties, A Just Russia, and a newcomer party, New People, had received around 7.5% and 6%, respectively.

Claiming a majority in the new Duma, United Russia secretary-general Andrey Turchak told supporters at party headquarters that the victory was "honest and clean.

The election lacked a significant opposition presence after authorities declared organizations linked to imprisoned opposition figure Aleksei Navalny to be extremist, effectively barring anyone from his network from running.

The results from online voting that was allowed in seven regions, including Moscow, have not yet been tallied.

One of Navalnys top lieutenants, Leonid Volkov, suggested that authorities planned to manipulate online voting in favor of ruling party candidates, particularly in liberal-leaning cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Due to the system of party-list voting combined with single-mandate voting districts, it wasn't immediately clear how the results would translate into a breakdown of seats in the new Duma.

Half of the Dumas 450 seats are apportioned by party lists, while the other half are chosen by individual races. Election officials said early results showed United Russia candidates leading in 193 single-seat constituencies out of 225.

United Russia, which currently holds 334 seats in the 450-seat Duma, is looking to keep its supermajority in the legislature, which allows it to change the constitution. But the party is deeply unpopular, and surveys from independent pollsters have shown its approval rating at the lowest level in the two decades since it was first established.

In the last national vote in 2016, United Russia won just over 54% of the vote.

Apathy is another major concern for the authorities, as Russian voters grow increasingly cynical about how free and fair elections are in the country. Turnout in the election was around 45%, the Central Election Commission said.

In addition to being a test for United Russia, the three-day vote was also a major hurdle for Navalny, the jailed corruption crusader whose allies had invested heavily in their Smart Voting strategy, aimed at eroding United Russias stranglehold on politics.

Most of the candidates endorsed by Smart Voting were from the Communist Party -- even though it and two other parties in the Duma rarely vote against majority initiatives or those explicitly lobbied for by the Kremlin.

"If the United Russia party succeeds, our country will face another five years of poverty, five years of daily repression, and five wasted years," a message on Navalny's Instagram account read on the eve of the elections.

Despite official efforts to undermine Smart Voting, initial election results suggested the initiative may have had an impact, with support for the Communists growing from 13.3% in the 2016 parliamentary election.

In recent months, authorities have unleashed a sweeping crackdown against Navalnys political network, with many of his allies fleeing the country, put under house arrest, or detained.

Navalny himself is in prison serving a 2  year sentence on charges his allies say were politically motivated. He was arrested in January upon returning from Germany where he had been recuperating from a nerve-agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin.

As the vote kicked off on September 17, however, Navalnys Smart Voting app disappeared from the Apple and Google online stores. Telegram, a popular messaging app and a key tool for Navalnys team to get out its messaging, also removed a Smart Voting bot. YouTube -- which is owned by Google -- also took down a video that contained the names of candidates they had endorsed. And Google also blocked access to a Navalny Google Doc, which circulated a text copy of all the Smart Voting endorsed candidates.

About 50 websites run by Navalny have also been blocked, including the one dedicated to Smart Voting.

Long Lines

The vote, which was held alongside elections for regional governors and local legislative assemblies, took place amid widespread reports of irregularities.

Gennady Zyuganov, who heads the Communist Party, alleged widespread violations and called on election officials to respond to reports of a number of absolutely egregious facts, including ballot-box stuffing.

On the first day of the election, there were unusually long lines at some polling stations.

Golos, an independent election-monitoring group, suggested state workers and military personnel were being pressured by United Russia and government authorities to vote.

Across the country, there were reports of ballot box stuffing and carousel votingwhere voters are bussed into multiple polling stations as an organized group. Its unclear, however, to what extent the fraud reports would affect the final vote.

Voters interviewed in one Moscow district expressed skepticism toward both the election results and the opposition's chances of influencing them through Smart Voting.

"You can see what's happening with our elections. I don't trust them," said Tatiana Bochkova, a journalist who voted in Moscow's 208th district for Sergei Mitrokhin, a politician for the liberal Yabloko party whom she had backed in previous elections.

"I didn't use Smart Voting, because I don't believe it can really work," Bochkova told RFE/RL.

Sergei Ross, a lawyer who has previously defended opposition activists, said he had followed the recommendation of Smart Voting and chosen Mitrokhin.

He said he doesn't trust the elections but believes that vote-rigging will not be as widespread in Moscow as in other parts of the country.

"The opposition now has more tools at its disposal, like Smart Voting," he said. "But the state does too, and it's using them against the press and independent journalists."

Vadim, a 63-year-old theater historian at a Moscow academy, said he had voted for a newly created political party, New People, because of its promise to introduce fresh faces into politics.

He broadly trusts the elections because the low turnout makes it harder for authorities to falsify them, he said. He did not agree with critics who said New People was one of several parties launched in cooperation with the Kremlin to create the illusion of real competition.

"We all know officials steal and don't represent the interests of the people. But I think we must vote anyway, to express our position," Vadim said.

In the central Volga region of Chuvashia, the local Communist Party accused a precinct boss of trying to eat part of an official election tally sheet, in a bid to cover a fraudulent tally.

In the North Caucasus, where voter fraud and irregularities are commonplace, four separate precincts in the Daghestan and Ingushetia regions reported 100% turnout -- in one case, just a few hours into the first day of voting.

Ballot-Stuffing Allegations

Navalny's team had called on voters to cast ballots on the last day to reduce the chance their votes are not discarded during the first two days of voting.

Authorities said they spread the election over three days to prevent crowding because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics, however, say the longer period offers ample opportunities for manipulation and engineering a desired outcome.

In St. Petersburg, an independent election-monitoring group reported that a candidate from the opposition Yabloko party was beaten by police officers at one polling station on September 19 after he claimed piles of unused ballots had disappeared.

A video shared by activists appeared to show at least three officers manhandling Nikita Sorokin, who is running for the local legislative assembly. Several other monitors are also seen being forcibly removed from the site.

Golos earlier reported some 2,000 procedural violations as well as violations of lax measures for guarding ballots at polling stations, people voting multiple times, as well as dozens of reported incidents of ballot stuffing.

With reporting by RFE/RL correspondents in Moscow, Current Time, RFE/RLs Tatar-Bashkir Service, RFE/RLs North Caucasus Service, AP, and Reuters.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei demanded "action, not words" from the United States if it wants to revive Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, challenging new U.S. President Joe Biden to take the first step toward a thaw.



Iran has set a deadline of next week for Biden to begin reversing sanctions imposed by his predecessor, Donald Trump, or it will take its biggest step yet to breach the deal  banning short-notice inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.



"We have heard many nice words and promises, which in practice have been broken and opposite actions have been taken," Khamenei said in a televised speech. "Words and promises are no good. This time [we want] only action from the other side, and we will also act."



The United States on Wednesday urged Tehran to reverse and refrain from steps harming its pledges under the accord.



Biden aims to restore the pact under which Iran agreed to curbs on its disputed uranium enrichment program in return for the lifting of sanctions, a major achievement of the Obama administration that Trump scrapped in 2018, calling the deal one-sided in Iran's favor and reimposing a wide range of sanctions.



Iran and the United States are at odds over who should make the first step to revive the accord. Iran says the United States must first lift Trump's sanctions while Washington says Tehran must first return to compliance with the deal, which it began violating after Trump launched his "maximum-pressure" campaign.



Highlighting the urgency of a diplomatic solution to the standoff, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a rare phone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in which she urged Tehran to take steps ensuring its return to full compliance.



"It is now time for positive signals that create trust and increase the chances of a diplomatic solution," Merkel told Rouhani, according to a statement by the chancellor's spokesman.



Iran has accelerated its breaches of the deal's restrictions in recent months, culminating in an announcement that it will end snap inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Feb. 23.



Such inspections, which can range anywhere beyond Iran's declared nuclear sites, are mandated under the IAEA's "Additional Protocol" that Iran agreed to honor under the deal. It signed up to the Protocol in 2003 but has not ratified it.



U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a press briefing that Washington was aware of Tehran's plan to cease snap inspections.



"As we and partners have underscored, Iran should reverse these steps and refrain from taking others that would impact the IAEA assurances," Price said, adding: "The path for diplomacy remains open."

More advanced centrifuges on tap



An IAEA report on Wednesday said Iran had informed the IAEA of plans to install more of its advanced IR-2m centrifuges at its main underground enrichment plant at Natanz, in a further move apparently meant to pile pressure on Washington.



The IAEA reported on Feb. 1 that Iran had brought a second cascade, or cluster, of IR-2m machines online at Natanz, and was installing two more. The 2015 deal says Iran can only enrich with far less efficient, first-generation IR-1 centrifuges.



Iran recently began enriching uranium to 20% fissile purity at another site, Fordow, well above its previous level of 4.5% and the deal's 3.67% limit, though still well below the 90% that is weapons grade. Iran had enriched to 20% before the deal.



Refining uranium to high levels of fissile purity is a potential pathway to nuclear bombs, though Iran has long said it its enrichment program is for peaceful energy purposes only.



European parties to the deal, which have called on Tehran not to halt snap inspections, will discuss the issue with the United States on Thursday, the French Foreign Ministry said.



Rouhani played down the importance of the snap inspections, saying that ending them would not be a "significant step," as Iran would still comply with obligations under a so-called Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA.



"We will end the implementation of the Additional Protocol on February 23 and what will be implemented will be based on the safeguards," Rouhani said at a televised cabinet meeting. "The Additional Protocol is a step beyond safeguards."



Iran's envoy to the IAEA said on Wednesday that the agency's director general, Rafael Grossi, would visit Tehran on Saturday to discuss the country's plan to scale back cooperation with inspectors next week.
Iran says its prepared to take steps to live up to measures in the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as soon as the United States lifts economic sanctions on the country.

"Iran is ready to immediately take compensatory measures based on the nuclear deal and fulfill its commitments just after the U.S. illegal sanctions are lifted and it abandons its policy of threats and pressure," Iranian President Hassan Rohani said on March 7.

Rohani made the remarks as he received Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney amid diplomatic efforts to revive the landmark nuclear deal. Ireland is not party to the deal, but Dublin has the role of facilitator in the implementation of the nuclear agreement.

Rohani criticized the European signatories of the deal  Britain, France, and Germany  for what he said was their inaction on their commitments to the agreement. He said Iran "is the only party that has paid a price for it."

U.S. President Joe Biden has signaled his readiness to revive the deal, but insists Iran first return to all its nuclear commitments.

Former U.S President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington from the agreement that aimed to restrict Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions.

The Trump administration argued that the agreement failed to address Iran's ballistic-missile program or its support for regional groups that Washington considers terrorists.

After withdrawing in 2018, the United States reimposed sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran gradually and publicly abandoned the deals limits on its nuclear development.
Philippine boxing icon and senator Manny Pacquiao says he will run for president in the 2022 elections.

Pacquiao accepted the nomination of his PDP-Laban party at its national convention on Sunday, pledging to honestly serve the Filipino people who he said have been waiting for a change of government.

"I am a fighter, and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring," Pacquiao, 42, said in his speech.

"In the name of our countrymen who have long been desiring for the right change in government, I wholeheartedly, bravely, and humbly hope for your support," he added.

Pacquiao is the president of the PDP-Laban faction led by him and Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III.

Another faction of the party earlier this month nominated President Rodrigo Duterte to be its vice presidential candidate, and Duterte's former aide, Sen. Bong Go, as its presidential nominee.

Duterte, who is forbidden by the constitution from seeking a second six-year term, has accepted the nomination, but Go has declined to run for president.

Duterte has led a brutal campaign against illegal drugs, and said last week he would rather "die first" before facing an international tribunal, the day after the International Criminal Court announced it would investigate allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the crackdown that has left thousands dead.
A report in The Guardian says U.S. physicians treating unvaccinated patients are succumbing to compassion fatigue as a fourth surge of COVID-19 cases sweeps across the country.

Dr. Michelle Shu, a 29-year-old emergency medicine resident, said medical school did not prepare her to handle the misinformation unvaccinated patients believe about the vaccine, calling the experience demoralizing.

"There is a feeling, Dr. Mona Masood, a psychiatrist in Philadelphia told The Guardian, that Im risking my life, my familys life, my own wellbeing for people who dont care about me.

The U.S. has more COVID-19 cases than any other country, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, with over 42 million infections.

Indias health ministry said Sunday that it had recorded 30,773 new COVID-19 cases in the previous 24-hour period and 309 deaths. Johns Hopkins reports that only the U.S. has more infections than India, which has over 33 million.

Johns Hopkins has recorded more than 228 million global COVID-19 cases and 4.6 million global deaths. Almost 6 billion vaccines have been administered, according to Johns Hopkins.

Meanwhile, in the southern U.S. state of Alabama on Friday, Dr. Scott Harris, Alabamas state health officer, said that 2020 was the first year in the history of the state that it had more deaths than births  64,714 deaths and 57,641 births. The state literally shrunk, he said. Alabama is headed in the same direction for 2021, Harris said, with the current rate of COVID deaths.
Organizers and participants in an online U.S. academic conference on Hindu nationalism say right-wing Hindu groups targeted the meeting, calling it anti-Hindu and Hindu-phobic.

These organizers and participants in the September 10-12 Dismantling Global Hindutva (DGH) conference -- Hindutva refers to a right-wing Hindu movement aiming to turn India into a Hindu state -- say they received hate mail and death threats and that the attacks came from right-wing Hindu groups and their supporters.

Indian poet and activist Meena Kandasamy, a conference speaker, told VOA September 18 she had received an online death threat, while Rohit Chopra, an associate professor at Santa Clara University in California and conference organizer, said several participants had received death threats.

While the death threat to Kandasamy was apparently from an individual, Only right wing groups are officially targeting me through tweets, conferences, posters, articles and mass trolling. I am certain the threats are coming from members of those groups, she told VOA.

The threats and harassment have been relentless and unimaginable in their scale and scope, said Chopra.

There have been direct threats of violence sent by phone, email and on social media to specific individuals associated with the conference. These hateful messages include threats of death and sexual violence to the individuals in question and to their families. The rightwing media frenzy in India and the attacks on the conference launched by right-wing Hindu Organizations in the U.S. have, and are, contributing to this climate of violence.

An email received by one organizer said: If this event will take place, then I will become Osama bin Laden and will kill all the speakers, dont blame me.

Hindu groups have accused the conference of being an attack on Hinduism. The India-based group Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, or Hindu Mass-Awakening Committee, held a discussion on Twitter September 15 in which several speakers said that the DGH conference was anti-Hindu and it was held to launch a campaign against Hinduism.

Sourish Mukherjee a spokesperson of Vishwa Hindu Parishad or World Hindu Organization, the largest Hindu group in India -- which has not been accused of any attacks on the conference -- told VOA, The conference was part of a global conspiracy to malign Hinduism.

Conference organizers, though, call the accusation false and say the conference was only an academic discussion on the political ideology of Hindutva by the participating scholars.

The Hindu groups, identified by the organizers as far-right fringe groups and their supporters, sent more than a million emails to universities sponsoring the conference urging them to withdraw and take action against staff that participated, organizers say.

Kandasamy has faced violent threats since her name as a speaker at the conference became public last month. Pictures of Kandasamy and her 4-year-old son were posted online with vulgar captions and threats. She also received threats of being raped on Twitter.

A well-known Indian documentary maker and activist, who participated in the conference, told VOA he received at least two death threats from one group called Kalki Army for taking part in the conference.

Chopra said that several of the speakers, mostly with their roots in India, withdrew from the conference.

Despite the pressure campaign, Chopra said no university dropped support for the conference.

In fact, since news of the highly organized attack against the conference, and, indeed, the principle of academic freedom, has become public, we have received overwhelming support from all segments of global civil society, including academic associations, PEN International, academicians, and others, Chopra told VOA.

Several Hindu groups charged that the conference is aimed at demeaning Hinduism.

The Hindu American Foundation said that it never tried to stop the DGH conference, but sought to present its views to counter those of the speakers there. The foundation never encouraged opponents of the conference to make violent threats against its organizers, speakers and supporters, the statement said.

We are aware of threatening and harassing messages on social media targeting organizers of the event and some of those who are promoting the conference, and even their family members. Some report receiving violent threats and menacing phone calls. We emphatically condemn all such actions, the statement said.

Ben Baer, the director of South Asian Studies Program at Princeton University, said that his university had received thousands of emails calling the conference Hindu-phobic.

Chopra said that the organizers of the DGH conference had repeatedly emphasized from the very start, on the conference site and in all materials related to it that Hindutva is not synonymous with Hinduism.

Hindutva is a very specific historical phenomenon but meaningful analogies to that accusation would be to label a conference on global rightwing Christian fundamentalism as Christian-phobic or to designate a conference on White Supremacy as motivated by hatred of all White people. It is precisely because the Hindu Right and pro-Hindutva organizations opposing the conference want that Hindutva should be seen as the authentic incarnation of Hinduism that they are making such untenable claims, said Chopra.

Audrey Truschke, an associate professor of South Asian history at Rutgers University, who has received several violent threats despite not being involved in the DGH conference, said that the right-wing Hindu nationalist groups have attacked U.S.-based academics, on and off, for a few decades with the goal of stifling academic discourse.

These right-wing groups have become significantly emboldened and virulent in their attacks over the past few years, deploying standard Hindu nationalist strategies of disinformation campaigns, trolling, threatening and filing lawsuits, intimidation, and pressuring employers. Such attacks seek to silence a wide range of scholars, including those who work on Indo-Muslim history, Hinduism, Kashmir, and, of course, Hindu nationalism, Truschke told VOA.

Such attacks are infringing on academic freedom and so are being opposed by a broad array of scholars, academic organizations, universities, and civil society groups, she said.
Russians vote on Sunday in the final day of three-day parliamentary elections marred by allegations of widespread irregularities and a fresh crackdown on jailed opposition politician Alexey Navalnys movement.



The ruling Kremlin-backed United Russia party is expected to win the parliamentary vote, following a clampdown by authorities on dissent that eliminated vocal critics from the ballot and crushed independent media.



But the party that backs President Vladimir Putin could be at risk of losing its supermajority in parliament, with polls before the election showing its popularity dwindling to around 30 percent.



United Russias current three-quarters majority in the 450-seat State Duma gives the party sweeping powers, including the ability to change the constitution as it did last year to allow Putin to run for two more terms as president after 2024.



The Communists, the second strongest party, are in a position to gain the most seats at the expense of United Russia.



The Communists retain a strong following among older Russians but may get an extra boost from supporters of Navalny this time around.





Navalnys strategy is staked on his Smart Voting initiative  a tool promoted as a way for voters opposed to Putin to identify candidates who have the best chance to defeat a United Russia candidate so as not to split the opposition.

Most of the candidates identified by the initiative are from the Communist Party, even though it and two other parties in the Duma rarely vote against majority initiatives or those explicitly lobbied for by the Kremlin.



"If the United Russia party succeeds, our country will face another five years of poverty, five years of daily repression, and five wasted years," a message on Navalny's Instagram account read on the eve of the elections.



In recent months, authorities have unleashed a sweeping crackdown against Navalnys political network, designating it an "extremist organization" and barring the politician's allies from participating in elections.



As the vote kicked off on September 17, the election-guide app disappeared from the Apple and Google online stores in what Navalnys associates slammed as censorship and bowing to pressure from the Kremlin.

Mass voting of state workers

Popular messaging app Telegram, one of the main avenues Navalnys team used to get out its messaging, also removed a Smart Voting bot. Telegram founder Pavel Durov said he was proud millions of Russians had access to Smart Voting through the service, but that election-related bots were being removed to be in line with Russia's ban on campaigning during voting.



Then late on July 18, Navalny's team said YouTube had also taken down one of their videos that contained the names of candidates they had endorsed.



The vote, which is being held alongside elections for regional governors and local legislative assemblies, has taken place against allegations of widespread irregularities.

On the first day of the election, there were unusually long lines at polling stations, in what the Golos independent election-monitoring group suggested was the ruling party forcing state workers and military personnel to vote.



Stanislav Andreychuk, co-chairman of Golos, told Current Time that it appeared state employees were coerced into voting while they were at work, even if that meant not casting a ballot where they were registered.



"We understand that when such a mobilization takes place, it is a mobilization among those groups of voters who, in the opinion of the authorities, are most loyal to them," he said.



"The authorities must first get these people to vote, while on the other hand try to demobilize all opponents so that they do not appear at the polling stations," he said.



But despite possible forced voting, overall turnout at polling stations was only 35.7 percent as of 10 a.m. Moscow time on September 19, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said.



Navalny's team has called on voters to cast ballots on the last day to reduce the chance their votes are not discarded during the first two days of voting.



Authorities said they spread the election over three days to prevent crowding because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but critics say the long voting period offers ample opportunities for manipulation and engineering a desired outcome.

In St. Petersburg, an independent election-monitoring group reported that a candidate from the opposition Yabloko party was beaten by police officers at the polling station No. 1459 on September 19.



Nikita Sorokin, who is running for the local legislative assembly, had called police earlier, claiming that between 200 and 300 unused ballots suspiciously disappeared at the polling station, Nablyudateli Peterburga (Petersburg Monitors) said.



A video shared by activists seems to show at least three officers manhandling Sorokin, while several other monitors are being forcibly removed from the site.



On the first day of voting, Golos recorded some 2,000 procedural violations indicating votes were being bought. It also reported violations of lax measures for guarding ballots at polling stations, people voting multiple times, as well as dozens of reported incidents of ballot stuffing.

The head of the Communist Party also alleged on September 18 widespread violations in the election. Gennady Zyuganov said the CEC must respond to reports of a number of absolutely egregious facts, including ballot-stuffing in several regions.



Ella Pamfilova, head of the CEC, said 6,203 ballots had been deemed invalid in five entities of the Russian Federation because of irregularities, including ballot-box stuffing in the Bryansk region, poor quality of ballots in Mordovia, and incorrect registrations in Moscow.



The election runs until 18:00 GMT on September 19 when polling stations close in the European exclave of Kaliningrad. Preliminary results are expected shortly after polls close.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, Current Time, AP, and Reuters
The mosquito-borne disease malaria kills more than 400,000 people each year, the vast majority in Africa.

Target Malaria, an international group of scientists, is working in Burkina Faso on a genetic solution.

Abdoulaye Diabate, with the West African countrys Research Institute for Science and Health, said the objective of Target Malaria is to develop a genetic control tool specifically applied to mosquitoes to be able to drastically reduce or eliminate the density of mosquitoes.

The scientists are genetically modifying mosquitoes so their offspring will be only male, and any females they mate with after release will also produce just males.

Since only female mosquitoes spread malaria, the disease should drop off quickly along with their population.

In village of Bana, where the genetically modified mosquitoes were first tested in 2019, locals were initially worried about the experiment.

Kiesiara Sanou, a Bana village elder, said that at the beginning, people thought the survey would release mosquitoes in the village that could cause more diseases. But since working with Target Malaria, theyve come to understand exactly what the purpose is and now even help them with tasks like collecting the mosquitoes.

Genetically modified mosquitoes are just one malaria solution that has been tested in Burkina Faso. The country also pioneered pesticide-infused mosquito nets.

Oxford Universitys Jenner Institute in April announced that a malaria vaccine tested in Burkina Faso had a breakthrough 77% efficacy.

Target Malaria said climate and environment play a large part in the countrys cutting-edge malaria research.

Naima Sykes, of Target Malaria, said that according to the WHO 2019 World Malaria Report, over 94% of malaria cases and deaths took place in Africa.

Sykes added that when finding institutions to partner with, Target Malaria sought out institutions in countries with a significant malaria burden and a strong desire to do something about it.

The West African Organization for Coordination and Cooperation in the Control of Major Endemic Diseases was set up in the 1960s and headquartered in Burkina Faso.

The research institutes Diabate points out that its scientists are the third generation of malaria researchers.

When you grow up in Burkina Fasos environment, malaria becomes part of your daily life, and it can make you think its inevitable that you will have it, Diabate said. But he said that when he went to school, his mind opened up, and he soon realized what the source of the problem was.

Thanks to researchers hard work, said Diabate, Africas deadly malaria problem is closer to being solved.
Female employees in the Kabul city government have been told to stay home, with work only allowed for those who cannot be replaced by men, the interim mayor of Afghanistan's capital said Sunday, detailing the latest restrictions on women by the new Taliban rulers.

Witnesses, meanwhile, said an explosion targeted a Taliban vehicle in the eastern provincial city of Jalalabad, and hospital officials said five people were killed in the second such deadly blast in as many days in the Islamic State stronghold.

The decision to prevent most female city workers from returning to their jobs is another sign that the Taliban, who overran Kabul last month, are enforcing their harsh interpretation of Islam despite initial promises by some that they would be tolerant and inclusive. In their previous rule in the 1990s, the Taliban had barred girls and women from schools, jobs and public life.

In recent days, the new Taliban government issued several decrees rolling back the rights of girls and women. It told female middle school and high school students that they could not return to school for the time being, while boys in those grades resumed studies this weekend. Female university students were informed that studies would take place in gender-segregated settings from now on, and that they must abide by a strict

Islamic dress code. Under the U.S.-backed government deposed by the Taliban, university studies had been co-ed, for the most part.

On Friday, the Taliban shut down the Women's Affairs Ministry, replacing it with a ministry for the "propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice" and tasked with enforcing Islamic law.

On Sunday, just more than a dozen women staged a protest outside the ministry, holding up signs calling for the participation of women in public life.

The protest lasted about 10 minutes. After a short verbal confrontation with a man, the women got into cars and left, as Taliban in two cars observed from nearby. Over the past months, Taliban fighters had broken up several women's protests by force.

Elsewhere, about 30 women, many of them young, held a news conference in a basement of a home tucked away in a Kabul neighborhood. Marzia Ahmadi, a rights activist and government employee now forced to sit at home, said they would demand the Taliban reopen public spaces to women.

"It's our right," she said. "We want to talk to them. We want to tell them that we have the same rights as they have."

Most of the participants said they would try to leave the country if they had an opportunity.

The explosion Sunday in Jalalabad was the second attack in two days to target the Taliban in the Islamic State group stronghold. The Taliban and IS extremists are enemies and fought each other even before the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan last month.

In a statement Sunday, Islamic State Khorasan claimed responsibility for the four weekend attacks.

Hospital officials in Jalalabad said they received the bodies of five people killed in the explosion. Among the dead were two civilians, including a child, and three others who according to witnesses were in a targeted border police vehicle and were believed to be Taliban.

The Taliban were not immediately available for comment about possible casualties among their ranks.

On Saturday, three explosions targeted Taliban vehicles in Jalalabad, killing three people and wounding 20, witnesses said.

With the Taliban facing major economic and security problems as they attempt to govern, a growing challenge by IS militants would further stretch their resources.

Also on Sunday, interim Kabul Mayor Hamdullah Namony gave his first news conference since being appointed by the Taliban.

He said that before the Taliban takeover last month, just under one-third of the nearly 3,000 city employees were women, and that they had worked in all departments.

Namony said the female employees have been ordered to stay home, pending a further decision. He said exceptions were made for women who could not be replaced by men, including some in the design and engineering departments and the attendants of public toilets for women. Namony did not say how many female employees were forced to stay home.

Across Afghanistan, women in many areas have been told to stay home from jobs, both in the public and private sectors; however, the Taliban have not yet announced a uniform policy.

Perhaps the toughest challenge faced by the new Taliban rulers is the accelerated economic downturn. Even before the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan was plagued by major problems, including large-scale poverty, drought and heavy reliance on foreign aid for the state budget.

In a sign of growing desperation, street markets have sprung up in Kabul where residents are selling their belongings. Some of the sellers are Afghans hoping to leave the country, while others are forced to offer their meager belongings in hopes of getting money for the next meal.
Thousands marched in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Sunday for LGTBQ rights, an annual march that was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Waving rainbow flags, roughly 7,000 people  down from the record of 8,000 in 2019  marched through the capital city. Police flanked the marchers.

Kateryna Lytvynenko, a Pride participant, told The Associated Press: "(We) are here at the Pride (march) to support the LGBTQ community in Ukraine. We are here to promote human rights because LGBTQ rights are human rights and, unfortunately, the community faces a lot of violence and discrimination in Ukraine still."

Artyom, who said he was an IT expert, told Agence France-Presse: "Hate exists in these territories, in post-Soviet countries, only because of a lack of respect. It also exists in Europe and in the West, but at a much lower level. They respect human rights there, while in our country the respect for human rights is only just starting to develop."

The march was peaceful, and no clashes were reported.

Several hundred anti-gay rights activists held their own rally in a park in Kyiv, the AP reported.

Kristian Udarov, who said he was a right-wing activist and pro-Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, told AFP: We are here today to protect family and Christian values, to protest against LGBT propaganda, because we are against it. LGBT is just people playing politics, and frankly it's an illness."

A number of Western diplomats, including staff from the U.S. and U.K. embassies, took part in the Pride march, tweeting their support for the movement, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Embassy Kyiv community members participated in #KyivPride2021 to show support for the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people  including LGBTQI+ persons, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said in a tweet. We salute law enforcement for ensuring participants' safety.

So fantastic to be out on the streets alongside my cool @UKinUkraine colleagues and friends supporting LGBTQ groups in Ukraine, Melinda Simmons, Britains ambassador to Ukraine, wrote in a tweet.

Homophobia is widespread in Ukraine. A survey published in August by sociological group Rating said 47% of respondents had a negative view of the gay community.

While government support for LGBTQ rights has increased in recent years, the country does not allow same-sex couples to be married or adopt children, and workplace discrimination laws do not encompass sexual orientation.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty contributed to this report. Some material for this report came from Agence France-Presse, The Associated Press and Reuters.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was travelling to the United States on Sunday with senior Cabinet officials to urge world leaders attending the U.N. General Assembly to take urgent action on climate change ahead of this fall's COP26 climate summit in Scotland.

Johnson is set to co-host a meeting on climate change with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday. The two will discuss the need to help developing countries mitigate the impact of climate change.

"This week, as world leaders arrive in New York for the biggest diplomatic event of the year, I will be pushing them to take concrete action on coal, climate, cars and trees so we can make a success of COP26 and keep our climate goals within reach," Johnson said in a statement.

Britain is hosting the COP26 climate summit from October 31 to November 12 in Glasgow. The conference is billed as a pivotal moment to persuade governments, industry and investors to make binding commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and to make progress on reducing global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The British government says 100 world leaders have confirmed they will attend the conference. But Alok Sharma, the British official serving as the conference's president, was not able to confirm Sunday whether Chinese President Xi Jinping has committed to attending the talks, or whether China would definitely be sending a delegation.

"On the issue of whether Xi Jinping is going to come, that is not yet confirmed. Normally these things come a bit closer to summits. I am very, very hopeful that we will have a delegation from China," Sharma told the BBC.

He told Sky News that Beijing, as the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter, would have to be a key part of any climate change agreement.

"They have said to me they want the COP26 to be a success. The ball is in their court. We want them to come forward and make it a success together with the rest of the world," he said.

Johnson, Sharma and newly appointed British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss arrive in New York on Sunday for a four-day visit to the U.S.

After the U.N. General Assembly, Johnson and Truss will visit the White House for talks on climate, the pandemic and international security. It will be Johnson's first visit to the White House since President Joe Biden took office.
Dozens, even hundreds, of asylum-seeking migrants often wait hours to surrender to U.S. Border Patrol agents, but the thousands of Haitians gathered at a bridge in the small Texas border town of Del Rio may be unprecedented and point to a glaring problem with the federal police agency's staffing.

Instead of conducting patrols and uncovering smuggling activity, its agents spend about 40% of their time caring for people already in custody and administrative tasks that are unrelated to border security.

The agency hopes to free up agents to go back into the field by hiring civilians for jobs like making sure microwaved burritos are served properly, checking holding cells and the time-consuming work of collecting information for immigration court papers.

The Border Patrol graduated its first class of "processing coordinators" in January, with the goal of eventually hiring 1,200. The position requires less training than for law enforcement officers and pays less. It is also seen as a recruiting tool for an agency that has struggled to find qualified applicants, particularly women.

While it's too early to know if the new employees will pan out as hoped, the hiring plan's initial reviews are generally favorable. Their skills will be in high demand as U.S. authorities respond to the Haitians who suddenly arrived in Del Rio and other large groups of new arrivals.

"This is a very, very good program. It is a very necessary program," said Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, a labor union representing many of the nearly 20,000 agents. "It's a program that will allow us to get more agents in the field."

The need is especially acute during periodic spikes at the U.S.-Mexico border, including ones seen in 2014, 2019 and again this year. The coordinator positions are for 13 months and renewable for up to four years.

Most single adults are expelled without an opportunity to seek asylum under a pandemic-related authority designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Unaccompanied children and most families can seek humanitarian protection, giving them little incentive to elude capture because they will be released in the U.S. with notices to appear in court.

As a result, there are migrants who cross the border and wait  and wait  for agents to arrive, and who may require more care. In August, families accounted for 41% of Border Patrol encounters, and unaccompanied children made up 9%.

Agents also complain they have less time to pursue migrants trying to avoid being picked up.

A civilian coordinator assigned to a San Diego-area border station, Aide Franco Avalos, got a taste for the work in 2019, when she worked for the Transportation Security Administration at Palm Springs International Airport in California.

Franco Avalos volunteered for a temporary Border Patrol assignment in El Paso, Texas, and felt fulfilled caring for migrants. When she saw an opening in California that wouldn't require a family move, the Los Angeles native decided on a career change.

"I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into at first because it's a brand-new position, but I knew that my assistance to the agents was greatly needed," she said.

Franco Avalos would like to become a Border Patrol agent, but at 42, she missed the maximum starting age of 39.

Annual pay for processing coordinators is between $35,265 and $51,103, well below what agents earn. The Biden administration's 2022 budget proposal says the position costs 18.5% less than an average agent.

The Border Patrol began to seriously consider creating the job in 2014. Discussions intensified when agents were again stretched by large numbers of asylum-seeking families and children in 2019, many from Central America.

"It becomes a bit repetitious and a bit frustrating that there's no other option, right?" said Gloria Chavez, chief of the Border Patrol's El Paso sector, who was deeply involved in the effort. "Who else can we lean on to help us with this task? So that's when the conversation started."

The agency also hopes the new positions will recruit future agents, including more women, who make up only about 5% of agents, Chavez said.

"The processing coordinators are going to be working hand in hand with our agents at the central processing center, and they're going to be learning a lot of different skills, building up their confidence for everyone, and then maybe they want to apply for those jobs," she said.

Melanie Garcia, 24, left her job as a prison guard in a psychiatric unit in Lubbock, Texas, to work as a processing coordinator at a Border Patrol holding center in El Paso. She wanted to learn more about the agency and to be closer to family. She said the job was "a really good steppingstone" to becoming an agent.
Millions of Americans who were thrown out of work in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic are now encountering a hot jobs market with businesses eager, even desperate, to hire them.

But amid continued spread of the delta COVID-19 variant, workers are trickling, not rushing, back into the labor market, despite the expiration of augmented federal unemployment benefits and offers of higher wages in some sectors.

Consumers eager to spend money would normally be a boon to the service industry in Charlotte, North Carolina. But businesses here, as in many parts of the United States, cant find enough workers to accommodate the demand.

Help wanted signs are ubiquitous in storefronts across the city, where, since May 2020, the local unemployment rate has fallen from nearly 14% to less than 5%.

Oh, there's business here, Brixx Wood Fired Pizza general manager Lethr Rotherttold VOA. "The restaurant stays busy and we're making loads of money, but I don't have the staff to keep up.

Its a similar situation at The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters, an independent outfit with a unique business model of roasting coffee beans in-store and right in front of customers. The coffee shop was launched during the pandemic and has struggled to keep up with demand.

When we think were good [for workers], the volume increases, and we suddenly need more help, said manager Enzo Pazos. Two people go to school, thats two less staff on hand, so its kind of like its never enough.

Youre seeing variations of this same theme of a worker shortage across the country, economist Matthew Metzgar of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte told VOA.

Metzgar notes that a federal economic stimulus program provided some workers with higher temporary incomes than they had received at their old jobs before the pandemic.

Whats happening is of course with that higher unemployment compensation, people are less willing to work and people are less willing to accept lower wages, Metzgar said.

Others who remain unemployed say they are reluctant to take jobs that would put them in close contact with the public at a time when the United States is averaging more than 1,500 COVID-19 deaths a day.

Most people that have stayed on unemployment have done it for safety reasons, it seems, job seeker Alex Jordan Ku said. I have some friends on unemployment, and their safety was their main concern. They haven't been looking for jobs They kind of just went back home to live with their parents so they can be without jobs for a while until things feel safe to them.

Yet another problem keeping many people out of the workforce has been a shortage of affordable child care  a problem that was exacerbated by COVID-related school closures and remote learning that have forced many parents to remain at home with their children.

That problem may be easing as schools are reopening across the country this fall, but the parents of younger children are still finding it hard to secure placements in child care facilities, which are themselves impacted by difficulty in hiring enough qualified staff.

In a move partly aimed at getting more people back to work, the Biden administration is promoting enhanced child care subsidies as part of a proposed $3.5 trillion plan to fund infrastructure and social safety net programs.

This months expiration of supplemental unemployment benefits should force at least some workers back into the labor pool as their bank accounts run dry. But Metzgar says many potential workers are less than eager to return to jobs that pay less than what they received in benefits.

From the workers point of view, there is resistance to coming back to lower-wage positions, and in some situations, there may not be much to entice them back in, he said.

Adequate compensation

At a recent jobs fair in the neighboring state of Virginia, securing adequate compensation was on the minds of many prospective applicants, several of whom stressed factors beyond an hourly wage.

What I'm looking for is something where there's long-term stability, and benefits are important, Lisette Bez told VOA at the Leesburg, Virginia, event. Even though she has run out of unemployment benefits, Bez indicated she is holding out for a job that includes things like generous health insurance benefits.

The cost of insurance these days continues to go up. And I think for a lot of people that's a huge concern, she said. So it's not just enough to have a job that will pay you a certain amount. You have to have those other things.

While employers have no control over the pandemic, they do have leeway in what they offer to entice workers, say labor advocates.

In all candor, raising wages is the only thing thats going to be bringing people back to work, Charlotte labor organizer William Voltz told VOA.

Voltz, president of Unite Heres Local 23, a union for airport employees, said workers need an hourly wage in the $17-$22 range to get by, far higher than the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Unfortunately, to live in Charlotte you really have to make a livable wage to be able to afford housing and lifes necessities, he said.

Message heard

Amid fierce competition for labor, a growing number of U.S. employers big and small are sweetening wage and benefits packages offered to job seekers. E-commerce giant Amazon.com, Inc. recently boosted its average starting wage to $18 an hour, up from a $15 minimum wage the company set before the pandemic.

In Charlotte, Giddy Goat founder Carson Clough said he expects a certain amount of negotiation in determining compensation for new employees.

If workers do have requests regarding pay and benefits, I am all ears, Clough told VOA. My business partner and I started off with the mindset [in] which were going to try and meet high-end wage requests, even prior to the pandemic. Id be very open to hearing different demands, such as How can I go do this or How can this be a part of the package or something like that.

Flexibility and creativity will be key to hiring and retaining workers going forward, according to Metzgar.

Companies may consider thinking about bringing on workers that could contribute in multiple ways, doing something that brings value to the business. This would be a win-win, it would allow the worker to be invested, while the worker receives a higher wage in return, the economist said.

The point is to reimagine some of these positions so that the workers have the opportunity to produce more value, so managers set up workers to flourish to produce value for the company, which again comes with higher wages for the worker, he added.
The United States acted Sunday to stem the flow of migrants into Texas by blocking the Mexican border at an isolated town where thousands of Haitian refugees have set up a camp, but the migrants quickly found other ways to cross nearby.

The attempted border closure happened as officials also began flying some of the migrants back to their homeland.

About a dozen Texas Department of Public Safety vehicles lined up near the bridge and river where Haitians have been crossing from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, into Del Rio, Texas, for almost three weeks. Yellow police tape was being used to block them from using a small dam to walk into the U.S.

A Mexican police officer on the Mexican side of the border said migrants will not be allowed to cross anymore. He would not give his name. But an Associated Press reporter saw Haitian immigrants still crossing the river into the U.S. about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) east of the previous spot.

Several hundred were sitting along the river bank on the U.S. side as 50 to 60 at a time made the crossing to and from Mexico through waist-deep water. There were a few U.S. officers observing the crossings, but taking no steps to stop them.

Many of the migrants have lived in Latin America for years, but they now are seeking asylum in the U.S. as economic opportunities in Brazil and elsewhere dry up. Thousands are living under and near a bridge in Del Rio.

Meanwhile, the U.S. sent three flights of Haitians taken from Del Rio back to their homeland, and that number is expected to reach at least six per day shortly, according to a U.S. government official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not allowed to discuss the issue publicly. The planes left San Antonio and the first plane arrived Sunday afternoon in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.

A large number of buses arrived Sunday in Del Rio, and "many, many more" are coming to transfer Haitians to expulsion flights, U.S. immigration detention centers and Border Patrol holding facilities. Departure cities for Haiti-bound flights have yet to be finalized and are being "actively planned," the official said.

The blockade and deportations marked a swift response to the sudden arrival of Haitians in Del Rio, a Texas city of about 35,000 people roughly 230 kilometers (145 miles) west of San Antonio. It sits on a relatively remote stretch of border that lacks capacity to hold and process such large numbers of people.

At the Port-au-Prince airport, families held children by the hand or carried them as they exited, and some deportees covered their heads as they walked into a large bus parked next to the plane.

There were about a dozen officials from various Haitian government agencies gathered to meet with the deported Haitians. Public security officials with the Ministry of Justice requested the presence of Haiti's national police to prevent any potential violence.

A minibus from the International Organization of Migration also was posted at the airport. It was filled with brightly colored bags containing toiletries, hand sanitizer and hair ties.

All the deportees have been tested for COVID-19, and authorities are not planning to put them into quarantine, said Marie-Lourde Jean-Charles with the Office of National Migration.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry wrote Sunday on Twitter that he is concerned about conditions at the border camp and that the migrants would be welcomed back.

"We want to reassure them that measures have already been taken to give them a better welcome upon their return to the country and that they will not be left behind," he tweeted. Henry did not provide details about the measures. A Haitian government spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment.

But another Haitian political leader questioned Sunday whether the nation could handle an influx of returning migrants and said the government should stop the repatriation.

"We have the situation in the south with the earthquake. The economy is a disaster, (and) there are no jobs," Election Minister Mathias Pierre said, adding that most Haitians can't satisfy basic needs. "The prime minister should negotiate with the U.S. government to stop those deportations in this moment of crises."

Some of the migrants at the Del Rio camp said the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise make them afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

"In Haiti, there is no security," said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived in Texas with his wife and two daughters. "The country is in a political crisis."

Scores of people waded back and forth across the Rio Grande on Saturday, re-entering Mexico to purchase water, food and diapers in Ciudad Acuna before returning to the Texas encampment. With that route now blocked, that area of the Mexican city was now deserted but Haitians could be found near their new crossing spot.

Migrant Charlie Jean had crossed back into Ciudad Acuna to get food for his wife and three daughters, ages 2, 5 and 12. He was waiting for a restaurant to bring him an order of rice.

"We need food for every day. I can go without, but my kids can't," said Jean, who had been living in Chile for five years before beginning the trek north to the U.S.

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating 2010 earthquake. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

Crowd estimates varied, but Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano said Saturday evening there were more than 14,500 immigrants at the camp under the bridge. Migrants pitched tents and built makeshift shelters from giant reeds known as carrizo cane. Many bathed and washed clothing in the river.

It is not clear how such a large number amassed so quickly, though many Haitians have been assembling in camps on the Mexican side of the border to wait while deciding whether to attempt entry into the U.S.
A Qatar Airways flight on Friday took more Americans out of Afghanistan, according to Washington's peace envoy, the third such airlift by the Mideast carrier since the Taliban takeover and the frantic U.S. troop pullout from the country.

U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted he was "grateful that more Americans were able to leave on a Qatar Airways flight." There was no immediate information how many Americans were on the flight.

An Afghan official said more than 150 passengers were on the flight, though it was not immediately clear how many were Americans.

On Saturday, the U.S. State Department said 28 U.S. citizens and seven lawful permanent residents were on the flight.

In the past week, more than 300 foreign nationals as well as U.S. green card holders and Afghans with special visas have left Afghanistan. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

He said more flights were expected on Saturday, including another Qatar Airways flight. It's unclear how many American nationals are still in Afghanistan, but Khalilzad tweeted "we remain committed to get them out if they want to come home."

U.S. State Department spokesperson Jalina Porter confirmed that the plane departed Kabul on Friday and told reporters that officials were still trying to determine how many Americans, green card holders or holders of special immigrant visas for Afghans were on the flight heading to Doha, the Qatari capital.

Porter said that in all, "between the charter flights and overland crossings, a total of 36 U.S. citizens" have left Afghanistan since the U.S. troop pullout.

The development came amid rising concerns over the future of Afghanistan under the Taliban. The country's new Islamic rulers on Friday ordered boys and male teachers of grades six to 12 to return to school and resume classes, starting Saturday, but not girls and women teachers.

The statement, posted on the Facebook page of the now Taliban-run education ministry, underscored fears that the Taliban might again impose restrictions on girls and women. Since taking power, the Taliban had allowed girls in grades one to six to resume classes. When they ruled Afghanistan previously in the late 1990s, the Taliban banned girls and women from attending school and work.

The Taliban order for the boys and male teachers to return to junior high and high schools went against earlier promises by the Taliban to guarantee girls equal access to education. Since taking over, the Taliban have only allowed women back to work in the health sector and as teachers in grades one through five.

At a news conference last week, the Taliban minister for higher education, Abdul Baqi Haqqani, had said classes would be gender segregated but that girls would have the same access to education as boys.

Earlier this month, the Taliban declared their interim, all-male government  devoid of any women or members of the country's minorities. The 33-member Cabinet is stacked with veterans of the Taliban's hard-line rule from the 1990s and the 20-year battle against the U.S.-led coalition.

This is unlikely to win the Taliban the international support they desperately need to avoid an economic meltdown.
Cui Tiankai, the 69-year-old career diplomat who has served as Chinas ambassador to the United States since April 2013, is getting ready to go home.

American analysts mostly give Cui high marks for how he represented his country  or at least its government  during his eight-year tenure. But they also question the degree to which he or any Chinese diplomat has been able to influence decision-making in Beijing.

Winston Lord, former U.S. ambassador to China, and Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund in Washington, are among those who say Cui has been a highly effective diplomat.

Ambassador Cui Tiankai has done an outstanding job in my view, during a very difficult period, Lord said in a phone interview from his home in New York.

Skilled, respected

The fact that Cui remained in his post for so long attests to his skill and the respect in which he is held, Lord said. Hes been very strong in defending Chinese interests, of course, but hes always done so with a sense of trying to encourage some sort of dialogue, even though weve got some sharp disagreements.

Glaser attended some events Cui hosted at the Chinese Embassy. When asked about the senior diplomats mannerisms at those functions, she recalled that sometimes he was gracious, sometimes he used tougher language when that was appropriate  hes a very good diplomat, and he adjusts his messaging based on the prevailing situation in the U.S.-China relationship.

When Cui took up his post, he spoke of China as the largest developing country and the U.S. as the largest developed one. He said the relationship was driven by the ever-expanding converging interests between our two countries and the common responsibility that we share in safeguarding world peace, promoting sustainable development of the global economy.

Eight years later, relations between the two countries have reached their lowest ebb in decades as Beijing adopts a more aggressive posture around the world  sending out a new breed of diplomats described as wolf warriors.

Even though people would admire [Chinas] economic progress, the wolf warrior approach to diplomacy, the repression at home, [hostile] actions abroad have meant a decline in how China is viewed around the world, Lord said.

However, neither he nor Glaser sees Cui as part of that new breed.

Three responsibilities

Traditionally, ambassadors have three main responsibilities, no matter which country you represent, Lord said in the phone interview. In addition to representing the home country and its interests, an ambassador is tasked with reporting on developments in the host country and making policy recommendations.

A Chinese ambassador in Washington is expected to give officials in Beijing a real feel for the American scene; thats very important, said Lord. But, he added, it may be difficult for Cui or any Chinese diplomat to be entirely candid.

I think the American ambassador has a somewhat easier time than the Chinese ambassador, he said. If our ambassador sends home frank views  for example, disagreeing with what Washington is doing, or perhaps saying that the Chinese point of view is reasonable  that will be respected; hes expected to be candid. He shouldnt need be overly belligerent or overly rosy in his views of his host country. All hes got to do is be honest.

The Chinese ambassadors, meanwhile, probably are going to have a more difficult time, he said. Its a lot more difficult politically for the [Chinese] ambassador here to go back to Beijing and say, Look, youre making a mistake, or that the American point of view is not unreasonable.

David Stilwell, who served as the U.S. assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs from June 2019 until January, said Cuis dilemma has its roots in the political culture in Beijing.

I feel sorry for Ambassador Cui; hes been between a rock and a hard place for the last eight years, Stilwell said in a phone interview from Honolulu. As the man on the ground in D.C., he was responsible for telling Beijing what to expect from the new administration. Stilwell was referring to hardened stance towards the Chinese government adopted by the administration led by President Donald Trump.

Criticism 'not tolerated'

However, suggesting that General Secretary Xi [Jinping] needed to change course, to compromise, would be tantamount to criticism, Stilwell continued. In the cult of personality that surrounds Xi Jinping, criticism is not tolerated.

Stilwell said that he imagined Cui saw the train wreck that was coming but couldnt do anything to stop it, nor could he get out of the way. By train wreck, Stilwell said he was referring to the perception in Beijing of the drastic downturn in bilateral relations.

From where I sat, it was long overdue course correction, he said.
Vietnams longstanding rivalry with China, which has featured years of tense standoffs in the South China Sea, is also playing out in another nearby forum  Laos.

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phucs recent official visit to Laos shows how Vietnam is trying to maintain its traditional position and influence there in the face of Chinas expansion in the region, experts have told VOA.

Relations with Laos are considered one of Vietnams top foreign policy priorities, and the timing of Phucs Aug. 9 visit reflects the traditional regard the countries show each other. It was the first foreign visit by a senior leader of Vietnam since its 13th Party Congress in late January and Phucs first foreign trip as president.

Phuc was the first foreign head of state to visit Laos after its 11th Party Congress in mid-January. Phucs visit came six weeks after a visit to Vietnam by ruling Lao People's Revolutionary PartyGeneral Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulit.

This proves that both countries give the highest priority to consolidating and developing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and demonstrating the unique relationship that is faithful and attached to each other like brothers, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung said in an interview.

According to Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, Phucs choice of Laos as his first country to visit after taking office shows the importance that Vietnam attaches to relations with Laos, and its desire to maintain its traditional position and influence there.

For Vietnam, relations with Laos and Cambodia play a very important role in all aspects, especially in terms of security and defense. Maintaining good relations with these two countries as well as keeping influence to the maximum extent can therefore be Vietnam's top foreign policy priority, Hiep said.

Over the last 10 years, this goal has been facing significant challenges due to China's increasing strategic competition in these two countries, he added.

China, he said, is richer, with more money to invest in relations with Laos and Cambodia, especially through aid packages, concessional loans and infrastructure investments.

China's territorial ambitions and recent aggressive moves in the South China Sea have Vietnam worried, according to Hoang Viet, a lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law. Memories persist of Chinese support for the Khmer Rouge regime that ruled Cambodia in the late 1970s before being ousted by a Vietnamese invasion.

Viet referred to rumors that China has established a secret military base at Ream, on Cambodias southwestern coast. If the rumors are true, he said, it will adversely affect the security and defense of Vietnam, as China intends to establish military bases in the world.

In addition, China is also taking many actions that threaten Vietnam's sovereignty, territorial integrity as well as maritime interests in the East Sea [South China Sea]. Therefore, if China can repeat the case of the Khmer Rouge in Laos and Cambodia, it will be a disadvantage for Vietnam, he said.

China has displaced Vietnam as Laos biggest investor. According to the Lao deputy prime minister and minister of planning and investment, Sonexay Siphandone, China is currently undertaking a total of 813 projects worth over $16 billion.

"China also plays a significant role in special economic zone investments, with the Lao government having authorized 89 projects worth over $215 million, Sonexay reportedly told a workshop between Lao and Chinese entrepreneurs on Aug. 17.

Vietnam worries too as it sees Laos reaching out not only to China but to Russia and other countries. Laos also wants to become more independent, thus trying to gradually reduce its dependence on Vietnam, Viettold VOA.

Viet, who watches international developments and Vietnams diplomatic affairs, said current Lao leaders are more pragmatic than their predecessors.

All of these things have made Vietnam-Laos relations not as deep as before. This is very evident in the economic field. Many economic projects between the two countries have been signed for a long time, but the movement is very slow, he said.

Being economically weaker than China, Vietnam has a different approach to maintaining and developing close relations with Laos.

Vietnam does not have many resources to compete with China economically but is also trying its best to do so through some private investment or selective aid packages  Vietnam also tries to take advantage of historical heritages, such as traditional relations, scholarship programs for students, or other economic cooperation activities, to develop relations with the two countries, Hiep said.

Links with Laos and Cambodia are also important to Hanois competition with China in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and over South China Sea issues.

The Laos and Cambodia will continue as important areas where strategic competition between Vietnam and China will continue to increase in the near future, Hiep told VOA.
Johannesburg mayor, Jolidee Matongo, whose father is a Zimbabweans and was elected city father last month, died today in a car accident.

According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Matongo died after he participated in a voter registration exercise at his birth place, Soweto.

In a tweet, Ramaphosa expressed sadness over Matongos death the 46-year old mayor.

He said, It is hard to comprehend this tragedy, given the vitality and passion with which Mayor Matongo interacted with me and residents of Soweto so shortly before his death. Nothing could prepare any of us for this sudden loss, which has deprived our nations economic centre of its second Executive Mayor in two months.

Mayor Matongo has been taken from us at a time when he was totally immersed in improving conditions and creating opportunities for all the people of Johannesburg and stakeholders in the metropolitan economy. Like all of us, he was looking forward to the forthcoming election, and we saw in person today that he had put his heart and soul into mobilising the people of the city to make their voices heard on 1 November. The time we spent together has been rendered a priceless treasure given his untimely and traumatic passing. May his soul rest in peace.

Mayor Matongo was elected unopposed on 10 August 2021, following the passing of his predecessor, Geoff Makhubo.

Some South Africans called for his removal soon after he was elected claiming that he was a Zimbabwean immigrant.

But his former colleagues in the African National Congress, including Economic Freedom Fighters party leader, Julius Malema, defended him saying he was born and bred in South Africa.

In a tweet soon after his election, Malema said, We grew up with Jodilee Matango in the YL, and today, we are canvassed to reject him because his father was Zimbabwean. Im sorry, dont count me in your nonsense. Politically we disagree, but he remains a black brother of mine.
* Former president's legal woes continue in corruption case

* Constitutional Court rules against bid to overturn jail

* Separate trial over arms deal to start next week (Adds Zuma ordered to pay costs, background, quotes)

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's top court on Friday dismissed a bid by former president Jacob Zuma to overturn his 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court after he ignored instructions to participate in a corruption inquiry.

The jail sentence came in June after Zuma failed to testify at an inquiry into graft during his nine-year rule, in a case widely viewed as test of post-apartheid South Africa's ability to enforce rule of law, particularly against the powerful.

Zuma, recuperating in hospital after surgery for an undisclosed illness, asked the court in July to revoke its sentence for contempt, arguing it was excessive and that jail would endanger his health and life. "The application for rescission is dismissed," Justice Sisi Khampepe said as she read the majority decision, which included an order for Zuma to pay costs.

It was the latest legal setback for the 79-year-old anti-apartheid veteran from the ruling African National Congress, whose presidency between 2009-2018 was marred by widespread allegations of graft and malfeasance. He denies wrongdoing.

"Obviously the foundation is disappointed with this judgement," Mzwanele Manyi, spokesman for the JG Zuma Foundation, said in response.

NEW TRIAL STARTING

Zuma's jailing on July 7, after handing himself over to police at the last minute, triggered some of the worst riots and looting in decades, with more than 300 people killed and thousands of businesses pillaged and razed.

The violence, which President Cyril Ramaphosa described as a "failed insurrection", was also fuelled by frustration among largely Black communities still in squalid conditions long after the ANC swept to power in South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.

A former senior intelligence operative with the ANC's then banned military wing uMkhonto we Sizwe before rising to the highest office, Zuma says he is the victim of a political witchhunt and that acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is biased.

Zondo served as chairman of the graft inquiry.

The department of correctional services placed Zuma on medical parole earlier this month after surgery following his hospitalisation in August. That decision is being challenged by the opposition Democratic Alliance.

Ousted as president by Ramaphosa in 2018, Zuma faces a separate corruption trial linked to his sacking as deputy president in 2005, when he was implicated in a $2 billion government arms deal.

That long-delayed trial against Zuma, who denies multiple charges including corruption, racketeering and money laundering, continues next week. (Reporting by Wendell Roelf; Editing by Tim Cocks and Andrew Cawthorne)
Police officers and journalists appeared to outnumber protesters Saturday at a rally at the U.S. Capitol, the site of a deadly insurrection earlier this year.

Law enforcement officials in Washington were on high alert for the rally, bringing in hundreds of extra officers. The reinforced fence and concrete barriers were again erected around the Capitol. Metal barriers separated the area of the rally from streets circling the Capitol. Signs reading No Gun Zone were posted, reminding visitors of Washingtons local law forbidding openly carrying firearms.

About 100 D.C. National Guard members were stationed nearby.

The U.S. Capitol Police estimated there were 400 to 450 people inside the protest area, excluding law enforcement. A handful of arrests were made. One man was carrying a knife, another had a handgun, and two people were arrested on warrants from Texas, the Capitol Police said on Twitter.

Reuters reported shouting matches and some scuffles between protesters and counterprotesters.

Called Justice for J6, the protest was in support of suspects jailed after the January 6 attack in which backers of former President Donald Trump sought to prevent the certification of Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 presidential election.

Capitol Police said before the rally that they were aware of internet chatter about potential violence and were taking precautions, should the chatter turn out to be credible.

We would be foolish not to take seriously the intelligence that we have at our disposal, USCP Chief Tom Manger said.

Manger was particularly concerned about the possibility of confrontations between protesters and counterprotesters who were at sites about a kilometer apart. He called it the most likely scenario for violence, adding that the counterprotesters were from three groups  two historically peaceful and one that has had some clashes before.

Congress was not in session and Biden was in Delaware this weekend.

Coordination web

Law enforcement precautions called for coordination between the police who patrol the Capitol, congressional buildings and their grounds and police for the District of Colombia.

Officials took pains Friday to reassure the public that they were better organized than in January and would not tolerate the violence that led to the breach of the Capitol. USCP management had been criticized for underestimating the potential for violence on January 6 and leaving officers unprepared for what they faced.

Yogananda Pittman, assistant chief for protective and intelligence operations for the USCP, said the department traditionally relied on outside sources for intelligence about potential threats but had expanded its reach and dramatically changed the way that we process and share intelligence with our law enforcement partners at every level.

No tolerance of hate

The head of the citys Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency spoke out ahead of the rally.



The District of Columbia is 700,000 residents strong, Christopher Rodriguez said, and we do not tolerate hate, violence or the criminal actions of those who committed the insurrection on January 6th.

On January 6, a group of about 800, mainly supporters of former President Donald Trump, overran the Capitol, forcing sitting members of the House and Senate to flee to safety. Five people died during or immediately after the attack, which was repulsed after hours of hand-to-hand combat. More than 600 people have been charged with crimes and, according to the District of Columbia Corrections Department, about 40 remain jailed.

Request for White House records

A House of Representatives select committee is investigating the attack. In late August, the committee requested White House records from the former Trump administration, the FBI and other federal entities.

The ex-president had not commented on Saturday's rally but did refer to those charged in the January attack, saying, Our hearts and minds are with the people being persecuted so unfairly.

Rally organizer Matt Braynard is a Trump supporter who formerly worked as an analyst for the Republican Party. Braynard and other rally organizers refer to those still behind bars as political prisoners.

When asked to respond, the USCP police chief said, Everybodys got the right to free speech. They can believe what they want to believe. Im there to uphold the rule of law and make sure everybodys safe.
Eight Zanu PF regional structures have endorsed President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the partys sole presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

According to the state-controlled Sunday Mail newspaper, the endorsements have been made by inter-district representatives in Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland Central, Midlands and Matabeleland South.

Two other regions are yet to conduct meetings where they are expected to endorse Mnangagwa as the candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

The Zimbabwean president is expected to be pitted against Nelson Chamisa, who will contest the election under a new name and not the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance, which has since been seized by Douglas Mwonzora of the MDC-T.

Chamisa maintains that he beat Mnangagwa in the 2018 presidential election and does not recognize his presidency.

The Constitutional Court declared Mnangagwa the winner of the election after Chamisas MDC Alliance rejected the outcome of the presidential poll, claiming that the election was rigged by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) led by Priscilla Chigumba.

ZEC dismissed Chamisas claims, saying the election was free and fair. - VOA
Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.



Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens.
(Alexandria, MN) Alexandrias newest hotel held its grand opening Tuesday. A number of people gathered to cut the ceremonial ribbon outside the Fairfield Inn and Suites.

The 80 room Marriott franchise hotel is located between Menards and Boulder Tap House.

General manager, Victoria Nelson, is eager to get more involved with the Alexandria area. She talked about that local connection and how Marriott clients appreciate the option in the Alexandria Lakes Area.

Fred Kindell, senior VP of the hotels management company (American Hospitality Management, Inc) says they were draw to the community by local investors.

Orrin Johnson attended the grand opening. He says he farmed the land back in the late 1940's. he talks about the last crop he remembers planting there and the change in the landscape.

In addition to the 80-rooms, the three-story hotel features a pool, valet laundry service, complimentary wi-fi, an exercise room and meeting space. The hotel is owned by Alexandria Hotel Group. It is located at 4929 Sanibel Drive in Alexandria.
Contribute:

Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it.

Flag as inappropriate.

Mark as helpful or interesting.

Send your own user report!

Translate

Hula (99 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s : Made the children run out of the house, not common in this part of png and felt big..huge movement | 6 users found this interesting.

Port Moresby Sogeri(Koitaki Country Club) / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s : Very big shaking and vibrations whilst me and my family were sleeping at 6:44am this morning. We were awaken to strong shaking and felt my house moving so my family and I had to get out of the house and stand outside for a few minutes to realise what has | 3 users found this interesting.

Port Moresby, National Capital (157.1 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : I was asleep and felt the house shaking. | 2 users found this interesting.

Port Moresby, Sabama / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : I was inside the house still sleeping. The house was shaking very forcefully and I was thinking people in the house was fighting but it was very strong and I realised it was an earthquake. Told people outside no one believed me but had to confirm online.. | 2 users found this interesting.

Ridge, Popondetta, NP / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Was still in bed and was woken buy the shaking and rattling of wondow glasses and roof down pipes | One user found this interesting.

Port Moresby / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s : It felt like the house was swaying. It woke me up from my sleep. | One user found this interesting.

near Port Moresby, National Capital (151.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Items on shelf moved n doors and building shuck.

New Maria, Central Province (32.8 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt : I live in Port Moresby so did not feel the earth quake

Port Moresby, National Capital (157.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Port Moresby, National Capital (154.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Port Moresby, National Capital (154.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Mild tremor

Port Moresby, National Capital (153 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Small vibrations leading to whole house shaking. Lasted about 5seconds

Airways Hotel, near airport / Weak shaking (MMI III) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 2-5 s

In bed asleep / not felt

Port Moresby / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Port Moresby Savannah height / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Port Moresby / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Kelekapana Village / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Tokarara, Pom, Ncd, Png / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 5-10 s

Port Moresby / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Port Moresby (154.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Port Moresby / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Port Moresby / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Weak shaking of the apartment building, object fell from a shelf in the apartment

Port Moresby / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Port Moresby / not felt / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Woke to short and light shaking, identified as an earthquake

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : A tremor, slightly longer than the ones I've felt before.

Popondetta town / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s

Port Moresby / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : It's felt like someone waking you up from sleep.

Port Moresby (157 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s : Weak shaking woke me up from bed. About 2 secs. Felt like a heavy vehicle driving by.

Port Moresby / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : It did not take long, but it was felt shaking the whole building

Air Niugini Apartment Port Moresby (153.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Port Moresby / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Port Moresby / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Port Moresby (155.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Port moresby / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Port Moresby / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Port Moresby / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Port Moresby / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Boroko / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 15-20 s : High set house swayed

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : It was enough to wake us from our sleep.

Grand Papua st marry street / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : The room was vibrating for 5 seconds

The Stanley Hotel, 15th Floor, Waigani, Port Morrs / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s Brief, light shaking of building. (reported through (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

Rest room / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Just felt like an earthquake but very quick

Port Moresby / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short

Port Moresby / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Port Moresby / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : I was in a hotel, 4th floor and I felt the shake for about 4 seconds.

Port moresby / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s

Port Moresby / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Weak earthquake. I was sleeping and the ceiling fan was moving I decided to come check online to see...

Edai Town, Central Province / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Port Moresby / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Port Moresby (156.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Port Moresby / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Budilinh rattled and moved

Port Moresby (159.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s
Abubakr Ali was 10 years old when two hijacked airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.

The terrorist attacks took place a year after Ali moved to the United States from Egypt, and they changed his life forever. From that day forward, the child in Ali became stifled, he says, aching under the weight of blame Muslim communities were forced to endure.

Acting became his only escape, he says, a passion he discovered unexpectedly in high school after taking a required drama class.

Now Ali is making Hollywood history as the first Arab Muslim male actor to portray a series lead in a comic book adaptation, Netflix has confirmed to CNN.

The 30-year-old actor will be featured in the upcoming series "Grendel" as a vigilante hero who goes by the same name. Grendel is the masked identity of Hunter Rose, a fencer, writer and assassin "seeking to avenge the death of a lost love," Netflix said in a press release.

For Ali, the role is a welcome challenge -- and the chance he doubted he would ever get.

"I'm so excited about this opportunity. There is so much possibilities with this. There are so many emotional, physical and psychological extremes that are going into the show, and it requires all of me in a really beautiful way," he told CNN.

"I always thought I wouldn't be able to play anything outside the trope line that anyone who is Muslim or Arab can only play roles where they are either the good Muslim who assimilates into the Western world and proves they're one of the good ones, or the terrorist," he said. "There hasn't been room for roles like the complex anti-hero that is so complicated and flawed but also beautiful in their own way. And this role is the perfect opportunity for that."

In the "Grendel" comic books, created by Matt Wagner and published by Dark Horse Comics, Rose takes on the identity of Grendel as he battles New York's criminal underworld.

"I couldn't be more thrilled about the Grendel saga, one of the longest-running independent comics series, finally being translated into live-action for the screen," Wagner said in a statement. "I'm especially excited to see Abubakr Ali bring the character of Grendel/Hunter Rose to life -- he has the charisma, style and vital edginess that I've been envisioning in the role for years."

The show's cast also includes Jaime Ray Newman as Jocasta Rose, Hunter Rose's lover, Julian Black Antelope as Argent the Wolf, Grendel's arch-nemesis, and Madeline Zima as Detective Liz Sparks, the head of the mayor's task force aimed at catching Grendel.

Finding freedom in acting

Ali thought he wanted to be a filmmaker until he took his first drama class in high school. He found himself blossoming, as acting brought out aspects of his character that he didn't realize existed.

After graduating from Yale University's school of drama in 2019, the actor became known for his roles in the TV series "Power Book II: Ghost" and "Katy Keene."

The best part about acting, he says, is allowing himself the freedom to feel everything, especially the emotions he suppressed as an Arab Muslim child growing up in a country that didn't always make space for him.

"There was this thing that manifested itself in the Muslim community where we had to put on this really toxic smile everywhere we went to let everyone around us know that we aren't a threat," Ali said. "Acting is a space where I can allow the rest of myself to exist. I don't always have to be this smiley person. I can be bad, mischievous, I can be angry. It allows the rest of my humanity to thrive, which as a kid I really longed for."

As he prepares for the Grendel role, Ali says he's "grateful and honored" by the support everyone, especially other Arab- and Muslim-Americans, have shown him on social media.

"Every five minutes I'm in tears about the support and joy I've received the past few days from both my community and other communities whose voices have also been excluded from this industry," Ali said.

Despite his success, Ali knows the path ahead won't be easy, especially given the stereotypes he and other Arab and Muslim actors face.

"I have people asking me if I am considering changing my name, and I'm like, 'no,'" Ali said. "I never had the impulse to change it. It just felt dishonest to me. My parents didn't work and sacrifice so much to bring all of us here for me to deny the most important thing they gave to me, my name."

Ali says he's committed to using his platform to "paying it forward" and elevating other voices in the Muslim community, especially those of women, nonbinary and trans actors.

"None of it has hit quite yet. I haven't had time to absorb how huge this is. I'm learning to find balance and appreciate these successes but staying humble and grounded through it all," he said.

Along with "Grendel," Ali will also be appearing in "The Walking Dead" spin-off, "Fear the Walking Dead," and Billy Porter's upcoming movie, "What If."

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
When Bill Clinton became the first president elected as a gay rights supporter, the groups dropped the ambitious Equality Act for something that stood a better chance of passage, demonstrating a previously unseen tactical nous in navigating Congress. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, known as ENDA, was introduced in 1994 and dealt only with the workplace, where public opinion showed the broadest consensus for action. (A Gallup poll at the time found that 80 percent of Americans believed gays and lesbians deserved equal job opportunities.) Supporters worked to frame the proposal as practical and noncontroversial  much as the Americans With Disabilities Act had been four years earlier  rather than as a sweeping new civil rights law. If gay was going to enter the conversation, thats where you wanted to have it  where we had the strategic advantage, Daniel Zingale, then the Human Rights Campaigns political director, told me.
Transurban is keeping its financial powder dry for future acquisitions by tapping shareholders for $4.2 billion in new equity to fund the bulk of its full takeover of Sydneys WestConnex.

The $39 billion infrastructure giant announced on Monday that it and its bidding partners had agreed to pay $11.1 billion to the NSW government for the 49 per cent of the Australias largest toll road project.

Transurban will take full control of WestConnex. Credit:Edwine Pickles

Todays announcement is incredibly significant for Transurban and a momentous moment for us, chief executive Scott Charlton said.

Transurban and its consortium partners - AustralianSuper, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Abu Dhabis sovereign wealth fund - bought the first 51 per cent stake in WestConnex for $9.26 billion in 2018. Canadian infrastructure investor Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec has replaced the CPPIB in the second deal, with kicked off in November last year.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In many respects 2020 was a year in which the rule book was not so much re-written as simply torn up and thrown out the window. It is true for many aspects of our lives, and it is certainly true for the annual Emmy Awards. American televisions entrenched night of nights, which honours the best and the brightest, has historically leaned into the safest and most well-established among televisions blue chip shows. Glancing back, there are few surprises on Emmy night. This years two most nominated programs  The Crown and The Mandalorian, with 24 nominations each  are also no surprise. Both have already scooped a bunch of awards at the Creative Arts Emmys, held a week ahead of the telecast, which is more or less the grand final of a three-month long for your consideration race. Pedro Pascal as the title character in The Mandalorian, which is the equal leader with 24 nominations. Pascal, however, was not nominated. Credit:Disney+ But the competition nipping at their heels is very much different this year when compared to preceding years. It is a swarm of first-time nominees including Bridgerton, Lovecraft Country and The Boys (in drama) and Cobra Kai, Emily in Paris, Hacks, Pen15, Ted Lasso and The Flight Attendant (in comedy). Can the Emmy game finally be changing? The nights other strongest contenders - in terms of breadth of nomination - are WandaVision (with 23 nominations), The Handmaids Tale (21), Saturday Night Live (21), Ted Lasso (20), Lovecraft Country (18), The Queens Gambit (18) and Mare of Easttown (16). What is more, this years Emmys are as noteworthy for those not included, as they are for those who scored the nod.

Advertisement

Case in point: what is Emily in Paris doing with a comedy series nomination? This is, after all, the show whose mediocrity in the face of a Golden Globe nomination drew wide eye-rolling. And where is Steve McQueens Small Axe? Come to that, where is Thuso Mbedus nomination for The Underground Railroad? Or Nicole Kidmans for The Undoing? Or Pedro Pascals for The Mandalorian? Ted Lasso (starring Brendan Hunt, Jason Sudeikis and Nick Mohammed) is another Emmys favourite, while Mare of Easttown (starring Kate Winslet) has 16 nominations. Credit:Colin Hutton/Apple TV+, Michele K. Short/HBO Some Emmy mysteries are easier to solve. Where is Succession? The answer: production was delayed by COVID-19, pushing the shows air dates out of the eligibility window. And what is Hamilton even doing there? The answer: the eligibility criteria do not preclude filmed performances of five-year-old Broadway musicals from falling through the cracks. Even the Oscars insist on one new song. This years Emmys are as noteworthy for those not included, as they are for those who scored the nod. Australias other Emmy nominees this year - visual effects supervisor Julian Hutchens for his work on The Boys, and main title designers Patrick Clair, Raoul Marks and Ken Taylor  were not successful. Their categories were announced at last weeks creative arts Emmys, the visual effects Emmy going to The Mandalorian and the main title design Emmy to The Good Lord Bird. Australias Yvonne Strahovski is nominated for her performance as Serena Joy Waterford in The Handmaids Tale. It is her second Emmy nomination. Credit:Sophie Giraud/Hulu There was, however, a glimmer of good news. Australian director Felix Thompson won an Emmy for his work on the Netflix series The Letter for the King. The series was nominated in the directing team for a daytime fiction program category at the Daytime Emmys in Los Angeles in July.

Advertisement

So, ahead of Mondays telecast, Australia still has two contenders: actress Yvonne Strahovski, nominated for her turn in The Handmaids Tale, and New Zealand-born director Jessica Hobbs, who has worked extensively in Australian television, nominated for her work on The Crown. And what clues can we divine from the Creative Arts Emmys, which hand out awards in a range of craft categories a week before the main show, including production design, wardrobe, editing, directing, writing, guest actor, main title design, sound, special effects and stunt performance. Jean Smart, who stars as stand-up legend Deborah Vance in Hacks, is favourite to win lead actress in a comedy. Credit:HBO Max Apple TV+s Ted Lasso won an early Emmy for outstanding casting for a comedy series, which would seem to give it some steam, certainly in the outstanding comedy category. But then there is HBO Maxs Hacks, which has emerged as the most buzz-worthy comedy of the year. Ted Lasso still looks solid for the program category, but Hacks star Jean Smart will surely take out the lead actress in a comedy statue for her brilliant work. Drama is a somewhat more straightforward race. Off the back of its best season since the first, The Crown is expected to take out the Emmy for outstanding drama, and the awards for lead actor and actress should fall to Josh OConnor and Emma Corrin, who elevated the story of Charles and Diana from mere telemovie to celluloid magic. Which is where things get a little sticky for Australias solitary acting nominee: Yvonne Strahovski, for her work on The Handmaids Tale. Its a rock solid performance in a rock solid show, but against Gillian Andersons portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Crown? Its a hoary old cliche on awards nights, but its Gillians year. Is this Gillian Andersons year? The acclaimed actress is nominated for her performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Crown. Credit:Des Willie/Netflix

Advertisement

And all of that said, the Creative Arts Emmys were not without micro-scandals of their own. The most noticeable: that the outstanding guest actress in a drama series award went to Claire Foy, who made a cameo in the latest season of The Crown, reprising the role of young Queen Elizabeth II in a flashback. Loading Given it amounted to less than two minutes of screen time, and that Foy has already won the lead actress Emmy for the role (plus two Screen Actors Guild awards), it does somewhat make a mockery of the purpose of the category. Particularly when the other nominees were guest actors in The Handmaids Tale, Ratched and other noteworthy programs. Some of this is pure guesswork: is Emma Corrin really better than Olivia Colman? Or is it just an alignment of the stars, media buzz and the opinions of Emmy voters who have just binged the last season of The Crown on Netflix? And some of it is just a measure of a shows moment in the cultural consciousness. Think Jean Smarts Deborah Vance in Hacks, whose frustration with ageism, sexism and the injustices of a hollow life are an easy note for an audience to find harmony with. Or Kathryn Hahns performance as Agatha in Disney+s WandaVision, which was simply magnificent. Singalong: Whos been messing up everything? / Its been Agatha all along / Whos been pulling every evil string? / Its been Agatha all along. Kathryn Hahn was magnificent as Agnes in WandaVision, which has 23 nominations. Credit:Marvel Studios If youre surprised that WandaVisions shocking twist, and the catchy jingle that came with it, stuck in the audiences mind like some kind of magic spell, dont be. The clue is in the songwriter credit: Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, the same couple who wrote those crack-for-kids masterpieces Frozen and Frozen II. Whos been messing up everything? / Its been Disney all along.

Advertisement

Ultimately, the Emmys are a strategic marketing war between the key players on the television industry chessboard. Despite a decade of tectonic landscape change, the dual-identity HBO (and its streaming offspring HBO Max) lead the nominations with 130. The industrys gauntlet-throwing challenger, Netflix, is a whisker behind with 129. Then you have the still-fattening (and relatively new) streaming behemoth Disney+ with 71 nominations and the only free-to-air network to make the cut in the top five, NBC, with 46. Completing the top five is Apple TV+ with 36 nominations. On the night there will be tears, frocks and - for the first time in a long while - a vaccinated and negative-Covid-tested red carpet. But like all things in television, behind the facade of high fashion and product placement, it comes down to a numbers game. The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards will air Monday, September 20, live at 10am AEST on Foxtel. Join our live Emmy Awards blog and red carpet coverage from 8am on Monday. The contenders: the 10 battleground categories Outstanding Comedy Series

Black-ish (ABC)

Cobra Kai (Netflix)

Emily in Paris (Netflix)

The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)

Hacks (HBO Max)

The Kominsky Method (Netflix)

PEN15 (Hulu)

Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

Who will win? Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) Outstanding Drama Series

The Boys (Prime Video)

Bridgerton (Netflix)

The Crown (Netflix)

The Handmaids Tale (Hulu)

Lovecraft Country (HBO)

The Mandalorian (Disney+)

Pose (FX)

This Is Us (NBC)

Who will win? The Crown (Netflix)

Advertisement
Whats the oldest thing in your wardrobe? A beautiful Indian scarf given to me by a friend in the early 80s.

Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, Georgie Gordon chats to television presenter Deborah Hutton.

Whos your favourite fashion icon?

Im not drawn to women for what they wear; more attractive qualities to me are confidence, maturity and self-worth, women who are comfortable in their own skin. Carla Zampatti, for example, always held herself beautifully.

Whats your favourite fashion era?

The 80s. I loved it. You couldnt have big enough hair, or shoulder pads, or wear enough gold  it was hysterical. I had it all, I thought it was so cool, then the 90s came along and it looked so daggy. But some of it is returning: the pleated pant, the oversized jacket 

Loading

What would you wear 

 on a first date? Id be me: jeans, tee, tailored jacket, a low heel. Putting a little heel on is dressy for me these days!

 on a plane? I dont get dressed up to travel like I used to, I just want comfort  floppy pants, T-shirt, long cardigan, sneakers. In the bag Ive got everything: pyjamas, earplugs, eye mask, extra clothes and always a big cashmere scarf to snuggle up in.

 on the red carpet? Black. Ive got a couple of go-to Carla Zampattis.

Whos your favourite designer?

I love what Zimmermann does  its beautiful, sophisticated and relaxed.
Now, as the world emerges from the panic  the pandemic is far from over  we are close to fetishing a new fear.

This is how the response to the coronavirus pandemic played out. Faced with an unfamiliar virus that might, rumours suggested, have originated as a bioweapon, we panicked. As images of death arrived from Italy and residents of Wuhan were boarded into their houses, governments threw everything at suppressing a poorly understood threat. They underestimated and in many cases ignored the consequences of the actions they were taking to protect citizens from the virus.

If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it would be that people are really good at panic. Get enough of us worried about the same thing, we lose our peripheral vision. And we are conformists. As fear spreads, we charge mindlessly in a single direction, trampling considerations, like spooked cattle.

Professor of Youth Mental Health and former Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry has coined the phrase shadow pandemic to describe the plague of mental ill health which accompanied lockdowns in Australia. In November last year, McGorry published an article in the Medical Journal of Australia warning that the initial mental health impact has been severe, and worse may be coming. Modelling and earlier recessions show that it is the economic consequences, especially financial stress, unemployment, and educational failure, that fuel mental ill health and suicide risk, he wrote, This impact is anything but short-lived, and will produce a long, deep second wave of mental ill health and suicide.

McGorry was not the only one to warn that Wuhan-style suppression was a cure as devastating as the disease. At the beginning of April last year an economist friend of mine contacted me in distress: she had quantified the potential harms of lockdown but the outfit she worked for was not prepared to publish her paper. We collaborated on a piece which combined her modelling and my concerns about the potential harms to children separated from their peers and forced into the often toxic world of online communication. Lockdowns will kill people too, the editor called it.

Economists Paul Fritjers and Gigi Foster also vociferously challenged the cyclopian policy lens at the time; Foster in particular has copped a lot of abuse from the economics profession and others as a result of her stance. McGorry challenged the policy direction in vain. Is a life lost to suicide worth less than a life lost to COVID-19? he asked at the time, If you look at the behaviour of government, you would have to say yes.

While these experts failed to prevent or soften lockdown policy, governments did acknowledge that there would be mental health consequences. At the end of March, the Australian federal government announced $74 million in funding for mental health support during the pandemic, together with a national online campaign #InThisTogether.
Another Nyiyaparli elder, David Stock, admitted to not knowing what was going on at the meeting. I feel like they made me sign, they kept calling me uncle. Ive done a silly thing, he told journalists. Federal Court Justice Michael Barker, right, shakes hands with David Stock after the Nyiyaparli won a native title claim over about 40,000 square kilometres of the Pilbara in 2018. Credit:Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation When asked for comment on this account of events, Fortescues current chief executive, Elizabeth Gaines, who joined FMG in 2013, said: Through our seven Land Access Agreements and many dozens of heritage agreements, we have developed extremely strong working relationships with native title groups, including the Nyiyaparli people, providing significant benefits to Aboriginal communities including vocational training, contracting and business development opportunities, together with the identification and protection of important Aboriginal cultural heritage. Cleary says the Nyiyaparli episode was an early demonstration of the tactics that would mark FMGs next bid for agreements for lucrative prospects on Yindjibarndi land and involve an 18-year saga that pitted the company against a thirtysomething traditional owner named Michael Woodley. Divide and rule

It is 2003 and the Yindjibarndi have received disappointing, though useful, preliminary findings for a Native Title claim they submitted in 1994 in partnership with their neighbours, the Ngarluma. The Western Australian government of the day oppose an aspect of the findings that recognise the Yindjibarndis enduring connection to their Country. When final determinations are made in 2005, the Yindjibarndi will hear their native title rights have been extinguished over four-fifths of the area in their claim, a consequence of pastoral leases issued by the state over the previous 150 years or so. In the same year, the Yindjibarndi make a second, individual claim over land just beyond the first determination area. This claim is considered to be much stronger as it covers areas of unallocated crown land. It is an area Rio Tinto has explored for iron ore previously but passed over. By this stage, FMG has entered the frame. Yindjibarndi country in Western Australia. Credit:Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation The companys anticipation of the awakening iron ore markets in Asia, particularly China, in the early to mid-2000s is well documented and often celebrated. FMG enterprise caught the big iron ore miners, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, on the back foot in supplying the demands of the hot new market. By late 2005, the price per tonne of iron ore had climbed from around $US30 a tonne to around $US60 and the upstart company was flying.

However, obtaining a licence for exploring and mining these tenements involved conducting heritage surveys and making Indigenous land use agreements with the prescribed body corporates of the native title rights holders. In the case of FMGs tenements on Yindjibarndi Country  some of its most lucrative in terms of projected iron ore  this involved negotiating with the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC). Enter Woodley, a lore man who had left school in grade six, later worked for Rio Tinto, and had become YACs chief executive. The machinations of the mining company to obtain the necessary land use agreements to proceed with its Solomon Hub are as hard-edged as you would expect from any company eyeballing an asset worth around $US5 billion in revenue per year. Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Michael Woodley. Credit:Justin McManus An early working relationship between YAC and FMG is abandoned when the mining company bulldozes a sacred freshwater spring after assuring traditional owners the site would be protected. When YAC demands a stronger heritage agreement, FMG begins to manoeuvre through provisions of the Native Title Act that effectively enable the company to gain access to land despite the objections of traditional owners. The shortcomings of the act are exposed early in the account and reiterated throughout. Tensions rise again when YAC asserts a human rights-based approach to a new negotiation protocol it proposes to FMG in 2007. FMG then finances the establishment of a competing traditional owner corporation to the YAC, which in some instances had the effect of effectively pitting family members against one another. FMG subsequently backs the second Yindjibarndi traditional owner group  the Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (WMYAC)  to replace YAC as the organisation responsible for settling land use agreements with the company.

Working through the WMYAC, FMG orchestrates a seriously compromised members vote to replace the YAC executive, handing out $400 shopping vouchers and sitting fees. Of course, none of this chicanery and the non-disclosure clauses that surround it would shock anyone who has, over the past year, followed the hearings of the parliamentary inquiry into the destruction of Juukan Gorge. That committee heard numerous submissions of a similar nature, including one in October last year from the Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation that alleged FMG was withholding $1.9 million in royalty payments to the Eastern Guruma people until the traditional owners agreed to the companys request for nine mining leases. Clearys book also identifies conflicts of interest across the resource sector and the bureaucracy of the Native Title Act. In one particularly egregious case, Cleary reveals a close relationship between the National Native Title Tribunal and an FMG-funded heritage consultant working contractually within the WMYAC. Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation director Stanley Warrie celebrates in 2017 after the Federal Court upheld the corporations title claim surrounding the $280 billion Solomon Hub mine owned by FMG. Credit:ABC News Cleary attributes the Yindjibarndis eventual victory over FMG to their deep and ongoing connection to Country: That really came to the fore in the compelling evidence that Woodley and numerous other witnesses gave to the Federal Court for the native title case. This proved decisive in the initial determination of exclusive possession and when FMG appealed to the full Federal Court and the High Court.

The key was really the strength of the people, Michael Woodley told this masthead. The majority believed that mining companies and particular individuals who speak of equality and rights in the same breath also speak of how those equalities and rights for Indigenous people should be distributed. That didnt sit well with us at all, and I think that was the reason why people stayed strong and stayed focused in our voice for Yindjibarndi Country. Cleary says more people need to realise the extent of what is going on in the Pilbara and how it is being perpetuated by an unsuspecting public. Paul Clearys book Title Fight. Credit: Its not good enough that the first peoples of Australia are having to go through all these legal processes to assert their rights, to get a fair deal. And that so many people in Australia now are benefiting from all this wealth being dug up out of the ground. I mean, look at Fortescue Metals, its got a 12 per cent dividend yield, he says. Everyone with a super fund is getting all these benefits flowing to them from companies like Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals, BHP, but what are the Aboriginal people getting out of this in the Pilbara? Next to nothing.
In the quadrangle of the primary school in Villers-Bretonneux, northern France, soars a famous sign, painted green and gold.

Do not forget Australia, it says, reminding visitors that here exists one of Australias most enduring and solemn international friendships.

The sign recalls the 1200 Australian soldiers who lost their lives on the night of April 24, 1918, while recapturing the village from the forces of Germany and in so doing, turning the tide of World War I. It also honours the schoolchildren of Victoria who later donated their pennies to rebuild the village school.

The sign in the primary school quadrangle is a reminder of ties forged between the two countries more than a century ago. Credit:Tony Wright

There are reminders all over northern France of Australian blood in French soil from both World War I and World War II. On a hill above Villers-Bretonneux is the Australian National Memorial, its walls listing 11,000 names of Australian WWI soldiers still missing, each with no known grave.
For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.

Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Colin Moxey did not sign up to be a bouncer. But when his eponymous hair salon in Melbournes Chapel Street shopping precinct reopens to its now-shaggy waitlist of 300 clients, Moxey is afraid the government will make him work out his own COVID-19 vaccine policy for clients, instead of setting clear rules for all businesses. The last thing I want to do is be like a doorman at a nightclub  I dont want to choose [which patrons can enter]. And if they cant get vaccinated that puts you in a real predicament, he says. If there is an official notice from the government on my front door, it takes the onus off me. But in Australia and overseas, vaccine mandates and passports have been shunted off into the future, raised but with few details and little legal clarity or the subject of bitter divisions that have upended traditional political fault lines, depending on the state. The last thing I want to do is be like a doorman at a nightclub, says salon owner Colin Moxey. Credit:Penny Stephens The concept behind vaccine passports is simple: people link their vaccine status to their states QR code app and check in at venues to verify that they are vaccinated and therefore allowed to be there. Everything else about the idea is more complex. With vaccination rates rising fast but more than 10 per cent of the adult population, or about 2.2 million people, still hesitant, according to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Ages Resolve Political Monitor, the debate is only becoming more intense. If states reopen venues like pubs and restaurants to the vaccinated once 70 or 80 per cent of the eligible population is jabbed, as NSW and Victoria have suggested, the number of people missing out on freedoms will be double or triple that.

Advertisement

One of the medical experts who helped guide Australia through the early stages of the pandemic, Dr Nick Coatsworth, foresees people becoming furious at each other over vaccinations if the situation isnt handled properly. Were seeing sufficient people start to question the lack of clarity at 80 per cent that unless we give more clarity and hope and a psychological runway, were going to start to lose more people in terms of adherence to restrictions, Coatsworth says. But if all those freedoms are made conditional on vaccination targets that are set too high, then Coatsworth, who is as far as anyone can be from being an anti-vaxxer, fears intense shaming of those who cant or wont get the jab. I dont want people who havent been vaccinated actually vilified for that choice. Loading If targets are set too low, the prospects are also dire, as soaring deaths in the United States, largely among the unvaccinated, show. At one level, the choice is about how great a public health risk premiers and the public are willing to accept. But it is also a moral choice about whether society should decide that people are competent to make their own decisions about vaccination, even when the consequence of declining a jab can be a painful illness and a lonely death.

Advertisement

That dimension seems to have sparked the political divisions. North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman is a small as well as capital-L Liberal who supports NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklians vaccine passports plan. Under that scheme, when the state hits a 70 per cent double-dose vaccination rate, only the inoculated will be allowed at church services, gyms, sporting matches, pubs and restaurants. Moderate Liberals Trent Zimmerman and Katie Allen have different views on vaccine passports. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen A lot [of coronavirus restrictions] do sit uncomfortably with anyone liberal by nature, but theres such an essential need for these things to be in place for a health perspective, Zimmerman says. He believes the passport plan will encourage and reward vaccine uptake and last only as long as necessary before being unwound if the virus abates. The timing question has caused ructions inside the NSW government. Deputy Premier John Barilaro suggested on Monday the passports could be valid for only a few weeks, whereas Berejiklian has signalled they could go longer.

Advertisement

Dont assume that at 80 per cent double-dose vaccination that unvaccinated people are going to have all those freedoms. I want to make that point very clear, Berejiklian said this week. Some of her Liberal colleagues disagree. Conservative Tasmanian senator Eric Abetz is concerned about creating a second class of citizen. In a liberal democracy, youre allowed to make unwise decisions or decisions which are not mainstream, and being allowed to move around in your country is, I think, a basic right, he says. Dr Katie Allen, a Victorian Liberal MP who is among the most progressive in her party, also has reservations. She is afraid that mandates  except for key industries such as aged care  and passports will harden the hesitant into outright anti-vaxxers. Loading The word passport, particularly domestic vaccine passports, is something that in my electorate has made people extremely angry, she says. People should be offered a chance to have regular testing instead if they want access to mass gatherings, Allen says. That perspective has created an unusual political dynamic because NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has been a determined backer of mandates in high-risk industries and passports more broadly. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has also sketched out a reopening plan for when his state hits the 70 per cent double-dose threshold that seems similar to Berejiklians.

Advertisement

Youre going to be able to go to a pub, the cinema, to a sporting event. Youre going to be able to do all sorts of things that an unvaccinated person is not going to be able to do, he says. Then there are the largely COVID-19-free jurisdictions of Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania, which are in a different phase altogether because every one of their residents has those freedoms at present. It will not last forever though, and figures from the non-partisan Melbourne Institute show the problem could become more acute when those states do open up because vaccine hesitancy is higher at 22.1 per cent in WA and 21.6 per cent in Queensland compared to less than 15 per cent in Victoria and NSW. Loading From Moxey the salon owner to Andrew McKellar, chief executive of the countrys largest business lobby, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, employers are getting fed up at the divergent state stances and lack of detail about how reopening rules will be enforced. Leaders have got to start thinking about the fact that theyre Australians first, and start thinking about how as a nation we get to a cohesive outcome here rather than thinking narrowly about how one state can be all right and other states can go to hell, McKellar says. He wants nationally consistent rules enforced by government authorities, not businesses, but Canberra, which is making the technology to integrate vaccine status with state QR code apps, has largely left it to the states to decide how it will be used.

Advertisement
The directive for the ambassadors to return to France for consultations is understood to be the first in a rolling series of protests from Paris, which is furious at Australia for abandoning the contract to buy 12 French conventionally powered submarines, which had been in place since 2016. Australia now plans to buy at least eight nuclear-powered submarines that will use technology from the US and Britain under a historic defence pact known as AUKUS. Frances ambassador to Australia Jean-Pierre Thebault is on his way back to Paris. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The federal government noted French disappointment with the decision but in a short statement did not apologise for Australias actions. We note with regret Frances decision to recall its ambassador to Australia for consultations following the decision on the Attack-class [submarine] project, a spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

Australia understands Frances deep disappointment with our decision, which was taken in accordance with our clear and communicated national security interests. US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the Biden administration understood Frances concerns about the cancellation of the deal. We have alienated the single biggest proponents of a greater EU role in Asia and I dont think we understood the second-order consequences of that. Herve Lemahieu, Lowy Institute foreign policy expert France is a vital partner and our oldest ally, and we place the highest value on our relationship. We hope to continue our discussion on this issue at the senior level in coming days. Australia and France had been in discussions about boosting their military ties since President Macron sent a letter to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison several months ago outlining a proposal which could have allowed French soldiers greater access to Australian military bases.

Asked whether France would now suspend talks to increase military co-operation with the country, Mr Thebault said there is no specific announcement on that but noted the discussions started at a time when everything was being plotted. He also said France had transferred its top secret technologies to Australia on its submarine capability  secrets, that if they were transferred to our enemies, would weaken our national defence ... It was not a question of money, trust was the core. Mr Thebault said he had not talked with his government about Australias trade negotiations with the EU, saying its a completely different thing but he was being called back to Paris to consider what is the extent of the situation. Shortly before France announced the recall, Australias Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne told an audience at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC, that she absolutely understood the disappointment of the French. My task is to work as hard as I can  to make sure that they do understand the value we place on the role that they play and do understand the value we place on the bilateral relationship and the work we want to continue to do together.

Mr Thebault said Frances deal with Australia would have entrenched a local capability to build regionally superior submarines, while the new pact with the US and Britain was a project about a project. He confirmed that Defence Minister Peter Dutton only contacted his French counterpart about the decision after it was reported by media outlets on Wednesday night, adding there were no warnings whatsoever during the 18 months that the plan was being hatched between Australia, the US and Britain. Adding insult to the process ... we have very reliable reports from the independent press, which I thank, about the fact that all this was in the making for 18 months. Which means we have been blindsided intentionally for 18 months ... The crime was prepared for 18 months, he said. The decision to dump the French submarines will take years to repair and will leave a lasting legacy of mistrust in Paris, according to Lowy Institute foreign policy expert Herve Lemahieu. Mr Lemahieu said the French government knew the submarine contract was in trouble but that Australia had vastly underestimated the French reaction to the decision to dump the conventional submarines and, moreover, the double whammy of the announcement of AUKUS at the same time.

The French say theyve been excluded from the table. Theyve positioned themselves as an Indo-Pacific player, theyve modelled themselves on Australias stance and thought of themselves as at the table in Indo-Pacific deliberations, he said. Loading We have alienated the single biggest proponents of a greater EU role in Asia and I dont think we understood the second-order consequences of that. John Blaxland, a professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies at the ANU, said that despite French fury at the Australian decision to tear up the submarine contract with Naval Group, eventually theyll have to suck it up as their position in the Indo-Pacific requires Australia. However, the Australian government needs to lead the effort to mend fences, he said, and should consider leasing French nuclear submarines for a period of time while the new AUKUS vessels were being designed and built.
There were only two ways to keep Christian Porter in federal cabinet, but neither could work and he had to resign.

The first path was the one Porter would not choose: he refused to ask his benefactors at a blind trust to reveal themselves so he could declare the financial benefit in the usual way to Federal Parliament.

The second was too much for Scott Morrison. The Prime Minister could have bent the code of conduct for ministers, which are up to him to write and interpret, and decided Porter could keep his job. But this would have made a mockery of the code.

Christian Porter and Scott Morrison. Credit:Fairfax Media

To keep Porter was untenable because it would have redefined the standards for ministers in a way that would have opened the door to a Pandoras box of secret deals and, over time, outright corruption.
Parliament is full of people who think it their destiny to be prime minister. Christian Porter, a product of the cliquey Perth elite, is a classic example.

His paternal grandfather was a minister in Queenslands corrupt Bjelke-Petersen government. His father  Charles Chilla Porter  won the high jump silver medal at the Melbourne 56 Olympics, and became a powerbroker in the WA Liberal Party. Sadly, Chilla died last year just as his son became engulfed in the scandal of an historic rape allegation that he strongly denies.

Part of Christian Porters legal fees for his defamation action were paid by a blind trust. Credit:Dionne Gain

Christian Porters early career as a prosecutor marked him as a charming, effective and ambitious lawyer set to be a bigger fish in a larger pond. He became state attorney-general by his late 30s and switched to federal politics five years later.

The world was at his feet, but he has become a political liability, a glittering star who failed to fulfil their potential. How did this happen?
Nurses, doctors right across the system deliver medications every day of the week, multiple times a day, based upon the medical science that backs those medications - COVID-19 vaccines are just the same as any other. Were not saying they have to get vaccinated, were saying that if they want to work in a state health facility they have to be vaccinated so the decisions theirs. Loading Kate said she felt pushed into a corner by the Health Department but she was standing by her decision to remain unvaccinated for COVID-19. I have chosen not to be pressured and coerced into doing something that might be harming myself. No one is taking liability - everyone is immune to liability and the risk is on my shoulders and my family, she said.

Im devastated - I love my job, I dont want to lose my job, I will fight it. If I do lose my job, we will lose the house, the car, private education for our children - we will lose everything. Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid said mandatory vaccines for healthcare workers were needed to sustain the health system into the future as we learn to live with COVID-19. We need to bring these workers and the environment they work in, out of crisis mode and the first step towards that is to protect them through vaccination, Dr Khorshid said. This is about health care worker safety and the safety of patients, and not about vaccines by force. The Australian Federal Government advises that no part of the vaccine development process was rushed.

The urgency of the global pandemic means that researchers and developers are prioritising the progress of COVID-19 vaccines. This has allowed countries to deliver safe and effective vaccines faster than has been done in the past, it advises. New technologies have helped scientists understand the coronavirus earlier and in great detail. This has allowed them to start working on vaccine design faster. According to peer-reviewed journal, Nature,hundreds of scientists had worked on mRNA vaccines for decades before the coronavirus pandemic brought a breakthrough. Kate said if she was to get sick, she would get tested straight away and put safeguards in place to protect patients and herself. But Premier Mark McGowan said people in the health profession should understand the value of being vaccinated and insisted they all get jabbed.

Health professionals need to get vaccinated, and all nurses, doctors, people who work in hospitals should understand the fundamental value of vaccines, he said. If we didnt have vaccines, people will still be dying of polio, of smallpox - they save lives - and nurses and doctors above all should understand that. Mr McGowan confirmed that over time more occupations and professions will have mandated vaccination, as is happening in Victoria and New South Wales. The alternative is when or if we get outbreaks, more people will get sick, and more people die, and our hospitals have more and more pressure applied, he said. So thats why these difficult choices have to be made.

Civil Liberties Australia vice president Rajan Venkataraman told WAtoday last Thursday that people had every right to decide not to get vaccinated but that no one had suggested COVID vaccinations might be mandatory. While people should have the right to make choices about their bodies and their health, their choices have consequences, he said. No one has the right to endanger other peoples health through their decisions. Mr Venkataraman said people had the right to pursue other careers if they werent willing to follow the health and safety standards of their employer. Given what we know about the risks of COVID and the benefits of vaccination, we would hope that few healthcare professionals would choose to abandon their careers over this.

Mr Venkataraman said healthcare workers who did not wish to get vaccinated could, however, pursue legal avenues if they felt their employer was being unreasonable or that the employer did not fully explore the possibility of roles that did not require patient contact, for example in Telehealth. Mandatory vaccination for aged care workers As of Thursday last week, 94 per cent of the WA aged care workforce had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the Friday deadline. A WA Health spokesperson confirmed an unvaccinated employee without an exemption would not be able to work. The Chief Health Officer will consider temporary exemptions on a case by case basis and may be subject to terms and conditions, they said.

An individual residential aged care facility worker may apply for a temporary exemption or the owner or operator of a residential aged care facility may apply for a temporary exemption on behalf of their staff. WA Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson. Credit:ABC Perth Owners and operators of aged care facilities are required to collect and maintain a record of vaccination status of all their staff and must be able to produce a record to authorities on request. State secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation Mark Olsen last week told 6PR almost 1500 aged care nurses and about the same for aged carers were yet to be vaccinated at all. Mr Olsen said a few hundred had already resigned ahead of last Fridays one-dose deadline.
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob fears the new three-way defence alliance between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom will trigger a nuclear arms race in the contested Indo-Pacific.

On Saturday, Malaysia joined Indonesia in raising alarm bells about the military build-up in the region and the impact that the AUKUS pact, which includes Australia acquiring nuclear-propelled submarines, could have on regional stability.

Ismail Sabri Yaakob spoke to Scott Morrison on the phone on Friday. Credit:Bloomberg

Ismail spoke to Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday before on Saturday expressing concern over the establishment of AUKUS to counter a rising China, saying it would be a catalyst for a nuclear arms race in the Indo-Pacific region.

At the same time, it will provoke other powers to act more aggressively in the region, especially in the South China Sea, his statement said. As a country within ASEAN, Malaysia holds the principle of maintaining ASEAN as a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality.
WESTON  Heather Frimmer loves her job.

The Weston resident is a radiologist specializing in breast and emergency room imaging at Main Street Radiology in Queens, N.Y. Frimmer, 47, loves that she makes a difference in peoples lives. She loves that she can look at images and use them to help solve medical problems.

I love that sense of meaning and being able to figure out a puzzle, Frimmer said.

But, as meaningful as her job is, she said, it doesnt leave a lot of room for creativity. Hoping to exercise those muscles, she took a class with the Westport Writers Workshop. Her teacher saw potential and said Frimmer should try writing a novel. Skeptical at first, Frimmer decided to give it a shot.

It turned out that a lot of what she loved about medicine translated to writing, with a few variations.

I think that writing a novel also has that puzzle aspect (that radiology has), Frimmer said. But the writing is much more creative. I need to make up a story on my own. I start with a blank page.

In 2018, she published her first book, Bedside Manners, about a woman diagnosed with breast cancer and her medical student daughter. I was hooked, Frimmer said. I couldnt stop writing.

Her second book, Better to Trust comes out on Sept. 21. Once again Frimmer has drawn on her day job for inspiration.

The new book was inspired by an acquaintance who successfully performed a minor surgery on a family member. But Frimmers book imagines a scenario in which a surgery by a relative doesnt go as planned, and unearths dark secrets.

Frimmer said she likes mining the medical field for creative inspiration, and feels these kinds of books have a built-in appeal.

I feel that people have this hunger to see the inner workings of the medical world ,because it can be kind of opaque, she said.

She also likes blending these medical tales with complex, messy family stories  stories about family ties, and how those ties get tangled, Frimmer said. Those are the kinds of books she likes to read, she said, and she finds them equally fun to write.

Though Frimmer said finding things to write about isnt necessarily an obstacle, finding the time to write about them can be. In addition to her work as radiologist, Frimmer is the mother of two children, aged 13 and 15.

On days when she isnt working at her full-time job, she said she tries to dedicate as much time as possible to writing.

I write in small chunks of time throughout the day, Frimmer said.

She wakes up early, usually between 5:30 and 6 a.m., and writes as much as she can in those wee hours. She jots down ideas she gets while taking walks, driving or reading other peoples books.

I also dont watch TV, so whatever free time I have, Im either reading, writing or walking, Frimmer said.

With her second novel about to be released, Frimmer is already at work on a third. This one is about an obstetrician and a patient who has a traumatic birth experience. Though she doesnt see herself leaving medicine any time soon (Most writers must have day jobs because writing doesnt pay so well, Frimmer explained), she has embraced the world of fiction.

I dont mind investing the time to get involved in a world and getting to know the characters, she said.
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
Nazis have suddenly returned to the London stage, as if today's playwrights hope to find some answers to our fragmented, populist times in the events of the past. Hot on the heels of Once Upon A Time in Nazi Occupied Tunisia, a wild comedy which attempts to uncover reasons for supporting evil, comes Camp Siegfried, which builds an entire world around two people and a little-known historical event.

Underlying Bess Wohl's play is the fact that through the 1930s, American youngsters of German origin could spend their summers at a number of summer camps, including one called Camp Siegfried on Long Island, New York, where alongside learning camping skills, practising archery and dancing to oom-pah bands, they were inducted into Nazi ideology and groomed as the future Aryan leaders of America.

Wohl imagines two young people, known only as Her (Patsy Ferran) and Him (Luke Thallon) arriving at such a place and in the summer of 1938, navigating the social and sexual anxieties of adolescence while simultaneously imbibing pro-Hitler propaganda alongside the beer and the frankfurters. In doing so, she seeks  explicitly  to examine how hate and anti-Semitism is taught and encouraged and how young people, uncertain of who they are, can suddenly latch onto a cause as a way of solidifying their own sense of self.

For the boy, success in the camp is a way of cementing his relationship with his German family, reassuring himself that he is strong not weak. The girl, tentative at first, is swept away by the power of the ideology, by the idea of revolution, by the kind of hysteria that led to such unthinking adulation of Hitler. The moment when she is chosen as class speaker and rises to a frenzy of hatred in her demagogic performance is chilling. So is the speech in which he talks about nearly murdering a boy who becomes "a problem to solve" rather than a human being.

But although the insights on the camp are fascinating  she lives on Hitler Way, he's just on the corner of Hitler and Goebbels; they are encouraged to "be social" as a way of breeding a pure master race  the characters have to carry too much baggage fully to convince. In particular, the girl's conversion first into a fanatic, and then  thanks to an encounter with a kindly doctor in New York, who may or may not be Jewish  back to reason again is sketchy and so unconvincing.

The play is however served by a nigh-on faultless production. Ferran and Thallon are inspired casting, managing to suggest they are teenagers without ever resorting to caricature. Both create characters with such careful detail that they compel attention. At first, she's all nervous tics and wry observations, while he seeks to charm; later the roles are reversed, his rising anxiety set against her increasing confidence.

Katy Rudd's direction allows them psychological naturalism within a stylised setting and structure. Rosanna Vize's design and Rob Casey's lighting conjure the idea of woods and lakes with minimal means; Tal Rozner's occasional videos give a glimpse of the camp as it actually was. It's all very skilful and heartfelt, but in the end, it is so anxious to make its entirely serious points that it loses its way as drama.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Netflixs The Crown and The Queens Gambit combined with Apple TV+s Ted Lasso to sweep top series honors at the Sundays Emmy Awards, a first for streaming services that cemented their rise to prominence in the television industry.

Cedric the Entertainer, host of Sunday's 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, addresses the media during the show's Press Preview Day, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2021, at the Television Academy in Los Angeles. The awards show honoring excellence in American television programming will be held at the Event Deck at L.A. Live. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Netflixs The Crown and The Queens Gambit combined with Apple TV+s Ted Lasso to sweep top series honors at the Sundays Emmy Awards, a first for streaming services that cemented their rise to prominence in the television industry.

"Im at a loss for words, said Peter Morgan, the creator and writer of the British royal saga The Crown, which collected acting, writing and directing awards in addition to four acting honors.

His comment may also apply to the premium cable channels that once ruled the Emmy Awards and to the broadcast networks  including Sunday's ceremony host, CBS  that have long grown accustomed to being largely also-rans.

Netflix won a leading total of 44 awards, equaling the broadcast network record set back in 1974, by CBS. The streaming service, which fielded the first drama series nominee, House of Cards in 2007, finally won the category.

Newcomer Apple TV+'s first top series came less than two years after it launched.

This combination of photos shows, from left, Pedro Pascal in "The Mandalorian," Olivia Colman in "The Crown," Jason Sudeikis in "Ted Lasso" and Jean Smart in "Hacks." (Disney+/Netflix/Apple TV+/HBO Max via AP)

The Crown and The Queen's Gambit tied as leaders with 11 awards each, with Ted Lasso topping the comedy side with seven trophies.

The Queen's Gambit made Anya Taylor-Joy a star and Emmy nominee for her portrayal of a troubled chess prodigy. Executive producer William Horberg singled her out in his acceptance speech.

"You brought the sexy back to chess, and you inspired a whole generation of girls and young women to realize that patriarchy has no defense against our queens. he said.

An Emmy statue is pictured during Press Preview Day for the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2021, at the Television Academy in Los Angeles. The awards show honoring excellence in American television programming will be held on Sunday at the Event Deck at L.A. Live. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

There was a bright spot for HBO with its limited series Mare of Easttown, the crime drama that earned four Emmys, including a lead acting award for star Kate Winslet. For broadcaster NBC, Saturday Night Live again came through with variety honors.

The ceremony proved disappointing as well to those scrutinizing diversity in Hollywood. The record number of nominees of color yielded only two Black winners, including RuPaul for RuPauls Drag Race and star-creator Michaela Coel's writing award for I May Destroy You.

Cedric the Entertainer proved a game host, moving from a hip-hop opening number to gags and sketches, but the relatively small crowd  a result of pandemic precautions  was fairly muted in their response to him and others' one-liners.

Kenan Thompson arrives at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

There was a feeling of personal sadness that pervaded the night, with a number of winners recounting the loss of loved ones.

The Crown stars Olivia Colman and Josh O'Connor won the top drama acting honors Sunday, with Jason Sudeikis, star of the warm-hearted Ted Lasso," and Jean Smart of the generation-gap story Hacks, winners on the comedy side.

Colman and O'Connor were a winning fictional mother-son duo: She plays Queen Elizabeth II, with O'Connor as Prince Charles in the British royal family saga that combines gravitas and soap opera.

Cedric the Entertainer, left, and Billy Porter arrive at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

I'd have put money on that not happening, Colman said of the award, calling it a lovely end to the most extraordinary journey with the show's cast and creators. She cut her remarks short, explaining why she was growing tearful.

I lost my daddy during COVID, and he would have loved all of this. she said.

O'Connor gave a shoutout to Emma Corrin, who played opposite him as Princess Diana and was also a nominee Sunday, as a force of nature.

Hannah Waddingham arrives at the 73rd Emmy Awards Performers Nominee Celebration on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

He also offered thanks to his grandmother, who died a few months ago, and his grandfather, Peter O'Connor, for the greatest gifts of kindness and loyalty.

Sudeikis co-created Ted Lasso, which many viewers found a balm for tough pandemic times. He gave a speech that evoked the chipper, upbeat title character he plays in the series about a U.K. soccer team and its unlikely American coach.

This shows about families and mentors and teammates, and I wouldnt be here without those things in my life, said Sudeikis. He also thanked his fellow castmates, saying, Im only as good as you guys make me look.

In this video grab issued Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, by the Television Academy, Cedric the Entertainer speaks at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. (Television Academy via AP)

Smart, who received a standing ovation, began her acceptance speech on a somber note: Her husband actor, Richard Gilliland, died six months ago.

I would not be here without him and his willingness to put her career first, said Smart. She also praised their two children as courageous individuals in their own right.

Earlier in the evening, ebullient Ted Lasso" cast member Hannah Waddingham, winner of the best supporting actress award for a comedy, said Sudeikis changed my life with this, and more importantly my baby girls."

In this video grab issued Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, by the Television Academy, Jason Sudeikis accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for "Ted Lasso" during the Primetime Emmy Awards. (Television Academy via AP)

Brett Goldstein, who won the counterpart award for supporting actor for playing a retired soccer star, said he had promised not to swear and either mimed or was muted for a few seconds, then called the show the privilege and pleasure of his life.

Gillian Anderson and Tobias Menzies were honored for their supporting performances on The Crown.

Anderson, who played British political leader Margaret Thatcher, was one of numerous cast members to accept from a Crown gathering in London. Menzies who plays Prince Philip, didnt attend either ceremony.

Jason Sudeikis, winner of the award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for "Ted Lasso" poses the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Before announcing the winner in his category, presenter Kerry Washington paid tribute to another nominee, Michael K. Williams of Lovecraft County. Williams died Sept. 6 at age 54.

Michael was a brilliantly talented actor and a generous human being who has left us far too soon, Washington said.

Another lost star was remembered by John Oliver of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

Brett Goldstein, from left, Hannah Waddingham, Jason Sudeikis and Juno Temple pose with their award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series, outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, outstanding lead actor in a comedy series and outstanding comedy series for "Ted Lasso" at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

No one was funnier in the last 20 years than Norm Macdonald on late-night comedy," Oliver said in accepting the Emmy for best variety talk show, suggesting people spend time checking out clips of Macdonald, as he did after Macdonald died Sept. 14 at age 61.

Kate Winslet, who played the title character in Mare of Easttown, and Ewan McGregor, who starred in the fashion biopic Halston, were honored as top actors for a limited series.

Winslet saluted her sister nominees in this decade that has to be about women having each others back.

Julianne Nicholson and Evan Peters claimed best supporting acting honors for Mare of Easttown, about crime and family dysfunction. Both she and Peters praised star Winslet as an actor and colleague.

Debbie Allen received the Governors Award for a long and acclaimed career as an actor, dancer, choreographer and activist.

Doug Speirs | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

I am trembling with gratitude and grace and trying not to cry ... its been many years in the making, taken a lot of courage to be the only woman in the room most of the time. Courage and creative and fight and faith to believe I could keep going, and I have, she said.

The show opened with a musical number that featured Cedric the Entertainer rapping a modified version of the Biz Markie hip-hop hit Just a Friend with lyrics like TV, you got what I need. LL Cool J bounded from the audience as stars including Rita Wilson, Mandy Moore and more dropped verses celebrating the breadth of television.

Seth Rogen presented the first award, throwing some cold water on the celebratory vibe by noting that the Emmys were being held in a giant tent. Theres way too many of us in this little room, he exclaimed in what seemed to be an attempt to be funny that fell flat.

In the cumulative awards handed out Sunday and at the previously-held creative arts events, the outlets that followed Netflix included HBO and HBO Max with 19 combined awards; Disney+ with 14; Apple TV+, 10; NBC, 8.

___

For more on this years Emmy Awards, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/emmy-awards
The idea of waning immunity has picked up steam in recent weeks, with some countries using it to justify rolling out third-dose COVID-19 vaccine boosters to their populations. But immunologists say the concept has been largely misunderstood.

People line up to get their COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre, Thursday, June 10, 2021 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

The idea of waning immunity has picked up steam in recent weeks, with some countries using it to justify rolling out third-dose COVID-19 vaccine boosters to their populations. But immunologists say the concept has been largely misunderstood.

While antibodies  proteins created after infection or vaccination that help prevent future invasions from the pathogen  do level off over time, experts say that's supposed to happen.

And it doesn't mean we're not protected against COVID-19.

Jennifer Gommerman, an immunologist with the University of Toronto, said the term "waning immunity" has given people a false understanding of how the immune system works.

"Waning has this connotation that something's wrong and there isn't," she said. "It's very normal for the immune system to mount a response where a ton of antibodies are made and lots of immune cells expand. And for the moment, that kind of takes over.

"But it has to contract, otherwise you wouldn't have room for subsequent immune responses."

Antibody levels ramp up in the "primary response" phase after vaccination or infection, "when your immune system is charged up and ready to attack," said Steven Kerfoot, an associate professor of immunology at Western University.

They then decrease from that "emergency phase," he added. But the memory of the pathogen and the body's ability to respond to it remains.

Kerfoot said B-cells, which make the antibodies, and T-cells, which limit the virus's ability to cause serious damage, continue to work together to stave off severe disease long after a vaccine is administered. While T-cells can't recognize the virus directly, they determine which cells are infected and kill them off quickly.

Recent studies have suggested the T-cell response is still robust several months following a COVID-19 vaccination.

"You might get a minor infection ... (but) all of those cells are still there, which is why we're still seeing very stable effectiveness when it comes to preventing severe disease," Kerfoot said.

A pre-print study released this week by Public Health England suggested protection against hospitalization and death remains much higher than protection against infection, even among older adults.

So the concept of waning immunity depends on whether you're measuring protection against infection or against severe disease, Kerfoot said.

Ontario reported 43 hospitalized breakthrough cases among the fully vaccinated on Friday, compared to 256 unvaccinated hospitalized infections. There were 795 total new cases in the province that day, 582 among those who weren't fully vaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.

British Columbia, meanwhile, saw 53 fully vaccinated COVID-19 patients hospitalized over the last two weeks, compared to 318 unvaccinated patients.

"You'll hear people say that vaccines aren't designed to protect infection, they're designed to prevent severe disease," Kerfoot said. "I wouldn't say necessarily it's the vaccine that's designed to do one or another ... that's just how the immune system works."

Moderna released real-world data this week suggesting its vaccine was 96 per cent effective at preventing hospitalization, even amidst the more transmissible Delta variant, and 87 per cent effective at preventing infection  down from the 94 per cent efficacy seen in the clinical trials last year.

Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said that dip "illustrates the impact of waning immunity and supports the need for a booster to maintain high levels of protection."

Pfizer-BioNTech has argued the same with its own data, and an advisory panel to the U.S.-based Food and Drug Administration voted Friday to endorse third doses for those aged 65 and older, or at high risk for severe disease.

However, the panel rejected boosters for the general population, saying the pharmaceutical company had provided little safety data on extra jabs.

Gommerman said the efficacy data presented by Moderna doesn't signal the need for a third dose.

"The fact it protects 87 per cent against infection, that's incredible," she said. "Most vaccines can't achieve that."

Bancel said Moderna's research, which has yet to be peer reviewed, suggested a booster dose could also extend the duration of the immune response by reupping neutralizing antibody levels.

But Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti, an infectious physician in Mississauga, Ont., said looking solely at the antibody response is misleading, and could be falsely used as justification for an infinite number of boosters.

Israel, which has opened third doses for its citizens, recently talked about administering fourth doses in the near future.

"This idea of waning immunity is being exploited and it's really concerning to see," Chakrabarti said. "There's this idea that antibodies mean immunity, and that's true ... but the background level of immunity, the durable T-cell stuff, hasn't been stressed enough."

While some experts maintain boosters for the general population are premature, they agree some individuals would benefit from a third jab.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended boosters for the immunocompromised, who don't mount a robust immune response from a two-dose series.

Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Other experts have argued residents of long-term care, who were prioritized when the rollout began last December, may also soon need a third dose. The English study suggests immunity could be waning in older groups but not much  if at all  among those under age 65.

Chakrabarti said a decrease in protection among older populations could be due more to "overlapping factors," including their generally weaker immune systems and congregate-living situations for those in long-term care.

"These are people at the highest risk of hospitalization," he said. "Could (the length of time that's passed following their doses) be playing a role? Yeah, maybe."

While we still don't know the duration of the immune response to COVID-19 vaccination, Gommerman said immune cells typically continue to live within bone marrow and make small amounts of antibodies for "decades."

"And they can be quickly mobilized if they encounter a pathogen," she said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2021.
BRUSSELS (AP)  The Belgian town of Aarschot has a vaccination rate of 94% of all adults, but Mayor Gwendolyn Rutten worries her town is too close for comfort to the capital of Brussels, where the rate stands at 63%. But theres not much she can do about it.

FILE - In this Sept. 4, 2021, file photo, a man receives the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in a bus that serves as a mobile COVID-19 vaccination unit in Bucharest, Romania. In both the U.S. and the EU, officials are struggling with the same question: how to boost vaccination rates to the max and end a pandemic that has repeatedly thwarted efforts to control it. In the European Union, officials in many places are requiring people to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from COVID-19 to participate in everyday activities  even sometimes to go to work. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, File)

BRUSSELS (AP)  The Belgian town of Aarschot has a vaccination rate of 94% of all adults, but Mayor Gwendolyn Rutten worries her town is too close for comfort to the capital of Brussels, where the rate stands at 63%. But theres not much she can do about it.

Her hope is that the government mandates vaccination. Otherwise, you drag all others back into danger, Rutten said in a recent interview.

But few European Union countries have issued outright mandates, instead requiring people to show proof of immunization, a negative test or recent recovery from COVID-19 to participate in ever more activities  even sometimes to go to work.

More sweeping requirements are the order of the day in the U.S., which has faced significant vaccine resistance. President Biden announced mandates last week that cover large portions of the population, sometimes without any option to test instead.

Despite apparently divergent strategies, officials in both the U.S. and the EU are struggling with the same question: how to boost vaccination rates to the max and end a pandemic that has repeatedly thwarted efforts to control it.

And the apparent split may in fact be narrowing. While not calling their restrictions mandates, some European countries are making life so difficult for those without the vaccine that it may amount to the same thing.

In a perhaps surprising move in a country known for touting individual freedoms, Biden has imposed sweeping vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans, including many private-sector employees and health care workers. Employees at firms with more than 100 workers will need to get immunized or test weekly, while vaccination will be required for employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government  with no option to test out. There are some exemptions.

The seemingly more aggressive U.S. policy may reflect greater pressures there. The EU, which initially lagged way behind the United States in terms of vaccinations, surpassed it at the end of July. As of Thursday, the 27-nation bloc had 60% of its population vaccinated compared to 53% for the United States, according to Our World In Data. In the both places, immunization rates vary widely from country to country or state to state.

American authorities from Biden on down have labeled the current phase a pandemic of the unvaccinated, with data showing that nearly all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are now are in people who werent vaccinated. EU officials have used the same description for continuing outbreaks in their countries.

But it's harder for the EU writ large to impose vaccine mandates since health policies are the responsibility of the 27 national governments, and top EU officials walk on egg shells addressing the issue. Asked specifically by The Associated Press whether mandatory vaccination could be part of the solution, three EU commissioners swerved around the question, though none argued against it.

This is not within our remit. This is not part of our legal framework," EU Vice President Margaritis Schinas said, before adding: But if there is a message that we would like to repeat to member states and through member states to the European citizens, it is 'vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.'"

Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized that supply wouldn't be an issue, and the bloc would "be ready for everything which is needed. That underscores that such debates can only play out in wealthy nations, while many lower-income countries remain unable to even offer all their citizens a first shot.

But while officials in Brussels can't impose a mandate on the EU's 450 million citizens, many national governments are ramping up restrictions for those who are not vaccinated. Some countries are, in fact, requiring vaccines for some groups: Slovenia is imposing them for government employees, with no option to test out.

More common in the EU, however, is essentially requiring regular testing for those who aren't vaccinated.

Want to see The Last Judgment by Flemish Primitive Rogier van der Weyden at a Burgundy museum? You must show a so-called COVID pass  which provides proof of a negative test, a vaccination or recent recovery from COVID-19  to be allowed to admire that Northern Renaissance gem. The restrictions apply across France for everything from entering restaurants to visiting the Eiffel Tower.

Struggling to boost its paltry vaccination rates in the early summer, France was the first major EU nation to start using such passes. Macron then announced obligatory vaccinations for all health workers in July.

It proved effective. In the eight weeks since the announcement, the French public health service said that the overall vaccination rate went from 40% fully vaccinated to 69%.

As a result, it has found other takers in the bloc. And on Thursday, Italy, which already required the pass for many activities, upped the ante. Premier Mario Draghi's government said workers in both the public and private sectors will soon be forced to show one to go to work. Slovenia and Greece have adopted similar measures, but Italy is the first major European economy to require the COVID pass to access places of work across all sectors.

The health pass is not a nudge to get vaccinated, it is a not-so-gentle push, Italian legal expert Vitalba Azzollini said.

On both sides of the Atlantic, people have sometimes felt the push more like a shove.

In the United States, there has been lots of angry rhetoric and scattered demonstrations.

Everyone should have a right to say no to something, and not lose everything, said Candace Ganjavi, a nurse at Memorial Herman Healthcare in Houston, Texas, who is helping others with advice on how to obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate her employer has imposed.

Meanwhile, Republican governors across the U.S. have loudly condemned Bidens mandate and vowed to take legal action. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster vowed to fight the president to the gates of hell.

Biden has defended the mandates by saying my job as president is to protect all Americans."

Doug Speirs | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Italy and France have seen thousands take to the streets in protests of the COVID passes, some of which resulted in clashes with police in Paris. In Slovenia, hundreds of anti-vaccination protesters hurled flares at the parliament building on Wednesday to protest new measures that require a COVID pass for entering almost any shop as well as restaurants and private workplaces.

The government doubled down, announcing Friday it would expand the requirement to government employees.

Vaccination rates have soared since the first measures were announced.

I would be more pleased if people understood why they have to get vaccinated," said Bojana Beovic, the chief of the Health Ministrys advisory group on COVID-19. "But the main thing is that the share of the vaccinated population is increasing.

___

Associated Press writers Christina Larson in Washington, Josh Hoffner in Phoenix, Angela Charlton in Paris, Colleen Barry in Milan, Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade, Serbia, and AP reporters from across the EU contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON - Canadian snowbirds will be watching closely this week, suitcases at the ready and RVs full of fuel, to see if the United States finally eases the travel restrictions preventing them from driving south for the winter.

The Canadian border is pictured at the Peace Arch Canada/USA border crossing in Surrey, B.C. Friday, March 20, 2020. Canadian snowbirds will be watching closely this week, suitcases at the ready and RVs full of fuel, to see if the United States finally eases the travel restrictions preventing them from driving south for the winter.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

WASHINGTON - Canadian snowbirds will be watching closely this week, suitcases at the ready and RVs full of fuel, to see if the United States finally eases the travel restrictions preventing them from driving south for the winter.

Some aren't waiting for the White House, opting for the perfectly legal option of flying to the U.S. instead  and many are planning on getting a COVID-19 booster shot as soon as they get there, said Toronto travel insurance broker Martin Firestone.

"The feeling I'm getting from my clientele is, 'I will go down south as I always had planned to, but I will get my third booster shot down there and probably get it a lot quicker than I ever would waiting here,'" Firestone said in an interview.

"People who are heading south are going to go get that booster down in the States, I can assure you of that."

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration turned a few heads when it rejected the idea of a third shot for Americans aged 16 or older. The agency did, however, endorse a plan to make boosters available to people aged 65 or older, or at high risk of severe illness.

With Canada still a long way from formally deciding whether to offer boosters, many with U.S. travel plans simply don't want to wait for the federal health authorities and the individual provinces to make up their minds, Firestone said.

Others are waiting for the U.S. to give a green light to getting behind the wheel.

Tuesday is the deadline for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to declare whether it plans to ease the restrictions on non-essential travel over the Canada-U.S. land border, or extend the prohibition for another 30 days.

The U.S. has largely remained silent on when it might begin to ease the restrictions. Air and sea travellers are exempt from the ban, though passengers by rail, ferry and pleasure boat are not.

A fresh batch of U.S. Senate Democrats, including Michigan senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, Sen. Kirsten Gillebrand of New York and New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, wrote Friday to urge President Joe Biden to finally lift the ban.

"We believe that fully vaccinated Canadians should be allowed to safely travel into the United States via land ports of entry," reads the letter, which was also signed by New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan, and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Angus King, the Independent from Maine.

"We urge you to lift these restrictions before October, provide a plan for reopening land ports of entry and appoint an interagency lead on U.S.-Canadian border restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic."

Establishing a liaison between the various agencies, the White House and Congress would help to ensure the issue gets the necessary attention and ensure lawmakers are kept in the loop, it continues.

"An interagency lead would facilitate discussions between the administration and our offices and ensure that we are able to effectively convey the concerns of our constituents as you evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic."

Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas, whose department oversees the U.S. border agency, acknowledged the growing frustration during a National Press Club event last week in Washington.

"We had hoped that by now, we would have opened up travel through the ports of entry, but regrettably, because of the Delta variant, we've been delayed in doing so," Mayorkas said.

The restrictions now include language that make it possible to relax or lift the ban entirely before the start of the next 30-day window, he added.

"Because we've renewed it for 30 days does not necessarily mean that the restriction will last for another 30 days," Mayorkas said. "We have the ability, of course, to ease it or to eliminate it sooner if the data suggests that we should."

He also acknowledged the southern border, scene of an escalating immigration crisis, is complicating matters. The department sent 400 more border agents and officers to the south Texas region where upwards of 14,000 migrants from Haiti have gathered, with more arriving daily, in hopes of winning asylum in the U.S.

Some experts say the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border is making the White House wary about easing travel restrictions, particularly when travel from Canada is still possible via air and trade and commercial shipments have been moving largely unfettered since the start of the pandemic.

But there are families at the southern border who are suffering under the restrictions as well, said Devon Weber, the founder of Let Us Reunite, a grassroots advocacy group that's pushing for the borders to be reopened.

"We cannot let migrants be used as a scapegoat for the government's bureaucratic paralysis regarding land border policy," Weber said in an email.

"There is a difference between immigration and opening the border to casual travel. The United States had 18 months to make a plan to safely reopen all the land borders and has chosen not to."

Firestone said older travellers want a vehicle at their disposal while in the U.S., and prefer to avoid the hassle of air travel, particularly since Canada's decision to allow fully vaccinated visitors has dramatically slowed what was already a plodding and delay-filled customs clearance process.

Doug Speirs | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

"We're hearing stories about three-hour waits on the plane on the tarmac, and then another two-hour wait in the building," he said. "Flying is not what it used to be."

Some want to take their RVs, which provide both transportation and accommodation. A shortage of available rental cars across North America has put a further premium on being able to take one's own car. And the cost of shipping a vehicle separately remains prohibitive.

Firestone said if the border reopens soon, he's anticipating demand for travel insurance to reach upwards of 90 per cent of what it was in 2019 before the pandemic hit. Without the land border being reopened, he said, that figure will be closer to 50 per cent.

"Another 30 days until Oct. 21 is really going to put a dent in the flow of traffic to the U.S., and it won't be good on many fronts," he said. "The bottom line is there should be no reason why the U.S. does not open the land border, in my opinion. And that's basically because there is zero risk."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2021.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version referred to the U.S. Federal Drug Administration. The correct name for the federal agency is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
WASHINGTON -- The National Institutes of Health director says a government advisory panels decision to limit Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to Americans 65 and older as well as those at high risk of severe disease is a preliminary step and predicts broader approval for most Americans in the next few weeks.

A medical worker in a booth takes a nasal sample from a disinfection worker during coronavirus testing at a makeshift testing site in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. The letters on a jacket read, "Disinfection." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

WASHINGTON -- The National Institutes of Health director says a government advisory panels decision to limit Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to Americans 65 and older as well as those at high risk of severe disease is a preliminary step and predicts broader approval for most Americans in the next few weeks.

Dr. Francis Collins told Fox News Sunday that the panels recommendation Friday was correct based on a snapshot of available data on the effectiveness of Pfizers two-shot regimen over time. But he said real-time data from the U.S. and Israel continue to come in showing waning efficacy among broader groups of people that will need to be addressed soon.

Collins, who also appeared on CBS Face the Nation, said: I think there will be a decision in the coming weeks to extend boosters beyond the list that they approved on Friday.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is President Joe Bidens chief medical adviser, on Sunday praised the advisory boards plan for covering a good chunk of Americans. But he stressed that this is not the end of the story based on evolving data and said the recommendations will likely be expanded in the coming weeks to months.

The Food and Drug Administration will consider the advisory groups advice and make its own decision, probably within days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also is set to weigh in this week.

___

MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

 Same goal, different paths: U.S. and E.U. seek maximum vaccine rates

 Floridas daily coronavirus cases drop from last month

 UN using honor system to check vaccinations for New York meeting

___

 See AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

___

HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

KATHMANDU, Nepal  Tens of thousands of devotees have packed the old palace courtyard in the heart of Nepals capital to celebrate the feast of Indra Jatra, marking the return of the festival season in the Himalayan nation after it was scaled down because of the pandemic.

Kumari, a young girl who is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal as the living goddess, left her temple palace for the first time in two years and was driven around the center of Kathmandu in a wooden chariot pulled by devotees.

Nepals president and highest officials also lined up to get her blessing, together with the tens of thousands of others. Last years festivals were scaled down amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

___

MACKINAW CITY, Mich  A popular Halloween-themed event held annually in northern Michigan has been cancelled this fall due to concerns over the coronavirus, including the rising number of cases of the delta variant in the area.

Fort Fright at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City had been scheduled for October 8-9.

The event is drawn from a collection of short stories published by Mackinac State Historic Parks and based on French-Canadian folktales brought to the Mackinac Straits area by the voyageurs during the height of the French fur trade.

Staffing challenges and concerns about housing volunteers also played into the decision to cancel the event, according to organizers.

Colonial Michilimackinac is an 18th-century fort and fur trading village located along the Straits of Mackinac. It was reconstructed based on historic maps and more than 60 years of archaeological excavations.
LONDON (AP)  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was travelling to the United States on Sunday with senior Cabinet officials to urge world leaders attending the U.N. General Assembly to take urgent action on climate change ahead of this fall's COP26 climate summit in Scotland.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives for a service to mark the 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Britain at Westminster Abbey, in London Sunday Sept. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

LONDON (AP)  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was travelling to the United States on Sunday with senior Cabinet officials to urge world leaders attending the U.N. General Assembly to take urgent action on climate change ahead of this fall's COP26 climate summit in Scotland.

Johnson is set to co-host a meeting on climate change with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday. The two will discuss the need to help developing countries mitigate the impact of climate change.

This week, as world leaders arrive in New York for the biggest diplomatic event of the year, I will be pushing them to take concrete action on coal, climate, cars and trees so we can make a success of COP26 and keep our climate goals within reach, Johnson said in a statement.

Britain is hosting the COP26 climate summit from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12 in Glasgow. The conference is billed as a pivotal moment to persuade governments, industry and investors to make binding commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and to make progress on reducing global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

The British government says 100 world leaders have confirmed they will attend the conference. But Alok Sharma, the British official serving as the conferences president, was not able to confirm Sunday whether Chinese President Xi Jinping has committed to attending the talks, or whether China would definitely be sending a delegation.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson boards RAF Voyager at Stansted Airport, England, Sunday Sept. 19, 2021, ahead of a meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is travelling to the United States with senior Cabinet officials to urge world leaders attending the U.N. General Assembly to take urgent action on climate change ahead of this fall's COP26 climate summit in Scotland. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

On the issue of whether Xi Jinping is going to come, that is not yet confirmed. Normally these things come a bit closer to summits. I am very, very hopeful that we will have a delegation from China, Sharma told the BBC.

He told Sky News that Beijing, as the worlds biggest greenhouse gas emitter, would have to be a key part of any climate change agreement.

They have said to me they want the COP26 to be a success. The ball is in their court. We want them to come forward and make it a success together with the rest of the world, he said.

Johnson, Sharma and newly-appointed British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss arrive in New York on Sunday for a four-day visit to the U.S.

After the U.N. General Assembly, Johnson and Truss will visit the White House for talks on climate, the pandemic and international security. It will be Johnsons first visit to the White House since President Joe Biden took office.
VICTORIA - Green Party Leader Annamie Paul broke with her tradition throughout the federal election campaign and travelled to British Columbia Saturday, marking her first visit to the only region where her party held seats before Parliament was dissolved.

Green Party Leader Annamie Paul takes part in the federal election English-language Leaders debate in Gatineau, Que., Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. Paul made a last-minute visit to Vancouver Island on Saturday for the first time, as the party looks to bolster its support in an area where it holds two seats. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

VICTORIA - Green Party Leader Annamie Paul broke with her tradition throughout the federal election campaign and travelled to British Columbia Saturday, marking her first visit to the only region where her party held seats before Parliament was dissolved.

Paul's trip to Vancouver Island was a departure from her approach throughout the campaign, which has seen her concentrate her efforts almost exclusively on the Toronto riding she hopes to win away from the Liberals.

The visit was announced late Friday night, prompting questions about whether she was invited by local party officials or if she was worried about declining party support in B.C.

But she said the province has long supported the party and made her feel welcome.

"Frankly I would've been spending most of the 11 months that I have been in this role travelling, had it not been for the pandemic," she said at a campaign event featuring several B.C. candidates, including former leader Elizabeth May.

"I really hope it's a boost, even if it's a boost for today then it's worth the trip."

Paul said she's tried to make the trip before but was hampered by COVID-19 restrictions, adding she's also been limited by her status as a new candidate tasked with running both her own campaign and boosting the party's national profile.

She acknowledged that party infighting had contributed to a drop in popular support heading in to Monday's election.

"There's no question, and I've said this before, the turmoil that we've been through as a party has definitely had an impact on our fortunes," she said.

Paul Manly, the Green MP for Nanaimo-Ladysmith, was not in attendance at the Saturday morning event, but did make an appearance at an evening event.

Paul and Manly had a public falling out over the defection of Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin to the Liberals.

She fielded another blow earlier this month when Andrew Weaver, the former head of B.C.'s Green Party, endorsed the climate change plan put forward by the federal Liberals.

"I respect him but I respectfully disagree with him on this," she said.

Paul criticized other parties' plans as "smoke and mirrors," highlighting the Liberal plan as not doing enough to combat climate change and carbon emissions.

Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

The Green Party isnt running a full slate this election, with only 228 candidates running out of 338 ridings, and has been trailing in the polls despite the climate crisis being one of the top concerns among voters, especially in B.C. where wildfires and heat waves have caused destruction and death this summer.

"The environment and climate have touched B.C. and these are things touching every part of the country," Paul said. "People in Canada, wherever they are, recognize that worse climate change is here and the question now is how much worse do we want it to get?"

The issue of old-growth logging is also important to the party, Paul added.

About 1,000 people have been arrested in the Fairy Creek area north of Port Renfrew since the RCMP started to enforce a B.C. Supreme Court injunction in May.

"We have been championing and encouraging those who have put themselves on the line at Fairy Creek," Paul said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2021.
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - The Canadian Council of Imams says the Conservative candidate in Nova Scotia's Central Nova riding must resign because his apology for Islamophobic media posts was an insincere attempt at damage control.

Conservative leader Erin O'Toole speaks during a campaign stop on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 in Russell, Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

ANTIGONISH, N.S. - The Canadian Council of Imams says the Conservative candidate in Nova Scotia's Central Nova riding must resign because his apology for Islamophobic media posts was an insincere attempt at damage control.

Two weeks ago, Steven Cotter apologized on Facebook for earlier posts he made about Shariah law and supporting a ban on the burqa worn by some Muslim women.

However the imams say when Cotter met with local Muslim leaders on Sept. 15, he repeated his apology but "refused to say anything else" in answer to questions about what he would do to address Islamophobia.

The imams say they can only interpret Cotter's silence as a refusal to reflect and learn as he promised to do in his apology, and they say requests to the Conservative party for further engagements were turned down.

"As Muslim community leaders, we deeply appreciated the commitment to engage with our community. We recognize that everyone makes mistakes, and the best of us repent from our mistakes," said the release.

"Our only question was: is this apology sincere or was this entirely an attempt at damage control? Unfortunately, after our engagement with Mr. Cotter, we have little choice but to believe the latter."

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole fired a Toronto candidate over Islamophobic social media posts she claims are not hers but he kept Cotter in the race.

Doug Speirs | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

O'Toole told The Canadian Press on Sept. 11 that he wanted to retain candidates on a team that would unite the country and help restore the economy.

Cotter didn't respond to an emailed message to his Facebook site, and the spokesman for the Conservatives wasn't immediately available for comment about the council's statement.

Cotter's apology posted on Facebook Sept. 5 said he had shared social media posts in the past "without thinking about how these posts might hurt of offend others. I have deleted these posts and apologize unreservedly."

"I recognize that what I posted was not simply hurtful, it was animated with Islamophobic and anti-immigrant tropes," he said.

Cotter is running in a riding won in the past by prominent Tories Peter MacKay and Brian Mulroney, and currently held by the Liberals' Sean Fraser.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2021.
AN RCMP officer has been sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to assaulting a bystander with excessive force who had been watching police detaining an intoxicated woman.

AN RCMP officer has been sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to assaulting a bystander with excessive force who had been watching police detaining an intoxicated woman.

Gregory James Oke, 44, who was a constable in Thompson at the time of the Sept. 12, 2018, offence, will also have to perform 100 hours of community service work.

"His guilty plea is a significant mitigating factor," said provincial court Judge Murray Thompson in a written decision handed out on Sept. 13.

"It appears to be a rare occurrence that a police officer pleads guilty to excessive use of force. In accepting full responsibility for his actions, he saved the use of valuable trial days during a pandemic when court resources are stretched."

Thompson also noted Oke is deemed a low risk of reoffending and was later diagnosed as having post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the time of the assault because of all the death and injuries he had witnessed in his job. Oke has since taken extensive treatment and no longer meets the diagnostic criteria for it.

"His character references indicate Const. Okes response was very much out of character and I do accept that," said the judge.

The incident began when two RCMP officers were sent to deal with a drunk woman who was refusing to leave the porch of a homeless shelter.

A video from the shelters surveillance camera showed William Farrow, known to Oke from past dealings, along with others, was watching Oke and another officer as they tried to get the woman to her feet.

The judge said it all "appeared to be relaxed, even jovial at times, with bystanders gesturing with Const. Oke. It appeared he was known to them and on good terms. One civilian slapped his arm in a friendly manner twice. He responded in a way that made it clear he took no offence."

But when Farrow, began calling the officers names, and spat once, possibly twice, Oke reacted instantly, punching the man in the face three times with his fist before putting his arm around the mans neck from behind, lifting his chin up and back, and bringing him to the ground before arresting him for assaulting a police officer.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba investigated the incident and recommended in June 2019, the officer be charged.

A Crown attorney told the judge the prosecution accepts that Oke believed he was spit in the face and recommended a suspended sentence with probation for 12 to 18 months which would result in a criminal record.

Okes lawyer asked for a 12-month conditional discharge so he could avoid a criminal record if he followed court conditions and didnt commit another offence.

The court was told Farrow, who suffered a small cut to the back of his head and couldnt remember the incident, was never charged with an offence.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

The Crown wasnt able to find Farrow, who is homeless, to get a victim impact statement.

Oke joined the RCMP in 2015 and Thompson was his first posting.

The judge noted when the RCMP transferred Oke out of Thompson after the incident, as is the forces protocol, it meant the officers wife and two teenage children also had to move.

"Tragically, his wife of 16 years died unexpectedly on April 2, 2019," said Thompson. "After undergoing surgery for a broken ankle, she suffered a pulmonary embolism. She was at home when she died and was found shortly before her death by Const. Oke."

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
The controversial Progressive Conservative leadership candidate rejected from running to become Manitoba premier, says he should have been allowed to run, but is already looking to the future.

The controversial Progressive Conservative leadership candidate rejected from running to become Manitoba premier, says he should have been allowed to run, but is already looking to the future.

Ken Lee, the party's former chief financial officer, told a rally of anti-vaccination protesters on Saturday at the legislature that "I think I had the shortest political career in the history of mankind.

"It lasted 11 days, but in 11 days it was an amazing 11 days," he said. "I think it scared the party. We stood for freedom and we stood for trying to get our lives back  and not the new normal, just normal.

Lee said he should have been allowed to campaign for the Tory leadership. The only candidates approved by the party in the Oct. 30 race are former health minister Heather Stefanson and former Conservative MP and federal cabinet minister Shelly Glover.

"The bottom line is we were cheated," he said.

"That's pretty much it in a nut shell. They had no reason to deny my application. I met every criteria. All the background checks. I had the interview. Not once did they suggest that I had any kind of shortfall in anything.

"It's almost embarrassing to suggest that I wasn't able to run in this contest."

Sources have said Lee sold more than four times the 1,000 memberships a candidate needed to sell by Sept. 15 in order to run as well as the $25,000 entry fee per candidate.

Lee urged his supporters not to give up.

"I hope that all the people that supported our movement continue because we're not dead yet," he said. "I don't think we can do anything for this leadership contest, but maybe in the future we can do something if we stay together, keep on thinking about how important our freedoms are.

"Let's all stick together and hopefully we can do something."

Earlier, the people Lee spoke to  about 300 people who were protesting against vaccination passports and other COVID-19 related public health restrictions  gathered at the St. Boniface Basilica before marching to Portage Avenue, The Forks and the legislature.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Lee was originally supposed to protest outside PC Party headquarters on Kennedy Street, but instead he spoke to protesters and reporters nearby at the legislature. He didn't say why he didn't go to the headquarters where the only people spotted outside were security personnel.

But Lee told the protesters he agreed with their positions.

"Vaccination passports, having to get a vaccination to hold a job  it's just not Canada."

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
MONTREAL - Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau on Sunday pitched his party as the only one that can stop Erin O'Toole's Conservatives from forming government as he crossed the country in a flat-out sprint for last-minute votes.

MONTREAL - Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau on Sunday pitched his party as the only one that can stop Erin O'Toole's Conservatives from forming government as he crossed the country in a flat-out sprint for last-minute votes.

The day before Monday's federal election, Trudeau began by telling some 300 supporters at an outdoor rally in Montreal that progressive voters don't have to choose between blocking the Conservatives and picking the party with the "best, most ambitious progressive plan" on climate change, child care and supporting families.

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau greets Liberal candidates as he makes a campaign stop in Montreal, Quebec, on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

"Because the answer to both those questions is the Liberal Party of Canada," Trudeau told the cheering crowd.

The Liberal leader's whirlwind final day of campaigning saw him begin in Quebec before travelling to Ontario and Manitoba, while holding virtual events in other regions. His day was expected to end near midnight at a rally in the Vancouver area before flying back to Montreal in the early hours of the morning for election day.

As he has throughout the campaign, Trudeau on Sunday sought to portray OToole as a leader who will "take Canada backwards" by rolling back greenhouse gas reduction targets and cancelling $10-a-day child care deals with the provinces.

As he gestured on stage to a sea of cheering red-and-white clad Liberal supporters gathered on a brewery patio, he hammered the Conservative leader for refusing to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for his candidates, and accused him of protecting the anti-vaxxers in his party by telling even his vaccinated candidates not to disclose whether they've received the shots.

But with polls showing the Liberals and Tories locked in a dead heat, Trudeau also tried to draw Green and NDP voters in recent days, saying those parties' environmental platforms are less ambitious and achievable than his own.

Trudeau has spent most of the last week of his campaign focusing on the key battlegrounds of Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec, where his party needs to hold or increase support.

On Sunday morning he also turned his attention to Alberta, where the conservative government of Premier Jason Kenney recently reimposed public health restrictions following a surge in COVID-19 cases and warnings the health care system is on the brink of collapse. Trudeau told reporters following the rally that an O'Toole government would lead the country down a similar path.

Trudeau has also been dogged by criticism from his rivals and some members of the public for dissolving the minority parliament and calling an election during the fourth wave of the health crisis.

Trudeau in the final days of the campaign has largely traded suits for jeans or khakis and running shoes, has ditched his TelePrompTer and campaigned at a blistering pace, sometimes visiting five or six ridings a day.

Hes been swarmed by adoring fans who clamour for selfies during walkabouts in farmers markets and on scenic main streets, and heckled by small groups of angry protesters who accuse him of ruining the country and hurl insults his way.

After the Montreal rally Sunday morning, he flew to Ontario for a backyard barbecue in King-Vaughan, north of Toronto, alongside incumbent MP and cabinet minister Deb Schulte.

Among the crowd was neighbour Rashid Manliaza, a 30-year-old father of two young children, who said he's not a Liberal volunteer but supports the party's promise of affordable daycare.

"So if it (becomes) $10 a day I can afford that, and my wife can look for a job," he said, adding that daycare costs in the region are between $50 and $100 a day.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Another attendee, Suraj Dhoum, said she has proudly cast a Liberal ballot since the days of former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau  the current leader's father  because she felt his policies welcomed her when she immigrated from India in 1974.

Earlier Sunday, Trudeau once again refused to outright ask voters to give him a majority, telling reporters after the Montreal rally that his goal is to send as many Liberal MPs to Ottawa as possible.

But Melanie Joly, one of Trudeau's outgoing cabinet ministers, said she wants the party to have a "strong mandate" with "both hands on the wheel."

In Quebec, the party has had to face a challenge from a Bloc Quebecois party that has tried to make political hay from an English-language debate question that described the province's secularism bill as discriminatory.

While Trudeau and other leaders denounced the question after the fact, the incident has given a boost to Bloc Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, who has argued he's the only leader to truly defend Quebec's interests.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2021.
The search for the now-missing fiance of 22-year-old Gabby Petito is focused on a Florida nature reserve, where 50 officers from five local agencies and FBI agents scoured the area Saturday, according to North Port Police spokesperson Josh Taylor.

During a Saturday news conference, Taylor said Laundrie has an "enormous amount of pressure" on him to provide answers following Petito's own disappearance.

Brian Laundrie's family told police Friday night they have not seen the 23-year-old since Tuesday. Police said at that time Laundrie is not wanted for a crime, and that authorities are working "multiple missing person investigations."

Investigators were searching for Laundrie at the "vast Carlton Reserve" near Venice, Florida, North Port Police said on Twitter Saturday. The search effort included the use of drones and bloodhounds who had used articles of Laundrie's clothing taken from his home to get his scent, Taylor said.

The search ended Saturday evening due to darkness and will resume Sunday morning, North Port Police said in a tweet.

Laundrie's family told police he left home with his backpack Tuesday and told them he was going to the reserve, Taylor said Saturday. Police believe the vehicle he was driving may have been at the reserve too, but has since been returned to the Laundrie's home.

Police initially focused their search on a nearby park about 200 acres large, but throughout the day it had spread into the reserve, which is about 25,000 acres, he said.

When asked why Laundrie's family didn't tell police of his whereabouts until Friday, Taylor said, "that's a great question."

"You know we've obviously been trying to reach the family to get answers in this case since (last) Saturday," Taylor said. "The first time that we've had any in-depth conversation with them was yesterday when their attorney called and said the family was concerned about Brian's whereabouts."

Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino said Friday that Laundrie's whereabouts "are currently unknown."

Richard Stafford, the attorney for the Petito family, said in a brief statement sent to CNN, "All of Gabby's family want the world to know that Brian is not missing, he is hiding. Gabby is missing."

Search for Petito is now a week old

Law enforcement began investigating Petito's disappearance on September 11, when Petito's family reported her missing after they were unable to contact her for several days. Prior to her disappearance, Petito had been traveling with Laundrie on a road trip through several western states.

Laundrie returned to North Port without Petito September 1, according to police. Officials later found the van the couple had been traveling in at the home Petito shared with Laundrie and his parents in North Port.

On Saturday, the FBI said the search for Petito included ground surveys being conducted in Grand Teton National Park with the National Park Service, the Teton County Sheriff's Office and the Jackson, Wyoming, police.

"This is an active and ongoing investigation, so we ask the public to maintain distance from any law enforcement personnel, equipment, vehicles, and their related activity for the safety of the public in these remote areas and to protect the integrity of our work," the FBI's Denver field office said in a tweet Saturday afternoon.

In a statement issued to NBC before it was reported Laundrie's whereabouts were unknown, family attorney Bertolino said Laundrie would not speak about the matter because "intimate partners are often the first person law enforcement focuses their attention on in cases like this and the warning that 'any statement made will be used against you' is true, regardless of whether my client had anything to do with Ms. Petito's disappearance."

North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison told CNN's Don Lemon earlier in the week that Laundrie had invoked his Fifth Amendment right, which generally means a person cannot be forced to make statements they feel might be negative or used against them.

Police previously visited the home but the family refused to talk and instead gave authorities the information for their attorney, Taylor said this week.

On Saturday, he reiterated police were limited in what they could do because "we don't have a crime."

"We can't go just pulling people in, he certainly has the Fifth Amendment not to speak, and we're respectful of that," he said. "We get it. We're frustrated."

Petito stepfather: 'I don't know what to believe'

Petito's stepfather said Friday he is happy Laundrie's parents called police, but said, "I don't know what to believe."

Jim Schmidt told CNN's Chris Cuomo he was "caught off guard" by the news shared moments earlier that Laundrie's family spoke with authorities, saying he hadn't even had a moment to digest it.

"All that matters is finding her and bringing her home," Schmidt said.

"We're still trying to get the word out there and try to find that one person that might have some details that we need," Schmidt said. "Just trying to get out there and find that person and hopefully they can help us with anything that will bring her home."

When asked if there was anything from the last few times he contacted Gabby that would be helpful now, Schmidt said, "I'm not sure. We've been analyzing everything as much as we can, and your mind races in a million different directions when you're trying to put something like this together and it's -- we're still trying to get a full grasp on the entire situation."

Schmidt asked for the media to "just keep getting the word out," adding, "Some different photos, not just the ones that have been out there, maybe that sparks something in the public that somebody didn't recognize before and just keep getting that word out there and keep this fresh in the media so it keeps going until we find her."

The FBI has released a new Missing Person poster, asking for help in the search for Petito.

Campsite reviews appear to show the couple this summer

Before they vanished, Petito and Laundrie appeared to have left reviews on an online camp community app called The Dyrt. A photo of the couple was posted on The Dyrt two months ago and tags their social media accounts.

An account linked to the couple lists campgrounds in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming, and Utah, as well as left reviews of campsites where Petito was last seen. Camping spots to the Grand Teton National Park were saved on the profile.

According to a timeline of events provided Friday by Petito family attorney Stafford, Gabby FaceTimed with her mother on August 24, saying she was leaving Utah and headed to the Tetons.

Their most recent review is about Arches National Park in Utah in July, in the same county where Moab police had an interaction with Petito and Laundrie two weeks later.

At the time, officers with the Moab City Police Department responded to reports of disorderly conduct involving Petito and Laundrie, which ended with a report describing them as having "engaged in some sort of altercation."

The officers who responded to the incident suggested Laundrie and Petito should separate for the night, according to the report, and no charges were filed.

One of the officers who responded to the scene wrote in the police report Laundrie said the pair had been traveling together for "the last four or five months."

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
DELTA LAKE, NY - The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life returned to Delta Lake State Park this weekend.

Last years relay was limited to a drive-through event due to covid 19, but this year things have slowly returned to normal. 20 relay teams walked around a make-shift track raising money for the services the American Cancer Society provides to cancer patients and their families.

While they walked, many of them stopped to reflect on loved ones who are battling, or who have lost their battle, with cancer. The names of those loved ones could be found on luminaries which lined the track.

"Every bag around the track has a name on it that's important to somebody, says American Cancer Societys Robert Elinskas. It represents someone who's fought a battle with cancer. The Relay for Life provides an opportunity to remember those people and to do something positive in their memory. Every bag represents a donation to the American Cancer Society which furthers research, education efforts, and patient services programs".

Locally, the Relay for Life has been helping to raise money for the American Cancer Society for 25 years.
WHITESBORO, N.Y. - A Whitesboro teacher who made a disparaging reference to the Cornhill neighborhood of Utica in a homework assignment has issued an apology.

The assignment has been widely circulated on social media, sparking a heated response.

In the assignment, there's a sentence that is insulting to the Cornhill neighborhood of Utica, reading You want to get your own apartment but your mother worries about you and doesnt want you to get shot in corn hill.

Whitesboro Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Bellair posted on the district's website Sunday afternoon saying teacher Eric Paul issued a statement that Paul wants to share with the entire community.

It reads as follows:

-----

To whom it may concern:

Last week I fell short as an educator and role model. In an assignment, for my Personal Finance class, I used insensitive, offensive language, and I'm sincerely sorry. I realized how divisive and disparaging my words were to the Cornhill community, and I apologize. It was not my intention to insult the good people that live in Cornhill, or anybody that had lived there in the past. In addition, I apologize to the Whitesboro School District and community for any distress this has caused.

I take my responsibilities as an educator seriously. As I have often shared with my students, when you make a mistake you have to own it, and try to make amends. Words matter, and mine were poorly chosen. I have learned a valuable lesson, and will take the opportunity to pass this lesson on to my students.

I am sorry, and I will do better in the future.

Sincerely,

Eric Paul

-----

Bellair released a statement on the district's website following Paul's letter saying the following:

-----

"We have known Mr. Paul as a child-centered teacher in the District as a long-time employee and we trust the sincerity behind his apology. That said, we recognize that we have some essential professional development to continue with our staff regarding bias, diversity, equity and inclusion.

In October of last year we provided a day of professional development for all staff with Dr. Meredith Madden, Assistant Professor of Education at Utica College. Her teaching and research focus on pedagogies and curriculum, intergroup dialogue, educational equity with a focus on racial and social justice education, teacher preparation, and higher-education/community collaborations.

Her initial workshop in October was on "Teaching Toward Educational Equity." We subsequently provided more intensive workshops with Dr. Madden between January 11 and February 11: a 3-hour anti-racist pedagogy and curriculum workshop for the Social Studies department, a 3-hour anti-racist pedagogy and curriculum workshop for English Language Arts department, and an 8-hour training course on race, racism, anti-racism and education available to all instructional staff.

These workshops provided important concepts for future professional development. Included within our District 5-Year Plan is a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all buildings and departments. As an introduction to this focus, the Board of Education has received a presentation on the 4 Principles of Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education: a welcoming and affirming environment, high expectations and rigorous instruction, inclusive curriculum and assessment, and ongoing professional learning. For staff, our next Superintendent's Conference Day in October will include further professional development on DEI; and for our student athletes, we will be providing DEI activities with other districts' student athletes. In light of the concerns raised from this recent assignment, department chairpersons, principals, and administrators will be reviewing curriculum and homework assignments for implicit bias and reviewing guidelines for class work and assignments.

The District regrets the hurt and anger that has permeated our local communities as a result of this incident and looks forward to constructive conversations and collaboration around the apparent issues. We want every student, every family, and each resident of our communities to know that we strive to be a place of welcome and safety for all, where race, culture and humanity are valued and honored. Where we fall short of that aspiration, we will work harder toward meeting this vision."

------

Councilman Delvin Moody wrote a letter to the superintendent, which he shared on social media Monday.

My letter to Dr. Bellair, Superintendent of Whitesboro Central School District. pic.twitter.com/r9JnIJUsOx  Councilman Delvin J. Moody (@DelvinMoody) September 20, 2021

No word of any disciplinary action taken against the teacher
NEW HARTFORD, NY  With a September 27th deadline looming for healthcare workers to be vaccinated against the Coronavirus, or risk losing their jobs, many of them gathered in front of St. Lukes Hospital Sunday to protest the mandate.

The protesters argue they are not anti-vax but are against being told what they have to do. They say the vaccine mandate violates their rights and is unconstitutional.

On September 14th U.S. District Court Judge David Hurd issued a written order against the mandate stating it does not allow for exemptions based on workers religious beliefs. This does not mean healthcare workers dont have to get the vaccine, but for now, they can ask for religious exemptions.

For the protesters gathered in front of the hospital, that decision was not enough.

We need to stand together now. We have to fight for our freedoms, says Tasha Soulia, the groups spokesperson. There's no other time like this in the history of America where we've seen a mandate forcing us to take a vaccine. This is unconstitutional and we need to stand together now."

Similar rallies have taken place in other parts of New York and across the country as well.
On August 29, a US drone strike killed 10 members of one family in Kabul. That same day, the Pentagon announced that the operation successfully targeted a suicide bomber affiliated with ISIS-K, who had allegedly filled a car with explosives as part of a suspected plan to attack the Hamid Karzai International Airport, where US troops raced to complete their evacuation operation a day before their deadline.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, had previously called the attack a "righteous strike," days after two bombing attacks outside the airport killed 13 US service members and more than 160 Afghan civilians. ISIS-K, the ISIS branch that rivals the Taliban in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility.

But last week, Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander of US Central Command, which oversaw the drone attack, presented the results of an investigation into the operation that revealed that it had not targeted ISIS-K operatives but instead killed Afghan civilians, including seven children. "It was a mistake and I offer my sincere apology," he stated.

The admission and apology were stunning, especially as the unmanned drone strike was among the last US military actions with troops still on the ground in Afghanistan, bringing a 20-year military presence in the country to a painful end.

Yet, beyond the specifics of this attack, the case provides insight into the inevitable problems of an emerging new form of warfare that has dominated US efforts in the latter years of the post-9/11 conflicts. The anti-ISIS campaign in Iraq and Syria and the last seven years of US actions in Afghanistan have relied heavily on air attacks with precision munitions managed from a distance and with minimal, on-the-ground US military presence.

Gen. McKenzie's remarks reviewed the secretive processes through which drone operations are managed, revealing the extraordinary military capacity of the US as well as the difficulty of meeting the stated goals of only targeting combatants and avoiding civilian casualties.

Gen. McKenzie explained that following the ISIS-K deadly attack on the Kabul airport, the military received multiple intelligence reports about how the group would use a white Toyota Corolla, one of the most common cars in the Afghan capital, in an upcoming operation. As many as six MQ-9 Reaper drones were surveilling the area and noticed a car of this type near a site believed to be used by ISIS-K, according to Gen. McKenzie. For eight hours, US military and intelligence watched live feeds of the car, its driver and others as they moved from one place to another, loading things in and out of the vehicle.

In the afternoon, as the car was parked by a building in an area where ISIS-K was operating, a man "assessed at the time to be a co-conspirator" approached and the drone attacked. Gen. McKenzie explained that the strike team held off on authorizing the attack until the car was stationary to avoid civilian casualties on the street, and that the weaponeering team had adjusted the fuse of the Hellfire missile so that it would detonate inside the vehicle to further minimize civilian harm.

When the strike produced an additional explosion, this was viewed as evidence that it had correctly targeted a vehicle filled with explosives in preparation for an attack.

Gen. McKenzie's point was that the mistaken targeting of the vehicle, while unfortunate and tragic, was justified given the pressures of protecting US forces at the airport and the significant evidence gathered and reviewed by teams of military and intelligence professionals.

Yet, how could the situation have gone so spectacularly wrong? How could this level of extraordinary technical capacity have misread each piece of evidence as proof that the car was driven by an ISIS-K operative when, in fact, it was involved in the daily operations of a US-based humanitarian organization?

There is no singular answer to these questions, but what is clear from this case, as well as evidence of similar issues from other US air strikes, is that it is often very difficult to assess a situation with limited on-the-ground verification, leading to devastating consequences.

Despite the failure of the August 29 attack, Gen. McKenzie explained that the event in no way raised concerns about the capacity of the US military to effectively conduct future strikes. He discussed other operations around the same time, including an attack that killed key ISIS-K operatives in Nangarhar.

Gen. McKenzie also pointed out that the drone strike in question was based on self-defense and, as such, was distinct from over-the-horizon attacks in which he claimed the US would be able to gather intelligence over longer periods of time to establish "patterns of life" and thereby ensure with greater certainty that those targeted were combatants and not civilians.

Nevertheless, it is not at all clear that the admission of this "tragic mistake" would have occurred if the attack had taken place outside of Kabul. This is because even in the midst of a chaotic withdrawal and the uncertainty of the incoming Taliban government, international journalists in the city investigated the attack immediately after it occurred and quickly presented an evidence-based counternarrative to the military's claims of a successful operation.

After all, the vast majority of US airstrikes, whether by drones or other platforms, in Afghanistan and elsewhere occur in remote, often rural, areas where there is limited ability to independently assess whether or not a strike targeted combatants or killed civilians.

So, what can the US do now? It is to the credit of the US military that it publicly acknowledged its mistake (after all, few adversaries would do the same if faced with a similar situation). Yet, this is not enough.

Gen. McKenzie suggested that the military was "exploring the possibility" of providing condolence payments to the families of those killed in the strike, an issue of special relevance given that a $3 million US Department of Defense fund designated for offset civilian harm from military operations has largely gone unspent. However, what is needed in this case is a robust effort to publicly address the profound impact of the attack by going beyond the idea of condolences through direct consultations with the victims' families regarding their needs, alongside a commitment by the US to provide them with reparations designed -- as best as is possible -- to repair the harm they have suffered. This will help demonstrate the seriousness of a US commitment to civilians' rights and it should happen as soon as possible.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP)  Domino's Pizza plans to make a lot of dough in Indiana.

Joined by Gov. Eric Holcomb, the pizza chain broke ground Friday at a dough production and warehouse facility in Merrillville in the AmeriPlex business park.

When people think of Indiana manufacturing, they think of steel, RVs and limestone. Today, we add Dominos pizza dough to our recipe, because we both know how to deliver, Holcomb said.

The facility, which is expected to be finished by the end of 2022, will supply pizza ingredients to Dominos shops in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Domino's will get tax incentives.

Im absolutely thrilled to put one of the centers right here in Merrillville. The partnerships we have here have made is as easy and could be, Domino's chief executive Richard Allison said.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is asking Hoosiers to donate new clothing, powdered baby formula and other items for thousands of Afghan evacuees temporarily housed at Camp Atterbury.

Nine Indiana National Guard armories will serve as regional collection sites for the public to drop off new items to help clothe and support the evacuees, Holcomb's office said Thursday.

Only new items in their original packaging will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday starting Monday at armories in Evansville, Greenfield, Rockville, Danville, Muncie, Indianapolis (Kessler-Moore Readiness Center), Fort Wayne, South Bend and New Albany.

The clothing needs include mens and womens unbranded, modest items such as long sleeve t-shirts, underwear, pants and jackets in sizes small to large and childrens clothing, including baby and newborn clothes, hats and socks. Forty percent of the evacuees are children ages 14 and under.

Any organization or business seeking to make a large donation and unable to deliver to a designated site should contact privatesector@dhs.in.gov.

Hoosiers interested in making monetary donations can do so at https://fundraise.teamrubiconusa.org/give/355135/#!/donation/checkout or https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/

Camp Atterbury, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Indianapolis, is housing more than 6,000 Afghan refugees who are preparing for permanent resettlement, two weeks after the first wave of evacuees arrived.
Formerly known as the Cimbrian Peninsula, Jutland is the name of a peninsula in northern Europe that forms the continental portion of Denmark and parts of northern Germany. This peninsula is bounded by the North Sea in the west, Skagerrak Strait in the north, Kattegat and the Baltic Sea in the east and Germany in the south. Like the rest of Denmark, Jutlands terrain is flat, with slightly elevated ridges down the central parts and relatively hilly terrains in the east. The Eastern terrains are the fertile portion of Jutland, having lakes and lush forests. On the other hand, the western part includes open lands, heaths, plains and peat bogs, deeming it the infertile portion of Jutland. The southwest area of Jutland is characterized by the Wadden Sea, which is an intertidal zone in the southeast part of the North Sea and a large international coastal region that extends through Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Geography

Wadden Sea beach near Esbjerg on the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark.

There are several historical subdivisions and regional names of the Jutland Peninsula, some of which are still being used today. The subdivisions include Slesvig, now known as South Jutland, in addition to West Jutland, East Jutland and North Jutland, which were referred as Himmerland, Vendsyssel-Thy and Hanherred. The whole area of South Jutland was historically known as Nrrejyllland. Jutland encompasses three contemporary Danish Administrative Regions such as North Jutland Region, Central Denmark Region, Southern Denmark Region and portions of the state of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany. Today, the largest cities of the Danish section of Jutland are Aarhus, Aalborg, Esbjerg, Randers, Kolding, Horsens, Vejle, Herning, Silkeborg and Fredericia. These cities make up the East Jutland metropolitan area, and are more densely populated than the rest of Jutland.

The southern third of the peninsula is made up of the German Bundesland of Schleswig-Holstein. Schleswig-Holstein originally comprised of two duchies: Schleswig (Danish fief) and Holstein (German fief). These two duchies were separated by the River Eider and were constantly alternating between the German and Danish rule. The Schleswig Plebiscites in 1920 resulted in classifying the Northern Schleswig area as Danish property. Today, the largest German cities in the Jutland Peninsula are Hamburg, Kiel, Lubeck and Flensburg.

View of the Limfjord sound in Aalborg, Denmark and the industrial district with factory chimneys. Editorial credit: makasana photo / Shutterstock.com

The breaching of the North Sea flood caused by the North Sea storm in 1825 created a coast-to-coast connection in northern Jutland, separating it from the mainland. The narrow stretch of water forming this bisector is called the Limfjord, which was originally a brackish water inlet, prior to the flood. The area separated from the mainland Jutland goes by multiple names such as the North Jutlandic Island, Vendsyssel-Thy or Jutland north of the Limfjord. This island is only partly connected to the North Jutland region. However, the storm breach also created the Agger Channel in the Agger Tange of the Limfjord area, which allowed ships to shortcut the Skagerrak Strait. There are also several islands historically linked to Jutland, such as Ls, Anholt and Sams in Kattegat and Als at the rim of the Baltic Sea. The Danish Wadden Sea Islands and the German North Frisian Islands also stretch along the southwest coat of Jutland in the German Bight.

History

Budolfi Church is the cathedral church for the Lutheran Diocese of Aalborg in North Jutland, Denmark. Editorial credit: DVY / Shutterstock.com

Historically, Denmark comprised of three lands, one of which was Jutland and the other two being Scania and Zealand. According to Claudius Ptolemy, mathematician and geographer in the 100-170 AD era, Jutland was inhabited by the Teutons, Cimbri and Charudes tribes in ancient Europe. The Angles, Saxons and Jutes migrated from continental Europe to Great Britain around 450 AD. Saxons and Frisii, being early Germanic tribes, migrated to the region in the beginning of the Christian era. In fact, the pagan Danes of the Germanic tribes constructed a system of Danish fortifications called the Danevirke extending from Schleswig and inland halfway across the Jutland Peninsula. The purpose of this system was to have protection from the invasion of the Christian Frankish emperors. The southernmost part of the Peninsula was inhabited by the pagan Saxons. It was until the Saxon Wars in the Nordic Iron Age when Charlemagne violently subdued the pagan Saxons and forced them to convert to Christianity. Old Saxony, the original home of the Saxons in northwest Germany, was later absorbed into the Carolingian Empire and is now referred to as Holstein.

Despite the fact that Jutland was neutral during the First World War, Danes living in North Slesvig, which was part of the German Empire at the time, were conscripted for the imperial Germany army, and an estimate of 5000 Danish South Jutlanders sacrificed their lives serving the German military during that war. Jutland has also witnessed one of the largest naval battles in history, the 1916 Battle of Jutland, fought in the North Sea in the west of Jutland. In this battle, the British Royal Navy engaged the Imperial German Navy, which lead to heavy casualties from both sides. Although the British sustained greater casualties, they remained in control of the North Sea, which is why historians may sometime consider Jutland as a British victory. During World War II, Denmark declared itself neutral, but it was occupied by the Nazis on April 9, 1940. Being regarded of high strategic importance, Germany had considered only occupying the northern tip of Jutland. The coastal areas of Jutland were eventually declared a military zone and access was strictly regulated. Moreover, the Germans worked on extending the Atlantic Wall along the entire west coast of the peninsula in order to resist a potential attack from that coast of Jutland. The Hanstholm fortress in Nordjylland, northern Denmark in Jutland, became the largest fortification in Northern Europe.

Culture

Most people in Jutland lived a rural life, taking jobs as farmers and fishers. Farming and herding were a significant part of the culture since the late Neolithic Stone Age, and fishing began ever since the Peninsula was populated with humans. However, the local culture of the people inhabiting the Peninsula has not been well documented.
In this photo provided by North Port Police Department, law enforcement officials conduct a search of the vast Carlton Reserve in the Sarasota, Fla., area for Brian Laundrie on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Laundrie is a person of interest in the disappearance of his girlfriend, Gabrielle Gabby Petito. (North Port Police Department via AP)
Wider choice of Covid tests to be available for travellers returning to Wrexham from abroad

International travellers returning to Wrexham and Wales will be able to book their PCR tests from a wider range of providers.

The Welsh Government has announced the change after the UK Government confirmed new stricter rules will be introduced from 21 September to police and improve the PCR test firms.

All travellers returning to the UK from overseas must take PCR tests on their return home to help identify any new cases of coronavirus and prevent transmission.

Rules stated that travellers from Wales should use NHS tests, costing 68 each, when going overseas or face a 1,000 fine.

However, concerns were raised relating to issues with some of the private test providers, including inaccurate and misleading advertised prices, slow delivery and processing of tests and results not flowing into Welsh systems.

The rule change comes as new standards and spot checks are being introduced, which will help to address long-standing concerns and issues about the market for PCR tests for all travellers returning to the UK.

The Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) called for a rapid review of the market and the UK Government has now accepted the public watchdogs recommendations.

Wrexhams Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths has welcomed the announcement. She said: As there was evidence to suggest some private testing was unreliable and overpriced, the Welsh Government was right to raise its concerns with the UK Government.

I am pleased progress has now been made and from next week, there will be tougher penalties for private testing companies not following the law, as well as more choice for local residents.

This was an issue that affected constituents in Wrexham so I am sure this latest announcement will be welcomed.

Protecting the people of Wales has been the priority for the Welsh Government throughout this pandemic and I am pleased it continues to set high standards.
It was just last week that Canada's British Columbia finally ended its state of emergency, more than two months after wildfires tore through parts of the province and reduced an entire village and its surroundings to ash.

It wasn't a random, unfortunate disaster. Scientists said the heatwave that supercharged the fires was "virtually impossible" without the greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere -- now at the highest concentration in more than 800,000 years -- put there by humans driving, flying, working and eating, and all the other things we humans do that rely on fossil fuels.

The climate crisis has been a lingering concern for voters for a long time, though it's often overshadowed by other issues that feel more immediate, like unemployment rates, taxes and health care.

Climate change rarely makes or breaks an election. But the tide appears to be turning.

Canadians, who go to the polls on Monday, are among several nations casting votes on the heels of record-smashing, often deadly extreme weather this summer, boosted by climate change. Hundreds of people died in the US and Canada and dozens others in the Mediterranean from heat and fires, while flash floods killed more than 220 people in Germany and Belgium, and more than 300 in China.

In the run-up to Canada's parliamentary vote, the climate crisis has featured heavily in campaign activities, media coverage and debates. It was the same story in Norway, which voted last Monday, and in Germany, which will hold its elections on September 26.

Finally, the climate crisis is on the ballot.

"Clearly, climate change was something that a lot of Canadians were experiencing or have experienced in ways that perhaps they hadn't before," Shane Gunster, an associate professor in the School of Communication at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, told CNN.

"For the first time, you actually have all of the major parties in the Canadian election that have at least a serious climate plan to propose."

Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, said that globally, the climate crisis was increasing in importance among voters as an election issue. There are three good reasons why.

"One is just simply that the science itself has gotten ever stronger and more frightening, frankly," he said.

A state-of-the-science report by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was published in August as fires raged and floods engulfed communities across the Northern Hemisphere. The report called humans' role in the crisis "unequivocal," and warned that climate change was happening faster than previously thought.

Global temperatures are already around 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Scientists say the planet should stay below 1.5 degrees to avoid even more frequent extreme weather and relatively unknown climate tipping points.

"Another critical thing that's been happening is that media coverage has both increased in quantity and in quality," Leiserowitz said. "And the third critical piece is, of course, these extreme events -- all-time, record-setting and just eye-popping kinds of disasters happening around the world, which is increasingly being attributed to being made more severe by climate change."

What was extraordinary about this summer was that records were being shattered not just by the usual fraction of a degree but by huge margins. Lytton, the Canadian village that was burned down by wildfires, also experienced the country's hottest temperature on record in late June, hitting 49.6 degrees Celsius (121 degrees Fahrenheit). That's more than 4 degrees higher than the previous record.

The climate crisis has fueled a surge for Green or climate-centered parties in places like Germany and Norway. In Canada, the Greens are struggling, but the progressive New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jagmeet Singh, has capitalized on the interest.

The NDP is polling with 20% of the vote, not that far from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals and the main opposition Conservatives, which are both at around 30%, according to a poll of polls by state broadcaster CBC. Those projections translate to more seats and a likely victory for Trudeau's party.

Like in Norway, discourse around the climate crisis in Canada invariably centers on oil and gas. Canada is the world's fifth-biggest crude oil producer, and Trudeau is coming under increasing pressure to take an ax to fossil fuel subsidies. He pledged to reduce them when he was first elected, but they have only gone up under his six-year leadership.

The same is true for Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, which in 2019 were actually higher than when it signed the 2015 Paris Agreement.

In fire-ravaged British Columbia, it's the NDP that's in the lead, polling by state broadcaster CBC shows.

Its leader, Singh, is calling for more ambitious climate plans than the Liberals and Conservatives, including halving emissions by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. The Liberals' current reduction target is 40% to 45% and the Conservatives want to reduce it to 30%.

"What we shouldn't do is what Mr. Trudeau did: Set targets and miss them," Singh said at a recent leaders' debate. "We shouldn't promise to end fossil fuel subsidies and then increase them. We shouldn't put a price on pollution and then exempt the biggest polluters."

German parties seek to better Merkel on climate

The NDP isn't likely to win the election, or even become the main opposition, but its strong polling means Singh could become a kingmaker in a potential Trudeau-led coalition. The Liberals are projected to get the most seats, but fall short of a majority. It could choose to rule as a minority government, but even if it did, it would need the NDF as an ally.

It's a role that smaller, climate-focused parties are increasingly finding themselves in around the world.

In Germany, the Green Party is likely to crown the king.

"Unlike in election years in the past, we've seen climate as a core issue right from the start -- given people's insistence on climate action in the polls, all major parties have made it a main element of their rhetoric," said Jeremie Gagne, a senior associate at the research group More in Common.

It would be near impossible not to in the country following its deadly floods, which scientists described as a one-in-500-year weather event. Parts of Germany experienced more rain in a day than they typically would in a whole month.

Gagne said that Germans were feeling overwhelmed and frustrated by trying to reduce emissions in their role as consumers, while political and business figures with power weren't doing their fair share.

"So, there is a widespread demand for politics to take binding action that leads the way and ensures fair contributions by all," Gagne said.

The German election will mark the end of Chancellor Angela Merkel's 16-year rule. She was regarded as a formidable leader in the country, but also internationally, but she wasn't always strong on climate.

Her government, which is projected to lose the election, had planned to continue using coal until 2038. It has also stayed loyal to the idea of the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia, as her critics argued now was not the time to be investing in more fossil fuels.

But now, all parties, with the exception of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, are putting forward robust climate plans.

It's unclear, however, whether these promises might translate into votes. When German leaders have debated the issue, they haven't differed much in their messaging, and the conversation quickly turns to technicalities, which isn't drawing public interest. The daily newspaper Die Welt even suggested it might be the most boring election ever.

Norway delivers an electoral blow to climate

With climate quite firmly on the ballot in Canada and Germany, the question now is, "Can climate actually win?"

German's Greens are polling with around 16% of the vote, though it was a few weeks ago polling roughly the same as the two mainstream parties. After decades on the fringe, it's the first time even the thought of winning is a possibility.

The Greens in Germany were once a one-policy party, but now, under the leadership of Annalena Baerbock, it has a position on many things, from the country's role in the EU, to the future of the transatlantic alliance NATO and relations with Russia and China.

Broadening the agenda is the only way for Green or climate-centered parties anywhere to have a realistic chance of election. Even for some voters for whom the climate crisis is a priority, voting for a one-policy party can feel impractical.

A number of elections have been called "climate elections" in the past, but that hasn't often meant transformative change in politics.

Results in Norway are a case in point, and a sobering reminder of just how slow political change can be.

The Green Party there was projected to surge in last Monday's vote and was widely expected to become a kingmaker in coalition talks, but it has instead been sidelined, as the center-left Labour Party tries to form a new government without it.

Norway is Europe's second-biggest oil producer, after Russia, and the future of its oil industry, and how it sits at odds with the country's otherwise laudable climate credentials, was central to the election campaign.

The Greens were the only one calling for an immediate end to more oil and gas exploration, and they wanted to phase out oil production altogether by 2035.

The party did win three seats, two more than it previously had, but the result was well below expectations.

The Greens' secretary, Torkil Vederhus, expressed frustration that even the dramatic summer was insufficient to convince the Norwegian people that the climate crisis should be their first concern.

Interest in climate issues among voters surged during the country's heatwave and as fires devastated other European nations, and after the release of the IPCC report. But that interest faded, highlighting just how short voters' attention spans can be.

"I'm kind of at a loss right now on how to get the message across, actually," Vederhus told CNN.

But politics never ends with an election, and the way Verdhus sees it, the Greens' surge in the period before the vote forced other parties to make promises on climate. The Greens now intend to hold them accountable on those, he said.

"We think that all the parties have promised a lot on climate during the election, so there's been a shift in campaigning," Verdhus said. "And now there's quite a big expectation on that climate policy being delivered."

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
NEW YORK CITY, NY (WTHI) - A local toddler who passed away with Down Syndrome in 2017 made a special appearance in Times Square on Saturday.

Colton Murray lived with Down Syndrome, Hirschsprung's Disease, half a heart, and several other medical complications. He passed away at 2-years-old in December 2017.

But on Saturday, he is being remembered and honored in New York City! One of his photos made a special appearance in Times Square for everyone to see.

This is all part of the National Down Syndrome Society's annual Times Square Video Presentation. It is a unique way to bring awareness to the thousands of people living with Down Syndrome across the nation.

To learn more about Colton Murray and his journey, click here.
Officials say an Amber Alert for missing seven-year-old Christopher Green, Jr. has been cancelled. See the original story below.

----

GARY, Ind. (WTHI) - A Statewide AMBER Alert has been declared as of 3:30 PM Saturday afternoon.

The Gary Police Department has requested the activation of an AMBER Alert from Gary, Indiana which is 150 miles northwest of Indianapolis.

The victim, Christopher Green, Jr., is a 7-year-old black male, 4 feet tall, 95 pounds, black hair with brown eyes, and last seen wearing a black and red button-up shirt with black pants. Christopher was last seen on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 9:07 am in Gary, Indiana, and is believed to be in extreme danger.

Suspect #1, Shanae Brown, is a 40-year-old black female, 6 feet 1 inch tall, 250 pounds, black hair with brown eyes, last seen wearing a black shirt and blue pants.

Suspect #2, Helen Willis is a 58-year-old black female, 5 feet 3 inches tall, 240 pounds, with black hair, and brown eyes. They are driving a gray 2017 Toyota Camry with Maryland registration LJA617.

If you have any information on this incident, contact the Gary Police Department at 219-660-0000 or 911.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Candles Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute celebrated National Museum Day with free admission Saturday from 10 to 4 pm.

Candles is the only Holocaust Museum in the state of Indiana, and organizers say they have a really distinct local connection.

The museum tells the story of Eva Kor and her husband.

As well as another Terre Haute survivor Walter Sommers.

Organizers say the museum also specializes in continuing education for the public.

"For people who have a strong interest in the history of the Holocaust or the Jewish people, but also people who are new to the subject," Visitor Experience Coordinator Gwen Montgomery said.

"it's a good experience no matter what level you're coming from."

The museum has their Be The Change event via zoom on Sunday with guest speaker Clyde Ford. Click here to learn how you can attend.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A celebration of life took place Saturday to honor the life of Indiana State University student, Dylan McConkey.

McConkey was a freshman majoring in Computer Science from Peotone, Illinois. He passed away at ISU on August 22, 2021.

This weekend he is being remembered by loved ones for his positive impact on the ISU Sycamore family

"This is our opportunity as a campus and as a Sycamore family to spend time with his family and celebrate his life," Michelle Soliz, the Vice President of Student Affairs at Indiana State University, said. "We are so thankful that he was part of Indiana State University, and we have so many students here to remember him."

Students and staff say McConkey was a light in the community. They say he will always be remembered for his happy spirit and fun personality.
Camila Comes Out at Night, which plays in main competition this weekend at San Sebastian, begins with teen Camila in a museum, gazing at a ancient photo. Its of an indigenous Paraguayan girl, Nina Ache, who was captured by colonialists, made to work as a servant and finally interned in a psychiatric ward for her strong sexual tendencies, the text next to the photo reads.

The third solo feature of Ines Barrionuevo, Camila Comes Out Tonight goes on to ask if the fate of young women in modern Argentina has really changed out of all recognition. At first, as the pugnacious, mature for her age Camila transfers from her liberal high school in Mar del Plata to a traditionalist institution in Buenos Aires, Camila seems a straight-arrow coming of age tale as she discovers the citys cool hip-hop clubs, does drugs and falls for Clara, a classmate. But when she falls victim to physical sexual abuse from the male school bully, Camila broadens it compass and gains in contemporary edge to take in Argentinas Marea Verde  Green Tide  of street protests against Argentinas abortion laws, some of the most restrictive in the world. The question becomes if Clara, having already been suspended for calling out the Catholic Church a dictatorship, will take this revolution back to her own school.

More from Variety

Variety chatted to Barrionuevo as Camila Comes Out at Night world premiered at San Sebastian.

In Camila Comes Out Tonight, you return to a world of teenagers but portray a youth which is a near generation younger. Theres a sense of admiration in the portrayal  of how Camila forms part of a youth which takes to the streets to protest and stands up for her ethics in her own life. Could you comment?

Story continues

An Argentine generation has grown from a feminist construct, from attending demonstrations to the Marea Verde. This generation of very young girls, who spent whole nights at vigils as part of the campaign for the legalization of abortion, which until very recently was illegal in Argentina. Its a generation that I admire and respect: Theres a very large contrast with my generation in questions of conquered freedoms. This is Camilas kitchen, what this character feeds on simply living in a world of expanded liberty, but where there are still more freedoms to conquer. This is whats happening in Argentina today.

The film was also your first solo feature written with a co-screenwriter, Andres Aloi. How was this experience for an auteur?

It was a gratifying process, the coming and going with Andres Aloi. Co-writing means you can comment with whom youre writing about the characters, their lives and habits as if they were alive its not just part of your own inner depth where the characters fly over your head but is shared.

What guidelines did you have when directing Camila Comes Out at Night?

Always observe what Camila is observing and see the world through her eyes. See life as she sees it. Respect characters when it comes to framing, being faithful to them as it were. Its a difficult concept to get across, but it happens when you place the camera and feel youre being fair to the character and dont want to show them via effects. Then a simple mise en scene but one which has an almost tactile charm, something that could be touched.

You made your debut feature in 2014 with the memorable Atlantida. How has Argentine cinema changed since then and do women now play a larger part of it?

Atlantida now seems a long time ago and very innocent. But it did portray a specific time in the 80s in a village in Argentina. Camila is the today and now. It was a challenge thinking about a generation which was still coming into being and vertiginous portraying it without a naturalism or [direct] loyalty to what I was seeing, but rather creating my own take on this generation.

Women still have a lot to conquer in the world and in cinema. But there have been advances in labor market presence and a trend which reflects this. If this serves to give work to women, then its welcome. But theres still a long  a very long  way to go for women to occupy the same positions as men and for labor conditions to be the same.

Camila Comes Out Tonight - Credit: Courtesy of San Sebastian Festival

Courtesy of San Sebastian Festival

Best of Variety

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Efforts to combat misinformation intensified on Twitter during the days leading up to Tuesdays recall election to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who appears to have retained his gubernatorial seat, according to an ABC News projection of the election results.

Since the 2020 presidential election, there's been more awareness of the damaging effects of the spread of misinformation on social media with fears that increasing numbers of people are engaging with false content.

PHOTO: Voters drop off their mail-in ballots as California goes to the polls in a gubernatorial recall election, in Sacramento, Calif., Sept. 14, 2021. (Fred Greaves/Reuters)

MORE: More people engage with verifiably false news outlets on Facebook now than in 2016

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, which provides record management and election services, said it took to Twitter to counter misleading information and provide context to viral posts leading up to the recall election. The department said it also used Twitter to clear up confusion over casting ballots, ballot status and the color of ballot boxes.

Please send a DM with your info and we can check on the status of your returned ballot. Thanks!  Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (@LACountyRRCC) September 13, 2021

For example: in response to a viral photo reposted on Twitter showing an election worker wearing a Trump 2020 hat and shirt, the department clarified on Tuesday that the person was later contacted and was no longer working at the vote center. The photo racked up more than 34,000 likes and more than 8,000 retweets by Thursday, according to statistics on the post, with some Twitter users debating the legality of an election worker wearing political clothing.

The election worker was contacted and advised that the attire was inappropriate and unacceptable. Based on his response and reports that other workers had previously counseled him on this, he was released and is no longer working at the vote center.  Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (@LACountyRRCC) September 14, 2021

The departments response also garnered notable engagement on Twitter and was referenced by other users, further spreading the update that the department removed the worker.

Story continues

Mike Sanchez, spokesperson for the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, said the worker broke the departments internal policy requiring nonpartisan clothing for employees, adding that the worker was released after he refused to change.

First Draft director Claire Wardle said the departments Twitter activity was a very good sign that organizations are making an effort to combat misinformation, even before it goes viral.

First Draft is an organization that describes itself as working to protect communities from harmful misinformation through knowledge, research and training.

Wardle said the department took an approach known as prebunking, which includes correcting false claims, answering questions early on and providing explanations.

All of that is helping people get a much better sense about what to trust and what not to trust, Wardle said.

Wardle said an important part of the process is to give context to posts that may not be fake, but could still be misleading and damaging.

On the weekend before the recall election, the department said it fielded numerous questions after an equipment issue reportedly caused some voters to have trouble casting their ballots.

Throughout the weekend, the department posted on Twitter that voters who encountered the issue were given provisional ballots and that the equipment was replaced. The departments repeated reinforcement of accurate information may have helped resolve confusion on the issue, it says, preventing it from spiraling into full-fledged falsehoods.

Conservative radio host Larry Elder, the frontrunner to replace Newsom if recalled, made unsubstantiated claims of possible voter fraud during the recall election, saying there could be "shenanigans" similar to some unsubstantiated claims of a rigged 2020 presidential election.

The country clerk, in real-time on social media, addressed concerns or questions pertaining to the recall election, arguably helping to ward off their evolving into a misinformation wildfire spreading through the internet. The department said in one instance, it answered a Twitter users question about the equipment issue within five minutes. Other responses came several hours later or the next day.

Sanchez, in addition to being a spokesperson, led the team that monitored social media platforms during the recall election. He said while the majority of posts were general voting inquiries, the team took action when it identified misleading and inaccurate information.

We provide resources and try to quell those who are aiming to mislead or misguide and -- or in some cases interfere -- with the election and the information that goes along with obviously educating voters, Sanchez said.

Sanchez said the department has been actively monitoring and engaging with social media for years, including during the 2020 presidential election. Last year, the department was countering misinformation about ballots, he said, and even calming fears about fire alarms.

PHOTO: People vote in the California gubernatorial recall election in Long Beach, Calif., Sept. 14, 2021. (David Swanson/Reuters)

These [social media platforms] are very powerful tools. Our voters are on them. We should be on them as well and leverage their ability to reach masses, Sanchez said.

Twitter has made strong statements against election misinformation on its platform and has implemented a labeling policy. "However, the volume and speed at which misinformation has the potential to spread online means that this alone is not enough. Twitter said in January that it was piloting a new approach to addressing misinformation on the platform, alongside its labeling policy, to "broaden the range of voices" involved in the process."

MORE: Jack Dorsey defends banning Trump but admits it sets 'dangerous' precedent

Wardle pointed to the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection as a catalyst that may have influenced organizations to focus more on battling political misinformation. Wardle said the 2020 election and events that followed were an example of the harm that can be done if you leave misinformation to flourish.

It's a really critical time now to try and rebuild trust in the electoral system, Wardle said.

While there is a spotlight on election misinformation this year, policing online misinformation is not a new strategy.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency launched its rumor control page ahead of last years presidential election, with the goal to help voters distinguish between rumors and facts on election security issues.

Public figures in key battleground states also used Twitter to dispel falsehoods during the presidential election.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned voters in 2020 about misinformation related to robocalls and voters with outstanding warrants. The Philadelphia District Attorneys Office utilized an election task force last year, which also highlighted misleading information.

How LA County countered recall-election disinformation in real time on social media originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
(PA)

Amir Khan has said police escorted him from a flight in the United States for no reason.

The former world champion boxer said he was trying to fly to a training camp in Colorado from New York, but he and a colleague were removed when someone complained his colleagues mask was not high enough.

In a video shared on Twitter, Khan claimed he had been banned by American Airlines.

He spoke of being disgusted and heartbroken by his alleged treatment, adding #Notallterrorists.

I was taken off the plane today when I was going to training camp to Colorado Springs by the police, Khan said.

Obviously a complaint was made by American Airlines staff, they said that my colleagues mask was not high enough and not up, that they had to stop the plane and take me and my friend off when I did nothing wrong.

They kicked us both off, I was sat on 1A, he was sat on 1B  I find it so disgusting and so disrespectful, I was supposed to go to Colorado Springs for a training camp and now Im back in New York for another day.

Disgusted to be banned by @AmericanAir and @traveloneworld for not been able to fly to training camp, i got escorted by police off the plane for no reason. I would like to see evidence for any wrong doings! #AAteam #Notallterrorists pic.twitter.com/dL3UfFcYYl  Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) September 18, 2021

Now I have to reschedule another aeroplane to travel back to training camp which is really upsetting, for no reason this was and Im just so disgusted that American Airlines would do this to us and ban me from travelling.

Story continues

Khan said there must be cameras on the aeroplane that would have captured what happened.

Ive never seen this happen before.

However, the airline said Khan had not been banned from travel, and that police were only present as a matter of course.

In a statement, it said: Prior to takeoff, American Airlines Flight 700, with service from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), returned to the gate to deplane two customers who reportedly refused to comply with repeated crew member requests to stow luggage, place cell phones in airplane mode and adhere to federal face covering requirements.

Our customer relations team is reaching out to Mr. Khan to learn more about his experience and reinforce the importance of policies implemented for the safety of our customers and crew.

Read More

FBI and Park Rangers search campsite believed used by missing YouTuber Gabby Petito

Gabby Petito update: Separate searches for couple underway as mum says texts fake

This young indigenous Brazilian became a TikTok star by eating larvae

Dueling Tunisian protests erupt over president's power grab

Sarah Palin wont get Covid vaccine, saying previous infection protects her

Latin American leaders divided on OAS at regional meeting
Sep. 19A federal judge denied an attempt to dismiss a lawsuit filed by six former Hawaii residents who claim their constitutional rights were violated by a state law that blocked them from voting in the 2020 election after they moved to U.S. territories where they were prevented from casting absentee ballots.

U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake issued an order Sept. 2 that the challenge to the constitutionality of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and the Hawaii Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act may continue after denying a motion by attorneys representing the federal government who claimed a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.

"While UMOVA does not itself distinguish between the Northern Mariana Islands and other territories, through administrative rules, Hawaii allows former Hawaii citizens now residing in the NMI to vote absentee in federal elections like overseas voters. UMOVA additionally permits absentee voting by U.S. citizens born outside the United States who have never resided in the United States or registered to vote in any state, if their parents or guardians last resided in Hawaii and would have been eligible to vote there before moving overseas. As a result, U.S. citizens who have never resided in the United States can vote in Hawaii's federal elections while former Hawaii residents lose the right to participate in such elections if they move to Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Puerto Rico, " Otake wrote in her order. "Plaintiffs' amended requested relief alters the landscape with the addition of the request to strike the provisions that prevent them from voting absentee and the deletion of the request for an order requiring Defendants to accept their applications to vote absentee and to expand voting rights to all former Hawaii citizens living in any territory."

UMOVA allows Hawaii residents to vote absentee for candidates running for president and the Congress if they reside in the Northern Mariana Islands, certain other insular territories or a foreign country, but not if they live on Guam or in the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa or Puerto Rico, according to the complaint, filed in October in U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.

Story continues

"This disparate treatment violates the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of equal protection. Equal protection rights for residents of U.S. Territories are guaranteed by either the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment or the equal-protection component of the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment, " reads the complaint.

Neil Weare, a Washington, D.C.-based civil rights attorney representing the plaintiffs, said the Hawaii election law permits someone born and raised overseas, whose parent was a Hawaii resident, to cast an absentee ballot.

"But if you are a U.S. citizen who lived in Hawaii but moved to Guam, you cannot. That's another layer of absurdity on top of another layer of absurdity. The idea is that as U.S. citizens they should have the right to vote for president and voting rights in Congress wherever they live, " said Weare, in an interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. "Borja (Vicente "Ben " Borja ) is a veteran who served a full career in the U.S. military ... and followed the orders of the commander in chief but couldn't vote for the commander in chief."

Weare is president and founder of, a nonprofit dedicated to "equality and civil rights for all Americans, wherever you live."

Deputy Attorney General Lori N. Tanigawa, who is defending the state, and Hawaii's chief election officer, Scott T. Nago, did not reply to Star-Advertiser requests for comment.

Gary H. Yamashiroya, special assistant to the attorney general, said the department will file a response to the complaint.

"The Office of Elections does not comment on pending litigation, " said Nedielyn I. Bueno, spokeswoman for the state Office of Elections, in a statement to the Star-Advertiser.

The federal complaint was brought on behalf of Borja, a U.S. Navy veteran who lived in Hawaii before moving to Guam, and U.S. Air Force veteran Randall Jay Reeves, who moved to Guam in 1996 to work for the Federal Aviation Administration but lost his ability to vote after being transferred to Hawaii in 2002 ahead of a move back to Guam.

According to the complaint, Reeves, Borja, Edmund Frederick Schroeder Jr., Ravinder Singh Nagi, Patricia Arroyo Rodriguez and Laura Castillo Nagi lost their right to vote because of the U.S. territories they chose to live in. The U.S. Constitution does not permit Congress or states to choose which voters living abroad or in nonstate territories are allowed to maintain their right to vote for presidential and congressional candidates.

"As U.S. citizens the right to vote should be the same wherever you happen to live, " said Weare.

No trial date is scheduled, and the case is likely to move straight to resolution.
In this July 21, 2021 file photo, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley speaks at a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington (AP)

A retired Navy admiral who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest-ranking military officer in the US, under President Barack Obama says that a wave of conservative anger surrounding Gen Mark Milley, the current chairman, is unwarranted.

Michael Mullen told ABCs This Week in an interview on Sunday that the phone calls with a top Chinese general in the final days of former President Donald Trumps time in the White House to reassure him about the stability of both the US government and US-China relations was routine and an encouraging sign of dialogue between the two superpowers.

Having communications with counterparts around the world is routine, and even having them now with China, he told ABCs Martha Raddatz.

He added that Mr Milleys call was listened to by other people in the inter-agency process, meaning that it was not done without the knowledge of the US intelligence and military community.

When asked about the specific portion of one reported call in which Gen Milley is alleged to have said that he would warn his Chinese counterpart if former President Donald Trump were to order a military strike against China as part of his erratic final days in office, Mr Mullen said that he was hopeful that actually that part isnt true, and went on to add how alarming it was that Chinas government was apparently so concerned with the stability of the US as Mr Trump was leaving office.

The misread by China is also worrisome and it speaks to the need to have these open communications, he said.

Some Republicans on Capitol Hill have called for Mr Milleys ouster in recent days, seeing vulnerability in the Biden administrations Defence team as criticism remains over the USs handling of its withdrawal from Afghanistan and the pile-on of controversy that occurred when it was reported in the new book Peril by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa that Gen Milley had contacted Gen Li Zuocheng of the Peoples Liberation Army and reassured him about any effort by the president to direct a military strike against China.

Gen Milley has defended his conduct, and the criticism of his actions has roundly been dismissed by most top former officials in the Defence and National Security spheres who have commented on the issue, including John Bolton, who was appointed to serve as White House national security adviser by Mr Trump.

Republicans have grown more vocal and outlandish in their criticism of the Biden administrations Defence team in recent weeks over the issues of Afghanistan and now China, with various lawmakers on Capitol Hill aiming allegations of treasonous behaviour at not only Gen Milley but Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, President Joe Biden, and others.
For Color-Treated Hair OKARA COLOR

Courtesy of Rene Furterer

Even if you don't have a trip to France planned, that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy the country's luxe beauty products. It's hard to go wrong with French beauty since it's often categorized as providing a glamorous feel with an effortlessly beautiful look. French haircare brand Rene Furterer is no exception, as it's known for its luxe products for all hair types, whether you're looking to nourish your color-treated hair, treat scalp issues, or aid thinning hair.

Related: I'm a Travel Editor, and These Are the Products That Keep My Skin Hydrated, Everywhere I Go

Rene Furterer offers a wide range of luxe haircare products, including shampoos and conditioners, scalp treatments, hair oils, dry shampoos, and more. And luckily for travelers, you can shop some of the brand's best-selling items in travel sizes, so your hair can be at its best, even after long flights and grueling travel days.

Whether you're looking for travel-size shampoo and conditioner that will keep your hair in its best condition (since the haircare products at hotels might not fit with your preferred routine) while you travel, or want to keep a handy miniature dry shampoo or hydrating cream on hand, Rene Furterer is a can't-miss brand.

Shoppers rave about these products that you can easily throw in your carry-on when you opt for the TSA-approved travel size options. One shopper mentioned, for example, how well the brand's dry shampoo works. "If you want to refresh your blowout by a couple or a few days, this is your go-to product. Your hair doesn't feel dirty or heavy from this product," they wrote.

Another shopper praised the Okara Color Protection Conditioner for its variety of helpful uses. "Highly recommend this product; [it] reduces brassiness, promotes shine and a feeling of silkiness."And who wouldn't want to keep their hair in top shape, shine, and silk and all while they're traveling?

Story continues

Okara Color Protection Shampoo & Conditioner

For Color-Treated Hair OKARA COLOR

Courtesy of Rene Furterer

To buy: (left) renefurtererusa.com, $12 for one ounce; (right) renefurtererusa.com, $12 for one ounce

Karite Hyrda Hydrating Day Cream

For Color-Treated Hair OKARA COLOR

Courtesy of Rene Furterer

To buy: renefurtererusa.com, $34 for 3.3 ounces

Naturia Dry Shampoo

For Color-Treated Hair OKARA COLOR

Courtesy of Rene Furterer

To buy: renefurterusa.com, $16 for 1.6 ounces

If you're looking for travel-size haircare products that will easily pack into your toiletry bag while providing plenty of nourishment and keeping your hair looking its best while you're on-the-go, Rene Furterer is a one-stop-shop. And if you love these products, you'll probably want to stock up on full sizes for use at home, too.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
And just like that, we have our first major contender for the best picture Academy Award.

On Saturday night, Kenneth Branagh's semi-autobiographical crowd-pleaser "Belfast" took home the coveted People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film, which follows a boy (Jude Hill) and his family in tumultuous 1960s Ireland, boasts 89% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and features an all-star cast led by Jamie Dornan, Judi Dench, Ciaran Hinds and "Outlander" breakout Caitriona Balfe.

In the last decade, nine of the 10 winners of the Toronto festival's audience-voted top prize have received nominations for best picture at the Oscars. Three have gone on to win, including last year's "Nomadland."

With its latest victory and warm reception at Telluride Film Festival last month, "Belfast" is now on the exact same upward trajectory as two other heartwarming best picture winners: "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The King's Speech," both of which also world-premiered at Telluride and clinched the Toronto festival'ss top award, before repeating at Oscar.

Toronto Film Festival: The 6 best films for representation to add to your movie list

With the Oscars ceremony still more than six months away on March 27, 2022, there's always a fear of peaking too early in the season. ("A Star is Born," anyone?) But for now, "Belfast" has all the momentum going into its Nov. 12 release in theaters.

The Toronto festival was an otherwise muted affair: low on star power at its in-person screenings and offering limited film selections for journalists covering the fest virtually. But it did help bring some key Oscar races into focus.

Ranked: All the best films we saw at Toronto International Film Festival

Jessica Chastain has 'Eyes' on the prize

Tammy Faye (Jessica Chastain) gives a joyful noise while Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield) looks on in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye."

"The Eyes of Tammy Faye" (now in theaters) seems like the type of movie that's reverse-engineered to win Oscars. It stars a well-respected actor (Jessica Chastain) playing a famous person (televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker), caked in heavy makeup and donning a litany of wigs as she sings, cries and pops pills. Although the film can never quite decide whether it's laughing at or with its eccentric subject, Chastain disappears into the role, nailing not only Tammy's Minnesota accent and high-pitched voice but conveying the Christian TV host's infectious enthusiasm and enormous empathy for other people.

Story continues

It's a convincing, at times heartbreaking portrayal of a misunderstood figure, and one of the rare cases where heavy prosthetics don't distract from the performance at hand. Although critics are mixed on the film itself (67% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes), they're near-unanimous in their praise of Chastain. And with two acting Oscar nominations already under her belt for 2011's "The Help" and 2012's "Zero Dark Thirty," academy voters may think that Chastain, with her ardent devotion to the craft of acting, is overdue for a win.

'Are we going to get in trouble?': Jessica Chastain went incognito at a church for 'Tammy Faye'

'Dear Evan Hansen had a rocky debut at Toronto fest

Ben Platt reprises his Tony-winning role in the film adaptation of musical "Dear Evan Hansen."

Ben Platt's road to EGOT just hit a speedbump. The golden-voiced actor won Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards for his emotionally naked turn in the Broadway musical "Dear Evan Hansen," playing an awkward teen caught in a web of lies after a classmate's suicide. But any hopes of completing his awards quadfecta dissipated following brutal reviews out the film's opening night debut, with some critics calling Platt, who is 27, "comically miscast and too distracting to convincingly portray a high schooler. The musical drama has an unfavorable 48% Rotten Tomatoes score, with other critics dinging the story's queasy morals.

Having seen the film (in theaters Friday), the level of vitriol on Twitter about Platt's age seems unnecessarily cruel. He, of course, sounds fantastic and has some genuinely great moments with co-stars Julianne Moore and Kaitlyn Dever, even if his overwrought performance could've been dialed down more from stage to screen. Regardless, with A-listers Andrew Garfield ("Tick, Tick ... Boom!") and Peter Dinklage ("Cyrano") also starring in high-profile movie musicals later this year, Platt will likely be overshadowed in the highly competitive best actor Oscar race.

'Dear Evan Hansen': Director Stephen Chbosky has no doubts about Ben Platt's casting

Denzel Washington, left, and Frances McDormand take on the Bard in the forthcoming "The Tragedy of Macbeth."

Something worthy this way comes

With Cannes, Venice, Telluride and Toronto festivals now in the rearview, many of this year's most anticipated titles have already screened for audiences. But there are still plenty more unseen films coming down the pipeline. Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" (in theaters Dec. 10) and Guillermo del Toro's "Nightmare Alley" (Dec. 17) debuted new trailers to great enthusiasm online this week, as did Adam McKay's "Don't Look Up" (Dec. 10) the week before.

But perhaps the most exciting movie on the docket is "The Tragedy of Macbeth," which will make its world premiere on Friday at the New York Film Festival before its release in theaters and on Apple TV+ later this year. The black-and-white Shakespeare adaptation stars Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as Lord and Lady Macbeth, respectively, and is directed by Joel Coen (of the Coen Brothers).

If it's as incredible as it sounds on paper, McDormand could very well have back-to-back Oscar wins after last year's "Nomadland," tying Katharine Hepburn with four best actress trophies. Two-time winner Washington, last honored for 2002's "Training Day," could also extend his record as the most winning Black performer if he triumphs again this year.

Last Oscar tracker: Kristen Stewart vaults to the front of the best-actress race as Princess Diana

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oscar tracker: 'Belfast' wins at Toronto fest, Jessica Chastain shines
Photo credit: Getty Images

Kim Kardashian has big plans for her Los Angeles, California home. Unfortunately for the socialite-turned-business mogul, her neighbors aren't quite on board with her plans to build an underground vault, subterranean parking, a subterranean wellness center and a detached guardhouse. According to People magazine, Kardashian's Hidden Hills neighbors have filed a lawsuit that seeks to stop the construction of those new additions.

People reports that the filing was made by resident Sarah Key, and named the Hidden Hills Community Association as the respondent  with the hopes that the association will stop Kardashian from flattening two hills and building upon two high-pressure gas transmission lines to construct the additions to her home. The lawsuit also states that the community seeks to preserve its "natural and rustic county setting."

Kardashian and her husband, rapper Kanye West first purchased the home in 2014 for $20 million.

Although Kardashian now faces this home construction setback  over on the home decor end it was reported a few months ago that the former Keeping up With the Kardashians star would soon be releasing a home decor line. There's no word yet on what the home decor line will feature or when it will be released, but with the holiday shopping season fast approaching, additional details could soon be released.

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram .

You Might Also Like
Breastfeeding mother

Aaron and Ruby Meeden

The mom of a 4-day-old baby said she was illegally kicked out of a restaurant in Washington for breastfeeding and told to "never come back."

Ruby Meeden and her husband Aaron had planned to meet up with family for dinner at Greek Islands Restaurant in Anacortes, Washington, with their newborn son Rhett. As they were about to walk in, Ruby told KOMO News, Rhett indicated he was hungry and she started to nurse.

"I made sure to get a good latch before we went in, and then I covered him and everything and we sat facing the wall," she told the outlet.

RELATED: Halsey Missed the Met Gala Because They're Still Breastfeeding: 'Postpartum Does Not Discriminate'

The couple observed that the restaurant owner seemed busy, and they waited a half hour before he came to their table. When he finally approached them, the Meedens said, the owner told them to leave.

"So we were asking him, 'What's wrong? Is everything okay?' and at that point he said, 'Never come back,' " Aaron alleged.

Breastfeeding in public spaces  including restaurants  is legal across the United States. And According to the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington, "it's unlawful for someone to request that you stop breastfeeding, cover your child, move to a different area, or leave."

Upset, Aaron said that they left a bad review for the restaurant online, and that the owner soon replied, calling them names.

"He called our kids 'snot-nosed brats,' and that to 'never come in and breastfeed again.' He called my wife an 'animal,' " Aaron said.

"My choice to breastfeed my child in that restaurant was the reason my entire family was thrown out," Ruby said.

PEOPLE has contacted Greek Islands Restaurant for comment.

RELATED VIDEO: Chrissy Teigen Recalls 'Stress' and 'Shame' Over Having Trouble Breastfeeding: 'Normalize Formula'

After Aaron shared their experience on the town's community Facebook page, around two dozen moms in the area held a protest outside of the restaurant and planned to confront the owner. He opted to only offer take-out ordering that day before shutting the restaurant down early. He has also removed their Facebook and Instagram pages.

"He's going to have to answer for it one way or another because it's illegal to kick a woman out for breastfeeding," Megan Stevens, one of the nursing moms at the protest, told KOMO.
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Photo Getty

There is a small cluster of people whose accomplishments are so broadly recognized that they are known by a single name: Cher, Madonna, 2Pac, to name a few. This week marks the 700th anniversary of the death of one of them: Dante, the medieval poet known as the father of the Italian language and the Supreme Poet of Italy. His depictions of heaven, hell, and purgatory have made him one of the most influential poets of all time. Cities fought over his remains and even Pope Francis has described him as a prophet of hope. Despite the accolades he receives today, however, his life was marked by heartbreak, pain, and exile.

Dante (full name Durante di Alighiero degli Alighieri) was born in Florence, Italy, around 1265. He claimed that he was descended from the Romans, but this is the kind of fiction that wealthy families liked to concoct. At the age of 9, he says, he fell in love, from a distance and at first sight, with his muse and one true love Beatrice Portinari. The relationship was doomed from the start: three years later, at the age of 12, Dante was officially betrothed to Gemma di Manetto Donati, a member of a powerful banking family. Though he would see Beatrice from a distance and even exchange greetings with her as an adult, they can hardly be said to have been romantically involved. She died at the age of 24, almost certainly unaware of Dantes feelings for her. Nevertheless, Beatrice has been immortalized by his poetry and in the numerous Pre-Raphaelite paintings devoted to her beauty. Even in heaven, he writes in the Paradiso, he gazes not at the blazing glory of the cosmos, but at her. Poor Gemma, on the other hand, never gets a look in.

Welcome to Hell: A History of Portals to the Underworld

Like most men from affluent Florentine finance families, Dante was automatically drawn into the political divisions that threatened to tear apart the city. Florence was the center of a power struggle between supporters of the Holy Roman Emperor (the Ghibellines) and the Papacy (the Guelphs). Dantes father, a moneylender, was loyal to the pope. Though the Guelph-Ghibelline conflict was resolved in favor of Dantes side, Florence soon broke into two factions (the Whites and Blacks) divided about the extent of the Papacys influence in the city. By default, Dante was on the side of the Whites, who lobbied for greater independence. During a diplomatic mission to the Vatican, Florence was captured on behalf of the Blacks and Dante found himself condemned to exile in his absence and ordered to pay a large fine. The fine was never paid (in part because his assets had been seized) and Dante lived out his life in exile.

Story continues

It was Beatrices death that first prompted Dante to throw himself into Latin literature and, eventually, begin his most famous work: The Divine Comedy. He composed the trilogy in exile between 1308 and 1321. It is one of literatures behemoths: at 14,233 lines it is longer than Homers Odyssey (though 1500 lines shorter than the Iliad). The poem begins in the Inferno in hell, ascends through purgatory, and culminates in the Paradiso with a vision of the divine in heaven.

The poem is written in a terza rima style in which each stanza, or verse, is divided into three lines. The first and third lines rhyme with one another while the second line anticipates and rhymes with the first and third lines of the following verse (e.g. aba, bcb, etc). The impact of the poem on the Italian language and literature more broadly cannot be understated. T. S. Eliot pronounced that Dante and Shakespeare divide the modern world between them and others claimed that they could not understand Shakespeare until they read Dante.

Despite his ingenuity and lasting influence, Dante was hardly the first to write a tour of the afterlife. His source for many of the punishments found in hell was the Apocalypse of Paul, an early Christian text that weaves together classical stories about the underworld (think Sisyphus pushing a rock up a hill) with Christian morality and scripture. The Aeneid, which includes a detailed tour of the underworld, was an important part of his own conception of his work: he even had his ancestor Virgil serve as his subterranean tour guide in the Inferno.

It was in his fictional underworld that Dante had his revenge. He populates the eighth circle of hell with all species of fraud and malicious conduct. Here we find sorcerers, false prophets, hypocrites, thieves, alchemists, seducers, and flatterers. Among them are simoniststhose who sold religious privilegeswho are buried head-down in the muck. Dante encounters here an inverted Pope Nicholas III, who mistakes him for Pope Boniface VIII. Apparently, both Boniface (who had been partly responsible for Dantes exile by supporting the Blacks in Florence) and Clement V were expected there at some point. Pope Clement V may have accepted bribes, but he also founded the vineyards where the Rhone wine Chateauneuf-du-Pape is grown so he wasnt all bad.

Nicholas and Boniface arent the only real-world characters in the Divine Comedy. Pope Celestine V, the first pope to resign before Benedict XVI, finds himself in the domain of the Uncommitted, being stung by hornets and wasps and eaten alive by insects. Julius Caesar and the virtuous non-Christian philosophers and mathematicians reside in the comparatively cushy Limbo.

If you are wondering how the Roman Catholic Church feels about the hell-bound portrayal of some of their sainted popes, the answer may surprise you. Dante was a devoted Catholic and subsequent popes have recognized his talent and piety. On the 600th anniversary of his death Pope Benedict XV described his work as vital nourishment for souls. Pope Paul VI saw his writings as a tool for the evangelization of the church.

Dan Browns Inferno Sparks Dante Fever in Florence

Dantes popularity means that in the 700 years since his death numerous Italian constituencies have fought for control of his memory and remains. As Guy Raffa charts in his beautiful book Dantes Bones, Dantes corporeal afterlife is its own story. The death mask of Dante that features on the cover of Dan Browns Inferno, and is held in the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, is probably not the real deal. Measurements of Dantes skull taken in 1921 reveal that his nose was quite different from the aquiline shape you see in portraits and the plaster copy on display. Recent work on this suggests that the famous face of Dante was carved over 160 years after his death.

The beautiful tomb in the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence is actually empty. Dante died of malaria in Ravenna in 1321 and though Florence asked for his remains to be returned to his birthplace, they were rebuffed. When the Medici (and, thus, Florentine) Pope Leo X sent a delegation to Ravenna in 1513 to retrieve the bones, the Franciscan friars hid Dantes body in the wall of their monastery. The biggest threat to Dantes remains came during World War II, when the fascist leader and Dante-fan Mussolini (he exchanged copies of the Comedy with Hitler) schemed to bring the bones first to a special-purpose built Danteum in Rome and then to his Alpine valley stronghold.

Theres no denying Dantes importance and influence; he has played a role in shaping Italian self-definition, Italian language, and English literature. Even American Puritan and preacher Jonathan Edwards got in on the act. But should we, like the popes, read Dante for moral instruction? Hell-expert, and author of the recently released Hell Hath No Fury (Yale, 2021) Meghan Henning told me that this depends on who you are. Dante, like other hell tourists and fantasists, she said, has a particular interest in punishing women. Stories like this unfortunately do more harm than good. Dante has been extolled for his poetry and had an enormous impact on our culture, but I think we have to ask ourselves whether the ideas of justice and the body that we read in his pages are really just when those ideas are built upon the subjugation of women, the disabled, and the enslaved.

This doesnt always mean that reading Dante means reading with the oppressor. Stories like this can be a way to grapple with issues of justice, added Henning. As Dennis Looney has written, long before Dante was embraced by the New England literati, W. E. B. Du Bois used him to debate the values of proper education for African Americans. Dante resurfaced as an expression of militant identity in the work of Black activists like LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka), and inspires the central characters of Gloria Naylors novel Linden Hills.

Perhaps the real take-away here is that if you choose to join the literary pilgrims who pay homage to Italys Supreme Poet make sure youre headed to the right tomb.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!

Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
Bettmann via Getty

The great polar explorer Roald Amundsen stood by himself on the frozen Arctic shore, staring into the distance. He was fifty-three years oldbut looked seventy-fiveand bankrupt.

On the ice in front of him, the men of the Amundsen-Ellsworth polar flight had broken open the large, long wooden crates that contained the two flying boats. Now their job was to reassemble the craft, laboring in subzero temperatures with little more than a block and tackle, the coal miners from the Kings Bay Mine ready to provide the muscle power when they needed it. Nearby, a journalist and photographer recorded their every move.

Beautiful white mountains penned Amundsen in on three sides. Their glaciers glinted in the May sunlight. For a moment, the twenty-two houses of the mining village looked more like holiday cottages.

The Arctic smiles now, but behind the silent hills is death, another journalist would later write, and he would be proved right.

Out in the bay, the sea was filled with great chunks of ice. Beyond stretched the endless, empty ice pack, known as the Arctic desert, a huge empty hole on the map of the world roughly the size of Canada that had never before been explored. Somewhere on the other side was Alaska.

How Do You Win the Race to the North Pole? You Cheat.

Men quickly became invisible from the air in this brilliant white landscape. If their primitive flying machines descended and they couldnt get back up, then there was almost no likelihood that they would be found. Even if someone knew where they were, there would be a good chance that they had strayed beyond the range of their would-be rescuers, particularly if they were the crew of a dirigible. These lighter-than-air craft could stay in the air for days at a time and fly much farther than their fixed-wing aircraft rivals.

The sea ice that makes up the ice pack could be many feet thick, and then suddenly only half an inch thick, ready to plunge the unwaryor too hastyexplorer into the frozen water underneath. Nighttime might not bring much relief to the explorer either. The cracking and creaking of the ice could keep many a man from sleeping, no matter how exhausted they were, their bodies braced for the moment when theyand their tentmight suddenly be plunged into the icy water below. Then there was the disorientation. When they woke up, they could be as many as twenty miles from where they had gone to sleep.

Story continues

To crash out there would in all likelihood mean death, though surprisingly this didnt seem to bother the average adventurer. This was their choice: to be noticed, to be remembered. Glory and fame were what most of them had come there forand one way or another, they were determined to get it.

Welcome to the Svalbard archipelago.

To locate these mountainous islands on a map, you first have to find Scotland, then trace your finger up past Iceland, Norway, and Greenland. From the map, it looks as though you could swimor even marchfrom the islands to Greenland, Canada, Alaska, or Russia. But of course you cant: the distances are still vast, the passages grim and unwelcoming.

All Amundsen needed, he kept telling himself as he stood out there, was one last big paycheck.

It was 1925: twenty years since the Norwegian had become the first man to successfully navigate his way through the Northwest Passage, the sea route from the Arctic to the Pacific Ocean. Sir John Franklin and his 128 men had disappeared around sixty years previously to this trying to make the same journey in two old warships.* Amundsen had done it slowly with six men over three years in an old fishing boat. That journey had been surpassed six years later when Amundsen beat the British hero Robert Falcon Scott to the South Pole in 1911. Scott and his four companions died on their way back from the pole. Amundsen had arrived first at the South Pole after claiming to be heading to the Arctic Ocean. He had kept his coup secret from most of the crew on the voyage from Norway to Portugal, the politicians funding him (whom he detested after they had rejected his plea for more money), the government that owned his ship, and the king of Norway himself. He had even betrayed the trust of his Norwegian mentor, Fridtjof Nansen, who had his eye on the same prize. The fate of others was not much of a concern to Amundsen.

Captain Roald Amundsen at the South pole under the Norwegian flag, 1912 Universal History Archive/Getty

Amundsens decision to use huskies, which were bred for these conditions, on his race to the South Pole was the difference between his life and Scotts death. The Englishmans choice of ponies and gasoline engine tractors, which were untested in such extreme conditions, had condemned him to second placeand, ultimately, him and his men to their deaths. Yet Amundsen had refused to see Scott when the Brit visited Norway to watch a demonstration of the mechanical tractors prior to his journey to the pole. The Norwegian had kept his doubts to himself. Amundsen didnt get to be a world-famous Arctic explorer by being nice.

The Norwegian was also savvier than his English rival. Both Frederick Cooks claim to have reached the North Pole on foot in April 1908 and Robert Pearys a year later were swiftly doubted at the time. Despite the rather dubious support of more than fifty psychics, the question mark over Cooks claim was so strong that he was widely seen as a fraud, and his career was ruined. The scandals that surrounded the achievements of these men then threatened to taint the claim of every explorer, and Amundsen was quick to realize this. When he set off for the South Pole, he made sure he would not suffer the same fate as these two men. Amundsen listened to the experts who explained why Cooks and Pearys navigation left their achievements open to doubt. Conversely, Scott ignored their advice. Amundsen then used the latest navigational know-how to make sure accurate records of the route of his expedition were regularly taken and kept as evidence that he had reached the South Pole. Scott used the traditional methods, which were slower, exhausting in such extreme conditions, and less accurate. He paid the price for his decision.

When Amundsen and his men arrived at the South Pole in December 1911, they didnt sing a patriotic anthem, give a speech, or indulge in any other unmanly histrionics. Instead, the Norwegians simply read a passage from the nineteenth-century version of the medieval Saga of Fridtjof, a celebration of traditional, heroic masculinity, which had been incredibly popular when it was published but was now fading from memory.

Amundsen Expedition: Proving themselves at the South Pole by use of sextant and artificial horizon. Captain Roald Amundsen discovered South Pole on December 14-17, 1911. Getty

However, the challenges Amundsen faced didnt end when he sailed back home. A life spent at the extremes of the world, in the close company of men, and shifting between the rooms of luxury hotels and the snow and ice of both poles, had not been conducive to any hopes that Amundsen may have had of marriage. Instead, he satisfied himself with affairs with several married women, the wives of powerful men in the towns and cities he passed through. Indeed, Amundsen wasnt alone in this. Many of his fellow explorers also struggled to settle down. In the absence of any children of his own, Amundsen had adopted two Inuit girls a few years earlier, in spite of the gossips who wondered who their real father was, but controversially sent them back to Siberia when he faced bankruptcy.

* In 2014 and 2016, the wrecks of HMS Erebus and Terror were finally discovered. While the fate of the survivors is still clouded in mystery, it is now thought that the expedition had managed to explore the unexplored part of the Northwest Passage. However, the ships and their ghosts have one more duty to perform to their country: The shipwrecks are helping Canada reinforce its claim to the Arctic in the face of competition from countries like Russia.

From N-4 Down by Mark Piesing. Copyright  2021 by Mark Piesing. Reprinted by permission of Custom House, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!

Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
A silhouette of two people holding hands

Credit - Getty Images

When Rochelle Ventura, a retired election consultant, married at age 22, she felt, she says, like a domestic slave. Now 83 and living with Phil Doppelt, 82, a retired software engineer, she says, Were equals. At the start, I explained dinner was not my responsibility to plan every night.

They divide their time between her home in Los Angeles and his in San Jose, keeping their finances separate. For more than a decade now, theyve found love and joy together without marrying. In my marriage, I felt I wasnt my own person, she says. I felt stuck. Now if I want to leave, I can. But with Phil, I cant imagine wanting to leave.

Ventura and Doppelt are riding a social and demographic wave. In the last two decades, the social landscape for older couples has undergone a revolution: As Bowling Green sociologist Susan L. Brown says, Older adults are at the forefront of family change. Between 1990 and 2010 divorce rates after age 50 doubled and remain at record levels, she says. The result? More older singles.

Read More: Why You Shouldnt Love Your Kids More Than Your Partner

Whether they find each other online, at the gym or at church, they are pairing up in unprecedented numbers and in untraditional ways. Remarriage rates over 50 have remained steady, Brown says, but cohabitation in that age group has more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2020. Numbers on LATs (long-term committed couples living apart together) are scarce, but sociologist Huijing Wu of the University of Western Ontario found that in 2011 of unmarried but partnered adults from Wisconsin over the age of 50, about a third were LATS.

Whats different about these couples is not just how they partner. Boston University sociologist Deborah Carr has done preliminary analyses of older re-partnered couples and says they are likelier to be more equal financially, more autonomous as individuals and freer of gender roles. The same seems to be true, Carr says, whether they are remarried or cohabiting. Carr has not studied LATs. However, autonomy and equality are built into the very structure of living apart together.

Story continues

Changing social attitudes are also part of the picture, Carr says. Cohabitation was once stigmatized as living in sin or lesser than marriage. Even if some still disapprove, many older adults dont care. A typical attitude: Im 60 years old, and Ill do what I damn please.

Read More: Being Single Was Just a Part of Their Lives Before the Pandemic. Then It Became the Defining One

What really makes these couples different is what theyre not doingraising children or building their fortune together. Many keep their finances separate even if theyre married. According to Pennsylvania certified elder-law attorney Tammy A. Weber, thats true for more than 75% of her clients,. Most want to pass their assets to their kids. Some want to retain Social Security benefits or alimony from a former spouse. But fiscal impacts are only part of why they keep their money separate.

Financial planner Maryan Jaross, 68, of Louisville, Colo., for example, built a successful career post-divorce and with it, her independence and autonomy, she says. I sure as hell didnt want to give it up. I can buy a pair of shoes even if I have a hundred pairs. She lives happily with Tom Lepak, 65, who works in sales for an industrial construction firm. For this and other reasons, shes built a legal wall between their finances.

There are many women like Jaross, economically independent, able and determined to have equal relationships. She loves to cook, but Lepak does the clean-up and laundry. He makes the bed and does the yard work, which he enjoys. They hire people to do what neither wants to do. That we dont have kids under foot and obligations is huge, she says. Being a couple is a different mindset now.

Partners like these also feel no obligation to operate as a unit when they visit family, see friends or travel. Jaross and Lepak, for example, see some of their children separately, some together. Hell spend a week with his brother in the East; shell visit her aging mother in New York for a month. Sometimes they travel separately, as do Doppelt and Ventura. This fall, while Ventura tours Cuba with women friends, Doppelt will be hiking in South Dakota with five other guys. I feel its O.K. to travel separately, he told me. Im not sure I would have felt that when I was married before.

Read More: More People Think Its Fine for Unwed Couples to Live Together. Heres Why Many Still Think Marriage Is Better

Couples who live in their own homes (and expect to for the rest of their lives) have the least traditional relationships and the most freedom. Living apart lets them sidestep possible conflicts over all the habits, needs and people in their lives theyve gathered over the decades. Hes a morning person and she sleeps late? No problem. He needs the thermostat at 65 while shes miserable unless its 75? Not an issue. Her grandkids regularly run wild over the house? Hey, its her house. Many have lived on their own for years and require their solitude and space.

Jeff Ostroff, host of the podcast Looking Forward, lives apart in suburban Philadelphia from the woman he calls the second love of my life. Ostroff, in his late sixties, operates on his own schedule, spending time on work, on social media, exercising, volunteering, and with his friends and his kids. He and his girlfriend of more than six years talk and video-chat several times a day, sometimes for more than an hour at a time but usually see each other only on weekends. Having his time alone during the week, he says, means he can then devote himself to her almost 100%.

What really sets these couples apart, whether they marry, live together or apart, is the emotional texture of their relationships. They have passed through lifes major transitionslike having kids or an empty nestthat often change people. They know who they are and what they need. They understand whats important to them and what isnt. As University of Colorado Denver sociologist Teresa Cooney found in comparing later-life remarriages to first marriages, these older couples are better at problem solving and argue less.

While older adults feel no pressure to re-partner, if they choose to, they select a mate who fits who they are now. As one happily cohabiting woman told me, she thought her first husband would be a great father, and he was. But he was not the right mate for midlife and beyond. Couples who partner in later life choose each other exclusively for the relationship, for the love, companionship and emotional support it provides.

University of Haifa psychologist Chaya Koren finds that in the older remarriages she studied, each spouse felt more like an individual within their relationship, fostering both greater equality and deeper intimacy. Time acts on older couples in a paradoxical way, says Stockholm University sociologist Torbjorn Bildtgard, who studied romantic unions after age 60. On one hand, they have more leisure time together. On the other, they know their remaining years together are limited. They feel immense gratitude to have found each other. They cherish their love.

Lepak expresses it this way. Rather than worry about our end, he says, we try to make the most of each day we have together. We feel blessed that weve found our soul mate.
Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 91F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Cloudy. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 86F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
Ahmedabad: An 11-year-old girl, Flora Asodia, suffering from a brain tumour, was made collector for a day on Saturday in Ahmedabad as she had always dreamt of becoming a Collector.

"Flora belongs to Gandhinagar and suffering from a brain tumour. Last month, she underwent surgery and her condition deteriorated. We received a message from Make-A-Wish Foundation that the girl wants to become a collector," Ahmedabad Collector, Sandip Sangle told ANI.

After receiving the request, the collector said that he contacted the girl`s family and requested them to fulfil her dream.

"We requested Flora`s parents to make her collector for a day but they were reluctant because her condition deteriorated after the surgery but finally we succeeded to persuade them," he added.

In addition, the collector has also celebrated her birthday on September 25, the same day.

While showering his blessings on her, he said, "I wish she gets well soon and works hard to fulfil her dream. I also thank everyone who helped in fulfilling her dream today."

We contacted Flora's parents to make her collector for a day but they were reluctant because her condition deteriorated after the surgery but finally we succeeded to persuade them... I pray that she becomes a collector in the future: Ahmedabad Collector Sandip Sangle (18.09) pic.twitter.com/5jpSCIShKN  ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2021

Meanwhile, Flora`s father, Apoorv Asodia told everyone about her life. He said, "At present, Flora is studying in class 7 and has been suffering from a brain tumour for the last seven months. She likes to listen to Neha Kakkar`s songs and always wanted to become an IS officer or collector."

"Prior to the diagnosis of brain tumour, she was very good in studies. Today, Sandip sir, Make-A-Wish Foundation helped my daughter in becoming a collector. It was an immense pleasure for me and I thank everyone for fulfilling her dream," her father added.

Welcoming her at Collector`s Officer, Flora received many gifts from everybody present there.

Live TV
New Delhi: Actress Kangana Ranaut has reacted to actor Ryan Reynolds'sRea recent video, where he interacted with Indian fans while promoting his upcoming film Free Guy and compared Bollywood with Hollywood.

The Canadian actor described Free Guy as a typical Bollywood movie. If youre wondering whether Hollywood is just mimicking Bollywood...Well, the answer is yes. We have no shame, no shame at all, he said.

Kangana Ranaut shared Ryans statement on her Instagram story and slammed Hollywood for stealing movie screens in India. And trying to steal our screens, the actress captioned her post.

Kangana had earlier expressed dismay over American films taking movie screens in India and thus hampering the native film industries. We need to discourage American and English movies as they are taking over our screens. We need to behave like one nation. We need to stop dividing ourselves like North India or South India. We need to enjoy our own films first, be it Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu or Punjabi, Kangana said in a press conference while promoting her latest film Thalaivii.

The Queen actress further added, We don't appreciate each other, and rather see the dubbed versions of 'Lion King' or 'Jungle Book'. But we will not give a dubbed version of a Malayalam film a chance. This will not work in our favour. We must keep our people and our industry our priority. This is the way to make an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

On the work front, Kangana is heaping praises for her recently released biopic on late actress and politician J Jayalalithaa. The movie is directed by AL Vijay. The 34 years old will also be seen in Tejas, Dhaakad and the The Incarnation  Sita.

(With inputs from PTI).
New Delhi: On Anant Chaturdashi, it is believed, Lord Ganesha heads back to his heavenly abode. This year Anant Chaturdashi is on Sunday (September 19).

After the 10-day long festivity of Ganesh Utsav which began this year on September 10, it is now time for bidding Bappa adieu. With his departure, the 10-day long Ganeshotsav festival will culminate. Ananta Chaturdashi signifies the fourteenth day of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.

As per tradition, huge life-size idols of Lord Ganesha are taken towards the ocean for immersion and devotees gather in large numbers to join the procession.

However, do you know why Lord Ganesha's idols are immersed in water?

According to beliefs, the Visarjan symbolises life and death and how all beings that die eventually become one with the earth. It also reiterates the fact that everyone who is born on this planet has to say goodbye someday. In short, it symbolises the simple truth of mortality.

There is also a belief that water has cleansing properties physically and spiritually. So, immersing oneself in water is washing away all obstacles and purifying oneself. The same is the case for Lord Ganesha's idol.

Due to the deadly novel coronavirus second-wave outbreak and environmental hazards, most people nowadays opt for bringing eco-friendly Ganesha and immersing the idol at home.

With faith in their hearts and tears in their eyes, devotees bid adieu to the Lord of Wisdom and urge him to visit next year.

Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!
New Delhi: Lakhs of students in the country work hard and toil to secure admissions in educational institutions on the basis of merit and it is high time that backdoor entries there, including medical colleges, should stop, the Delhi High Court has said.

The high court's observation came while dismissing an appeal by five students who were granted admission in 2016 by L N Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal, without their undergoing the centralised counselling conducted by the Department of Medical Education (DME).

However, according to the Supreme Court's direction, admissions in all government and private medical colleges in the country have to be done through the centralised counselling system on the basis of NEET examination results.

Consequently, the Medical Council of India (MCI) issued letters of discharge regarding the five petitioners in April 2017 and thereafter, several more communications were sent but neither the students nor the medical college paid any heed to them.

The college continued to treat the petitioners as their students and allowed them to attend the course, appear in the examinations and get promoted. Eventually, the five petitioners filed a petition seeking quashing of the discharge communications issued by the MCI and for direction that they be permitted to continue their studies in the medical college as regular medical students, which was dismissed by the single judge.

They filed an appeal challenging the single judge's order. However, a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh also dismissed the appeal saying there is no merit in it. "It is high time that such backdoor entries in educational institutions, including medical colleges, should stop. Lakhs of students all over the country work hard and toil to secure admissions to educational institutions on the basis of their merit," the bench said in its order on September 9.

"To permit any backdoor entry to any educational institution would be grossly unfair to those who are denied admission, despite being more meritorious, on account of the seats being taken and blocked by such backdoor entrants, it said. It further added that the petitioners have only themselves to blame for the mess that they find themselves in.

"Had they acted in terms of the discharge letter of April 26, 2017, they would have saved four years of their lives. But they did not and acted recklessly. Despite not having any interim orders in their favour in their writ petition, they continued to attend the course, obviously, at their own peril, the court said.

Advocate T Singhdev, representing the MCI, said despite discharge of the petitioners by the MCI, as early as on April 26, 2017, the same was not acted upon either by the college or by the students and they continued to ignore it even after repeated communications.

He further said that there was no interim order obtained by the petitioners from the court and despite that they continued to take admissions in subsequent years and undertake examinations at the college which was done at their own peril and they cannot claim equity in their favour.

Singhdev said the petitioners did not undergo the centralised counselling and they were well aware from day one that their admissions in the college were irregular and illegal, being in the teeth of the judgement of the Supreme Court.

The counsel for the petitioners contended that they ranked higher in the NEET examination than even those who were granted admission through the central counselling conducted by the DME in relation to this medical college and, therefore, they should be shown leniency.

The court said it is for this reason that if the medical college had informed the vacancy position the DME on time, the DME would have conducted further counselling and sent names on merit on the basis of the NEET examination conducted in 2016. "It is quite possible that the names of other candidates, more meritorious than the five petitioners, may have been sent, the bench said.

"Since the respondent medical college does not appear to have informed the DME of the vacancy position, and they proceeded to grant admissions to the five petitioners much before the close of the date of admission on October 7, 2016, the other meritorious students, obviously, remained unaware that they could stake a claim against a seat in the respondent medical college on the basis of their merit. Thus, to say that no other meritorious candidate has shown up, is neither here nor there, it added.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Centre on Saturday (September 18, 2021) warned of the Serotype-II dengue cases and urged states to take necessary measures for the prevention and control of dengue and other vector-borne diseases. During the high-level meeting with states and UTs to check the COVID-19 situation, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan also highlighted the emerging challenge of Serotype-II dengue cases in 11 states which is associated with more cases and more complications than other forms of the disease.

As per the official statement of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bhusan suggested the states undertake steps like early detection of cases, operationalisation of fever helplines and adequate stocking of testing kits, larvicides and medicines. The Union Health Secretary also recommended deployment of rapid response teams for prompt investigation and necessary Public Health Action like fever survey, contact tracing, vector control, alerting blood banks for maintaining adequate stocks of blood and blood components, especially platelets.

States were also requested to undertake IEC campaigns regarding helplines, methods of vector control, source reduction at homes and symptoms of dengue.

This is to be noted that states reporting serotype - II dengue cases include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

ALSO READ | From banning coolers to fogging: How Uttar Pradesh and other Indian states are trying to battle dengue

Earlier, the health ministry had also issued an advisory to these states in August and on September 10.

No room for any complacency

During the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba advised states and UTs to undertake granular analysis of the COVID-19 situation and augment infrastructure, medicine and human resource. He also reminded Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries (Health), Principal Secretaries (Health), Municipal Commissioners, District Collectors and other senior officials of states and UTs that there is no room for complacency.

Gauba also stressed the need to strictly enforce COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB). Drawing examples from other countries that saw multiple peaks of COVID-19, he expressed concern over certain pockets in the country reporting high test positivity and advised the State Health administrators to undertake granular analysis of their COVID trajectory, ramp up their health infrastructure, undertake stocking of essential medicine and augment human resources at the earliest, to meet any potential surge in coronavirus cases.

70 districts cause of concern

The Health Secretary stated that 70 districts in 15 states are a cause of concern as 34 of these have positivity exceeding 10% and in 36 districts, the positivity is in the range of 5%-10%. In view of the forthcoming festival season, states were directed to ensure all necessary precautions and effective enforcement for the avoidance of mass gathering and congested closed spaces. They were directed to strictly follow existing guidelines regarding malls, local markets, and places of worship.

States were also urged to undertake effective IEC for the promotion of COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) and COVID safe festivities. They were advised to closely monitor the case trajectories in all districts on a daily basis to identify early warning signals and ensure the imposition of restrictions and adherence to CAB.

Live TV
New Delhi: Bringing a halt to all speculations, Charanjit Singh Channi was declared as the leader of Punjab Congress Legislative Party (CLP) on Sunday (September 19). Channi, the successor of Captian Amarinder Singh, will be the first Dalit Chief Minister of Punjab.

Channi was the Technical Educational and Industrial Training Minister in the outgoing Amarinder Singh Cabinet. He is a three-time MLA from Chamkaur Sahib constituency.

The Congress MLA was also a hard critic of Singh for some time, IANS reported. Channi served as the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly during the Parkash Singh Badal-led Akali-BJP government from 2015 to 2016.

Announcing the new CM, Harish Rawat, Congress' Punjab-in charge, tweeted, "It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Charanjit Singh Channi has been unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab."

As per PTI sources, Channi, accompanied by party's central observers Ajay Maken and Harish Chaudhary, met Governor Banwarilal Purohit to stake claim to form the new government in Punjab.

Reacting to Channi taking over his post, Amarinder Singh said he hopes that the new CM is able to keep Punjab safe. "My best wishes to Charanjit Singh Channi. I hope he's able to keep the border state of Punjab safe and protect our people from the growing security threat from across the border," he said.

Channis name as the next Punjab CM came a few hours after reports of another outgoing minister - Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa replacing Captain were rife. After Channi was confirmed as Singh's successor, Randhawa said, "I welcome the decision of the party high command."

Channi as the next CM assumes significance as Punjab will go to Assembly polls in less than five months.

Another senior leader, Brahm Mohindra, who is considered close to state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, also welcomed Channi's selection for the top job.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
New Delhi: Charanjit Singh Channi will take oath as the new Chief Minister of Punjab on Monday (September 20) at 11 am. He was unanimously selected as the leader of the Punjab Congress Legislative Party (CLP) today.

Channi, the successor of Captian Amarinder Singh, will be the first Dalit Chief Minister of Punjab. Addressing media after meeting Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Channi said, We have presented our stance, unanimously supported by party MLAs, before the Governor. Oath taking ceremony will take place at 11 am tomorrow."

Channi, a three-time MLA from Chamkaur Sahib constituency, was announced as the successor of Amarinder Singh on Sunday. Announcing the new CM, Harish Rawat, Congress' Punjab in-charge, tweeted, "It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Charanjit Singh Channi has been unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab."

It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Sh. #CharanjitSinghChanni has been unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party of Punjab.@INCIndia @RahulGandhi @INCPunjab pic.twitter.com/iboTOvavPd  Harish Rawat (@harishrawatcmuk) September 19, 2021

Taking to Twitter, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi congratulated Channi. "Congratulations to Shri Charanjit Singh Channi Ji for the new responsibility. We must continue to fulfill the promises made to the people of Punjab. Their trust is of paramount importance," Gandhi wrote.

Congratulations to Shri Charanjit Singh Channi Ji for the new responsibility. We must continue to fulfill the promises made to the people of Punjab. Their trust is of paramount importance.  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 19, 2021

Channi was Technical Education Minister in the outgoing Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh's cabinet.

The development comes a day after Singh's resignation amid a bitter battle for power with state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu ahead of Punjab Assembly polls next year.

Reacting to Channi taking over his post, Amarinder Singh said he hopes that the new CM is able to keep Punjab safe. "My best wishes to Charanjit Singh Channi. I hope he's able to keep the border state of Punjab safe and protect our people from the growing security threat from across the border," he said.

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu called Channi's selection "historic" which will be written in "golden letters".

Historic !! Punjabs first Dalit CM-Designate  Will be written with Golden letters in History. A tribute to the spirit of the Constitution and the Congress !! Congratulations @CHARANJITCHANNI Bai pic.twitter.com/WavudGTPok  Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) September 19, 2021

Channis name as the next Punjab CM came a few hours after reports of another outgoing minister - Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa replacing Captain were rife. After Channi was confirmed as Singh's successor, Randhawa said, "I welcome the decision of the party high command."

Earlier on Sunday, veteran Congress leader Ambika Soni had reportedly told the party high command that she was not too keen on becoming the next Punjab CM. According to sources, Soni had made it clear to the party high command that the next Punjab CM should be a 'Sikh'.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala registered 19,653 new COVID-19 infections taking the total number of cases to 45,08,493, the state health ministry said on Sunday (September 19).

The state saw 152 fatalities in the same period taking the total death toll due to the infection to 23,591.

There are still 1,73,631 active cases in the state, the highest in India. The total recoveries in the state stood at 43,10,674 including 26,711 new recoveries.

Of the 1,13,295 samples tested in the last 24 hours, a test positivity rate of 17.34 per cent was recorded.

Meanwhile, the state government announced it will impose strict lockdown in regions where COVID-19 spread is out of hand.

Special intensified, stringent lockdown restrictions will be enforced in areas where the weekly infection population ratio (WIPR) is above 10 and the affected places would be notified by the district disaster management authority (DDMA) on a weekly basis, Chief Secretary V P Joy said in an order, as per PTI.

As Kerala is all set to re-open schools on November 1, Education Minister V Sivankutty said a comprehensive plan is being prepared in consultation with various stakeholders for the re-opening of educational institutions.

"A discussion with Health Minister was held regarding the matter and schools authorities have been requested for the preparedness. The plan will be prepared and submitted to the Chief Minister before October 15," Education Minister told the media.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Kerala government on Sunday (September 19) announced it will impose strict lockdown in regions where COVID-19 spread is out of hand.

Special intensified, stringent lockdown restrictions will be enforced in areas where the weekly infection population ratio (WIPR) is above 10 and the affected places would be notified by the district disaster management authority (DDMA) on a weekly basis, Chief Secretary V P Joy said in an order, as per PTI.

The affected areas would be publicised through websites and other media, the order added. The District Collectors shall further notify micro-containment zones as per guidelines and enforce the lockdown restrictions therein, Joy said, adding that contact tracing and quarantine will also be monitored and strengthened in all districts

Kerala reported 19,653 fresh coronavirus infection cases and 152 fatalities, which pushed the caseload to 45,08,493 and the death toll to 23,591, as per an official press release on Sunday. There are currently 1,73,631 active cases in the state.

Earlier, the Kerala government announced schools for standards 1 to 7 and Classes 10 and 12 will reopen from November 1, while for the remaining students physical classes will resume from November 15. The colleges in the state have been permitted to reopen from October 4, 2021.

Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Sunday that a detailed action plan for reopening schools in the state will be framed after holding discussions with concerned departments to ensure the safety of the children attending the schools.

In early September, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan had ruled out a complete lockdown in the state stating that it will create a huge crisis for the economy and livelihoods. "Nobody wants another state-wide lockdown because its implementation will adversely affect the economy and the livelihood of the people," the CM was quoted as saying by ANI.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
Mumbai: A Mumbai court on Sunday (September 19) sent a terror suspect identified as Rizwan, who was arrested earlier today from Mumbra region in Thane, to police custody till Monday.

Rizwan was apprehended by Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad earlier today from the Mumbra area of Thane district and produced before Mumbai`s Holiday Court. According to the ATS, Rizwan`s name had surfaced during the interrogation of Zakir Hussain Sheikh, who was apprehended by a joint team of Maharashtra ATS and Mumbai Police Crime Branch.

ATS is investigating his role in the terror module which was busted a week earlier in Delhi by Delhi Police Special Cell. As per sources in ATS, Rizwan allegedly played a role in the disappearance of a phone belonging to Jaan Mohammad, another terrorist part of the module. It has been alleged that Rizwan was aware of the plot of the Pakistan-backed terror module.

Maharashtra ATS on Saturday produced Zakir Hussain Shaikh before Mumbai Special Court, which sent him to custody till Monday in connection with the terror plot busted by Delhi Police. The suspect, Shaikh, allegedy had links with the terror module.

According to Maharashtra ATS, Shaikh had asked the arrested terrorist Jaan Mohammad alias Sameer Kalia to bring arms and explosives to Mumbai. Delhi Police Special Cell had busted a Pakistan organised terror module and arrested six operatives, including two Pakistani-trained terrorists. The arrested suspects were planning to carry out targeted killings and blasts across the country, as per the police.

Live TV
New Delhi: New Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is all set to meet President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Delhi on Monday (September 20).

According to the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office (CMO), during his one-day visit to the national capital, Patel will pay a courtesy call on Kovind and Naidu for the first time since assuming the CM post.

The CMO office in its release on Sunday (September 19) added that Patel will also meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP president JP Nadda before returning to Ahmedabad on Monday night.

Patel replaced Vijay Rupani, who had in a surprising move stepped down from the top post, and took oath as Gujarat's 17th chief minister.

Patel, seen as a protege of former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, is a first-term BJP MLA from Ghatlodia constituency. He had won the 2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections defeating Congress candidate Shashikant Patel. He was a part of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority.

After his swearing-in ceremony on September 13, Patels new Cabinet took oath three days later. Besides keeping the Home ministry, CM Patel is also in charge of General Administration Department, Information and Broadcast, Industries, Mines and Minerals, Capital Projects, Urban Development, Urban Housing and Narmada and Ports, as per an official release. 24 ministers were administered oath in the new Cabinet, while no Deputy CM was appointed. Kanubhai Desai was allocated Finance and Energy and Petrochemicals portfolios.

The change of guard in Gujarat assumes significance as the state will witness polls to182-member Assembly next year.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
New Delhi: Airlines can now operate a maximum of 85 per cent of their pre-COVID-19 domestic flights instead of the 72.5 per cent allowed to date, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated on Saturday.

The carriers have been operating 72.5 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic flights since August 12, according to the ministry's order.

Between July 5 and August 12, the cap stood at 65 per cent. Between June 1 and July 5, the cap was at 50 per cent.

The ministry issued a fresh order on Saturday, in which it modified the August 12 order stating that "72.5 per cent capacity may be read as 85 per cent capacity".

Saturday's order also noted that the 72.5 per cent cap will remain in place "until further order".

When the government had resumed the scheduled domestic flights on May 25 last year after a two-month break, the ministry had allowed the carriers to operate not more than 33 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic services.

The cap was gradually increased to 80 per cent by December.

The 80 per cent cap remained in place till June 1.

The May 28 decision to bring down the cap from 80 to 50 per cent from June 1 onwards was taken "in view of the sudden surge in the number of active COVID-19 cases across the country, decrease in passenger traffic and the passenger load (occupancy rate) factor", the ministry had said.
New Delhi: The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) on Friday (September 17, 2021) approved a policy that allows restaurants and eateries to serve food and beverages in open spaces such as terraces or balconies.

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, an order issued by the civic body said, ....the use of open space/terrace abutting licensed eating houses for service purpose is allowed and will be regulated as per the provisions of the Delhi Municipal Act, 1957, requisite technical terms and conditions are applicable....

Additionally, the EDMC senior officials also confirmed that the mayor has given the policy an anticipatory approval, following which the civic body issued the order.

As per this new policy, the applicants will have to submit a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the landowner for using the open space/terrace for service purposes only as well as from Delhi Fire Service (DFS). It also adds that no food preparation will be allowed in the open area.

ALSO READ | GST on Zomato, Swiggy orders: Home delivery of food to get expensive? Heres all you need to know

If liquor is being served in the open spaces, it has to be done in a way that it is not visible to passersby, which means that it should have a wall with a provision for regulated entry/exit. The open space should also have direct access or opening to the main road, the order added.

The applicants will also have to submit the building structural safety certificate by the registered structural engineer to secure permission from the civic body. Along with this, the order also added that the restaurant owners will be charged an open service area fee along with the licence fee for operating such spaces.

The fee for operating open spaces will be charged at the rate of 200 per square feet for restaurants that are rated less than four stars. For restaurants operating in star hotels (four stars and above) the rate will be 400 per square feet. The validity of the licence will be up to three years and will be renewed accordingly with licence of eating house, a Public health department was quoted as saying in the report.

meanwhile, EDMC mayor Shyam Sunder Aggarwal also said that besides providing a legal sanction to open-air dining, which has been a long-standing demand from restaurant owners, the order will also help boost revenue.

There are many five-star hotels in our area as well as a number of standalone restaurants, and we hope to earn a substantial revenue. This will give the eating outlets a new boost during the pandemic as well. Also, those who have been trying to have open-air dining for a long will now have it easy. It works both ways and benefits both the corporation as well as restaurant owners, and also those who want to dine in the open, said Aggarwal.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Goa government on Saturday (September 18, 2021) announced that the casinos will resume operations from Monday on the condition that they adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols. The decision, taken during a Task Force Committee meeting chaired by the Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant, may also aim at reviving the tourism sector. However, the ban on spas, massage parlours, river cruises, EDMs and nightclubs will continue.

Sawant said that the state should start economic activities, especially those related to tourism, as the positivity rate is below two per cent.

ALSO READ | Goa allows foreigners to get COVID-19 jab

"Casinos will start from Monday with 50 per cent capacity and strict pandemic protocols. Those who are fully vaccinated or those carrying RT-PCR negative certificates will be allowed to enter. The ban on spas, massage parlours, river cruises, EDMs, night clubs will continue," the Goa CM said.

Meanwhile, over 20,200 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in Goa on Saturday. So far, the state has given first dose to more than 6.3 lakh people, while around 5.46 lakh are fully vaccinated.

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also congratulated Goans for a hundred per cent first dose vaccination of the eligible population.

Hon'ble Primer Minister Shri @narendramodi ji appreciates Goans for not only vaccinating its population but also vaccinating its tourists & Migrant workers. pic.twitter.com/QGmDIZSnvo  CMO Goa (@goacm) September 18, 2021

Hon'ble Primer Minister Shri @narendramodi ji appreciates Goans for their fight in Covid, Cyclone & Flood under the Leadership of Chief Minister @DrPramodPSawant pic.twitter.com/XHZjcFXiDP  CMO Goa (@goacm) September 18, 2021

Meanwhile, Goa police on Saturday conducted a raid on an illegal casino in Varca and arrested 15 persons allegedly involved in gambling activities. According to a press statement issued by Police, a joint operation was led by the teams of Colva and Margao town police to conduct a raid at the hotel. The fifteen accused were involved in gambling activities by playing with the help of chips of different colours having a value of Rs 6,90,000 and playing cards.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit United States with a key focus on the first-ever in-person Quad summit and his United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) address. While the Quad meeting is scheduled for Friday (September 24, 2021), PM Modi's address at the United Nations General Assembly is on Saturday.

The first leg of the Prime Minister's direct visit to the US will be Washington and will see three key bilateral meetings -- with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and US President Joe Biden.

This, notably, will be the first in-person meeting between PM Modi and President Biden since the new US administration took charge in January this year. Both leaders, however, have spoken three times since then and were present together at two key virtual meets -- Biden's climate change summit in April and the virtual Quad meeting in March.

Prime Minister Modi had also spoken to President-elect Biden in November 2020 to congratulate him on his victory in the US Presidential elections. It was followed by a conversation in February and April on strategic partnership and cooperation against the COVID-19 pandemic.

PM Modi will be in New York on Saturday for his UNGA address and hold bilateral on its sidelines with various countries. This will be his fourth address to the body since 2014. He has so far addressed the body in 2014, 2019 and 2020.

The theme for this year's General Debate is Building Resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalise the United Nations. The high-level week opens in New York on Tuesday with US President Biden addressing it on the first day.

Earlier, PM Modi had visited the US on several occasions including in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
New Delhi: The Punjab Police on Saturday (September 18, 2021) described the Jalalabad motorcycle blast as an "act of terror" and said it has arrested one person in connection with the case.

Within 3 days of the Motorcycle Blast in Jalalabad, the Punjab Police cracked the case and arrested the accused, Parveen Kumar, a native of Fazilka district's Dharmupura village, which is just three kilometres away from the India-Pakistan border.

The police also said that a tiffin bomb was also recovered, following an intel by a farmer, which was hidden in the field by the accused. The bomb along with some other materials was found by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the National Security Guard (NSG) in the fields near the Nanak Pura falling under the Jalalabad sub-division.

Meanwhile, a 22-year-old man, Balwinder Singh, was killed after the fuel tank of his motorcycle exploded in Fazilka's Jalalabad on September 15. The investigation by Punjab police revealed Kumar's role in hatching a conspiracy to blow up the motorcycle in a crowded area.

ALSO READ | From Navjot Singh Sidhu to Sunil Jakhar, a look at frontrunners for post of Punjab CM after Amarinder Singh's exit

Sharing details, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ferozepur Range Jatinder Singh Aulakh said that after finding the role of Parveen in hatching the conspiracy to blow off the motorcycle in a crowded area, the Fazilka Police launched a probe into the available clues and arrested Parveen on Saturday.

IGP also said that, during investigations, Parveen revealed that the blast which happened on the motorcycle, was being driven by Binder, and it was supposed to be parked in some crowded area in Jalalabad city.

Kumar also revealed that the planning for this "act of terror" was done on September 14 at the house of one Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha, a resident of Ferozepur's Chandi Wala village, the IGP said.

Gurpreet Singh, a native of Lakhmir Ke Hitthar village in Mamdot, was also part of the plan, he said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Hilori said that based on the inputs gathered from Kumar, all four accused, including Balwinder, have been booked and efforts are on to arrest Sukhwinder and Gurpreet. He said all the four accused have a criminal background and are related to each other.

On August 8, the Amritsar Rural police had recovered five hand grenades and a tiffin bomb from Daleke village in Lopoke.

On August 20, the Kapurthala police had also recovered two hand grenades, one tiffin bomb and other explosive material from Phagwara.

Another tiffin bomb was used to blow up an oil tanker in Ajnala on August 8.

Live TV
New Delhi: A day after Captain Amarinder Singh resigned as the Chief Minister of Punjab, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Sunday (September 19) invited him to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Saying that Singh would be an asset for the NDA in the upcoming elections in Punjab, Athawale requested him to leave Congress, the party that humiliated him.

I would like to ask Captain Amarinder Singh - what is the use of staying in a party which has humiliated you? I request him to leave the Congress party and join the NDA led by Narendra Modi, the union minister was quoted as saying by ANI.

Everyone in the NDA is equally respected. Amarinder Singh can be of good use to bring the NDA to power in Punjab, he added.

Athawale further said that Singh was right in calling Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu anti-national.

When Sidhu went to Pakistan, it was a serious matter that he hugged Bajwa. Amarinder Singh is right, Sidhu is a deceiver, he said.

Earlier, Singh had written a letter to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi expressing anguish at the political events in Punjab in the last few months.

After announcing his exit, Capt Amarinder Singh declared that he wouldn't quit politics, but would wait and explore his options.

The veteran Punjab Congress leader said that he felt humiliated by the party's top brass and would exercise his options in the future. Singh said that as an Army man, he had a ''lot of will and would remain active'' in the upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab.

Live TV
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has relaxed the COVID-19 lockdown norms from Sunday by allowing a maximum of 100 people to gather at a place outside COVID-19 containment zones.

In a letter addressed to police and administration officials in the state, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said, "In closed and at open places, a maximum of 100 persons have been allowed to gather at a place, while following COVID-19 protocol. Earlier, as per June 19 government order, a maximum of 50 persons were allowed to gather at open and closed places."

A distance of two yards will have to be maintained in seating arrangements for guests.

Toilets should be adequately cleaned and sanitised, the statement said.

On September 7, activities were allowed in all the districts of UP on all days of the week from 6 am to 11 pm.

Live TV
Dehradun: Gearing up for the upcoming assembly elections in Uttarakhand, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday (September 19) promised that his party, if voted to power, would provide Rs 5000 as unemployment allowance and 80 per cent reservation in jobs for locals.

Addressing a press conference in Haldwani, Kejriwal asserted that he would take measures to prevent migration from the state to cities where many locals go looking for jobs.

He said that an assured monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 will be given to an individual from every family till they got a job. He promised to reserve 80 per cent of both private and government jobs for the people of the state. He also said his party would create one lakh employment opportunities within six months of coming to power.

A job portal, on the lines of the one in Delhi, will be launched which will provide an interactive platform to job seekers and employers, Kejriwal said.

A separate ministry will also be created to address the issues of unemployment and migration, he added.

Referring to his earlier promises of free electricity to farmers round the clock and 300 units of power to every household at no cost, Kejriwal said all these are meant to be fulfilled.

"Unlike others, we do what we say. We are going to keep all our promises. If we say we will give free power to farmers 24x7 or give 300 units of power for free, we mean it. We have done it in Delhi, and we will do it here," he said.

Kejriwal said the AAP has run Delhi and it will bring that experience to serve the people of Uttarakhand.

Seventy-three per cent of people in Delhi are getting free electricity, he said, adding that the Delhi model of development will be adopted in Uttarakhand.

Live TV
New Delhi: Amid Amarinder Singh snubbing Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and calling him anti-national, BJP leader Prakash Javadekar on Saturday (September 19) questioned Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over their silence on Captains remark.

Javadekar also asked if Congress will comment on the allegations and take action, ANI reported.

BJP MP Prakash Javadekar said, Former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has called his party's state chief Navjot Singh Sindhu anti-national. This is a very serious allegation. BJP is asking only one question to Congress that why Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka are silent on this?

We demand Congress to speak on this issue and put their version. Will Congress take cognizance of these allegations and take action on it: BJP leader Prakash Javadekar  ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2021

We demand Congress to speak on this issue and put their version. Will Congress take cognizance of these allegations and take action on it, Javadekar added.

Former Union minister Javadekars statement comes a day after Amarinder Singh stepped down as the Punjab CM saying he felt humiliated. On Saturday, Singh, who has long been embroiled in a bitter battle with Sidhu, called him anti-national, incompetent and a security threat to the state and the country.

We have all seen Sidhu hugging Imran Khan and General Bajwa, and singing praises for the Pakistan Prime Minister at the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor while our soldiers were being killed at the borders every day, IANS quoted him as saying.

Further attacking the Punjab Congress president, Singh told ANI, Navjot Singh Sidhu is an incompetent man, he is going to be a disaster. I will oppose his name for the next CM face. He has a connection with Pakistan. It will be a threat to national security.

Expressing displeasure at the prospect of Sidhus name being proposed as his successor, the senior Congress leader said, If they want to make him the face as Chief Minister of Punjab, I will oppose him."

He added, "Sidhu could not manage a thing. I know him very well. Don`t think that he is some sort of magic word for Punjab. He is going to be a disaster."

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
Bengaluru: Two youths were held for allegedly attacking a man for going with a woman of their community on his bike here, a police officer said on Sunday.

"A video of the assault on a bike rider for travelling along with a woman of different faith went viral on social media. In this connection a case has been registered in the Suddaguntepalya police station. Police swiftly acted on this and arrested two people within 12 hours," the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Bengaluru North East Division said in a statement.

Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai too reacted to the incident which took place on Friday night.

"In connection with the case of assault on a man travelling with a woman of different faith, @BlrCityPolice has acted swiftly, identified, secured 2 accused persons, registered case & legal action is initiated. My Govt deals with such incidents with an iron hand," he tweeted.

In connection with the case of assault on a bike rider travelling alongwith a woman of different faith,@BlrCityPolice has acted swiftly, identified & secured 2 accused persons. A case is registered & legal action is initiated. My Govt. deals with such incidents with an iron hand.  Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) September 19, 2021

According to police, one of the accused had shot the video of the incident and later made it viral on social media. In the video, the duo was seen assaulting and abusing a man for "daring" to take a woman of their community on a ride on his bike.

The duo then forced the woman to give them the phone number of her husband and then called and abused him for being 'impotent' for letting his wife roam around with a man from another community. They also forced her to get down from the bike, police sources said.
Thiruvananthapuram: A detailed action plan for reopening of schools in Kerala will be chalked out after holding discussions with concerned departments, state Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Sunday.

Sivankutty said deliberations with various departments are ongoing to ensure the safety of the children attending the schools.

"A detailed plan ensuring the safety of the children will be drawn up after holding discussions at the state and district level with health officials and the district collectors and submitted before the Chief Minister by October 15," Sivankutty told the media here.

The Minister said the plan would involve ensuring masks, sanitiser for students and measures to maintain social distancing and the guidelines for the vehicles which transport students to schools.

After remaining shut since March last year, the Kerala government on Saturday decided to reopen schools in the state from November 1. A decision in this regard was taken at the COVID-19 evaluation meeting that was chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday.

"The chief minister has directed the authorities to complete the necessary requirements to reopen the schools at least 15 days in advance. The classes for standards 1 to 7 (primary section) and 10 and 12 will begin from November 1. From November 15 all other classes will resume," a release issued by the Chief Minister's office had said.

Live TV
Jabalpur: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has made a big announcement that the BJP government will start doorstep delivery of rations in 89 tribal blocks from November 1 - the foundation day of Madhya Pradesh.

Addressing the Gaurav Diwas programme in Jabalpur to honour tribal leaders who participated in the Independence movement, the CM said, "We will start doorstep delivery of rations in 89 tribal blocks from November 1, the foundation day of Madhya Pradesh. Tribals won`t need to visit ration shops by leaving their work. Vehicles owned by tribals will be hired for the distribution work."

We will start doorstep delivery of rations in 89 tribal blocks from November 1, the foundation day of Madhya Pradesh. Tribals won't need to visit ration shops by leaving their work. Vehicles owned by tribals will be hired for the distribution work: CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan(18.09) pic.twitter.com/UEklkB8wUZ  ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2021

During the event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present. The CM said that the work for the development of tribals has only been done by the BJP government. "When Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the prime minister, he was the first person to form a different ministry for tribals, he said.

CM Chauhan said that during the Congress government the scholarship for the tribal students was Rs 200-300 per month which was later increased to Rs 1100 per month by the BJP government.

"Even if a tribal student get enrolled into reputational colleges/universities, we decided that the government would pay the fees even if it costs Rs 15-20 lakh."

He also said that the government has decided to celebrate Tribal Gaurav Diwas on November 15 every year. The CM added that the government will celebrate the martyrdom of tribal leader Shankar Shah and his son Raghunath Shah on September 18 every year.

Live TV
New Delhi: Deepika Padukone surely knows how to flaunt her perfect skin with a glowing smile. The actress is an avid social media user and is often seen sharing jaw-dropping pictures of her on the photo-sharing app.

On Sunday, the diva who is badminton legend Prakash Padukone's elder daughter, spent her afternoon playing the sport.

After sweating it out at the court, Deepika posted a picture of herself on Instagram.

"The post (badminton) glow," she captioned the photograph.

Netizens are in complete awe of her glow.

"That glow," a user commented.

"Wow. Your skin looks so refreshing," another one wrote.

Her post has also caught ace shuttler PV Sindhu's attention.

"After how many calories," Sindhu quipped.

Deepika and Sindhu recently met each other for a dinner in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, on the film front, Deepika will be seen sharing screen space with Ananya Panday and Siddhant Chaturvedi in Shakun Batra's next. She is also a part of 'The Intern' remake.

Not only that, Deepika and Hrithik Roshan will be paired up for the first time together for their upcoming venture "Fighter" which will be India's first-ever aerial action genre film. The film will be directed by Siddharth Anand, and will be shot using the latest technology and filming techniques and at locations across the world. Fighter will release in 2022.
New Delhi: Bigg Boss OTTs second runner-up Shamita Shetty is back home post her eviction from the show.

Actor and sister Shilpa Shetty has finally reunited with her after a span of six weeks inside the Bigg Boss OTT house.

An elated Shilpa took to her Instagram handle and shared an adorable picture with Shamita, whom she fondly calls 'Tunki'.

Sharing the picture, in which the 'Dhadkan' actor is seen capturing a selfie while giving her younger sister a tight hug and kiss, she wrote, "And my Tunki is back yaaay. You not gonna be able to get out of this tight SQUEEZE @shamitashetty_official. Welcome home."

The adorable post accumulated more than 3 lakh likes within a few hours of being shared on the photo-sharing platform.

For the unversed, Shamita was among the top 3 finalists of the Karan Johar-hosted reality show. Actor Divya Agarwal lifted the trophy, defeating choreographer Nishant Bhat and Shamita in the finale round.

Earlier, Shilpa has shared another post, urging her fans to vote for her sister for the big win.

She wrote, "My Tunki is in the Top 5 and Im such a proud sister. Her honesty and dignity through this journey inside the #BiggBoss house makes my heart swell with pride and Im so happy to see her come into her own. YOU are already MY winner my darling .. Hope you all make her the BIGG BOSS winner, #InstaFam

#ShamitasTribe, lets make it happen! Head to my InstaStories to vote for @shamitashetty_official!"
New Delhi: Jaani Dushman actor Rajat Bedi, who was involved in a car accident, spoke about the incident in an interview with a leading daily. He narrated the story from start to finish and also revealed that he has extended financial support to the victim's family.

It was reported on September 8, that the man hit by Bedi's car succumbed to his injuries and died at a Mumbai hospital.

As per a PTI report, D N Nagar police had registered a case against the actor under Indian Penal Code sections 279 (rash driving) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others).

Later, they also added section 304-A (Causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code in the FIR registered against the actor, an official said.

Speaking about the tragic incident, Rajat Bedi told Hindustan Times, "The accident completely destroyed me. Even though it was not my fault, I am devastated, thinking like this has happened to me. I tried my best to save his life."

The 'Partner' actor revealed that he had taken care of all the expenses for the victim's family and claimed that he will continue to financially support the family.

"I took care of all the expenses, even the funeral. I will continue to support them financially. Im just waiting for the police thing to get done, and then I will sit and look after the daughters and make some FDs for them. I have also got his wife a stable job, so that at least the family income will be decent," he said.

Rajat Bedi recounted the traumatic incident and spoke about the reaction he faced from bystanders.

He narrated, "After the accident, I just got out of the car, picked him and rushed to the hospital, all this while people kept saying, arrey actor hai actor, implying about all the other accident-related incidents involving actors. Thankfully, the accident did not happen in the night. It happened at 5:30 in the evening, nahi toh they would have assumed ke main peekar gaadi chala raha tha."

For the unversed, the incident occurred on September 6 in Mumbai, near a temple in Andheri when the actor was on his way home, according to a PTI report.

The pedestrian, who was in an inebriated condition, suddenly came into the middle of the road and got hit by the actor's car before the latter could apply brakes.

The actor took the injured person to the nearby Cooper Hospital and then went to D N Nagar police station where he informed about the incident, the police had told the agency.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: A few months ahead of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has announced a slew of changes to win over voters in the state. For instance, in what could be good news for medical professionals, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced that it will extend the retirement age of doctors.

With the latest revision, the retirement age of doctors in Uttar Pradesh will be increased to 70 years from the current age of 65 years. The announcement has come after the state was recently gripped with the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposal to extend the retirement age of doctors is likely to get the nod from the state government in the upcoming cabinet meeting. Uttar Pradesh Medical Education Minister Suresh Khanna said that in this COVID-19 era, the state needs doctors with more experience.

Most of the doctors open private clinics after government services. The recent decision will ensure that such doctors continue to offer their services to the state and the general public for a longer period.

Reports suggest that Uttar Pradeshs Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also given his consent to the proposal, which could also help the state to improve the proportion of doctors to patients in the state.

According to reports, one doctor served about 19,962 patients in Uttar Pradesh, in 2018. In comparison, the national capital Delhi had one doctor per 2203 patients. Also Read: Its Leaked! Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G India price revealed ahead of September 29 launch

So, while Uttar Pradesh has a long way to go, such initiatives from the state government will ensure improved medical services in the largest state in the country in terms of population. Also Read: iPhone 13 fallout: Apple discontinues iPhone SE 256GB

Live TV

#mute
NEW DELHI: Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday claimed that the Congress party removed Captain Amarinder Singh as Punjab Chief Minister because he was growing "more popular" than the Gandhi family.

Reacting to Capt Amarinder Singhs exit, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "Capt Amarinder Singh is a popular leader. They have removed him because they were apprehensive that he was growing more popular than Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi."

When asked about his party BJP's recent decisions to change the CMs in Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Karnataka, Joshi said, "People who are stuck in such deep mess are questioning us. It's not worth reacting to them."

Capt Amarinder Singh is a popular leader. They've removed him because they were apprehensive that he was growing more popular than Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi. People who're stuck in such deep mess are questioning us. It's not worth reacting to them: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi pic.twitter.com/70fV6s2mBL  ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2021

The reaction from the Union Minister came a day after Captain Amarinder Singh stepped down from the post of Chief Minister ahead of the meeting of party legislators in the faction-ridden state unit as the party high command decided to effect a change of guard in the border state ahead of Assembly polls early next year.

Captain Amarinder Singhs exit once again brought to fore the internal feud and factionalism that has gripped the Punjab unit of Congress for several months now.

After announcing his exit, Amarinder declared that he wouldn't quit politics, but would wait and explore his options. The veteran Punjab Congress leader said that he felt humiliated by the party top brass and would exercise his options in the future after. Singh said that as an Army man, he had a lot of will and would remain active in the upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab. I am not hanging my boots, he told reporters. He also rejected claims by the Congress leadership that he had lost the confidence of the MLAs, terming it a lame excuse.

Meanwhile, veteran Punjab Congress leader Ambika Soni has reportedly told the party high command that she is not too keen on becoming the chief minister of the state.

Soni rejected the high commands offer at a late-night meeting with her senior party colleague Rahul Gandhi, sources added. According to sources, Soni also made it clear to the party top brass that the next Punjab should be 'Sikh', and not doing so will certainly have political "ramifications".

After the refusal, the Congress which wanted Ambika Soni to become the CM after Capt Amarinder Singh resigned, is now considering other names, including Pratap Singh Bajwa, Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa and Ravneet Singh Bittu. Earlier, the party had decided to appoint Sunil Jhakhar as the Chief Minister, but now the party leadership is having second thoughts on his name.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had called a late-night meeting during which party leader Ambika Soni, general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal were present. The meeting ended post-midnight on Sunday.

Sources said the discussion on a new chief minister was held and also strategy to pacify Amarinder Singh was also discussed. Since Ambika Soni hails from Punjab, the party leadership wanted her to become the Chief Minister till elections are held. The party reportedly wants to project a non-Sikh face ahead of the polls to counter the AAP which is gaining ground in the state.

Meanwhile, the Congress party legislators are set to meet the three political observers for Punjab this evening to pick the new chief minister for Punjab after Capt Amarinder Singhs resignation from the post. After holding a meeting with the Punjab Congress MLAs, the three observers will report back to the party high command for a decision on who would be the next Chief Minister.

A section of Punjab Congress leaders, including the supporters of Capt Amarinder Singh, is reportedly upset with his unceremonious exit and the bad handling of the matter by the Congress high command. Singh tendered his resignation months ahead of the crucial assembly elections in Punjab.

Capt Amarinder Singh has clearly ruled out accepting Navjot Singh Sidhu as his successor and said that he will not quit politics and explore all options. "Navjot Singh Sidhu is an incompetent man. He was a total disaster in my government. He couldn't run one ministry I gave him. He did not clear files for seven months," the former Chief Minister had said.

Live TV
New Delhi: Amid the present leadership crisis in Punjab, veteran Congress leader Ambika Soni has reportedly told the party high command that she is not too keen on becoming the chief minister of the state, sources said on Sunday.

Soni rejected the offer at a late-night meeting with her senior party colleague Rahul Gandhi, sources added. According to sources, Soni also made it clear to the party top brass that the next Punjab should be 'Sikh', and not doing so will certainly have political "ramifications".

"I've declined the offer (to be the next Punjab CM)...I believe Punjab CM face should be a Sikh," Ambika Soni was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. "Party's exercise is going on in Chandigarh with the general secretary and observers are taking views of all MLAs. I believe Punjab CM face should be a Sikh,'' Soni added.

#WATCH "I've declined the offer (to be the next Punjab CM)...I believe #Punjab CM face should be a Sikh," says Congress MP Ambika Soni in Delhi pic.twitter.com/xPuPv9hvug  ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2021

After the refusal, the Congress which wanted Ambika Soni to become the CM after Capt Amarinder Singh resigned, is now considering other names, including Pratap Singh Bajwa, Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa and Ravneet Singh Bittu. Earlier, the party had decided to appoint Sunil Jhakhar as the Chief Minister, but now the party leadership is having second thoughts on his name.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had called a late-night meeting during which party leader Ambika Soni, general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal were present. The meeting ended post-midnight on Sunday.

Sources said the discussion on a new chief minister was held and also strategy to pacify Amarinder Singh was also discussed. Since Ambika Soni hails from Punjab, the party leadership wanted her to become the Chief Minister till elections are held. The party reportedly wants to project a non-Sikh face ahead of the polls to counter the AAP which is gaining ground in the state.

Meanwhile, the Congress party legislators are set to meet the three political observers for Punjab today to pick the new chief minister for Punjab after Capt Amarinder Singhs resignation from the post. After holding a meeting with the Punjab Congress MLAs, the three observers will report back to the party high command for a decision on who would be the next Chief Minister.

A section of Punjab Congress leaders, including the supporters of Capt Amarinder Singh, is reportedly upset with his unceremonious exit and the bad handling of the matter by the Congress high command. Singh tendered his resignation months ahead of the crucial assembly elections in Punjab.

Capt Amarinder Singh has clearly ruled out accepting Navjot Singh Sidhu as his successor and said that he will not quit politics and explore all options. "Navjot Singh Sidhu is an incompetent man. He was a total disaster in my government. He couldn't run one ministry I gave him. He did not clear files for seven months," the former Chief Minister had said.

Among the front runners for the CMs post are - former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, party state chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Congress MP Partap Singh.

Live TV
New Delhi: The planet is heading towards a 2.7 degrees Celsius warmer Earth which is above the pre-industrial levels, as per a global emissions targets report by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. A similar report in August showed global temperature warming to nearly 1.2 degrees.

Scientists opine that countries need to slash 45% of its emissions by the year 2030 to reach carbon neutrality by mid-century. But under current emissions commitments from countries there will be a 16% increase in emissions in 2030 as compared to the levels in 2010, the report stated.

Reacting to the report, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement saying the planet's current path is 'catastrophic'. "This is breaking the promise made six years ago to pursue the 1.5-degree Celsius goal of the Paris Agreement. Failure to meet this goal will be measured in the massive loss of lives and livelihoods," Guterres said.

He urged countries to come together with real ambition and cooperation to win the race against the climate crisis. "It is clear that everyone must assume their responsibilities," he said.

On Twitter he wrote: "The @UNFCCC report shows we are breaking the #ParisAgreement promise to keep global heating to 1.5C. We can still achieve that target, but are almost out of time. We need real ambition & cooperation to win the race against the climate crisis."

The @UNFCCC report shows we are breaking the #ParisAgreement promise to keep global heating to 1.5C. We can still achieve that target, but are almost out of time. We need real ambition & cooperation to win the race against the climate crisis. https://t.co/dxPD60jQh8 pic.twitter.com/Z1EWVA1aga  Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 18, 2021

The report comes amid extreme weather coditions around the world prompted due to climate changes. While the Western US has been battered by wildfires, unrelenting droughts, flooding events and hurricanes in the east China has experienced deadly flooding events in July. Many countries in Southern Europe have been battling wildfires and floods of disastrous propotions.

Live TV
New Delhi: Reality show queen Divya Agarwal is ecstatic post her win at Bigg Boss OTT. Divya was the only contestant who had no connection in the house and was fighting her battle all alone and that too with great dedication.

Celebrating Divyas win her mentor and brother Rannvijay Singha shared a video on his Instagram expressing his happiness over the win.

He wrote, The trophy is home. @divyaagarwal_official won!! Thanks a ton to all of you for voting for her! So proud of @varunsood12 @harmansingha @akshitasood @sartajsangha @esha_bhuchar @prince_agarwal_ and all Divyas friends who were doing all the hard work from outside too!

For the unversed, Divya won the trophy of the first season, it was Nishant Bhat who became the first runner-up with Shamita Shetty becoming the second. Raqesh Bapat got evicted at 4th position with Pratik Sehajpal becoming the first confirmed contestant of the Bigg Boss 15. He was the one who took the suitcase and decided to quit the show in order to enter the Salman Khan show.

Bigg Boss 15 will be hosted by Salman Khan and will premiere from October 2. The show will have some big names to it and so it will interesting to see who will be making a comeback at the Bigg Boss 15 from the Karan Johar hosted show.

After Pratik, the buzz is strong that Bigg Boss OTT winner Divya Agarwal will be making her way to the Bigg Boss 15 house. Well, only time will tell till then stay tuned.
Mumbai: Serial reality show star Divya Agarwal was declared the winner of 'Bigg Boss OTT' on Saturday, marking a victorious end to her stay at the `house` hosted by Karan Johar.

Agarwal`s name was announced by Gauahar Khan, actress and `Bigg Boss 7` winner, leading Johar to exclaim "Woman power zindabad".

A journalism student who went on to become a choreographer and actress (seen most recently in the web series `Ragini MMS: Returns 2`), Agarwal had previously won the reality show 'Ace of Space 1' after being the runner-up at 'MTV Splitsvilla 10'.

Agarwal takes home a cheque of Rs 25 lakh, the `Bigg Boss` trophy and wins a place, along with the other four finalists, in `Bigg Boss` hosted by Salman Khan, opening shortly on the television channel Colors.

Right from the start of `Bigg Boss OTT`, which ran for six weeks, Agarwal kept making headlines, whether it was because of her catfights with Shamita Shetty, who got her fair share of attention because of the arrest of her brother-in-law, Raj Kundra, for allegedly being the kingpin of the Mumbai porn racket, or her bonding with actor and model Raqesh Bapat, who got eliminated on the finale night.

Shetty was the second runner-up, the first being Nishant Bhatt, a choreographer who has been associated with dance reality shows such as `Super Dancer 3`, `Jhalak Dikhlaja` and `Nach Baliye`
Sydney: Australia defended its scrapping of a deal for French submarines on Sunday (September 19), saying the government had raised concerns to Paris for months, as a new deal with the United States and Britain continued to fuel a multinational diplomatic crisis.

"I don`t regret the decision to put Australia`s national interest first," said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Australia ditched the 2016 deal with France`s Naval Group to build a fleet of conventional submarines, announcing on Thursday (September 16) a plan to build at least eight nuclear-powered ones with US and British technology in a trilateral security partnership.

The move infuriated France, a NATO ally of the United States and Britain, prompting it to recall its ambassadors from Washington and Canberra. It also riled China the major rising power in the Indo-Pacific region.

Morrison said he understood France`s disappointment over the cancellation of the order - valued at $40 billion in 2016 and reckoned to cost much more today - but reiterated that Australia must always take decisions in its best interest.

"This is an issue that had been raised by me directly some months ago and we continued to talk those issues through, including by defence ministers and others," Morrison told a briefing.

The new trilateral deal has put Washington in an unprecedented diplomatic crisis with France that analysts say could do lasting damage to the US alliances with France and Europe, also throwing into doubt the united front that US President Joe Biden has been seeking to forge against China`s growing power.

Paris has called the cancellation a stab in the back with Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian saying relations with the United States and Australia were in a "crisis".

Morrison said he had informed France about the new deal at 08:30 p.m. on Wednesday. He, Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced it at 7 a.m. Canberra time on Thursday (2100 GMT on Wednesday).

Defence Minister Peter Dutton said Australia was "upfront, open and honest" with France about its concerns.

"Suggestions that the concerns hadn`t been flagged by the Australian government, just defy, frankly, what`s on the public record and certainly what they`ve said publicly over a long period of time," Dutton told Sky News.

He declined to reveal the costs of the new pact, saying only that "it`s not going to be a cheap project".

Live TV
Del Rio: The US plans to speed up its efforts to expel Haitian migrants on flights to their Caribbean homeland, officials have said as agents poured into a Texas border city where thousands of Haitians have gathered after suddenly crossing into the US from Mexico.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that it moved about 2,000 of the migrants who had gathered under and near a bridge in the border city of Del Rio to other locations on Friday for processing and possible removal from the United States.

It also said it would have 400 agents and officers in the area by Monday morning and was prepared to send more if necessary.

The announcement marks a swift response to the sudden arrival of Haitians in Del Rio, a city of about 35,000 people that's roughly 233 kilometers west of San Antonio and sits on a relatively remote stretch of border that lacks capacity to hold and process such large numbers of people.

A US official told The Associated Press on Friday that operational capacity and Haiti's willingness to accept flights will determine how many there will be. The official said progress was being made on negotiations with Haitian authorities.

ALSO READ | Pakistan was like a hired gun for the US: Imran Khan on Afghanistan crisis, calls Antony Blinken's remarks on Pak ignorant

The official said the US would likely fly five to eight planes a day, starting Sunday, while another official expected no more than two a day and said all migrants would be tested for COVID-19.

Both officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

US Customs and Border Protection closed traffic to vehicles and pedestrians in both directions Friday at the only border crossing between Del Rio and Ciudad Acua, Mexico, "to respond to urgent safety and security needs."

Travellers were being directed indefinitely to a crossing in Eagle Pass 91 kilometers away.

Crowd estimates varied, but Val Verde County Sheriff Frank Joe Martinez said Friday that there were about 13,700 new arrivals in Del Rio. Migrants pitched tents and built makeshift shelters from giant reeds known as carrizo cane. Many bathed and washed clothing in the river.

The flight plan, while potentially massive in scale, hinges on how Haitians respond. They might have to decide whether to stay put at the risk of being sent back to an impoverished homeland wracked by poverty and political instability or return to Mexico. Unaccompanied children are exempt from fast-track expulsions.

DHS said, "Our borders are not open, and people should not make the dangerous journey."

ALSO READ | US President Joe Biden urges nations to cut methane emissions to fight back climate change

Individuals and families are subject to border restrictions, including expulsion," the agency wrote. Irregular migration poses a significant threat to the health and welfare of border communities and to the lives of migrants themselves, and should not be attempted."

Stephen Miller, the main architect of former President Donald Trump's hardline policies and a frequent critic of the Biden administration, expressed doubt that Haiti's government would agree to the number of flights for a large-scale operation. He recounted daily calls with US State Department officials last year over Haiti's resistance to flights, with Haiti relenting only under the threat of sanctions.

About 500 Haitians were ordered off buses by Mexican immigration authorities in the state of Tamaulipas, about 200 kilometers south of the Texas border, the state government said in a news release Friday. They continued toward the border on foot.

Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. In large numbers from South America for several years, many having left their Caribbean nation after a devastating earthquake in 2010. After jobs dried up from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, many made the dangerous trek by foot, bus and car to the U.S. Border, including through the infamous Darien Gap, a Panamanian jungle.

It is unclear how such a large number amassed so quickly, though many Haitians have been assembling in camps on the Mexican side of the border to wait while deciding whether to attempt to enter the United States.

US authorities are being severely tested after Biden quickly dismantled Trump administration policies that Biden considered cruel or inhumane, most notably one requiring asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while waiting for U.S. Immigration court hearings.

A pandemic-related order to immediately expel migrants without giving them the opportunity to seek asylum that was introduced in March 2020 remains in effect, but unaccompanied children and many families have been exempt. During his first month in office, Biden chose to exempt children travelling alone on humanitarian grounds.

Nicole Phillips, legal director for advocacy group Haitian Bridge Alliance, said Saturday that the US government should process migrants and allow them to apply for asylum, not rush to expel them. The group's executive director was traveling to the area but hadn't arrived yet.

"It really is a humanitarian crisis," Phillips said. "There needs to be a lot of help there now." Mexico has agreed to take in expelled families only from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, creating an opening for Haitians and other nationalities.

Mexico's immigration agency said in a statement Saturday that Mexico has opened a "permanent dialogue" with Haitian government representatives to address the situation of irregular migratory flows during their entry and transit through Mexico, as well as their assisted return."

Live TV